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Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
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From the Minister
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We are continuing our August of new and exciting changes at 2U! I am thrilled to share with you that we've hired both new members of our program staff in just this last week: Alicia Obando joins us as our Director of Faith Development and Amanda Thomas joins us as our Director of Music. Amanda and Alicia both come with significant experience in their respective fields, personal history as Unitarian Universalists, and a strong commitment to the ministries that they will be supporting. Their presence brings new gifts and perspectives to our staff and leadership that should open up new avenues of growth. I'm very excited to see what we will all create together and to know that this new staff team will breathe new life into my ministry with you as well.
You'll see their photos and bios below. More importantly, you'll see them at 2U on Sunday mornings - please come say hello and give them warm welcomes to their new roles in our congregation! Faithfully and joyfully, Rev. Adam
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Welcome Our New Director of Faith Development, Alicia Obando!
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I am very excited to be joining the staff team at 2U as the new Director of Faith Development. I started coming to church at 2U in 1995 because I was looking for a place of worship for my 6 year old foster child. She entered the 2U Sunday school program, and soon after, I became a teacher in the program. Working with children and families is something I've been doing in some capacity for over 30 years. I started off as a child and family therapist, but have also been a tutor, a kids club leader, a preschool teacher, a Big Sister, a foster mom, a nanny, and have recently started my own business coaching families on how to safely manage kids and pets. Being in the company of children brings me joy and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work with all of you to help our 2U kids develop into amazing UU people. I look forward to working together with the staff, the parents, the kids and all the congregation to continue our tradition of excellent faith development programming.
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Welcome Our New Director of Music, Amanda Thomas!
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Mezzo soprano vocal soloist, and vocal instructor in the Chicago area for many years, Amanda earned a B. A. in music from Saint Xavier University of Chicago, where she studied voice and choral conducting. She is comfortable singing and conducting many genres of music including instrumental, classical, jazz, gospel, pop, and South African choral music. Amanda has been a UU for 16 years, and she and her wife Heather Godbout have been members of Unity Temple UU Congregation for 9 years. Amanda is the former Choir Director at Park Forest UU Church in Park Forest, Illinois, and the former Music Director of First Unitarian Church of Chicago.
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Homecoming Worship and Gathering of the Waters
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Sunday, September 11, 2016
10:30 am
Please join us for our homecoming intergenerational celebration of the start of the church year on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 10:30 am! We will celebrate our community through our annual ritual of water communion. Please bring water to the church from places sacred and meaningful to you, from near or far-- your home tap, a beach, winter's snows, or another beloved body of water. We look forward to beginning this new year together.
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THANK YOU!
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THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HELPED TRANSFORM THE FRONT YARD AT 2U! The church's front-yard landscape redesign project came in under-budget, has received rave reviews from neighbors, and couldn't have happened without the extraordinary generosity of Suzanne Frank of Bluestem Garden Design and the efforts of more than two-dozen members of the congregation, including: Gary B., Judy C., Monica D., Roger Esparza and the 2U cleaning crew, Karen F., Kate F., Lew H., Sally H., Joyce H., Adam H., Libby H., Dana H., Teresa K., Sami N., Jim R., Susan R., Adam Robersmith, Erin R., Laura S., Ronald S., Shauna W., Kat W., Andrew Zallar, other members of the BIG committee and the 2U ad-hoc landscaping group and the 2U young adult group, Rob Montoya and his landscaping crew, and the City of Chicago's yard-waste recycling crew. Please enjoy the new space by taking a seat on one of the new benches in the conversation circle...and please join us, if you're able, on Saturday, September 10 and Saturday, October 15 from 9 am to noon to keep the yard looking good!
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2U Marketing/Fundraising Updates
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The new 2U Marketing and Fundraising Task Force has been meeting for a couple of months, and is very excited about the energy surrounding its efforts. There are several events scheduled out for the new church year, so be sure to mark your calendars for the following:
Sunday, September 25, 2016 - Celebration Luncheon for the start of the church year
Saturday, October 22, 2016 - Fall Fest Fundraiser
Sunday, June 4, 2017 - Celebration Luncheon for the end of the church year
We are starting to plan for an open house for the church after the landscaping is complete in the front of the building - not sure of the date yet, but we will keep you posted.
If you are interested in the work of the 2U Marketing and Fundraising Task Force, please do join us for our next meetings that will take place Sunday, August 28, 2016 and Sunday, September 11, 2016 after the service. All are welcome, as there is a lot to get done - we will be talking about more details for the fall events, recruiting for event leads, and discussing logistics for a marketing focus group. Hope to see you there!
If you have any questions or are interested in joining the 2U Marketing and Fundraising Task Force, you can send an email to us at [email protected].
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FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
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Covenant of Earth and Sky is hosting a FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: Saturday, August 27th at 4:00pm in the Sanctuary. We will be showing Disney's "BROTHER BEAR".
The film is about Kenai, a boy who is turned into a bear by the Nature Spirits because he took the life of the bear that killed his brother. In order to be human again, Kenai must travel to a mountain where the Northern lights touch the earth, and learn to see through another's eyes, feel through another's heart, and discover the meaning of brotherhood.
Popcorn and drinks (soda/juice/water) will be provided. We will collect donations to order Pizza for after the movie. Post movie activities will also include some talk about the film and a craft based on the movie theme! Children 4+ years old are welcome.
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Lay Preacher Training in September
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Are you interested in learning more about the process by which our lay services are crafted at 2U? Are you interested in possibly presenting a service yourself at some point in the future? Do you have a service in mind and want to know the next steps involved in presenting it?
Come to Lay Preacher Training at 7pm on Wednesday, September 28th presented by the Sunday Service Committee and Rev. Adam Robersmith. If you would like more information, to sign up for the workshop, or have any questions about anything related to our Sunday Services, email the Sunday Service Committee at [email protected].
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2U Announces New Contemplative Worship Service
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We are delighted to announce a new contemplative worship service inspired by Buddhist and Quaker practices. Our services are the first Fridays of every month. Services will be in both the Palmer Room and the Sanctuary at 6:30pm and end at 8:30pm, containing elements of fellowship, meditation, and contemplative conversation. No prior meditation experience is required. Instruction will be given as needed. Come as you are. All are welcome!
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From Rev. Rudra Dundzila
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Dear congregants,
I hope you are having a wonderful warm, sunny and relaxing summer. Although it's Summer, we're busy at work at church. Rev. Adam and I have been planning Adult Faith Development programming for next year. Rev. Adam will have several offerings. We brainstormed several good ideas about a program I could offer. We decided to ask you to help us decide: which program would you like to see me offer during this church year.
Here are the options:
The Garden of Unitarian*Universalism takes an international tour to gain a broader and deeper understanding of our shared Unitarian and Universalist faith. It explores the diversity and the unity of our faith. It connects participants with one another. Exercises ask participants to reflect on what Unitarian*Universalism means to them and consider what it might mean to other Unitarians and Universalists from other places. Each of the 6 sessions has a small group worship that reflects the culture of a sibling denomination abroad: International Unitarian*Universalism, England, Transylvania, India, the Philippines, and Africa. Activities honor diverse ways of learning to connect with one another.
Understanding the World's Religions delves into the UUA principle of "The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all" and the UUA source of "Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life." Who are our religious neighbors in Chicago? What beliefs or practices do we Unitarian Universalists share with others? How can our religious neighbors inspire our own faith? The 6 sessions cover Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, and Native American religion, and conclude with a final integration.
Military Ministry Toolkit for Congregations prepares individuals and faith communities to welcome and support military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Unitarian Universalist Buddhism I'm part of the team developing the curriculum, however we've not made much progress. This might kick-start the project.
Please vote at the following link here by 6 September.
In faith and fellowship,
Rev. Rudra Dundzila
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UUSJ Quarterly Meeting
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No Justice, No Peace
UUs for Social Justice Quarterly Meeting
Sunday, August 28, 2016, starting at 2 pm
Unitarian Church of Hinsdale,
17 W. Maple St., Hinsdale, IL 60521
(two blocks north of Chicago Ave., 1 1/2 west of Garfield)
Program: 'Whose Justice? A Workshop on Bringing Restorative Justice to Our Communities' (2:00-3:30 p.m.)
Speakers: Prof Michael Seng, Co-Director of John Marshall Law School's Restorative Justice Project
Linda Cooper, Restorative Practices Trainer and member Illinois Balanced and Restorative Justice Organization
Rev Karen Mooney, Minister of Beverly Unitarian Church and peace circle facilitator
Quarterly Board Meeting 3:35 - 5:00 pm
Both the workshop and board meeting are open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
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Election Day: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
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According to the 5th Principle of Unitarian Universalism, "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;" the upcoming November election is an opportunity for you to exercise your right to vote.
Please help take part in the democratic process in the general election this year on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Please click here to find information about how to register to vote, your status of your registration, your polling place, and to also find other helpful information.
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From Jill, the Librarian
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The 2U Library is open to all the following Sundays from Noon to 2 PM:
August 28
September 11 and 25
October 9 and 23
November 13 and 27
December 11 and 25
Are you ever in a meeting when your mind wanders away from the topic? If this should happen during a meeting in the 2U Library, go ahead and let your eyes roam the shelves. Later after the meeting take the book, DVD, CD or item and find the card. Just write your name (first and last) and the current date on a card you'll find in a pocket near the back of the book or item. Then place the card in the box beside the computer. When you return the item, place it in the green box. Jill Althage will re-shelve it!
Here are some of the items added this month:
DVDs:
As We Forgive DVD 967.57104 HIN
God Grew Tired of Us DVD 962.4043 QUI
Hotel Rwanda DVD 791.43 GEO
Human Experience DVD 170 CAM
Slumdog Millionaire DVD 780-9866 BOY
BOOKS:
Anatomy of Censorship: Why the Censors Have It Wrong 363.31 WHI
Book of the Dead: The Papyrus of Ani 299.31 BUD
Complete Guide to Small Group Ministry 253.7 HIL
Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling 253.03 HUN
Dreams of My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance 973.0405967625013 OBA
Larousse World Mythology 291 GRI
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Money Matters
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The weekly cost for running 2U is $5,835.60!
2U's annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 was $328,672.
Below is a brief summary of our pledging/collection plate revenue vs our expenses through May 31, 2016. A detailed summary of the full July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 fiscal year will be coming soon.
Budget Update: 11 months ending May 31, 2016
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Actual
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Budget
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Difference
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Pledges
| $210,107 | $204,437
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$5,670
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Collection Plate
| $12,989
| $17,055 |
($4,066)
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Total Expenses
| $306,015 | $301,539 |
($4,476)
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Collection Plate Sharing
Thank you all so much for helping to make 2U possible!
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Stay Connected
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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.
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Submission Deadlines
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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, August 31.
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
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