2002 Bridsge Canvass

Our church has grown substantially over the past several years. We now have more than 265 members, 150 children and youth and many dedicated friends. As a result, we’re crossing the bridge from a “Pastoral-sized” church to a “Program-sized” church. We’re also changing our fiscal year from the calendar year (Jan.--Dec.) to our program year (July-June). Hence, our “bridge canvass” this year, which will help us successfully bridge the gap from a pastoral to a program church and from our old fiscal year to our new one.

A canvass is the time when we ask our members and friends to make a monetary pledge to the church. In October, we’ll be asking you to pledge for a 6 month time period, rather than the usual 12 months, to fund our church from January to June 2003. You should have already received by mail the bright yellow canvass brochure that explains our bridge canvass in detail. It contains a suggested giving guide and the reasons for our six month canvass goal of $105,000.

For this shorter canvass, 1/3 of the congregation will be personally contacted by a volunteer canvasser during the first two weeks of October. They’ll ask you to meet with them so they can get to know YOU (not your pocketbook) and have you fill out a pledge card in confidence. The remaining members and friends who are not contacted individually will be asked to make their bridge canvass pledge during the Sunday services on October 13.

Please read your canvass brochure and be thinking about your pledge amount for our six month bridge canvass. Our church provides something meaningful for each of us and your pledge makes a big difference to the continued support of our broad range of programs, groups and services. If we all stretch just a little bit, we can reach our goal. Let’s all work together to make it happen--our UU Church is a great place to be!

~Kay Crider, Canvass Committee

Rather than focusing on how much it takes to pay church expenses, such as the electric bill and staff salaries, envision yourself fully supporting the mission of our church. Your pledge makes a big difference in the life of this congregation.