UUCM Goods and Services Auction

Saturday, Febraury 23, 2019


The Goods and Services Auction, one of UUCM’s major fundraisers, is coming right up! It netted over $5,000 last year! This year’s Auction is set for Saturday Feb. 23 and will kick off with a potluck dinner at 5:30pm.

Here’s how the Auction works: You offer a particular service, and the winning bidder pays the church. As the donor, you can claim as a charitable contribution the amount paid for your donation.

The Auction is not a tag sale, but we do accept a limited number of physical objects of high quality. Speak to Janet Hiller re: suitability of a particular item

What do we need you to do?

What do we need you to do?

  • Tell us what you’d like to donate…tickets to a sports or cultural event, pet sitting, childcare for an evening, handyman services, a day trip, dinner at your place or the buyer’s, kid’s birthday party, lawn cleanup, painting, astrological readings, transportation to an airport or elsewhere, handmade crafts or jewelry or textile items, baked goods to win that night or to order for later delivery, therapeutic massage, knife sharpening…
  • Complete a paper donation form that you’ll find at the church each Sunday through February 17…
  • Or email your donation information to Janet Hiller. Include a description of your donation, its value, desired starting bid, and your phone number.
  • Please use the signup sheet at the church to indicate what you’ll provide for dinner and how many people we should plan for.
  • Is there a service you’d like to buy if a particular congregant offered it? Let Janet know, and she’ll ask for the donation.
  • Note that we expect payment that night—cash, check, or credit card.

This event is always a lot of fun: bidding can be brisk; Jeff May is a masterly auctioneer; the fellowship is warm, and the food is delicious.

Questions? Speak to Janet at church or email her.
Janet Hiller for the Finance Committee

 

Did you know that UU Meriden is in covenant with other UU churches in Connecticut? In the spirit of covenant, we started exploring a relationship with the Mattatuck UU Society as well as with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport.  We are just at the beginning of this process. On November 9, the presidents of each congregation got together over pizza to get to know more about each other and informally explore ways that we could collaborate and partner and share resources.  Our conversation was an open and honest discussion about the strengths and challenges that our respective congregations face.  We found that all three churches are facing similar challenges re: how to do church in the 21st century.  Here are some of the things we have in common:

  • All three congregations have fewer than 100 members. (UUCM = 92), (UUCGB = 40), (MUUS = 63).
  • Staffing: UUCM and MUUS have ministers. UUCGB is lay-led. MUUS’s minister is a half-time contract minister.
  • Religious Ed: All three congregations have religious ed programs for small children and youth. MUUS has a Director of Religious Education (DRE) who works 10 hours a week. UUCM and UUCGB do not have a DRE.
  • Two of the churches have a strong history of social justice ministry.

We discussed collaborating on resources for leadership training, sharing ideas on membership issues and stewardship practices, as well as sharing lay-led worship services.  We plan to meet again and will include the vice presidents of each of the churches.

Donna Stimpson, UUCM Presisdent

Shelter NOW-Update


I want to thank all of you who donated clothing and helped wrap clothes for the men living at Shelter NOW (New Opportunities for Waterbury), located in Meriden, during this holiday season of giving. You are making a difference in the lives of these men who have fallen on hard times. They are so grateful for your acts of kindness and compassion. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!

Donna Stimpson, President