To: Members and Friends of the Auckland Unitarian Church
In two weeks, on 27 April 2019, we will be having our Annual Quiz Night to celebrate our 2019 Pledge Campaign. If you haven’t signed up at church, please contact Kay Parish quiznight@aucklandunitarian.org.nz to confirm your attendance.
Our Achievements
In September of this year we will complete our fifth year with Clay Nelson as permanent minister. Having a high quality permanent minister has increased our membership to 84 up from 42 five years ago. The church programme has been enriched by twice a month adult RE sessions for the past three years with a new programme on Unitarianism: A Living Tradition planned for next month following last year’s programme on Facing Death to Live. We also have an active programme for children.
Through our active Peace and Social Justice Committee, we have expanded our efforts to help children with dyslexia in Samoa and Tonga, launched a Duffy Books in Homes programme at a Glendowie primary school, and we continue to support a community food pantry outside the church, and still send donations to the Auckland City Mission. We remain a Living Wage member and employer. We continue to support the Rainbow community. We have provided financial support to those seeking political asylum and to the Muslim community in Christchurch affected by the horrible March attacks. We have given support to the Secular Education Network’s efforts to end Bible in Schools. Last year we participated in the Ponsonby community’s Harvest Fete for the first time. It is a record for which we can be justifiably proud.
Our Opportunity/Challenge
To fund a minister half-time, we have received a five year bridge gift from the Macky Trust that is phasing out this year. In the coming year we need to increase our pledge income from $58,000 to $65,000 (which works out at about $ 825 per member). With all the achievements from the last year, the Management Committee is confident that we’ll be able to meet this goal from the generosity of new and existing members and friends.
Equally important will be the ongoing donation of volunteer hours of church members and friends who serve on committees, assist with Sunday services, maintain our church building and undertake fund raising. While some members are able to pledge financially, others support our community by donating their time and energy. And some are able to do both.
Pledge Now!
This year we ask that you download/print a pledge form or pledge on-line.
Pledge forms also will be available at our 27 April dinner. Please complete on-line or bring your completed pledge form in an envelope to an April service or to the dinner on 27 April. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jonathan Mason ( pledge@aucklandunitarian.org.nz) Pledge coordinator, or Clay Nelson (clay@aucklandunitarian.org.nz).
Not a Church Member?
While you don’t have to be a member to pledge, we hope you will join us to have a voice in our decisions. For more information about membership please contact Shirin Caldwell (membership@aucklandunitarian.org.nz) .
On behalf of the Management Committee, I thank you for your support, which is vital to being able to continue our commitment to implementing Unitarian principles in New Zealand.
Very truly yours,
Jonathan Mason
Pledge Coordinator