To use the opener from The Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.  
Within the Auckland Unitarian Church, we’ve struggled with 8 months of services outside the church on zoom, with the loss of the informal conversations and fellowship that help bind our congregation.   We are looking forward to beginning in-person services in June, subject to distancing and masking guidelines.  We will continue to present virtual services for the foreseeable future, so distant and Covid-vulnerable members can still enjoy our services.

But on the best of times side, the church is implementing its most ambitious renovations of the last 50 years, with a generous donor renovating our 118-year-old organ at a cost of close to $400,000 and a combination of church and outside funds going into a total refurbishment and repainting of the church exterior.    By June 2023, the renovated organ and repainted, the renovated church will make our sanctuary the most presentable that it has been in over 50 years.  

But running the church is not only about renovations, but also ongoing expenses such as keeping the lights on, paying our minister, our musician, religious education teacher, youth group worker and cleaner.

To help meet these costs, this year’s pledge goal is $70,000, which works out to about $865 per member. While some are able to pledge financially, others support the church by devoting their time and energy.   And some are able to do both.  

As in past years, we are being challenged to give out of generosity, and thankful for the past and current gifts to enable us to have a place of worship and to carry on our mission.  Your support, whatever the amount, is vital to continuing our commitment to implementing Unitarian principles in New Zealand.

Please contact me (jonathan.mason@hotmail.com) or Clay Nelson (clay.nelson@me.com) if you have any questions.  

While you don’t have to be a member to pledge, we hope you will join us to have a voice in the decision.  For more information about membership, please contact Shirin Caldwell (scaldwell@orcon.net.nz), who is our membership coordinator.  Shirin is away until mid-June, so may not be able to respond promptly to your requests in May.  
Thank you for helping to reach our goal!  

Jonathan Mason
Pledge Coordinator