http://nonprofit-success.com/ALFA_DATA Stewardship. When you hear that word spoken in our church, your mind probably goes directly to your bank account. And I don’t want to down-play the importance of your financial contributions. Money is what keeps us in our building and without it, we would permanently be the Church of Z-UU-M.  But our building is not what makes us a church. WE are the church. We were a church when we were meeting in peoples’ homes before we had our building. And we have continued to be a church for the past year even though we have been unable to meet in our building as a group.

“Church” is a collection of shared values; “church” is a way of living. Our building is stationary, but “church” should not be; “church” should be dynamic and moving.  And if “church” is intended to be moving, then we should think of it more as a verb than a noun. Nouns sit. Verbs act. A verb is not a monument but a movement.

Church as a noun: “I attend church.”

Church as a verb: “I  http://circleplastics.co.uk/featured/multi-energy-saving-system-seven/ am the church.”

Church as a noun: “UUCC should provide programs for us.”

Church as a verb: “We are partners in shaping our own spiritual journey.”

Church as a noun: “UUCC should provide service opportunities.”

Church as a verb: “What motivates me ought to move me.”

Church as a noun: “What do I get if I come here?”

Church as a verb: “What can I do as part of this movement?

If you share the values of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, you have a stake in this. Your stewardship includes the dollars you choose to give as well as the responsibility you choose to share for the success of our church. Those who step up and take responsibility will also share in the elation of success as big things happen—and they will.  

Together, WE ARE the church.  Sharing your time, treasure and talents, we will be the verb that we were intended to be!