Annual Pledge Drive: Let's Draw the Circle Wide!

The circle of life, the medicine wheel, the wheel of the year . . . circles have been used symbolically and spiritually in so many ways, across time and cultures. Whether we’re sitting in a talking circle or moving with others in a round dance, being part of a circle where we can see others and be seen creates a feeling of connection and belonging that is so important to us humans.

But by including some, closed circles exclude others. That’s why we love our chairs in the sanctuary—it’s easy to open up the circle and expand it to make room for whoever wants to join. 

And that’s why the theme of our pledge drive this year is “Draw the Circle Wide.” As hard as we’re working to keep our Unitarian community vibrant and meaningful, we know it’s not enough to only meet the needs of the folks who are already here. Who else might there be—outside our present circle—who’s looking for a community like ours?

For 70 years, the Saskatoon Unitarians have created a spiritual home for seekers: individuals who care about learning, growing, and making the world a better place, and who want to pursue these goals with others who share their values. Over these decades, many individuals have worked together to build a caring, inclusive community where people can be themselves, develop meaningful connections, and feel like they belong.

If our community matters to you, and if you want us to continue expanding our circle to make room for others who need what we offer, we invite you to support the Saskatoon Unitarians.

The Saskatoon Unitarians do not receive any external funding. We rely on all of us together to financially sustain our community. While we gratefully receive donations at any time, receiving pledges of financial support now, during our annual pledge drive, enables our board to budget and plan activities and events for the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027).

As a community-led congregation, we are thriving thanks to the strong, committed leadership provided by a vital mix of people: longtime members offering wisdom and mentorship and newer members bringing fresh ideas, skills, and energy. Without a professional minister, it’s all up to us—which is both a responsibility and an opportunity to share what we feel passionate about and create the community we want.

This year we have offered a range of opportunities to gather, support each other, and meet our spiritual and social needs, including:

• Diverse weekly Sunday services (in person and online), followed by informal conversation, small group discussions, and a monthly potluck lunch;
• A weekly drop-in Sharing Circle facilitated by the Care & Connection team;
• A ‘Widening the Circle’ team focused on learning about and addressing racism and other forms of discrimination and oppression;
• Community singing in the Circle of Song twice a month;
• Occasional evening services focused on music and ritual, offered by our Earth-Based Spirituality and Vespers teams in collaboration with Spiritual Seekers United in Community and the GreenSpirit Chaplaincy, respectively;
• Women’s Potluck Brunches, combining great food with deep discussions; and
• An Earth-centered, arts-based children’s program.

Behind the scenes, members provide technical support and refreshments on Sunday mornings; make newcomers feel welcome and help them find their place in the congregation; share information about and organize social justice events; and provide direction and governance as our Board of Trustees.

One of the central contributions that drives our congregation is the labour of many congregants who share their time and skills. Your financial contributions support the infrastructure within which our activities occur, including:

• operating and maintaining our building and grounds
• the organizational, financial, and communications support provided by our administrator;
• materials and supplies for our programs;
• our connection with the larger Canadian Unitarian Universalist movement (CUC dues).

Next year, in addition to continuing the activities described above, we hope to expand what we offer to families with young children and youth, building on our new children’s program. As well, our new Lay Chaplain will be trained this spring, so that soon we will be able to provide Unitarian rites of passage.

Finding our way in this complex, volatile world isn’t easy. It helps a lot to have companions who want to reflect thoughtfully on the things that matter and support each other in living a principled life. This is what the Saskatoon Unitarians offer: a place of connection and belonging for all who share our values.

We invite you to donate and join us as we work towards our mission to search for meaning, experience wonder, and be a positive influence in the world.