Looking Back: The 1996 Pledge Drive
by Ed Busch, Church Archivist
Looking back at the 1996 pledge drive makes me smile. The Rev. Dr. Barbara Edgecombe was our minister, and Jim Davis served as church president. That fall, the Liberal Express newsletter (week of September 29) carried a note from the Pledge Drive Committee. Co-chairs Bob Lovell and Ralph Putnam admitted their task was to “separate you from a little of your money”—but they did it with warmth and humor.
Their approach was to make stewardship a celebration. The plan included a big evening event at church on October 26, filled with food and music, followed by multiple opportunities to pledge: at the dinner, during Coffee Hour after a sermon on “churches and money,” through phone calls, and even through follow-up visits.
The theme for 1996 (supporting the 1997 pledge year) was “Our Community: Looking Forward to the Next 150 Years,” anticipating the congregation’s celebration of its 150th anniversary during the following year in 1997.
What stands out most is how much of a community effort it was. Over 140 volunteers pitched in—cooking, decorating, keeping records, canvassing, and cleaning up. The pledge drive wasn’t just about money; it was about everyone playing a role in sustaining the church and enjoying one another’s company.
That year’s goal was $165,000—an 8.87% increase over the prior year. The budget sought to:
Bring the Director of Religious Education salary up to the “initial” level recommended by the UUA
Provide cost-of-living increases for staff
Enhance children’s worship and community by providing chalices for classrooms, improving gathering services, and displaying photographs of children and families throughout the church
Strengthen music in worship by funding special musicians and increasing weekly hours for the Choir Director (a first step toward hiring a Music Director)
Support the Social Responsibility Committee in bringing speakers on important issues
Cover rising costs of ongoing programs (utilities, speakers, R.E. expenses)
(Do these look like familiar goals?)
The October 26 pledge drive event featured a musical show: “Circle Suppers: Past, Present, and Future.” Rachel Alexander directed the music, using a script by Kathy Lovell, Terry Dennis, and Ann Mellen. Performers included a large cast of members (and even a guest appearance by the Rev. Dr. Augusta Chapin—played by Zoe Vilecek). The UU Jazz Comb, joined by many musicians from the congregation, provided the soundtrack.
1996 Pledge Drive Show- Judy Weaver, Maxine Herbert, Kay Fitzgerald, Esther McCants. (2008.0784)
The archives still hold the script, which included classics like “I Am the Very Model of a Model Unitarian” (sung to the tune from Pirates of Penzance) and “One Brick at a Time” from Barnum.
As we launch this year’s pledge drive, it’s worth remembering that stewardship has always been about more than money. Food, music, laughter, and many helping hands have sustained our community for generations.
Do you have memories of the 1996 pledge drive—or others you recall fondly? I’d love to hear them! Write to me at uucgl.archives@gmail.com.
[Editing and collaboration with ChatGPT.]
Sources:
Liberal Express newsletter, week of September 29, 1996.
Circle Suppers: Past, Present and Future script, 1996.
Pledge drive folder, 1996.
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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.