Funding the Dream New Unity thrives on love, but it also cannot function without money. Whilst we might wish to separate money and material things from our spiritual and community lives, no such separation is really possible. New Unity’s funds go to pay our staff, to improve our facilities, to provide supplies for programmes, services, and administrative functions, to reach out to the larger world, and to support those in need. One year ago, we began a new process for the financial support of New Unity wherein each member and friend is asked to make an annual pledge of a financial contribution of their own choosing. Friends of the congregation are encouraged to pledge. Pledging is a condition of membership, so each member renews their membership annually with their pledge. The minimum pledge is set very low - £1 per year - so that no one is excluded because of their lack of financial means.  Our first pledge campaign was extremely successful. Over ninety pledges were made and the average member or friend pledged to contribute £255 for 2011 (about £5/week). The vast majority of those pledges have now been paid. The resulting increase in New Unity’s income has meant that we could afford a variety of new and important expenses, such as part-time music and education staff members, building improvements, visibility efforts, and more. It has also allowed us to give all of our collection income from services away to worthy causes - helping us to more ably serve and connect to the larger world. This year, the pledge period will be tied to the tax year rather than the calendar year, so pledges will cover 6 April 2012 to 5 April 2013. The 2012/2013 pledge campaign will be launched at the morning service at Newington Green on Sunday 11, March. There will be paper pledge forms available at the service. Pledges may be also be made at any time through out web site (www.new-unity.org/about-new-unity/funding-the-dream). Please note that - at this time - you are only being asked to make a pledge - a promise. You have up to a full year to pay your pledge. Please bring a small token gift to the pledge campaign launch service the morning of Sunday 11 March. It should be something small with essentially no financial value, such as a pretty or unusual stone, a seedling, a shell, a sketch, etc.These are gifts we give to each other and each one of us will go home with something. This year and in the coming years, our average pledges will need to increase. The contribution needed per person has been kept artificially low because of the contribution from building rentals. With growth, however, costs increase and rental income decreases as we need to use our space that much more often. For 2012/2013, we will need pledges to average £300 per person (£6/week). With increasing income, we are able to do more. Reaching this target average will allow us to continue to support our new staff and to continue maintaining and improving at the recent rate. It will allow us to provide better insulation and heating at Newington Green. If we exceed that amount, we can add more guest musicians at services. We may be able to increase staffing somewhat, making it possible for our minister to have more time to devote to programmes rather than administration, making it possible to conduct more events and programmes for families with children, and support the creation of a choir to sing during services. The future of New Unity continues to look bright. Your love, your energy, your assistance, and your financial support make it possible. If you would like to make a secure donation to New Unity, please click on the link above. |
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