Wednesday, October 2
Vespers Service at 6:30pm
Sunday, October 6
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by Jim Simonis
Wednesday, October 9
Vespers Service at 6:30pm
Sunday, October 13
Service at 10:30
Guest Preacher & Musician: Roy Zimmerman
Wednesday, October 16
Vespers Service at 6:30pm
Sunday, October 20
Child Dedication
Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith & Raquel Garcia
Wednesday, October 23
Vespers Service at 6:30pm
Sunday, October 27
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by the 2U Choir
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Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.
Sunday, October 6
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
'Coming of Age' at 1st Unitarian from 1-4pm
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
Youth Group
Sunday, October 20
Child Dedication
Intergen: No Classes
Spirit Play
Roots & Shoots
Youth Group
Sunday, November 3
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
'Coming of Age' Chalice Retreat
Sunday, November 10
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
Youth Group
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Recent 2U Plate-Sharing Recipients
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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: Wed 12:00-9:00 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
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2U Ministry Leaders
Board of Trustees
Bookstore
Building & Grounds
Committee on Ministry
Finance Committee
Green Sanctuary
Hospitality
Lifespan Faith Dev.
Membership
Music
Newsletter
Pastoral Care
Safe Congregations
Small Group Ministry
Social Justice
Sun/Moon Group
Transylvania Church
Webmaster
Young Adult Group
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From The Board Chair
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A few weeks ago, Lew Harding passed me a copy of 2U's Long-Range Plan...from April 1993! He and I talked about the plan over Margie's ice cream last week, struck by how many of the special committee's initiatives have been realized ("consider starting a young adult program" and "involve church members in serving local programs, such as The Night Ministry") and how many remain relevant and incomplete ("focus on new member satisfaction" and "make sure the building and grounds look cared-for and inviting" and "develop ways to make members aware of planned-giving opportunities" and remind congregants--in a "gentle/humorous" way--that "$1 a week in the collection plate doesn't go as far as it used to").
Three months into my tenure as board chair, I continue to feel a little overwhelmed by the gap between our ambitions for our church and our resources--but also more than a little overjoyed by the energy and commitment and effort demonstrated by countless members and our devoted staff to make 2U work...and thrive. Let's keep it up!
One great way to find engagement, connection, and meaning this month at 2U is to join us for our annual fall fundraiser! 2U holds one major fundraising event of the year to help fund the essentials, which include providing salaries and benefits for our staff, turning on the lights, maintaining our building, and serving those in need within and beyond our congregation. This year's fall fundraiser will take place the evening of Saturday, November 2. Please stay tuned for information about how to buy tickets and how/what to donate. If you'd like to help with the planning or on the day of the event (we'll need lots of volunteers!), please click here, or contact Laura McKee or Kimberly Bares.
Highlights from the September 2U Board of Trustees Meeting:
- allocated up to $3200 to replace the carpet on the stairs to the loft and to repaint the east-side stairwell to the loft and the loft (thanks to Steve Hier and Don MacGregor)
- discussed other building maintenance/repair needs and how we might pay for them
- approved the candidates to fill the remaining three vacancies on the church's Nominating Committee so that this committee can begin its work of identifying and training future congregational leaders
- endorsed an application for funding from the UUA submitted by the Chicago Chalice Connection to provide increased UU services to young adults in Chicago
- announced preliminary plans for the Special Gifts Campaign in December
- discussed doing our best to provide a topic for the monthly board chats
- scheduled calls to those few whose membership at 2U has lapsed, in order to obtain an accurate membership count
The minutes from the latest board meeting are always linked in the Anvil. The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9 at 7 p.m. in the Palmer Room. All are welcome to attend. An agenda for the meeting will be posted online a few days before the meeting. We will review the church's financial situation, discuss plans for/progress of the church's two major fundraising campaigns of the year (the fall fundraiser and the Special Gifts Campaign), and consider the board's priorities for the remainder of the church year. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns or ideas!
Best,
Monica (Drane)
Chair, 2U Board of Trustees
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@RevAdam2U
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Rev. Robersmith has finally taken the plunge into social media! You can follow him on Twitter @RevAdam2U.
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For Young Adults
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The Young Adult Group has signed up to host coffee hour on October 13th. If you would like to bring something to share, or contribute to set-up and clean-up for coffee hour, please email David Dyer at [email protected].
MidAmerica Region Unitarian Universalist Young Adults will be hosting a young adult conference, open to individuals ages 18-35, at the UU Church of Rockford on October 25-27. This con will provide an opportunity to join other UU young adults from throughout the midwest in seeking joy and serenity through workshops, worship, and social justice. More con information and registration can be found here.
For more information about these events and the Young Adult Group, please contact Erin Rusmi and David Dyer.
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Guest Preacher in October: Roy Zimmerman
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"Hope, Struggle and Change"
Sunday, October 13, 2013
10:30am
We are excited to have a nationally known guest preacher for our service on Sunday, October 13th! Roy Zimmerman performs at Unitarian churches across the country: 120 of them in the last year. In thirteen albums over twenty years, Roy has brought the sting of satire to the struggle for Peace and Social Justice. His songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime. He has recorded for Warner/Reprise Records, and his YouTube videos have amassed over seven million views. He's been profiled on NPR's "All Things Considered," and he's a featured blogger for the Huffington Post.
Roy's sermon will be "Hope, Struggle and Change," a message in spoken word and music. Please join us as Roy provides a set of four songs examining in ways humorous and heartfelt the bringing together of people with disparate spirituality.
This is a terrific opportunity for us to raise our voices together in protest and song. Check out Roy's YouTube videos for a preview!
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Small Group Ministry
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Small Group Ministry is a wonderful way for all members of the 2U community-both newcomers and long-term members-to connect with one another. In once- or twice-monthly sessions, participants learn about themselves and Unitarian Universalism while building relationships with a variety of people.
This year's groups will meet at the following times:
2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00pm with Dan Lewis
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 7:00pm with Adelaide Meyers
1st and 3rd Fridays, 7:00pm with Linda Marquis at her Lakeview home
3rd Sundays, 12:00pm with Roger Wykes
Unless otherwise marked, all groups plan to meet at 2U.
Groups will begin meeting soon; sign up now on the Welcome Table, or email Rev. Adam with any questions.
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Chicago World Music Chorus
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Become an inaugural member of the new Chicago World Music Chorus here at 2U this fall! Led by the dynamic team of Patty Cuyler (co-director of Vermont-based Village Harmony) and Mollie Stone (conductor at University of Chicago and Chicago Children's Choir) in partnership with the Second Unitarian Church, the innovative new non-auditioned community choir will be open to both adult and teen singers.
We will rehearse one Sunday a month from 1-4 pm starting October 20th. Other rehearsals are November 17, December 15, January 19, February 16, March 16, April 13 and May 18, with a performance in the early evening of May 18th.
Repertoire will be authentic, challenging choral music from across the globe, with folk songs from South Africa, the Republic of Georgia, Corsica, the Balkans, Western Europe, South America and the US. Music will be distributed for some of the repertoire, but many songs will be taught solely by ear; and everything will be taught by example. Emphasis will be placed on authenticity and the spirit of each musical genre.
We expect to attract a group with a wide range of ages and experience levels. Singers don't need to sightread music fluently, or have a lot of prior singing experience, but must be able to match pitch, and comfortably hold their own part when singing in harmony.
Tuition will be $200 for eight sessions and a final concert performance. There are special discounts for 2U Church members ($150) and for members of the 2U Church Choir ($100). Singers should register online in advance.
Feel free to contact Ms. Cuyler with questions.
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Caregivers Group
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Wednesday, October 9, 2013
7:00-8:30pm
Whether it's long-distance or hands-on, caregiving weighs on the heart. We caregivers need support! The Caregivers Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of every month in the 2U library. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 9 from 7:00 to 8:30pm. For more information, email Myra Epping, or call her at (773) 338-4086.
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From the 2U Coffee Coordinator
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Coffee hosts are needed for the end of October, November, and beyond. Click here to see the calendar for hosting coffee hour, and to choose a Sunday that works for you.
Questions? Contact Laura McKee. Thank you for your generosity and help in planning ahead!
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2U Oktoberfest Fall Fundraiser
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Saturday, November 2, 2013
6:00pm
Mark your calendars now for the Oktoberfest Fall Fundraiser! Look for an invitation soon, with details about the event and information about how to buy tickets. In the meantime, we're looking for volunteers to help put together a fabulous evening of fun, food, and entertainment! Click here to learn more and sign up to help. Thanks for making a difference!
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October Plate-Sharing Recipient: UUSC
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The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is a nonsectarian organization that advances human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world. UUSC's roots reach back to the World War II era through the work of the Unitarian Service Committee and the Universalist Service Committee. These organizations later joined forces to form the UUSC. The UUSC's mission and vision are guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the seven Unitarian Universalist principles that affirm the worth, dignity, and human rights of every person.
Through a combination of advocacy, education, and partnerships with grassroots organizations, UUSC supports programs and policies that promote workers' rights, advance the human right to water, defend civil liberties, and preserve the rights of those affected by humanitarian crises.
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The Three Thrones
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There's interest in removing the three throne chairs (one on and two behind the chancel) to make room for an art gallery space in the narthex (that small, sunlit space behind the chancel). An antiques and restoration expert from Evanstonia inspected the chairs on Monday, September 23rd, and explained that they were "made especially for a church to be on an altar, with at least some indication that they might have been created for a Christian church; they are walnut and 'Eastlake Victorian' (1870-1890) in style." Our expert also mentioned that they are in very bad repair, and are not worth very much money on the antiques market.
Please contact Monica Drane or Jen Duston if you have any information about the history of these 2U chairs, would like to do some research about their origin at our church, and/or have strong feelings about what happens to them.
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Child Dedication
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Sunday, October 20, 2013
10:30am
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 child would like to participate in the upcoming Child Dedication ceremony on October 20, please contact Director of Faith Development Raquel Garcia.
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Worship Associate Training
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Sunday, October 27, 2013
12:00pm
If you're new to the church, you might not know what a Worship Associate is, or does. They're the people who do the readings every Sunday, as well as a number of other things to help move the service along. Worship Associates need to have a decent speaking voice, be comfortable with speaking in front of the congregation, and be available once a month or so to serve in this capacity. We'd like to add approximately six individuals to our current roster.
Training will take place after the service on October 27th; the primary purpose will be to get you oriented to the podium microphone.
Sign up now on the Welcome Table, or email Gary Bondurant with questions.
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2U History at Open House Chicago
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If you've ever wondered what our congregation's first building in Chicago was like, here's an opportunity to see the site and how it was rebuilt after the Great Chicago Fire! Now owned by Harvest Bible Chapel, for many years after the rebuilding it was the Scottish Rite Cathedral. On October 19th from 9am to 5pm, the building at 935 N. Dearborn Street will be open to visitors as part of Open House Chicago.
In addition to all the other wonderful opportunities, don't miss the chance to see our old congregational home!
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Multicultural Ministries Sharing Project
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Multicultural 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.
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Money Matters
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Fiscal Year 2013-14: YTD Through August
Income
| | | | Pledges & Collection Plate | $ 30,367 | | Other Income | $ 3,247 | | Total (YTD) | $ 33,614 | | Budget Projection 2013-14 | $ 267,150 | | | |
Expenses
| | | Collection Plate Sharing | $ 1,286 | | All other Expenses | $ 43,421 | | Total (YTD) | $ 44,707 | | Budget Projection 2013-14 | $ 274,324 | | | |
Debt and Deficit
| | | Projected Deficit 2013-14 | $ 7,174 | | Long Term Debt | $ 231,099 |
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Anvil Deadlines
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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, October 9.
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