SmorgasBoard: April 16, 2026

As this year has unfolded, with our community and our nation under assault by
our own government, our needs as a church have evolved. We’ve leaned heavily into
helping our immigrant, trans, and other oppressed neighbors weather the crisis, as
we’ve partnered with many others to challenge the rising fascist tide. And in response,
the generosity of our members and friends – old and new – has been nothing short of
astonishing. As the wider community learned of the leading role First Universalist has
played in standing up for basic human decency, there has been an outpouring of
support. Over 560 people donated a total of more than $60,000 to our Sanctuary &
Resistance Mutual Aid Fund. The recent concert at our church by the fabulous Emma’s
Revolution raised another $10,000 for that fund. Those funds were distributed to our
immigrant neighbors for essential needs, including food, rent, baby items, health care
and more.

At the same time, all of this has placed a strain on our core resources, everything
from the need for increased security to greater use of our building by community
organizations to ministerial and staff time in the work of justice. Which is why I am so
grateful for the approximately $25,000 in unrestricted donations we have also received
in the past couple of months. These have come from church members, others in the
Twin Cities community, and generous souls from such far-flung places as Idaho, Texas,
West Virginia, and Georgia. We truly are not alone – we are holding it together!

“Give until it feels good,” said the late Rev. Bob Doss of First Unitarian Church in
Wilmington, Delaware. I hope all of you who have given so generously, including to our
2026-27 pledge campaign, feel good – you should! As of today, we have a total of $1.43
million in gifts pledged for next year, just short of our goal of $1.5 million. As we will
share in the coming weeks, while it doesn’t allow us to do everything we had hoped for
in next year’s budget, it’s a better position than we have been in recent years. And while
we have officially ended the pledge drive, it’s not too late to pledge if you haven’t yet.