Supporting the church
If you wish to donate, you may do so easily online through Canada Helps by clicking on the icon to the right.
All Unitarian Universalist churches are self-supporting. We are 'congregational' in that we govern ourselves and receive no monies from any diocese or headquarters. In fact, we support our national organization of congregations, the Canadian Unitarian Council by contributing a fee per each of our church members. This goes to support the services to congregations that we receive in many areas of church life.
Pledging
The opportunity for generosity is expressed in the Sunday collection. It is also important to our ministries and programs for most people who are a part of the community, to make their financial contribution by pledging a certain amount weekly, monthly or quarterly. Financial commitments can be conveniently and easily managed through automatic bank debiting. Pledging allows the church to plan both short-term and long-range ministry goals. The yearly canvass offers members the opportunity to contribute and be part of a thriving congregation.
Church is a place where everyone is welcome regardless of their ability to contribute financially. Newcomers often ask, “How much do people pledge?” Pledges vary a great deal from one family to another and even from one time in a person's life to another as personal situations change. As you make a commitment to become a part of the church community, we ask you to think deeply about how much you value this liberal faith community. People who are able, contribute between 2 ½ - 5 % or more of their household income. Together we sustain and help our church’s ministries to grow.
Fundraising
The church supplements its annual giving campaign with a number of scheduled events throughout the year. Our top three are described below.
Annual Awesome Auction
The auction has items and services donated by the friends and members of the church as well as some community businesses. Anyone can bid on the items at this event which is usually held in the spring, along with a dinner. The coordinator publicizes the event, collects offers, organizes volunteers, and assembles the details of the event. Recent auctions have netted over $6,000. It is a fun-filled fellowship event with diverse participation.
Annual Yard Sale
Enthusiastic volunteers make the fall yard sale fun for everyone—not the least of whom are the people of the wider community who come in droves! Sale items are collected from July onwards. On the big day in September, dozens of people work together setting up and preparing to make creative sales. One person's donated item becomes someone else's great treasure! At day's end, we raise around $2,500, neighbourhood residents and church friends leave with 'new' furniture, clothing, housewares, books, and fascinating novelties. A great time will have been had by all.
Beverage container redeeming
We are mindful of the environment and rasie some funds by recycling our redeemable beverage containers which we bring into the chruch. They can be placed in the bin marked Recyclables at the back of the kitchen. Every two months a volunteer takes them to a depot for cash. This is a good deed for the earth and for our church.