Conversations that Matter

By Mary Layton

I have been thinking about what it means to have yearround stewardship. At this time of year, the annual pledge drive is a prominent part of the equation. At other times, other aspects come to mind, including committee work that helps maintain programs, the Meeting House, Religious Education that helps us develop perspective, and outreach to those less fortunate. Less obvious, but very important, are our relationships with one another, most of which come about through informal, face-to-face contact. I think these encounters are far more important than we give them credit for. I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know people in the congregation and have been enjoying the diversity of experience and of viewpoints. I am not shy. I think I have had conversation with about 85 percent of the available people, and I would like that percentage to increase. For shy, less assertive persons, this may be a daunting goal, but it is in my view, essential.

Stewardship efforts this year include the goal of fostering conversations during personal visits. During the annual pledge drive there will be a chance for each person in the congregation to have a personal conversation with another member. This may be the only time of year that we attempt to be very thorough about this. The pledge aspect is an important reason for this meeting, but it begs the question: why are we not trying to connect in this way for other reasons? For some of the stewards we enlist there is an element of fear. Will the visit go well? Will I be matched with someone with whom I can have a pleasant conversation? These are real concerns, and I hope and trust that with enough visits we will become at ease with each other. I have heard a bit of cynicism and doubt: people who are invited to an event will not attend, and that people who are invited to converse won’t do so. It would be a blessing to all concerned if we could work through the doubt and fear. Moving forward with confidence would be very exciting and energizing.

During the drive itself, stewards will be matched with fellow members of the congregation for personal visits. We hope the visit will include a personal conversation about life within UUCUV, “pledge talk,” mention of the upcoming congregational survey, and gathering of comments. I will do my best to refer comments to appropriate persons. The stewards will provide pledge envelopes. Pledges will find their way back to Karen Kluge or me at church, through the mail, or via a special pledge collection box in the office at the Meeting House. Many of the visits will happen in March. March 26th is the pledging deadline. Figures have to be submitted to the Board by April 1st in order to set next year’s budget.

By the time you read this you will have had an invitation to attend a congregation-wide gathering at the Lebanon United Methodist Church. I would like to have feedback about this event and about the stewarding process. It would be so simple to send out a bulk mailing in September that said, “Please pledge. See ya.” I doubt it would be effective either for pledging or building relationships. This other way takes effort but it is ultimately more effective, rewarding, and fun. What do we have to lose?