Pledge Drives of UU Lansing in the 1980s: A Journey Through Community and Change (Part 5, 1982-1983)
By Ed Busch
Let’s wrap up our trip through the vibrant world of UU Lansing’s pledge drives with a look back at 1982 and 1983. These years, just three years after the first drive show in 1979, were transformative both globally and locally.
The Early 80s: A Time of Change
The early '80s were marked by both excitement and challenges. Nationally, 1982 saw the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) fail to be ratified, while Thriller by Michael Jackson took the music world by storm. In 1983, the world witnessed the historic space flight of Sally Ride, the first woman in space, alongside political tensions like the US invasion of Grenada.
Local Context and UU Lansing’s Growth
Meanwhile, here in Lansing, our city was going through its own transformations—revitalizing the Riverfront and grappling with the recession that hit the auto industry hard while Michigan State University continued to grow in prominence in research and athletics. School districts also faced financial struggles. In 1983, cities across Michigan celebrated the state’s bicentennial. Yet despite these difficulties, our UU Lansing community pushed forward, determined to grow and thrive.
1982 Pledge Drive - Side by Side, A Cure for Depression
The June 7, 1982 Lansing Liberal newsletter provided a few details about the fall pledge drive - a notice for a pledge drive committee dinner and the announcement of the theme of the drive. The theme for the 1982 pledge drive, Side by Side: A Cure for Depression, was a fitting nod to the community's strength during challenging times. Congregants were encouraged to look for clothes of the “Great American Depression”, anything from “rags to riches”.
Later in the September 13 newsletter, Rev. Tracy reflected in her column, Note from a Friend, on her love of singing in a group, preparing for a piece and the listening and then shared of her participation in musicals:
“I used to participate in musicals, too. I love the dressing up and pretending that I am someone else , somewhere else. I like the focus, the sharing of laughter and the feelings of comradery and company. I don’t have a lot of time for this sort of activity anymore, except that once a year our church does a pledge drive show (we have five rehearsals and they let people miss a rehearsal). The show carries all the same benefits of a college musical, plus the fact that you don't have to be a star, just yourself, to participate!”
The October 4 newsletter included the first details about the show – a combination dinner and entertainment to kick-off the annual pledge drive. Congregants were advised that invitations had gone out but should contact the committee if not received. They also reiterated finding an outfit from the 20s and 30s to wear to “Side by Side”.
In parallel with all the work for the fall pledge drive, at a Special Meeting on October 10, the congregation voted (unanimously) to accept a loan and proceed with the construction of the proposed addition to the Grove St. building – a new sanctuary space. In the October 18 newsletter, Rev. Tracy wrote about the “new level of excitement and commitment to our overall church program” and also a new nervousness. She wanted to assure everyone that everything would be okay – there would be “hassles, unexpected surprises, excitement – a whole mixture of human experiences and Everything will be okay.” The newsletter also reminded the congregation that the coming Saturday evening (October 22) was the “Side by Side” Pledge Show and dinner.
The pledge packet mailed to congregants and friends included information about the drive and said it was “sure to bring a smile to your face as we cure your recession/depression blues “side by side” after a hearty soup kitchen handout.” The packet also included information regarding the growth fund drive that was continuing.
Program information for the show included the following:
Script and Lyrics: Billie McCants and Liz Signell
Director: Liz Signell
Musical Director: Bill Wells
Pianist: Marie Bohnhorst
M.C.: Harry Schwarzweller
Play Director: Beth Bogue
Cast: Alice Erickson, Joan Fairey, Margery Gilcrest-Hesse, Frank Leahey, Gene Mellen, Pete SIgnell, Judith Touzeau, Russ Wolfe
(A complete list of those involved with the pledge show here. An audio recording of the show can be listened to from this link.)
The following week newsletter Rev. Tracy’s wrote in her Note from a Friend column, “The number of people who worked on the pledge drive kick-off dinner must have been nearly one hundred. Every time I turned around another person was being included in the process!” The Finance committee reported in the newsletter that they have received pledges from 27 units of $14, 322 toward a goal of $55,500 with two thirds increasing their pledge.
At the January 1983 Congregational Meeting, the finance committee presented their “bare ones” budget and looked forward toward changing the budget next year, especially in programming and R.E. The budget reflected decreases in the economy and not a bright outlook for this year, a need to increase membership. The congregation adopted the budget.
1983 Pledge Drive: UU Circus
If 1982 was about standing side by side, 1983 was about joyfully embracing the spectacle of life. The September 19, 1983 Liberal Express shared this news:
SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 22nd “BARNUM’S U-U CIRCUS” DINNER AND SHOW. As P.T. says “ “May every day be a Circus Day!”
The following week newsletter sought help to assemble Pledge Drive Barnum invitations and advised that kids can help too. The invitation also noted that this event was also the opening of the new assembly hall. In Rev. Tracy’s column Notes From A Friend, she addressed the upcoming Pledge Drive:
“Our church is a voluntary organization, supported by the time, energy and financial resources of those who choose to contribute to our ongoing program. This year is a crucial year for our church. The new building will stretch every one of us to renew our commitment to liberal religion.
Over the next few weeks, you will be asked to assess your commitment to the future of our church. Even if you put one dollar twice a month in the plate, we need to have a commitment from you for this amount. Gifts large and small will have to be pledged to pay for our new space without cutting staff. Please think about recording your financial commitment to the church. We need you.
The Pledge Drive Dinner and Show are fun and I hope you will come to the Circus Oct. 22nd just for the fun of it.”
The newsletter that week also included R. E. News from Renee Swanson about a “Name Scavenger Hunt”. It was revealed that Kathy Lovell has green eyes and Margo Smith and her son Orion each have 2 older brothers. Over fifty men, women and children participated in this event at the Family/Teacher Pizza Party. The children that week talked about “What is a Church” and came up with this:
Our Church
A place to worship,
Learning about prayers,
A place for fun,
Making new friends,
A place for singing,
A place for listening,
Our Church!
Some of the pages from the pledge dinner and show invitation are included with the images below. They included words to the chorus song and a full list of credits in the production and dinner. The credits included:
Director: Beth Bogue
Musical Director: Bill Wells
Accompanist: Marie Bohnhorst
Play Author: Denise Tracy
Revised Lyrics: Denise Tracy & Carol Smith
PT: Bill Wells
The Pledge Packet packet began with this leading paragraph:
“The 1984 Pledge Drive begins in the spotlight of center ring of the P. T. Barnum Circus show! Come one! Come all! Be amazed, be amused! Delight in the circus fanfare – clowns, jugglers, activities galore, and much, much, more! Let’s celebrate our community, our togetherness, our uniqueness as our dreams and hopes for 1984 are heralded through dance, song, and drama!”
For the October 24 newsletter, in her Notes From a Friend, Rev. Tracy writes:
“The show and dinner were wonderfully successful! Thank you to the over 150 people who made the night possible. I felt so good that our first event in our new room had standing room only, with well over 200 people present, our laughter and applause blessed the room with joy!”
The newsletter also included an interesting report on the new Memorial Garden. For the past two weeks, students from Tony Bauer’s MSU landscape class had been building the garden. They shoveled in top soil, gravel and sand and used 17 tons of Jackson limestone to build the wall and planted 1000 ivy plants, shrubs, and ornamental trees.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
I hope you enjoyed this look at the 1982 and 1983 pledge drive events. As we near the end of our 2025 pledge campaign, let’s take inspiration from the rich traditions and vibrant events of the past. Our church has always been a place of joy, resilience, and community. Consider what UU Lansing means to you—whether it's the friendships, the moments of reflection, or the laughter shared at events like these—and make your pledge to keep the spirit alive.
If you have ideas for a blog topic or questions or just a comment that you’ve enjoyed reading the blog, please let me know at uucgl.archives@gmail.com. I’ll be perusing the archives for my next series of blogs on another topic. Stay tuned for the next deep dive into UU Lansing’s incredible story!
Sources:
The Lansing Liberal newsletter, 1982: June 7, September 13, October 4, October 11, October 18, October 25.
Minutes from Congregation meeting, January 30, 1983.
The Lansing Liberal newsletter, 1983: September 19, September 26, October 11, October 18, October 24.
Images used:
#1-3 from pledge drive packet and invitation
#4 2008.0111, Marie Bohnhorst on piano, Bill Wells, John Roberts, Carol Mossberg, Pat (Hamilton) Colburn (front), Beth Bogue, Rev. Denise Tracy, Dan Talhelm, Sherwood Haynes, Liz Signell, and Sonia Matlick.
#5 2008.0334, Beth Bogue
#6 2008.0551, Denise Tracy and husband Bill Decker.
#7 2008.0785, LR: Judith Touzeau (later Devaney), Russ Wolfe, Beth Bogue (sitting), Pat Colburn (Hamilton) (Sitting), Peter Signell, Frank Leahey, Alice Ercikson, Margey Gilcrest-Hesse, Joan Fairey.
#8 2008.0786, FR: Denise Tracy, Bill Decker. Helen Weaver standing. BR: C. B. Smith, Eleanor Miller, Sylvia Sharma, Irma Briggs-Hooker.
#9 2008.0787, Jean Rosewig, Eunice Beck, Maury Beck, Sherwood Haynes, Mary Abbott Lokken, Paul Herbert.
#10 2008.0788, Mary Lokken, Richard Bronson.
#11 2009.0013, Helen Wells.
#12 2009.0014, Judy Weaver, Helen Weaver (back), Sylvia Bennalack, Kathy Lovell.
#13 2024.0274, not identified.
#14 2024.0285, Marion Walsh.
#15-17 from 1983 pledge drive invitation and packet
#18 2008.0779, Dawn Hambly, Tom Heideman, Marilynne Rosenberg Eichinger, Marty Eichinger.
#19 2008.0780, Frank Pinner, Bill Wells.
#20 2008.0781, George Lokken.
#21 2009.0016, Bill Wells, Helen Wells, Ernie Reynolds, ?, Judy Weaver, Paul Herbert, Maxine Herbert.
#22 2008.0028, Joe Lay, Marion Lay, Eunice Schloemer, Judy Weaver, and ?.
#23 2024.0267
#24 2024.0268
#25 2007.0094, Rev. Denise Tracy in swing and Gene Mellon as the clown during the 1983 Circus Pledge Drive Show. Others are not identified.
#26 2007.0095, Bill Wells with UU Lansing children performers.
#27 2007.0096, Bill Wells and Frank Pinner.
#28 2008.0459, Diane Maxim-Parsons.
#29 2007.0033, Ann Mellen, ?, Pat (Hamilton) Colburn, Mary Volker.
