Rae stormy lake

Anvil header

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

Sunday, August 16
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk
Music: Reece Johns

Sunday, August 23
Intergenerational Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith and Raquel Garcia
Music: Carey Farrell

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

Sunday, September 6
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Colleen Vahey
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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, August 16
Spirit Play Light
All classes together in Fleishman Hall

Sunday, August 23
Intergenerational Service
No classes

Sunday, August 30
Spirit Play Light
All classes together in Fleishman Hall

Sunday, September 6
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 
 

 





                                  
From the Minister
Two months ago, it seemed to me that my sabbatical was a very long way off. Now, with only two weeks left, it seems to me that it's actually happening impossibly fast. What that also tells me is that while five months sounds like a long time, Feb 1 (when I return from my sabbatical) will come sooner than we expect.

It will be odd not to celebrate Water Communion with you on Sept 13, but it will also be good for us all to do something a bit different at the start of this church year. The Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher has already joined the Board for the August meeting and has been gearing up to join you all for my time away. I will be working on my doctoral thesis, travelling, gardening, cooking, making art, and resting a bit, too.

I'm trying not to look too far into the future- Feb 1 will be here surprisingly quickly!- but I am looking forward to hearing from you all about what happened at 2U when I return. I look forward to the stories of how you helped one another when you needed to, how much fun you had at the Fall Fest together, how you found new ways to get involved and make something exciting and transformative happen. It'll be hard for me not to check in at first, but it'll be all the better to hear it all when I come back.

In the meantime, you've still got me around for two weeks! I'll be at 2U for worship on the 23rd and 30th, in the office as usual, and trying to make sure everything is well-prepared for Sept 1. I look forward to spending that time with you!

Faithfully,
Rev. Adam
2U Family Fun Group THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, August 16, 2015
12:00pm

Join the 2U Family Fun Group THIS SUNDAY, August 16 from Noon - 2:00pm! All the families with kids under 18 are invited. We'll walk together directly east to the lake at Barry to see some of the Air & Water Show from a spacious, uncrowded spot! Questions? Text or call Christy Grant at 312-213-1588.
Homecoming Worship and Gathering of the Waters
Sunday, September 13, 2015
10:30am

Come join us in our first worship with our Sabbatical Minister, Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher, for our inter-generational celebration of the start of the church year! We will celebrate our community through our ritual of water communion. Please bring water to the church from places sacred and meaningful to you, from near or far-- your home tap, a beach, winter's snows, or another beloved body of water. We look forward to beginning this new year together.
Fall Involvement Fair
Sunday, September 27, 2015
11:30am

2U's Council will host an Involvement Fair on Sunday, September 27, 2015 in the Sanctuary after the service. The Involvement Fair is a chance to learn more about the committees and organizations that make our church a vibrant and diverse community. Committee members will be on hand to share their plans for the year, answer questions, and help you find the volunteer positions that are just right for you. Whether you're new to 2U and looking for ways to connect with the community, or a long-time member seeking new ways to give your time and talents to 2U, we welcome you to join us for fun and fellowship. If you would like more information, or if you would like your group to be included in this year's Involvement Fair, please contact Roger Wykes.
Fiber Arts Bunch

FiberArtsBunch Do you like knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, or weaving...? The list is endless. If you enjoy doing any of these and would like to do them with good company, please join us. We meet once per month at a member's home from 2-4 PM on Saturday or Sunday. Please contact Nancy Kloetzli if you'd like to get on our mailing list. If anyone is currently on the list but would like to unsubscribe, please let me know. 

Good-Bye and Good Luck!
After serving 2U over the past 6 years, Sexton Michael Dawkins has resigned to pursue other interests. We wish him the best in his future endeavors and are extremely thankful and grateful for Michael's hard work and dedication over the past several years. We are currently starting the process looking for immediate assistance with cleaning and maintenance during the interim and will begin our search for a new sexton within the coming fall.
Chicago Pagan Pride 2015
Covenant of Earth and Sky (COVES), 2U's CUUPS Chapter, is proud to be presenting the Opening Ceremony at Chicago Pagan Pride in Oak Park on September 13th at 11:30am. We are presenting the concept of Pagan Unity as a group to the community. We have a drumming group joining us and will present the ceremony with the call of Directions and a costumed Earth Mother and Sun God. We are excited for this opportunity to make connections, educate, spread joy and celebrate the Earth and the Wheel of the Year. Come join us and stay through the day for workshops, vendors (50+!), music and kids activities. Please see the Chicago Pagan Pride website for more detailed information on workshops, entertainers and location.
Choir Corner
choir
The 2U Choir returns! The first rehearsal of the 2015-16 church year will be in the sanctuary on Tuesday, August 18, at 7:15. All voices are welcome! The choir rehearses regularly on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30. 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.
#BlackLivesMatter

2U is selling Black Lives Matter yard signs for $1 each! Available at the Welcome Table after Sunday services. Please join us in supporting this important movement of prophetic witness. Learn more at BlackLivesMatter.com

Money Matters
The weekly cost of running 2U is $6,321!

2U's annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 is $328,672.

For the Year to Date period July 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015:
Actual Pledges + Collection Plate =
$29,884
Budgeted Pledges + Collection Plate =
$12,131
     Surplus or (Deficit)
$17,753

ActualBudgeted
Total Revenues Year-to-Date =$54,667*$13,989
Total Expenses Year-to-Date =$27,764$27,794
     Total Surplus or (Deficit)$26,903($13,805)

In July, we raised $577.55 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, 2 Li'l Fishes.

*Includes $20,000 transfer from Fleishman Fund to Operating Account; will indicate transfer from Operating Account back to Fleishman Fund in near future.

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, August 26.

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