The Anvil - August 1, 2012

One more month of summer! It's hard for me to believe that there's still another month left. I think it's been so warm that July seemed like August to me. I'm thrilled that there's still some time left before everything gets going once more.

One of the things that I look forward to each summer is our "Church by the Lake" service & picnic. Our worship last Sunday in the park was all about invitiation--inviting others to join us in some wonderful, audacious adventure. This is a perfect month to think about what audacious adventures we can begin together in this coming year.

I can't wait for you to tell me what you imagined during your daydreams in this last month of the summer--I'll certainly be ready to tell you come September. May August be filled with peace, abundance, laughter and all the best things of summertime!

Faithfully, Rev. Adam

Join us in offering Radical Hospitality...

The hospitality team has openings for new volunteers! (Yes, again!) By ushering, handing out orders of services, and just saying hello, hospitality works to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who comes to 2U. 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 and Nathan (hospitality@secondunitarian.org).

Community Yoga Classes at 2U

Thursdays at 7pm

Come join us at community yoga! Together, we deepen our spiritual practices through mindfulness, movement, and focus on the breath. Class themes are inspired by the topics of Sunday services.Classes are free, drop-in, and open to all. We meet Thursdays at 7pm downstairs in the Spirit Play room. Please bring your own mat. See what we've been up to at Andrea LeVasseur.com

Questions? Email Andrea LeVasseaur - levasseurandrea@gmail.com

Help Feed Hungry People

Hello all!

I just wanted to remind anybody who might be interested in volunteering that we are having another 2U TNM volunteer opportunity on Tuesday, August 7th, 2012.

We need volunteers for this day and would greatly appreciate all the help we can get. If you could spare a few hours on Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 from around 5pm-8pm (Prepping) or 7pm-11pm (Serving), it would be greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in prepping or serving, please email me.

Hopefully the weather will be nicer than it was last month.

Thanks! David Gutowsky

night ministry logo

Compassion Has No Borders

August 26th, 2-5pm

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice will hold its Summer Quarter Meeting on Sunday, August 26, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of McHenry County, 5603 Bull Valley Rd., McHenry, IL 60050. The program, between 2 and 3 p.m., titled "Compassion has no Borders", will feature Sister Joann Persch and Sister Pat Murphy, who are with the Sisters of Mercy. In 1990 they began Su Casa Catholic Worker Community for Central American Refugees seeking political asylum as survivors of torture. Their current efforts include work in immigrant detention centers, in immigration courts and with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Their presentation will focus on ways that U.U.s (or others) can become involved with:

1) The Interfaith Pastoral Care program for ICE detainees at the McHenry County Jail,

2) The Post Release Accompaniment Program, and

3) Advocacy on behalf of immigrants.

This program is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice Immigration Justice Task Force.

The program will be followed by a UUSJ Board of Directors meeting, which is open to all. For a flyer that includes a map and driving directions, write to uusj@sbcglobal.net at least 24 hours in advance.

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice

1448 E. 52nd St., Box 144

Chicago, IL 60615

Choir Corner

The 2U choir is taking a break for the summer. Rehearsals will resume in the fall; the starting date will be listed in the newsletter. Keep your Tuesdays open! The choir rehearses around the piano in the sanctuary on Tuesday evenings at 7:30. Contact our music director, Marianne Parker musicdirector@secondunitarian.org for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities:

We have a couple once-a-month openings for folks wishing to get involved and help Sunday mornings run smoothly. From simply greeting families at the Children's Welcome Table to working with our young folks, there are many levels of involvement. Contact Pam Rumancik at programs@secondunitarian.org for more information.

Hello from the Unitarian Universalist Association,

The August 2012 edition of the UUA monthly Congregational Bulletin is now available. You can find it on UUA.org at http://www.uua.org/communications/bulletin/. I hope you enjoy all of the materials included there and please share them.

All the best,

Michael McGlone
Public Information Assistant
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St
Boston, MA 02108
617-948-6103
info@uua.org

Help Wanted: Office Administrator/Bookkeeper

Second Unitarian Church (656 W. Barry, Chicago IL - in the Lakeview neighborhood) seeks a full-time Office Administrator & Bookkeeper. Responsibilities include maintaining church calendars, records, and databases; bookkeeping, rentals, and facilities/business management, church communications (including everything from answering email and phone calls to producing the newsletter and orders of worship), and office management. The Office Administrator will work closely with the Minister, and be at the hub of the day-to-day running of the congregation. bookkeeper

We seek applicants with a strong level of proficiency in database management, computerized bookkeeping, and email communications. Knowledge of PowerChurch and comfort with website management and web-based programs a plus. Applicants must have strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with a heavy emphasis on coordination among all areas of the congregation. Must be a bridge builder, comfortable interacting with staff, volunteers, members, and guests, and be willing to offer assistance when needed. Applicants must also have demonstrated bookkeeping experience, and be able to accurately and efficiently manage a number of accounts, working closely with the Treasurer and the Finance Committee.

Our new Office Administrator will be detail-oriented, able to maintain confidential information appropriately, and have the ability to see how various administrative tasks work together to keep the church's life flowing well. We seek someone with the ability to take initiative, recognize and act on areas of procedural and operational improvement. Applicants must have a minimum of 2-3 years of bookkeeping experience, as well as 2-3 years of administrative experience. Prior work in a non-profit organization or church office a plus.

This is a salaried full-time position with benefits in line with UUA compensation guidelines. Hours are preferably Sun-Thurs, 9-5, but there is some flexibility in those hours, especially to accommodate occasional evening church meetings which would benefit from the administrator's presence, including a monthly Board meeting.

Queries, cover letters, and resumes can be sent to the Rev Adam Robersmith at personnel@secondunitarian.org.

Help Wanted: Director of Faith Development

Director of Faith Development
Second Unitarian Church (656 W. Barry, Chicago IL) is seeking a half-time Director of Faith Development (DFD) whose primary area of responsibility will be programming for children and youth, including Sunday morning classes and beyond. We seek a person who is interested in both the overarching vision of the ministry of religious education and faith development within the congregation and also the week-to-week management of classrooms, curricula, and volunteers. Strong communications (interpersonal, written, and technological) and administrative skills are essential in this position, as are a minimum of 2-3 years personal and/or professional experience with education/religious education and demonstrated experience with/commitment to the Unitarian Universalist religious life.

2u stained glass chalice Second Unitarian Church is a congregation with a deeply committed faith development volunteer base, a large (and growing) community of young families and children, and a commitment to the growth and health of the program. Our DFD will work closely with the Minister (who is also the position's supervisor) and the Lifespan Faith Development Council in planning curricula, intergenerational worship, and family rites of passage. We see faith development as an integral part of the ministry of the church, and want our DFD to be a partner in that ministry.

This is a salaried half-time position with benefits in line with UUA compensation guidelines. The hours are generally flexible with the exception of Sunday mornings and office hours which will be set in conversation with the Minister.

Queries, cover letters, and resumes can be sent to the
Rev. Adam Robersmith at personnel@secondunitarian.org.

Anvil Deadlines -

Have a message to put in the Anvil? Plan ahead! Please have all submissions in to Pam Rumancik in the office at Programs@secondunitarian.org by 5pm on the Tuesday before the 1st or the 15th of the month.