|
Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
|
|
From the Board Chair, Susan Zeigler
|
Spring is in the air - warmer temperatures, longer days, and I am already seeing blooms in my yard and 2U's yard, which makes me very happy. In this time of renewal, please think about the ways in which you can help renew things around 2U. For example, did you notice a piece of trash in front of the church on your way into the building and pick it up? Is there a storage closet that could use some re-organizing? Are there religious education supplies that could stand to be replaced? If you don't notice anything off-hand but want to lend a hand, please do reach out to our Congregational Administrator, Andrew Zallar at [email protected].
Sometimes areas for renewal are less tangible, for example, are there messages that you are interested in hearing through the children's or adult religious education? Are there pieces of music that hold great meaning to you that could be integrated into a service? Are there topics/themes that could be reflected in a sermon? If any of this is on your mind, I encourage you to let your voice be heard! Speak to members of the Lifespan Faith Development Council, Music Committee, or Sunday Services Committee. Better yet, join one of the committees!
Take some time to stop and enjoy the new blooms, and while you're at it, plant some seeds.
See you in church.
Susan Zeigler
|
Spring Equinox Service
|
Covenant of Earth and Sky, 2U's CUUPS Chapter, will be presenting the service at 10:30 AM on March 20th in celebration of the Spring Equinox. We are at the time of balance, Spring Equinox, when the light is of equal length between night and day as we enter the Planting Season. The light will continue to grow as we move forward in the Wheel of the Year. We will celebrate new beginnings, the story of the Goddess Eostre, the importance of Eggs which hold the power of new ideas as well as the significance of the Hare. We will have special music celebrating the Spring Equinox. All are welcome!
|
Upcoming Adult RE Classes
|
Creating Connection: A UU Exploration of Prayer
Thursdays, April 7-21; 7-8:45pm
In three class sessions, we'll talk about what prayer is and is not, how it can be a part of a UU religious life, and ways you might begin, renew, or deepen your own prayer practice. Each session will include some lecture, some discussion, and an opportunity to practice a new form of prayer.
What Do UU Believe? Unitarian Universalist Theologies
Wednesdays, June 15-July 6; 7-8:45pm
In four class sessions, we'll talk about what we believe in the context of the variety of UU beliefs about how the universe works, including a look at UU Humanism, Christianity, Paganism, and Relational/Process theologies as well as international forms of Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism. If there is sufficient interest, we can add a session or two to explore other UU theologies (such as UU Buddhism, Mysticism, Transcendentalism, or Judaism) more closely.
Making Peace with Your Religious Past
Thursdays, July 28-Aug 25; 7-8:45pm
We try to offer this class at least once a year to give members of the 2U community an opportunity to explore their own religious past and figure out their religious present and future. Whether you're a long-time UU or just recently come to UUism, whether you have a happy, difficult, or non-existent history as a member of a religious community, you are welcome to take this class. By understanding where you've been, it becomes easier to be more fully here right now!
If you'd like to join me and other 2Uers for any of these, please let me know via email or by signing up on the Welcome Table. I look forward to deepening our Unitarian Universalism together!
Faithfully,
Rev. Adam
|
Spring Orientation
|
Calling all visitors who want to become members!
2U Spring Orientation will be held Sunday, April 10, Sunday, April 17 and Sunday, April 24 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 sessions will 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.
|
How Much Pledge Does A Pledge Mean?
|
In our last article we mentioned that Second Unitarian depends on us for its survival, and for us to depend on it to be there when we need it, we must support it through the year. One way we do this is through making a pledge of our financial support.
Our pledges are not contracts - they are pledges, and by the "honest in our communications" covenant we should consider it a sincere commitment. This does not mean that a pledge cannot be changed no matter what, but we understand that if life events impact your financial situation, negatively or positively, you can revise your pledge as necessary -- in either direction. Remember that the purpose of pledging is to allow the Board of Trustees to budget and plan the financial trajectory for the church year, and the results of pledging are used to modify the draft budget - hopefully in the direction of our proposed goals.
The purpose of the Canvass is to foster some reflection on giving, collect your pledge information, and promote communication between us. While it may be a bit odd to speak of financial and spiritual together, being Canvassed is a conversation that should incorporate sharing from both people and a loving premise - after all you will be discussing your common church home. Sometimes being Canvassed may be the briefest conversation necessary, but usually there is mutual benefit in taking some time together to talk about what you enjoy about 2U and some ways to make it better, invoking and expressing both your vision and your generosity.
The amount of your pledge should make it meaningful, spiritually and financially. It should be felt in your budget, as a significant but not overwhelming factor. If your pledge doesn't affect how you use your money, it may lack the sort of meaning that it could if you allowed your gift to grow. Your Canvasser will have some materials that show specific goals and changes for the coming church year -- if the resources can support them. Also there are charts that easily illustrate different levels of giving and income, and emphasizes the near-term goal of structuring our budget in a more responsibly sustainable level. Please use the information to assess your current generosity, and look toward where you can hopefully reach further this year.
For most of us 2U is at the center, but not the entirety, of our charitable giving. There is a difference, though: most charities have a broad funding base, perhaps thousands of people, but the people comprising that base usually do not know or have much contact with each other. This is how 2U is vitally different, and we ask you to reflect on the fact that you know and care for many of the 200 or so members here. Sure, we each have folks nearer our ages or interests that we engage more deeply with, but part of the energy here is knowing each other, especially when we work with those we know less well and witness them doing amazing things. Keep in mind at those times that you can do amazing things working within that energy too . . . but as our covenant reminds us - it is a couplet: "our energy and resources". The energy is here, as are you, but to keep it alive and the church moving, we need your unstinting contribution. So THANK YOU for your past support, THANK YOU for your support of the 2016 canvass, and PLEASE be as generous as you are able.
|
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 February 29, 2016:
Actual Pledges + Collection Plate = |
| $170,524
| Budgeted Pledges + Collection Plate = |
| $164,757
| Surplus or (Deficit) |
|
$5,767
|
| Actual | Budgeted | Revenues Year-to-Date = | $254,613
| $221,290 | + Use of Reserves (Rev. Belcher)* = | $17,000
| $17,000
| Total Revenues Year-to-Date = | $271,613 | $238,290 | Total Expenses Year-to-Date = | $222,835
| $224,694 |
Total Surplus or (Deficit)
|
$48,778
|
$13,596
|
*Note: The Interim Minister position was budgeted at $17,000 for the 5 months Rev. Belcher was with us and Rev. Robersmith was on sabbatical and this was being paid for out of our reserves. The $17,000 had been transferred into our Operating Account and was paid out through the end of January.
Collection Plate Sharing
Thank you all 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, March 30.
Please have all submissions for the Orders of Service submitted by noon on the Wednesday prior to the Sunday you'd like the announcement to appear. All announcements are subject to change at the discretion of the Congregational Administrator. Space is limited!
Second Unitarian Church of Chicago
656 West Barry Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|