RSVP to Gabrielle by NOON ON MARCH 2!

programs@secondunitarian.org

We hope to see you there!

Volunteers work side-by-side to collect garbage and sort for recycling, remove invasive vegetation, spruce up river-edge trails, plant native seedlings and more. Friends of the Chicago River is also expanding hands-on learning opportunities this year by introducing volunteers to simple everyday practices that conserve water, help stop unnecessary flooding, and prevent pollutants from running into the river.

One of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)  four focus areas is Rights In Humanitarian Crisis.Among other things that focus area works toward is "Strengthening women's and girls' ability to protect themselves from violence in wars and crises."  UUSC's ongoing Darfur program recognizes that the war in Darfur had particularly targeted women and girls.

The Chicago Cultural Center is hosting an exhibition entitled Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Woman, and Art through April 13, 201, more information available here and and the flier is available on the Whats Happening Table.  In it there is a small trinket from Darfur.  It is the same size and it is made from the same materials that are used for tourist souvenirs.  It shockingly depicts the aftermath of rape.The other exhibits are similarly disturbing, but because the trinket reminded me of the UUSC Darfur program it had a bigger impact.

On March 8, 2011, at 6:00 p.m., the Cultural Center will host an exhibition artists' panel discussion about ways in which their art is used for public expression and social change.Please join me at the Cultural Center for reviewing the exhibition and listening to the panel discussion.  We will meet between 5:00  - 5:15  pm at one of the tables within the seating area behind the coffee merchant on the North side entrance.Please look for me - Paul Konkoly (cell phone: 312/350-0163).For those who don't know me, I'll be wearing a small red UUSC badge and my 2U id tag.Please bring a friend or neighbor.

What a relief it is knowing that the conference sponsored by Rev. Mark Kiyimba's UU church in Uganda, the only UU church there, went without an immediate response from the security forces.This was the second conference at which Ugandan LGBT activists, at great risk to themselves, openly oppose the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that is still being promoted by  homophobic Ugandan legislators.These legislators are encouraged by American evangelical extremists.

Through the attendance of Rev. Eric Cherry, Director of the UUA's International Resources Office,  the UUA is representing our commitment to promote human rights and defend our liberal religious values.For more details about the event please see the post by Rev Eric Cherry.

The UUA, in partnership with the UU-UNO (Unitarian Universalist - United Nations Office), has launched the UUA / UU-UNO LGBT Uganda Fund to help the UU Church in Uganda and their partner organizations fight for social justice and equality for LGBT citizens living in Uganda. Please give to the UUA UU-UNO LGBT Uganda Fund.

A card will be sent to Rev Mark and his congregation letting them know we read about their conference  and fully support them. Please consider signing the card which will be available on the Whats Happening Table after the March 6th Sunday service.

Fiscal Year 2010-11 Operating Budget Status: YTD through January

Income                                                                                                         

Pledges & Collection Plate                                                                          110,850 

Other Income                                                                                                    30,776

Total YTD Income                                                                                        $141,626

Expenses

Collection Plate Sharing                                                                                   3,446

All Other Expenses                                                                                        117,596

Total YTD Expenses                                                                                   $121,042     

Total Annual Budget                                                                                  $254,474     

Balance Sheet Snapshot - January

Total Reserves & Investments                                                                   219,891

Land & Building (2001 appraisal)                                                          2,060,000

Endowment                                                                                                        1,256

Restricted Funds                                                                                               8,341

Total Long Term Debt                                                                                $287,924