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

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

Sunday, October 18
Child Dedication Intergenerational Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher and Director of Faith Development, Raquel Garcia
Music: Chuck Larkin

Sunday, October 25
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Music: 2U Choir
_____________________
Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, October 4
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, October 11
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, October 18
Intergenerational service: no classes

Sunday, October 25
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
Last evening I met with members of the Board as we planned how we will use our time at the Board Retreat on October 17. At the center of our inquiry will be "what makes an exciting church?" Our point is to dream, then plan movement in that direction. Thoreau once said something like "you have made your castles in the air. Now put foundations under them."

I have stood in the cathedral at Chartres in France and have been awed by the beauty and power of spirituality expressed in its fabric. It is a reflection of its time, when to amaze led people to the core of their spiritual needs, and it still does. When the Protestant congregations began serving as more than centers of ritual, they created a place where foundations were put under the temples in the air. Unitarian Universalism comes from the tradition that believes one must act according to one's highest intentions, and the way to do that is to be an active part of a community both within the church walls and without. The spiritual still lights the way to our foundations - and in these foundations is not a crypt for burial of powerful people (as in cathedrals of Europe) but rooms for meetings and Sunday schools and singing and creating care for each other and our community.

An exciting church expresses dreams, expresses our spirit and our highest resolve. Our feet and our hands incarnate those, make them real for us and for others. What would you like to see flow through your hands, making reality out of dreams? You will soon have a chance to let us know, so I invite you to begin thinking of what makes an exciting church, what opens your spirit and puts foundation under it?

Rev. Emmy Lou
2U Yard Days!!!
The 2U grounds need attention! Please come for all or part of either of the three 2U "yard days" on Sunday, October 11th from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Saturday, October 17th from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and Sunday, October 18th from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM!

Please contact Monica Drane at 312.550.3412 with any questions! Any and all hands are welcome!
Fall Orientation
Calling all visitors-- who want to become members!

The 2U fall orientation will continue on Sunday, October 4 and Sunday, October 18 following services. Sessions are scheduled to begin at 11:45 AM in Fleishman Hall and will end at 1:45 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.
Prison Industrial Complex 101
Saturday, October 10th
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Beverly Unitarian Church
10244 S. Longwood Drive

Erin Rusmi and Megan Selby invite you to a Prison Industrial Complex 101 workshop they will be facilitating at Beverly UU Church (10244 S. Longwood Drive) on Saturday, October 10 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This workshop is an introduction to the prison industrial complex (PIC) from an abolitionist perspective. Abolition means the replacement of the current, unjust system with a system that is just and equitable.  We'll examine the PIC's roots, reach, and impact on our lives, as well as our ability to transform it.
Spotlight Luncheon
The Illinois Budget and Our Revenue Crisis: 
How Illinois' Tax Structure is both Unfair and Inadequate
 
A Spotlight Luncheon will take place on Sunday, October 11th at Noon after service, sponsored by ONE Northside and Fair Economy Illinois.
 
A contribution of $ 5.00 to cover expenses is requested. For more information, contact Norman at [email protected].
Small Group Ministry Circles
Dear fellow congregants,
 
Small Group Ministry Circles start in October! NOW is the time to register. You can register online by visiting http://goo.gl/forms/pqNm0slw9T or by signing up at the Welcome Table in the Palmer Room.
 
Have you had a heart to heart talk with another congregant about what really matters to you? Circles groups provide a welcoming environment to build trust and share our deepest concerns.
 
Circles groups meet once a month for fellowship, to build relationships among congregants, and to discuss your religious/spiritual concerns. Topics include community, faith & practice, friendships, questioning beliefs, doing good, UU principles, purposes, and sources. Groups will have 8-10 members. The groups will run from October through May, and may decide to continue during the summer. In spring, the groups will work on a service project for the church or community, like cooking a meal for the Night Ministry, hosting coffee hour, spring planting in the 2U garden, or a project of their own invention and imagination.
 
We have several excellent Circles group leaders this year. Judy Corbeille, Mark Williams, Erin Rusmi, David Dyer, Stephen Starkey, and High Visor. Here is the schedule for the groups:
 
Leader
Day
Time
Location
Judy Corbeille
2nd Wednesdays
7-9 PM
Uptown/Buena Park (limited parking)
Mark Williams
TBD
7-9 PM
2U
Erin Rusmi
1st Thursdays
7-9 PM
2U
Stephen Starkey
3rd Saturdays
10 AM-12 PM
Uptown/Buena Park (limited parking)
David Dyer
4th Wednesdays
7-9 PM
2U
Hugh Visor
3rd Sundays
12-2 PM
2U
 
I will be at church on Sunday, 4 October (St. Francis Day), leading worship. We can talk about Circles groups afterwards.
 
Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Community Minister
Nuts and Bolts Workshop at 2U!
Saturday, October 24th
10:00 AM - Noon
 
Get involved, get excited about leadership at church! Come to the workshop to discover how we are ALL leaders. We will explore leading from a UU perspective, leadership that reflects and honors our values. Interested in making meetings more meaningful and effective? Want to make S.M.A.R.T. goals? We will share information and practical skills for leading and participating.
 
To sign-up or obtain more information, please email [email protected]You may also sign-up at the "What's happening table" in the Palmer room or call Linda Marquis at 773-857-3035.
COVES: SAMHAIN
Friday, October 30th
7:00 PM


The Covenant of Earth and Sky, Second Unitarian Church of Chicago's CUUPS Chapter, will celebrate SAMHAIN on Friday, October 30th at 7pm. 656 West Barry, Chicago, IL. The Third Harvest celebrates the Earth Mother as Crone. She is Hecate, the Dark Mother who assists with transitions. She offers protection as well as connections with the moon and magic. This is a time of honoring the dark; the veil between the worlds of the living and dead is thinnest. In this spirit, we honor the Ancestors; those who came before us and have taught us lessons of life and love. We invite all to join us in an open ritual. Bring a memento of a loved one (human or animal) who has passed on (photo, jewelry or other token) to place on the altar at this time of year in their memory. Bring a dish to share with all in the spirit of the Third Harvest. Any questions or comments, please contact Shauna at [email protected].
#BlackLivesMatter

Black Lives Matter signs are STILL available for $1 each! Please join us in supporting this important movement of prophetic witness. Learn more at BlackLivesMatter.com.

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.
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, October 14.

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