Chalice Lighters Program (churches, Mary, service, universalism)

[powder21]

At today's services, we had some wonderful folks from a congregation in Prescott, AZ who are part of the Pacific Southwest District Chalice Lighters which is a program of the Pacific Southwest District created to help fund the growth of the member congregations of this District by providing grants for Facility improvements, and one-time professional leadership expenses. Basically, subscribers to the program pledge to donate $20 or more during each "call" and there are 3 calls per year (not a lot of money). Apparently they manage to raise from $15000 to $30000 each call. The people that came today talked about how they used one of the grants last year (I think it was last year) to buy a permanent classroom (one of those portable classroom modules like a mobile home) and create a lot to setup for the children of their congregation so they didn't have to keep shuffling them around to different places. I thought this was an excellent program and it inspired me to sign up.

I was wondering if there is anyone else in the forum who is a part of this program. I also wanted to urge anyone who isn't a part of it to please sign up. We were given a little form to fill out today (no money necessary - only during the "calls") and the members of the program there today would take care of it. However, along with the form came a phone number and e-mail for more information which I will post below. Please do call or e-mail if you are interested! Thanks.

Mary Nelson
PSWD Administrator
805-485-1780
pswd@aol.com

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by powder21

I was wondering if there is anyone else in the forum who is a part of this program. I also wanted to urge anyone who isn't a part of it to please sign up. We were given a little form to fill out today (no money necessary - only during the "calls") and the members of the program there today would take care of it. However, along with the form came a phone number and e-mail for more information which I will post below. Please do call or e-mail if you are interested! Thanks.

Yes, I am part of this program, and I second your call that people should sign up! However, I also want to point out that the contact info provided is for the Pacific Southwest District only, and if your congregation is not in that district, you shouldn't contact Mary Nelson. If anyone is having trouble figuring out what district they are in or who to contact, I can help.

My church has been the recipient of a Chalice Lighters grant. We (All Souls in DC) are an old and venerable church which has launched numerous progeny in the DC suburbs. But in the 1980s and 90s, the church fell on hard times. There was a falling out between the senior minister and the congregation, and a large number of people left as a result. We dwindled and struggled. Chalice Lighter money, provided by contributions from other UU congregations in our district, helped us to rebuild. And now we are a bustling, thriving church again. Picked as a breakthrough congregation in 2004, up to over 850 members (last time I checked), and we just went to two services because our sanctuary is so crowded.

If you want to help keep Unitarian Universalism healthy in your area, Chalice Lighters makes a difference. That is why I participate.

Well, that and because I'm competitive. I'd be embarrassed to know that other UU churches were giving while we weren't.

[powder21]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Yes, I am part of this program, and I second your call that people should sign up! However, I also want to point out that the contact info provided is for the Pacific Southwest District only, and if your congregation is not in that district, you shouldn't contact Mary Nelson. If anyone is having trouble figuring out what district they are in or who to contact, I can help.

I'm glad you pointed this out. So where should people go to find out what district they are in and the contact information for that district? Is there a page on the UUA website?

Originally Posted by lilithu

My church has been the recipient of a Chalice Lighters grant. We (All Souls in DC) are an old and venerable church which has launched numerous progeny in the DC suburbs. But in the 1980s and 90s, the church fell on hard times. There was a falling out between the senior minister and the congregation, and a large number of people left as a result. We dwindled and struggled. Chalice Lighter money, provided by contributions from other UU congregations in our district, helped us to rebuild. And now we are a bustling, thriving church again. Picked as a breakthrough congregation in 2004, up to over 850 members (last time I checked), and we just went to two services because our sanctuary is so crowded.

If you want to help keep Unitarian Universalism healthy in your area, Chalice Lighters makes a difference. That is why I participate.

Well, that and because I'm competitive. I'd be embarrassed to know that other UU churches were giving while we weren't.

Thank you for sharing your story. I would LOVE to hear if anyone else has a story of how their congregation has benefited from this program. Please share!