Stewardship Pledges
2025 Pledge Drive
October 2024
Dear Members and Friends of North Universalist Chapel Society, Our family moved to the quaint village of Woodstock in the summer of 2021. As many did during the pandemic, we chose to leave city life behind and plant our roots in a place where we could give our kids, then 3 and 5, a chance at the same small-town upbringing we both had as children. A place where their bare feet could connect to the earth right outside their front door instead of the pavement of sidewalks on journeys to neighborhood parks. A small town nestled within a vibrant bounty of nature where a strong sense of community and family values are vital and where our kids could grow up and feel safe and welcomed to be whomever they want to be. Thus far we have found that here in Woodstock and are eternally grateful.
The combination of being new in town and our unwavering urge to reconnect socially after prolonged pandemic isolation, led us to do something neither of us had done since our own childhoods, find a church. With one of us being raised Catholic, the other a Congregationalist, and neither wanting ourselves or our children to be boxed into a uniformed religion, imagine our delight in discovering the North Chapel. With open mind and masked faces, we attended our first Sunday service that August. The service was outside on the gorgeous back lawn with the Ottauquechee River flowing as the backdrop. The Reverend delivered his reflection barefoot, pulling out his guitar to swoon us all with his musical talent. Our kids were free to run about and play and make noise! We were sold then and there.
For over three years now, we have continued to find solace and rejuvenation each Sunday. North Chapel has helped us dig our roots here deeper through new connections and experiences and we feel so grateful to have such a place in our community. How privileged we all are to have a sanctuary where all who walk through the door, whether it be every Sunday or once a year, are welcomed warmly, free of judgment, free of constraints, and given the freedom to simply just be.
As we approach the end of the year, we would like you to ask yourselves, why do you choose the North Chapel? What keeps you coming? What do you hope to leave with each Sunday? Our reasons are surely wide and varied, but whatever they may be, we want to ensure we can keep giving you your reason and more. We want our pulpit to continue to channel the many talents of Rev. Leon, members and guest speakers. A place with a musical program and a choir that gifts us with their melodies. A place where our children can have spiritual exploration under the leadership of a dedicated director. A beautiful space to gather for social events and a welcomed resource for the community. With Kate having become a board member this past year and Cliff serving on the finance committee, we now know more than ever how much it takes to keep our chapel thriving and operating. We come together each Sunday, but what happens behind the scenes in between Sundays is a remarkable undertaking led by many dedicated members and staff.
Collectively we are not just running the operations to keep North Chapel open and operational, we are also motivated to help grow new ideas and visions for the future of North Chapel. There are so many wonderful things we can accomplish outside of the basic operational costs that can help us live up to our mission and vision. Fundraising is what allows us to accomplish this, and this is where we need your help.
For our community to reach financial stability and continue to grow, the Finance Committee has set a goal of $130,000 for our 2024 Stewardship Pledge Drive. This may feel like a big stretch, but if everyone gives as they are able, together we can reach this goal. The value of every gift matters, no matter the size.
Your pledge is a commitment to the North Chapel that may be paid as a lump sum or paid monthly over the course of the year. We have enclosed a pledge form for you to fill out.
Please return it by mail or drop it into the collection basket on Sunday. There are also colored pledge forms in a basket at the back of the church. We have enclosed a chart offering specific ideas for the range of contribution you might make and an information sheet with Frequently Asked Questions about the Stewardship Pledge Drive and pledging.
May the more personal theme to this year's pledge letter be the driving theme to finish off this year and welcome the next. May you all take the time to personally dig deep and reflect on what North Chapel not only means to you and what it does for you, but what you can do for it. May we open our hearts, our minds (and our wallets!) and unite to finish this year off strong and be inspired to ring in a new year full of hope, gratitude and love.
We are grateful for your support, be it financial or a gift of your time volunteering for one of the many social and fundraising endeavors throughout the year. With gratitude,
The Johnson Family (Kate, Cliff, Isla & Elliot)
For the North Chapel Board
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Stewardship Pledge? When you fill out the pledge form, you’re letting the Board of Trustees know what level of financial commitment you will make to the church in the coming year. Typically, people make this commitment in the fall and pay their pledges the following year, either at one time or periodically through the year.
Why is making a pledge so important? Just as you need to know how much income you’ll have available to cover your expenses for the year, the board needs the same kind of information to manage the church’s finances. Pledges from you and others enable the board to determine how much annual income to expect, allowing them to balance income against anticipated expenses for operating the church.
What does my pledge pay for? At the Annual Meeting each January, our North Chapel Treasurer, Ann Wynia presents the church’s annual budget in detail and the membership votes to approve the budget.
Your pledge helps to fund a significant portion of the church’s total annual budget, including:
compensation for Rev. Leon Dunkley, Minister; Diane Mellinger, Director of Music; Joanne Boyle, Administrative Assistant, Tatum Barnes, Director of Spiritual Education, maintenance of the church building, the parsonage, and grounds; office operations; program costs for Sunday services and various church activities.
How can I make a pledge? Making a pledge is easy. You can either complete the form that was sent to you at home and return it to the church office, with attention to Ann Wynia, Treasurer. (North Chapel, 7 Church Street, Woodstock, VT 05091). You can also drop this form in the basket on Sunday or at the church office. Or, fill out a pledge card at church, which you can find in the colored envelopes in the back of the sanctuary, and drop your card in the collection plate or mail it back to the church office.
Is my pledge confidential? Yes. Ann Wynia receives pledges and knows what amount people commit, but this information is not shared with the full board.
How can I pay my pledge? Once you make your pledge, you can pay it all at once or in installments:
Write a check to the church, designating your pledge payment. You can mail your check or place it in the basket at Sunday services. You can do this once to pay in full or pay periodically throughout the year.
Set up a one-time or periodic transfer from your bank account to the church. Most people who do online banking have their bank write checks to the North Chapel and mail them to the church.
How do I determine my level of giving? Of course, everyone’s ability to give is different. We are grateful that over the years North Chapel members have given generously to support the church.
If you have given before, we ask that you meet or exceed previous donations, if at all possible. (You can reach out to Treasurer, Ann Wynia at annwynia0516@gmail.com if you need a reminder of what you pledged last year.) If you are a new donor to the church, we ask that you make the church a priority for your philanthropic donations and give to the best of your ability.
We are grateful for your support, be it financial or a gift of your time on one of our committees and volunteering for the many social and fundraising endeavors throughout the year.
We couldn’t do it without everyone’s help!