Many Unitarian Universalist congregations have a practice of sharing their Sunday offering with community organizations and groups: some congregations give away their entire offering one Sunday each month; others “split the plate” every Sunday or month and give Part of the offering to a deserving cause.
Our time to avert climate catastrophe is precious and limited, and Unitarian Universalists have an important role to play in these critical years. It is core to our Unitarian Universalist faith identity to be inclusive community centers, catalyzers, and moral voices for justice and positive social change.
UUMFE could not do the work that it does today without the support of congregations, many of which take up special collections for UUMFE on or around Earth Day or other appropriate dates.
How does share the plate work?
Authorizing special collections is a little different in each congregation. However, here are some general tips and resources to help you!
- Make an appeal to your church board and/or special collection decision makers (sometimes the minister!) requesting that your congregation support the work of UUMFE. Share the following resources with them:
- Publicize the work of UUMFE and the date of the “Share the Plate” through your newsletter, social media, bulletin boards, and the pulpit;
- On the day of the service, show congregants the work UUMFE is doing;
- Share this one minute “What is UU Ministry for Earth?” video in your virtual service, and
- Give a brief synopsis of UUMFE that ties to your congregation’s interests and desires or a congregant’s involvement and
- Stress the importance of financial support.
- Send donations to UUMFE, 1034 SW 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205.