The Anvil - February 2011 vol 2

Newsletter of Second Unitarian Church of Chicago

Feb. 2011 vol 2

Sunday February 20, Lay-Led Service by Erin Walter

Everyone fears something, be it death or sharks or antique furniture (yes, antique furniture). But less obvious fears also run deep within each of us, worries and anxieties that may steer us off course, away from our covenant, without us even realizing it.

In recent years, Erin Walter has confronted some of her deepest fears and most absurd anxieties - either by accident, by choice, or through loss. She reflects on how those experiences have led her to a core belief: that we grow by facing our fears and that doing so can be an empowering spiritual practice.

Join us this Sunday, Feb. 20, for a lay-led service devoted to liberating each of us from our fears -- with cameos by Grover, Mark Twain, and more. Be not afraid! Joy is lurking just around the corner!

Young Adult Movie Night

Young Adult movie night is back! Saturday, February 19th at 7pm, squeeze in one more Oscar nominee before the awards and watch Winter's Bone. Winter's Bone is about a teenage girl from the Ozarks of Missouri trying to keep her family together despite the hardships of rural poverty, mental illness, and the negative impact of the underground meth trade. Popcorn and beverages will be provided. RSVP

by emailing emily.jason.1018@gmail.com.

From the Committee on Ministries (COM)

How's it going?

Who are we?

Where are we going?

Who do we want to be?

We have been answering these questions as a church. COMs would like to hear more from you.

That's why we will be offering a number of opportunities in the months of February and March to explore the questions as well as the answers.

You asked us and we heard you with regard to wanting more opportunities to share your feedback regarding the life of our community. We have come up with a variety of dates set up for small group sharing. We encourage you to participate in a group to talk about what is going well in the church and what needs further work and any suggestions you may have.

Unless noted, all starting times are 12:00 noon.

If you would like a one-on-one meeting with any one of us, please call or email us and we will be happy to arrange a time and meeting.

Sunday, Feb 20 with Marilyn Hebda, Dave Maly, Emily Sharp

Sunday, Feb 27 with Dave Maly

Wednesday, March 2 and/or March 9 at 7:00pm with Emily Sharp

Sunday, March 6 with Andrea Redfeairn

Tuesday, March 8 at 1:00pm with Marilyn Hebda

Sunday, March 13 Congregational COMs chat in the Sanctuary after service

In addition, COMS is putting together a survey for the congregation in preparation for a Settled Minster Search. We are using the survey from our past ministerial search and updating it to fit the current church climate. Look for more information soon.

Your Committee on Ministries

Protect UUs, Gay Rights Activists and LGBT People in Uganda

Reverend Mark Kiyimba (Rev. Mark) started his UU church in Uganda because he believed in our principles and our covenant.He and his congregation face extreme homophobia as Ugandan lawmakers consider passage of a "kill the gays" bill. With the passage of the bill, lesbians and gays in Uganda may be executed for aggravated sexual crimes. In addition, the bill would outlaw UUs (each and everyone of us would be imprisoned for seven years) for Standing on the Side of Love.

Rev. Mark, his congregation, and Ugandan gay rights activisits live in fear because of a growing culture of prejudice and oppression against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) people. The hostility and hate in Uganda was sparked by U.S. extremist right-wing religious leaders. Our liberal religious values, as well as our fellow UUs, are directly threatened in Uganda. As UUs, we are called to respond to this specific threat.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) along with the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) have created a UUA/UU-UNO LGBT Uganda Fund by which:

Shelter and support will be provided for LGBT citizens and their allies in Uganda, including a youth safe house, a telephone hot line, and other direct services.
Education and advocacy work around LGBT issues in Uganda will be supported.
The UU Church in Uganda will be helped to host their second Standing on the Side of Love Conference in February 2011.

Please donate today at the UUA web site and view a message from Rev. Peter Morales, the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Orientation to 2nd Unitarian Church

Second Unitarian Church would like to invite any and all visitors to the orientation we will be holding on Sunday March 6, 11:45 - 1:45. This orientation will be facilitated by members of the 2U Membership Committee and will be an opportunity to share information about the rich history of UUism, the shared values of UUists, 2U's own role in the larger UU movement, and what membership at 2U can look like. Attending an orientation is one prerequisite for formalizing membership at 2U. So, whether you are a regular visitor who is ready to commit to membership, or you are a casual visitor who just wants to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, please join us!

Snacks will be provided and childcare will be available upon request. To register, please sign-up at the What's Happening table at church (the big table in the middle of the Palmer Room) or contact Membership Committee Chair John Broome, broomejv@att.net. We look forward to seeing you there!

Best Volunteer Job at 2U?