Jay Pacitti, Legacy Gifts Officer

By Jay Pacitti, Legacy Gifts Officer

The UUA has received questions about the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Tax Act") and how it affects UU congregations and individuals as they being to feel its impact. We have created a memo that highlights some key changes to the tax code, suggests ways congregations and other UU entities may engage with donors in light of these changes, and lists resources for further education and reading.

The 2017 Tax Act made many sweeping changes. All tax rates (except the lowest) were decreased, the standard deduction nearly doubled, personal exemptions were eliminated, and certain itemized deductions were either capped or eliminated.

One thing that did not change is that contributions to charitable organizations may be still deducted by taxpayers who itemize deductions on their tax returns.

Another significant change that will affect many congregations and religious professionals is that moving expenses reimbursed by an employer are no longer deductible, except under certain circumstances for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism Organizing Collective Sets Organizational Vision - published January 31, 2019

The Black Lives UU OC Board is proud to share our vision as an organization. Over the last four years we have developed a clear mission:

• Expanding the power & capacity of Black UUs within our faith
• Providing support, information & resources for Black Unitarian Universalists.
• Justice-making and liberation through our faith

We have also created a deeply personal set of working agreements which lay out the values we bring into this work together - we invite you to read those working agreements here.

As we continue to grow and develop, we get clearer about our role in our faith and in a broader movement for justice and liberation for Black people. Toward this end of continuing clarity, at the winter 2018 BLUU Board Retreat we tackled the question of what a vision for this unique organization should be.

Today we share that vision with you because it is and has already been a guiding light in our work since we created it together in December:

“BLUU harnesses love’s power to combat oppression and foster healing as a spiritual and political imperative. We know the power of love to be life changing, inclusive, relational, uncomfortable, unconditional and without end.”

Spring 2019 Babies & Bailouts: End Money Bail Live Panel Watch Parties and Donation Drives

Babies & Bailouts is a chance for communities to come together to learn more about the money bail system and also gather much needed baby supplies for women and families being impacted by mass incarceration.

BLUU Community organizers will host Babies & Bailouts “End Money Bail Facebook Live Panel” Watch Party + Donation Drives in their local community. The End Money Bail Panel will be streamed live on BLUU’s Facebook page and website and feature a diverse range of voices active in the fight to change the money bail system.

At General Assembly in Spokane, WA, your UUA Stewardship and Development staff have several opportunities planned for learning and collaboration. 

GA regulars should note the changes to the schedule this year. According to UU World, business sessions have been scaled back to just four hours so there is space for thirteen hours of thematic presentations and workships.

While opening and closing ceremonies will help attendees enter and exit as one body, the first and last thematic program blocks will provide for role-based conversations and trainings. Having attendees start and end with the same group gives some continuity, and offers role-relevant content to utilize in their unique context. There is one Stewardship and Development-led role-based track as well as one workshop.

To stay updated on these and other UUA news stories, please visit UUA.org or follow the UUA on Facebook or Twitter.

Legacy Challenge is Now Complete

Thank you for being a part of the Wake Now Our Vision (WNOV) Collaborative Campaign Legacy Challenge.

The Legacy Challenge will strengthen the future of Unitarian Universalism through legacy giving. Your legacy gifts support our institutions and congregations in bringing people together as we work toward a world with more love and justice.

The generous Legacy Challenge grant from the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock has been completely allocated at this time.

While the matching aspect of the Legacy Challenge is at an end, we encourage you to visit plannedgiving.uua.org for more resources on the many ways you can transform the future of Unitarian Universalism through legacy giving.

Latest from the Commission on Institutional Change

Recent updates from the Commission include "The Joy in the Spiritual Work" by member Mary Byron:

"My UU faith has been an important part of the spiritual journey of my life. I believe in our principles and our way of expressing them publicly, advocating for the world of justice, equity and compassion we know is possible. And we know this world is not yet here which calls us into doing the work that is needed to create it..." Read the rest here.

Appointed in 2017, Commission on Institutional Change was given a charge by the UUA Board of Trustees to conduct an audit of white privilege and the structure of power within Unitarian Universalism, and analyze structural racism and white supremacy within the UUA.

Matching Gift Challenge Opportunity - extended through May 31

Gifts to Friends of the UUA now through the end of May will be matched dollar-for-dollar, thanks to a generous grant from the UU Veatch Program at Shelter Rock. You can make a gift online here, or see the letter arriving in your mailbox soon!

Seasons of Giving is the quarterly e-newsletter from the UUA's Stewardship and Development Office. Questions should be directed to Suzanne Murray at development@uua.org or (617) 948-4392.