Together We Make A Difference! 

Stewardship at Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma 

Happy Spring! As we anticipate the growing season, we are excited to lift up and grow the gifts of compassion, care, and social involvement that are hallmarks of our communal life. Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma supports and strengthens us as we live into our mission.

The Stewardship Committee is charged with planning and promoting the annual budget drive and facilitating donations. Among our tasks are educating about fundraising and stewardship as well as providing leadership for major initiatives. Expressing the gratitude of the congregation is integral to the objectives of Stewardship at UUP. 

Stewardship is about giving. It is wholeheartedly, generously, and joyfully caring for the life around us and sharing the gifts of time, experience, education, and financial security we have been given. 

Here, at UUP, we care about creating a space where we find inspiration on Sunday mornings. We nurture our children in learning values that will guide them through life. We welcome newcomers with warmth and make an effort to include them in the life and evolution of our congregation. We seek connections with those who cannot be with us in person. We strive to build relationships that matter deeply. 

We encourage our members and friends to share the truths of their lives free of criticism and judgement. We welcome the knowledge and skills that people have attained. We depend on each other to share in the work that needs to be done so that we can open our doors each week. 

We understand that no one person or small group of leaders can create a beloved community. Building and sustaining a strong, positive, and active community that we care about and ensuring that it continues to grow and thrive is only possible when we work together to see them into fruition. 

2026-27 Annual Budget Drive 

Each year in our budget drive, we ask our members and friends to tell us what financial support we can expect for the coming year. The budget is more than numbers on a page. It represents the life of this congregation. 

This year it represents another step toward having a full time ministry by increasing Rev. Aija to ¾ time. This is a momentous step for our small congregation and will mean we will have her in the pulpit more often. She will have more time to participate in our social justice actions and to support the programming for adult OWL, small group ministries youth programming, pastoral care, and to help integrate new congregants more fully into our growing congregation. 

Our budget also represents having an Religious Exploration (RE) program that carries our children beyond the primary years through their youth and into adulthood. By increasing our RE Coordinator from 12 hours to 20 hours a week, we assure better support for transitioning our children into three age spaces and our youth group to a weekly schedule. We will also be able to offer multiple ages of OWL programs and work toward a Coming of Age program. 

Our budget represents the courageous work we do beyond these walls to make our wider community more compassionate and just. It represents creating a space where our contributions are celebrated and our vulnerabilities are protected. 

Each year our community wholeheartedly engages in the vitality of UUP to help us build and sustain a strong, positive, and active community and ensures that it continues to grow and thrive. With our annual budget drive, we invite you to joyfully share the gifts of your life, hope, and generosity. 

Please review the breakdown of our expenses that is outlined in “Where Do Your UUP Pledge Dollars Go?” 

You may also consult the UUA’s “What’s in Your Cup” Giving Guide as you consider the importance of what we are creating together and your investment in our community. 

The mission of UUP is to live our sacred, transform through love, and act with courage, not only within our individual lives, but in our shared community, and in the wider world around us as well. As we live into our mission we invite you to be a wholehearted and joyous giver–one who gives with gladness and generosity to the ministries of our church. 

Thank you for the gifts you share with us. 

The UUP Stewardship Committee, 

Mary Bevins, Lisa Ferroggiaro, Roger Jungerman, Jean Rivers and Joan Smith