Curious about KIVA and socially responsible investing? (January 2008)

The RE children are collecting small contributions of less than $5 and using them to invest through KIVA. Are they investing to make money? No, they are simply pooling dollars, and supporting individuals. Who are they lending to? Individuals who have applied for loans through an organization called KIVA. How does it work? KIVA helps arrange micro-loans that “sponsor a business and help individuals make great strides toward economic independence”. What is the goal? To demonstrate how each of us can make a difference!

You may visit our link on the KIVA website and meet the first recipient of RE contributions. As you read about Maria, you will see that our RE kids are truly supporting the seventh principle: caring for “the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”. First of all the RE kids simply gave $25 to support someone in need whom they will never meet. Secondly, since they have chosen someone who is reselling clothing, the RE kids are promoting the reusing of goods, and helping others to care for our planet! Way to go RE!!

For more info about the individual recipient of RE’s contribution, see:

Kiva Loan

You will see that our RE kids are helping one woman to successfully support herself and her family. When she is able to repay her loan our kids will reinvest their dollars in a second individual, and then a third…. And so our contributions to KIVA will just keep on giving!! You may wonder how likely it is that we will receive our money back. Over 98 percent of KIVA loans are paid and over 80 percent of contributors decide to “reloan”.

One last fun fact about KIVA… it is a Swahili word meaning 'agreement' or 'unity’.

How Are We Doing with KIVA?

As of May 29, Maria Esther Guerrero López has repaid 67% of her loan.

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GUEST AT YOUR TABLE (November 2007)

“Give thanks by giving back. On November 18, 2007, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, join UU communities nationwide to celebrate this important tradition.

Through this special tradition, Unitarian Universalist communities celebrate the worth and dignity of all people and learn how to put these values into action. The Guest at Your Table experience of families learning together has built lasting connections to UU values for generations of UU youth… You can keep this spirit and tradition alive in your congregation. Put a Guest at Your Table box on your family's table and discuss together what it means to welcome a guest to your table.” For more information about the Guest At Your Table (GAYT) program see:

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee UU Service Committee

OR… visit our display in the sanctuary. There you will find literature about the many ways these monies help those in need, as well as collection boxes and envelopes for your donations. Guest At Your Table envelopes may be left in the office or collection plate on Sunday morning. Boxes will be collected by the children on both Sunday, December 30th and Sunday, January 4th.

Thank you in for your support of The UUSC Guest At Your Table program. How good it will feel to fill our boxes with coins, while filling our tummies with the yummy food we generally take for granted!

How Did We Do with Guest at Your Table?
Our congregation earned $239.61 for the 2007-8 Guest At Your Table program. Thank you for your support of The UUSC Guest At Your Table program. How good it feels to fill our collection boxes with coins, while filling our tummies with the yummy food we generally take for granted!

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TRICK-or-TREAT FOR UNICEF (October 2007)

Bet you'll be surprised by how far a dollar can go today. Bring your loose change to church on Sunday, October 28th to find out! The children of RE will be Trick-Or-Treating for UNICEF during the UUSDBA hospitality hour. You’ll learn more about how UNICEF helps needy children around the world, while giving our youngsters a chance to parade around in costume.

How Did We Do with TRICK -or TREAT for UNICEF?
Thanks to all who participated in Trick-Or-Treat For UNICEF we have collected $203.66! This was within a few dollars of last year. The children have decided to donate the monies for high energy biscuits and fresh water, vaccines and immunizations, and warm blankets for those in need. Thank you for your contributions to this worthy cause.
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Current Green Sanctuary Recycling Cans Project (started Spring 2007 and ongoing)

One way to help our planet and make some money at the same time is to recycle aluminum cans. We have started doing this with our recycling receptacle in the sanctuary.

Would you please bring your clean ... and crushed if possible aluminum cans to UU on Sunday mornings?

We plan to use the money from this project for a special garden project the Green Sanctuary will be doing with the R. E. children.