The Anvil - October 1, 2012

In the past year, two very large branches have fallen off the big mulberry tree on the west side of our front garden: the first crushed a member's car last year during a storm, and the second came down quite unexpectedly in clear weather within the last month. After significant discussion and the advice of arborists, the Board has determined that the tree's instability is too risky for us to leave it standing. To our sorrow, we will be removing it this month for the sake of safety.

Once it is cut down, we will save a cross-section of the trunk - and we'll also look into what else we might plant in its place that will be both beautiful and appropriate to the space.

On October 7th, after worship, you are welcome to join Rev. Adam in the front garden to say goodbye to the mulberry tree in a time of prayer and gratitude.

Faithfully,

Rev. Adam

Cook for The Night Ministry This Tuesday Night!

soup pot

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Prepping 5:00-8:00 pm

Serving 8:00-10:30 pm

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, October 2nd, 2012 from around 5pm-8pm (Prepping) or 8pm- 10:30pm (Serving), it would be greatly appreciated. No experience is needed!

If you are interested in prepping or serving, please visit this link. We are trying a new system to organize volunteers; e-mail sign-up is encouraged, but not required. Please invite a friend or friends, and let them be part of the experience.

Thanks!

David Gutowsky

The Night Ministry Outreach for Second Unitarian Church

nightministry2u@gmail.com

From the Membership Committee

Interested in membership? Want to learn more about 2U? Take a look at our new fall orientation schedule:

Sunday, October 7, 11:45-12:30: Our '2U 101' session, where you'll have a chance to meet the minister and get the answers to some frequently asked questions. These sessions will be held monthly throughout the church year.

Sunday, October 21, 12:00-2:00: Session one the new three-session orientation series. This session will focus on theology, and on making peace with your religious past.

Sunday, October 28, 12:00-2:00: Session two will focus on Lifespan Faith Development, social justice, small groups, and other ways to more deeply participate in the 2U community.

Sunday, November 4, 12:00-2:00: The third session will take a look at the way 2U is organized and governed, the process of pledging, the committee and Board of Trustees structure, and so on.

We hope that these sessions will provide plenty of in-depth information, and will help you to make the decision to move from being a friend or visitor to becoming a full member of the 2U community.

Please contact John Broome, chair of the membership committee, with any questions or to sign up for a session.

Volunteer for the 2U Fall Fest

Saturday, October 20, 2012

6:00 - 10:00 pm

Our annual Fall Fest is on the evening of Saturday, October 20th. We need YOU to volunteer for this event! There are many ways that you can volunteer:

prepare a dessert
volunteer to host a party or other event for the Silent Auction
register guests on the night of the event
prepare and serve food
assist with children's activities
tend bar
set up or clean up

The link to volunteer for the event is here. Please use this form to sign up, even if you have already signed up on paper!

Starting Sunday, September 30th, raffle tickets will be available for a chance on a quilt made by the UU Quilters and for the 50/50 drawing. Raffle tickets can be purchased on Sundays after the service.

And, of course, buy your event tickets here , or on Sundays after the service!

If you have questions about the Silent Auction donations, contact Laura McKee. If you have questions about volunteering, contact Nanna Cross.

What's Your Vision for 2U?

We have come such a long way in the past three years, but we're not done yet! As I said on Sunday, Sept 16th, we need to sing a new song, begin a new story, speak about who we are in such a way that it leads us forward and gives us direction. Our story didn't end with settling a minister - that was another beginning.

It's time to develop a vision of this congregation that we can make come true together. I hope that we will aspire to something powerful, transformative, and faithful. To be an effective leader, I need to know what you want me to help make come true. We need to tell each other what will inspire greatness among us!

Your voices will be heard in a series of discussions facilitated by the Board and members of the Committee on Ministries on the dates below.

Sunday, October 14 at noon
Monday, October 15 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 21 at noon
Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 28 at noon
Tuesday, October 30 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 4 at noon
Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 pm

I would love to have at least half of our membership participate, so that the members of 2U can truly create this vision together. The more voices that join in this conversation, the more this new vision will speak to the whole of our hopes and goals. Deciding our future direction isn't just one person's job, or just the Board's job - it requires us all to participate. Sign-up sheets are posted in the Palmer Room, or you can just drop a line to Jen in the office to RSVP.

Please plan to attend one of these sessions, and help shape how we move forward together.

Faithfully,

Rev. Adam

Musicians Wanted

Intereste

d in playing in a classical music ensemble for fun and/or for performing during a Sunday worship service? The 2U Music Committee is always looking for musicians! Please contact Music Committee member Monica Drane or 2U Music Director Marianne Parker for more information or to have your name added to the roster .

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 28, 2012

10:30 am

The annual Blessing of the Animals service is Sunday, October 28th at 2U. All healthy, friendly, leashed or otherwise contained pets (or photos or stuffed animals) are invited to join their families in the sanctuary for this one-of-a-kind service. As stated by Anatole France, "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." The human/animal bond is a deep relationship that has brought great joy to people of all walks of life for centuries. At this service, we will explore how these relationships have enriched our lives and give thanks for all that animals have given us.

Navigators USA

Anyone interested in starting a chapter of Navigators USA: A Different Kind of Scouting at 2U? Navigators USA is the Unitarian Universalist co-ed scouting organization that does not discriminate. We'll have a parents' meeting on Sunday, Oct 21, at 12-1 PM at 2U to discuss the possibilities. Please contact Rev. Rudra Dundzila at rdundzila@uuma.org if interested.

Child Dedication

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Each spring and fall, we at 2U share in the dedication of members' children who have come into our community. Whether babies or teenagers, we celebrate and welcome all those who have not yet come of age, and offer up our promise to be alongside them as they grow in their faith. If you and your children would like to participate in the upcoming child dedication ceremony on October 21, please contact Director of Faith Development Kellie Kelly.

Fiber Arts Bunch

Saturday, October 6, 2012

2:00-4:00 pm

Anyone interested in sewing, knitting, crocheting or just good conversation, plan to join us. All skill levels are invited. For directions or for more information, please contact Molly Rossow at mollyrossow@gmail.com.

Choir Corner

Autumn is a time for new choir

beginnings! Join the choir! The 2U choir rehearses around the piano in the sanctuary every Tuesday evening at 7:30. The next performance will be at the Sunday service on October 14. For more information, email music director Marianne Parker, or just show up on Tuesday night.

A Message From Vishnu

A short introduction for those of you who don't know me, since lately I haven't been able to attend very often:

I have been a member of Second Unitarian Church of Chicago for about three years, and I am starting my third year at Meadville Lombard Theological School hoping to become a Unitarian Universalist minister. I am also the intern Minister at First Unitarian Church of Chicago in Hyde Park, which is the main reason I am not at 2U more often. I am writing this note to the congregation mainly to say: Thank you for your support!

The path to ministry is a path that you cannot take alone. The support of a community is essential. It was as a congregant at 2U that I decided to answer the calling to ministry. From the very beginning our ministers, Rudra Dundzilla and Adam Robersmith, were a great support in helping me with the process of discernment and finding my way into theological school. Adam and Rudra would not have been there for me without the support of the whole community. Thank you!

In addition to getting an academic degree, there are other requirements for ordination which are intended to help the aspirant become aware of their growing edges and strengths for ministry: I did a two-day long career assessment, I met with the Regional Subcommittee on Candidacy which granted me candidate status, and next year I will be meeting with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC), which hopefully will grant me preliminary fellowship. In every step of this process I have received support from this congregation in one way or another. For example, to set an appointment with the MFC, I needed to be sponsored by a congregation. I requested the sponsorship of Second Unitarian and the board, acting on your behalf, granted my request for which I am very grateful. Thank you!

There is still a long way to go to ordination, but it feels good to know that I am not traveling this path alone. This community has made a great impact in my life. Again, thank you!

Anvil Deadlines

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