Anvil header

Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
May 1, 2016
In This Issue...
Worship at 2U

Sunday, May 1
Hymn Sing Sunday!
Intergenerational Service at 10:30
Worship Leader: Myra Epping
Music: Marianne Parker

Sunday, May 8
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: 2U Choir

Sunday, May 15
Ingathering & Annual Meeting Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: Rosalind Hurwitz

Sunday, May 22
Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith & Stephen Starkey
Music: Gail Gallagher and Kat Kidwell

Sunday, May 29
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Elizabeth Harding
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Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, May 1
Intergenerational Service

Sunday, May 8
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, May 15
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, May 22
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

Sunday, May 29
Spirit Play
UU Explorers
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Recent 2U Plate-Sharing Recipients
 






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Church Office Information & Staff

 Minister
773-549-0260, ext. 13
Office Hours:
Wed-Thurs afternoons and evenings; Sunday afternoons
Other days & times by appointment
 
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
Other days & times by appointment
 
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 Ministries

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
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Board of Trustees 
 

 





                                  
From the Minister
May and June are shaping up to be a couple of months of celebration of our membership and our congregation. On May 15th, we'll be honoring our long-term members and welcoming our new members in the morning; following worship, we'll hold our Annual Meeting, in which we'll vote on our budget and slate of leader-volunteers, consider our challenges and opportunities, and recognize the efforts of our members to make this congregation a hospitable and healthy religious home. On June 5th, we'll celebrate our Flower Communion and the Bridging of our youth graduating from high school and on June 12th, we'll have our Summer Music Sunday. June will be the month in which we say thank you to Music Director Marianne Parker and Director of Faith Development Raquel Garcia for their years of service to our congregation, and prepare to welcome new staff over the summer.

As we begin our celebrations, I would especially like to thank Lew Harding for his new gift to our sanctuary - the cabinet that now holds our anvil! His design gives us some much needed storage on the chancel, as well as a more stable support for our unique (and very, very heavy) congregational flaming chalice. Beyond that, it's simply beautiful and a welcome addition to our sanctuary. Thank you, Lew!

Lew Harding with Anvil and new cabinet
Anvil and new cabinet

Of course, all of this is happening while everything else continues on: our service with the Night Ministry and other justice work, religious education, caring for one another in times of need, and preparing for the opportunities of the coming year. In order to do all of this well, we need your participation and your help! If there are ways you'd like to get involved or things that you wish to bring to 2U, please speak with me at [email protected] or speak to our Congregational Administrator, Andrew Zallar, at [email protected] so that we can connect you with the right place in our congregation!
 
Faithfully and joyfully,
Rev. Adam
Town Hall Meeting NEXT WEEK Sunday, May 8!
In preparation for our annual meeting, there will be a town hall meeting after service NEXT WEEK Sunday, May 8 in the sanctuary to discuss the current draft budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Board Treasurer, Jim Redlich, will be presenting the draft budget and will ask for input from members and friends of the congregation to before the board's vote on the final version of the draft budget during the board meeting on Wednesday, May 11. Members of the congregation will then vote on the final draft budget at the annual meeting on Sunday, May 15. Please contact Jim Redlich at [email protected] if you have any comments, questions or ideas.
"My History of 2U" by Maryann Brandon
On Sunday, April 3, long-time member Maryann Brandon presented on the history of 2U as she has remembered it since she first attended in February 1968. Here are some of her reflections she's provided below:

My talk about 2U's history as I remember it from February 1968 - 48 years ago!

I've been thinking about how far we have come since then. It was by chance that I was talking to Kate Friedlob after one service. She suggested the spotlight luncheon might be a good time to share my knowledge from that time. Then it went to Rev. Adam and the next thing I was scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd at noon. I really appreciated the support of the many members that attended. I have lots of artifacts, old newsletters, booklets, newspaper articles, correspondence from previous ministers, and 2U's 75th Diamond Jubilee Cook Book done by members - just to tell what I kept from being trashed in the rush to clean up Unity after the Rev. Heyworth and his wife passed away and there was no congregation left.

I wanted 2U'ers to know that it was a great chance again to share my story ~ this was the second time I was given this opportunity. Yes, it is history, but it is 2U's now! I plan to put things in better order and turn it over to the Church for archives. Hopefully my snatching was all for the good and I was not sneaking anything that really wasn't mine to take!

In Oneness,
Maryann Brandon
Member since March 3, 1968
Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 15!
Mark your calendars NOW for the annual 2U congregational business meeting after service on Sunday, May 15 in the sanctuary.

As per one of the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large," the annual meeting is the time in the life of our congregation when we gather to exercise the democratic process in our church. Additionally, our church bylaws state that it is the member's "right and responsibility to contribute to the democratic life in the community." In order to conduct the business of the congregation, there must be a quorum (25%) of members present. Come and be a part of our church celebration and the planning for next year!

The purpose of the meeting is to:
  • Provide a review of the 2015-16 financial status and accomplishments
  • Approve the proposed 2016-17 church budget
  • Elect new church leaders
  • Amend the by-laws
Stay tuned to your inbox for more information coming soon!
2U Library Open House
Hello 2U Library Community,

The 2U Library will be available (open to all) for two Sundays per month (the second and 4th Sundays) for library use. This will begin in May (May 8 and May 22). Come to the Library Open House on May 8. There will be snacks and smiles for all. I'll show you some simple ways to search for books on a topic, or by author or title. Of course browsing is also welcome. We want you to know how the library works and feel welcome to use it.

You can also call Jill Althage, 773-973-5610 if you have questions, answers, suggestons, or want to donate materials.

Hope to see you all soon in the Library which is located downstairs across from Rev. Adam Robersmith's office.

Jill Althage
You Are Invited!
Did you know that over two dozen people have been members of 2U for 25 years or more? Some joined the church 40+ years ago!

These long-time members will be honored during Sunday Service on May 15 and the Membership Committee will be hosting a brunch reception PRIOR TO SERVICE that day. May 15 is also an Ingathering for new members as well as our Annual Meeting. We felt it was appropriate to honor our long-time members at the same time we welcome the new, and on the same day we attend to the business of our congregation.

Please plan to come between 9:30 and 10 on May 15 to join in celebrating and appreciating our long-time members.
MidWest Leadership School
MidWest Leadership School
for Youth and Adults
July 10-16, 2016
Beloit, WI

Grow, thrive and renew!

Part of the UUA's nationwide network of leadership schools, MidWest Leadership School (MWLS) is a week-long intensive program in leadership and group dynamics. Led by lay and ordained staff with a deep understanding of UU congregations, MWLS:
  • develops both youth and adults into congregational leaders
  • provides leadership tools and skills
  • deepens Unitarian Universalist identity
This is an extremely intense week of workshops, discussions, intimate small groups, worship preparation, personal theological exploration and growth.

In exchange for wholehearted commitment to a strenuous schedule, MWLS offers a life-changing and congregation-nourishing opportunity.

This year, Rev. Adam will be one of the ordained staff leading the week-long program!

To learn more information or to register, please click here.
#AmazonSmile
Do you love to shop? Do you love to support 2U? Well, now you can do both through AmazonSmile! 2U is now a supported charity on AmazonSmile. Click here to sign up and to learn more!
Money Matters: Time to Spring Forward On Your Pledge!
23% of 2U households are 3 months or more behind on their pledges! As the daffodils and tulips begin to bloom, we hope you'll show 2U some spring green by catching up on your pledge if you are behind. Leave your financial winter behind and join us in the spring! Pledges are our #1 source of income by far.

The Board and Finance folks are concerned about a serious pledge shortfall in the range of $15,000 for our fiscal year ending June 30. 

PLEASE, please do your best to catch up on your pledge as we only have 2.5 months left in our budget year. As always, if your circumstances have changed and you will not be able to fulfill your pledge to the church, please let our Congregational Administrator, Andrew Zallar, know by e-mailing him at: [email protected].

Budget Update: 9 months ending March 31

While pledge income looks fine in the table below, this is only because one in four households have already paid their entire pledge for the year. No checks from them from now until July. Unless those who are behind can catch up, we are set up for a disappointing shortfall that will leave 2U in a worse place financially compared to the start of the budget year.


Actual
Budget
Difference
Pledges
$175,028$170,364$4,664
Collection Plate
$10,641$13,855
($3,214)
Total Expenses
$248,090$249,342
($1,252)

On the bright side, rental income is coming in better than expected, the Special Gifts campaign raised $7,137 more than budgeted, and our fundraising income is on target.

Thank you for your continued support of 2U and if you are behind on your pledge, please understand all of us are counting on you to catch up!

Collection Plate Sharing
In March, we raised $798.91 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, RefugeeOne.

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, May 11.

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

Phone: (773) 549-0260