These last few weeks have been exciting and happy times for 2U.  On October 30, we held a special congregational meeting to vote on calling the Reverend Adam Robersmith as our settled minister.  The vote was overwhelmingly affirmative.  After the meeting was adjourned, Adam came to the came to the sanctuary, and the gathering spontaneously and unexpectedly turned into a celebration with singing, cheers, applause, and embracing.  I'm so grateful to have had the privilege of being present at that moment.  That will be one of the moments I'll always carry to warm me in cold weather.  

The Confronting Pharaoh Training is a way to:

• Build relationships with other churches ready to take action
• Develop leadership skills to build a powerful church ready to act in the world
• Practice your new skills through mock lobby visits, planning actions and more
• Learn more about how your church's ministries affect the world-and how to make a deeper impact
• Understand power and what it takes to make real change

Where: Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 875 Lake Street,  Oak Park, Illinois

When: Saturday, December 3rd, 9:30am-2:30pm

Cost: Free

Please contact Justin Richardson of the Community Renewal Society at 773-669-7794 or jrichardson@communityrenewalsociety.org  to reserve one of these remaining spaces!

The Fall Feast may be over, but there is still time to enjoy fellowship with 2Uers. Parties offered "for auction" at the Fall Feast are happening over the next few months. First up: a wine tasting hosted by Dana and Libby Hill tasting that will entertain and educate on the joy of fine wines. A Wine Advisor from Wines for Humanity  will inform the group how to taste wine, how to pair wine with food, and how wine can be an integral part of a meaningful life - all while learning about and sampling seven fine wine selections. If you so choose, you can select wines from those sampled. A portion of the proceeds benefits a local charity that works for the prevention of homelessness in families with children. The average bottle price is $20.

Hosts: Libby & Dana Hill
Party date: Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: 2428 N. Drake Ave. in Logan Square
Price/spot: $20 (thanks to the generosity of the party hosts, the cost is a
donation to 2U) 

If you are interested in attending, please email Libby Hill at
threebmetaldesign@yahoo.com. You can put a check in the collection plate,
but please make note of the fall fundraiser on the memo line so that it gets
credited appropriately. 

Al and Sarah Stuart returned to Chicago after twenty years away. Al has his PhD in philosophy from DePaul University and was an adjunct philosophy professor for a number of years. In addition, he was an acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine for twenty years. Now retired, he enjoys poetry. Sarah received her MA from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration and worked as a clinical social worker for twenty-four years with adults and teenagers. Sarah is enjoying her retirement by painting pastel pictures and playing classical piano. Sarah and Al raised four children and now have three grandchildren. They joined a UU fellowship in Door County, WI in 2003 and also attended a UU church in Santa Fe, NM from 2007 to 2011. Finding these experiences enriching, they sought out a UU church as soon as they returned to Chicago. They feel fortunate to have found 2U and we're glad they did!

Margaret Redlich was born in Chicago, dedicated at 2U, but grew up in Springfield, Il, where she attended the UU Church. She moved back to Chicago to attend UIC where she majored in history. Margaret has held a variety of positions and is pursuing a master's degree in film studies at DePaul University. In her free time, she especially enjoys Indian film. At 2U, Margaret is in a small group, co-facilitator of the Young Adult Group, and on the Religious Services Committee. We are happy to have Margaret return to 2U!

A warm welcome to Al, Sarah, and Margaret!!!

Fiscal Year 2011-12 Operating Budget Status: YTD through October

Income                                                                                                         

Pledges & Collection Plate                                                                           60,029

Other Income                                                                                                   18,170

Total YTD Income                                                                                         $78,199

Expenses

Collection Plate Sharing                                                                                  2,062

All Other Expenses                                                                                         75,203

Total YTD Expenses                                                                                    $77,265

Total Annual Budget                                                                                  $284,722     

Balance Sheet Snapshot - October

Total Reserves & Investments                                                                   195,269

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

Endowment                                                                                                        1,256

Restricted Funds                                                                                               6,431

Total Long Term Debt                                                                                $284,835