Giving Campaign 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

We are living in turbulent times. The headlines flash on our screens constantly, announcing injustice, violence, loss, and fear. It’s easy to lose sight of the good things in the world—simple acts of kindness, the beauty of nature, voices raised together in song—or to believe that these are not enough to counter the sadness and confusion so many of us feel. 

And so, week after week, we gather at CUUC or online to remind ourselves and each other of an essential truth: it is good to be together. 

When we come together in the light of this truth, we see that we have been given a precious gift: a community that offers strength, hope, love, and joy. This gift is endlessly renewable, open to all, and nourished by our commitment to spirituality, compassion, and service. Its value is priceless, but the cost of creating it can be measured in time, talent, and shared resources. 

These investments matter now more than ever. As we look ahead to the next fiscal year and beyond, we need everyone’s support to make sure CUUC has the financial security it needs to grow and flourish in this challenging moment. We hope our 2026 Annual Canvass Campaign will inspire you to give generously, with the goal of:

Sustaining the Gift of Community

For 2026, we have set our pledge goal at $500,000, a 7% increase from last year. To meet this goal, we need 100% participation, receiving a pledge from every member and friend. Enclosed are a pledge form, informational brochure and a stamped return envelope. You may also pledge online at cuucwp.org/pledge.

Once again, we have increased our goal to account for an increase in our annual expenses. As an entirely self-supporting congregation, it’s up to all of us to step up to cover these unavoidable increases. Energy prices remain high (up more than 10% from last year) and our medical premiums have increased by 21%. Our building and grounds also require ongoing upkeep and maintenance. 

At the same time, we are experiencing an exciting increase in the number of people who want to be part of our beloved community. In the past year, 24 people have signed our membership book, and dozens more have visited us to learn more about what we offer. To uphold our covenant’s promise to be welcoming, inclusive, and cultivate a sense of belonging, we need each member and friend to consider increasing their pledge by 7% or more. 

With everyone’s participation, we can sustain and expand our full range of programs:

• Journey Groups provide meaningful connections and personal growth.
• Social Justice Teams help us transform our vision into action locally, nationally and globally. From preparing meals for those in need to standing up for democracy, this work is more important than ever.
• Committees and Groups help our congregation run and provide valuable leadership and community-building opportunities. From music and worship to finance and grounds, these essential roles keep CUUC going.
• Our Religious Exploration program—which has welcomed many new children in the past year—offers spiritual teaching and moral grounding for children, youth, and adults, led by our dedicated Director of Lifespan Religious Education and team of volunteer teachers and leaders.
• Our music ministry enriches worship with sublime piano performances, inspiring choral works, and various guest musicians. In addition to supporting our beloved part-time musical staff, your increased contributions this year will help fund additional offerings from a diverse range of musicians.
• Our worship services are provided year-round, with summer services led by guest ministers and speakers, including CUUC members and friends.
• Last but not least, we are Organizing to Respond to injustices locally and nationally through communications, outreach, and activism.

What a gift we give and receive from each other! We are so fortunate to have a community where we can share our joys, sorrows, milestones, and ideas—and use our collective energy to serve others in need. We hope you will give generously to help sustain this gift for generations to come. 

With gratitude,

The Canvass Team
Creighton Cray, Carolyn Hanson, Chris Kortlandt, Barry Litcofsky