2026-2027
Stewardship Campaign
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Together, we care for one another, advance social and racial justice, protect our environment, and steward our beloved congregation. Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota serves thousands of people each year through worship, small groups, and community programs—and our lives are better because of it. Your financial support sustains our staff, programs, and facilities and allows us to respond to the needs of our growing congregation. In the coming year, gifts will help fund expanded pastoral care, new programs, and deeper engagement, including the addition of an Assistant Minister. We are grateful for every gift of time, talent, and treasure. All are welcome at UUSRQ, regardless of giving level. If you are able to stretch your support, your generosity helps ensure a vibrant and faithful future for our community. Thank you for helping us meet this moment and fund our future—together. John H. Yoder Stewardship Campaign Chair 
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Our goal this year is to hire an Assistant Minister in August to support our growing congregation and strengthen pastoral care, spiritual growth, and community life.
Our base pledge goal is $575,000; bringing on a second minister represents an additional $70,000 investment in our shared ministry and future. If you can, please give generously to help to make this possible.
Our base pledge goal is $575,000; bringing on a second minister represents an additional $70,000 investment in our shared ministry and future. If you can, please give generously to help to make this possible.
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Giving is a personal decision that is affected by your circumstances, your connection to the congregation, and how you think about money. Here is an income and investments chart to help you with these options.
THE BENEFITS OF ADDING AN ASSISTANT MINISTER POSITION AT UUSRQ
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Our UU Congregation is growing! Our current staff, while fully dedicated and capable, cannot meet the need of our growing Membership. An Assistant Minister, focused on pastoral care, will help to meet these needs.
■ We are the largest UU congregation in Florida, and one of the few of our size without an Assistant Minister of some form (called or contract).
■ Rev. Jay and Catherine Bonner are tasked with overseeing and facilitating the overwhelming number of programs at UUSRQ. The number of hours required to do this plus manage their own workload and staff far exceeds a reasonable expectation.
■ Expansion of our staff would help us increase our visibility in the community and help address underserved congregants.
THE SOLUTION:
We are proposing the addition of a part-time/full-time Assistant Minister as the budget allows. This individual would assist in specific roles within the Congregation to improve Congregational Life and Membership outreach.
They would
■ Expand our pastoral care services—such as home and hospital visits, counseling, and crisis response; may lead memorial services, weddings and child dedications—and collaborate with our volunteer pastoral care team.
■ Work with the Membership Committee to engage and connect with current Members as well as visitors to the Congregation.
■ Develop new programs to engage congregants in their personal growth and spiritual journey.
BENEFITS & OUTCOMES:
■ Increase in Pastoral Care services and in engaging and growing the Membership.
■ Create programs to educate and help Members in their personal growth.
■ Prevent Staff burnout.
■ Improve overall operations of UUSRQ by spreading workload to more individuals.
■ Build upon the strong sense of community and belonging that so many individuals cite as the reason that they attend UUSRQ.
Adding an Assistant Minister to UUSRQ will add value to the quality of Congregational Life.
Our UU Congregation is growing! Our current staff, while fully dedicated and capable, cannot meet the need of our growing Membership. An Assistant Minister, focused on pastoral care, will help to meet these needs.
■ We are the largest UU congregation in Florida, and one of the few of our size without an Assistant Minister of some form (called or contract).
■ Rev. Jay and Catherine Bonner are tasked with overseeing and facilitating the overwhelming number of programs at UUSRQ. The number of hours required to do this plus manage their own workload and staff far exceeds a reasonable expectation.
■ Expansion of our staff would help us increase our visibility in the community and help address underserved congregants.
THE SOLUTION:
We are proposing the addition of a part-time/full-time Assistant Minister as the budget allows. This individual would assist in specific roles within the Congregation to improve Congregational Life and Membership outreach.
They would
■ Expand our pastoral care services—such as home and hospital visits, counseling, and crisis response; may lead memorial services, weddings and child dedications—and collaborate with our volunteer pastoral care team.
■ Work with the Membership Committee to engage and connect with current Members as well as visitors to the Congregation.
■ Develop new programs to engage congregants in their personal growth and spiritual journey.
BENEFITS & OUTCOMES:
■ Increase in Pastoral Care services and in engaging and growing the Membership.
■ Create programs to educate and help Members in their personal growth.
■ Prevent Staff burnout.
■ Improve overall operations of UUSRQ by spreading workload to more individuals.
■ Build upon the strong sense of community and belonging that so many individuals cite as the reason that they attend UUSRQ.
Adding an Assistant Minister to UUSRQ will add value to the quality of Congregational Life.
