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Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
August 1, 2013
In This Issue
Coming Up at 2U
 
Sunday, August 4
Service at 10:30
Guest Preacher: Rev. Karen Hutt
Music by Gail Gallagher & Kat Wyand

Sunday, August 11
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by Rosalind Hurwitz

Sunday, August 18
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by Darrick Jackson

Sunday, August 25
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Music by Audrey and Walker Shadle and Tom Clowes
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Children & Youth Faith Development Summer Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers up to age 3 is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room

Sunday, August 4
Summer Spirit Play (preschool - 7th grade)

Sunday, August 11
Summer Spirit Play (preschool - 7th grade)

Sunday, August 18
Summer Spirit Play (preschool - 7th grade)

Sunday, August 25
Summer Spirit Play (preschool - 7th grade)

Sunday, September 1
Summer Spirit Play (preschool - 7th grade)

Sunday, September 8
Homecoming Sunday (Intergenerational)
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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:
Tues-Wed 6:00-9:00 pm
Sun 9:00-3:00

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 Outreach

Pastoral Care

Safe Congregations 

Small Group Ministry

Social Justice

Sunday Services

Sun/Moon Group

Transylvania Church

Webmaster

Young Adult Group
Erin Rusmi
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Board of Trustees 
 









                                  
From the Board Chair

Engagement, Connection, Meaning: In last month's article, I introduced my idea for the theme that will guide my work this church year: "engagement, connection, and meaning." Sunday's annual church service and picnic on the lakefront serve as good examples of the ways that we can be engaged, make connections, and find meaning at 2U.

 

Although I've been a member of 2U for 15 years, I had never attended the annual lakeside Sunday service until last Sunday; my family and I were usually traveling or sleeping in after our block party (a riotous affair) that weekend. But, this year, we were home and fully recovered from the block party held the weekend prior. So, we packed minivan and bikes and headed to Grove 15 along with dozens of others.

 

The service was, indeed, engaging: I'd never before seen a chalice brought to life by our impromptu band of 2U players or sung "Spirit of Life" amidst so much life. I especially enjoyed the novel physical configuration of the worshipping congregation: sitting in a circle has many benefits.

 

The setting provided a fresh opportunity to connect with members and visitors. Amy's family decided to join our services for the first time because they figured that being outside was an easy way for them to enter our community with their two year-old son. Alicia's and Adam's dogs were welcome guests. Dick had the chance to return to us after an illness on this special Sunday, always one of his favorite 2U gatherings.

 

Jim's passionate rendition of "This Land is Your Land" reminded me that Second Unitarian Church has enjoyed a long and important history as a place of liberal religion in our city, from its earliest days as a congregation led by Robert Collyer in the 1860s through the 1970s when the church helped to establish The Night Ministry to today. I was pleased to hear from Megan that a group from 2U's social justice council would spend the afternoon discussing immigration reform through the lens of our faith community. Our church provides meaning to those searching for a way to "live out their values in the world" and to the city beyond the walls of our space on Barry Avenue.

 

Thanks to Joyce Haeckel and the other volunteers for making Sunday's annual lakeside service and picnic a success!

 

Human Chalice

 

Board of Trustees News/Highlights: At the July meeting of the 2U board of trustees, the members voted to approve the revised Committee on Ministries (COMs) charter, prepared over the course of many months by the members of COMs and other volunteers. Thanks to COMs and to Marilyn Hebda, in particular, for their efforts. We also voted to approve a proposal submitted by Colette Wright Adams for an art gallery in the narthex (that space behind the chancel). We voted to approve the candidates for new members of COMs so that COMs can be fully seated as soon as possible (the COMs roster will be available in the coming weeks). Thanks to Jill Althage and Marilyn Hebda for agreeing to continue their service on this committee. We also voted to approve those on the board who will be newly empowered to conduct the financial business of the church, including the signing of checks. These include: myself as board chair, Kimberly Bares, and Karen Fort. We heard from Steve Hier about needed building improvements and plans for enhancing our space for our own use and for the use of prospective renters. We plan to vote on the allocation of funds to perform some of this renovation/repair/investment work at the August board meeting. We also started planning for this year's Fall fundraiser (details to follow!).

 

The next meeting of the board will be held on Wednesday, August 7 at 7 p.m. in the Palmer Room. This is a week earlier than the normally scheduled second-Wednesday-of-the-month board meeting. The minutes from the July board meeting will be available in August. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, comments, or ideas.

 

See you in church,

Monica (Drane)

Chair, Second Unitarian Church of Chicago Board of Trustees

Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches Needs You!
CCWC Saturday, August 3, 12:00-8:00pm
Sunday, August 4, 11:00am-7:00pm
 

The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is looking for volunteers to staff a booth at Wrigleyville Summerfest this weekend, August 3rd and 4th!

 

Resurrection Lutheran Church hosts Wrigleyville Summerfest every year on the first weekend of August, and has generously offered CCWC not only free both space, but also a portion of whatever profits the festival brings in in food and drink. They offer music, artisans, food, even a "Kids Zone"-- and the event draws in a lot of locals from the Lakeview area, including families with children. It's a great target audience for us to really get out the word about the coalition and its members!

 

I'm hoping to have the coalition well-represented this weekend, and would love to have anyone from Second Unitarian who's interested. Shifts are two hours each, between noon and 8:00pm on Saturday, and 11:00am to 7:00pm on Sunday.

 

Please contact me, Jenn Peterson, as soon as possible if you're interested. Brochures for the coalition will be available for folks to pick up, as well as a pretty comprehensive list of resources with further information about the welcoming churches movement and inclusive theology. Your "work" will generally be to greet folks and direct them to our publications to find any information they might want about churches near their homes, resources, and the like.

 

Peace,

Jenn Peterson

(773) 255-1044

Guest Preacher in August
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Rev. Karen Hutt
"What Good is God to a Slave?"
 
Rev. Karen Hutt has been a Unitarian Universalist minister for sixteen years. She is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School and has served as Director of Religious Education at First Unitarian Church and co-pastor of Church of the Open Door in West Englewood on the south side of Chicago. Rev. Hutt is currently a Clinical Pastoral Educator (CPE) in the Advocate Health Care system, where she trains seminarians and lay people in the practical arts of caregiving in hospital settings. She is a religious humanist and a cultural Christian who lives on the south side of Chicago with her partner, the Rev. Ashley Horan, and their daughter, Elizabeth.

Rev. Hutt is very interested in the intersections of race and class among Black people in our movement. She is a firm believer that the answers for many of the challenges Black people face in this culture can be addressed through the adoption of humanist values in culturally specific contexts.
Singing Sunday
Singing Sunday Sunday, September 22, 2013
10:30am
 
Join us for a new alternative worship- a good ol' fashioned hymn sing- on September 22. Wait, you might say, don't we always sing hymns? Yes, but not as every part of worship. It can be really fun and spiritually moving to have an entire worship service of just music. For some, music goes deeper than spoken words alone. As an old adage says:
 
Music speaks what cannot be expressed
Soothes the mind and gives it rest,
Heals the heart and makes it whole,
Flows from heaven to the soul.
 
We want to know, specifically, what music soothes the minds of all 2U-ers, young and old! You can help shape this service by sharing your favorite hymns. Please forward your answers to the following questions to Jill Siegel:
 
  • Your name
  • Your suggested hymn
  • This hymn moves me because...
  • Are you comfortable with your comments being shared during worship?
  • Would you be comfortable reading your own comments during worship (not required)?
2U Family Fun Group
Sunday, August 11, 2013
12:00-2:30pm
 
We have a new social group-- 2U Family Fun Group! No family fits a single mold of how we came to be, how we're structured, how we get along, how we show our love and frustration, how we handle things together, and how our daily lives work. But families with kids share common joys and worries and kinds of experiences. Our 2U Family Fun Group is for all 2U families with kids under 18 years old.
 
Our initial gathering is Sunday, August 11th from noon-2:30pm. The true kickoff will be in September, but we'll get a head start with a picnic in the park while it's still summer. Bring a lunch for yourselves-- anything portable that you want to eat and drink. Bring a blanket or mat to sit upon, too. We'll provide some outdoor toys for the 3 to 8-year-old set, and a few games for 9-years and older. We'll all walk together from 2U over to the park and playground at Barry and Sheridan for a picnic together. If the weather does not cooperate, we'll have an indoor picnic at 2U.
 
If you have any questions, email Christy Grant or call or text her at (312) 213-1588. See you on August 11th!
From the Social Justice Council
There is a new edition of the Social Justice Council's e-newsletter, The Hammer, now available! If you'd like to join the mailing list, please email us with the subject line "Join."
 
Please join us this Sunday, August 4th at 12:00pm in Fleishman Hall for our monthly Social Justice Council meeting.
Welcome to Our Newest 2U Members
Laura Mongello grew up in Plainview, Long Island. She studied English and secondary education at LaMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, and received her master's degree in teaching from Columbia University in New York. Laura lived in New York City for 25 years, where she attended All Souls Unitarian Church for five years, and moved to Chicago seven and a half  years ago. Recently retired from her career in educational publishing, she volunteers at Northwestern Hospital, Literacy Chicago (tutoring), and Open Books (providing writing workshops). Laura enjoys taking classes at the Osher Life-Long Learning Institute at Northwestern, ballet, music, and visiting museums. At 2U, she is involved in the Senior Luncheon Group, the Social Justice Council, and the Hospitality Committee.
 
Judy Kowal was born in Baltimore, but grew up in West Virginia. She came to Chicago to attend Northwestern University, where she studied speech.  Judy lived in Evanston, where she raised her family (including her daughter Jen, our faithful church administrator). Although her father was UU, it was Jen and her husband Tyler who encouraged Judy to join them in attending the Evanston UU church and then 2U. Judy has worked in many different customer service jobs over the years, from switchboard operator to airline ticket agent. Now semi-retired and living in Rogers Park, she enjoys gardening, volunteers as a tutor, and shares a cottage industry with her husband making and painting footstools. Judy has attended several Senior Luncheons at 2U and may be interested in joining a small group, working on social justice issues, or helping to landscape the church's front yard. She enjoys being warmly welcomed at 2U.
 
Katie Johnson hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. She came to Chicago three years ago because of her husband's job and for schooling. Formerly a museum educator, Katie switched careers and recently graduated with a master's degree in occupational therapy from UIC. She hopes to use her O.T. skills in a community-based setting. Katie previously volunteered at St. Leonard's House for recently incarcerated men. In her leisure time, Katie enjoys boxing, biking, and outdoor activities. At 2U, she is a member of the choir and is thinking about joining the pastoral care committee and/or working on social justice issues. Katie especially likes the spirituality she experiences at 2U, whether it is intellectually or musically.
 
Cathy Jasica grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois. She studied psychology at Northern Illinois University. Cathy has worked in a variety of different positions, but works now as a fitness instructor at Northwestern Hospital's Center for Integrated Medicine, as well as working as a personal trainer on the side. She is a certified scuba diver and holds a black belt in Hapkido, along with being a mother to almost-four-year-old Tyler. Cathy attended 2U for a time eight years ago, and returned when she decided the 2U community was a place she wanted Tyler to enjoy. She is a Spirit Play teacher and a member of the Lifespan Faith Development Council.
 
A warm welcome to Laura, Judy, Katie, Cathy, and Tyler!
Summer Spirit Play Help Needed!
Tomie Depaola We're looking for a few amazing volunteers to jump in and help out in our Summer Spirit Play classroom for the last few weeks of August.
 
This summer, we're telling the stories of Tomie dePaola. Carey Farrell has created a wonderful curriculum, selecting a variety of books which reflect our seven UU principles, including multicultural legends, faith-based tales, and contemporary realistic stories. The classes are open to children from preschool through 7th grade.
 
It would be wonderful if you've volunteered with our children's faith development programs before, but experience is not required! If you are interested in helping out, please email DFD Raquel Garcia.
Caregivers' Support Group
The monthly Caregivers Support Group meets in the library at 2U on the second Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 14th from 7:00-8:30pm. For more information, email Myra Epping or call her at (773) 338-4086.
Multicultural Ministries Sharing Project

UUAMM logoMulticultural Ministries, the UUA team that hosts Finding Our Way Home each year, has just launched a groundbreaking project called the Multicultural Ministries Sharing Project. The project is designed to seek input from people within Unitarian Universalism who have historically marginalized races, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and/or gender identities/expressions, with the goal of helping congregational leaders and UUA staff understand where we are now and what we need to be well-equipped to meet the ministry needs of people seeking a liberal religious home in the 21st century. There are two parts to the project: a comprehensive survey and, later, focus groups.

 

Please consider being a party of this project by taking the survey and spreading the word. All those 13 and older with a UU affiliation who are people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, or otherwise marginalized due to gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, race, and/or ethnicity are warmly invited to participate.

 

The Sharing Project is open now, and ends October 31, 2013. Click here to take the survey.

 

For more information on the Multicultural Ministries Sharing Project, check out uua.org/sharingproject.

Choir Corner
gone fishin
The 2U choir is taking a break for the summer. Rehearsals will resume in the fall. For more information, contact music director Marianne Parker, or email office administrator Jen Duston if you would like to be added to the choir email list.
Money Matters
Fiscal Year 2012-13: YTD Through June

Income
Pledges & Collection Plate $   190,181
Other Income $     62,857
Total (YTD) $   253,038
Budget Projection 2012-13 $   244,725
Expenses
Collection Plate Sharing $     10,283
All other Expenses $    241,964
Total (YTD) $    252,247
Budget Projection 2012-13 $    254,958
Debt and Deficit
Projected Deficit 2012-13 $     10,233
Long Term Debt $   232,160


Anvil Deadlines
Have a message to put in the Anvil? Plan ahead!  Please have all submissions for the next newsletter in to Jen Duston at [email protected] by noon on Wednesday, August 28.