FirstU's Annual Pledge Campaign
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Our annual Pledge Campaign is the most important source of revenue for our FirstU congregation, representing more than half of our annual income. This is vital because the congregation is entirely self-funding. There is no higher authority that sends us money. The money we raise during our annual Pledge Campaign is used to fund our mission and our events and activities, operate our church, pay our staff, and maintain our building. Actual payment of your contribution will be made in 2026, on a schedule that suits your finances.
The theme for this year’s campaign is Hopes and Dreams. We have a new minister, Rev. Lara Cowtan. It is a time of new beginning. We have hopes and dreams. We dream of a world free of tyranny, oppression and injustice. |
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Our Religious Exploration program brings hope, aiming to show children how to build a better world. We are living our vision by moving toward reconciliation with the Odayanhaway project and the promise of affordable housing on our campus. We are building to attract new and younger members, and it is working.
We are growing!
The FirstU community shows its generosity in many ways: with our time, with our compassion, with our ideas, and with our spirits. We also need to follow through with financial generosity. Because of our recent growth, last year’s pledge campaign exceeded its goals in both dollars and number of pledges. This is fortunate because we have been forced into running annual deficits as we await the start of rental income from our affordable housing project, Odayanhaway.
Since our current growth rate is even more pronounced, we are raising our sights and setting our goals even higher to keep our deficits as low as possible:
We are asking for a 10% jump in pledge totals. We will break the cycle of budget deficits and reverse the depletion of our investments, but we need your help. Proper funding allows our congregation to achieve our many goals: liberal religious exploration, social justice action, refugee support, and community building. There are many ways to support your church - monthly donations, legacy giving, one-time donations, and more.
Have Questions? Call our Finance Manager Michelle Jackson at 613-725-1066 X 222 OR:
We are growing!
The FirstU community shows its generosity in many ways: with our time, with our compassion, with our ideas, and with our spirits. We also need to follow through with financial generosity. Because of our recent growth, last year’s pledge campaign exceeded its goals in both dollars and number of pledges. This is fortunate because we have been forced into running annual deficits as we await the start of rental income from our affordable housing project, Odayanhaway.
Since our current growth rate is even more pronounced, we are raising our sights and setting our goals even higher to keep our deficits as low as possible:
We are asking for a 10% jump in pledge totals. We will break the cycle of budget deficits and reverse the depletion of our investments, but we need your help. Proper funding allows our congregation to achieve our many goals: liberal religious exploration, social justice action, refugee support, and community building. There are many ways to support your church - monthly donations, legacy giving, one-time donations, and more.
Have Questions? Call our Finance Manager Michelle Jackson at 613-725-1066 X 222 OR:
Our Annual Commitment
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Thank you for your past generosity. Our campaign for 2026 will run from late September to early December 2025.The pledge team is now accepting pledges. Donations are welcome, of course, at any time. Your pledges will nurture and support our community, and allow us to plan our programming year with any eye to what resources are available. Click here to see examples of what your generosity supports.
How much to give depends very much on your personal situation. Click here for guidelines on giving. "I give so there is a place for truth and hope to grow."
~ C.T. (FirstU member since 2001) |
Why We Pledge - Words from Our Members on Supporting Our Church
You may be wondering why people give financially and how they determine an amount that is right for them. Listen to some of our members share their feelings and experiences about the Congregation and their annual giving experience.
You may be wondering why people give financially and how they determine an amount that is right for them. Listen to some of our members share their feelings and experiences about the Congregation and their annual giving experience.
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Making Your Commitment to Give in 2026
There are various ways to participate in the Annual Pledge Campaign, as outlined in the Pledge Campaign Brochure and our Guidelines for Giving. |
other ways to Support Our Mission
One-Time Donations
Perhaps you'd like to make a donation in memory of a loved one, or to support a particular cause we are championing. Thank you. Visit our Donations page, call the office at 613-725-1066 X 222, or email our Finance Manager, for details.
Tax receipts are issued for amounts over $25.
Perhaps you'd like to make a donation in memory of a loved one, or to support a particular cause we are championing. Thank you. Visit our Donations page, call the office at 613-725-1066 X 222, or email our Finance Manager, for details.
Tax receipts are issued for amounts over $25.
Funding Programs
Annual giving is supplemented by other ways of supporting the church, including Planned Giving, also known as Legacy Giving, and the Endowment Fund. If you would like to know more about Legacy Giving and bequests read about Legacy Giving here, or call the church office.
