Love Note from Reverend Denise
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 Wow, have the testimonials we have been hearing warmed my heart and reminded me how many ways people come to find Countryside to be their spiritual home and their religious community. I am writing you today to check on you, to ask you to attend our last Cottage Meeting (March 21 at 7 pm on Zoom) and to turn in a pledge that you feel proud of by March 30, 2023.
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First, how are you? If you are one of the 80+ households that need to turn in a pledge for 2023-24, are you doing, ok? I always worry about folks who don’t respond, and I hope it is just that they forgot their pledge, and that it is not that they have fallen on hard times or lost touch. If you need an exemption for your pledge, just ask me. When we have that chat, I will also find out if there are resources that I or the lay ministry team can help you with. We care about you. Membership in CCUU is for people of all abilities, incomes, and backgrounds. We want to support you when times are challenging. That is also why we remind people of the ways we help with these word clouds which describe issues we have addressed and how we have helped this year alone.
 
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Recently, we had seven households who could not afford to give to Countryside and are able to for next year. These are all folks we have kept in contact with and supported pastorally as well. We do ask if you need an exemption to please let us know each year. We want to be in relationship with you and hear how you are doing. Let me know, RevDenise@ccuu.org, if you have questions about your situation.
I am seeing more than 63 households have raised their pledge for 2023-24 and have done so by anywhere from 5 to 100% and more. The average pledge increase is around 30% and many came in more than 50% higher. That is so generous, and it is putting the pledge spread on more fiscally solid ground. Thank you so much to all who were able to pledge and to those who were able to raise their pledge. There are about half of the pledging households that have not turned in their pledge, and I know you hear it over and over, but we can’t make a budget or know what our staffing will look like next fiscal year without your help. This community is for you, by you, and here to support you. Please turn in your pledge, and if you have not attended a cottage meeting, please plan to attend the final one on March 21. More than 80 of you have attended our Cottage Meetings thus far and have had honest conversations about money and about our work on issues of equity and fairness, and have learned more about where your funds go.
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This congregation runs on more than money. It also runs on invites for new friends to join, on community events, on time donated to amazing events and groups here, and on everything from making coffee to mentoring at Chalice House.
Each year, we have people who have moved to other areas or passed away and thus cannot give to CCUU any longer. Our efforts have to address that too. I am excited by the new member classes and by seeing guests each week. If you want to join the membership and stewardship teams to help with that work, let me know please, RevDenise@ccuu.org.
Creating a culture of abundance and generosity is not just for pledge season; it is an ongoing job that belongs to everyone. When you consider this community, please look at all we have accomplished this year. The list is enormous, and as I keep telling folks at the Cottage Meetings, what we are able to accomplish with 185 pledging households is incredible. We create meaningful community and help so many with this congregation. Thank you for that.
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I have heard many of you talk about what you learned from our money chats together. Many have been surprised to learn about what the UUA does for us or what the staff benefits and salaries were/are and how they need to be brought into alignment with other UU congregations to keep us on par as well as to build a culture of equity and fairness. Thank you for bringing your hearts and open minds to those conversations as we explore possibilities. I have heard how hard you have worked for the good fortune you have, how much you have overcome, and I am warmed by the many ways you share your love with this congregation and the world. Thank you.
If I can help or if our Board can help you, let us know. The Stewardship Team is also here to help you use the tools and worksheets we have to spread generosity. I look forward to an amazing spring with a concert, great pulpit guests, Living the Pledge to End Racism classes, a congregational picnic, fun worship services, and the return of the in-person Time and Talent Auction. There is a lot of fun to be had. Come grow your heart and your community. Thanks, too, for turning in your generous pledges. We can’t do this without you.
Warmly,
Rev. Denise Cawley
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Word cloud made of words in our hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition.
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Stewardship 2023-24 Resources
More information is available on the church website, https://ccuu.org/future-with-hope/, including written & video testimonials from church members.
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