Want to support a high energy, thriving congregation ready to serve the families of a fast growing community? You have only a few more days to give to the spring Chalice Lighter call for the UU Fellowship of Central Oregon!
Chalice Lighters provide special funding for growth projects at UU member congregations throughout the Pacific Northwest District, responding to three calls for support each year and promising at least $15 a call.
The current call will help build a playground as part of the first church home of our congregation in Bend, OR.
The play area is an essential part of the Fellowship’s strategic growth plan. It will be visible to the main entrance of their new facility and provide welcome and encouragement to families with children. Planned features include a central area of large boulders and logs surrounded by sand and engineered wood chips for digging and playing, a log and tire swing set, a willow branch fort and picnic tables. The play area will connect with a path leading to a nature trail. Elements will be selected and designed so that children of all abilities and ages can enjoy them. Chalice Lighters will fund a major portion of the estimated cost of $22,000.
This is a special time for UUs in Bend as they reach out in growth and prepare to move to their new building in January 2015. Chalice Lighters can enhance the growth, welcome and visibility of Unitarian Universalism in central Oregon by helping UUFCO create this special children’s play area.
The Fellowship will celebrate the play area in memory of Melissa Hochschild, a longtime member and former board president, who died recently and unexpectedly. Current board president Amy Falkenrath stated, “Melissa advocated for the play area as a priority, and a way to connect children with the interdependent web. Her sudden loss has made us all realize how important it is to make every action count.”
If you are already a Chalice Lighter, 
If you are not already a Chalice Lighter, sign up now!
Gifts of any amount will be accepted for UUFCO until July 16 only.
The Chalice Lighter calls for 2014/15 are currently being determined. Has your congregation considered proposing a project for Chalice Lighter funding? You have the opportunity to receive encouragement and financial support from your fellow UUs. Grants are typically in the range of $12,000 – $16,000. Click here to see how to apply for a grant!