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Stewardship - taking care of something we value and enabling it to grow. Consider a commitment of time treasure and talent to help sustain the religious community that nurtures your ideals. In this year of forward looking, the Stewardship Committee invites you to consider the future of our church community. We are stewards of our Unitarian Universalist faith when we volunteer, pledge and provide advice to help sustain our congregation. Contributions to our congregation may be financial (pledging, service auction, endowments and special funds), or volunteering for one of many opportunities to work for the church.
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Pledging
Each pledging unit (member or friend) pledges what they hope to be able to give to the church over the next 1 - 3 years. The finance committee develops a projected church budget for the next three years based on financial history, pledges, other income and expected expenses. Automatic withdrawal of pledges is encouraged to enhance church cash flow. The automatic withdrawal form below is submitted to Connie Schuelka, records administrator to initiate it. Requests to continue are on the pledge card. Donations of securities are also possible and should be discussed with Connie Schuelka or John Helmers, Treasurer.
View or download forms:
Service Auction
Each November our congregation holds a service auction, where fellow congregants offer up dinners, summer vacation homes and various social events for auction. In fact, some people have commented that if it weren't for the auction, they wouldn't have a social life. Before the live auction, there is a silent auction where various baskets filled with goodies and some fixed price dinners/parties are offered. The auction evening becomes a social event (child care provided), and it all goes towards helping us sustain our congregation.
Special Funds
Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund is held by the church with restrictions placed on distributions, separate from the operating budget, capital reserve or other funds; principal is never spent. To make a donation to the Endowment Fund one can make a bequest (name the church in your will), establish a charitable remainder trust, make direct gifts (securities, stocks, mutual funds, insurance policies, annuities, etc.), or make a memorial gift to the Endowment Fund in memory of someone.
Human Needs Fund
The Human Nneeds Fund addresses accessibility issues, to remove barriers to full participation in church life. Other needs can be considered.
Memorial and Gift Fund
The Memorial and Gift Fund contributions received in memory of congregant; for projects that enhance the physical beauty or usefulness of church building and grounds over number of years.
Memorial Garden Fund
The Memorial Garden Fund, used for maintenance of the Memorial Garden, consists of funds received from individuals donating to the garden or purchasing internment space.
Stewardship as a Volunteer
What do UU Church Volunteers do?
Leadership/Decision Making Committees
1. Church Board
(monthly meetings, plus other responsibilities)
Nine members elected by the church membership
Four officers on the executive committee
General charge of the Church properties, conduct of business affairs and administration of services
2. Program Council
(monthly meetings, plus other responsibilities)
Chairs of the standing committees and subcommittees of the church
Monthly meetings to review and coordinate activities among the committees
3. Committee on Ministry
(monthly meetings)
Three members selected by the Board from nominees submitted by the minister
Monthly meetings to serve as support for the minister and a communication channel between the minister and congregation
4. Finance Committee
(monthly meetings)
Eight members selected by the Chair
Monthly meetings to recommend the annual budget to the membership
Monitors budget during the year
Recommends budget changes to the Board as needed
a. Endowment Committee – subcommittee of Finance
(monthly meetings)
Three members appointed who have been members for at least three years
Manages and controls the assets of the church endowment
b. Stewardship Committee – subcommittee of Finance
(monthly meetings)
Eight members selected by the Chair
Monthly meetings to develop and oversee the annual Stewardship Canvass,
assist with canvass activities and promote other stewardship activities,
including volunteers
5. Nominating Committee
(monthly meetings)
Six members elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting
Prepare a slate of nominations for elective offices to be voted on at the Annual Meeting
6. Property Committee
(quarterly or more meetings)
Six members selected by the Chair
Oversee and implement maintenance of the building and grounds
Provides guidance to volunteer Sextons
Rick Devine, Chair
a. Sexton
(one month commitment)
9 volunteers
Provide security and upkeep for building interior for a one week period of time
b. Exterior/Grounds – subcommittee of Property
(participants meet as needed)
Six volunteers with many others helping out occasionally
Organize property work days and oversee maintenance of exterior grounds
Bill Thompson, Chair
c. Memorial Garden – subcommittee of Property
(participants meet as needed)
2 members
Volunteers work with the Co-Chairs to provide routine maintenance
and oversight of internments
d. Design Committee – subcommittee of Property
(participants meet as needed)
Seven members selected by the Chair
Recommends design of all changes in internal church appearance
7. Communications and Technology
(monthly meetings)
Six members selected by the Chair
Website development and identification of other means by which technology can improve communication for the congregation, and productivity for our staff
Religious Education Councils/Focus Groups
8. Lifespan Faith Development Council
Members appointed on recommendation of the representatives and DRE in the areas listed below.
Monthly meetings to develop and coordinate RE programs from early childhood to adult
a. Adult Religious Education – subcommittee/focus group of Lifespan Faith
Development Council
(monthly meetings)
Plan and develop courses and offerings for adults in our congregation,
ages 16 to late adulthood
b. Youth to Adult Religious Education – Lifespan Faith Development Council
focus group
For representatives, members and teachers
c. Youth Program – Lifespan Faith Development Council focus group
(participants meet as needed 4 to 10 times per year)
Two representatives meet monthly with LFD to coordinate and integrate program
plans/needs
d. Middles Transition – Lifespan Faith Development Council focus group
(participants meet as needed 4 to 10 times per year)
Two representatives meet monthly with LFD to coordinate and integrate program
plans and needs
e. Primary Grades - Lifespan Faith Development Council focus group
(participants meet as needed 4 to 10 times per year)
Two representatives meet monthly with LFD to coordinate and integrate program
plans and needs
f. Early Childhood - Lifespan Faith Development Council focus group
(members and additional participants meet 4 to 10 times per year )
Two members meet monthly with LFD to coordinate and integrate program
plans and needs
Fellowship Committees
9. Membership Committee
(monthly meetings)
Eight members selected by the Chair
Develop visitor welcoming programs and facilitate new members joining the church
10. Religious Services Committee
(monthly meetings)
Ten members selected by the Chair
Works with the minister to plan and facilitate Sunday morning services
Plans lay-led services and summer services
11. Denominational Connections
(participants meet as needed)
Four members selected by the Chair
Maintains and facilitates interactions with the Prairie Star District and the Unitarian Universalist Association
12. Fellowship Committee
(participants meet as needed)
Eight members
Coordinate and publicize fellowship activities
Up to forty individual or couples volunteer to organize individual fellowship activities, including potluck lunch helpers, special interest groups and a wide variety of other individual group events (plays, family nights, concerts, dinners, Halloween party, concerts, tours, workshops and many more)
13. Memorial Services
Coordinator arranges volunteers to assist at UU memorial services
14. Caring Committee
(participants meet as needed)
12 to 24 individuals or couples coordinate support and care for church members and friends in times of need
2-4 week blocks during the year
The coordinator lines up visits, food, transportation etc. as needed from a list of people who have indicated their willingness to help; the coordinator also responds with cards and phone calls
a. Make a visit
b. Provide a ride
c. Provide a meal
15. Clara Barton Guild
(monthly meetings September-November; February-May)
Fellowship, education and fundraising that benefits our church community and the greater Rochester community
Conducts the biannual rummage sale
Weekly Sunday Service Needs
Sunday Morning Volunteers
Hospitality Coordinator recruits volunteers for Sunday morning responsibilities, including guest table, greeters, ushers and coffee hosts
16. Greeter or Guest Table
17. Usher
18. Coffee Host
19. Audio Technition
20. Library Group
A few individuals who help select books for the Rochester UU lending library that is open in the Commons between services on Sundays
21. Manage Sound System
Training provided
22. Nursery Work
23. Music/Chorus Members
(choir weekly meetings)
Up to thirty individuals to perform in the choir or other music presentations during Sunday Services and a small number of other church functions under the direction of the Music Directors
Joe Mish and Connie Schuelka, Co-Directors of Music
Community/Social Programs
24. Social Justice Council
(monthly meetings)
Four members
Develop and coordinate additional social action programs
Put into practice the social, environmental, justice and human relations’ beliefs of the UU church through work in the church and community.
Helper/Worker
26. Generic Volunteer
(on-call) A person ready to help when needed for odds and end duties; person with “I’ll help if I’m able” attitude for tasks that come up every once in a while; a person that is willing to be called occasionally when you need just one more person to complete a task; a person that doesn’t want to be in charge –would rather be told what to do
27. Helper for Church office
Assist the Office Manger with office related work, answer telephone/greet visitors when office staff is out of the office.
28. Helper for Special Events
29. Helper for Brunch(es) and/or Fellowship Activities
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