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Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
September 1, 2015
In This Issue...
Worship at 2U

Sunday, September 6
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Colleen Vahey
Music: Jim Simonis and Michael McElvain

Sunday, September 13
Homecoming and Gathering of the Waters
Intergenerational Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher and Director of Faith Development, Raquel Garcia
Music: 2U Choir

Sunday, September 20
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Music: Michael McElvain

Sunday, September 27
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Music: Carey Farrell
_____________________
Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Nursery or Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, September 6
Spirit Play Light
All classes together in Fleishman Hall

Sunday, September 13
Intergenerational service: 
no classes

Sunday, September 20
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, September 27
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
______________________
_________________
Church Office Information & Staff

 Sabbatical Minister
773-549-0260, ext. 15
Office Hours:
Wednesday afternoons and evenings; Sunday afternoons
 
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 Sabbatical Minister, Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
I have started to meet many of you and look forward to being at 2U after September 10. You have such a good board, such talented and dedicated staff, that my time as Adam's "sub" will be a great experience. After the Water Communion, take time to speak with me. And, please, wear your name tags: my years of memorizing everyone's name at first sight are long gone! I'll be bringing my water from Crystal Lake in northwest lower Michigan to pour together with yours as we join in continuing good times and meaningful times at 2U. See you soon! 

Rev. Emmy Lou
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.
September Board of Trustee's Meeting
The September Board of Trustee's meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.
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.
BIG Committee Meeting
The Building, Infrastructure and Grounds (BIG) Committee is meeting on Sunday, September 20 after service to discuss the needs and priorities of the building for the upcoming year. All are welcome to attend!
Faith Development Events
It's back to school time! There are a number of exciting Faith Development events that will be happening this month to celebrate the beginning of the new church year. Happy reading!
  • August 30th - Online Fall Registration Begins
  • September 1st - September 21st - Third Annual Back-to-Church Supply Drive
  • August 31st - In person Registration begins
  • September 21 - First Day of Classes
Online Registration is Open! Please take some time to look through the online registration form even if your family has attended in years past. You can choose to print out the registration form or fill out our Online Registration Form and turn in to Director of Faith Development, Raquel Garcia.

Third Annual Back-to-Church Supply Drive: It's that time of the year, when you get that sentimental urge to buy pencils! Don't worry; now you will have a reason to go to the Back-to-School aisle. The Faith Development program is asking you to give in to your desires, and buy supplies for our classrooms. Our online form has a list of materials that are used in the classrooms throughout the church year. We will have a basket in the back of the Palmer Room for you to drop off any supplies you bring. If you'd prefer to avoid the Back-to-School aisle, and that mad dash for a shiny new pencil case, then we would welcome your cash donations! Otherwise, please check out our Back-to-Church supply list, and hit those Back-to-School sales with pride!

Faith Development Volunteers Needed: We are always looking for volunteers for our Faith Development Programs. Therefore, we are making it easier than ever to volunteer with us. This year we are in great need of volunteers for the UU Explorers classroom, Spirit Play and the Green Caterpillar classrooms. Do not fear; the classroom is not the only way to volunteer! Let us know how you'd like to help by completing our online Faith Development Volunteer Questionnaire! This link is completely secure; the only people receiving the information will be the Lifespan Faith Development council and the Director of Faith Development. If you would prefer to fill out a hard copy of the form, please email Raquel at [email protected].
Autumnal Equinox Celebration
Sunday, September 20, 2015 
7:00pm

The Covenant of Earth and Sky, 2U's CUUPS Chapter, invites all to celebrate MABON, also known as Autumnal Equinox. This is the Second Harvest, when the bounty of the fruits, vegetables and grains are gathered. Demeter is celebrated for her guidance and abundance as the light tips into darkness of the fall and winter days to come. It is time for Harvest Home, a time to reflect on the bounty of our lives in communications, work, family or self and how we will harvest that energy. All are welcome! Please bring a harvest dish to share. Any questions or comments, please email Shauna at [email protected].
Letter from Hannah Hill
Below is a letter from one of our youth members, Hannah Hill. We received her letter this summer while Hannah was away at Youth Midwest Leadership School:

Dear Second Unitarian Church,

I want to express my deep gratitude for funding my attendance at the Youth Midwest Leadership School. This week-long journey has been a lifechanging experience. I have learned so much about what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. I have learned to be a stronger leader and a more compassionate follower. I am inspired to take action no only on a large scale but also in each of my interactions and experiences. I have learned the power of simply being aware and being able to educate others.

During this week, we had the opportunity to take time to silently reflect on questions about ourselves. We considered, wrote about, and discussed such questions as who we are, what we value, and what we wish to accomplish in our lives. I learned about myself, my impact, my power, and I somehow managed to increase my love for the Unitarian Universalist community, which is shocking considering the magnitude of love I had already possessed.

Along with learning, I participated in building a community. I have made lifelong friends here, and I have grown to appreciate their strengths and feel so close to them that we could be family. Additionally, the appreciation that they have expressed for me has increased my confidence and made me feel worthy, loved, and powerful.

I hope to become more involved in our church community, and to work towards expanding our youth group. I hope to be able to use the skills I have achieved to participate in worship services. I would like to allow the few youth we have to feel empowered and valued as members of our congregation. Thank you so much for this opportunity and for being such a large part of my life for 15 years.

Sincerely,
Hannah Hill
Fall Orientation
Calling all visitors-- who want to become members!

The 2U fall orientation will be held Sunday, September 27, Sunday, October 4 and Sunday, October 18 following services. Sessions are scheduled to begin at noon in Fleishman Hall and will end at 2:00 PM or before. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the Welcome Table in the Palmer Room. Child care will be available for those who request it in advance.

While attending any one of these three orientation session swill meet the by-law requirements for membership, attending all three sessions will provide a greater breadth and depth of understanding for the theological roots of our community, ways to engage with the 2U community, how 2U is organized and what membership really means.

Please contact Membership Chair, Judy Corbeille, with any questions or for more information.
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. 

From the Membership Committee: 2U Dinners Return
What are 2U Dinners? Dinners are planned potlucks held every few months in members' homes purely for social enjoyment. You may sign up to be a guest or to host a dinner, usually for 8-14 persons. The host provides the main dish and "assigns" the other participants one item to bring, i.e. salad, vegetable, dessert, etc. 

This is a fun way to get to know your fellow members, and to enjoy the 2U community. Find the sign-up sheet on the Welcome Table. The first 2U dinners will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015. Come join us.
Small Group Ministry
Dear congregants,

Small Group Ministry circles will be starting up soon. SGM circles have a simple format: opening words, chalice lighting, check in, topic/reading, discussion, fellowship, check out, and closing. The goal is to foster relationships and also to share our ideas and values with each other.

Most circles will meet monthly from October until May. One or two circles might try a more intensive twice a month format for October-December, and then decide how they would like to continue. Each circle would also eventually decide on a church or community service project.

Circles will meet at a single home, either the group leader's or a member's home. Tee and water will be served. Refreshments are NOT needed, unless the circle members decides to provide these on a rotating basis. Some circles might meet at the church.

SGM circle sign-up sheets, with some schedule options, will be at the Welcoming Table in the Palmer Room. The goal is to have a group Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings, and one sometime on Saturdays. I will be providing the groups with topic resources, inviting the group leaders to choose from a selection of popular UU topics.

If you have any questions, please call (773-593-7500) or e-mail me ([email protected]).

In faith and fellowship,

Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Community Minister
Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Area Meeting

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 is back! 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, September 9.

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