From Board Chair

The abbot of the Gold Mountain Chan (Zen) Monastery in San Francisco once told me that Buddhism changed dramatically in the transition from India to China.  In India, monks were forbidden to stay in one place for more than a few days.  This was to prevent the development of attachments to places and people that would distract from the focus on enlightenment.  In China, where the climate was so much colder, the monks had to rely on physical shelter to survive, so they began to live in monasteries.  The monasteries were designed with the intention of enhancing the focus on enlightenment, rather than distracting.  In fact, taking care of the building and grounds became in itself a form of meditation. 

 

Is this true?  Well, it's true that the abbot told me this.  On the other hand, I have a friend who spent two years photographing ancient Buddhist temples in India, so the abbot must have been mistaken.  But I think the abbot's basic point is worthwhile:  in these northern climates, in January and February, we become very attached to our shelter.  We should remember that our spiritual space can be designed to enhance our spiritual development, rather than distracting us with additional worldly worries. 

I like to believe our beautiful building is such a place, a place whether our community gathers to nourish one another on our common spiritual journey. 

 

So, in January, we are beginning our project of kitchen maintenance.  In a few months, we'll have a fully restored kitchen, so we can come together with the fullness of food. 

 

This is just one step in our care for our building.  In the coming months, we will be putting renewed energy into taking care of our building and grounds.  As in the Chinese and Japanese Buddhist monasteries, the goal of this care is not to add worries and cares to our already heavily laden shoulders.  The goal is to take care of our building in such a way that the process itself is spiritually nourishing. 

 

So in the next few months, when you hear a call for help with the building and grounds committee, or when you hear a call for volunteers to host coffee hour -- don't think of it as a burden.  Think of it as a chance to put meditation into action. 

 

Remember that legendary moment of spiritual instruction in Caddyshack:  when Bill Murray caddied for the Dalai Lama, as a reward for his service, he was promised that, on his deathbed, he would receive Total Consciousness.  This can happen to you, too!

 

Happy new year!    

 

August Staas

Whether you're new to 2U or have been around a while, only attended worship or sat on the Board, we invite you to attend Harvest the Power - a course designed to help us all understand how we each can contribute to the leadership of our congregation. Taught by Rev. Adam Robersmith, Marva Williams, Lizzie Kepler, and Jeff Siegel, participants will learn about themselves, our faith tradition, the congregation, and what being a leader means both spiritually and religiously - personally and institutionally. Participants can expect laughter and self-discovery, new information and understandings, and - we hope! - a sense of confidence in being able to participate in the life of the congregation in a new way.

 

Harvest the Power will be held at 2U at 7:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from January through June. We'll have a sign-up sheet on the What's Happening table in the Palmer Room; you can also contact Marva Williams with questions or to sign up to join the class.

 

If you're not quite sure whether you'd like to join us, you are welcome to come for the first four classes in January and February and then decide whether you wish to continue on. Think of it as an "open enrollment" period!

 

This is an excellent opportunity to connect with other members of the congregation and to deepen your engagement with your community - we hope you'll join us!

Choir Corner

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration & Public Mtg.

Fiber Arts Group

Membership Notes

Wines for Humanity Wine Tasting Party

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. 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. 

Plate Sharing Application

Money Matter$

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

 

Income                                                                                                         

Pledges & Collection Plate                                                                           71,888

Other Income                                                                                                   30,385

Total YTD Income                                                                                        $102,273

 

Expenses

Collection Plate Sharing                                                                                  2,062

All Other Expenses                                                                                         97,182

Total YTD Expenses                                                                                    $99,244

 

Total Annual Budget                                                                                  $284,722     

Balance Sheet Snapshot - November

Total Reserves & Investments                                                                   195,269

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

Endowment                                                                                                        1,256

Restricted Funds                                                                                               6,491

Total Long Term Debt                                                                                $284,835

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Second Unitarian Church of Chicago
656 West Barry Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60657
www.secondunitarian.org