Chalice Lighters: Supporting Growth and Outreach

1. Chalice Lighters: Supporting Growth and Outreach Gerry Blomgren, West Shore UU Church Rev. Joan Van Becelaere, OMD District Executive

3. Today • What is the Chalice Lighter program • Who are Chalice Lighters • Basics of creating a congregational application • Examples of grant projects and testimony from prior recipients

4. Let Your Light Shine? • Are you willing to let your light shine? • Will you support Unitarian Universalism that goes beyond the walls of your congregation? • Will you speak the message of liberal religion loudly and clearly? • We let our light shine is by participating in the OMD Chalice Lighters program.

5. What is Chalice Lighters? • Chalice Lighters helps our congregations and clusters with growth projects through individual support of our members. • It supports our fellow congregations in their work to grow and nurture our faith. • The single best method to support growth of Unitarian Universalism in our district and region.

6. Who Are Chalice Lighters? • A Chalice Lighter is an individual who responds with $10 or more 4 times a year • To help a congregation realize its dreams to: • expand outreach into the community, • make buildings accessible, • improve religious education for children & adults • create new programs for growth • develop new social justice outreach • strengthen some other vital ministry

7. How to Become a Chalice Lighter • Simple and easy • Sign up on the OMD Website: www.ohiomeadville.org and look under “Programs” or “Donate” at the top. • You will receive a letter by email (or snail mail if you prefer) four times a year. • You can send a check or donate securely online using PayPal.

8. Congregational Requirements • Member of OMD and the UUA for a year. • Promote growth and outreach of UUism. • expand outreach into the community, • make buildings accessible, • improve religious education for children & adults • create new programs for growth • develop new social justice outreach • strengthen some other vital ministry

9. Congregational Requirements • The congregation should not have received a Chalice Lighter grant in the last 2 fiscal years. • Show commitment to socially and environmentally responsible practices. • If project will continue into the future (e.g. new program, new staff) explain how you will continue to fund the project after the CL grant is spent.

10. Where to Start • Download the CL brochure; read & share with congregational leaders. Is a Chalice Lighter grant right for your needs? • Fill out the proposal form and send to the OMD Office by email. (supporting documents can be mailed or faxed if necessary.) • Proposal deadlines are: • January 1 • April 1 • July 1 • October 1

11. Proposal Elements • Description of project • Goals • Timeline • Impact on growth of UUism • Success markers • Additional funding sources, if needed • Approval by your church board • Project project • Congregation budget and pledge information

12. Additional Strength • Fair Share to the District and the UUA • Number of active Chalice Lighters in the congregation in relation to size • Demonstration of additional sources of support, if needed.

13. Help and Resources • If your proposal is not awarded immediately, don’t give up. Talk with the Resource Development Team. You might be asked to rewrite and resubmit. • Contact the OMD Office or the District Executive or a member of the Resource Development Team for assistance in creating your proposal or for more information.

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