Sharing Talents for Fundraising and Fellowship
Members of First Congregational Church UCC in Plympton Offer Classes
 by the Rev. Mary Donnellan, pastor of The First Congregational Church UCC in Plympton
A creative and caring person in our congregation named Pat Ferreira noticed how many people in our church possessed unique gifts and talents. She also knew that our church had many pressing financial needs. So she copied an idea that she had heard years before of how to bring both of these situations together.
Pat asked people in the church if they were willing to teach others the talent that they possessed. The response for 'teachers' was amazing; there were classes for Tai Chi, singing, use of small tools, furniture repair, knitting, cake decorating, holiday flower and green arranging, quilt making, and many more. Each class cost $50 for a series of six lessons for adults; and $10 for children's activities. The proceeds from the classes were to be donated to the church and designated for our New Roof Fund.
Pat then created a list of 'teachers' and posted their information on an easel in Fellowship Hall, noted it in our newsletter, announced it during service, and even posted flyers throughout the community. She invited members and non-members to sign up for the classes -- which would be held at mutually agreed upon times. The first year the classes were mostly people from our church but in our second year we intentionally extended the invitation out into the community. The best publicity came from the teachers themselves who encouraged friends and family to take a class.
The children were given opportunities to take classes as well. Christian Education leaders scheduled activities after church on Sunday so families could sign up. One Sunday the children made and decorated aprons, the following Sunday they cooked pizza from scratch and on another Sunday they made cookies that they shared with the church.
The best surprise in this whole wonderful undertaking was the joy people discovered in getting to know others in the church and community in a new and deeper way. And it accomplished a more practical goal of bringing some extra money into our treasury. (Over $1300 was raised.)
A lot of people commented on what a "painless," easy and excellent way it was to raise money. Other comments focused on how wonderful it was to work in small groups together and get to know each other better. We plan to do this again next year and continue to extend the invitation more widely into the community for both teaching and learning.
I loved this idea. It was totally lay led and directed, and the only job for me was to decide which class to take. This year it was tai chi and it was absolutely wonderful!
Pastor Mary can be reached at First Congregational Church UCC at the church office at (781) 585-5764.
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