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Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
Apr 2, 2013
In This Issue
Coming Up at 2U
 
Sunday, April 7
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by Kat Wyand & Gail Gallagher

Wednesday, April 10
Vespers Service at 6:30pm

Sunday, April 14
Intergen Service at 10:30
Child Dedication
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith & Kellie Kelly
Music by Liz Przbylski & Erin Edwards

Wednesday, April 17
Vespers Service at 6:30pm

Sunday, April 21
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by Gail Gallagher

Wednesday, April 24
Vespers Service at 6:30pm

Sunday, April 28
Patchwork Service at 10:30
Preachers: The Sunday Services Committee
Music by the 2U Choir
______________________
Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room. 

Sunday, April 7
Spirit Play
Roots & Shoots

Sunday, April 14
Child Dedication
Intergen: No classes

Sunday, April 21
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, April 28
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
 
Sunday, May 5
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
 
Sunday, May 12
Spirit Play
Roots & Shoots
 
Sunday, May 19
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
 
Sunday, May 26
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
 
Sunday, June 2
Flower Communion
Intergen: No classes
______________________
_________________
Church Office Information & Staff

Minister
773-549-0260, ext. 13
Office Hours:
Wed-Thurs 1:00-9:00 pm
 
 
Dir. of Faith Development
773-549-0260, ext. 12
Office Hours:
Wed 1:00-6:00, Sun 9:00-1:00

Office Administrator
773-549-0260, ext. 10
Office Hours: 
Mon-Thurs 10:00-4:00 
 
Community Minister
773-593-7500
 
Music Director
                                  
2U Ministry Leaders

Board of Trustees

Bookstore

Building & Grounds

Committee on Ministry

Finance Committee

Green Sanctuary

Hospitality 

Lifespan Faith Dev.

Membership

Music

Newsletter

Night Ministry

Pastoral Care

Sunday Services

Safe Congregations 

Small Group Ministry

Social Justice

Transylvania Church

Webmaster

Young Adult Group
Erin Rusmi
_____________________
 
Board of Trustees 
 


 






                                  
From the Minister
 
I think it's finally happening: the world is coming alive, just as we are in the midst of our Coming Alive! stewardship campaign (a.k.a the Canvass). Every year at this time, we think about how we can each support our congregation financially and otherwise.

Sometimes, people ask me why we need to have such emphasis on the needs of the congregation at this time of year. The short answer is to be found in our offering words:

This church is the community of ourselves. 
Its energy and resources are our energy and resources. 
Its wealth is what we share. 
As we contribute to the life of this community, 
we affirm it and enable its participation in the larger world around us.

We are the ones who keep this community of transformation, love, and hope thriving. We do it by giving of our finances, our time and effort, and our vision of the future we want for ourselves and one another. Our stewardship team members are contacting members and friends of the congregation to talk with each of us about what we're doing as a congregation and how we are an essential part of that. Please have a good conversation with your canvasser - they are looking forward to speaking with you about 2U!

One of the things that you'll notice is that we're continuing to take good care of our building. Right now, we're repairing the sanctuary windows that open, so that we'll have them working beautifully this summertime and in good shape for many, many years to come. The leadership of 2U takes seriously our stewardship of our physical home, and we are looking forward to continuing wise management of our finances and continuing to make our building the best space it can be for our community.

The Nominating Committee and other committees of the church are also doing the work of stewardship: providing human resources to keep the life of the church moving forward with health and collaborative effort. We are still looking for people to help chair and join a few committees as well as the Board. If you're approached to serve, please consider saying "Yes!" or asking for more information to help make the decision. We do need you (yes, you!) to step in to support the life of this congregation. Without your involvement, we lose your gifts and cannot fulfill our potential as a congregation.

Happy Spring everyone! I can't wait to see how we will continue Coming Alive!

Faithfully, 
Rev. Adam
 
crocus in snow
Young Adults Host April Night Ministry Outreach
The Chicago Chalice Connection, a network of UU young adults around Chicago, is volunteering for April's Night Ministry Outreach TONIGHT, Tuesday, April 2nd. All young adults (18 - 35) are invited to join us as we prepare food from 5:00pm- 8:00pm at Second Unitarian and/or as we serve food from 8:00pm-10:30pm a few blocks away.
 
We need a count on how many people are coming so please RSVP to Megan Selby. 
Training for Lay Preachers
Thursday, April 4, 2013
7:00-9:15pm

Have you been wondering how you might be part of a patchwork (group) service? Perhaps you are thinking of a solo service, or just wondering what worship means as Unitarian Universalists. We invite you to a training on being a lay preacher at 2U. You may already have a clear idea for a service, or you may be just beginning to explore ideas. Either way, you can come to learn more about worship, how to develop a service, and how to apply to preach. Attending a lay-preacher training is a requirement to preach and a good way to get started.

We invite you to sign up at the Welcome Table in the Palmer Room. If you have any questions, please contact Sunday Services Committee chair Linda Marquis or Rev. Robersmith.
Albert Simonis Memorial Service
Saturday, April 6, 2013
11:00am

The memorial service for Albert Simonis, father of Jim Simonis, will be held on Saturday, April 6th at 11:00 am at United in Faith Lutheran Church, 6525 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago IL. Guests for the service will be greeted from 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Endpoint Theatre's Chronic Malcontents
chronic malcontents April 5 through 21, 2013
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:30pm
Second Unitarian Church Loft
656 W. Barry, Chicago

Join Endpoint Theatre for the world premier of a new type of musical theater that gets the audience involved! This is a dark comedy about the working stiffs at Splayne Corporation who have completely had it with their jobs. What happens when they and the audience plot to bring the company down? Improbably improvisational, Chronic Malcontents will help you release all that built-up tension after a hard week's work. Whether you hate your job, hate your boss, just need to vent or just like to watch, this show is just the ticket!

Town Hall Meeting to Discuss By-Laws Amendment
Sunday, April 7, 2013
12:00pm

You should have received an e-mail or a letter describing a proposal to amend 2U's By-Laws. If you didn't receive the e-mail or letter, please pick up a copy at the Welcome Table. The full text of the letter can also be found here.

The Board of Trustees has called a Town Hall Meeting for April 7th at noon in the sanctuary to discuss these proposed changes.

The proposed by-laws changes will then be presented for a vote at the Congregational Meeting on May 19th.

Please attend and let your voice be heard!
From the Social Justice Council
Social Justice Council Meeting
Sunday, April 7, 2013
12:00pm

Join us as we discuss and plan the congregation's social justice work. We will:
  • look at the bills being supported by the Community Renewal Society which we'll be lobbying for on April 16th
  • make plans for the LGBT pride parade, a film screening with Kovler Center, and more
  • alert each other to upcoming actions

Social Justice Training, Part 2
Saturday, April 13, 2013
9:00am - 12:00pm

On March 23rd, we had Part 1 of our social justice training. We examined the differences between charity and justice, explored how power is created through organized money and organized people, and made commitments to building the people power at 2U, starting with one-on-ones/relational meetings. Over the next three weeks we will be having one-on-one meetings with other 2U members to better understand our shared values, what moves us, and how we want to engage in the community.

Part 2 of the training will focus on how to build effective teams within the congregation working for justice. Attendance at the first training is preferred, unless you have already RSVP'd previously. Contact Megan Selby with questions.

Lobby Day
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
All day

Get on the bus to Springfield! Join members of 2U as we lobby in Springfield with hundreds of other members of the Community Renewal Society (CRS), a progressive, faith-based organization that works for racial and economic justice. We will lobby our state senators and representatives to expand employment opportunities for people with criminal records, create justice hubs for youth around Chicago, and more. Contact Megan Selby for more details, or to RSVP. 
Choir Corner
floral treble clef
Welcome spring! Sing! The 2U choir rehearses around the piano in the sanctuary every Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30pm. All voices are welcome-- basses and tenors are especially welcome. For more information, check with music director Marianne Parker, or just come to a rehearsal.
Best Volunteer Job At 2U?
  • plates About 45 minutes just once a month
  • Sunday after service-- no extra travel
  • Engaging, important work
  • No heavy lifting
Find out more. No obligation. Contact Larry Lefferts.
Social Group for Retirees and Active Seniors
Wednesday, April 10
12:30pm

Join us for a luncheon meeting in the Palmer Room on Wednesday, April 10th. One of our members will be providing the main dish. Participants are encouraged to add to the feast, but we welcome your presence regardless. Please contact Gary Bondurant if you intend to participate, and let him know what you will contribute. You don't necessarily need to be a 2U member in order to join in. Hope to see you there!
Needed: Great Lay Leaders
The nominating committee has begun its work. We've been asked to provide a slate of candidates for the following positions:

Board:

  • Chair-Elect (3-year progressive term: chair-elect, chair, past chair)
  • Secretary (2-year term)
  • Trustee (2 years remaining on a 3-year term)
  • Trustee (3-year term)
  • Trustee (3-year term)
Nominating committee:
  • 4 positions (3 are appointed by Board) - 7 positions

If you are interested in filling one of these positions, would like to suggest a good candidate, or even if you'd like just a little bit more information, please contact Judy Corbeille at (773) 525-9416.

Child Dedication
Sunday, April 14, 2013

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 April 14th, please contact Director of Faith Development 
Kellie Kelly.
Let's Hear It For the Moms

Mother's Day is coming up sooner than you think : May 12.  This year, 2U will be having a special Mother's Day service for all those who have mothered us through the years. We're asking that you send us (electronic) pictures of women you would like to honor: your mother, you with your mother, you with your children, pictures of people who have mothered or nurtured you, pictures of important women in your life.

If you would like to share your photos, please email them to Janice Stashwick by Sunday, April 28. Please identify the people in the pics and their relationships. The pictures will be publicly displayed either in the Sanctuary or in the Palmer Room.
Building & Grounds Update

Many thanks to Don MacGregor, Amber Mack, and Laura Mongello for all their hard work in cleaning out and organizing the utility closet.
 
Upcoming work parties are scheduled for April 21st, May 5th, and June 16th. Please email Don to find out how you can lend a hand!
 
In the meantime, a picture is worth a thousand words:
Utility closet before
Before
 
Utility closet after
After
You may also have noticed that work has begun on the restoration and repair of the stained-glass windows in the sanctuary. We hope to have the first stage of this work completed by the end of May, and look forward to once again having beautiful, functional windows to help keep our sanctuary cool during the warm summer months. Many thanks to Steve Hier for taking charge of this project!
Rissho Kosei-kai Coming to Meadville Lombard
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Kosho Niwano book cover
5:30pm
610 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

You are invited to join Meadville Lombard Theological School in welcoming Rev. Kosho Niwano for a book discussion and signing on April 24, 2013.

Rev. Kosho is president-designate of Rissho Kosei-kai, which now has over two million member households worldwide. She is the mother of four children, and recently published the book, The Buddha in Everyone's Heart; Seeking the World of the Lotus Sutra.

In this inspiring collection of reminiscences, a young religious leader shares the fruits of her personal study of the teachings of Rev. Nikkyo Niwano (1906-1999), her grandfather and the founder of the international lay Buddhist organization Rissho Kosei-kai. The teachings of Rev. Nikkyo Niwano are still relevant in our turbulent times. Rev. Kosho bears witness to her grandfather's lifelong dedication to the liberation from suffering for all people through the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, one of the most important Mahayana Buddhist scriptures.

Rev. Kosho will discuss her book on Wednesday, April 24th at 5:30pm. Following the talk, Rev. Kosho will conduct a book signing and Meadville Lombard will host a reception. All are welcome!

Please contact Celina Maggi, Assistant Director of Development and Communications at Meadville Lombard, with any questions.
Money Matters
Fiscal Year 2012-13: YTD Through February

Income
Pledges & Collection Plate $   131,387
Other Income $     53,011
Total (YTD) $   184,398
Budget Projection 2012-13 $   244,725
Expenses
Collection Plate Sharing $       5,573
All other Expenses $    167,932
Total (YTD) $    173,505
Budget Projection 2012-13 $    254,958
Debt and Deficit
Projected Deficit 2012-13 $     10,233
Long Term Debt $   234,335


Anvil Deadlines
Have a message to put in the Anvil? Plan ahead!  Please have all submissions in to Jen Duston at [email protected] by 5pm on the Wednesday before the 1st or the 15th of the month.