Chalice Lighters helps our congregations and clusters with growth related projects through individual support of our members.
You possess only a small light, but uncover it, let it shine. Use it in order to bring more light and understanding to the hearts and minds of men and women. Give them not hell, but hope and courage.
~ attributed to John Murray ~ Founder of Universalism in America
Are you willing to let your light shine? Would you like the opportunity to support Unitarian Universalism in a larger way that goes beyond the walls of your local congregation? In these times of cultural anxiety, we need to let our light shine to speak the message of liberal religion loudly and clearly. A very important way in which we let our light shine is by participating in the Ohio-Meadville District Chalice Lighters program.
An OMD Chalice Lighter is an individual who pledges to respond with a $10 or more contribution when the call comes to help a congregation in our district.
Through this program, you can directly reach out and help an OMD congregation realize its dream of expanding its outreach into the community, making its building accessible, improving religious education for its children, create new programs for growth, develop new social justice outreach or strengthen some other vital part of its ministry. This is a way to immediately support our fellow OMD congregations in their work to grow and nurture our faith.
As John Murray has said, we want to spread the message of hope and courage to our larger communities. If we enroll 2,000 people in the OMD Chalice Lighters program, we can provide $20,000 to a congregation in need of a building! We can provide a start for a new UU society. $20,000 could help a congregation call a minister! Just imagine what YOU-combined with the efforts of other Chalice Lighters-can do!
Here’s how the program works
A congregation sends a proposal to the OMD office. The OMD Resource Development Team reviews the request to make sure it meets program guidelines of scope and accountability. They choose one applicant to recommend to the OMD Executive Committee and Board for a vote. When a recommendation is approved by the Executive Committee or Board, the OMD sends out a "call" to all Chalice Lighters in the district. Each OMD Chalice Lighter has pledged to send a minimum donation of $10 to the OMD Office for the congregation named in the “call.”
There is a maximum of four “calls” per year. Consequently, the Chalice Lighter commitment for each year is a minimum of $40 to help our OMD congregations grow and thrive. Of course, Chalice Lighters are encouraged give more if they are inspired by the project named in the call. $10 per call is the requested minimum commitment.
In addition, those who want to make a yearly donation that will evenly divided over the four calls for the year are welcome to do so. We ask that those making a yearly donation make a minimum donation of $40.
Sign up on the Chalice Lighter's Sign Up Page.
Learn more
Want more information about the program?
- Download the pdf brochure to read and share with others.
- Email the OMD Office your request for more information. Someone from the OMD office or the board will be in touch.
- Click here to download an interview with Rev. Joan VanBecelaere, District Exective about the Chalice Lighter's Program.
- Click here to hear Ward Kelsey present the program to First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, PA in March of 2008.
