by Katie Norris

In my last sermon in the 24/7 sermon series, which was about taking our faith into all different areas of our life, I asked us all to participate in "Ten Weeks to Transformation" which is ten weeks of creating intentional sabbath time.

In his book Sabbath, Wayne Muller describes sabbath in this way: "Sabbath is more than the absence of work; it is not just a day off, when we catch up on television or errands. It is the presence of something that arises when we consecrate a period of time to listen to what is most deeply beautiful, nourishing, or true. It is a time consecrated with our attention, our mindfulness, honoring those quiet forces of grace or spirit that sustain and heal us."

The reason I created this challenge is that I know so many of us do not get the rest time that we need. I am hoping that by making this commitment together as a community, we can help each other carve out some space in the midst of our busy lives to find that which is most deeply nourishing, beautiful and true for us.

During the worship service I asked everyone to take a "Ten Weeks to Transformation" card and commit to two things: attending worship ten times in the next 13 weeks (June 7 - August 31), and to pick something you want to do for sabbath at home. For instance, I asked my five year old son what he would like to do for fun together and he said he wanted to color with me. So on my card I have committed to coloring with my son.
As you think about your own sabbath time, choose something that is meaningful to you.

For those of you who were not at that worship service, you can pick up your "Ten Weeks to Transformation" card on the What's Happening table in the Palmer Room. They are for you to fill out and keep as a reminder of your commitment to your rest time. On the second Sunday of every month from 12:00 - 1:30pm, I will be meeting with anyone who wants to attend to talk about how our rest time is going and what affect it is having on our lives. If you would like to be a part of that group, you can sign up for that as well on the What's Happening table, or just show up.

Right now I am going out to get the biggest box of crayons I can find since we are running low at our house from all of the coloring. I look forward to this journey together and hearing about how your sabbath time is going.

In Faith,
Katie Norris
Summer Minister

Worship then March!    June 28th is the Chicago Pride Parade which happens every year just around the corner from the church. To celebrate the Pride Parade we are having a special intergenerational worship service called Show Tune Sunday. The worship service's message of social justice will be portrayed through song and word. Then, after the service, we will march together in the parade. Please bring your friends and family to this great event! We also need volunteers to help with coordinating the parade so if you are able to help out, please contact the church at secondunitarian@att.net.

Lemonade Stand - "Our church loves everybody!"  During the parade, 2U's kids will have a lemonade stand in front of the church. The children will be selling refreshments and sharing 2U's welcoming message with people on their way to the parade.  This is the children's fundraiser in support of 2U.  Please stop by on your way to the parade.  If you would like to help make baked goods or donate beverages, please contact Gabrielle Parra, faithdev_2U@att.net .

If you would like to support the cooking effort for Night Ministry Outreach Bus please consider donating some of the food and supplies that we need.  We prepare 200 meals consisting of a sandwich, snack item, fruit and beverage. Donations of sandwich bags, cookies, crackers, peanut butter, jelly and juice boxes will be a huge help.
 
All donations can be left in the kitchen at church any Sunday.  Please label the donation: Night Ministry.  If you are interested in helping cook and serve for the Night Ministry Outreach Bus please sign up at the What's Happening Table at church.  THANK YOU! 

"The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen. Together, our vision widens and strength is renewed."  - Mark Morrison-Reed (Unitarian Universalist Minister)


Please mark your calendars and save the date(s) more information will be forthcoming. The following events and meetings are driven or sponsored by members of 2U. So please come and support their work so that we can walk the path toward jutice.  More details will come.

• 6/16, 9am - Healthcare Access Initiative Press Conference at the Cook County Building
  
• 6/14, 1:30pm - A Walk in the Park Fundriser (the Lakeview Action Coalition) starts at St. Clements Church, 642 W. Deming, Chicago, 60614
  
• 6/18, 6pm -  Enviornmental Justice Launch in Lakeview: "Bringing Home the Green"  at Lakeview Lutheran Church, 835 W. Addison, Chicago
  
• 6/30, TBA - Affordable Housing: "Sweet Home Chicago" Kick off Action

Working for justice in our world is a principle way for Unitarian Universalists to express our faith.  Acting on our values is what we do and who we are.   

Peace with justice.

Due to the tough economy, 2U is projecting an estimated $8,000 deficit for this fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. The deficit is largely due to a reduction in pledge income from members who have lost their jobs this year as well as some reduced investment income.  In response we implemented some pretty serious spending holds or cuts mid-year and bolstered our fundraising efforts.   

In the last month of our church year, we ask that everyone strive to honor the pledge commitment that they made at the beginning of the year.  Knowing that some in our community are struggling, we also ask anyone who is able, to make a "Deficit Closure" gift.  If every member gave $30 ($60 per couple) we would be able to end the year with a balanced budget! 
 
Ironically, the lean financial times have put a spotlight on just how generous the 2U community is.  The Young Adult and Music Ministries hosted truly FUNdraisers this year - above and beyond our traditional spring event (yay for Cantina Night organizers); over the course of the year individual members stepped up and made in kind donations for the kitchen and office supplies and later this month we will have even more people helping with small fundraisers (rummage sales and refreshment stands) to offset our expenses.

In the new member orientations Lisa Todd always remarks that, "when everyone at church is as generous as they are able it all works out".  For over 150 years that has proven to be true - and continues to be true today.  Our community was hit hard by job loss this year but we have worked together to continue supporting one another and reaching out.  We have found internal wealth in each other even as our external wealth has shrunk.   Thank you to everyone who has already made additional gifts to help close the gap.  If you like, you can also contribute via credit card at the 2U website at www.secondunitarian.org  "Donation" button on the homepage.

We will be making some changes to the order of service making it an item that can be re-used week to week, savings TONS of paper. We need your input. Please take an order of worship, circle the things you would like kept, and put an X through the things you think we could communicate elsewhere, such as in the Anvil or on bulletin boards. You can also take a form from the What's Happening table to make other suggestions about changes or additions that you would like to see. Please put your responses in the green box on the What's Happening table.

We will compile responses and work to find a way of making our Order of Service eco-friendly while ensuring that it and other communication tools remain relevant and timely.  Our first draft of the new format will be on Sunday, June 21.  Look for it and share your thoughts.

As a courtesy to church members we have created this resource to publicize the wealth of skills available within our church community.  Check out the updated 4th edition here:

UU World: The Magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association aims to help its readers build their faith and act on it more effectively in their personal lives, their congregations, their communities and the world.  If you are a member of Second Unitarian Church and not receiving a copy of the UU World please notify Lisa Todd at secondunitarian@att.net.  If you are not a member or would prefer to read it online you can do so at
http://www.uuworld.org/currentissue.shtml.  Audio files of the articles are also available at http://uuworld.org/issues/audiorecordingsspring2009.shtml.