Our annual giving campaigns tell a story of who we are and who we are becoming. It began with One Church, Many Hearts, naming the beautiful diversity of people who make up our community. It grew through Anchored in Love, grounding ourselves in what sustains us. This year, that story reaches its natural culmination: Together We Thrive.
When a community of many hearts is anchored in love, something powerful happens. We don’t just endure—we grow and flourish. We make space for everyone to belong, as seen in our recent work to make our church more accessible.
Ours is a covenantal community. We make promises to one another about how we will live into our faith with integrity. The annual canvass is a promise to do our part so that our entire spiritual home can continue to grow.
Let us love together. Let us grow together. Let us thrive together.
At Second Unitarian (2U), "Together We Thrive" isn't just a theme; it is a lived reality. Our collective growth is visible every day in the ways we show up for one another and our neighbors. Here is how we are flourishing together:
Migrant Family Support: Our church and friends have opened our doors and our hearts to welcome and support two migrant families living within our church home.
Mutual Aid & Jail Support: We provide aid and comfort to returning citizens as they leave Cook County Jail, embodying our commitment to justice and dignity for all.
Addressing Food Insecurity: Members and friends consistently support the Night Ministry, ensuring our neighbors have the resources they need to thrive.
Vibrant Sunday Worship: Every week, members, friends, and guests gather both in-person and virtually to be in a community that nurtures spiritual reflection and exploration.
Nurturing Religious Education: We surround our children and youth with love and guidance, leading lifespan faith development that prepares them to move through the world with integrity.
Our Shared Future in Action
Financial pledges from you are the primary way 2U funds our ministries and operations. This year, as we prepare for a significant new chapter, we ask you to consider making a meaningful pledge to support our shared vision.
Your contributions fuel our ability to:
Support Our Leadership Transition: Ensure we have the resources to welcome an Interim Minister, providing a stable and expert hand to guide us as we bridge our history with our future.
Renew Our Spirit: Continue support for inspiring worship, music, and lifespan faith development programs.
Foster Inclusion: Build a multi-generational, multi-racial, and multi-cultural faith community.
Nurture Our Staff: Maintain staffing levels and provide a cost-of-living increase for our dedicated team.
Deepen Connections: Support new technologies and continue to find ways to foster kinship with one another, ensuring every thread in our tapestry stays connected as we continue to celebrate our accessible building.
Strengthen Our Roots: Continue our vital support to national and regional UU offices.
The State of Our Congregation
The spirit at 2U is electric, driven by our common purpose. While we recognize the changing economic landscape and past fundraising shortfalls, we embrace these challenges as opportunities for collective strength.
Sustainability hinges on our shared commitment. Every contribution, no matter the size, sustains our programs, fuels our initiatives, and nurtures our community. This campaign is an investment in the future of 2U and the world we yearn for.
Red contributors live comfortably and have discretionary income. If you have a well-paying job, a pension, or income-producing assets, you may think of yourself as pledging red. These members pledged from $10,000 to $25,000 per person for our current year.
Magenta is like red, only a little bluer. Magenta means you generally have enough money to meet your needs. You may have kids in college or other obligations that reduce your discretionary spending. You usually pay bills on time. Individual magenta members pledge $2,500 to $9,999.
Purple is a beautiful and mysterious color. Purple may be living on a fixed income. You may have income that's up one year and down the next. You live modestly. You may be helping family members. Purple-hued individuals generally pledge $500 to $2,499.
Blue does not have a lot of money to spare. Blue may be paying off loans or living on a very modest income. Blue is beautiful and a valued part of this community. Blue pledges $50 to $499 per person. Some red, magenta, and purple households may be pledging bluish.
Make Your Pledge
Step 1: Make Your Pledge
Making your pledge has never been easier! Click on this link to make your pledge online. We'll email you a confirmation of your pledge.
Step 2: Set Up Recurring Payments
1) Log into Breeze
2) Click on "Give Now" or, from the dashboard, "Give a gift."
3) Enter the amount you'd like to give.
4) Click "Give to Additional Giving," select "Give to Pledges 26/27”
5) Then click "one-time gift" and select a different frequency from the dropdown menu (weekly, every two weeks, monthly, yearly).
6) Select your Payment Method, then click "Continue."
7) Leave a comment and choose if you would like to add the processing fees. (only available if your church has chosen to make this option available.)
8) Click the "Give $" button.
Step 3: Receive Statements
Once you've set up recurring payments, we'll send you monthly statements to keep track of your pledge progress and to have for tax purposes. This will also include your additional giving information such as Plate Share contributions, fundraisers, and more. If you have any questions about your statements, email Brandon Nicks, our Director of Administration, at office@secondunitarian.org.