As per one of the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large," the annual meeting is the time in the life of our congregation when we gather to exercise the democratic process in our church.  Additionally, our church bylaws state that it is the members' "right and responsibility to contribute to the democratic life of the community."  In order to conduct the business of the congregation, there must be a quorum (25%) of members present.  Come and be a part of our church celebration and the planning for next year!

We will have a Potluck Celebration immediately after the service that will lead into the Annual Meeting. Please bring food to share.

UPDATED Annual Meeting materials are available by clicking on the links below. Paper copies are available at church.

2011 Annual Meeting DRAFT Agenda

2010 Annual Meeting DRAFT Minutes

2011 Annual Reports to the Congregation

Overview of Second Unitarian Organizational Structure

Settled Minister Search Timeline

Notice of Anti-Death Penalty Resolution

Anti-Death Penalty Resolution

The Spirit of Life calls us to respond with gratitude. One great theologian said that if our only prayer is "Thank you, thank you, thank you," that would be enough. But that feeling of gratitude for all we have been given also calls us to give back, to find ways to bless the world as we have been blessed.

I hope that you have felt those blessings in your life and I call on you to continue your generosity and complete your pledge for this fiscal year.  Currently as a congregation we are at 78% of our fiscal year pledge contributions and we have until July 1 to complete the fiscal year and reach 100%.  Please get the rest of your annual contribution into the collection plate as it comes around or send your check to the church or contribute via paypal.

Secondly, a HUGE thank  you to everyone who has pledged for the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year.  We are projecting a similar budget to this year's for presentation at the annual meeting (AND POT LUCK) this coming Sunday.  We would GREATLY appreciate receiving any additional pledges for 2011-2012 fiscal year commitments to the office@secondunitarian.org so that we will have a more complete budget presentation at the annual meeting.

Thanks again for all your contributions to the community in time, talent, and money, er treasure.  Without it, we'd have a deficit of spirit as well as the many wonderful services the church provides for the community.

In gratitude for your blessings,

Laura

It's hard to believe the 2010-2011 church year is coming to a close, but it's true! Just a couple of short weeks after the May 15^th Annual Meeting, we start our Summer schedule, which is a little different from the rest of the year:

June 5: Flower Communion Sunday This Sunday is the transition into our Summer season with a new-member Ingathering and the Unitarian Flower Communion/Celebration. We ask each person coming to church to bring a flower of their choice, whether from their garden, the store, or an arrangement at home. (Just don't pick a flower from someone else's garden on your way! We'll have some extras here, just in case.)

Community Night is on hiatus until the first Wednesday in October, but our church picnic & summer-camp style worship will be on July 17th. Make sure it's on your calendars...we had a blast last year. You don't want to miss it!

Vespers will move to a once per month schedule for the summer, resuming its weekly schedule on Sept 14th. The last weekly vespers service will be June 8th. During July & August, vespers will happen on second Wednesdays at 6:30 before the board meeting.

The Anvil will come out only once a month for June, July & August.

What doesn't change is our Sunday schedule. Worship Services and Children's Classes continue through the summer at 10:30 AM, led by Rev. Robersmith, our lay-leaders, and guest preachers as well.

We look forward to seeing you this summer...

Rev. Adam & Gabrielle

Date: Sun. May 22, 2011, 8am registration

Location: Busse Woods Cook County Forest Preserve, Groves 5-16                      Elk Grove Village, IL 
Entrance is on Higgins Rd, West of Arlington Heights Rd. 

Free Parking Available

Please consider how you can support us. We would be ever so grateful!  You can:

Walk with us! Register to join our team, the Flock of Siegels at the Walk on Sunday, May 22! (select Flock of Siegels from the pull-down menu)

Make a donation!  Can't make it on the 22^nd? You can still support the cause. You can donate to our team or to any of our participants (who could resist supporting Brooklyn?!).

View video of Jill's dramatic battle and recovery.

As always, thanks for supporting us!

Jeff, Jill & Brooklyn Siegel

Young Adulthood is a time of constant change.  At the end of this church year, the Young Adult group would like to take the opportunity to recognize the changes our members have gone through over this past year.  

Following services on Sunday, June 12th, we will have a brief ceremony in the garden behind the church followed by a meal.  

As always, if you have questions about this or any other young adult activity, email Arcenia Harmon at oya7@yahoo.com. 

Sunday July 17, 2011

Sign up now for the 2011 summer picnic in the park.  For the outdoor service planned for Saturday, July 17, we need some volunteers to help make this event even better than last year's.  Event coordinators are Fran Simons, frandidit@aol.com and David Leaman, deleaman@att.net. Sign up at the What's Happening table in the Palmer Room.

"No one can do everything, but everyone can do something."

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

Income                                                                                                         

Pledges & Collection Plate                                                                          151,202

Other Income                                                                                                    35,779

Total YTD Income                                                                                        $186,890

Expenses

Collection Plate Sharing                                                                                  5,574

All Other Expenses                                                                                       176,951

Total YTD Expenses                                                                                  $182,525    

Total Annual Budget                                                                                  $254,474     

Balance Sheet Snapshot - April

Total Reserves & Investments                                                                   212,290

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

Endowment                                                                                                        1,256

Restricted Funds                                                                                               8,371

Total Long Term Debt                                                                                $287,025