Our Pledge Drive Has Launched!
Thank you to all the folks who have already submitted their pledge to support the 2025-26 operating budget. You have helped us to raise more than 64% of our $665,000 pledge drive goal already! If you haven’t submitted your pledge form, please do so by the end of February so we can finalize our budget. You should have received a letter in your email inbox on February 5th from the UCE office. Check your spam folder! That letter will include an ask amount for you to consider. If you have any trouble finding it, reach out to our pledge drive team at pledgeinfo@ucevanston.org or calling the church office at 847-864-1330.
Our budgeting process is one that incorporates input from the staff, committees, teams, and councils of our congregation to estimate the costs of doing the work of living our mission and values. The largest budget expense, as it is in most faith communities and not-for-profits, is the staff. We have a very efficient budget, and we use our resources wisely. We also have an incredible staff, and we have made a commitment to pay them equitably. The Unitarian Universalist Association helps guide us in doing this by providing well researched guidelines for staff salaries based on our region, cost of living, congregation size, and responsibilities. Several of our staff members have been paid below the minimum of those UUA recommendations. This year we hope to rectify that and bring all staff salaries up to at least the minimum of those guidelines. We can only do that with your help.
As a reminder of what the staff does and why their efforts are so essential, we looked at how their work aligns with our stated visions: practicing Beloved Community; supporting the spiritual growth and well-being of our congregational community; committing to anti-racism and anti-oppression; and engaging in our interconnected world. Obviously, this is difficult to precisely measure, but here is an anecdotal estimate of how staff time supports our visions:
In these difficult times, when many of us feel powerless to stop the forces of evil bent on destroying our values, it is essential that we maintain communities of care, sustenance, and resistance, such as ours. Together, we are not powerless. Together we are able to house the unhoused, to protect asylum seekers, to build coalitions among our neighbors, work toward zero emissions, and prepare ourselves – people young and old – to help build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world.
Together, we can keep on keeping on, to search for, find, co-create, and share MORE love, peace, justice, and hope. Thank you for all you do to support the shared ministry of UCE!
With love and appreciation,
Rev. Eileen
Practicing Beloved Community at UCE 