Pledge 2026

A Letter from the Stewardship Ministry

Dear Community UCC Family,

Those who named our church had many options. They could have chosen Raleigh UCC to emphasize our location, Zion UCC (a church I attended as a child) to identify a place where God dwells, or Grace UCC (another UCC church from my past) that centers a godly virtue. But they chose Community UCC over all other possibilities.

Community is a word we hear often, and it carries many meanings. I love the ecological definition: “a group of interdependent organisms of different species living together in a specified habitat.” I define community as a group of people, located in the same physical location, working together for a common set of goals.

What does community mean to you? And how do you value being part of Community UCC?
When you arrive in person or online at CUCC, what do you feel? Is it a sense of belonging? A shared purpose? A safe space where your voice matters? Maybe it’s the relationships you’ve formed – those who show up for you in moments of joy and in times of struggle. Maybe it’s the collective energy of people working together to make a difference. Or maybe God’s presence becomes more real in our shared journey.

As a congregational church, we – the members of CUCC – have the unique privilege of shaping the kind of community we want to be. As a church, we strive to: live out the teachings of Jesus, welcome all, love our neighbors, nurture spiritual growth, promote social justice, and advocate for God’s creation. We’ve also called our pastors and chosen staff members who lead, guide, and support us in this shared work. Making these choices as a community means committing to carrying them out – through participation and financial support.

Each fall, our pledge campaign invites us to make a financial commitment for the coming year. Your financial pledges allow us to plan responsibly – for staffing, building maintenance, outreach, worship, and the programs that nurture our faith and deepen our impact. That’s why pledging is so vital. Your financial support is key to our community. If you’re new to CUCC or haven’t pledged before, we encourage you to consider a financial commitment that fits your circumstances. And if you’ve pledged for 2025 – thank you. We ask you to prayerfully consider increasing your pledge for 2026 to help us meet our growing needs.

Community isn’t just a concept – it’s a lived experience. Whether you cook a meal for the Wright Center, sing in the choir, clean gutters on property workdays, or pray for our well-being, you’re building the community that is CUCC. Please also take a few minutes to complete our annual Time and Talent survey. It helps ministry leaders understand where your gifts can best serve.

We invite you to consider how your giving can sustain and strengthen what you love about Community UCC – for yourself and for others who will walk through our doors in the year to come. We are grateful for all you give. Please return your pledge card and Time and Talent survey by Sunday, October 26, you can also make your pledge online at communityucc.org.

With gratitude,
Tim Jensen
CUCC Stewardship Co-Chair