Why would I choose to direct some of my income to UCSA?
First, the financial investment of UCSA members and friends is essential for our ministry to remain a vibrant and dynamic center for our current congregation as well as for those that will be drawn to us in the future. We are a community of study, celebration, and service, all of which require dedicated resources that are carefully expended according to our financial capacity. Knowing our congregation’s commitment to giving for our upcoming year, the guesswork is taken out of our planning process and we are able to bring the highest level of stewardship to our study, celebration, and service.
Second, UCSA is in the business of transforming lives. Intentional Giving is a powerful spiritual practice promoting plenty-consciousness. Co-founder of Unity Charles Fillmore taught: The great promise of prosperity is that if [they] seek God and his righteousness first, then all shall be added unto them. One of the most practical and sensible ways of seeking God’s kingdom first is to...put God first in finances (Prosperity p. 141). From reports of others at UCSA that are successful Intentional Givers, Intentional Giving leads to increased faith and reduced worry about money; greater confidence in money matters; better absorption or “receiving” of the principles taught at UCSA; and deeper appreciation for the flow of good in life.
What difference does it matter whether I become an intentional giver or simply give what I have when I can come to church?
In either case your investment in the vision and mission of UCSA is received in appreciation. Every giver and every gift is a blessing. We invite you to declare your giving intention, and then fulfill it throughout the year ahead, because intentional giving is a powerful spiritual practice. A promise reflected in scripture is: You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you…” Job 22:28 (NRSV) Your intention to give sets in motion a vibrational mindset that supports you. Once you say “yes” all dimensions are affected by your plenty consciousness and you experience greater prosperity which leads to greater giving and greater receiving. Intentional giving increases faith and reduces financial concerns.
How can I participate in UCSA’s Intentional Giving program?
Every year during the first three weeks in November, in preparation for a new fiscal year that begins on January 1, all UCSA members and friends receive an invitation to make a commitment to a dollar amount of giving for the year ahead. To participate:
On a statement of intention, Identify the dollar amount (which may be based upon a tithe or percentage of your anticipated income), the frequency -- weekly, monthly, or annually, and the method such as by credit card or automatic witholding from your bank account (both processed in our office once per month either on the 1st or 15th as you instruct).
Either mail your statement of intention to the UCSA office (8103 Broadway 78209) or carry it with you on the third Sunday in November -- Sunday before Thanksgiving -- when we hold a blessing ceremony for all of our giving intentions.
To support you in your desire to be a successful intentional giver, we will send you quarterly reports so that you can track your giving in relationship to your stated intention. Therefore, if you fulfill your intention in total or in part by giving cash, be sure to place the cash in a love offering envelope clearly identifying you.
In addition, every year in October, we celebrate successful intentional givers at a reception held in Rev. Linda’s home.
Does UCSA expect me to give 10 percent (tithe)?
Charles Fillmore taught that Tithing establishes method in giving and brings into the consciousness a sense of order and fitness that will be manifested in one’s outer life and affairs as increased efficiency and greater prosperity (Prosperity p. 141). In Prosperity classes offered at UCSA, the principles behind this potent spiritual practice are addressed and students are encouraged to commit to tithing for a specific period of time in order to experience the rewards of greater joy, freedom, confidence, and security reported by tithers through the ages.
Although we teach and encourage tithing, we hold no expectation for anyone’s decision about how much to invest in the continuing success of UCSA in fulfilling our vision and mission. No one will telephone you or visit your home suggesting a dollar or percentage amount considered a “fair share.” Our minister says it is her duty as the spiritual leader to extend to everyone the invitation to strengthen our faith faculty by increasing our giving. You decide the amount or percentage of your income that feels good to you or that feels like a healthy stretch to you. Wanna bigger experience of life? Become a bigger giver.
I would like to experience tithing but tithing seems impossible in light of my other financial commitments. What would you suggest?
Tithing is a worthy aim. Although many people cite The Bible as the rationale for tithing as a spiritual law, the law is Giving and Receiving, aka The Law of Circulation. Eric Butterworth in his book, Spiritual Economics, says: There is no magic in tithing whatsoever, any more than there is magic in the flow of water when the tap is turned on. There is no need for magic when one works diligently to keep in the flow of life.
Aside from scriptural reasoning, what is the big deal about ten percent? Rev. Linda says: For me, ten percent was big enough to notice! In other words, it was really significant and a healthy stretch which felt good. I felt giddy when my tithe amount increased, because I was bringing in more income and able to be a bigger giver.
If tithing seems out of the question, yet you want to practice being a bigger giver, start where you are and make a plan for percentage giving. Calculate what percentage you are giving presently, and then increase the percentage with an agreement to revisit the question of “how much” within three or six months. For example, you may see that you are presently giving two percent and choose to increase it to three or four percent. Then follow through with the intention of gradually increasing your percentage, gradually stretching your capacity and your faculty of faith (joyous anticipation of good).
How could I anticipate my amount of giving without knowing what my 2013 income might be?
May we suggest that you determine your likely minimum income and base your giving on that amount. During the year, adjust your giving amount month to month dependent upon your actual income. For example, if you determine to tithe from your income and you anticipate a minimum monthly income of $2500, your monthly minimum tithe would be $250. Month to month, you would calculate your actual income and adjust your actual giving to match 10% of that total. If your income in any month is higher than your stated minimum, you’ll give that much more. If less in any month, then you’ll give less that month.
What if my income decreases or increases during the year after I had submitted my statement of intention?
Circumstances change from time to time, in which case we recommend you communicate with Office Manager Lori Alspaugh who will make the adjustment to your statement of intention as you request. Email Lori at
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or telephone at 210-824-7351.
How can I fulfill my intention when I am not able to attend UCSA every Sunday?
It is understandable that there will be times when we are away and therefore unable to hand in our intentional giving during a Sunday Service. UCSA has made it easy for you to fulfill your intention by one of these alternative means:
Automatic Giving: Simply provide a blank check – or your credit card information if you prefer – and your gift will flow to UCSA on the 1st or 15th of each month, as you designate. Set it up once, and it’s taken care of for the rest of the year.
Online: If you prefer a little more flexibility, you can provide your gift each month using online banking – just like any of your monthly expenses. Or, you can take advantage of our PayPal capability at www.unityofsa.org .
My partner/spouse does not attend UCSA or does not choose to be an intentional giver at UCSA. What would you recommend?
To maintain harmony in your household, we recommend that you calculate a giving intention based upon your individual income. Or, if you do not earn an individual income, discuss with your beloved a percentage of the household income -- representative of the contribution you make to your household -- to use as a baseline from which to calculate your giving intention.
If I missed the opportunity to submit my giving intention during the Fall invitation period, how and when may I turn in a giving intention?
You may print, fill out, and mail the Intentional Giving Form at any time of the year. If after January 1, provide the dollar amount from the date of your submission through the end of the calendar year.
If you did not make your Intentional Giving commitment for the current year, you may do so at any time by writing it on the Giving envelopes at a Sunday service or print, fill out, and mail the Intentional Giving Form.
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