Anvil header

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

Sunday, June 5
Flower Communion 
Intergen Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith and Raquel Garcia, Director of Faith Development
Music: Audrey Shadle

Sunday, June 12
Music Sunday
Intergen Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith and Marianne Parker, Music Director

Sunday, June 19
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: 2U Folk Ensemble
Accompanist: Glenn Danielson

Sunday, June 26
L
Q Pride Sunday
Service at 10:30
Preacher: SSC
Music: Chris Corsale
Accompanist: Reece Johns
_____________________
Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, June 5
Flower Communion Sunday
Intergen Service: No Classes

Sunday, June 12
Music Sunday
Intergen Service: No Classes

Sunday, June 19
Lemonade Stand Prep
All classes together in Fleishman Hall

Sunday, June 26
L
G B T Q Pride Sunday
Lemonade Stand Day
All classes together in Fleishman Hall
_____________________
Recent 2U Plate-Sharing Recipients
 



_____________________
_________________
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
_____________________
Board of Trustees 
 

 





                                  
From the Minister
It appears that this will be a Summer of New Things at 2U!
 
It's beginning with a few new things for our building, including new doorbells, new pipes for a sump pump, and new plans for our landscaping. We're working on getting a new Membership Book, because our current one will be full before 2018 ends. We're getting new members settled in, welcoming new visitors, bringing on the new leadership, hiring new staff, and planning for new fall programs.
 
All these new things are very exciting, which is why I'm glad that we're also keeping plenty of our traditions, too. 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. On these Sundays, we'll also say thank you to Music Director Marianne Parker and Director of Faith Development Raquel Garcia for their years of service to our congregation. We'll have our Worship and Potluck in the Park at the end of July. We're keeping our tradition of summer being a time of rest, renewal, and enjoyment - and we'll do that with worship and fellowship every Sunday.

We need your participation and your help all year around! If there are ways you'd like to get involved or things that you wish to bring to 2U, please speak with any of the 2U staff, Membership Committee, or Board Members, so we can connect you with the right place in our congregation! (You'll find contact info for these folks in the sidebar below.)
 
Faithfully,
Rev. Adam
#WearOrange
#WearOrange
. Tomorrow, Thursday, June 2, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Millions are coming together to fight for an end to gun violence in America. If you believe there's more we can do to help save American lives from gun violence, you are Orange.

The color orange symbolizes the value of human life. Hunters wear orange in the woods to protect themselves and others. In 2013, teens on the South Side of Chicago asked classmates to honor their murdered friend, Hadiya Pendleton, by wearing orange. That simple call to action has grown into a national movement -- and orange is becoming the symbol of gun safety. 

Explore new ways to join the movement by clicking here, and #WearOrange on June 2 for National Gun Violence Awareness Day!
Annual Flower Communion Service
Please join us on Sunday, June 5 at 10:30 AM for our Annual Flower Communion Service!
 
The Flower Communion service was originally created in 1923 by Unitarian minister Rev. Norbert Capek, who founded the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. In the ceremony, members of the congregation place their flowers in a shared vase on the altar. The flowers are blessed during the ceremony, and at the end of the service, each person brings home a flower other than the one that he or she brought.
 
Reginald Zottoli writes, "The significance of the flower communion is that no two flowers are alike, so no two people are alike, yet each has a contribution to make. Together, the different flowers form a beautiful bouquet. Our common bouquet would not be the same without the unique addition of each individual flower, and this it is with our church community: it would not be the same without each and every one of us."
 
Come and be a part of this lovely celebration of our 2U community!
 
Please don't forget to bring a flower with you to contribute to the ceremony!
A Thank You
A Thank You--

To all of you for your expressions of sorrow over Jen Duston's death. Your kindnesses ~ cards, phone calls, donations to our fine 2U in her name, comforting words, hugs ~ are all so greatly appreciated. It is no wonder that she so loved this little church.

Judy Kowal (Jen's mom)
Honoring our long-term members!
On Sunday, May 15, we held a service to not only welcome our newest members, but to also honor our long-term members who have been members at 2U for over 25 years! Their loyalty and commitment to this community are a continuing inspiration to us all!
SAVE THE DATE!
SAVE THE DATE! June 19, 2016, after worship we will have a 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. More details to come.......
From Rev. Seth Fisher
In 2001, I went looking for a community. I knew I needed to be connected to something larger than myself in a way that really meant something. When I found 2U and I signed the book, I was asked why I was joining the church. My answer was that when I stay home on Sunday mornings, have a cup of coffee by myself and catch up on the news it's a utopia, because everyone in the whole place is in perfect, peaceful agreement about everything from the temperature on the thermostat to the music on the playlist. But it's perfect because it's just me - and it doesn't mean much. A lot of people who are looking for a faith community say that they want to be with "like-minded" people. I needed the opposite. I wanted to be with people who thought differently from me and could expand my horizons a bit so that I would learn and grow and have meaningful relationships with people that I might otherwise never know. If I wanted to be in a place where my beliefs would be confirmed rather than challenged and everything would fit my own tastes I could just stay home. I wanted something more than that. I wanted a community that would help me bring more meaning to my life. That's why I picked a UU church. And that's how 2U became my spiritual home.
 
And, 2U has delivered. So much so that Unitarian Universalism has become the main focus of my life's work. I don't know exactly why, but this is not uncommon at 2U. This community just seems to grow ministers and my call puts me in good company, with a long line of ministers to come out of this church. I preached my first sermon here and I served on my first committee, and another, and another and another... I've been supported and challenged and mentored and given opportunities to learn and to grow into my call. 2U has been my church home and my starting point as I attended divinity school, completed a student ministry and a couple of internships, received ministerial fellowship and served my first churches. Incidentally, this is why you haven't seen me much in the last few years. And in July, I will begin my first settled, called ministry at First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County in New Jersey. I'm very excited to take this next, big step along the journey and it seems like an appropriate time to say thank you to all of you at 2U. So thank you for being my spiritual home and for welcoming me into this faith tradition. And I also want to point out that even though I'll be a thousand miles away, I'll be more connected than ever to that community that I came looking for fifteen years ago.   

Thank you,
Rev. Seth Fisher
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].
Pride Sunday Service
On June 26th, Pride Sunday, the Sunday Service Committee will be presenting a series of readings related to the history of the 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]
From the Community Minister, Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Dear Congregants,

Another college teaching year has come to an end. Many students graduated, others are continuing for another semester or year or so, and some have transferred to 4-year schools. Just to recall, my community ministry is teaching Religion and Humanities at Truman College in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, where I also serve as chair of Humanities. The most unpleasant part of the semester is finally over for me: grading. I love teaching, but grading pains me, especially the grades of the students struggling to be successful. I am reminded that I had my small share of one "D" and several "Cs' as an undergraduate, generally in math and science. I was far from a perfect student.

A congregant had visited me in my office, and suggested I share my door and its signs with the rest of you. I have taken a solemn vow not to cover my car's bumper with an array of poignant, socially conscious bumper stickers. The same does not apply to my office door.

Two signs are meant to let students know that my office is a safe place for ALL students of ALL genders, ALL races, and ALL orientations. The "Standing on the Side of Love" sign tells my students something about my faith, AND it reminds me daily to invoke a presence of care in office. That is too easily forgotten for me, as I get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of e-mails, phone calls, reports, grading, etc. Finally, I'm making a statement that I care for all people, including African Americans. Our country of "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" has privileged white men like me, while discriminating against its minorities, especially our Black brothers and sisters. As a person of faith, I pray for change, work the political system to create change, and take a public stance for change with my door sign.

Wishing everyone safe and enjoyable spring season,
Your Community Minister, Rev. Rudra
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
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 1.5 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 this year, please let our Congregational Administrator, Andrew Zallar, know by e-mailing him at: [email protected].

Budget Update: 10 months ending April 30

Our fat squirrel from the winter has finally run out of acorns! We have finally have eaten away at the surplus of pledging income from the fall from early payers. With 1.5 months remaining in the year, 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
$190,255$191,035
($780)
Collection Plate
$11,622$15,755
($4,133)
Total Expenses
$271,497$274,815
($3,318)

On the bright side, rental income is significantly 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 April, we raised $490.88 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, UU Prison Ministry of Illinois.

Thank you all so much for helping to make 2U possible!
2U Fiber Arts Group
Do you knit? Sew? Crochet? Embroider? Do you like good conversation and yummy goodies? If so, you may enjoy the 2U Fiber Arts group! We meet one Sunday or Saturday a month between 2 and 4 for social sewing and light conversation.

Email [email protected] for more details.
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!
Volunteers Needed for the Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care Team at 2U provides two separate ministries, a Listening Ministry and a Practical Care Ministry. Volunteers for the listening ministry are partnered with a church member who is experiencing a stressful life transition. The Practical Care Ministry provides hands on assistance for example rides, meals, emergency baby sitting or light housekeeping.  2U has a tradition of providing meals for new parents after the birth of a child and for members recently discharged from the hospital. Other members request rides for a doctor's appointment or clinic visit or rides to church. Volunteering can be occasional or ongoing for an individual church member. The benefits of volunteering are getting to know church members on a deeper level.

DRIVERS NEEDED:
The Pastoral Care Team needs drivers to provide rides to and from church for long term member, Dick Scheiberle who lives in Rogers Park. Dick especially would like a ride to church since the PACE bus is often late for pick-ups. Contact Nanna Cross at [email protected] if you are able to provide rides to members-either only occasionally or on a regular basis.

SUMMER SIDE JOB FOR STRONG PERSON:
Norman and Linda Groetzinger need someone to mow their lawn, beginning in June. They'll pay minimum wage. Call for details: 773-484-0883.
 
LISTENING MINISTRY:
If you are interested in the Listening Ministry contact Rev. Adam Robersmith at [email protected] for more information.
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.
 
If you would like more information about this rare opportunity, email Roger Baron at [email protected] or call 312-560-8382 (cell) or 847-291-1082 (home).
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, June 8.

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