Think about a generous person you know. . . . Have someone in mind? Think of a story about that person that is emblematic of their generous spirit. What attributes does that person have? How would you describe them?
During our December Friday Forum, lay leaders shared stories about their congregations, their aunts, cousins and friends who were kind, open-hearted, present, and warm — all attributes that make the world a better place. That’s why generosity is one of my foremost spiritual practices. It’s also why I do the work of helping congregations cultivate generosity among their members. Generosity is a value we can not live without.
I was so delighted when I learned that generosity was recommended and subsequently approved as one of our six values we are now highlighting within Unitarian Universalism. Specifically, our covenant to one another now reads:
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
But, how do we live that out in our congregations? Revs. Tandi Rogers and Jan Christian have articulated the pillars of a generous congregational culture:
- We have moved beyond shame and blame and have learned to talk about money in ways that are life-affirming and nurture creativity.
- We know that conflict is a part of building and sustaining Beloved Community and we have ways to engage it and to let it deepen us and to move forward together.
- We have a shared sense of purpose and mission that nurtures generosity and imbues all that we do.
How well does your congregation talk about money? Is it seen as one of many openly discussed resources through which to live out your vision and mission? What happens when conflict arises in your congregation? Is it seen as a natural part of community life, to be embraced as a tool for learning? Does your mission inspire giving?
As we live into our six new UU values centered in love — the invitation around the value of generosity is to practice living with a spirit of abundance and possibility and to share our many resources to build the common good. What a beautiful path to choose. May you and your congregations find your way along it. Stewardship for Us is here to help.
Rev. Lydia Ferrante-Roseberry loves helping congregations thrive. She brings over 20 years of parish ministry experience into her consulting with Stewardship for Us. Having served three congregations of various sizes, she has helped each of them align their vision with their values, and then foster generous giving to live into that vision. Rev. Lydia is most passionate about the individual and community transformation that is possible when people come together to create something none could have imagined alone.