The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland is one of five congregations world-wide to receive the Helen Fogg Chalice Award, which recognizes exceptional support of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The award is named for Helen Fogg, who was the director of UUSC’s Overseas Programs in the 1950s and established a children’s home in Czechoslovakia and a teacher education program in Cambodia.

“Many of our members have contributed to the UUSC on their own for years,” said Vincenza Cumbo, the Fellowship’s Social Justice coordinator. “We realized we could do more by working together, and so the Fellowship made a donation from our general operating fund.”

The gift to the Service Committee is just one part of the Fellowship’s commitment to charitable giving. “Many of us also volunteer time with local organizations, and we hold holiday gift drives and collect food,” said Cumbo. In February the Fellowship donated more than 100 pounds of food to the Hope Food Pantry, and the Youth Group donated baked goods and fresh fruit to the Three Oaks Center, a local homeless shelter.

The Fellowship also sends all non-pledge donations collected during the Sunday offering to charity. “Two years ago, we made a commitment to tithe by donating an amount equal to ten percent of our congregational pledged income each year,” Cumbo added. “Some of us weren’t sure we would reach that goal, but it seems the more we give away, the more people are willing to give.” Since 2007, cash donations to the Sunday collection plates have nearly tripled, and in church year 2008-2009, the tithing goal of 10% was reached after only 10 months.

“Our members suggest charities or worthwhile causes, some local and some farther away, and we give to a different one each month,” explained Cumbo. The Fellowship has given to relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, to a local women’s shelter and an orphaned wildlife rescue center, to other UU congregations, and to many other causes.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland meets at 10:30 on Sundays mornings at 21095 Chancellor’s Run Road in Great Mills, Maryland. Their website is www.uufsm.org.

– sent to the Joseph Priestly District (JPD) Congregational Newsletter in June 2009