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Michigan UU Social Justice Network

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Central Midwest District
Heartland District
Prairie Star District

Central Midwest District of the UUA

Prairie Star District UUA

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has." .....Margaret Mead

"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." -Charles Dickens

Dear Friends,

Both of these quotes have been coming to mind this year as I look around the Heartland District, and each one of them vies for top billing. Let me explain.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” is a good way to describe the economic impact in the Heartland, especially if you focus on the second half. Many of our congregations are facing financial difficulties, both as members lose jobs and as people leave the community in search of a more stable life. Yet other congregations are doing well—not hit as hard by the economy, or finding new ways to fund their dreams. It is the best of times, and the worst of times.

What is also true is that we triumph best with others. It is the “thoughtful, committed people” who fund our Chalice Lighter program, and that, in our congregations, they (you!) reach out to others, and cushion the blows of stressful times by creative thinking, working together, and daring to dream and risk big, even in the midst of fear. We get through best with each other.

This is why I’m writing you this letter. Each year the Heartland District takes a moment to reach out to you, the members of our congregations, to ask you to support our District’s operations. What is it that the District provides? We provide coaching and training for your leaders, lay and professional alike. We support religious education in the District. We help our youth and young adults remain connected with Unitarian Universalism. We create webinars on leadership topics. We respond to difficult times, whether it is a crisis in your church or in your neighborhood, in order to help you be better at what you want to do. We are your first line of resources to help you be all that you can be.

We’ve literally been there when disaster strikes: Nancy and I were both on the scene at Knoxville after the shootings there. Nancy helped when tragic death hit one of our congregations last year. Recent UU flood victims in the Heartland received direct financial support through a fund we created. We’re there for learning about how to do things better in the very hard times of life.

But we can’t do it without your help. Like our congregations, we are struggling this year. The return to a settled District Executive and a full-time Faith Development Director in 2009 means more opportunities to help, but also increased costs. Harder times in congregations mean lower donations from churches to Heartland. Just like many of your congregations, we’re in financial need.

Yet what we’re asking is not that big. If every member of every congregation in the Heartland were to send us $1.00, we’d meet our goal for this year. If every member sent us $5.00, we could retire our deficit. If every member sent $10.00, we would be able to fund more clever ideas and possibilities. We won’t be able to reach everyone, nor will everyone be able to respond, even at this low level. So what we’re asking you to do is to send us what you wish—anywhere from $1.00 to $1,000. Your donation, added to the donation of others, will allow us to reach out to all the Heartland congregations, to help your sister and brothers around the District be all you can be. It will allow us to help you build your capacity for being ever more vibrant religious homes.

We appreciate the chance to work on your behalf and to serve you here in the Heartland. We thank you for your financial support.

Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley
District Executive