|
Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
|
|
From the Board Chair, Susan Zeigler
|
This is my last Anvil article as Board Chair! Thank you to all of you who have in one way or another have supported me in this journey.
As we wind down the church year, I would like to highlight an initiative that congregants discussed at the Board Chat that took place this past Sunday, June 12th. The board is interested in getting congregant feedback regarding Second Unitarian Church becoming an affiliate of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV). ICHV is a non-profit organization whose mission is to "educate, raise public awareness, and build coalitions to enact change in laws and influence behavior that leads to gun violence." As an affiliate, Second Unitarian Church would lend their name (there is no cost to this affiliation) to the cause, and keep updated regarding important pending bills and other matters regarding handgun violence in Illinois.
The board plans to conduct a vote regarding this affiliation at its next board meeting on Wednesday, July 13th. If you would like to voice your opinion about this issue, please contact me at [email protected]. More information regarding the Council can be found here.
Also, as a reminder, the church fiscal year ends on June 30, 2016, so we are asking that you make your final pledge payments before that date. Ideally, we would like to have final payments by the last Sunday of the month, which is June 26, 2016. You should have already received your latest monthly contribution statement via email, so please consult the statement to know the amount remaining for the year. To those of you who have already fulfilled your pledge for the year, thank you!! See you in church. Susan Zeigler
|
Howard Brown and Center on Halsted Resources
|
For people who would like to speak with someone about grief, fear, or other emotions in the aftermath of this past weekend's shooting in Orlando, Howard Brown Health and Center on Halsted are offering drop-in support sessions over the next couple of weeks for the wider community to access:
- Tuesday, June 21st, 6-8pm at the Brown Elephant located at 3020 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
- Thursdays, June 16th & 23rd, 5-7pm at the Center on Halsted located at 3656 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613.
Please take advantage of these times or pass them along to someone who might need them.
|
Money Matters: Only 2 WEEKS Left in the Fiscal Year!
|
There are only 2 WEEKS left in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016! Pledges are our #1 source of income by far!
PLEASE, please do your best to catch up on your pledge as we only have 2 WEEKS 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 this year, please let our Congregational Administrator, Andrew Zallar, know by e-mailing him at: [email protected].
Budget Update: 11 months ending May 31, 2016
|
Actual
|
Budget
|
Difference
|
Pledges
| $210,107 | $204,437 |
$5,670
|
Collection Plate
| $12,989 | $17,055 |
($4,066)
|
Total Expenses
| $306,015 | $301,539 |
($4,476)
|
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 May, we raised $683,43 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, UU Military Ministry Great Lakes.
Thank you all so much for helping to make 2U possible!
|
Summer Solstice: Litha
|
Covenant of Earth and Sky (CUUPS Chapter) welcomes all to join us for the celebration of Summer Solstice, also known as Litha. Saturday, June 18th at 5pm. We will celebrate the energy of Fire in a ritual outside in the back yard of 2U (weather permitting). Fire is a life force bringing transformation, inspiration, growth and warmth to the Earth, to our spirits and the Universe. The Earth is awake, the Sun is shining down, the energy is gathering for the growth of the fruit, vegetables, flora and fauna. We recognize the heat of the Sun, warm on our skin and cheek. The powers of nature are at their highest point, the zenith of light. This is the Longest Day of the Year and the shortest night. Love magic is strong and the Harvest is on the horizon.
We will have a Potluck dinner after the ritual, so please bring a sweet or savory dish to share. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Shauna Womeldorff via email at [email protected].
|
Celebrate Good Times... Come on!
|
This Sunday, June 19th, after worship we will have a celebration luncheon to celebrate the end of our Pledge Campaign, a successful Annual Meeting, and the end of our 2016 fiscal year!!! Yes, it's Fathers' Day, but you can still throw those steaks on the grill later. Directly after worship, plan to stay a while and celebrate with us!!!
|
Welcome New Members
|
Meghan and Ted Apostol:
Finding out they were pregnant was what motivated Meghan and Ted Apostol to find 2U. They had moved to Chicago from Connecticut five years ago, and were married in the Catholic Church out of respect for Meghan's family's faith. "But the Catholic Church wasn't for us," said Meghan. "We wanted a religion where we both felt like we could grow together in a community." Meghan had heard about Unitarian Universalism from her yoga instructor who is a UU in Connecticut. They began attending 2U last August. Meghan recently completed her master's degree in social work with a concentration in school social work, and had previously worked as an elementary school music teacher. Ted is an actuary at CNA. Their baby boy, Andrew, was born in April. Meghan said that they are excited to meet more people and get involved as time allows this summer. Her passion is working on prison issues with the Social Justice Council, and Ted is still looking around at the wide variety of opportunities at 2U. The family lives in Lincoln Park.
|
From Jill, the Librarian
|
![](http://files.ctctcdn.com/e0c70869001/1758509d-7d83-4850-a2df-afe1c530450a.png?a=1125019752194) Hi, 2U Scholars,
Did you know that you can go into the library alone, peruse the books etc. and check the item of your choice without the snoopervision of Jill, the Librarian? Well, you can. Here are some links that may help you search.
Happy reading!
Jill Althage
|
LGBTQ Pride Sunday Service
|
On June 26th, LGBTQ Pride Sunday, the Sunday Service Committee will be presenting a series of readings related to the history of the LGBTQ Pride movement. If you have readings you would like to suggest, would like to volunteer to read something during the service, or are interested in joining the planning for the service, please email: [email protected]
|
Save the Date for Worship in the Park
|
![](http://files.ctctcdn.com/e0c70869001/31c3d47a-20bd-4be8-99db-93282610d479.gif?a=1125019752194) 2U's Annual Worship in the Park will be on Sunday, July 31st at 11:00 AM in Lincoln Park, right on Lake Michigan.
There will also be a church-wide potluck meal right after the service. So, please bring your favorite dish or beverage to share! If you're bringing drinks: iced tea, lemonade or water are preferred!
More details will be coming soon!
|
2U Night Ministry Position Open: Program Coordinator
|
2U Night Ministry Volunteers:
It is with mixed emotions that I need to let you know that I will be leaving my role of 2U's Night Ministry Program Outreach Director. Due to circumstances beyond my control, my current wage earning job that I have had for the last 18 years is coming to an end. This places me in a situation where I need to dedicate all of my time to identifying the specific particulars for the next chapter in my life. Unfortunately, that means that I have to let go of this position to ensure I am successful. With this in mind I, along with Church Leadership, need to identify my replacement. Here are the current Roles & Responsibilities of the Program Coordinator:
- Acts as the liaison between The Night Ministry Organization & 2U Church Leadership
- Is the face of the 2U Night Ministry Outreach Program. Speaks to Congregation and other groups on behalf of the Program
- Adheres to and enforces all Rules or Guidelines outlined for any of the volunteer positions for any Night Ministry Event
- Works with Church Leadership to identify the annual fiscal budget
- Accountable to manage, adhere to, track and speak to the program budget
- Identifies and trains Event Coordinators
- Recruits Program volunteers
- Identifies, implements and provides training on the required administrative tools for the Program utilized by all Program volunteer positions
- Coordinates the needs of the Night Ministry Organization with the Program capabilities and resources
- Schedules use of Church rooms (including Kitchen) for Events
- Maintains the volunteer distribution list
- Disseminates Program & Event communications
- Provides Program status to appropriate resources including the 2U Church Leadership and The Night Ministry Organization
- Coordinates all other Program logistics
- Ensures each Event is adequately staffed and supports Event Coordinator as necessary throughout the Event lifecycle
- Acts as Event Coordinator for months not assigned to a specific Event Coordinator
This opening provides an excellent opportunity for an individual or two person team who can dedicate (on average) 4-12 hours a month, have good organizational and time management skills, enjoy working with others, and loves working/cooking in the kitchen!
Over my tenure in this position, I have documented all of the necessary steps and processes to ensure that the Program became truly "turnkey" and because of that, it can easily be transitioned to my successor. It is my hope that we identify my replacement by June 21st and train the next coordinator by July 21st so they can take over the Program starting with the August Meal on the Street Event. If you are interested and would like more information about this opportunity, please let me know and I can send you additional materials for your consideration. Running the program has been a lot of fun and truly personally rewarding. I have met and worked with a lot of wonderful people in the four years I have been supporting the 2U Night Ministry Program. It has been wonderful being part of an organization that has provided such an important community service for the last 40 years and it is my hope that I have added something special to it so that when I pass the baton - the next coordinator can do the same and the program will continue to grow and flourish!
Kind Regards,
Kerry Marchetti-Knarr
|
Great Lakes Ministry Board Opening
|
The Unitarian Universalist Military Ministry Great Lakes (UUMMGL) has been providing UU worship services to Navy recruits at Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Command (boot camp) since 2007. It serves the religious needs of future sailors as they go through their physically and emotionally challenging training. For many, the services are an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. UU volunteers have the personal satisfaction of meeting and interacting with as fine a group of young adults as you will meet anywhere. During 2015, about 550 attended UU worship at Great Lakes, and also received a copy of the UU military prayer/meditation manual Bless All Who Serve.
UUMMGL is currently looking for a board member, specifically a treasurer. The board is an Illinois not-for-profit, federally tax exempt religious corporation that provides oversight and funding for the ministry. Board meetings are held 4 times a year, usually a Saturday morning in January, April, June, and September in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Board members have some work in between board meetings, commensurate with their board portfolio (chair, secretary, treasurer, and other duties). Board members also serve as liaisons to their congregations, communicating with them about the ministry and seeking funding for the ministry. The board hires and supervises a quarter-time ministerial coordinator who administers the ministry and coordinates worship services. Some board members also serve as worship leaders.
|
|
|
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
|
![](http://files.ctctcdn.com/e0c70869001/9175e8ca-817b-458f-8665-1455fa2b00ee.jpg?a=1125019752194) 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, June 29th.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|