Frequently Asked Questions
What is Covenant Renewal?
Covenant Renewal is Arlington Street Church’s annual Springtime process in which all members and friends make our financial and volunteer-service pledges for the coming year (July – June). In pledging, Arlington Street Church members renew our membership annually.
I attend Arlington Street Church fairly often but I’m not a member. Does Covenant Renewal apply to me?
Yes! Non-member friends are one of Arlington Street Church’s essential sources of support each year. All regular visitors and friends of Arlington Street are asked to take part in Covenant Renewal. Thank you!
I’m an Arlington Street Church member. Do I need to renew and pledge this Spring in order to maintain my membership?
Yes! Membership is based on annual renewal through Covenant pledges. We covenant with one another to care and provide for this congregation together.
My membership has lapsed; will pledging restore my membership?
Yes, by pledging, your membership reactivates unless you request otherwise.
I don’t know what to volunteer for; what should I do?
Check out pages 5 through 7 of this brochure! Then, on the pledge sheet you will find a menu of volunteer areas at Arlington Street, plus a fill-in line for any volunteerism you’d like to offer that isn’t listed.
How much should I pledge?
Please look over the following charts and consider what feels possible and meaningful for you. The UUA often suggests a quarter-tithe (2.5% of income). A small but growing number of church members are stretching toward pledges of a half-tithe (5% of income) and full tithe (10%)! From a spiritual perspective, your pledge should matter—to both you and the congregation. Our pledges are the fiscal foundation of our next year at Arlington Street Church: thus commitment to full payment of our pledges is as important as the pledge itself.
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| Income | 2.5% | 5% | 10% |
| $10,000 | $250 | $500 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $750 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| $40,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| $50,000 | $1,250 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| $60,000 | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| $70,000 | $1,750 | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| $80,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| $90,000 | $2,250 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| $100,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
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What is the average pledge in the congregation?
The average pledge at Arlington Street Church for Fiscal Year 2007 is $1,048. The upper 50% of our pledging ranges in size from $720 to $11,000. The Senior Minister’s family’s pledge is among the top 10% of the pledges received.
When does my pledge need to be paid?
By June 30th, 2008. Earlier is extremely helpful, as is consistent monthly payment. Our pledges support all operating expenses of the 2008 church year (July 2007 to June 2008).
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes. Arlington Street Church accepts one-time gifts as well as regular pledge payments by credit card. We accept both MasterCard and Visa. To enroll, complete the credit card section on the covenant pledge sheet.
I give cash for the Offering on Sunday. How will Arlington Street know that I am paying my pledge?
Envelopes! Place your cash offering in an envelope (found in pew racks) bearing your name. Arlington Street Church is then able to credit your cash donation toward your pledge. Arlington Street will also then send you an end-of-year summary of your giving, to assist you for tax purposes.
What are the goals of next year’s budget?
To maintain Arlington Street Church’s current level and quality of services, programming, and staffing into next year—including a continued commitment to 100% fair compensation for all staff—we must (and will!) raise a total of $250,000 in pledged commitments by June 2007.
If we are able to meet and surpass $250K in total pledges by June, then many possibilities open up, including fuller program funding and a stronger roll-out of Jubilee, which brings Arlington Street’s values into the world around us through a philanthropic commitment of our congregation’s time, energy, love—and financial support—to selected initiatives that inspire us as a congregation and speak to our most cherished values.
For more information about Covenant Renewal
Please email Covenant Chair Paul Dakin at Covenant@ASCBoston.org or contact any member of the Staff, including Alison Green Will [about | e-mail] (for questions on volunteering); Ed Thomas [about | e-mail] (for questions on financial pledges); or senior minister Kim K. Crawford Harvie [about | e-mail].
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On this festive Sunday, we sing “O Day of Light and Gladness” and “Lo, the Earth Awakes Again”—familiar Christian hymns set with decidedly Earth-centered words. Come celebrate the arrival of spring! Wear your bonnet! This Sunday the choir will complete its two week series of African-American spirituals and gospels chosen to celebrate the rhythms of the Christian liturgical calendar and our own Arlington Street holidays. Don’t miss Praise His Holy Name and In His Care-o. If so, visit the Sermons section of Worship for an archive of selected sermons since 1999. What's New: “Enough for Everyone” “Gender: Coloring Outside the Lines” “With Grace and Gratitude” “Acting Our Way Into Thinking” Saturday, March 24th, 2:30 pm Arlington Street Church is thrilled to welcome back the “Drakies” after their wildly-successful performance here in September 2003. Don’t miss this performance—one of only three in the Northeast.
Worship Highlights!
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 8th, 11:00 am
From the Pulpit
Want to read the most recent sermons? Did you especially like a recent “One Member’s Journey” pulpit editorial?
[April 1, 2007]
[March 25, 2007]
[March 18, 2007]
[March 11, 2007]
Upcoming Music@ASC
Soprano Teresa Tam of Arlington Street’s choir is proud to present her graduate voice recital in Arlington Street Church’s historic sanctuary. Come enjoy an afternoon of beautiful and diverse vocal music by Bach, Grieg, Poulenc, and Britten. She will be accompanied by a small baroque chamber ensemble and pianist Jodi Gobel.
Drakensberg Boys’ Choir
South Africa’s World Famous Choir
Wednesday, March 28th, 7:00 pm
Tickets are $20, Available at the Door
The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir of South Africa is widely considered among the very elite of choral groups from around the world. In March 2007 US audiences in fifteen eastern cities will find out for themselves why no other Boychoir in the world can thrill audiences the way the “Drakies” do with their unique style of diversity. Whether singing classical, rock, pop, jazz, African, or folk, they never fail to bring audiences to their feet.
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