From the Minister

If you have paid attention to the media in the past days, you've likely seen pictures from satellites showing Hurricane Sandy covering the eastern United States, with arms reaching out over our own city -- but with the worst of the storm devastating New Jersey and New York. At home, Don and I have been calling friends and family on the east coast, checking to see how they're doing even as we stare at photos of New York City's subways filled with water and the New Jersey oceanfront laid waste by the storms.

 

In the past decade, we have seen terrible natural disasters strike around the world. Our response here in the US and among Unitarian Universalists has been to try to find a way to help immediately. Some of you have already asked me how we can help. That instinct is wonderful -- and what we have learned from the tsunami in Aceh, Malaysia and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans is that we need to wait and see what is needed rather than act without knowing what's necessary.

 

At first, times like this require presence and witness. Being present doesn't mean solving the problem or rescuing folks -- sometimes, like this week, that's simply not possible for us to do from here. Whether you pray, meditate, or just watch and listen, presence means being with people in heart, mind, and spirit. Witness means that we pay attention to what is happening, and that we acknowledge both moments when people do good works and when they fail one another. We need to lift up success and call for greater effort after failure. Witness and presence were both necessary during Katrina and her aftermath and they will be needed here, too.  

 

Soon we will hear from responders, communities, congregations, and friends and family as to what is actually needed. Then we can respond with generosity and action in ways that are effective, rather than scattered. We'll continue to watch the UUA and UU Service Committee websites to see if there are ways in which we can help denominationally. Right now, you can assist with financial donations to the Red Cross. When we find out how best we can help in other ways, we will let you know -- and please don't hesitate to tell us when you hear of a way we can be of service to those affected by this disaster.

 

Waiting with you in faith and hope,

Rev. Adam

What's Your Vision for 2U?

2U 101

Interested in membership? Want to learn more about 2U? Join us on the first Sunday of every month from 11:45-12:30 for '2U 101'. These short but information-packed sessions will give you a chance to meet the minister and get the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Please sign up on the 'What's Happening' table in the Palmer Room, or contact John Broome, chair of the membership committee, with any questions or to register for a session.

2012 Election

Cook for the Night Ministry this Tuesday night!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Prepping 5:00-8:00 pm
Serving 8:00-10:30 pm

Outreach takes place on the first Tuesday of every month between 5:30 and 10:30 pm. You are welcome to help by donating cash, preparing meals, serving, or all three.

If you are interested in volunteering with 2U's TNM outreach, 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

Choir Corner

Tap a fuel-efficient energy source! Sing! Join the 2U Choir and warm your cockles in musical community. The choir rehearses around the piano in the sanctuary on Tuesday evenings at 7:30. For more information, email music director Marianne Parker, or come to a rehearsal.

Community Job Search

Here at 2U, we know that members of our community are still struggling to find work as our economy slowly improves. The worst part of being unemployed, according to a lot of folks who have been there, is the social isolation. Here is how one member of our 2U community describes his status: "It's like my life has ended. I can't plan ahead, I can't dream dreams; I can't even make small talk."

 

To make things worse, the communication problem seems to work both ways. Those of us who aren't looking for work don't know what to say, either. We may feel guilty about our own good fortune; uneasy about discussing a life style the unemployed can no longer enjoy. Or, worse, our unemployed friends may remind us of how close to the edge we actually stand.

 

And so the conversation lags; we glance nervously around the room, looking for an escape route. We are exchanging nothing except, perhaps, discomfort. But this isn't about conversation. It's about community and how we can support one another past the discomfort. Let's take an active role and together create a community job search.

 

If you are in need of a job, please let us know what kind of work you seek - and the help you may need in getting there. If you have a skill, like web design, resume writing or performance coaching, let us know that you are willing to help. If you are not looking for job, ask yourself this: Who do you know who might have information about work for a community organizer? Or an accountant. Social worker. Artist. Teacher. IT person. City planner. Office manager. Writer. Real estate management and sales. These are just some of the positions that could be filled by someone you probably know in our community.

 

Let's use our church office as a conduit - you can give us all the above information through postings@secondunitarian.org. Loss of work is a big deal; something no one should face alone. And at 2U, you are not alone. We are in this together.

Fiber Arts Group

Get out your yarn, your needles, your thread, your fabric, your whatever else! The monthly Fiber Arts Group will be meeting on Sunday, Nov. 11 (Armistice Day!) from 2 to 4.  All levels of expertise are welcome, from life-long knitters to those who just bought their first needles that day. Email host  Margaret Redlich or call her at 217-341-6101 for more information. 

Thanksgiving Pot-Luck

A turkey revival! 2U will host a Thanksgiving pot-luck dinner on Thursday, November 22. The long-time tradition has been on hiatus; however, Judy Corbeille and the Danner-McPhaden family have agreed to coordinate dinner. They will cook the bird and dressing, while those who wish to attend should plan to bring a dish to share. Look for a sign-up sheet and more news soon.

Please email Judy Corbeille or call her at (773) 525-9416 with any questions.

2012 H.E.L.L.O. Art Show

"Elastic Life: Climbing Out of the Abyss" is the theme of this year's H.E.L.L.O. Art & Poetry Show.

H.E.L.L.O. (Homeless Experts Living Life's Obstacles) is a group sponsored by the Night Ministry, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, and the Lakeview Action Coalition. It's made up of youth who are currently homeless, or who have been homeless, and focuses on art and activism.

2U is pleased to be hosting this powerful art show again this year. Please be aware that this raw and fabulous show is not necessarily kid-appropriate; parental discretion is advised. The show is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

Anvil Deadlines