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

Sunday, September 20
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Music: Tom Clowes, Rosalind Hurwitz and Marianne Parker

Sunday, September 27
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Music: Carey Farrell

Sunday, October 4
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Music: 2U Choir

Sunday, October 11
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Music: Marianne Parker and Albert Yan
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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, September 20
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, September 27
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, October 4
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, October 11
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 Susan Zeigler, Board Chair
Hello again, 2U community. I am excited about the momentum that we are already seeing this church year. It was a delight to welcome so many new members at the ingathering at the end of August, to see Adam off for his well-deserved sabbatical, and to learn so much about the importance of transgender inclusiveness at the spotlight luncheon - and this was all on one Sunday!
       
I feel so lucky to be a part of a church community that embraces the value of LGBTQ inclusiveness. While we engage in many activities in this realm, there is much more that we can be doing, as evidenced from the workshop presented by the Transformative Justice Law Project. Let's all consider stories about prominent trans and gender non-conforming historical figures we could integrate into our services and religious education. Additionally, how can we spread the word about our preferred gender pronouns? (stay tuned about this in the coming months) These are two of many ways that we can strive to be more inclusive - I'm sure we will come up with plenty more.

See you in church.
September Board of Trustee's Meeting
The September Board of Trustee's meeting will take place TOMORROW on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.
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].
BIG Committee Meeting
The Building, Infrastructure and Grounds (BIG) Committee is meeting THIS Sunday, September 20 after service to discuss the needs and priorities of the building for the upcoming year. 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.
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. 

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.
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 friends in faith and fellowship,
 
2U is growing, changing, and together we continue to seek community and connection. Adult faith development, Social Justice, Green Sanctuary, Buddhist Fellowship, Covenant of Earth and Sky, committees, 2U dinners and fundraising events continue to keep our church thriving.
 
It's time for Circles groups. This speaks to how we connect through right relationship and reverential groups where the mission is more about relationships between people than the topic itself. Our 2U congregation exists largely to be an outlet for one's deepest understanding of life in the midst of a community of faith, experience and spiritual growth. We are guided by reason and intuition; we draw new insights from wisdom learned in the past. We are a religion of tolerance guided by principle, compassion, openness to change, and hope. Our diversity can shepherd connection, respect and mutual growth.
 
Circles groups let each person's "little light shine" in a forum of discussion, questioning, and service.
 
Groups of 6-10 individuals meet once a month from October through June with a facilitator in a safe and trusting environment to explore topics through deep listening and sharing.
 
The context of sharing is through listening and responding with one's own reflections, leaving advice giving and judgment aside. Members covenant with each other to engage with attention, trust and consideration.
 
Each group will meet once a month; one group might meet twice a month for half a year. Your commitment to attendance and participation is important
 
Discussion topics will be provided by the facilitator and will change monthly, picked by the group: prayer, grace, money, music, happiness, joy, grief, family, growth, social justice, UU identity. Every session will allow time for each member to speak without interruption on the topic.
 
Registration will be available on-line and at the information table in the Palmer Room.
 
Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Community Minister
First Unitarian Hosts WomenSpirit 2016
First Unitarian Church will host WomenSpirit 2016, the regional Women & Religion conference, on February 5 and 6, 2016. For more than 30 years, UU women of all ages have connected, renewed and found their calling through conversation, workshops, drum circles, sharing meals, and even a little shopping!

Rev. Kate Braestrup is the conference keynote speaker, and our dynamite host committee has put together a wonderful program of workshops covering diverse subjects including: how to age gracefully, singing meditation, managing your finances, creating a memory box, and more. Workshop leaders include our own Margaret Huyck, Beverly Bennett, Betty Holcomb, Jean Hester, Anita Orlikoff and Barbara Randolph, and former music director Amanda Thomas.

Opportunities to socialize include a Soup Supper fundraiser for First Unitarian on Friday night, a raffle benefitting a local women's charity, a silent auction, and growing list of vendors.

Join us in February for WomenSpirit 2016. Host committee members Cindy Pardo, Madeiria Myrieckes, Lisa Christensen Gee, Bobbi Lammers-Campbell, Barbara Randolph, Joan Pederson, Margie Gonwa, Betty Holcomb and Margaret Huyck are excited about hosting UU women from our region at this very special conference. Visit www.womenandreligion.org to register and view program and workshop details.
Choir Corner
choir
Singing reduces stress and enhances neuroplasticity - which makes it possible for us to throw around words like "neuroplasticity." Join the choir! Watch your stress go down and your neuroplasticity go up! The 2U Choir rehearses in the sanctuary on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30. All voices are welcome! Sopranos and tenors are especially welcome! For more information, 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 August 31, 2015:
Actual Pledges + Collection Plate =
$53,314
Budgeted Pledges + Collection Plate =
$31,776
     Surplus or (Deficit)
$21,538

ActualBudgeted
Total Revenues Year-to-Date =$78,932*
$35,291
Total Expenses Year-to-Date =$48,939$51,580
     Total Surplus or (Deficit)$29,993
($16,289)

In August, we raised $558.63 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, Transformative Justice Law Project.

*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 30.

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