Rev. Arthur Reublinger Honored for Historic Bequest

Arthur Reublinger

UUA Moderator Gini Courter and the Rev. Arthur Reublinger

April 26, 2005

A record-setting 2.1 million dollar bequest from minister and hospice chaplain the Rev. Arthur Reublinger was unveiled during the UUA’s New Hampshire/Vermont district meeting last week at a special ceremony in Portsmouth’s South Church. Reublinger’s extraordinary act of generosity represents the largest single bequest the UUA has ever received to be directed toward supporting special programming for a specific region of the country. “Let me say how thoroughly delighted I am to be at this highly cherished moment,” Reublinger said to the district delegates. “It is a great moment in my life and hopefully it will be a great moment in the life of our district.” Reublinger’s historic gift will establish the Arthur H. Reublinger Small Church Ministries Endowment Fund and create unique resources to help strengthen small congregations throughout the district.

The Rev. Jane Dwinell, president of the New Hampshire/Vermont district of the UUA, fought back tears as she thanked Reublinger on behalf of the district board. Gini Courter, the UUA Moderator, and the Rev. Beth Graham, Associate Vice President for Stewardship and Development, presented Reublinger with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the UUA board and administration. Graham praised Reublinger’s spirit, declaring, “Arthur's bequest comes from the heart.” Graham continued, “This gift points to the power of one person's dream, and demonstrates how a single act of generosity can ripple out into the world, to benefit those of us here and now and those yet to come.”

Arthur Reublinger’s passion for small churches has grown steadily through his decades of ministry. He currently serves as a hospice chaplain and as a part-time minister to First Universalist Church of West Chesterfield and South Parish Unitarian Church in Charlestown, both in New Hampshire. Reublinger explained how these and previous experiences have shaped his vision: “I know the value of small faith communities, and I wanted to do something to help these congregations grow.”

After carefully consulting for several years with the UUA’s Development staff and representatives from the New Hampshire/Vermont district, Reublinger determined that his estate could best be used to support the work of small congregations. This visionary project demonstrates how teamwork and discernment can shepherd a gift so that it realizes the most cherished dreams of the giver.

The project committee members included Dwinell, District Executive Olav Nieuwejaar, District CFO Nancy Chaddock, District Vice President Thomas Pistole, and former District President the late Alden Center. Liaisons from the UUA were Graham and Vice President the Rev. Terry Sweetser, both of the Stewardship and Development staff team.

Nieuwejaar observed that Reublinger’s endowment will have benefits that extend far beyond the district. “These new resources for small congregations will be shared throughout the movement,” he explained. “I hope Arthur’s gift encourages other people to consider how their generosity and foresight can support the growth of Unitarian Universalism. A bequest such as this has enormous potential and lasting significance.”

Like his many grateful beneficiaries, Arthur Reublinger is also thrilled by the opportunities his gift will create. He commented joyfully, “Now it looks like my dream is going to come true.”

Links to News Stories:

• Portsmouth Herald
• Manchester Union Leader
• Foster’s Daily Democrat

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