Money Matters

Every year congregations, like ours, who receive the majority of the funds it will spend from the contributions made by members and friends, look for different ways to make the same old appeal to mostly the same folk.

The appeal is always the same; “PLEASE, make a promise to give more next year than you are giving this year”

How about if this time, I asked you to make a promise to give less?

How would you feel about that? Relieved? Confused? Like your minister has lost her mind???

I know some of you are trying to figure out how to live on less; less credit, less income, less equity, less value in exchange for your money. It takes a lot just to figure out how to spend less, especially when you have been used to spending more.

So, I am asking you, those of you learning to live on less, to promise less to UUCG, to “pledge” less. Pledge only what you can spend given your resources and your other obligations. Don’t go into debt to finance this congregation. Don’t pledge an amount you can’t pay with cash income. Especially, if you are struggling to get out of credit card debt, put your energy into... make a promise to yourself... to create and follow a plan that will match your expenses to your income, so that over time you will be free...free from the burden of living beyond your means...

After you’ve worked that plan, and you get to the place where you can contribute more, then pledge more. Don’t set yourself up to feel bad! Don’t make a promise that you can’t fulfill. Pledge less.... If you pledge less and can keep that pledge, you’ll feel good. If you find you can contribute more...you’ll feel even better!

If you are dealing with having wanted more than you could afford, you need a plan....to get to a more balanced future...

So, does UUCG.

This congregation shouldn’t rely on credit, especially not yours!

It should learn to save, to have 8 months worth of expenses squirreled away, like Suze Orman advises, just in case it suddenly loses all its income (because the minister said to pledge less!)

UUCG should create a responsible budget and stick to it.

It should make sure that if it has any money to invest, that investment is insured and set aside for the long term.

It should spend what it takes in wisely, only on the things that are really important.

Oh yeah, UUCG already does almost all of this!

This year, this congregation has not used its savings or credit to meet ordinary expenses.

This year, not only does UUCG have a balanced budget plan, it has also...so far, spent less than it has received.

Although, UUCG’s total savings (counting the endowment and the general fund) only equals 7 months worth of expenses...that’s just one month short of what Suze Orman says everyone should have set aside just in case...

UUCG has no debt and no outstanding bills. This building is completely paid for. This congregation has an endowment. It isn’t huge, but it is wisely invested and over time, it will grow. Think of it like a congregational retirement plan. This congregation is 55 years old. In ten years, as the economy recovers, that endowment will be earning a respectable amount of interest that will see UUCG through its mature years.

This congregation has a balanced budget and every month the board pays attention to what is being received and what is being spent. By the time UUCG gets to the end of this church year on June 30th, I can assure you its spending will equal its income. And those who made pledges that they just couldn’t pay, will have been supported by those who paid more than they pledged. That’s the way it should be.

In other words, this congregation is doing all the right things to be fiscally and ethically responsible...that is something to be very impressed with, especially given these uncertain times...

UUCG is financially healthy, responsible and does with its cash income, pays for what it promised to pay for...

All the important things most of you said you wanted: a full time minister, a part time Director of Religious Education, childcare whenever a parent requests it, full and fair share contributions made to our association of UU congregations, on time payments for utility bills, phone bills, quality religious education for our children, and all the other things that are necessary to keep a congregation going. And, on top of that, with special gifts, this congregation supports other organizations that are building a more just society.

Perhaps, what I should be asking you to pledge, to promise to give next year is the same that you’ve given this year. Whatever you have actually contributed this year, promise to give that next year. That way UUCG can continue to do all these important, essential things, and be balanced and responsible, just like it is this year.

So, let’s see, the minister said...1) if you are feeling pinched and need to get your own financial house in order, pledge less... or

2) If you are impressed by this congregation’s balanced budget and fiscal responsibility, its ability to focus on and pay for what is essential... then she is asking you to pledge the for next year, what you’ve given this year.

Is that it?

Fair warning, there is a # 3.

Fair warning....#3 is not for those of you who are trying really hard to make your expenses match your income and pay off your old debts and haven’t gotten there yet. No congregation should ask you to go into more debt to pay its bills, when you are struggling to pay your own. That’s pressure you don’t need, from the one place that should give you support and the help you need to make ends meet. If part of your plan to be free from debt includes even a $1 a week, whatever amount you can feel good about and serves to strengthen your plan to live joyfully within your means, that amount will be joyfully received.

#3 is not for those of you who are satisfied and comfortable with the way things are, with “pay as you go” balance. UUCG counts on you for the timely and precise way you contribute. Thank you in advance for reliably keeping the promises you make. I know you will keep doing what you have been doing. You will keep blessing UUCG with your timely gifts.

The third option is for you, the risk taker. You, who are not only able, but willing to make an investment wherever you see the promise of excellent results for your money.
The third option is for you. You know that it is in times of crisis when opportunities present themselves in ways that those longing to return to what has been “normal” will miss. The third option is for you...

When you consider what your pledge will be, think; “What would Warren Buffet do?”

You already know what he’s doing... He’s buying. He knows that the stocks that are likely to recover over the long haul are priced really low right now. So, he’s buying. He doesn’t care what his bookkeeper says about is current statement. He looks beyond the current period. He knows that economic upheaval brings unparalleled opportunity. And he’s taking full advantage of it...He’s buying American stocks because he believes in America...he has studied the past, he’s studied the ups and downs and sees can happen when one takes the long view. He is following the advice of Wayne Gretzky who says, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.” He invests in the future.

You probably don’t have all of Warren Buffet’s resources, but you think like him, and you know the time is right to invest in liberal religion in Greenville.

And you know it is a bargain sale!

Prices are low.

Not only do you get to feel exceptionally generous and wise giving to liberal religion, you get to keep over 95% of your income for yourself. Compared to the investment level that was expected from you had you invested in conservative religion when it was about to grow, liberal religion is a bargain.

For just 4% of your income, not 10, you will be making an investment that is about to pay off big time.

It is time to take advantage of the exceptional bargain this congregation offers. I assure you that liberal religion in this country, in this community is about to give you a return for your money!

People are hungering for what we already know how to do. Coming together as one, to serve, to love, to think, to teach our children how to live... we are guided by ideals that have been part of this country’s quest for freedom and responsibility since its beginnings. Liberal religion is about to explode with unprecedented growth and vitality.

In this time of deep economic crisis, as there is a shake down in who works where and what work is valued, some folks are going to need our help, who have never been on the margins before. And, some are going to see what they have known as worthy, the ideals they have held dear in the closets of their hearts and minds, suddenly popular, attractive in ways they haven’t been for a very long time.

People are hungering for food, for health care, for education and for the places where the values of freedom and responsibility, of interdependence and care for each other make sense of this world. We are, and we have been a beacon of liberal religion in Greenville, where all people are welcome to grow in spirit, to be joyful in free thinking, to be in passionate service to each other and those in need..

We aren’t going to be the haven for those who are left out of society much longer. Our place will be at the center...

We have a firm foundation, our house is in order, our doors are wide open. They will come. You are wise to put your money here!

Not one of you is clueless about how liberal, free and responsible, religion makes a difference in your life, in the life of those who have come here, who do come here, and who will come here. Choose like your future, the future of this congregation, the future of this community and those who are coming depends on you.

Choose to make a difference. Choose to pledge less and give more. Choose to continue to give what you have been contributing. Choose to invest in the future.

Money matters. Your promise matters.