Poll: Singing the Children Out

Participating in a mostly-volunteer community is tough.  

Someone forgot to make coffee, the furniture has been re-arranged, who painted the walls violet!?! Oh, and NO ONE remembered to thank me for the 40 hours I spent sorting and recycling! Why do I get up early every Sunday, why do I drive through rush-hour traffic on Wednesday evening, why do I bother!

Sue Dunmore reflects on the frustrations, joys, and spiritual growth that results from coming to Second Unitarian church, participating, and staying "at the table" in the face of crises both small and big. Ours is a "blessed community," one which offers a challenging and supportive environment for connecting to ourselves, others, and our world. Join in forming our church. The admission price is very inexpensive and very demanding - just show up!

Sunday January 16, 12:30 - 3:30pm in Fleishman Hall

a new PBS documentary (the production company is looking for feedback from these pre-release viewings) about the death penalty issues - Please attend this 2U Social Justice Council Spotlight Luncheon event on January 16, 2010, from 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm in Fleishman Hall. For a complimentary brown bag lunch please RSVP to Paul Konkoly (312/350-0163 or e-mail at pkonkoly@yahoo.com) and specify your sandwich (turkey, ham, or vegetarian) and drink (cola, non-cola, bottled water, or seltzer).

When a young woman, featured in a recent documentary (Aging Out) about teenagers leaving foster care, is found dead the film itself becomes central to whether her killer lives or dies. The unique film-within-a-film perspective of No Tomorrow takes us inside a suspenseful death penalty trial and challenges us to think in new ways about the death penalty, our criminal justice system, and the vulnerable young people in all of our communities.

The No Tomorrow viewers guide is an excellent resource for background information, additional reading, and links related to the death penalty debate. You may want to look at the guide even if you are not planning to attend the screening and are interested in the death penalty issues.

After the screening of No Tomorrow we will discuss some of the following questions and discussion points taken from the viewers guide:

• Describe your views on capital punishment before seeing No Tomorrow.
• Before seeing the film, what do you think formed the basis for your views on the American criminal justice system?
• Did your views change as a result of seeing the film?
• Can you say what it was in the film that changed or confirmed your view?
•  What did you learn from the film that most surprised you?
•  What part of the film did you find most interesting?

A memorial service for Bill Wiltfong is planned for Sunday, January 23 at 12:30pm at 2U.

If you have a story or memory about Bill, please share it with the Rev. Adam Robersmith at 630-414-5340 or minister@secondunitarian.org.

In 1976 Second Unitarian was one of the driving forces behind the foundation of The Night Ministry (TNM).TNM has been providing counseling, referrals, and meals for Lakeview's most vulnerable citizens, especially LGBTQ youth, for over 30 years.  Second Unitarian has been a part of it for most of that time.Unfortunately 2U has not been as involved recently, but as of January 4^th we are back in partnership with TNM.

A small but courageous group of 2U volunteers met at the church and prepared hot soup, sandwiches, hot tea, and a snacks for 200 people, and then braved the cold for 2 hours in order to take it to the streets.  Special thanks to Katie Wolf, Emily Sharp and Jason Lamb, Colette Wright Adams, Kathy Koch and Pat Zukosky, David Hier, Byl Adam, Kathryn Harris, and Rudra Dundzila for their contributions.

2U participates in TNM outreaches on Tuesday nights, and we need people to help prepare meals from 5:30 - 7:15, and people to serve those meals from 8:00 - 10:00.  We also need people to donate food and funds in order to make those meals happen.  If you would like to help out with future TNM outings, please contact Seth Fisher at fishercommaseth@gmail.com, or 425-238-3619 and put your ideals into action!

Amy Cunningham hails from Birmingham, MI where she attended the UU Church. She attended Michigan State and graduated with a degree in economics. After working for the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC, Amy moved to Chicago. She is in a master's degree program at DePaul University where she is studying to be a middle-school or high school math teacher. In her free time, Amy enjoys playing golf, ballet class, and spending time with her friends. Eventually Amy might like to join a small group and/or teach children's religious education at 2U.

A shout out to Jeanne Newman who recently re-joined the 2U community.

Welcome to Amy and Jeanne !!!

January 12, 2011, was the one-year anniversary of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It is a good time to quietly reflect on that disaster, mourn the people who lost their lives, and celebrate the best that is in each of us when we help each other to recover from a crisis. Even now Haiti has over one million people who are still homeless, living in desperate conditions in camps, and vulnerable to cholera and post-election unrest. Here are some ways the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee  (UUSC) makes it possible for you to continue to contribute toward Haiti's recovery (for more information follow the links or call Paul Konkoly 312/350-0163):

• Donate to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund - Your contribution will Help meet the generous challenge grant from the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, N.Y.

• Send a message to Congress today - Urge them to take the necessary steps to meet Haiti's recovery needs.

• Get involved with UUSC's Haiti Volunteer Program - This program is seeking health-care professionals for medical trips to Haiti and planning other skills-oriented trips.

• Save March 13 on your calendar to join a UUSC Get-Together - Conversation of Hope: Stories for Haiti - and hear from Haitian author Edwidge Danticat; details to come!