In today’s world, many (most/all?) days our hearts can be heavy with all that is happening. How can we make space for gratitude?
A few years ago, a close friend of mine had died and her sister, Charlotte, shared with me her “Five Minute Journal” that had a daily place to write: “I am grateful for…”
Charlotte had lost both her only sister and her husband in that same year. Although I did not write it down, for a while I went to bed each night and named something for which I was grateful. I still try to do that ritual often.
If you had to name something at the end of each day for which you are grateful, what would it be?
If you had to tell someone each week something they did that made you grateful, what would you say?
In the midst of all that is negative, I am grateful for our congregations. So many people are working for justice and equity, for transformation of themselves, their communities and the wider world, and for free, fair and informed elections. Many members and friends are generous with their time, wisdom and resources, bringing our core values into our religious exploration space, our services, our local non-profits and in many other ways.
How does this relate to stewardship? In its broadest form,
Stewardship is community care.
Being a steward for your congregation and the wider Unitarian Universalist movement can take many forms. An important piece of that stewardship is taking time, on a regular basis, to thank the many people who help your congregation thrive.
Express appreciation. Express gratitude. Do it in person, in your newsletter, during Sunday service, in your team meeting, with a text or a phone call, a handwritten note or a hug. Let them know that their efforts for your congregation make a difference.
Many of our congregations have a yearly volunteer appreciation Sunday at which members and friends are honored for their gifts of time, and kindness and wisdom and much more. One congregation I visited this year, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, has an Appreciation section in every Friday e-newsletter.
Here’s an example, with the names changed for privacy:
| Appreciations |
- Thank you all who make Sundays run so smoothly: ushers: Bonnie R. & Izzy S (& Bob C. for always helping with the collection plate count). Greeter help: Tim P. Coffee hour help: Caitlin C., Michele K. (as always!), Marty B. & Sarah H. for help cleaning. Thank you chamber choir for the energizing music!
- For Ellen G., Belinda R., Don P., and Terry M. for lending their supreme cooking and event planning skills to the Annual New Member Dinner.
- To the Caring Committee: Beth P., Karen W. & Bonnie R. and Catherine & Gretchen H. for help with Sharon C.’s Memorial service. Thank you, Patrick & Alex P. for doing A/V.
- For Religious Education (RE) Spring Quarter Volunteers: Kelly C., Julie M., Rebecca B., and Noah H.
Share your appreciations by emailing Judy S: put “Appreciation” in the subject line and get it to me by Tuesday before that Friday’s newsletter.
In some of their newsletters, the Appreciations section is much longer and in some newsletters it captures something from a previous week that was not included. Remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect — if someone is left off the list you can capture it in future Appreciations!
So dive in with gratitude for all those people who help your congregation get things done, even if it’s monthly rather than weekly. Or include Appreciations in a monthly announcement from the pulpit. Or both!
Love is at the center of our denominational values and our congregations.
I. Am. Grateful.
Kay has more than 26 years of successful professional fundraising experience. She is passionate about helping organizations fund their mission with strategic, intentional, inspiring stewardship. Reach her at kay@stewardshipforus.com.