COM Chat Back

 

The Religious Services Committee (RSC@secondunitarian.org) has been very active in encouraging and supporting lay involvement in Sunday services. We try to be responsive to your joys and questions about all aspects of Sunday services and hope you, the congregation, regard us as a sounding board for lay-led, clergy, and guest-provided Sunday services.  We welcome your feedback and want to answer some questions from the Committee on Ministries (COM) Chat last spring.

 

Q: Can there be more diversity in sermons, especially regarding other spiritual practices? 

A: The lay-led services have included a Taize circle sermon, a sermon about Diwali, one on the benefits of meditation, and an LGBTQ Pride sermon.  We also have had one patchwork sermon (multiple presenters) with another two planned.  We are quite pleased with this variety of lay sermons. We welcome additional presenters sharing their unique perspectives and we invite you to attend the next lay preacher training (Spring 2012).

            

Rev. Robersmith seeks to use a variety of sacred texts and theological perspectives in his services to speak about spirituality, social justice, ethics, congregational life, and our connections to the wider world from our Unitarian Universalist tradition. "It's important to me that sermons that look at other traditions and their spiritual practices offer us an authentic connection to those religious communities and give us inspiration within our own context" says Rev. Robersmith. "I enjoy exploring the wider world, and am always willing to hear suggestions for new directions to consider; I am also careful to avoid misappropriation or becoming a lecturer rather than a preacher! Please let me know if there's something that you'd like to see included in the mix - and if it's already happened, I'll be happy to talk with you about it," he adds. If you have specific questions or suggestions regarding particular topics of interest to you, please contact Rev. Adam Robersmith (minister@secondunitarian.org) and/or the RSC.

 

Q: Can we bring the Anvil flame into the Palmer Room after the service?

A: We like the idea of continuing the Spirit of the flame, but having the flame itself in the Palmer Room would be a fire hazard, particularly in a room where adults and children are moving about. Again, if you have other ideas about the spirit of the flame, please contact us.

 

Q: Why are the announcements and the collection at the end of the service?

A: Because we want the children to participate in the Welcome, the Covenant and the Spirit of Life before they leave the sanctuary after the Story for All Ages.

 

Starting this May, 2012 we have many openings for lay-led services. Therefore, if you are interested in leading or being part of a patchwork service please contact the RSC at RSC@secondunitarian.org for more information.

Community Night - Weds. Feb. 1, 7:00pm

Your Complaints Are Music to Our Ears!

PAWS Party at 2U, Feb. 11, 4:00 - 6:00pm

Choir Corner

Be Hospitable!

Want to make 2U a more welcoming place in 2012? And make new friends at the same time? All in a short, low-key, once a month commitment?

 

Well, you're in luck! The hospitality team has openings for new volunteers. The overall goal of hospitality is to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who comes to 2U. That can mean anything from saying hello and handing out orders of service to ushering and cleaning up after services.

 

It's a great way to get to know people, do your part for 2U, and put your spirituality into practice. For more information or to sign up, contact Ann (ann.nelson@gmail.com; 708-362-7930) or Nathan (nathan.miller.6@gmail.com; 773-230-5823).

 

UUA Monthly Bulletins 

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