New! Donate Electronically
First UU now accepts electronic donations. You can set up automatic deductions from your checking, savings, or credit/debit card accounts for regular pledge donations through our new Vanco system. Contact the office at officemanager@firstuu.net or 684-3481 for forms and information.
Why give electronically? Lots of reasons!
• Offers a very convenient option for giving
• Makes it easy to fulfill stewardship commitments
• Strengthens participation and support in the church
• Allows you to contribute even when you’re away
• More secure than bringing cash or checks to church
Learn more and read answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Support First UU
Help our church thrive in the years and decades ahead by contributing to the operating fund, the capital campaign, or one of the restricted giving funds. First UU pays dues to the national Unitarian Universalist Association and regional Prairie Star District offices. We also pay for newsletter printing and mailing costs, maintaining and updating our website, computers, and software, heating, cooling, repairs and maintenance, landscape development and management, snow and grass removal, providing Sunday coffee, paying staff salaries and volunteer expenses, and more.
We pay approximately $80 annually in national and regional dues for each member of First UU. As a member, your financial pledge can cover, at minimum, this cost. If you can afford to pledge more, we will apply it to our other expenses with gratitude and joy. (Our guidelines suggest a goal of 3 percent of income.)
Operating Fund
Our operating fund supports the ongoing expenses of our church, from heating and lighting bills to repairs, supplies, and staff expenses. It is the spine of our church, and one of the best ways you can support liberal religious pursuit in Wichita. For more information, contact our office manager at 316-684-3481 or officemanager@firstuu.net, or our president at president@firstuu.net.
Capital Campaign
The capital campaign supports our building costs, including mortgage payments of approximately $2,500 per month, and other planned improvements to our current building as well as projected building additions. Complete and send your contribution form to the church with a check, or make other arrangements.
Have you paid off your original Capital Campaign pledged amount? Consider continuing to make monthly or other regular payments to help pay off our construction expenses or support future building needs. Perhaps you could help by making monthly or other regular payments in addition to what you pledged earlier.
If you have any questions, please email Charles Merrifield at cmerrifield@cox.net, or call 316-688-5352.
Special Funds
Our church’s designated giving funds include the Betty Welsbacher Scholarship fund (supporting leadership development), the Partner Church fund (supporting our partner church in an area in Romania [formerly Transylvania]), and the James Reeb Memorial fund (named in honor of the Wichita activist who marched with others in Selma, Alabama, during the 1960s Civil Rights movement). To learn more about these and other giving opportunities, contact our office manager at 316-684-3481 or officemanager@firstuu.net, or our president at president@firstuu.net.