UU Lansing Pledge Drives: A Journey Through History
by Ed Busch
As we prepare for our upcoming Pledge Campaign in September, I decided to take a trip through our archives to explore the history of our pledge drives and their significance to UU Lansing.
Pledge drives in Christian churches have a long history, rooted in the need to raise funds for religious activities, maintain church properties, and support charitable work. The concept of tithing—giving a portion of one’s income to the church—has biblical origins and can be seen as a precursor to modern pledge drives.
The Universalist Church, which merged with the Unitarian Church here in Lansing in 1957, has a rich history of fundraising that reflects its theological and social principles. Like many Protestant denominations, the early Universalist Church in America adopted a congregational model, meaning that local churches were largely autonomous. This autonomy required each congregation to raise its own funds to support ministers, maintain buildings, and carry out its mission.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Universalists, like other Protestant groups, relied heavily on voluntary contributions from their members. The idea was that giving should be a personal decision, motivated by a sense of community and commitment rather than obligation.
Early records show that Universalists often used subscription lists and pew rentals as common methods of fundraising. Members were asked to pledge a certain amount of money, either as a one-time donation or over a period of time, to support the church’s activities.
Fundraising events were also popular. Weekly events hosted by Universalists included performances, dinners, lectures, and social gatherings, where admission fees or donations were collected to support the church. For instance, the March 31, 1888 edition of the Lansing State Journal advertised a "warm fritter and maple syrup social" hosted by the young ladies of the Universalist Sunday School. The event featured music, recitations, and an admission fee of 20 cents.
The Unitarian Church's fundraising experience was similar to that of the Universalists. When the two traditions merged in 1961 to form the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), they brought with them a shared commitment to congregational independence and collective responsibility. The UUA encouraged congregations to adopt pledge drives as a means of financial stewardship.
Our archives include records from the 1963-1964 pledge drive, which took place during a time when UU Lansing had an open pulpit between Rev. Wyman and Rev. Smith. The Finance Committee proposed an increase of approximately $2,800 to the previous year’s annual budget of $14,223. One of the challenges that year was using the existing minister's salary to fund outside speakers, an executive coordinator, travel expenses for ministerial candidates, and potential moving expenses for a new minister. The budget also included much-needed funds for building maintenance—some things, it seems, never change in church finances!
Jumping a couple years forward, the Lansing Liberal newsletter for October 26, 1965, includes a plea from the minister at that time, Rev. Tom Smith.
“Dear Members and Friends:
We so badly need to raise our operating budget. Jules Williams and Betty Tableman need our early response so they can finish their demanding job . Have you increased your pledge enough and is your card returned to the office?
It seems inane, I know, to think of business as usual when our young men are dying and murdering in Viet Nam, while allegedly half the student population cry for escalation of the war; while Madison Avenue continues to perpetuate the myth of a demonic communist threat, while a criminal CIA subverts established governments, while our young people, particularly the disadvantaged are conscripted under a slave law into a barbaric institution stripping them of their civil rights of free choice and expression.
What shall we do to bring consensus and protest against this immorality, international anarchy and fruitlessness? What can we do against a military industrial complex which has a huge defense appropriation pocketbook which it uses to intimidate our president and to influence: persons in places of responsibility?
In confidence, with patience and hope, and despite discouragement, we must, we who are without grand strategy, do what we can to halt American adventure into colonialism in Asia and South America. Anyone who has a voice and a pen can do something. Will the voices of protest this Thanksgiving Day be as clear as those who wish to perpetuate our unilateral interference into the domestic affairs of nations? And will we have raised our church budget?
Fraternally, Tom Smith”
A week later, the November 2, 1965 newsletter reported that the Finance Drive will end on November 6 and a meeting of the Finance Committee on November 9. It further reported that they had received 54 pledges totaling $10, 500 and included 34 former pledgers and 20 new friends and members. They were still well short of their goal of $18,000. No further mention of the Finance Drive is made in newsletters that year. The 1965-1966 Annual Report shows that they had received $14,151 in pledges, gifts, and loose offerings by April of 1966.
In 1969, the church was without a minister and was meeting in East Lansing’s Red Cedar Elementary School. The pledge drive took place in November that year. The November 11 newsletter reported strong support for the 1970 budget, with many pledges received during a fireside gathering at the Lansing Ski Club (on Lake Lansing Road near the Walnut Hills Country Club). Friends and members enjoyed a delicious mini-buffet organized by Naomi Freihart.
No further mention of the pledge drive is made in the newsletters but the Minutes of the Board meeting from February 12, 1970 show that the budget was approved with amendments to decrease the funds for denominational affairs, Social Action, and RE. Sadly, it sounds like a familiar area of discussion with us recently.
I hope you enjoyed this look back at the history of pledging at our church during the 1960s. As we gear up for the 2025 Pledge Campaign, remember the rich tradition we are part of, and consider making your pledge early to support our beloved community.
My next blog will look at the early 1970s pledging. If you have ideas for a blog topic or questions or corrections, please let me know at uucgl.archives@gmail.com.
Sources:
Historical introduction partially generated by ChatGPT.
March 31, 1888, Announcements, Lansing State Journal.
1963-1989, Budgets, UU Lansing Records, Financial Records – Budgets, Box 23, Folder 5. UU Lansing Archives.
October 26, 1965, The Lansing Liberal, newsletter.
November 2, 1965, The Lansing Liberal, newsletter.
1965-1966 Annual Report, UU Lansing Records.
November 11, 1969, UU Lansing Records, Church Newsletter.
February 12, 1970 Minutes, UU Lansing Records, Administrative Records.
Images:
Rev. Gerald Wyman
Rev. Thomas Smith
