Tell me now, how many of you have felt like a foreigner in congregational settings outside of Friendship Fellowship?
How many of you know that, as part of the community that meets here at our Unitarian Universalist gathering place on the hill, you are loved and accepted not JUST for whomever you love or whatever you believe but because, basically speaking, you know in your bones that relationships matter here? Time and space are made available to form lasting, meaningful friendships and to “seek truth in love” with others who journey with you.
I wonder, how much do you love the music provided for Sunday services at Friendship Fellowship? Although our pianist says she’d “play for free” and our choir director appreciates kind words of appreciation, they both accept small stipends because they really do know we are saying we believe the experience of live music is deeply meaningful.
Members and Friends of Friendship Fellowship, there are many gatherings held at the Coffeehouse at the bottom of the hill and in Fellowship Hall several steps away. Yes, we host weekly Sunday gatherings at both places but there is so much more that occurs.
Coordinating the various activities requires attention. It is my hope that you know the value of paying people to organize and facilitate those meaningful gatherings. When it comes to supporting our Unitarian Universalist sanctuary on the hill, I don’t think you fully understand the extent of influence you have with your financial gifts. For example, through your pledges and contributions, you all make it possible for the Sierra Club, the group that lobbies to protect the environment, and for Moms Demand Action, the group that organizes and fights for stronger gun laws, to meet in safe, comfortable surroundings. Those two groups, and others who rent the space, pay a minor rental fee but the amount does not come close to covering the cost of the utilities it requires to keep the doors open.
This past year, several friends and members from Fellowship participated in the Pride Parade in Melbourne, a Climate Strike in Cocoa Beach, an Anti-Fracking rally on Highway 1, a picnic down the road with other area UU congregations, and a community-wide public event held in Brevard County called United in Thanksgiving. There were meetings held at Friendship Fellowship that provided opportunities to organize such events. Currently, through contributions from this organization, we support national and international efforts to promote our values and the principles that we Unitarian Universalists work so hard to follow. Some of our funding supports the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and other organizations and faith partners that are working to incorporate human rights-based approaches to amplify the voices, advocacy, and solutions of frontline communities facing challenges associated with climate change. Locally, nationally and internationally, Unitarian Universalists have always advocated for human rights. In the past, we also fought for marriage equality, for women’s rights, for equal access to health care, for voting rights for those who were incarcerated and for LGBTQ concerns. Today, we are gearing up for a very difficult fight to make sure honest and fair practices in democracy are restored. Now, here is where I am going with this rant about the importance of financial contributions. Throughout my time in UU ministry, I have heard people complain when we bring up the topic of pledging in our congregations. I am aware of people who comment loudly, “My word! You talked about giving money here. This place is just like all the other churches. I’ll have nothing to do with it.” Rather than saying something is wrong with “asking for money” in our beloved fellowship, I wonder why individuals aren’t asking themselves, “My word! Why am I so appalled at a request for money to support a place with a mission, a vision, and principles that are so important to me? Why would I NOT want to support the fellowship?” By the way, no one is telling anyone what to give. Each person must discern what feels right. A billion dollars or a mason jar filled with coins. It’s up to you. And your contribution is private knowledge except for the treasurer or the finance person who is doing the asking. When I was attending seminary to become a minister, I remember saying to myself, “My word! I love this professor and this class so much. I haven’t paid nearly enough for what I am receiving.”
Now, mind you, twelve years later and encumbered with student loans that I still pay for on the first day of every month, (Side note: I was not a reckless borrower. I worked full-time when I was in training.) and an income that is honorable but not nearly what I could be making in other fields, I don’t begrudge the money I have to repay. Because, what I am receiving from this Unitarian Universalist journey is invaluable. I know that my efforts are making a difference in the lives of others. I’ve witnessed it first-hand and through stories shared by complete strangers.
Your love, my love, our love, and our efforts mean something. Our expenditures to keep Unitarian Universalism alive is not in vain. (Just ask one of the Lesbian, Gay, or Transgender young people who came here to watch a movie a month ago last Saturday, if it meant something to them to be in a room where they can hold hands with loved ones without fear of being bullied. Don’t know who they are? I would be happy to ask one of them to tell you. Finally, the next time you go into a grocery store to buy something, say you want to buy a piece of chocolate because you know a little sweetness in your life lifts your spirits just a wee bit, I dare you to say to the cashier when she tells you what it costs: “My Word! All you people do is ask for money.”
With much appreciation for your generosity,
Reverend Amy Kindred, Minister
How many of you know that, as part of the community that meets here at our Unitarian Universalist gathering place on the hill, you are loved and accepted not JUST for whomever you love or whatever you believe but because, basically speaking, you know in your bones that relationships matter here? Time and space are made available to form lasting, meaningful friendships and to “seek truth in love” with others who journey with you.
I wonder, how much do you love the music provided for Sunday services at Friendship Fellowship? Although our pianist says she’d “play for free” and our choir director appreciates kind words of appreciation, they both accept small stipends because they really do know we are saying we believe the experience of live music is deeply meaningful.
Members and Friends of Friendship Fellowship, there are many gatherings held at the Coffeehouse at the bottom of the hill and in Fellowship Hall several steps away. Yes, we host weekly Sunday gatherings at both places but there is so much more that occurs.
Coordinating the various activities requires attention. It is my hope that you know the value of paying people to organize and facilitate those meaningful gatherings. When it comes to supporting our Unitarian Universalist sanctuary on the hill, I don’t think you fully understand the extent of influence you have with your financial gifts. For example, through your pledges and contributions, you all make it possible for the Sierra Club, the group that lobbies to protect the environment, and for Moms Demand Action, the group that organizes and fights for stronger gun laws, to meet in safe, comfortable surroundings. Those two groups, and others who rent the space, pay a minor rental fee but the amount does not come close to covering the cost of the utilities it requires to keep the doors open.
This past year, several friends and members from Fellowship participated in the Pride Parade in Melbourne, a Climate Strike in Cocoa Beach, an Anti-Fracking rally on Highway 1, a picnic down the road with other area UU congregations, and a community-wide public event held in Brevard County called United in Thanksgiving. There were meetings held at Friendship Fellowship that provided opportunities to organize such events. Currently, through contributions from this organization, we support national and international efforts to promote our values and the principles that we Unitarian Universalists work so hard to follow. Some of our funding supports the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and other organizations and faith partners that are working to incorporate human rights-based approaches to amplify the voices, advocacy, and solutions of frontline communities facing challenges associated with climate change. Locally, nationally and internationally, Unitarian Universalists have always advocated for human rights. In the past, we also fought for marriage equality, for women’s rights, for equal access to health care, for voting rights for those who were incarcerated and for LGBTQ concerns. Today, we are gearing up for a very difficult fight to make sure honest and fair practices in democracy are restored. Now, here is where I am going with this rant about the importance of financial contributions. Throughout my time in UU ministry, I have heard people complain when we bring up the topic of pledging in our congregations. I am aware of people who comment loudly, “My word! You talked about giving money here. This place is just like all the other churches. I’ll have nothing to do with it.” Rather than saying something is wrong with “asking for money” in our beloved fellowship, I wonder why individuals aren’t asking themselves, “My word! Why am I so appalled at a request for money to support a place with a mission, a vision, and principles that are so important to me? Why would I NOT want to support the fellowship?” By the way, no one is telling anyone what to give. Each person must discern what feels right. A billion dollars or a mason jar filled with coins. It’s up to you. And your contribution is private knowledge except for the treasurer or the finance person who is doing the asking. When I was attending seminary to become a minister, I remember saying to myself, “My word! I love this professor and this class so much. I haven’t paid nearly enough for what I am receiving.”
Now, mind you, twelve years later and encumbered with student loans that I still pay for on the first day of every month, (Side note: I was not a reckless borrower. I worked full-time when I was in training.) and an income that is honorable but not nearly what I could be making in other fields, I don’t begrudge the money I have to repay. Because, what I am receiving from this Unitarian Universalist journey is invaluable. I know that my efforts are making a difference in the lives of others. I’ve witnessed it first-hand and through stories shared by complete strangers.
Your love, my love, our love, and our efforts mean something. Our expenditures to keep Unitarian Universalism alive is not in vain. (Just ask one of the Lesbian, Gay, or Transgender young people who came here to watch a movie a month ago last Saturday, if it meant something to them to be in a room where they can hold hands with loved ones without fear of being bullied. Don’t know who they are? I would be happy to ask one of them to tell you. Finally, the next time you go into a grocery store to buy something, say you want to buy a piece of chocolate because you know a little sweetness in your life lifts your spirits just a wee bit, I dare you to say to the cashier when she tells you what it costs: “My Word! All you people do is ask for money.”
With much appreciation for your generosity,
Reverend Amy Kindred, Minister
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