The world’s religions teach generosity. Judaism teaches that generosity is our heart’s natural condition, and if we withhold giving to those in need, we close off a part of ourselves. Giving to charity is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Buddha taught that generosity should be practiced, over and over, until giving becomes a state of mind. Jesus taught more about money than any other topic; he said that our heart follows our treasure, and not the other way around.
Our spiritual life helps us to be generous. Generosity is not just good for the recipient, it’s good for us. There’s nothing quite like the joy I get from contributing to my community, and knowing my gift made a difference. Giving helps me let go of fear and opens my heart to trusting other people.
First Unitarian Church is where most of my family’s giving goes. I am proud and happy that we have a mission worth supporting. The energy at church this year is palpable, and it is an energy of giving to our own spiritual life together and the larger community around us.
Giving supports our spiritual life as a congregation. There are our three choirs and beautiful instrumental music. There are faith development opportunities for children from toddlerhood through adolescence. There are multigenerational connections weaving our community together. There are groups and discussions for adults, and small group ministry coming this winter. All of these are made possible through gifts of time, talent and treasure from our members and friends.
Giving supports our heritage. The generosity of members past and present allows us to maintain our majestic building while using it to house our Wiogora summer program and our connections to the wider community. We open our doors onto downtown Worcester as we have for 240 years. As our purpose says in our bylaws, we “build up in the hearts of all the high ideals of a rational, progressive, and exalting religion.”
Giving supports our community. First Unitarian Church makes a difference in the life of Worcester. We housed families in the church when we helped to found a family homeless shelter in the 1990s. Today, we’re moving toward becoming the new home of the Worcester Free Medical Program on Monday nights. We provide scholarships so children in need can attend our Wiogora summer program. Volunteer groups mentor incarcerated college students. We collect gifts for children in the foster care system and make meals for community events. We use our building, our eager volunteers, and our staffing to support our work for justice in the world.
When I give money or time to help my community, I feel my burdens lightened and my heart expand. Giving is an act of trust and hope in the future. All of my work for First Unitarian Church, including my financial giving, is an act of hope that by coming together in loving spiritual community we can make a difference. I feel that difference when I worship with you, and when I see the good we can do in our community. I invite you to join me in giving your time, talent and treasure to our church this year. By living our mission together, we build the future we wish to see.
In faith,
Sarah Stewart
