GROWTH FUND CAMPAIGN UPDATE, October 2003

During last year’s canvass, we asked for both a pledge to the yearly operations budget of Live Oak and also a special pledge (paid over three years) to help Live Oak move, renovate, and grow in our new facility. How are we doing?

In January 2003, the Steering Committee agreed to allocate the $185,000 that was committed in the following way:

·         17K to the move (actual move and 2003 increased building expenses)

·         50K to the maintenance reserve

·         20K to program spending (the membership and staffing plan)

·         90K to repairs, capital, and renovation

·         8K for a collection safety margin

Here is what we have done so far:

1.        We spent just over $2000 moving from our old building to the new building in June.

2.       We are supporting the higher building operations costs in the 2003 operations budget with the remaining move funds (about $15,000)

3.       We spent about $68,000 on the remodel

4.       We spent about $3000 on repairs, HVAC maintenance and some one time cleaning

5.       We spent about $9000 on capital items (building sign, new folding tables, locks on classroom doors, some office furniture, RE furnishings, CD recorder for the sound system, baby changing stations in the bathrooms, clocks, and many other smaller items)

6.       We have agreed to spend $5000 to jump start the Music Director’s hours from 10/week to 15/week (covers 2003 and 2004)

7.       We committed $1000 for materials for landscaping.

We have already spent about $90,000 and have committed an additional $13,000 in the near term.

Thanks to everyone for keeping their GFC payments current! We are going to hold off new spending for awhile as we collect more of the committed funds.

For those of you who were not canvassed last year, we will give you an opportunity to commit to the GFC during this year’s canvass. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me ghuntington@austin.rr.com or 970-6609.

George Huntington, for the Finance Committee

Growth Campaign Testimonials, 2002

These testimonials were presented at church services during October and November 2002. They really do show what our church means to our community.

October 3

The Importance of Community

 Mary Macintosh

I was asked to give testimony before you this morning about the importance of community because my family and I understand it perhaps more than most. On January 5, 2000, our wonderful 12-year-old daughter, Caitlin died. Her death was tragic, devastating and painful in ways I am only beginning to understand. You see, shock, that wonderful defense mechanism, lasts a long time, when you lose a child. I’ll let you know how long once I have figured it out. I know it was also extremely difficult for the whole church community. One of the many books I devoured about grief had a line in it that rang very true. A minister was counseling a grieving family soon after the loss of a child and the minister said, “Look for the gift in this tragedy”. Well, our gift in Caitlin’s death was this church. I don’t mean this building, the kitchen that still doesn’t have a dishwasher or the classrooms or the tables and chairs, but the people who make it a community. You see, immediately after we learned of her death, thanks to Janet Van Sickler’s quick response, love, caring and concern, not to mention massive amounts of food, surrounded us. Kathryn Carver sent us a passage from a book, ‘Conversations With God’, and I found so much comfort in it, I mentioned that I needed to read the book. Next thing I knew, Sarah Swords handed it to me. Loretta Sedlock brought me beautiful clothes for the viewing and the funeral. Someone was taking care of Glenn and Cassie. I have no idea who but I was assured they were OK and I didn’t need to worry about them. I do remember that Cassie’s friends from church constantly surrounded her; hugs seemed continuous and were hopefully healing for all of the young people. Someone took care of my mother and brother and sisters and families as they arrived, too. I can assure you, it wasn’t me. And Gail Larimer stayed with me long after all had gone on to their lives. She assured me I would be fine alone and I was. For months after that, Mary Pritchard arranged for different people to bring us company and dinner, until I started feeling guilty! Even after that, Wendy Marks surprised us with pots of soup left on the doorstep. And, thank God for Chuck, who somehow took care of everyone! I could go on trying to list all of the people who, from my foggy perspective, drifted in and out of our home and lives during those days, but there are just so many things about those days I do not remember. So, I won’t even try. But, I can sum it up by saying; we were taken care of by this incredible little church community.

Gee, how do people who don’t have a church family survive tragedies? Glenn and I have been attending and now facilitating grief support groups and I can tell you the answer is often, not very well! I have watched with great awareness in the last two years and nine months as this church has supported so many others through hardships and sorrows and in joy and celebrations, too. Aren’t the good times even better when you have a bunch of friends to share them with? Every Sunday’s ‘Joys and Concerns’ is a holy event for me. Every week, that ritual and Rebecca’s music are how I choose to ‘worship’. So many Sundays, I look around this sanctuary and wonder how many people are NOT here because when they visit, they don’t feel there is room for them or their families. Well, as you all know, that is about to change. We have a beautiful new building with lots and lots of room! But it needs a little work to make it OUR building. That, of course, will require money…. But, isn’t pledging money one of many ways to ‘take care of’ our church family? Your pledge to the “Growth Fund Campaign” will help to take care of scores of people currently unknown to us who will be lighting candles of both joy and concern in the years ahead as well as taking care of those we currently consider ‘family’. Just imagine, one day it may be Olivia lighting a candle to announce her upcoming wedding or Justin who is concerned about a sick friend. I hope each of you will join Cassie, Glenn and I as we make a pledge to the campaign. Join us now so we can take care of our future community!

October 6

Why Pledge to the Growth Campaign?

by Eddie Collins

  I have been asked to speak in support of pledging to our newly-established Growth Fund and to answer the question, "Why should someone give to the Growth Fund?" To begin, let's turn the question around and ask, "Why would you not give to the Growth Fund?"

Many think the goal of the Fund is to raise money to upgrade our new church building and pay for it's upkeep. While they would not be wrong, it would be a limited view of all you would be providing and getting in return for your generous contribution to the Fund. I see an important goal of the Fund being to raise moneys that will be used to further the service this body of spiritual free thinkers provides our community.

I assume most of you found Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church, as Ann and I did, while searching for a spiritual community – one in which to grow both individually and collectively. We found that in this congregation. What if Live Oak had not existed when we were searching?" We feel our lives would have suffered a huge void. The first two years after moving to Austin in 1992, we went to First UU Church. We never felt we fit in and quit attending. Luckily, a member of Live Oak, Susan Meitz, was the parent of one of the kids in Ann's preschool class and suggested we give it a try. We did, and immediately felt the warmth of the congregation and were happy to see its commitment to the Religious Education of its children.

Giving to the Growth Fund is one way our family can say, "Thanks for being there." Live Oak has outgrown this facility. People come seeking a spiritual community and sometimes feel as though Live Oak is a closed community as there is no place for them to physically sit. By committing to a larger facility, we ensure that no one seeking to find his or her own spiritual path is turned away.

As our congregation grows, other needs will increase – one of the major ones being a rise in the cost of salaries to support increased staff hours. We also have many members committed to increasing our community outreach and social action activities. As a leading Unitarian Universalist congregation, our role will increasingly become one of modeling to the greater Austin community a voice of tolerance – an acceptance of our differences and a celebration of our diversity. There's no reason a church should become big just to be big. But for a community and world that desperately needs more tolerance and understanding, it should be our sworn duty to nourish our current congregation and to encourage its growth.

All this sounds fine you say, but "How much are you asking for?" The goal of the Growth Fund is to raise $300,000. We are seeking to have amounts pledged in yearly increments over the next three years. The amount pledged to the Fund is in addition and beyond your yearly pledge to the church, which will continue to be spent on the day-to-day operations of the church.

While personal finances are a very private matter, Ann and I are willing to share what we have decided to commit to the Fund. We will pledge $1,000 a year over the next three years. Others will be able to give more and others less, but I feel strongly that it is important everyone consider giving something. By way of example, when we began attending this church, I was running my own business that wasn't making any money and Ann was working part time as a preschool teacher. Rather than pledge nothing to Live Oak, we pledged $20 a month. This was in part, because Jon Durbin came to our house and, as a canvasser, clearly explained matters in regards to the finances and workings of the church. Rather than saying, "We can't afford it," we assumed we could find somewhere to come up with $5 a week to cover our commitment. As time has passed and we have become more involved and using more of the church's services, we have greatly increased our pledge. In a time of much uncertainty, we are both thankfully doing very well in our respective jobs and rightfully want to give so that others can share our good fortune.

Should fortunes not be so good and economic hard times befall you and your family, the church would certainly understand and not expect you to be bound by your pledge. The point should be to think optimistically, both in terms of what you can possibly give, but also in all that you and others will gain from the generosity of your gift.

Live Oak should forever be a place where people can come to share their joys and lighten their sorrows, a place where children can learn about religions of the world and a respect for all life. This should not only be for those of us fortunate enough to have already found this church, but for the many more who will be knocking on our door from this day forward. Let's not turn them away. Let's collectively say, "We will be there for you!" by each and every one of us pledging to the Growth Fund Campaign.

October 13

Contributing to the Growth Fund

Before speaking of why you should support Live Oak’s Growth Fund, we want to tell you why we attend Live Oak and believe it to be an important part of our life.

For most of my life, I have been unable to fathom Christian religion. I didn’t understand God the way the bible or church wanted me to, and I couldn’t reconcile the world I observed with the world that I should be observing according to the bible. I could sort of grasp wars, pestilence, Man’s inhumanity to Man. I couldn’t reconcile the Christian God with Televangelism. I couldn’t reconcile Big Religion’s treatment of other religions.

At the same time, I couldn’t reasonably deny the existence of some “supreme being”. I never figured that God was all that concerned about intervening in my life, and prayer was a thing you did to make yourself feel better, but was basically pointless. There were plenty of moral and ethical components to my little religion, but that’s not really the point here. The point is, I was doing fine until Rachel was born. It didn’t take too long for me to realize that I needed a mechanism to solidify and codify my beliefs in order to transfer them effectively to Rachel. I knew that probably the best place to start looking for like-minded people was in the UU tradition. When my Internet searching came up with Live Oak and Chuck’s transcribed sermons, I thought maybe I had found such a place. And I believe that I have.

It would be impossible to attend a service without recognizing the community here. The commitment to religious education is formalized in the RE program, and practiced for the adults by the frequent inclusion of guests of other faiths or belief systems, in addition to the separate opportunities for education for both the adult and child community. The practice of reaching out to the larger community is well established and growing. There are the quilting projects, the housing projects, the food pantry, so many others. The need for fellowship is met with a variety of programs as well, the Men’s linguistic society lunch, the Circle Suppers, the Coffeehouse, the Friday Night Games, again many more could be detailed. The questing side of our beliefs is well and ably met by our Minister, Chuck. I continue to learn, grow and evolve spiritually through the sermons he provides. Lastly, and the most illuminating point I have: the back and forth chatter between the minister and the ministered during the sermons. What could possibly be more indicative of a congregation at peace and comfortable with itself?

We know that we are a community and that we have responsibility to our community. But do we understand how positive that responsibility, properly met, can be in our own lives? I give you this example. I was thinking a few weeks ago that if I won the lottery, the fund drive could be over. I’d happily donate $300,000 to the church and more. Then I thought, what if someone else won the lottery and did just that? While I would be greatly appreciative for their generosity, I’d feel somewhat cheated that they had taken care of my responsibility for me. We don’t give at a level that makes us above the average, but we give at a level that sometimes makes it an easier check to write than to cover. But write it we do. Even if you don’t stitch a quilt, paint a house, or donate a can of food, by supporting the church financially, you are supporting each of those endeavors and more. You can take comfort in the work the church does and know that you have contributed to our community here and that you have helped to enrich the community at large. This is the positive benefit we get from our support of the community. Even when we can’t help at one of the events, we know that we have helped by our support.

Of course, if one of you does happen to win the lottery, I’m sure we could manage to keep the Growth Fund going …

October 20

Testimonial 

by Gary N. Schumann

  Like everyone, I have been touched by the eloquent and heartfelt testimonials published in the Orders of Service over the past several weeks. Every member of our congregation has an uplifting story that reveals the importance of Live Oak UU in their lives.

But for a change of pace, instead of writing a testimonial that is generous in spirit and positive in tone – I’m going to write a testimonial full of complaints and ill will. I’m going to complain about all the people who seem to be continuously hitting me up for money.

Whether it’s my kids asking me for quarters every time they see a gumball machine or Uncle Sam demanding his pound of flesh every three months when I pay my self-employment taxes, it seems like other people just keep bleeding me dry.

Every other day I get another mailer from U.T. asking that I contribute to one or another fund. The neighbors want me to give to the Cancer Foundation, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans, Heart Association, and the list goes on and on. Jerry Lewis confronts me every Labor Day. I have to “donate” to the Longhorn Foundation just to guarantee my right to be able to pay an exorbitant price for season football tickets.

They come at you from all sides. From the cutest Girl Scout selling cookies to the nastiest mental case standing on the street corner holding up a piece of cardboard with, “need help – God bless” written on it, someone is begging for my money. I NEVER give those guys at the street intersections money.

I hate giving money to charity. My wife wisely donates to KUT radio only behind my back. I’m immune to their pledge drives. I’m not a person who is easily swayed to give to charity. I never know how much my family has given to charity until tax time, when Julie pulls out all her receipts for donations to this or that worthy cause.

With all of that said – why am I happily giving to the Live Oak Growth Fund Campaign? Simple – I don’t feel like I’m giving – I feel like I’m buying. I’m investing in a church I can call my own and a familiar place to be every Sunday morning. I’m buying a place where my children can be married and where people can come to my funeral when I die. I’m paying for Chuck’s sermons, which are often truly inspired. I’m buying a plot of land with spiritual significance where my ashes can be scattered in a memorial garden for the ages. I’m not giving – I’m taking! And best of all, it’s still tax deductible.

In the same way that I’m willing to pay money to remodel my kitchen – I’m willing to pay money to remodel my church. I want it to be bigger and more comfortable to welcome people like us, who are searching for a spiritual home. Julie and I felt so fortunate when we came to Live Oak and found such an open-minded community. Now it’s time for us to do our part to help our church grow.

The second reason why I’m giving to the Live Oak capital campaign is because all of our contributions—both great and small—will make a huge difference in reaching our goals. This is not some huge national fundraiser that we can ignore by telling ourselves that people in Philadelphia or Los Angeles or Chicago will ante up. This is our fundraiser, and it’s up to us to make it a success. Our contributions will be missed.

October 27

UU Testimonial

by Grace Dreyer

  I didn’t exactly choose to be a Unitarian Universalist, I was more or less forced into it. That was 35 years ago and one of the best things that has happened in my life. The father of my two daughters made a deal with me that I would attend two UU services a month and he would attend two Presbyterian services a month. Presbyterian was the latest flavor in my long list of “church try-outs.” I kept my deal – he did not! With a two-year old in tow, I found a “real” community very quickly in the UU Fellowship and within six months, I signed the membership book.

That community supported me through a divorce and supported him at the same time. That takes a lot of skill and finesse. Neither of us ever felt uncomfortable in the presence of the faith community. The community was there for our now two children who were living with a single mom and spending time with their single dad.

The community taught my kids how to ride a ski lift, how to jump in the snow after emerging from a hot tub. The community taught them how important it was to know as much as they possibly could about other religions by attending their services and to know as much about sexuality and sex as they possibly could. The community taught us all about sanctuary for young men who refused to go to Vietnam. The community taught me about how passionately UUs can feel about issues that are important on another level, such as whether we should put carpet or tile in our sanctuary. They taught me about leadership as I took the reins of President at a time when part of the community wanted the minister to leave. The community taught us about life-long friendships even when you move. I like to think that my daughters who are now adults and I became better grounded, more humane, less judgmental, and better people because of our UU roots.

My husband Dan and I met through a UU friend and were married 15 years ago by a UU minister in Ocala, Fl. Because of my career, we have moved from Tampa to Ocala, to Charlotte NC and Asheville, Las Vegas and now, Georgetown. We ALWAYS made sure we would move if we could find a UU community.

You too have supported us in many ways even though you may not be aware of how. And I know you will continue to support us – it is not in question! This UU community helps keep our lives balanced.

So why move forward? Because other single moms and dads will come along as will people from other ethnic backgrounds and sexual persuasion and marital status. Young people, middle-aged, and elderly who all need “community” to make their lives meaningful. If we’re not there…to whom can they turn? With our world in such turmoil, this church may be one of the last bastions of sanity. We need to move forward!

Dan and I will make a personal contribution to the Growth Fund Campaign and we strongly urge you to stretch as far as you can too in meeting our campaign goal. If we truly believe the mission and purpose of UUism, then supporting this expansion will ensure that our voice is heard in the greater Austin area. If people don’t know we are here … then how can they know that there is a place for them to explore their spiritual questions?

November 10

Growth Fund Testimonial

Amber Jens

Andrew, Evelyn, Sam and I have been members for one year and have benefited from many meaningful experiences, for which we are grateful. I feel fortunate to have made my way to Unitarian Universalism because the principles it rests upon are so important to me. I am honored to be part of such a supportive and compassionate community. I have long admired the dedication and contributions of those on committees and others who working support of this church and our future church home.

I could not express why Live Oak is so important to me without also mentioning Chuck. His sermons nourish my soul and mind, helping me “right” my perspective when it goes astray. I will always fondly appreciate the service making the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The healing words of Chuck and Mary K. and the beautiful music were very healing for me, at a time when I needed most to hear words full of respect, peace, and hope.

I am also very thankful for the nurturing RE environment provided to our children here at Live Oak. I thank the entire Isaacs Bryant family and all the teachers responsible for creating this loving environment. My son brought a guest to church recently. After the service she said, “That was church? That was so much fun!” Her response was another example out of many testifying to the fun, enriching, and meaningful experiences my children are receiving here at Live Oak.

In closing, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to others and believe in the interdependence of all people. To me, my financial support of this church and the Growth Fund Campaign is not separate from my belief in the principles upheld by Unitarian Universalism. For with my contributions and those of others, this church and the principles it rests upon continue to grow, connecting us all. I look forward to moving into our new church home next summer. It is the people who make this church feel like a home to me. I welcome our potential “larger family” and wish for them that their experience is all they hope it to be, as it has been for me.

November 17

Dower Testimonial

  Bill Dower:

  Variations on this story occur in many religions. This version comes from the Quoran in the Sufi tradition.

During their wandering in the desert, the Israelites were not sure of God’s presence, and wanted a sign from God that he was with them. So they badgered Moses to ask God to appear to them all. Moses knew better than to make this sort of a request to God, and rebuked the people. But they continued to complain and to worry, and began to ask if God would attend a sacrifice or a feast. Finally, to stop the complaints, Moses went to talk to God. Moses said that the Israelites had been asking if they could meet God. They especially wanted to have a feast and have God attend. At first God declined, but after several requests, God said that he would come next Tuesday. Moses told the people and they were overjoyed.

On the appointed day, the people prepared the best feast they could, making all the most savory dishes, and sacrificing their best food animals for a feast that would be fit for God. That afternoon, while they were preparing the food, the wonderful smell brought an old raggedy traveler into their camp. He asked to taste some of the dishes but they shooed him away, explaining that they were preparing the food for a holy celebration. When evening fell and all the food was prepared, they dressed in their finest clothes to wait for God to join them.

And they waited and waited and waited. While they were waiting the old tramp came back asking if he could have any food that might have been spoiled or burned in the preparation, but the people feared that God might come and be displeased to see the beggar eating His food. So they chased away the beggar and then sat to wait again.

Finally, late in the evening, some of the people became so hungry that they began to eat. And while the food was good, it was not a very satisfying feast, for while some ate, others were still waiting and were upset that some had begun the feast without God. Eventually, in small groups, most of them ate something, but many of the outspoken warned that the non-appearance of God might be a sign that He was angry with them, and punishment was on the way. They were very upset at Moses in particular, blaming him for getting the day wrong, or somehow making God upset with them. Into the middle of this, the old beggar returned, asking now for any scraps or leftovers. But they wanted to save what was left, in case God was still coming. Instead, they took their anger out on the beggar and sent him away again, empty handed.

Of course, the next day, Moses went to ask God if he was displeased with his people, or why he had not come to feast with his people. God replied that he had come three times, and been turned away each time.

Like most of you, I get lots of opportunities to donate my time, talent and money to various organizations. Some of these groups want me to provide a professional service, or sing, or they select me for my attractive credit rating, or my address in a middle-class suburb. I just got through with a long series of pestiferous phone calls badgering me to provide them with a vote for their candidate. One technique to use to get rid of them is to say that I don’t actually have what they are looking for. Tell the credit card company that you are in chapter 11, and see how fast they hang up. A quick "I’m not going to contribute" is enough to sever the connection to most of the groups looking for money.

So how is it different when Live Oak comes to me looking for a donation, or this year, two donations? The difference is that my welcome here does not depend on the quality or the quantity of the donation. How I respond to the request for support does not change how I am valued.

I know this because I see how our Live Oak community treats all of us. People who, for whatever reason, contribute less are cherished as much as those who contribute more. Participation is encouraged at all levels, and each of us is encouraged to give something, for we each have something to give. The expectation is that the giver should give at whatever level is comfortable. We believe that the total from the group will be enough to get us where we have collectively decided we need to go.

Carolyn Dower:

When I read the following in the book, Spiritual Literacy, I thought – wow – that’s describing Live Oak! I think you’ll agree:

  "How shall we live?" asks a 13th century Christian mystic. Her answer: "Welcoming to all."

Hospitality is an essential spiritual practice. It begins with an open mind, generous and receptive to others. It means looking for the positive in people, ideas, dreams, and social schemes. Hospitality is the way we come out of ourselves. It is the first step toward dismantling the barriers of the world. Hospitality is the way we turn a prejudiced world around one heart at a time. Hospitality binds the world together. Open your door.

This is surely a mission of Live Oak and the reason I’m willing to contribute to the Growth Fund. Because, we all know it’s darn hard to find our current door! I’m so excited that in our new location, our door will not only be more visible, but we’ve even agreed to make it more welcoming and inviting, in order to extend our hospitality to the greater community. The wonderful ideas that have been bouncing around for the greater good can only be accomplished with financial support.

Closing with a quote from Winston Churchill:

Copyright ©2006, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church.
Last edited Friday, September 21, 2007 08:41 PM by webmaster@liveoakuu.org