I believe that nothing represents the spirit and mission of UCG more than our 2024 enlistment campaign theme: Grace in Action. We may come from differing faith traditions and know God in different ways, but we believe that our actions matter in the world. We are so graced by the many of you who participate in the many missions and programs at UCG, and we are graced by your financial support, too.

At the fall congregational meeting, we adopted the 2024 challenge budget and kicked off our enlistment campaign. Before that the congregation voted to seek a third full-time minister, contingent on funding the 2024 campaign. Our enlistment campaign is your opportunity to show your support for a third minister by voting again with your pledge. You can find a copy of the adopted challenge budget and some explanatory notes on the UCG website at https://ucgainesville.org/wordpress/2024-enlistment/.

I am happy to report that through the first 2 weeks of our campaign, we have received 83 pledges totaling $386,986. This is 44 % of our goal for 2024 pledges.

If you are one of those 83, thank you very much for your support. If you’re not, please think about what our church means to you and the graces that it has brought you. Please think about what it means to be a member of our church community and what your capacity is to contribute to the financial needs of sustaining and growing that community.

We have several ways to pledge.

1. Simply email Catherine Cake at catherinec@ucgainesville.org.

2. Go online to https://ucgainesville.org/wordpress/2024-enlistment/ and fill out the form linked there.

3. Pick up a card in the Sanctuary foyer before or after the service and fill it out. Put your pledge card in a self-addressed envelope that you can also obtain in the foyer. You can mail your pledge to the church, drop it off in the office, or give it to a member of the Enlistment Committee who will be in the courtyard after each service with a chocolate bar for you.

Alan Hill