A STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CENTERED ON BECOMING

Cheryll Mellenthin, Project Coordinator

There is remarkable joy in kicking off our Stewardship Campaign this month knowing that we will be together. This means hearing the laughter in the Commons as we share coffee and stories with new and old friends. It means seeing families and our elders in the Library together sharing needle work projects while keeping an eye on the youngest nestled in the kids’ corner on a tree pillow with books. We have quietly become a community centered on being together in many new ways while also celebrating the familiar rhythm of our gatherings that bring comfort and joy for so many.

In the 2023-2024 Stewardship Campaign material you received, and at services this month, you will hear more about our theme this year of Becoming. We are also hoping that the return of our annual Stewardship Campaign in person is a familiar reminder of the importance each of you provide in this work we do together on our theme. You will hear voices from members throughout the month on how centering our families, finding the joy in volunteering, and the many ways our welcoming FUS staff and community provide the best examples of how belonging and Becoming are connected for us.

Hosting a variety of events and new ways to gather this past year is just one example of what we are already Becoming as a thriving community. We have leaned into the diversity of interests and ideas—so many coming from you—to align the strengths found in that diversity. We have learned that by intentionally opening our hearts and minds to what is possible as a more inclusive community, we can reimagine together the future we want to become.

As with all Stewardship Campaigns, we remain grateful for your financial contributions to the community, which supports new opportunities and sustains our community life. What we are lifting up for our 2023-2024 Stewardship Campaign is the goal of attaining greater financial sustainability as one pillar in our Becoming journey. The generous pledges from you, our members, are what sustain the work and needs of our community.

During our Month of Giving, we will be sharing the results of our 2023-2024 Stewardship Campaign weekly. This will be an opportunity for our generous community to reflect on the financial commitments we are making together. We all know that every gift to this campaign is the perfect gift as every commitment helps us reach our annual financial goals. ◊