Stewardship as Spirituality
A Sermon by the Rev. James R. Bridges at the
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock
Tavern
It is with mixed emotions that I stand up here once again to speak of stewardship. I believe that most of us know what stewardship is….it is the act of taking care of something which we value….watching over it, protecting it, and nurturing it, much as described in this morning’s hymn. I fear, however, that in fashioning a sermon around the topic, I will fall into the stereotypical ministerial role of haranguing the congregation for more money. I really don’t want to do that – nor be perceived as doing that….but, someone must talk openly and honestly about stewardship and our congregation…about our need for money….and how responsivity to that need can indeed be looked at as a form of spiritual discipline.
We are a small congregation – even within the small denomination of Unitarian Universalists, we are small. Perhaps one must begin with the question – is it worth supporting us as a religious organization. Do we warrant stewardship? Obviously, I believe we do, for a number of reasons.
·
We are one of the few voices of religious
liberalism in
· I believe that our seven principles which we affirm and struggle to live within actually do represent a better way to live one’s life. Our congregation’s presence here helps those principles be implemented – in our own lives – as well as in the lives of others.
· I believe it is valuable to hold up for consideration the events of the day – both secular and religious concerns we might have – to examine them critically with both our minds and our hearts.
· I believe it is helpful to share our explorations in spirituality, in ethics, and in relationships. Religious communities are one of the few places where such sharing and exploring can be done.
· I believe our building of community is critical for our wellbeing. I hope and trust that you do too – that you too receive something from this congregation’s existence.
· I believe we do good things. Our community service committee has been active for a number of years, supporting several different projects….ranging from child care scholarships, Boys and Girls Clubs scholarships for a summer camp, and CROP walks for Church World Service and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Additionally, the committee has sponsored the Guest at Your Table program. They, along with us, help put our faith into action.
Honestly, I believe that for such a small congregation, we do quite well. We have a number of committees – each one of which is now active and consists of a number of members. Our building is maintained fairly well and has not been allowed to fall into disrepair. And here I must share with you some comments that I recently received from our Metro NY District personnel who had not been here in some time. They viewed our current building, its care-taking, and our grounds as improved over prior years. They believed it looked bright and inviting. That look is accomplished by different members’ sweat equity, as well as contributions from our membership to pay for some of the custodial work and materials. If those on the committee are present, could you please stand?
Even better are the compliments that I have received from the Metro District Board President on our newsletter. Lynda Bluestein told me that she finds our newsletter to be one of the best in the district! In reading it, she knows exactly what we are about and what we are doing. Further, she believes the presentation is done attractively and with a vision. Lynda, I might add, has worked in public relations for a number of years, so she has seen a number of professionally prepared newsletters. This work, done by Keith Jordan and Nan Dempster, with our president Hollis Kellogg as a silent partner, is clearly a form of stewardship, one in which our congregation’s message and activities are shared with the greater community. I would also suggest that it represents a form of spiritual discipline. Each one of them must regularly set aside time in their busy schedules to attend to the work of our congregation. They are putting their faith into action, so to speak, by creating an informative piece of literature for our members and friends to read. They may not think of their work as spiritual – but I do – and it requires a discipline to be willing to do it month after month.
The same can be said both for the members of the community service committee, the building and grounds committee, and the membership committee. Each group of volunteers sets aside time to attend to the work of our fellowship. Without their involvement, we would have no directory of members and friends, we would have no well functioning building, we would have no signs directing people to our building, we would have no social service projects to support…..in short, we would be severely lacking as a religious congregation. Again, such faith in action is a form of spirituality. [Community service committee and building and grounds stand up please]
As a minister, I am not only concerned with the current health of our congregation, but also with our presence as an institution. Now I know, some of you may react with a shudder when you hear that word. We aren’t an institution. We are people gathering together. But honestly, we are more than that. We are people in a line of people, a direct line extending back to 1868. This Bible, which normally sits in my office, was given to the congregation in 1870. It is part of us – even though its giver is long gone. Back then, some people had the foresight to plan ahead – supporting not only the congregation but the church as an institution – so that we too would have a congregation to which we might belong. They built a building instead of meeting in people’s homes; they gave endowment funds to support the church into the future….money that we still utilize.
Why do I want to strengthen this institution even
more? Because I believe it is
valuable. Because I want my children, my
grandchildren, and my great grandchildren to have the benefit of a liberal
religious education here in
One of the dangers of belonging to a small fellowship like ourselves is the tendency of donations described by my colleague the Rev. Dr. Judith Walker Riggs. As an example, she describes how many UU congregations have obtained their seating for their teen programs. She tells of the beautiful sofa purchased with much forethought for a family’s formal living room. After a number of years of good service, the living room is redecorated, and the sofa is moved into the less formal den. There the family lounges upon it watching TV, occasionally spilling some soda or chips on it – and then quickly cleaning it up. After a few more years, the sofa is transferred to the family’s screened in porch, where it is partially exposed to the elements of heat and cold. It continues to serve there well, until the family tires of it, and it is then moved to the workshop in the garage. A few more years of service in the workshop, and suddenly, in a burst of inspiration, the family donates the sofa to the religious education program of their church!
Can anyone see anything wrong with this story? I sure can. Our meeting house is our spiritual home – our congregation’s home. Would you welcome such a donation of an overly-used piece of furniture – even though it has many fond memories associated with it - into your house? If not, why should your answer be any different for your spiritual home?
Now it turns out that we do not have such a sofa…..but the tendency is there in all of us to do that. Why, if a sofa is needed, is it such a radically extreme idea to think of buying a new one for the congregation? I believe we need to rethink our assumptions here. But of course, to do that, we also have to be willing to commit deeply to our religious faith, in both emotional and financial terms. We have to give generously – and not just give those items we plan to cast off – we have to give money.
For the last few years, I have advocated that each of us
pledge two percent of our adjusted gross income to our congregation. Recently, I have heard some of my colleagues
urge a pledge of 3% or even of 5%. Granted,
our pledge requests are modest compared to some churches where tithing is
expected. But let me tell you a true
story for you to consider. Last year we
erroneously received at home a letter addressed to someone else in our
development. We live in a middle class
housing area, and I suspect the person to whom the letter was addressed is
middle class. I mistakenly opened the
letter – without looking at the address.
I quickly saw that it was a letter of receipt for the year’s donations
to
How do we compare to them? I’ll tell you. We don’t compare well at all. For this current fiscal year, the highest pledge units in our congregation came from Athena and me, and it was matched by one other couple. As a couple, we both pledged $1800. Two more individuals pledged $1000 each, while one other person pledged $1200. For Athena and me, our pledge of $1800 represents about 2.8% of our adjusted gross income as a family for our last tax year. The Grace Community Baptist family gave 2.6 times more than we did to their faith community. That is a very sobering thought. Think about it…..what it means.
Another fact that needs to be held up…..fully 25% of our membership did not pledge last year. Now that does not mean that these members did not contribute – some did contribute in the collection plate. Others may have contributed in volunteer activities alone. Nonetheless, our expenses continue.
Historically, we have been reluctant to talk about money in this congregation – at least as it concerns pledge drives. I question that reluctance. Maybe we need to start asking each other if we have pledged. I don’t mean inquiring in an accusatory way – but just as a matter of record.
On a more positive note, last year we received six pledges from families who are not members. That helped offset our non-pledging members, and their support is much appreciated.
This week we received the UUA directory, a huge book which lists each congregation, its leadership, the number of its members, and its operating budget. I skimmed through it rapidly, and something caught my eye. In congregations roughly our size – ranging from 60 to 70 members – and having a minister present – the size of their budgets often was around $60,000-$70,000. Well, our proposed budget for next year is $62,000 and some change. Our budget is not out of line with other congregations like us.
Quite frankly, I believe what has been out of line is our level of financial contributions. More of us need to pledge 2% of our adjusted gross income. Some of us are now doing that – which is great. But more of us need to do it, or at least set it as a goal, something to be worked towards. Yes, it may entail a stretch. It most certainly means commitment to one’s congregation. It does entail discipline on perhaps a daily basis. But, I believe making such a stretch also can increase one’s spirituality – one’s mindfulness – and a sense of purpose to one’s life.
We are in the process of growing. Orange county’s
population is exploding with new families.
Our religious education program is growing. It currently serves 20 some children, and it promises to grow even larger. We must be prepared for that growth. I want children to have an alternative to
what is taught at
Annie Delano Hitch was a good steward, leaving us an endowment. Peppi DeNave was a good steward who also left us an endowment. Several other individuals have also left endowments. Yearly, other good stewards have contributed to our lifeblood, both in their financial contributions and in their volunteer efforts. Once again, it is your turn to be a good steward for this coming year.
I ask each of you to consider giving 2% or more of your adjusted gross income to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Orange County. I realize that this is being asked in an insecure financial time. The markets are down, and no one knows what the future may bring. But what better time to support your religious congregation – to put your faith into action?
If you do pledge 2% or more, you will directly help our congregation shine forth in this time of need. You will help spread the message, both among adults and children.
And what if you don’t make such a pledge? No one will know that you didn’t….but your congregation will suffer. Planned programs and activities may need to be cut back upon. Our lights may shine dimmer up here on the hill.
The choice is yours to make.
Are there any questions or comments?
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