Pledge Now
Generosity
The opportunity to be affirmed in who we are and to offer that affirmation to others.
The space to expand one’s own spirit, to reconnect, and be reminded that we must see our world through the lens of love.
The questions of our children as they understand the world anew and offer their understanding to us as a fresh lens.
The laughter and joy of those giddy with the embrace of community
The dollars and cents of those who gave what they could—and then stretched a little more.
The infinite small acts of service that make the parts greater than the whole, done by those who knew themselves in sympathy with our purposes.
Let’s welcome all of these gifts with gratitude—for they have been paid for with many currencies by those who persisted in justice’s name against hostility and adversity. Let us consider with gratitude and humility what it means to pay forward what has been paid forward for us.
– Adapted from Rev. Leslie Takahashi
Dear Beloved Community,
Generosity: an Explicit UU Value each of us has three ways to express
Best guess: We’ve all figured out that generosity is a privilege. It’s also highlighted in our new Unitarian Universalist illustration of our values that centers Love as our core value. And this fall, the ESUC Generosity Pledge Drive offers three opportunities to feel good about our willingness to share generously — specifically to share volunteer time, share the benefits of our church by inviting others to join you here on Sundays, and of course to share funds that allow East Shore to thrive.
We’ll kick off the 2025-2026 Generosity Pledge Drive with an all-generation catered brunch after the service Sunday, September 28. Pledge cards like the one enclosed will be distributed and collected at each table. So please plan to attend this tasty and free event – and please consider well before September 28 what you will write on that pledge card. Notice that each of us is asked to contribute at a level that makes us feel comfortable and generous. And yes, it’s a privilege to do so.
Thank you,
Betsy Gelb
ESUC Member
Pledge Now
What Should I Give?
As members, we have a shared responsibility for the financial support of our church. Your pledge is a personal choice you must decide based on your current life and financial circumstances. For many, a pledge of 5% can be easily reached or surpassed. For others, such a goal may be difficult. If so, please consider making an initial pledge of 2% or 3% and increasing it, as your circumstances permit. If you can afford to pledge more, you will help others who are unable to do so. Use the following chart of monthly payments to help choose the amount right for you:
When you model generosity, you light a path for others to follow. By matching your values with your dollars, you benefit yourself as well as others because your actions match your aspirations. Giving feels good, and generous giving feels even better! ESUC needs and appreciates your generous giving. If you have any questions or concerns, or need a waiver from pledging, please talk to our Director of Membership Development, Nicole Duff.
Sustainable Giving
Sustainable Giving helps East Shore sustain church operations for the foreseeable future. As our operating costs increase, Sustainable Giving has an option for annual percentage increases in giving. A small increase can make a huge difference in our five to ten year financial plan. We are asking everyone who is comfortable with sustained giving to become a Sustainable Giver starting this year.
You simply pledge as normal, and indicate you’d like to become a Sustainable Giver and how much you’d like your pledge to increase in subsequent years. For example, if you are giving $200 a month and sign up for a 5% increase, the following year you would give $210 a month.
Questions? Talk Director of Membership Development, Nicole Duff.
How Can I Pay My Pledge?
There are many pledge payment options: Automatic Bank Withdrawal (ACH), Bill Pay, Credit Card, Check, Cash and others. However you choose to pay, we very much value your contribution!
- For cost efficiency, we urge every member to sign up for monthly Automatic Bank Withdrawals. Payments will be made effortlessly until you decide to change or stop them. The easiest way to set up an automatic bank withdrawal is to attach a voided check to your updated pledge form.
- Other payment methods are much less efficient or cost the church money. Credit cards charge 2-4% fees.
- Weekly or monthly cash or checks require significant manual bookkeeping effort.
Special Methods to Consider
The new tax law makes it more likely people will benefit from taking a now higher standard deduction on their tax return. There are a few ways you may be able to maximize the impact of your giving, and your deduction! Please consult your tax advisor first before using these methods.
- Donor Advised Funds (DAF) – Donors make a bulk donation to their account (and benefit from high itemized deductions), and distribute the money to non-profit organizations over several years.
- Payroll Deductions and Employer Matching Gifts: Some members have opted to utilize incentive programs at their place of employment to fulfill their pledge. If your employer excludes religious organizations, you may be able to utilize a third-party workplace giving application such as Benevity.
- IRA Distributions – If you are receiving income from an Individual Retirement Account, you may be able to use pre-tax IRA distributions to pay East Shore, saving you taxes on that portion of your income. You will see this listed as NonDeductible on your statement, and should receive a separate tax statement from your IRA account.
If you have questions on any of these types of methods, please reach out to Director of Membership Development, Nicole Duff and she can put you in contact with a member already doing this!
However you choose to pay, we very much value your contribution!