There was some nostalgia this past Sunday as we said, “Good bye,” to Prairie Crossing, but the excitement for our new location, Sierra Middle School, was palpable. I hope everyone will join us this Sunday, March 6, as we bless our new home.

Our new setting has a stage for the placement of the pulpit, chalice and a piano, which we will be able to use. Part of this transition, is to have a new, larger chalice. Our district executive, The Rev. Nancy Bowen, has loaned us the District’s chalice for a couple of Sundays, and Dave and Diane Lavinder are going to give us a new one, which we are having commissioned. They are Prairie’s first and second Presidents and March 13 is Prairie’s 12th birthday as an official Unitarian Universalist church. So, a new chalice will be a wonderful way to also bless our new home. Thank you Dave and Diane for this wonderful idea and gift!

Along with our move, this month is also the time of our annual pledge drive. Our theme is “Growing Our Caring Community.” Most people will be invited to join a small group to talk about your hopes and dreams for our community and to learn about our church’s needs.

Your financial gifts sustain our congregation and this year we are working to increase salaries and benefits for our staff so that we are in line with the fair compensation guidelines of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

I hope that everyone will re-commit themselves to our community and give what they can, also knowing that there are several who are struggling in these still difficult economic times. For those who can, we ask that you consider Prairie the primary source of your charitable giving and that you consider a pledge of from 3-5 percent of your income, however that may look to you after you consider your family obligations and responsibilities.

I have never been prouder of our church than now. So many of you are leading us through every aspect of our congregational life, working with our children and youth, coordinating and organizing our social justice programs and outreach, dreaming of the next phases of our community’s life.

This is also a great time to become involved. Let me or Brenda Peterson, Chair of the Leadership Council, know if you would like to serve on one of our elected committees (the Board, Committee on Ministry and Leadership Council) or on any of our councils and teams, all of which welcome new members at all times.