The Endowment Fund is our past, present, and future. Bequests established the fund. According to our By-Laws the fund exists to “provide a long-term base for church growth and improvement.” That goal has been ably met by the work of our appointed Endowment Committee. The congregation asked that the endowment be invested in companies that are leaders in progressive environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) practices. ESG funds have shown robust growth. Despite periodic withdrawals for major improvements and several years of withdrawals to support the congregation’s annual budget, the UUCT Endowment Fund is valued at 1.3 million dollars.

What does this have to do with you? The investment income is already well managed. Just as the congregation determined investment in ESG funds, it’s time for the congregation to direct endowment use. Query your values in concert with Unitarian Universalist values and principles to prepare thoughtful responses. Come to a discussion on April 6 or April 28. A lively discussion of the options will benefit us all. We need input from new and long-term members and friends of UUCT. We need to hear from people whose future at UUCT can extend for a quarter-century or a half-century more. You are the future.

In 2023 congregants offered a wide consensus for endowment use. They offered two major caveats. First, the endowment must be protected. Second, our values should be supported in a trio of expenditures 1) the annual budget, 2) capital improvements, and 3) living our values in the community. We never formally adopted a plan. This year, the Endowment Use Team is ready to consider ideas and create a proposal to vote on at the Annual Meeting.

You can join discussions on either Saturday, April 6th, at 10:00 AM (Zoom or Rm L), or on Sunday, April 28th, at 12:30 PM (Zoom or Rm L). To pre-register contact Robin Gray ( robingray021@gmail.com ) to receive background materials via email. Limited printed materials will be available at the discussions.

Robin Gray for the team: Marty Beech, Lee Chipps-Walton, Len Martin, and
Maggie Bowden