I believe stewardship is taking care of what we love. Most of us love the Unitarian Universalist Congregation we found just when we needed it and the one nurturing us now. We want to take care of what we love. Sometimes that means gifting talent, time or treasure, sometimes all of them at once. It’s a gift that grows our hearts.
From Peter Morales GA Report 2014
Peter: But now, like Steve Jobs, I have one more thing. I want to take a moment to thank and to introduce a man who, for the past 20 years, has been on your UUA staff, and for more than a decade, has led the efforts to fund all of our good work. All of what we do—our national and international public witness work, train and certify religious professionals, work with congregation, develop resources like OWL and Tapestry of Faith can’t happen without funding.
It takes a special person to be able to listen to you and support your passion and our shared vision by raising the funds that we need. As head of stewardship and development, the Reverend Terry Sweetser has helped us to raise more than $200 million from our congregations and from almost 100,000 individual donors. He’s traveled more than a million miles—that’s around the earth about 42 times. I shudder to think of how many times Terry has gone through airport security.
[LAUGHTER]
For your many contributions, for your UUA career filled with commitment and dedication to our faith, I thank you. Terry, we’re all in your debt. Please accept our thanks and share a few words with us. Terry Sweetser, who just repelled off also the Convention Center.
[APPLAUSE]
Terry: Thank you. Sometimes we don’t know how generous we really are, but our congregations—our Unitarian Universalist congregations—are incredibly generous, and they share with us to make wonderful things happen—the things you’ve heard about today. We have individuals who give large gifts and who give small gifts, and they make a huge difference. We have foundations and special congregations who partner with us and with all of Unitarian Universalism to make a difference. It is just so moving to have been able to be a part of that for these many years.
You’ve welcomed me into your congregations—into your homes. We’ve had a few meals out together, which I’ll be trying to lose over the next few years. I am succeeded by the Reverend Mary Katherine Morn, who will bring wonderful leadership to this work. I hope she will go over the edge in hope and land, as I have, in love. Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
THE MODERATOR, Jim Keys: And let me add my thanks for Terry’s service, as well. I’ll always remember when I was—my first—his first comments to me when my first trip to Boston as the new moderator. He took my hand and he clasped them in his.
He looked into my eyes, and he said, “Have you become a member of the legacy society? Have you included the UUA in your will?” How sweet is that? How sweet is that?
Brave Souls Video
Old School Fund Raising Video
Thriving Through Transition 