Celebration Sunday Adds Spice to Annual Canvass

A face-to-face canvass is generally considered the best way to raise money in UU congregations. But when a congregation gets a late start on its annual fundraising or simply wants a change, other methods are available. One is Celebration Sunday, also known as Miracle Sunday.

"It's an option for the annual canvass on occasion," says Wayne B. Clark, the UUA's director of building programs. "We recommend a face-to-face canvass," he says, "because of the better communication it provides among members, but a Celebration Sunday can be a viable alternative."

Watch for misconceptions. A Celebration Sunday is often thought of as a one-shot deal, where members all bring their pledge cards to church and the canvass is over in a day. Not so, says Clark. A Celebration Sunday requires substantial work. First, a pre-canvass is recommended with lead contributors, so that a significant part of the goal is raised and can be announced on Celebration Sunday. Then, those who don't attend church that day must be contacted with telephone calls or personal visits.

The Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden, CO (392 members), used a "Consecration Sunday" model this year and recorded a 26 percent increase in pledges. Members liked the "altar call" style of coming forward with their pledges, says the Rev. Barbara Wells. "People had fun and felt good about their giving."

All Souls Unitarian Church in Colorado Springs, CO (230) quickly put together a Miracle Sunday this spring when its annual canvass fell short by $30,000, and the church was about to call a settled minister. With three weeks before the annual meeting, leaders launched a publicity blitz and raised $10,000 in advance. On the two Sundays before the Miracle Sunday, they presented promotional skits, a song parody by the choir, and stickers that said, "Miracle Sunday-I'll be there!"

On the day itself the ministerial search committee was prepared to announce the name of the successful candidate, and it used that "mystery" aspect in the fundraising. Large question marks hung at the front of the church, and as the service proceeded one was ripped down for every $1,000 raised. There was also a life-size styrofoam doll, and for each $1,000 a piece of clothing was added. When the final $1,000 came in, a photographic blowup of the new minister was revealed.

"We kept the momentum going," says interim minister the Rev. Elizabeth McMaster. "Wanting the service to build in excitement, we deleted portions of our regular service. There was energetic singing and heartfelt testimonials." An altar call raised $17,000. Passing the plate brought in another $4,000, surpassing the goal.

"The event hopefully has helped transform the church's habits of giving," says vice president Ann Folk. "This has shown us we are capable of more."

Another twist on this model was used by the two congregations served by the Rev. Mary Moore-the Abraham Lincoln UU Congregation in Springfield, IL (168) and the UU Fellowship in Decatur, IL (71). After a Sunday service devoted to the canvass, each congregation gathered for lunch, then canvassers scattered to various locations in each building. Parishioners lined up to meet with them. "I think there is strong merit to a person being canvassed by someone they choose," says Moore. Springfield reported a 25 percent increase and Decatur 9 percent.

"I wouldn't suggest a Commitment Sunday format for more than two years in a row at most before going back to an in-home, face-to-face canvass," Moore says. "And I sense that they take the same amount of time and energy, but folks seem more willing to work on a Commitment Sunday format. It's more fun."