Annual Giving Campaign 2026–27

We’re honored to be leading the Annual Giving Campaign this year as a family.

From Forrest & Anne: What a gift it is for us to be working with Elizabeth, Skyler, Teddy, and Cailin, our own branches of this family tree, on behalf of a community that’s nurtured us all for so many years. The enclosed brochure mentions our planting of the dogwood tree in front of the Parish Hall. That tree was donated by then-longtime members Esther Macomber and Nancy Stone and, as we were planting, our first child, Elizabeth, was with us, to be born five days later. Roots, branches, and leaves were all represented!

As we approach this year of upheaval in our world and our own internal changes, it’s particularly comforting to keep in mind the continuum that undergirds our church community. After nearly 50 years as members, we are grateful to those who welcomed us and our children, mentored us, loved us, and earned our love in return. We’re happy to see them reflected in the rich and beloved communal soil that’s our legacy and our responsibility to nurture and pass on to new growth.

From Elizabeth & Teddy: As children, this community taught and nurtured us in profoundly important ways. From the nursery to young adulthood, FRSUU offered a guiding light through the turmoil of adolescence—a framework and living example of what it means to base a community around a doctrine of “love.” As young adults, while FRSUU was not a regular part of our lives, the seeds that were planted here continued to grow. Now that we are grown with children of our own, it is so important to us that we can give them the same gift of community that our parents gave us. We are honored to have this opportunity to give back to FRSUU by supporting the Annual Giving Campaign this year—tending the community’s growth for the next generation and beyond.

Join us!
Forrest Speck & Anne Verret-Speck–––Elizabeth & Skyler Shepard–––Edward (Teddy) Speck & Cailin McFarland

To read the 2026-2027 Annual Giving Campaign brochure, click here.

To submit your 2026-2027 Annual Giving Campaign pledge form, click here!

Please take a moment to fill out our Joy and Fellowship Opportunities form.

Why Should I Pledge?
Many of us have a general individual or family budget that we spend against as we go through our year. FRSUU has a budget, too, that the Parish Board creates annually and that the congregation approves at each Annual Meeting. This annual budget is based on FRSUU’s financial needs, not only to offer the myriad programs that we all share, but also to operate our buildings and grounds. FRSUU relies on your pledge to know we can meet our financial obligations, continue to turn on our lights and heat, offer our Sunday services, and run our Young Church and other programs.

What is a Pledge?
A pledge is a commitment to support the church. Your pledge is the amount that you expect to be able to give to the church during its next fiscal year, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. We know that financial and personal conditions can change during the year. If you need to adjust your pledge upward or downward during the year, you can call the church office and convey that amount to Diane Carroll, our Church Administrator.

Who Should Pledge?
Ideally, each of our members and active friends will pledge as they are able. We are in this FRSUU family together, and we rely on each other as we work toward achieving our Mission and Values within our church community and in greater Newburyport.

How Much Should I Pledge?
Though financial situations are different, we hope that all members and friends of FRSUU will make contributions meaningful to them. Last year, the average pledge was more than $2,300, and pledges ranged from $100 to more than $35,000. However, a pledge of any amount is deeply appreciated. We will need a combination of increased and new pledges to achieve this year’s goal. Every gift is valued and important.