A Capital Campaign for First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

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Warming Our Welcome, Brightening Our Future: Campaign Update

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our congregation and friends, the Warming Our Welcome, Brightening Our Future capital campaign has already made a meaningful impact on our church home. While we have not yet reached our aspirational goal of $1.5 million, the campaign has raised $1.1 million, allowing us to move forward with several important capital improvements—and to thoughtfully plan the next phase of work.

Completed Signature Projects

Sanctuary LED Lighting and New Dimmer System
One of the campaign’s signature projects is now complete: the installation of new LED lighting throughout the sanctuary, replacing all remaining incandescent bulbs. These LEDs use significantly less electricity and generate far less heat, improving both energy efficiency and comfort.

As part of this project, we also replaced the sanctuary dimmer panel, which controls lighting levels and transitions. The previous panel had been damaged—possibly by a lightning strike—and had been nonfunctional for several years. Installing a new dimmer panel was a major investment, but it restored lighting capabilities that many of us had missed. If you attended our most recent Christmas Eve service, you likely noticed the difference—especially compared to last year, when lights were manually switched on and off from a back closet.

New Cameras, Screens, and Improved Technology
We have also completed installation of wall-mounted cameras and video screens in the sanctuary. These upgrades replaced the tripods, iPhones, and floor-level wiring that had been part of our previous setup. While the new screens are easy to see, you may have noticed something else just as important: the clutter and cables are gone, creating a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming worship space.

In addition, we improved the technology setup at the back of the sanctuary, including a new desk configuration and computer monitor, making it easier for volunteers to support worship services and livestreaming.

Religious Education Wing: Thoughtful Planning for HVAC

One of the major areas of focus for the campaign has been the heating and cooling systems in the Religious Education (RE) Wing, where comfort, reliability, sustainability, and uninterrupted programming are especially important.

Initially, there was concern that the existing furnace—installed in the 1950s—posed a significant risk of failure. Since then, we’ve learned that replacement parts, while not identical, are functionally interchangeable and readily available, which has greatly reduced the sense of urgency and vulnerability around an immediate breakdown.

We also received a bid to install split-unit heat pumps, which came in at approximately $100,000. At that cost, it was not clear that this option was the best long-term solution for the building or for our environmental goals.

As a result, the church has approved funding for a professional engineering assessment of the entire RE Wing heating and cooling infrastructure. This assessment—now in process—will help us determine the most responsible path forward. Based on its findings, we may choose to:

• Continue maintaining the current furnace,
• Improve or extend the existing HVAC systems located on the Garden Lobby roof, or
• Pursue a different solution that better balances sustainability, cost, and long-term performance.

This careful, values-driven approach reflects our commitment to good stewardship, ensuring that major decisions are informed, sustainable, and aligned with our mission.

Additional Projects in Progress

Beyond these major initiatives, several smaller improvements are in progress or in the planning and bidding phase, including:

• Repairing or replacing tile in the Garden Lobby
• Cleaning and resetting the tile floor in the Morewood entrance vestibule
• Replacing carpet in the RE Wing
• Improving outdoor lighting
• Painting windows and doors
• Replacing a rusted fire exit door from the undercroft to grade

At the same time, the Building and Grounds Committee is actively working on bids and designs for landscape renovations in both the front and back garden areas—an important part of our long-term vision for more welcoming and usable outdoor spaces.

With Gratitude—and Momentum

Every one of these improvements is possible because of the generosity, care, and commitment of our community. The capital campaign is already transforming how our building looks, feels, and functions—and we are moving forward with both momentum and thoughtful discernment. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed and helped bring this vision to life.

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh is more than a building. It is a sanctuary for seekers, a place where we come together in love, justice, and shared purpose. It is where we have celebrated joys, grieved losses, formed lifelong friendships, and found belonging.

Our spiritual home has nurtured generations — and now, it is our turn to care for it.

Our Vision: A Church That Reflects Our Values

We envision a future where our church is:

More Welcoming – A space that embraces everyone who walks through our doors, whether in person or online.

More Sustainable – A building that reflects our deep commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring we care for the planet as we care for one another.

More Accessible – A place where all can fully participate, regardless of ability, ensuring that our shared experiences are inclusive and enriching.

More Connected – A church that extends beyond its walls, fostering community in our sanctuary, our outdoor spaces, and the wider world.

Investing in Our Future

To bring this vision to life, we are launching Warming Our Welcome, Brightening Our Future, a campaign to ensure that our church remains a beacon of love, hope, and action for generations to come.

Your support will help us to:

✅ Enhance Our Sanctuary – Brighter, energy-efficient lighting will transform our space, and new video screens will make services more inclusive, displaying readings, music, and visual storytelling.

✅ Upgrade Sound & Technology – A modern audio-visual system will ensure everyone can fully participate, whether in-person or joining remotely.

✅ Ensure Comfort & Efficiency – A new heating and cooling system will provide year-round comfort in the religious education (Mason) wing while lowering costs and reducing our carbon footprint.

✅ Secure Our Future – A capital endowment will help maintain our church home for future generations.

? Aspirational Goal: Revitalize Our Outdoor Spaces – With a very successful campaign, we also hope to move forward with a ramp on the Ellsworth Avenue entrance to provide better access from the sidewalk to our building and level the back garden to create a more useable gathering space. These projects would require significant investment, and reaching this goal depends on the generosity of our congregation.

Why Now?

Because the world needs us now more than ever. We base our faith on Love as the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. In that binding Love, we are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.

That Love reaches back generations, and we have benefited from the generosity of our forebears. Now we are the stewards of this space, entrusted with its care so that future generations will find a home here, just as we have, all in the foundation of Love.

Now is the time to invest in what and why we Love, ensuring that our church not only meets today’s needs but flourishes long into the future.

Join Us in This Vision

Every gift—large or small—is an investment in our shared future. Together, we can warm our welcome and brighten our future.

Ready to Help?

Click here to complete your pledge form. Contributions can be made over a three-year period.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of this capital campaign?

A: This campaign is about ensuring that our church remains welcoming, sustainable, and accessible for generations to come. We are raising funds for essential building improvements, including:

• Energy-efficient lighting to enhance worship and reduce costs.
• A modern sound and video system, including video screens for accessibility and engagement.
• An upgraded heating and cooling system to improve comfort and efficiency.
• New energy-efficient windows in the Religious Education wing.
• An endowment to support future building needs.
• Aspirational Goal: Revitalize our outdoor spaces – With a very successful campaign, we also hope to move forward with a ramp on the Ellsworth Avenue entrance to provide better access from the sidewalk to our building and level the back garden to create a more useable gathering space. These projects would require significant investment, and reaching this goal depends on the generosity of our congregation.

Q: Why is this happening now?

A: It has been over 30 years since our last Capital Campaign when the Garden Lobby was completed and an elevator installed. It is time to pay attention to our future.  We are the next generation to care for our building, preparing it for future generations. Many of our building systems—like the 70+-year-old boiler and outdated lighting—are no longer meeting our needs.

Q: What is the fundraising goal?

A: We are still finalizing the total goal, as we are gathering bids for the planned improvements. Our priority is to raise the funds necessary to complete the essential upgrades that will support our church for years to come.

Q: How will these projects make our church more welcoming?

A: Our congregation values radical hospitality, and this campaign will help us create a more inviting and engaging space for all.

• Enhanced lighting will make our sanctuary brighter and more uplifting.
• New doors to the back garden from the Schweitzer room will create a more inviting place for gathering, reflection, and community events.
• Technology upgrades will allow us to engage members more deeply, both in-person and online.

Q: How will these projects improve accessibility?

A: This campaign prioritizes making our church more inclusive for all by:

• Installing video screens so everyone can follow readings, lyrics, and visual elements.
• Upgrading sound and streaming technology for those who rely on audio clarity.
• Improving heating and cooling for year-round comfort.
• Enhancing outdoor spaces to be more level, inviting, and usable for all.
• Aspirational goals: Installing a ramp from the sidewalk on Ellsworth Avenue to the church entrance on that side of the building and leveling the rear garden to be a more useable, inviting outdoor space for all.

Q: How will these projects improve sustainability?

A: As people of faith committed to environmental stewardship, we must ensure our building reflects those values. This campaign will:

• Replace outdated lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures, significantly reducing energy use.
• Upgrade to a modern heating and cooling system in the religious education wing, cutting waste and lowering our carbon footprint.
• Install better-insulated windows, reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency.

Q: How can I contribute?

A: You can make a one-time gift or a pledge over multiple years (up to three).

• You can make your pledge at https://firstunitarianpgh.breezechms.com/form/2a0fa2.
• You can make a payment at https://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/connect/donate.

Q: Can I pay my pledge over time?

A: Yes! Pledges can be made over three years, making it easier for members to give at a level that is meaningful to them.

Q: Is my contribution tax-deductible?

A: Yes! First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh is a nonprofit organization, so donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Q: How much should I give?

A: Every gift matters, and we encourage everyone to give at a level that is meaningful to them. Some members are making substantial pledges, but every contribution, no matter the size, helps us reach our goal.

Q: What if I can’t give a large gift?

A: We deeply appreciate every contribution. What matters most is participation—when we all give what we can, we build something incredible together.

Q: Who will know my pledge amount?

A: Your pledge amount will only be known to campaign co-chairs and staff directly involved with processing the donations. While donor recognition is still to be determined (such as the recognition wall from the last campaign), all wishes for anonymity will be respected. Please note that in the campaign pledge form, there is a place for you to indicate if and how you’d like your pledge to be acknowledged publicly (ie., “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith,” “The Smith Family,” “Anonymous,” etc.).

Q: When will these projects begin?

A: The timeline will depend on the total funds raised, but we hope to begin priority projects as soon as possible after the campaign concludes.

Q: What happens if we don’t reach the goal?

A: We will prioritize projects based on the funds raised. However, we are confident that with broad participation, we can meet our goal and make these needed improvements a reality.

Q: Who can I contact for more information?

A: If you have additional questions, you can reach out to Al Schwartz, Rob Schwartz, or Rev. Kate.