Chalice Lighters Program

You possess only a small light, but uncover it, let it shine. Use it in order to bring more light and understanding to the hearts and minds of men and women. Give them not hell, but hope and courage.
~John Murray ~ Founder of Universalism in America

Program history ~ How to become a Chalice Lighter ~ How to apply for a Chalice Lighter's Grant ~ Read about our current call ~ Donate Now

Are you willing to let your light shine? Would you like the opportunity to support Unitarian Universalism in a larger way that goes beyond the walls of your local congregation? In these times of cultural anxiety, we need to let our light shine to speak the message of liberal religion loudly and clearly. A very important way in which we let our light shine is by participating in the Ohio-Meadville District Chalice Lighters program.

An OMD Chalice Lighter is an individual who pledges to respond with a $10 contribution when the call comes to help a congregation in our district.

Through this program, you can directly reach out and help an OMD congregation realize its dream of expanding its outreach into the community, making its building accessible, improving religious education for its children, create new programs for growth, develop new social justice outreach or strengthen some other vital part of its ministry. This is a way to immediately support our fellow OMD congregations in their work to grow and nurture our faith.

As John Murray has said, we want to spread the message of hope and courage to our larger communities. If we enroll 2,000 people in the OMD Chalice Lighters program, we can provide $20,000 to a congregation in need of a building! We can provide a start for a new UU society. $20,000 could help a congregation call a minister! Just imagine what YOU-combined with the efforts of other Chalice Lighters-can do!

Here’s how the program works

A congregation sends a proposal to the OMD office. The OMD Resource Development Team reviews the request to make sure it meets program guidelines of scope and accountability. They choose one applicant to recommend to the OMD Executive Committee for a vote. When a recommendation is approved by the Executive Committee, the OMD sends out a "call" to all Chalice Lighters in the district. Each OMD Chalice Lighter has pledged to send a minimum donation of $10 to the OMD Office for the congregation named in the “call.”

There is a maximum of four “calls” per year. Consequently, the Chalice Lighter commitment for each year is $40 to help our OMD congregations grow and thrive. Of course, Chalice Lighters are encouraged give more if they are inspired by the project named in the call. $10 per call is the requested minimum commitment.

Some Past Chalice Lighter Grant Recipients

• Southwest UU Church recieved a grant to purchase a new sign and do outreach to the community they purchased a building in. (2009)
• Olmsted UU Church received a grant to partially fund waterproofing their basement and removing mold from their basement rooms (2009)
• UU Society of Cleveland received a grant to partially fund hiring a membership coordinator (2009).
• UU Fellowship of Athens received a grant to rebuild their entrance way and deck and regrade their parking lot to make it ADA compliant. (2009)
• Oberlin UU Fellowship recieved a grant to purchase signs to put up in town and to do a marketing survey of their area (2008).
• South Hills received a grant to assist them with their ministerial transition (2008).
• New River UU Fellowship received a grant to intall an new sign and hire a very part time publicity person (2008).
• All Souls UU Congregation received a grant to hire their first minister in their history. (2008)
• The West Virginia Cluster of UU Churches received a grant for NPR sponsorship for six months (2006).
• UU Church of Kent received a grant for renovation work (2005).
• Ginger Hill UU Congregation received a grant to repair and upgrade their new building in Slippery Rock.
• UU Fellowship of Ligonier Valley received a grant to have a sign designed and placed outside.

Want to apply for a Chalice Lighter Grant? Download the application form as a pdf form or a word document.

What Can I Do?

Become a Chalice Lighter now! Fill in the form below and we'll add you to our list.

Spread the word in your congregation. You can download a pdf copy of the brochure by clicking here.

Want more information first?

• Email the OMD Office your request for more information. Someone from the OMD office or the board will be in touch.
• Click here to download an interview with Rev. Joan VanBecelaere, District Exective about the Chalice Lighter's Program.
• Click here to hear Ward Kelsey present the program to First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, PA in March of 2008.

How to Apply for a Chalice Lighter's Grant - Current Deadline is April 1

The guidelines for applying for a chalice lighter grant include:

1. The congregation must be a member congregation of the Ohio-Meadville District and the Unitarian Universalist Association for no less than 1 year.  Start up congregational support may be considered if a church that meets this requirement is sponsoring a satellite or branch.
2. Proposals should promote and facilitate growth and outreach of Unitarian Universalism.  Examples of areas for consideration include but are not limited to:
   • Training (board of trustees, volunteers, etc.)
   • Arts/culture
   • Marketing and publicity
   • Projects of engagement with the local community
   • Rehabilitation, repair or addition to physical structures
   • Religious education
3. The applicant congregation must not have received a Chalice Lighter grant from the OMD in the last two (2) fiscal years.
4. The application should demonstrate a commitment to socially and environmentally responsible practices.
5. It is desirable but not necessary that proposals demonstrate multiple or additional sources of support or income. 
6. Proportionate congregational participation in regard to UUA Fair Share, OMD District Dues and the Chalice Lighter program will be taken into consideration in awarding grants.
7. If your Chalice Lighter project is one that will continue into the future, such as additional staffing or a new church program, or a large-scale capital improvement program, you need to explain how you will continue to fund the project once the Chalice Lighter grant has been fully spent.  Your explanation should include information and data explaining (1) what resources will be used to continue funding in the future and (2) what concrete steps you have already taken to assure the availability of these future resources.

To apply for a Chalice Lighter's Grant, download the guidelines and application form as a pdf form or a word document. You will need list the details of your project, your projected budget, provide pledge and budgetary information and verify a vote by the board of trustees of the congregation to make the application. Currently the OMD Resource Development Team reviews the applications and recommends one to the executive committee of the OMD Board the current receipient of a call. Deadlines for the four calls are: January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Submit the application to the District Office and the District Administrator will distribute it to the appropriate team members. Please note that submitting the application electronically makes distribution easier and quicker. Even if you cannot submit all your supporting data electronically, please submit the actual application via email. If you have questions during the application process, please contact the district office for assistance.