At each Annual Meeting in June, our congregation always votes in at least one new Steward. We have a Steward Committee of three people and each person serves for three years; currently this is Valerie Armstrong, Peggy Priver and Nancy Loughrey. Valerie has served the longest and so she is currently serving as Chair.
The Stewards are not overseen by the Board or by the Minister; they are designed to be an independent group so that they can make decisions about our Endowment Fund without any real or perceived pressure. Their goal is to manage the Fund in order to protect the principal value of the monies gifted. It is also their responsibility to encourage gifts, memorials, bequests and other contributions to the Fund of the Church
And so, to that end, our creative Stewards are launching a new program this year in which we hope everyone will participate. The following explanation comes from Valerie Armstrong:
More than a year ago, Rev. Sian described a practice at some churches where they invite all members to make a small annual contribution according to their age. A member turning 7 might donate $7, someone turning 32 might donate $32. That planted a seed with the Stewards, who oversee OCUUC's Endowment Fund, and it grew into a lovely donor tree, which will be on display in our Administration Building! Now we'd like to invite everyone to "Give Your Age" each year to celebrate all that our church gives to us! (Feel free to adjust your contribution amount according to your ability and desire.) You can contribute by clicking on the "Give Your Age" Vanco tile, putting cash into an envelope with your name and "Give Your Age" written on the outside, or write a check and be sure to note that it's for "Give Your Age."
Donations to the Endowment Fund are invested, and the investments provide reliable income that helps smooth out the ups and downs of economic cycles. When you donate to "Give Your Age," we'll put a leaf on the tree with your name on it. As more of us donate each year, we can watch the tree "grow." Once a year, the leaves will come down, and the tree will start growing again. While most of the money in our Endowment Fund comes from generous bequests in members’ wills, smaller contributions can add up too, especially if we all join in! We want to give everyone the opportunity to contribute to OCUUC's lasting legacy.
The tree is scheduled to go into the lobby of the Administration Building over Labor Day weekend. Be sure to check it out; it’s never too late to add your leaf!
Kathleen McFarlin is Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Board President.