We define stewardship as the act of caring for our congregation, our community, and the Unitarian Universalist movement. People care in various ways: by giving of their time, by sharing their talents, and by contributing financial resources (a.k.a. treasure). Unitarian Universalists have a long, rich history of contributing to their congregations, their communities, and the world. This important aspect of our congregational life begins with the role model of good stewardship in the home. Examining how we spend our time and money as families may help us evaluate how we can be good stewards in the congregation as well.

“For a child to develop into a functional adult and good citizen of the world, the family must mirror society. Volunteering helps kids learn that service—not self-interest—holds our world together.”

As family counselor John K. Rosemond states in his article “Volunteering For Kids,” parents can begin teaching the social value of volunteerism by assigning simple daily household chores to children as young as three years old. Such children learn that being a member of a family involves not just sharing the family’s wealth, but also its work. Parents can impress upon children the importance of community service with a simple civics lesson: without volunteer support, there would be no community sports programs, no scouting, no 4-H, no homeless shelters, and no summer programs at the local Y. By including children in community and congregational service activities, parents can teach that one person can make a difference in this world. Guiding a younger child toward compatible community service requires that parents help the child answer the following questions: What are my interests? What do I really enjoy? What’s something I’ve always wanted to do? Would I prefer working with large or small groups? Indoors or out? What problems in my community or congregation need solutions?

Jim and Kathy McGinnis, founders and directors of the Institute for Peace and Justice, list seven ways to teach our children stewardship in their newsletter, Parenting for Peace & Justice:

Tithing for the congregation. Children can give a percentage of the weekly allowance.

World Bank donations. This program is similar to the UU Guest at Your Table Box.

Shalom Box appeal letters. Decorate a shoe box and use it to store appeal letters received from charities. At quarterly family meetings, discuss which letters to honor and what amount to give.

Split our energy savings. Encourage family members to turn lights out, lower thermostats, and save energy in other ways. Then, spend half the money saved on a fund for those who need utility bill assistance. (The other half can go toward a family event.)

Alternative gifts. Encourage children to be generous with their time and talents by making their own birthday and holiday gifts.

Exposure to hurting people. Prepare, serve and eat meals at a local agency, visit shut-ins, travel and work in countries with poor people.

Discussing our will. Explain to children that groups working with hurting children will receive the same bequest as each of them.

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To assist you in exploring these issues in more depth, we’ve attached reprints of two articles—“Children, Money and Values: Ten Principles” by Susan Vogt, and “Helping Children with Allowances and Savings,” from Parenting for Peace and Justice Newsletter.