Each year in the Canvass Campaign, we ask members to give careful thought to the tradition this church represents, the role it plays in our lives, and the opportunities we enjoy for spiritual growth. In the spirit of good stewardship, we are all asked to make a responsible annual pledge to keep our church open and thriving.Financial matters do not dominate our conversations at NSUC, but we talk openly about the operating budget and how much money it takes to meet expenses and balance the budget. Consistent with our democratic governance, members receive detailed financial information and have ample time to ask questions, express their views, and vote on a church budget at our Annual Meeting each June.
Members make their annual pledge according to their means, generally as a percentage of income. Pledges can be remitted monthly, quarterly, or annually. Our annual Canvass is straightforward: members -- through church leadership -- set yearly church goals, identify the programs and resources needed to meet those goals, and then ask fellow members to do their share, as generously as they can.
Financial responsibility is vital to realize our liberal religious values of freedom, inclusiveness, reason, and tolerance. Inspired Unitarian Universalism can transform lives; and through our church, we can truly make a difference in this world.
Canvass 2012: Team NSUC
Canvass 2012 (for the fiscal year starting July 1) is almost upon us! A kickoff reception and dinner will be held at NSUC on Saturday, February 4, 2012 starting at 6:00 pm. The Sunday service on February 5, 2012 will officially commence our annual pledge drive for the coming fiscal year. All of our community is invited to participate in the kickoff dinner, which will be a potluck style. Sign up sheets for volunteers and participants will be available in Fellowship Hall after this service and for the next two weeks. Our theme this year is “TEAM NSUC” and everyone is encouraged to wear your favorite college sports team colors/jersey, and display any regalia from your alma mater. A rousing round of college fight songs will ensue after dinner that night, including a special song written by one of our own.
Canvass 2012 is the annual stewardship campaign for North Shore Unitarian Church. It begins the first of February and runs to March 1. Letters and pledge cards will be mailed out, and the process more fully explained at the February 5th service. After Canvass is complete, NSUC’s operating budget is prepared and endorsed by the Church Board, and then submitted to members for approval at the Annual Congregational Meeting in June.
All members and friends are asked to pledge (promise) financial support to the church as part of Canvass. The operating budget covers all expenses: program costs, minister and staff salaries and benefits, and administrative and facilities costs for our gorgeous building. Your pledge is the fiscal foundation of our next year at North Shore. Each of us shares that financial responsibility; participating in Canvass is a part of what binds us as a community.
Our dinner this year will be a tailgate party with a football theme. It will be a pot luck and you are invited to sign up for a dish to bring at the Canvass table in Fellowship Hall. It should be a fun evening. The entertainment for the evening will be those willing souls who want to dazzle us with their rendition of their favorite college fight song. We need you to sign up for your favorite song. Check the list to see who else is singing.
If you need to brush up on the words and the music, we have the music for 35 of the most popular college songs. Email
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and Maggie will forward to you the sheet music from the school you request. It will be a fun way to meet fellow alums as she will match up those requesting the same song. So screw up your courage and take a chance. And wear your teams colors!
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