INTO THE FUTURE
Capital Campaign
Pledges to date are 72% of our goal
A new plan for financing ministry
In the 2009-2010 fiscal year, about half the cost of quarter-time consulting ministry has come from savings. This is not sustainable, since the Ministry Fund accumulated for this purpose is rapidly being depleted.
In the new fiscal year starting July 1, 2010, ministry can be funded entirely from current income. This is feasible if payments on the building loan are removed from the operating budget.
With quarter-time ministry on a secure financial foundation, the Fellowship could move toward half-time ministry with the help of the JPD Chalice Lighter grant already approved for that purpose.
How the capital campaign makes it happen
A successful capital campaign accumulates enough money to pay off the building loan in three years.
Contributions to the capital fund are spread over three years, with some of them going to make the loan payments before the final payoff.
Loan payments are no longer made from the operating budget after July 1, 2010, freeing up funds to support ministry.
This is a more immediate and permanent solution than asking for repeated annual donations toward ministry.
How you can help
The capital campaign target is similar to the amount our members commit each year in pledges.
We can meet our goal if, on the average, donors make a one-time capital campaign pledge similar to their annual budget pledge.
Payments on the capital campaign pledge may be made anytime between now and December 2012.
Donations are also welcome from those who do not make an annual pledge.
Please indicate that your donation is for this purpose by writing “capital” or “ITF” on your check.
“Into the Future”
Sung to the tune of “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics by Ed Steffes
Into the future, here we go
To start let’s pay the debt we owe
Into the future, don’t say no
We must begin our journey
Only the future’s our concern
The past is gone; it won’t return
Into the future, see us grow
There’s only one thing, we need all your dough
We dream, you see
To be debt free
And sometime in this century
To make ends meet
That’s quite a feat
So though we hate to ask it
You know we’ll pass the basket
Into the future, make us glad
Increase your pledge by just a tad
The best things in life are free; too bad
Our building’s not among them
The bankers would like their 40 grand
I doubt we have that much on hand
Pretty big goal for our small church
For all that we know, it’s more than it’s worth
We pay all year
We live austere
The budget impact is severe
Let’s pay it off
Now don’t you scoff
We’ll end it if you all pledge
Why send your kids to college?
Into the future, we can see
A larger role for ministry
Professional leaders don’t come free
They like to earn a living
A minister is the perfect one
The one to dump our problems on
Having a minister changes the game
When something goes wrong, there’s someone to blame
If it’s to be
It’s you and me
We sure can’t wait for JPD
So why delay
Let’s pledge today
Forget your fears just say it
You have three years to pay it
Into the future, here’s the gist
Just find some funds that you won’t miss
Into the future, don’t resist
And help us on our journey
Only a small amount we need
We won’t commit the sin of greed
Your retirement fund is all we’re after
I’m perfectly serious, hold your laughter
Now is the time to get the cash
To dump the debt
To free the funds
To finance a minister
Move us ahead
And off our behind
If only we seek, then surely we’ll find
We’re happy ever after!
The UUFS Seussology of Pledging
By John Wright
With deepest apologies to Doctor Seuss
I will not speak of “Green eggs and ham”
Or that rascal whose name is “Sam I Am”
I’d rather talk, I must confess,
’bout the good folks here at UUFS
We laugh, and we cry, and then sometimes we squabble,
But we know in our heart our commitment won’t wobble
Spirits soar, loads of caring, and community works
Are all thriving because of our fellowship-church
Your pledge is how we get all these things done
And even if you do not have quite a ton
Of money, that is, we still need your pledge
So the Finance Committee isn’t sitting on edge
We were greatly informed with great graphs and good charts
But the goal of it all is to open our hearts
We UUs don’t look for much help from above
We rely on ourselves and on all of our love
We do our good works and we work hard for justice
But the money don’t go far when it’s only just us-tis
If we want to achieve what we hope we can do,
It’ll have to depend on you, you, you and you
And on all of you you’s and the future you’s too
This evening we’ll hear from both Ed and Naomi
They’ll speak of the future of our spiritual homey
Susan Beverly will rhyme and the Zen Monkey sing
And I know that tonight will just be a great thing
But you know, my dear friend, your commitment’s what’s need ed
So return those pledge cards with remarkable speed! Ed?
