About the Greater Good
What is it?
Our Greater Good project at First Unitarian Church, begun in 2006, is an all-church effort to bring meaning back to the December holidays and tap into the strength and power of the season. We ask parishioners to tally up what they spent on a previous holiday season for presents, wrappings, trimmings, travel, greeting cards, food and entertainment; then cut it in half and contribute that amount to the greater good through our church's effort. We then spend half our usual amount on the holidays, living more simply so that others can simply live. The Greater Good is a shift from consumption to deeper meaning.
Why do this?
Christmas is not our birthday. We wanted to get off the treadmill of consumerism during the holidays and bring meaning back to the season. Those of us who don't believe that Jesus died to save our sins, or that he is the Christ, were looking for broader religious meaning for the holiday that celebrates Jesus' birth. Most Unitarian Universalist churches shy away from the Christian message during the holiday season and instead celebrate the world's traditions. Yet people still show up here in droves on Christmas Eve. The holiday for most of us is deep in our roots, yet it may lack spiritual depth. Revs Kaaren Anderson and Scott Tayler suggested the Greater Good as an option, a way to recapture the blessings and hopes that the holiday season offers.
What difference does it make?
Participants say that giving to the Greater Good transforms their own attitudes and experience of the holidays. Combined together, our contributions add up to significant help for people whose needs are greater than our own. Since 2006 the project has collected over $243,000 from church members, friends, and members of the larger community, roughly splitting each year's funds between two projects.
When does it happen?
Through September each year, any church members can suggest possible recipients of the funds. In October, our Greater Good Committee screens organizations and narrows the list, aiming for four finalists. In mid-November, children in our Religious Education program hear about the finalists and vote on which two projects should be funded. In December, at the worship service on the Sunday before Christmas, we celebrate our communal sacrifice and our giving, and we each bring forward our donated half of holiday spending.
Why do kids decide on the project?
Adults have a great deal of input during the discussion and vetting of the organizations. Children are making a significant sacrifice for the holidays by giving up 50 percent of their presents, so it makes sense for them to decide whom we help. Besides, this is the season of "a child shall lead them."
How can I get involved?
One way to get started is to use the budget form included here [PDF] to list your past spending. Divide that in half and you have your new goal.
How do I make such a big change?
Various resources can give you information, suggest inexpensive gift ideas and help you communicate what you're doing to the relatives and friends with whom you usually exchange pricier gifts.
- Born to Buy by Juliet Schorr (available in our church book store) is a helpful book about how our culture targets young children to grow up as consumers.
- Check out the Greater Good section of this web site, which includes videos and reports about past recipients, more resources, and audio recordings.
- Attend a gift-giving workshop this fall/winter at church, open to children and adults.
- Talk to your children or other household members as early as possible about what this is and why you want to participate.
Still Got Questions?
If you have further questions or suggestions, you may contact:
- Marilyn Rosché, Greater Good committee
- Rev. Jen Crow
or leave a message for one of them at the church office, (585) 271-9070.
Also, input and proposals may be made to GreaterGoodProject@gmail.com.
November 18 2011