Share the Plate 

What is Share the Plate?
USG gives away the offering one Sunday a month to a charitable organization nominated by a member of the congregation.

Why are we giving our money away?
•    We are connecting to something larger than ourselves.
•    We are acknowledging our interdependence with each other.
•    We are shifting our congregational outlook to one of abundance rather than scarcity.
•    We are strengthening our ties with our neighbors.
•    We want our community to know us as the church “of the loving heart, open mind and helping hands” in a very real and tangible way.

Aren’t we hurting USG’s income?
No. USG’s average weekly collection has remained the same—it has not decreased. 

How is it decided which charities to support on a Share the Plate Sunday?
The charitable organizations must meet the following criteria: 
•    Non-profit
•    No political affiliation
•    Dedicated to serving the Philadelphia area or associated with Unitarian Universalist Association or Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUA/UUSC)
•    Focused on social justice issues

Recipients have included People’s Emergency Center; Cradles to Crayons; Pathways PA; Kenya Medical Education Trust; UUA – Association Sunday; Community Church UU (New Orleans); First Church New Orleans; New Directions for Women; Neighborhood Interfaith Movement (NIM); Habitat for Humanity/Philadelphia; Lingelbach School; Need in Deed; Unitarian Universalist House; Philabundance; Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (NPIHN); Reach Out and Read; UUSC Cyclone Relief.

Who decides to which charity we will give our offering?
From USG members’ Nomination Forms, the Share the Plate Task Force selects the organizations to receive the offering and educates the congregation about the organization’s service to the community.

How do I nominate a charity?
You must be a member of USG. Fill in a Nomination Form which are in various places in the church, including the church office, and on the website. Send the form to any member of the task force: Dennis Brunn, Peg Bruton and Jamie Preston, Chair.

Nomination form