Unity of Fairfax is raising funds for the sanctuary, signage and safety improvements
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Fulfilling Our Dreams
Loving Spirit:
As our community continues to expand and change, we join together as one heart and one spirit to express our gratitude for everyone who has supported and nurtured Unity of Fairfax since its inception, all who are doing so now, and all who will be joining us in the future.
We are now renovating our Sacred Space in response to Spirit’s call to fulfill our Mission and Vision in ever increasing ways. As we do so we move forward in peace, love and harmony. We know that as we trust in this divinely inspired process, we will manifest a beautiful, peaceful, inspirational environment.
As we continue to experience and express our unity through our core values of Peace, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Love in Action, and Spirit-Centeredness, we open our hearts and minds to divine wisdom and guidance.
Thank you, God, for this sacred community and for the opportunity to become a brighter light to one another, to this community, and to the world. We give thanks for your loving guidance to do the things that are ours to do.
This we pray in the consciousness of the living, loving Christ Spirit.
Amen
-co-created by Rev. Russell Heiland & Rev. Jane St. John, March 14, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is KISS-mas?
It’s our 2015 Unity capital fundraising campaign that kicks off in mid-July. ‘KISS’ stands for “Kampaign to Improve our Sacred Space”, a slightly ungrammatical description of this fundraising activity that supports our capital budget.
2. What's the goal?
We hope to raise at least $80,000 in 2015. This amount will be the major part of our total capital budget of $110,000. We expect to raise the balance of the funds for the budget through our Fall Festival and other fun(d) raising activities.
3. What will the funds be used for?
The primary purpose of KISS-mas in July is to fund updates and improvements to our sanctuary and to build up our capital reserves. The main improvements include:
- Internal signage. Classroom and directional signs will inform and welcome all who enter our building.
- Sanctuary sound system. Envisioned as a short-term solution when the church was first built (because there actually was going to be another sanctuary), the sound team is running out of duct tape, batteries and tubes. This plan will focus on modest replacements for microphones, monitors, something called “digital snakes” (ewww), speaker upgrades and possibly other elements of the sound and projection systems.
- Sanctuary lighting and HVAC. This also start with understanding that our sanctuary originally was built for a different space configuration. Lighting and air flow will be evaluated during the summer to determine appropriate adjustments.
- Sanctuary paint, choir risers, door improvements. These are maintenance/’refresh’ items designed to improve function and freshen the look of the sanctuary.
- Safety systems. Last year we became more aware that our improvements must serve members and visitors with disabilities. We also want to comply with current safety standards and best practices (elements like first aid supplies and defibrillators). Both our Sacred Space team and our office staff are examining appropriate safety improvements.
- External signage. This is the way that many people first encounter Unity of Fairfax. We want to make sure that the external monument sign is as visible and impactful as possible. Our Communications Team has obtained quotes and will make a recommendation.
Our plan is that of the first $50,000 raised, $1 of every $2 contributed will be directed to capital reserves uncommitted to specific improvements. The Board wants to assure that our capital reserve fund has a sufficient balance to cover unanticipated expenses. The Board will continue to report on a regular basis the status of our capital reserve, just as we report on our operating budget status.
4. How do I contribute?
Several ways. There will be KISS-mas envelopes available at Sunday services. You can contribute directly online. Find a Board or staff member and give them your check or cash designated to KISS-mas. We take credit cards too.
5. How do I learn more?
Visit the KISS table in the atrium between Sunday services starting July 19. Speak to a Board member. Review this web page (search word KISS-mas). Send a note to Board@UnityofFairfax.org.
6. When does the campaign start and end?
It starts in mid-July. Our goal is to make this a “summer” campaign, but we’re patient and it may extend a little into the fall. Like those PBS campaigns, we hope to get the bulk of contributions soon so that we don’t need to prolong the campaign.
7. How was the 2015 Kiss-mas goal set?
Several ways. We asked our Sacred Space Team to think about priority needs of the church. We solicited and received feedback at our last two Community Dialogue meetings. The Communications Team provided interior signage quotes. We looked at how much we raised last year for our capital needs -- $106,000. We asked our new Budget and Finance Committee for their guidance based on experience with other organizations. The Board then set the goal of $110,000 for the full capital budget, with $80,000 to be raised through KISS.
8. What if we don't raise all the money?
We’ll be disappointed but it won’t be a disaster. We will only commit to specific improvements if the funds are available and we don’t run a risk of depleting our capital reserve.
9. How does this relate to our operating budget?
The capital budget is one leg of a three-legged financial structure for the church. The Operating Budget comes first. It covers salaries, our mortgage, supplies, normal repairs and all the other costs of making the church function right. Your regular contributions support this budget. Our Endowment is a long-term fund that we initiated last year and that we hope to build over time for the future health of the community. The Capital Budget is designed specifically to assure that our facility continues to serve our mission.
10. How much should I give?
That’s your decision. This is completely voluntary. More importantly, this is on top of your regular pledge or contributions to the church, so please do not make a contribution to this by cutting back on your regular contributions. We need those.
Here’s a way to think about this. This KISS goal is to raise about 12% more than our regular annual love offerings represent; or about 8% of our total operating budget for the year. So if your annual love offering is in the $500 range we’d hope that you would contribute at least $50 to $100. But we hope those who can will make larger contributions. Last year almost twenty members each contributed over $1000 to KISS, with individual gifts as large as $20,000.
11.Is that all?
Actually, no. But it feels to us like an appropriately ambitious goal for this year. Our Sacred Space team has identified other improvements or maintenance activities that we should anticipate. We think they can wait until after 2015. We’ll continue to research these and to base future capital budget plans on recommendations and other financial considerations.
Board of Trustees
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Last updated on July 23, 2015