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Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
July 15, 2015
In This Issue...
Worship at 2U

Sunday, July 19
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Epiphany Paris
Music: MarySue Barrett and Kimberly Bares

Sunday, July 26
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: Kat Kidwell

Sunday, August 2
Worship in the Park
Service at 11:00
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: Jim Simonis

Sunday, August 9
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Darrick Jackson
Music: Erin Rusmi
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Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Nursery or Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, July 19
Spirit Play Light
All classes together in Fleishman Hall

Sunday, July 26
Spirit Play Light
All classes together in Fleishman Hall

Sunday, August 2
Worship in the Park
No classes

Sunday, August 9
Spirit Play Light
All classes together in Fleishman Hall
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Church Office Information & Staff

Minister
773-549-0260, ext. 13
Office Hours:
Wed-Thurs afternoons and evenings; Sunday afternoons and other days & times by appointment only
 
Dir. of Faith Development
773-549-0260, ext. 12
Office Hours:
Sun 9:00-3:00
Other days & times by appointment

Congregational Administrator
773-549-0260, ext. 10
Office Hours: 
Mon-Thurs 10:00-4:00 
 
Community Minister
773-593-7500
 
Community Minister
773-592-2809
 
Music Director
                                  
2U Ministry Leaders

Board of Trustees

Adult Faith Dev.

Bookstore

Buddhist Fellowship

Building & Grounds

Committee on Ministry

Covenant of Earth & Sky

Fellowship Committee

Finance Committee

Green Sanctuary

Hospitality 

Library

Lifespan Faith Dev.

Membership

Music

Newsletter

Night Ministry Outreach

Nominating Committee

Pastoral Care

Safe Congregations 

Senior Potluck Lunch

Small Group Ministry

Social Justice

Sunday Services

Transylvania Church

Webmaster

Young Adult Group
David Dyer
Stephanie Bens
_____________________
Board of Trustees 
 

 





                                  
A POORLY TIMED SURPRISE FOR 2U! CAN YOU HELP?

2U's cash position has taken a surprise hit due to unpaid pledges of $14,006 in our budget for the year just ended. If you look beyond the normal pledge haircut of 3% (every year we discount the total amount pledged by 3% or so to reflect that not everyone will be able to fulfill their full pledge) then the missing pledges were over $23,000! Yikes! At the May Annual Meeting, the Treasurer forecast a balanced budget for the year just ended 6/30/2015, expecting that members would catch up in June given the strong results in June a year ago. However, that did not happen this year for some reason despite our efforts to reach out to folks in June (and in the winter) so the pledge issue has left us with a cash shortfall of approximately $15,500 for the year. The good news was that over 100 pledge units did contribute their full amounts. Unfortunately, over 40 pledge units did not.


As a result, at the July 8 Board meeting, the Board had to authorize the transfer of $20,000 cash from the Fleishman Reserve Fund to our operating account to ensure that we do not miss payroll in the summer months. As soon as is practicable, the funds will be returned to the Fleishman Reserve.

 

In light of the plan to use Fleishman Reserves to cover the cost of a half-time minister while Rev. Robersmith is on sabbatical, we are now faced with the shrinkage of this important reserve by approximately 42% over the coming 7 months to less than $45,000. Our only other reserve is the building fund of $26,091. The Board will be approaching a number of folks to request that they fulfill their 2014-15 pledge, if possible, to minimize the reduction to our reserves. On the bright side, after reviewing the data, we expect to recover some portion of the missing $14,006 and over $800 of this has since come in.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

  1. If you did not pay 100% of your pledge and are able, please catch up as soon as possible and include "2014-15 Pledge" in the memo line of your check.   
  2. If your circumstances make this not possible, please notify the office that you are unable to do so.   
  3. We can all strive to contribute monthly and on time in the new budget year which started July 1 to help us avoid these surprises in the future!  

FINALLY, THANK YOU to everyone for your financial support in the year just ended and for your continued support going forward. The good financial news was that pledges received for the year ending 6/30/2015 did rise by a healthy 13% to $209,263 and total revenues exceeded $300,000! Your presence, involvement, and financial support help make our church meaningful to us and the larger community!


Tom Denio, Board Chair Elect

 

Ways to pay your pledge

Did you know that there are several ways to pay your pledge every month? 

 

Check: Please make your check payable to "Second Unitarian Church" and either drop it in the collection plate on Sunday or mail it directly to the church at:

Second Unitarian Church

656 West Barry Avenue

Chicago, IL 60657

*Please be sure to write "Pledge 2015-2016" in the memo line for this to be attributed towards your pledge for the year.

 

Cash: Please enclose your donation in a sealed envelope (available at the Welcome Table) and include a note with your name and indicate you'd like this to be attributed towards your pledge.

 

Automatic withdrawal from your checking account: Most banks now have an option for you to enroll in an online bill payment program to pay your bills every month, including your pledge payment! Please talk to your personal banker today or contact Andrew Zallar in the church office at (773) 549-0260 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

 

Credit Card: You can pay your pledge online using a credit card with PayPal by going to www.secondunitarian.org/contribute and clicking the "Make A Donation" button on the bottom of the page or by contacting Andrew Zallar in the office.

*Please be aware that this costs 2U approximately 4% of the transaction value. We encourage you to increase your payment amount by 4% to help cover the transactions fees if you are able.

Worship in the Park

Sunday, August 2, 2015

11:00am

 

Please join us on Sunday, August 2 at 11:00 AM for our Annual Worship in the Park in Lincoln Park, right on Lake Michigan. We will meet in Grove 15, just south of the Waveland Clock Tower at 3700 N. Recreation Dr. Click here for a map.

 

There will be a church-wide potluck meal right after the service. Please bring your favorite dish or beverage to share! If you're bringing drinks: iced tea, lemonade or water are preferred-- we had plenty of leftover soda from last year.

 

We are still in need of volunteers! Please sign up in the Palmer Room if you are able to help out with any of the following:

  • Organizers
  • Set-up or clean-up
  • Bring paper plates, cups, plastic ware, or tablecloths
  • Bring tables and extra chairs
  • Provide rides from 2U to the park

Please also let us know if you need a ride to the park!

 

We'll try to have a few extra chairs available, but please bring your own if possible, or a blanket to spread in the grass.

 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Darrin Weatherspoon by email, or by phone at 773-316-4264.

Worship Associate Training

Sunday, July 26, 2015

12:00pm

 

Have you thought about lighting our chalice? Being one of the friendly folks assisting during the candlelighting? Offering our readings to the congregation? Would you like to be a part of presenting worship at 2U without preaching or being a musician? 

 

If you've answered "yes" to these questions, I invite you to consider becoming a Worship Associate for 2U. Please email, call, or catch me on a Sunday after worship to let me know that you're interested. I'll be happy to answer your questions. We'll be holding a training on Sunday, July 26th after worship in the Sanctuary. You can sign up either by emailing me at [email protected] or by using the sign-up sheet on the Welcome Table.

Faithfully,
Rev. Adam
COVES Lammas Celebration

Friday, July 31, 2015

7:00pm

 

All are welcome to join Covenant of Earth and Sky (CUUPS Chapter) for Lammas, also known as Lughnasah, on Friday, July 31 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Lughnasah is the First Harvest of three. Autumnal Equinox is the Second (in September), Samhain (in October) is the Third. At Lugnasah, we honor the Celtic God Lugh (sun, harvest, passion) and Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest. The wheat is tall, the colors just start their change and the bounty of fruit and vegetable are enjoyed. We follow the Wheel of the Year by thinking about what to preserve in our spirit from the year and what lessons we can harvest. All are welcome to bring a dish to share in our bounty of the harvest. Please contact Shauna for any questions or comments.

Choir Corner

musical chalice

2U choir members are taking a break and resting their voices over the summer. Regular Tuesday night rehearsals will resume with the start of the official church year in the fall. If you would like to be added to the 2U choir notification list, please email Congregational Administrator Andrew Zallar. For more information about the choir, please contact Music Director Marianne Parker.

Money Matters
The weekly cost of running 2U is $5,890!

2U's annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 was $306,403.

For the Year to Date period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015:
Actual Pledges + Collection Plate =
$229,670
Budgeted Pledges + Collection Plate =
$248,870
     Surplus or (Deficit)
($19,200)

ActualBudgeted
Total Revenues Year-to-Date =$303,852$304,720
Total Expenses Year-to-Date =$319,330$306,403
     Total Surplus or (Deficit)($15,478)($1,683)

In June, we raised $503.22 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, Between Friends.

Thank you so much for helping to make 2U possible!
Stay Connected
Did you know that the UUA and MidAmerica Region UUA have their own respective newsletters?

Click here for more information about the UUA and click here to sign up for their newsletter, UU World.

Click here for more information about the MidAmerica Region UUA and click here to sign up for their newsletter.
Submission Deadlines
Have a message to put in the next Anvil or Orders of Service? Plan ahead! 

Please have all submissions for the next newsletter submitted by noon on Wednesday, July 29.

Please have all submissions for the Orders of Service submitted by noon on Wednesday prior to the Sunday you'd like the announcement to appear.

Second Unitarian Church of Chicago
656 West Barry Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

Phone: (773) 549-0260