Tithing Policy

Effective Date: October 1, 2007

Unity believes and teaches tithing. Tithing is a spiritual practice where we acknowledge that God is the source of our supply, and that, as we give so shall we receive. When we put God first in our finances, we attract greater good into our lives. Tithing leads to a greater consciousness that divine order is being made manifest in our outer life and affairs as efficiency and prosperity are increased. A giving heart attracts to it the infinite abundance of the Universe.

It is the policy of Unity Church in the Rockies to tithe 10% on all monies received by the Church through donations. This has been our norm, and we will continue this practice with the exception of any donation made by an individual or group who expressly requests their donation be exempt from the Church's tithing policy. This request is to be made in writing such as a note on the check or an additional written note.

Most gifts from contributors to Unity Church in the Rockies do not have a specified purpose. They are given in support of the Church and are deposited into the General Fund for general church operations. Therefore, they are considered unrestricted funds. However, some gifts are given for a specific purpose (such as a fundraiser) and fall under the category of restricted funds.

1. Policy: It is the policy of Unity Church in the Rockies to tithe 10% on all contributions. Therefore, if a contribution is restricted, 90% will go into the restricted account and 10% will be tithed. However, if a donor requests that 100% of the gift be used for a specific purpose (restricted), we will honor the request.

2. Charitable Organizations: Tithe payments made by Unity Church in the Rockies are limited to charitable organizations that perform services within the scope of the mission of Unity Church in the Rockies. Information on these charities is given at the annual meeting. By request, we will provide a list of chosen charities at any time. Decisions on the charities and amounts they receive are made by the Unity Church in the Rockies Board of Trustees.

3. Disclosure of Policy: We will annually disclose our tithing policy. This will be done through a variety of venues such as the Board’s Board (in the hallway), Newsletter, annual reports, and/or the annual meeting.

4. Anonymous Donor: If the gift donor is anonymous, we will tithe 10% unless the donor indicates in some manner that the donation is to used 100% toward a specific purpose.

5. Fundraising Exceeds Target Amount: If fundraising is announced for a specific purpose, and the amount of donations received has exceeded the target amount, any additional donations will be placed in a restricted account to be used toward a future project. The tithing policy stated above will apply.

6. Future Programs & Projects + 10% Tithe: Future programs and projects will include the estimated cost of the project plus a 10% tithe. By including the tithe amount, the Board of Trustees can more accurately communicate the amount of funds required to be raised.

Convenience in Giving – Consider Auto-Tithing!

Would you like a convenient, safe method for supporting Unity Church in the Rockies? Please consider giving by credit card or automatic electronic withdrawal from your bank. Simply fill out one of the forms which are available at the Church. Your gifts can be one-time, weekly, or monthly. Automatic tithing allows you to conveniently support your Church even if you cannot attend and provides a stable source of income for the Church. If you have questions, please talk with Jayde (Office Manager) or Sandi (Bookkeeper), at (719) 471-4556. Please see the table below for income comparison to budget. At the present rate of income and spending, for the year 2008, we will exceed our income by almost $13,000. Please consider whether to increase your gifts to the church to make certain Unity Church in the Rockies will continue to prosper

Comparison of Income to Budget

1st Quarter

6-April

13-April

Year to Date

Budget

$74,565

$5,736

$5,736

$86,037

Income

$71, 348

$4,639

$9,096

$85,083

Net

-$3,217

-$1,097

$3,360

-$954

Variety Show Fundraiser

The Variety Show Fundraiser was loads of fun!! We have a bunch of talented folks in this Church! A big thank you to Noreen McGregor for being the main organizer of this event. And, Sharlene Yabe, you rocked as our “way” cool and cordial Master of Ceremonies. And, thank you to all the other behind-the-scenes individuals who helped to make this event a success. The fundraiser brought in $1,188 in love offerings. The total amount raised for the Restroom Fund is now $37,359. Our goal of $50,000 is going to happen – let’s make it happen this year!

Tithing Policy

Your Board has worked diligently over the past couple of months to write a Tithing Policy. Please see the Board’s Board in the hallway to take a look at this written policy. We hope it will be educational as well as clarifying. This policy will also be publicized in the October Newsletter and the unityrockies.org website.

Would you like to speak with the Board?

Do you have concerns or suggestions that you would like to be considered by the Board of Trustees? We want to encourage your interaction. There are several ways you can get in touch with us. You may write or call any of us. Our phone numbers and e-mail addresses are shown on the unityrockies.org website and are also posted on the Board’s Board in the hallway. In addition, if you would like to speak before the whole Board, there is a way to do that. Just put your request in writing and give it to Jayde, Office Manager, at least 10 days in advance of the Board meeting. Or send an e-mail request to any of us. We have a meeting once a month during either the 3rd or 4th week.

Semi-Annual Financial Information
See the Board’s Board in the Hallway to see how your Church fared financially from January – June 2007.

In service,
Louana
Louana Turner
Board Treasurer

August 9, 2007

Dear Unity Friends,

1. Provide the Church with a stable source of year-around income.
2. Summer vacations, bad winter weather, illness - you don’t have to be concerned about giving if you miss a service.
3. Allows you to be faithful in supporting UCITR even if you can’t attend.
4. May increase Church income because of the decision to give a set amount, rather than what is left over in your wallet or checkbook.
5. By having a steady source of income, the business of running the Church becomes more efficient. Church leaders are better able to plan ahead and know how much can be spent on programs and areas other than the fixed expenses.

Please plan to attend the Annual Membership meeting after the 11:00 service on February 25th. We had a record turn out for the meeting last year and would like to top that record this year. As we did last year, we will have lunch, fun door prizes, fellowship, and informative presentations. This event will be held in the Sanctuary and everyone is invited. You do not have to be a member to attend.

Members, we need your votes on changes to the by-laws and the two new Board members. This year Butch Clark, Dennis Gibson, and Claude Kerno are the candidates. See the Board’s Board for candidate applications.

If you cannot attend the meeting, please pick up an Absentee Ballot available in the church office February 18, 2007. For your vote to count, absentee ballots must be returned before the beginning of the Annual Membership meeting.

There are volunteer opportunities for the meeting with sign up sheets in the foyer. Would you like to help with the any of the following: (1) Move chairs and set up tables in the Sanctuary; (2) Reset the chairs and remove the tables after the meeting; (3) Bring a salad and/or dessert; (4) Help to set out the food or clear away trays and dishes after the meeting.

Let’s have some fun and be enlightened at the same time about what happened in 2006 and will happen this year with your church community. ?

Refinance of the Church Building

We had a quorum of members for the special meeting held on February 4th and are glad to announce the vote was unanimous to approve the refinance. The documents were signed on February 12th. Our new mortgage holder is 1stBank and plans are moving along on the needed roof replacement. Now that’s prosperity!

Prayer Breakfast

The first Unity Church in the Rockies Prayer Breakfast was held February 3rd in the Fellowship Hall. These prayer breakfasts have been a dream of Rev. Lawrence for some time. Not only did we enjoy delicious egg dishes, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, fruit, juice, and coffee/tea, but we also had a chance to share in fellowship with other members of the Church. Unity members you have something to look forward to when you get your invitation to attend a monthly Prayer Breakfast!

Many thanks to Audrey Simmons and Rebecca Lovett and Farley Harris for coordinating this event and preparing the yummy breakfast . And, by the way, Farley, a professional chef (as well as other professions) has agreed to be the Team Leader for this endeavor. ?

Planned Giving: Your Legacy is Our Future

For those of us who value the Unity movement and its message for the world, planned giving is a meaningful way to invest in the future of Unity Church in the Rockies. By remembering UCITR in our estate plans, we all help build a legacy of spiritual growth and world peace. Thank you for considering our church community in your will or trust.

Dear Unity Member,

The current mortgage on our church building and property is held by US Bank. We have the opportunity to refinance our mortgage through 1st Bank, who holds the mortgage on the Kids' Place. Consideration is also being given to including in the loan enough monies for needed repairs to the building and to pay off the second mortgage held by the United Congregational Church.

Our bylaws require a special meeting of active members to initiate such action. A meeting is herby set for Sunday, January 21st at 1:00 pm (reschudled for Sunday, February 4 at 10:15 am). The Board will present all the relevant information regarding the proposed transaction. Discussion will follow and a vote will be taken.

Blessings,

Derek Reid
Board President-elect

Louana Turner
Board Treasurer

Silent Auction - Wow! Our commUnity really pulled together to make this year's Silent Auction a great success, and we had fun doing it too. The Fellowship Hall literally overflowed with people and excitement. We came together to support our Church by bidding on each other's services, merchandise, gift baskets, and yummy baked goods. Our Hall was alive with energy!

A Big Thank You to this year's organizers Elise Eagle, Michelle Kerno, and Noreen McGregor. Your creativity, energy, and dedication made this year's event truly successful! Also, many thanks to the other volunteers who set up, collected monies, cooked and baked, and helped in so many other ways. ?

Preliminary receipts from the Silent Auction are $3,678 and $563 from the Uniteens bake sale for a total of $4,341. Thanks everyone for supporting your commUnity.

Ladies' room plumbing solution: Matt Boutte and his crew (Mike, Nathan, Paul, and Adrien) recently worked diligently to dig down to the sewer pipe (over 6 feet deep, 3 feet wide, and much of it in compacted clay) and then repair the connection to the pipes. They found the “rubber boot” and discovered it filled with tree roots. Because the old pipe was not standard, Chuck Russell came to the rescue by obtaining a new extension piece and then helping with the repair. Altogether this project took four days. If we had to hire a contractor for this work, the estimated cost was around $3,000.

Matt and Chuck – many thanks and hugs galore! You’re wonderful and appreciated! ?

Sermons are now available via video on the website:
Did you know you can now watch (as well as hear) Rev. Lawrence’s recent sermons by visiting our Church website? Check it out—it’s very impressive. Our “techie” and audio visual wizards have been hard at work over the last year to bring this exciting new feature. From doing the research, “installing” the computer code, and working with our existing equipment, the wizards made it happen without any additional cost to the church!

Claude Kerno, Website Team Leader says, “thank you Google Video, Chuck Russell, Chris Garcia and Harry Specht on the A/V team and Dean Myers, Don Turner, Matt Boutte, Annie Matula, Bob Hand and John Linder on the website team for a job well done. So now everyone can spread the word near and far that Unity Church in the Rockies’ message can be heard (and seen) on the Internet at www.unityrockies.org.”

Now that’s music to our ears—many thanks to everyone on these teams! ?

Planned Giving: Your Legacy is Our Future

For those of us who value the Unity movement and its message for the world, planned giving is a meaningful way to invest in the future of Unity Church in the Rockies. By remembering UCITR in our estate plans, we all help build a legacy of spiritual growth and world peace. Thank you for considering our church community in your will or trust.

June 18, 2006

Dear Unity Friends,

Your joyful participation and support of the spiritual community of Unity Church in the Rockies (UCITR) is very important. Too often we see our support as just “paying the bills”. Let’s move away from this way of thinking because it is not based in fact. We do so much more at UCITR than just pay our bills! Think about all the activities, special programs, speakers, and musicians that bring joy, peace, and enlightenment to each of us.

Some of you who are new to the Church may not know that 2006 is our second year to celebrate the purchase of the Youth House (also called the Kid’s House or Sunday School Annex). Because of the Youth House, we have tangible evidence of how our community pulled together to bring something wonderful into the lives of not only our young people, but also to the youth teachers and sponsors. The adults in our community also benefit because the extra room at the house allows more space for meetings and classes.

When the congregation committed to buying the house, we were aware that it would result in a substantial increase to our monthly income requirements. However, adequate pledges and gifts were received to joyfully go forward with the purchase. And, to those of you who pledged in 2005 to increase your monthly giving and have continued to honor that pledge, we deeply appreciate your continued love and dedication to your Church. And, to those of you who gave outright gifts for the purchase of the Youth House, you made it all possible, and we celebrate and thank you again!

Unfortunately, congregational giving has been down this year as you may have noticed from the financial information shown in the Weekly Bulletin. In fact, giving was recently down to the point that payment of our tithes was delayed for a few weeks before deciding it would be necessary to dip into the reserve account. (UCITR tithes 10% of our income on a monthly basis to a variety of worthwhile organizations.) For the 1st quarter, our weekly operating expenses averaged $5,951. Our weekly income averaged $4,935 leaving us with a weekly deficit of -$1,016 for a total of -$13,208. In April, income exceeded expenses slightly ($568) leaving our deficit at -$12,639. Our May expenses exceeded income by approximately -$5,416. And, so far in June, expenses have exceeded income by -$2,174 leaving us with an approximate year-to-date deficit of -$20,229. You may be wondering how we have been able to pay our expenses with such large monthly shortfalls. To explain – we had approximately $16,800 in our General Fund (checking account) at the beginning of this year, and we have used about $4,000 from our Reserve Account (savings) to date. The balance in our Reserve Account is now $4,039.

This information is not meant to be dispiriting, but to rally support. Many of you may not realize what it takes financially to keep the Church operating. One way to think about it is this: If all chairs were filled at both Sunday services, we need approximately $20 per person per week to support our community at the present level of activities, programs, etc. Let’s make some financial miracles take place in this Year of Miracles. If we all participate, it will happen. Our Church prospers us in so many ways--let’s make the decision to have our Church also prosper financially.

Many thanks for your generous giving and for your suggestions and prayers for even greater prosperity for our Church.

Many blessings,
Louana Turner
Board Treasurer

Dear God,
I surrender my financial affairs and concerns about money to your Divine care and love. I ask that you remove my worries, anxieties, and fears about money, and replace them with faith. I know and trust that my debts will be paid and money will flow into my life. I have only to look to nature to see proof of the abundance you provide. I release all negative thoughts about money, and know that prosperity is my true state. I commit to being grateful for all that I now have in my life. I learn to manage my finances wisely, seeking help where needed. And finally, I ask you to help me understand my purpose in life and to act on that purpose with courage and strength. I know that prosperity will come, in part, by doing work I love. Please help me use my skills and knowledge to be of service in the world.
Thank you, God.
Amen. - - (Lynn Robinson)