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Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
March 1, 2014
In This Issue
Worship at 2U
 
Sunday, March 2
Service at 10:30
Guest Preacher: Deb Rostorfer
Music by Carey Farrell

Wednesday, March 5
Vespers Service at 6:30

Sunday, March 9
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by Michael Barrette

Wednesday, March 12
Vespers Service at 6:30

Sunday, March 16
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music by Kimberly Bares

Wednesday, March 19
Vespers Service at 6:30

Sunday, March 23
Service at 10:30
Guest Preacher: 
Rev. Karen Hutt
Music by David Haeckel, Rosalind Hurwitz, Katie Johnson & Jen Duston

Wednesday, March 26
Vespers Service at 6:30
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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, March 2
Spirit Play
UUExplorers
Coming of Age at 3rd Unitarian at 1pm

Sunday, March 9
Spirit Play
UUExplorers
Youth Group

Sunday, March 16
Spirit Play
Roots & Shoots

Sunday, March 23
Spirit Play
UUExplorers
Youth Group
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Church Office Information & Staff

Minister
773-549-0260, ext. 13
Office Hours:
Wed-Thurs afternoons & evenings, other days & times by appointment
 
Dir. of Faith Development
773-549-0260, ext. 12
Office Hours:
Wed 5:00-9:00 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

Covenant of Earth & Sky

Finance Committee

Green Sanctuary

Hospitality 

Library

Lifespan Faith Dev.

Membership

Music

Newsletter

Night Ministry Outreach

Pastoral Care

Safe Congregations 

Small Group Ministry

Social Justice

Sunday Services

Transylvania Church

Webmaster

Young Adult Group
Erin Rusmi
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Board of Trustees 
 









                                  
From the Minister

One of the things that we discovered through the ministerial review process is that there were a range of ideas among our membership of what my working time was like and how available I am to the members of the congregation. So, in the interests of getting us all on the same page, here's what a "typical" week looks like now:

  • Mon: Minister's Sabbath
  • Tues: Focus on Denominational work and Doctor of Ministry classwork (some hours from home, others at classes or meetings in Chicago)
  • Wed: In-office hours at 2U in the afternoon and evening
  • Thurs: In-office hours at 2U in the afternoon and evening
  • Fri: Focus on administration and 2U projects, usually from home
  • Sat: Focus on sermon writing, usually from home
  • Sun: Sunday morning worship and afternoon in-office hours at 2U
My work week is a 6-day week, including denominational commitments and study. In addition to these general categories, there are also hospital and home visits, weddings and other services, 2U fellowship events, and meetings or social justice events that vary from week to week. With those events included, I may be at 2U or other locations in Chicago on a given day other than Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Sun. 

Of course, very few weeks are truly typical! So, if you'd like to meet with me, I always recommend that you make an appointment with me. On the days when I plan to be in the building, it's not unusual for me to have meetings with other members of 2U; the staff, board, and committees; and community leaders and organizers as well as to be teaching classes or making a hospital or home visit. It's often easiest to get into my schedule for non-pressing matters two weeks ahead, but there's normally time during the week for me to meet with you on short notice, too.

I encourage you to come meet with me! One of the parts of my job that I love the most is meeting with members of the church to answer questions, offer pastoral counseling or theological discussion, or just to get to know you. Members of the church are always welcome to call me at the church or on my "pastoral emergency" number (which is also my cell phone and listed on my church office voicemail) or to email me. I do my best not to answer emails on Mondays, but I do listen to all voicemails left on my cell phone on Monday as soon after you leave them as I can in case of emergency.

If you have questions for me, please don't hesitate to ask!

Faithfully,
Rev. Adam
Welcome to Our Newest 2U Members

Hannah Withers grew up in Los Angeles. She attended Kenyon College in Ohio where she studied English and Creative Writing. Hannah came to Chicago in the fall of 2011 to work at WBEZ. Currently she works at a tutoring company called the Academic Approach. In her free time, Hannah enjoys writing fiction and performing improv. In California, she attended The Neighborhood UU Church in Pasadena and found 2U on the internet. Hannah has already helped out with the Green Sanctuary Group at 2U and appreciates the warm welcome she has received.

 

Leia Ferrari (pronounced Lee-ah) grew up in New Berlin, WI, outside of Milwaukee. She studied journalism at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and came to Chicago for an internship at an ad agency. When offered a full-time job there, she moved here after graduation. Now she works for a small firm which provides public relations and marketing for non-profits and social enterprises. Leia volunteers with Tutoring Chicago and enjoys yoga, running and is trying to get into gardening this year. At 2U Leia is interested in joining a small group and is happy to have been included in the Young Adult Group on her very first Sunday here. Leia also found the orientation to be informative and the 2U congregation welcoming.

 

Mel Andrews grew up in DeWitt, just north of Lansing, MI. She earned a degree in culinary arts at Lansing Community College and took some classes at Michigan State. Mel moved to Chicago to be with her spouse, Kim. Mel has worked at Girl Scout and YMCA camps and now is a nanny for a family with two young children. She enjoys reading, board games, baking, arts and crafts--especially crocheting and cross-stitching. Mel previously attended the East Liberty UU Church in Jackson, MI. At 2U, Mel may be interested in joining a small group and has already helped out with hospitality and attended an event offered by the Pagan Group. 

 

Stephen Rohan grew up in the central valley of California. He studied cell and developmental biology at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Then he attended the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and met his wife Suzy there. They moved to New York City for Stephen's residency. He works as a pathologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In his free time, Stephen enjoys long distance running, movies, and soon will be taking bass lessons at the Old Town School of folk Music. He is interested in helping out with the Night Ministry. Stephen and Suzy have attended 2U off and on for two years and are pleased that different traditions are incorporated into the Sunday services.

 

Suzanne Rohan (prefers "Suzy") grew up in south-central Wisconsin (born in Oconomowoc). She attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee where she studied graphic design. After moving to New York city with her husband Stephen, she earned her master's degree in graphic communications at New York University. She worked designing invitations for weddings, social, and corporate events. Suzy wrote the business plan for her own company in Chicago, Lily Red Studio, an invitation design and photography business. In her free time Suzy enjoys traveling and taking ukelele lessons from Lanialoha Lee at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Suzy and Stephen have two cats, Pearl and Chachi and are expecting their first child in May. At 2U, Suzy has volunteered to promote 2U's event space by designing a brochure. Suzy and Stephen are glad to have found a church home for their growing family.

 

Chris Kuchnicki was born in Herndon, VA outside of Washington, D.C. He always loved traveling and joined the airline industry as a senior in high school. Chris has flown all over the world and now works for Southwest Airlines. He sings in the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (their seasonal concert is soon), is a shop steward for his labor union and has long been interested in political and social justice issues. At 2U, Chris has already joined the Hospitality Committee, and appreciates the warm welcome he has received.

 

Trina Tocco grew up in Detroit, MI. She studied non-profit adminsitration at Western Michigan University and received her master's degree in supply-chain management from Michigan State. Trina works for the Uni-Glove Union working with the Walmart campaign. She has lived in different locations and attended UU churches in Kalamazoo and Washington, D.C. Trina and her husband Gordon Krauthamer have lived in Chicago for two years, and enjoy exploring the city. At 2U, Trina may be interested in learning about the work of the social justice committee.

 

Gordon Krauthamer was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He grew up mainly near Washington, D.C. Gordon attended the University of Maryland where he studied electrical engineering and then received his master's degree in library science. He works as a web developer for a publisher and also does free-lance development. In addition to exploring Chicago, Gordon enjoys listening to music and traveling. At 2U, he may be interested in joining a small group.
 
Aaron Bingea grew up in the twin cities. He attended the University of Minnesota where he studied education and political science. Aaron came to Chicago to accept a job teaching middle-school special education at Marquette Elementary School. He takes class at the University of Chicago working towards his endorsement in math. Aaron enjoys playing the guitar with friends and running- he plans on signing up for the Chicago marathon soon. He has been attending 2U for over a year and recently decided to join. Aaron may be interested in joining a small group, the choir, and/or helping out with the Night Ministry.  

 

A warm welcome to Hannah, Leia, Mel, Stephen, Suzy, Chris, Trina, Gordon, and Aaron!
Guest Preacher in March: Rev. Karen Hutt

Sunday, March 23, 2014

"It's Complicated: Our So-Called Democracy"

 

It is a word have we have used since elementary school to describe fairness, but just what does it mean to be a part of a democratic community in  21st century America? What responsibility do we have to promote and engage democracy in our churches, our communities and the world?

 

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. 

Families In Touch

helping hands Families in Touch is a program that provides rides for families to visit youth incarcerated at the Illinois Youth Center at Warrenville. The goal of this initiative is to support families to overcome transportation barriers and ensure that incarcerated youth get regular visits from family members. There will be an orientation at 2U on Sunday, March 2 at 1pm, for people who wish to volunteer as drivers. To attend the orientation, or if you cannot attend but are interested in volunteering, please sign up at the welcome table or contact Erin Rusmi.

Conflict Resolution Workshop

Monday, March 3, 2014

7:00-9:00pm

Presenters/Facilitators: Myra Epping & Margaret Redlich


Unitarian Universalists tend to be independent-minded folks who aren't shy about expressing their opinions. From her perspective as a clinical social worker and a long-time UU, Myra will address tools to use in keeping conflict healthy and constructive when it arises in a group.

We are offering this workshop again for those who were unable to attend on February 17 due to weather.

 

Sign up on the Welcome Table, or email Margaret with any questions.

Second Sunday Social

2U dinners

Sunday, March 9, 2014

11:30am

 

Please join us for a Second Sunday Social on March 9th after the service. This will take place instead of coffee hour, and will be a time for sitting down to break bread and share easy fellowship with other 2Uers. It will be a pot luck, and we ask people whose last name begins with A-F to bring drinks, G-L a main dish, M-R salads and condiments, S-Z desserts. If you cannot bring a dish to share, we ask that you contribute $5 which will be given to the Social Justice Council for furtherance of our outreach programs.

 

We need volunteers to help with set up and clean up, too! Please sign up on the Welcome Table in the Palmer Room.

 

We look forward to having you join us!

Inside the Restaurant Industry
What do you know about the men and women who cook you dinner on Friday night? Come join the Social Justice Council as we begin reading the UUA Common Read: Behind the Kitchen Door by Saru Jayaraman. Look forward to insightful discussions on low wages, food justice, immigration, and much more! The book group meets twice a month every other Wednesday from 7-9pm starting March 12th in Fleishman Hall. For more information on the group and book ordering, contact Ashley Boyd.
Rev. Rudra's Intro to Yoga
Beginning Wednesday, March 12, 2014

7:00-8:30pm


Have you ever thought of trying out Yoga and didn't know where to begin? Maybe you've been to a Yoga class at the gym. But you were surrounded by Gumbys who can turn and twist in any direction and felt out of place? Or heard Sanskrit terms like ekapadarajakapotasana and didn't know what they meant? Well, an Intro to Yoga class might be just right for you. Rev. Rudra Dundzila is a certified RYT-200 yoga teacher. He will teach a 4 week introduction to yoga class at 2U: safety, breathing, flexibility, basic postures, basic sequences, basic names (in English and, for the daring, Sanskrit). Wednesdays, March 12-April 2, 7-8:30 (after 6:30 vespers). $20 donation to 2U.

 

Sign up on the Welcome Table, or email Rev. Rudra with questions.

Spring Equinox Celebration

Friday, March 21, 2014

7:00pm


COVES (Covenant of Earth and Sky), Second Unitarian's CUUPS Chapter, invites all to join us for Spring Equinox on March 21st, Friday, at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Also known as Ostara, we celebrate the awakening of the earth, fertility and new life. Come experience the turning of the Wheel of the Year as we push out of this deep winter, into the thaw and welcome in the Spring. You are welcome to bring a dish to share for our reception after the celebration.


For any questions or comments, please email Shauna.

Spirit Play Training

Sunday, March 23, 2014

12:00-4:00pm

 

We will be offering our Amazing Spirit Play Training on March 23rd! Please join us for an afternoon of learning in community. The training will take volunteers on a wonderful journey through our Spirit Play classroom. Volunteers will learn how Spirit Play allows our youngest members to worship through story telling within a Montessori style environment. 

All new parents and any volunteers who are currently doorkeepers and are now ready to become storytellers are encouraged to attend.

The training will be led by Susan Frances, and Mary O'Leary. Lunch will be provided. Please email Raquel Garcia if you have any questions. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
MidAmerica Regional Assembly

Registration is now open for the MidAmerica Regional Assembly in Wausau, Wisconsin on April 11-12, 2014. Register online here before March 15 to qualify for discounted registration fees. Interested in ride-sharing? Sign up on the Welcome Table in the Palmer Room if you need a ride, or if you can provide a ride for others.

Please Take the Green Sanctuary Survey!

Please take a few moments to take the Green Sanctuary Personal Assessment Quiz. By taking this short survey, you will allow us to see where we are, and in which directions we may want to grow.

 

The easiest way to become better versions of ourselves is with the help and support of our community, through the strength of acting together. In the Green Sanctuary program, the results of individual actions accumulate to create a larger impact than from each person acting alone. Together we can see the difference, and together we can reinforce one another's commitments. 

 
Green Sanctuary Committee Planning Meeting

green sanctuary

Saturday, March 15, 2014

1:00-3:00pm in Fleishman Hall

 

Calling all those interested in environmental issues and sustainability at 2U and beyond!

 

Albert Einstein said, "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them."  For this reason, we need to bring conversation about our relationship with and our responsibilities toward Earth into the heart of our faith communities. A different level of awareness--a spiritual awareness--is critical.  

 

The Green Sanctuary program provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and action in response to environmental challenges. It spans four areas: Worship and Celebration, Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living, and Religious Education.  This is an exciting opportunity to plan congregational projects to address specific areas of interest or concern. To learn more about the Green Sanctuary Accreditation process, see the manual.

 

2U's Green Sanctuary Committee will meet on March 15, to brainstorm actions to be put into place in the coming one to two years. This is step three in becoming certified as a Green Sanctuary by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Refreshments will be served.  We'd love to have you, even if you haven't attended a Green Sanctuary meeting before; we would like as much input as possible!  Have questions?  Have input but can't make the meeting? Contact Libby at (773) 252-7658 or [email protected] or Katherine at (630) 779-5424 or [email protected]. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Libby or Katie.

2U Buddhist Fellowship Retreat

Saturday, April 5, 2014

9:00am to 5:00pm


Join the Second Unitarian Buddhist Fellowship (2UBF) for a day of stillness as we kick off a unique meditation group. Explore the intersection of Buddhist and Unitarian Universalist principles in a gentle and welcoming environment.

 

Two long-time practitioners will be giving instruction: Larry Axelrod from Insight Chicago (Vipassana/Theravada) and Larry Wolf from Shambhala Chicago (Shambhala/Vajrayana). Also, near the end of the retreat day we will be inviting everyone to participate in shaping this new Buddhist Group at 2U if they want.

 

Sign up here, or on the Welcome Table.

Standing on the Side of Love T-Shirts
standing on the side of love
We are doing another order of t-shirts in anticipation of the spring and summer parades. Order forms will be at the Welcome Table. There are 19 different options, including Adult, Women's Cut, Youth, and Long-sleeved. The order deadline is April 5th, and only shirts for which payment has been received by April 12th will be ordered. Thanks for your interest.
Choir Corner

musical chalice The 2U choir rehearses in the sanctuary on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30. All voices are welcome! For more information, talk to music director Marianne Parker.

Money Matters
The weekly cost of running 2U is $5,275!

2U's annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014 is $274,324. This includes a budgeted deficit of $7,174.

For the Year to Date period July 1 to January 31, 2013:
Actual Pledges + Collection Plate =
$119,173
Budgeted Pledges + Collection Plate =
$124,386
     Surplus or (Deficit)
$  (5,213)

ActualBudgeted
Total Revenues Year-to-Date =$175,158$158,408
Total Expenses Year-to-Date =$163,695$159,636
     Total Surplus or (Deficit)$  11,463$ (1,228)

In January, we raised $895.08 for the collection plate sharing recipient, the Lakeview Pantry.

Thank you so much for helping to make 2U possible!
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, February 26.