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Canvass 2007 Many Voices ... One Community
Our canvass, which begins on February 4th, is a time for reflection on our First Church membership and our commitment to our Unitarian Universalist faith. The outward expression of this reflection is our annual pledge—our financial commitment to support the church and its mission through the funding of its operating budget. We are a self-governing, financially autonomous church that relies on member and friends' pledges and gifts for more than 80% of our total annual budget, the balance of which is funded with income from our endowment, rentals, and fund-raising. This year the Stewardship Committee identified a canvass goal of $510,000— challenging but reachable with full member and friend participation. Funding the budget at this level will permit us to address upcoming building maintenance, staffing, and growth-related expenses. Each year we identify a theme to focus our canvass reflection. This year's theme of "Many Voices ... One Community" recognizes the diversity of beliefs that enrich First Church and is expressed through the "Many Voices" project open to all. Borrowing liberally from an essay-writing project of the 1950s by famed newscaster Edward R. Murrow and National Public Radio's "This I Believe" project, we are asking each of our members and friends to write a core belief statement. Briefly describing beliefs, principles, or values which have shaped lives and support for First Church, completed statements will be posted in Fellowship Hall on our "Many Voices" wall along with a photograph of the author. Eventually, all statements will be included in a project book which will serve as another introduction to our community for newcomers. An outline for writing a belief statement, including examples to guide you, is available at the link below. For guidance and coaching on the process, please visit our "Many Voices" station in Fellowship Hall on Sundays between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m., or enroll in a "Many Voices" seminar. If you would like to learn more about the "NPR/This I Believe" project and its related book, we encourage you to visit www.thisibelieve.org where you will also find over 2,000 essays on line. Last but not least, please mark your calendars for our celebratory canvass event, our own Pledgeapalooza, on Sunday, March 11th, when we will come together at noon in fun and fellowship to mark the end of our canvass. You can expect to receive pledge cards in the mail by early February. However, cards may also be obtained upon request by contacting our Church Administrator at (314) 361-0595 x 22. All completed cards should be returned to the Canvass box in our Dodson Room no later than Sunday, March 4th. We appreciate your past generosity and invite you to join us in reflection, discussion, giving, and community during our canvass! The Stewardship Committee
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