A Scary Home Companion: UUs, Humor, and Heart in the 2004 Pledge Drive
by Ed Busch, Church Archivist
In October 2004, as the nation braced for a contentious presidential election, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing launched its annual pledge drive with a uniquely engaging kickoff: A Scary Home Companion. The world felt a little frightening then, with national security concerns, the Iraq War, and the upcoming election dominating the news.
Against this backdrop, the congregation gathered on Saturday, October 23, for an evening of humor, music, and satire. Directed by UU member dick hill (lowercase to distinguish him from Dick Hill (Alice Hill’s spouse) in the congregation), the event featured the WCGL players, our house band, “two Stuarts and a double shot of Scott,” and a number of other talented performers. Highlights included a “word from the Ketchup Advisory Council,” skits, monologues, and a delightful assortment of homemade desserts.
Church Flyer
dick hill’s announcements during the preceding three church services set the tone for the upcoming evening:
“In anticipation of the fast approaching All Hallow’s Eve, as well as the frightening mask today’s world so often wears, A Scary Home Companion offers an evening of entertainment…with music, musings, monologues, and skits, and a wide assortment of delicious homemade desserts, including the ever-popular and oh-so-timely devil’s food cake.”
He also emphasized the joy and celebration of the upcoming evening:
“It’s a celebration of…making it through another year. That’s what time does—it doesn’t stop. So you can’t go resting on our laurels, ’cause guess what? There’s another year coming right after this one.”
And, in his signature humor, he reminded congregants why pledges were important:
“That means we’ve got to have the cash…Now you put bread, lettuce, and pushcuito together and what do you got? Yeah, right. You got a hero sandwich. So, how about you be a hero and make your pledge? Maybe a little bigger than last year, even if of course you are able to do so.”
He even encouraged flexibility and lighthearted participation:
“If the date conflicts with your regular autumnal chores, just let those storm windows wait in the garage one more day…Come join us anyway. You’ll be glad you did.”
And, in classic UU fashion, he quipped:
“Any resemblance by A Scary Home Companion to NPR broadcasts of similar name and content is completely calculated in a blatant attempt to cash in on the popularity of said program, particularly among religious liberals, freethinkers, and wearers of Birkenstock sandals.”
The audio announcements are still available online, giving a sense of the lively spirit of the time. You can listen to them here on YouTube.
This year, September 20 marks the anniversary of a different milestone in our history—the 1957 merger of the First Universalist Church of Lansing and the Unitarian Fellowship of East Lansing. That bold step brought together two communities to create something stronger, more enduring, and more joyful. Nearly fifty years later, A Scary Home Companion reminded us again that our congregation thrives not only because of financial pledges, but because of the energy, imagination, and spirit of its people.
Unfortunately, our archives contain no photos or video from the 2004 pledge show event, nor do we have church newsletters following it. If you have photographs—or even just memories—of that evening, please share them so we can preserve this lively chapter of our church history.
The pledge drive was a success. By November 9, 2004, the church had raised $245,107 toward its $290,000 goal. Stewardship Chair Marcus Cheatham reflected in the 2004–2005 annual report:
“Perhaps the most important thing about the canvass was that it was a lot of fun for everyone involved…A Scary Home Companion…reminded us why we are UUs.”
As we continue our pledge drive this fall, we honor both the vision of those who came together in 1957 and the creativity of those who kept the spirit alive in 2004. And we pledge again—not only to sustain our church financially, but to nurture the joy, laughter, and community that give it heart.
That same spirit continues today with our own creative celebrations. On Friday, September 26 at 7:00 pm, join us for the “Box of Chocolates” Variety Talent Show at UU Lansing. Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get—but every “bite” will be delightful! The evening will feature two hours of music, comedy, storytelling, and surprises. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted to benefit the Church General Fund and our Religious Education program.
So, just as A Scary Home Companion helped launch the 2004 pledge drive with laughter and song, this year’s “Box of Chocolates” show promises another chance to celebrate the many talents of our congregation—while supporting the ministries that keep our community thriving.
[Prepared in collaboration with ChatGPT.]
Sources (from UU Lansing Archives):
Liberal Express church newsletter, September 14, 2004.
2004-2005 UUCGL Annual Report.
A Scary Home Companion audio ads, October 2004, on youtube.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Ed Busch, the writer behind these blog posts exploring the history of UU Lansing. After retiring in 2023 from a 15-year career as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections, I’m thrilled to dedicate my time to sharing our church’s rich history.
I hold a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specializing in archival administration, and my academic background also includes a degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Before shifting to a career in archives, I worked across diverse fields, including fisheries, aerospace, and telecom.
My wife, Leigh White, and I have been part of the UU Lansing community since the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been actively involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters enjoyed growing up in UU Lansing’s Religious Education (RE) program.
I look forward to connecting with you through these blog posts as we delve into the stories that have shaped UU Lansing over the years.