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

Sunday, November 6
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Dan Lewis
Music: Carey Farrell
Accompanist: Emily Barrett

Sunday, November 13
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: 2U Choir
Accompanist: Reece Johns

Sunday, November 20
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: Audrey Shadle
Accompanist: Reece Johns

Sunday, November 27
Intergenerational Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith and Director of Faith Development, Alicia Obando
Music: 2U Small Group
Accompanist: Reece Johns
_____________________
Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.

November 6, 2016
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

November 13, 2016
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

November 20, 2016
Spirit Play
UU Explorers

November 27, 2016
Intergenerational Service
_____________________
_________________
Church Office Information & Staff

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

Director of Faith Development
773-549-0260, ext. 12

Director of Music
773-549-0260, ext. 14

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
                                  
2U Ministry Leaders

Board of Trustees
Tom Denio

Adult Faith Dev.

Bookstore

Buddhist Fellowship

Building & Grounds

Committee on Ministries

Covenant of Earth & Sky

Fellowship Committee

Finance Committee

Green Sanctuary

Hospitality 

Leadership Development and Nominating Committee

Library

Lifespan Faith Dev.

Membership

Music

Newsletter

Night Ministry Outreach
Open

Pastoral Care

Safe Congregations 

Senior Potluck Lunch

Small Group Ministry

Sunday Services

Transylvania Church

Webmaster

Young Adult Group
David Dyer
Stephanie Bens
_____________________
Board of Trustees 
 

 




                                  
From the Minister
I write this to all of you just waiting to see the results of so many things: the final World Series Game (Go Cubs!), the 2016 elections, our Fall Fest fundraising efforts. (I'm sure there are more things, too.) Waiting in the midst of uncertainty is a spiritual practice with which I'm very familiar...and can be difficult to do without anxiety or frustration. What usually helps me is to take steps or make plans that are concrete and achievable even as I wait.
 
In that spirit, we've got two things you can plan on or help do here at 2U this month, and we very much need your help with them both!
  • Join Imani McPhaden to help plan and throw the annual 2U Thanksgiving dinner at the church. She needs at least one more person to help organize, coordinate, and cook! Every year I hear how much people have enjoyed the dinner, and can't wait to hear it once again.
  • Help decorate the Sanctuary and Palmer Room for the holidays on Sunday, Nov 20th after worship. Many hands make for a joyful (and quick!) transformation of our space. This is one of my favorite things to do as the holidays begin -- I hope you'll join me to get the mitten trees, wreaths, and everything else all set for the season!
There's plenty more below for you to read, do, attend, and consider. It's a lengthy newsletter, but with great information. We need you to know what your congregation is doing within and beyond our walls, especially as we wait for the uncertainty to settle out.
 
Faithfully and hopefully,
Rev. Adam
Election Day: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
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.
A Radical Hospitality
The worship service for Sunday, November 6 will be presented by Dan Lewis on the theme of "A Radical Hospitality." Dan will speak to a radical vision of hospitality that goes beyond etiquette, fellowship, or charity - a hospitality that unconditionally welcomes the other that is found in various religious and social justice traditions. Following the service at noon, Dan will also lead a conversation that addresses what a radical vision of hospitality might mean to 2U as a community.

Dan has been a member of 2U for three years and has been involved in the Sunday Services Committee, Adult Religious Education, and fundraising and marketing. He is currently chair-elect of the Board of Trustees. Dan works in software development, life coaching, and photography and holds a masters degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School.
2U Spooktacular Funraiser
Thank you to all of you who came out for the 2U Spooktacular Funraiser on Saturday, October 22nd. A great time was had by all - we are still crunching the numbers, but it appears that we have met our goal, which is fantastic.

We have four remaining events from the silent auction that have slots left in them - if you are interested in having a slot to any of these events, please email Susan Zeigler ([email protected]) by Sunday, November 6th - the auction will be officially closed after this date.
 
Available slots:
  1. Election Party with Kate Friedlob and Jim LaPointe ($20 per person) - Tuesday, November 9, 2016 (4 available)
  2. Kentucky Derby Party at Tom Denio and Laura McKee's House ($30 per person) - Saturday, May 16, 2017, 5:00 pm (5 available)
  3. Rummage Adventure #1 with Jill Althage ($25 per person) - Saturday, May 6, 2017 (2 slots available)
  4. Rummage Adventure #3 with Jill Althage ($25 per person) - Saturday, May 27, 2017 (1 slot available)
It truly takes a village to make an event like this happen, and so we must give a big thank you to everyone involved:
 
Volunteers, Auction Donors, and Auction Solicitors
2U Covenant of Earth and Sky
Colette Wright Adams
Ross Adams and Elizabeth Kindig
Jill Althage
Courtney Anderson
Audrey and Renner Barsella
Melanie Bienemann and Dawn Kirschmann
Blue Man Group
Heather Blume
Rose and John Broome
Berlinda Browne
Tom Clowes
Judy Corbeille
Tom Denio and Laura McKee
Jackie Dienstag
Monica Drane
Sue Dunmore
Anne Duston
The Field Museum
Kate Friedlob and Jim LaPointe
Karen Goldner
Maria Gregorio
Linda and Norm Groetzinger
David Haeckel
Lew Harding
Karen Harlander
Christine Henessey
Rhonda Kineman
Alex King
Maureen King
Paul Konkoly
The Lady of Light New Age Boutique (Juliana Solovjev)
David Leaman and Marva Williams
Dan Lewis
Imani McPhaden
Jodi Mills-Cerny
Alicia Obando
Jim Redlich and Myra Epping
Susan Richter
Adam Robersmith
Erin Rusmi
Frank Scott
Laura Shiplet
Jim Simonis
Mary-Helen Steindler
Stella's Diner
Steppenwolf Theatre
Amanda Thomas
UU Quilters
Sam and Cass Williamson
Darrin Weatherspoon
Earl Wood
Shauna Womeldorff
Roger Wykes
Susan Zeigler
 
Special Thanks to Staff
Yesenia Avila
Mayra Barrera
Maria Esparza
Raul Esparza
Roger Esparza
Carlos Flores Godoy
Andrew Zallar
 
Donated Tickets
Jill Althage and Larry Lefferts
Stephanie Bens
Alexander Bezdek
Monica Drane and Paul Shadle
Susan Frances
Norm and Linda Groetzinger
Dana Hill and Libby Harvey-Hill
Gene Horcher
John Houck and Rhonda Kineman
Darrick Jackson
Mary O'Leary
John Womeldorff
 
Sponsorship Tickets
Jill Althage and Larry Lefferts
Tom Denio and Laura McKee
Jonathan and Sue Dunmore
Kate Friedlob and Jim LaPointe
Karen Goldner
Allen Hailey
Christine Hennessey
John Houck and Rhonda Kineman
Mary Khoury
Adam Robersmith
Mary-Helen Steindler
2U Tupperware Fundraiser
Also, this Sunday, Nov. 6th, a tupperware representative will be here to take orders for our Tupperware Fundraiser! A portion of all of the orders will be donated to 2U! Helpers are needed to help with orders. Please see Berlinda Browne for more information or call her at 773-430-8927. Thank you for your support!
Update on Plate-Sharing Application Deadline for January-March 2017
Organizations that receive plate-sharing dollars, 50% of the plate of a designated month, are selected by a new board committee chaired by Susan Richter. Members of 2U who are active with an organization involved in social justice/social service work may secure an application form and submit it through the church office. Applicants are provided an opportunity to meet face-to-face with the committee, which will be scheduling its first meeting in the near future. Applications for January-March 2017 will be DUE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND. There will be an opportunity to meet face-to-face with the committee. If you are considering applying, please feel free to approach Norm Groetzinger, who is coordinating the plate-sharing program on behalf of committee, or Susan Richter. Electronic submissions are preferred so that we can distribute them to the entire committee in advance of the meeting. Norm can be reached at [email protected]  or 773-525-4262.
Annual Decorating Party!
Sunday, November 20
12:00 PM to ?

Save the date for 2U's Annual Decorating Party on Sunday, Nov. 20th after the service at noon! Come join us as we'll need all hands on deck to help prepare the Sanctuary and Palmer Room for the upcoming holiday season!
BIG News!
Following the suggestion of Suzanne Frank, the landscape designer who created the plan for the church's front yard and helped us implement it this summer, the BIG Committee brought the arborist back to 2U to assess the elm in front.

On Tuesday, October 25, The Care of Trees pruned and shaped the tree, and also removed the tree of heaven in the back yard that was leaning across the pedestrian alley and against the building to the north. The crew removed vines that were creeping along utility wires in back, too.

The week before, on Tuesday, October 18, we had the church's gutters cleaned. This basic maintenance keeps our church building and grounds in good condition; your pledge donations make this essential caretaking work possible.

If you are interested in other 2U BIG projects, then please attend the next BIG Committee meeting--on Sunday, November 6 at 11:45 am. The BIG Committee is always looking for people to join our ranks, especially anyone who's handy and/or has building maintenance experience.
COVES Movie Night: AGORA
Covenant of Earth and Sky invites all for an ADULT MOVIE NIGHT on Saturday, November 12th at 6:30pmWe will be viewing the movie "Agora". 

The biopic stars Rachel Weisz as Hypatia, a female mathematician, philosopher and astronomer in late 4th-century Roman Egypt, who investigates the flaws of the geocentric Ptolemaic system and the heliocentricmodel that challenges it. 

Surrounded by religious turmoil and social unrest, Hypatia struggles to save the knowledge of classical antiquity from destruction. 

Max Minghella co-stars as Davus, Hypatia's father's slave, and Oscar Isaac as Hypatia's student, and later prefect of Alexandria, Orestes.

Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Candy available for purchase. 

Any questions or comments, please email Shauna at [email protected].
Race: The Power of an Illusion
Please join us as we share this 3-part PBS video series that was developed with the intention to "help us all navigate through our myths and misconceptions, and scrutinize some of the assumptions we take for granted."

Episodes are stand alone, and yet build on each other, exploring biological myths about race,  the history of the development of the concept of race in the United States, and finally, the impact that the concept of race has had on the lives of Americans, particularly concerning citizenship, education, housing and the accumulation of wealth.
 
Providing a complex historical view of race in the United States, this series allows a fuller insight into what has brought us to the present, so that our current and future actions take the past into account.

Join us the following dates as we plan to watch and discuss the last part of this 3-part series:

Episode 3: The House We Live In
Sunday, November 13 from 1 pm to 3 pm
Tuesday, November 15 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Money Matters
What is our current financial condition? 
Our Treasurer, Dana Hill, reports that we are off to a decent start for the first three months of the fiscal year, July 1 through June 30, 2017. Our budget for this year is $303,451 or $5,836 per week! Good news includes the fact that we have two reserve accounts and balances are:

Fleishman Reserve: $77,094 (slightly higher than a year ago)

Building Fund Reserve: $18,797 (down from about $25,000 a year ago)

The Fleishman fund's use is restricted. Our building fund falls short of meeting building needs. Our operating account seeks to cover 6 weeks of normal expenses.

What's the point? We really depend on our annual pledges, fundraising and budget to keep things afloat! Please keep up to date with your pledges! Our budgeted pledges for this year of $211,091 are down from $227,152 last year despite generous pledge increases from over 56 households this year. The result largely reflects moves out of town by some large donors. On the bright side, we have raised budget targets for space sharing and special gifts. On the expense side, we are tightening our belts by reducing the hours of our Director of Faith Development by 5 hours per week and our commitment to the UUA by $4,350.
   
In summary, our finances are OK for now and will benefit if we all realize our individual support matters and we all do our part!

So, how did 2U come out financially for the year ended June 30, 2016? Good news: better than expected! We actually met our pledge budget, had a very good year of rental income, and Special Gifts also did well. The collection plate fell well short of budget; perhaps this was due to lower attendance while Rev. Robersmith was on sabbatical. As a result, we were able to return $16,148 to the Fleishman Reserve (big sigh of relief!) and had an $11,703 surplus. Here are some of the highlights:


RevenueOver/Under Budget
Pledges$229,539
+ $2,387
Collection Plate$13,848
- $4,507
Space Sharing$30,227
+ $15,340
Special Gifts$16,637
+ $7,137
Fundraising (Net)$11,149+ $49

Expenses were pretty well controlled although necessary building repairs were $4,019 over budget. For the year, we shared $7,081 from our collection plate with community groups and contributed $9,158 to the denomination (UUA and Mid-America region).

These very good results were due to all of you! Those who fulfilled pledges (and some of you gave hundreds of dollars more), the folks who put on Evergreen Fest last December and participated in the event, those who supported the special gifts campaign, those who chipped in via the collection plate, and those who helped keep our expenses in line. Thank you also to our Congregational Administrator, Andrew Zallar, for the best space sharing year we've had in some time.

What did the Board do with the Surplus from last year?
At our August Board meeting, we voted to allocate the surplus of $11,703 (after repaying the Fleishman Reserve) and an Anonymous donation of $4,500 as follows:
   
Start the new Dir. of Music and DFD 2 weeks early$1,500
Front Landscaping project (about 1/3 of cost)$3,500
Dues for ONE Northside, Com. Renewal Society, etc.$1,000
Participation in a winter program, Beloved Conversations
$1,000
Money set aside towards air conditioning of sanctuary$8,703
Addition to Fleishman Reserves$500
Sum$16,203

The kind and generous Anonymous donor expressed certain wishes to Rev. Robersmith on how their gift should be used and these are incorporated above.

We are seeking quotes for partial air conditioning for the sanctuary and know the money set aside here will perhaps cover 45% of the total. This will make our space more usable by our members and renters in the summer months. However, due to the nature of the space, a realistic expectation is a reduction in the sanctuary of 10-12 degrees compared to the temperature outside.

Here is a summary of our current finances starting July 1 through September 30:


ActualBudgetedOver/Under Budget
Pledges$76,588$57,293
+ $19,295
Collection Plate$2,807$3,700
- $893
Space Sharing$7,395$4,600
+ $2,795
Total Revenues$146,516$82,033
+ $64,483
Total Expenses$94,740$71,066
+ $23,674
Total Net Income
$51,776$10,967
+ $40,809

Collection Plate Sharing
In September, we raised $566.43 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, Jane Addams Senior Caucus.

Thank you all so much for helping to make 2U possible!
2U Member Survey
In an effort to get to know our congregants better, and to learn what motivates you to be a part of the 2U community, the Fundraising and Marketing committee is launching a survey. This survey asks basic demographic information about you and your household members (this information will be kept private), as well as questions regarding your training, work and volunteer involvement, and the activities that are of interest to you at Second Unitarian Church.


Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey - it will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
 
If you have any questions about the content of the survey, you may reach out to Susan Zeigler at [email protected].
Teens and Young Adults Get Active
The 2U Youth Group is for youth from 7th - 12 grades. The group is led by 3 young adults, Jonah, Megan and Jenny. They meet with the youth at 2U about twice a month.
 
The Young Adult Group is for those over 18 and is coordinated by Stephanie and David. They will be organizing brunch outings after the church service on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
 
For more information about the Youth Group of the Young Adults Group, contact our Director of Faith Development, Alicia Obando, at 773-549-0260 x12 or [email protected].
"Sustenance for the work of Our Hands" Workshop
Saturday, November 12, 2016
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Countryside Church, U.U.
1025 N. Smith Rd.
Palatine, IL 60067
Driving Directions - From the Northwest (Jane Addams) Tollway, exit north-bound onto IL 53. Drive north on IL 53 to Northwest Highway (west/northwest) exit. Take Northwest Highway northwest to Smith Rd. Turn north onto Smith Rd. In a few blocks, you will find the Countryside Church, U.U. and its large parking lot on the east side of the road.

"Sustenance for the work of Our Hands"
A workshop on the spiritual foundation needed for UUs to do social justice work. We are all on the social justice committee. Come and gather with UUs from across the Chicagoland Area to receive inspiration and motivation to bring back to your congregation.

Program organized by the Chicago Area U.U. Council

9:30 to 10 a.m. - Registration and socializing with light breakfast. a $7.00 contribution to help cover the day's food costs is suggested.

10 to 10:30 a.m. - Opening worship service, led by Rev. Pam Rumancik of the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, and Rev. Alan Taylor of Unity Temple U.U. with singing led by Rev. Karen Mooney of the U.U. Prison Ministry of Illinois

10:30 a.m. to Noon - Panel presentation, featuring five or six UU lay people, on spiritual foundation needed for UUs to do social justice work., followed by questions, answers and discussion.

Noon to 12:45 p.m. - Lunch and a time to get to know some of the other UUs from the Chicagoland area.

12:45 to 1:45 p.m. - Small group discussions on ways to bring this day's inspiration(s) back to our home congregations.

1:45 to 2 p.m. - Closing gathering.

TO REGISTER: Go to uuchicagoarea.org (or you may leave an email of your intent at [email protected])
Inner Engineering at 2U

Our Whole Lives (OWL) at 2U
Second Unitarian Church is partnering with Epiphany United Church of Christ in the North Center neighborhood to offer a high school OWL class for teenagers from both congregations. OWL, a comprehensive lifespan sexuality education program, was developed jointly by the UU and UCC denominations, and this is the first time in at least twenty years (and maybe the first time ever) that 2U has joined with a UCC church to offer the course. Ten local high school students are enrolled in OWL, which will run for about 12 sessions and is taught by 2U's Sue Dunmore and Epiphany's Aubrey Barnett. Other 2U members, Rev. Rudra Dundzila and Bonnie Ewald, are lending support, as is 2U's DFD Alicia Obando; member Monica Drane is coordinating the logistics for the 2U families. The course kicked off with a parent meeting, led by Sue and Aubrey, on September 25. The first class session was held on Sunday, October 1. The sessions will occur about every other Sunday evening through March, each lasting two hours.

2U has offered OWL twice before in the last ten years, once in the 2007-08 school year and then again in the 2012-13 school year. Sue has been the lead teacher each time, and the parents of participating students are tremendously grateful for her generosity, commitment, and wisdom. 2U is pleased to offer this valuable program to families in our congregation and thanks Epiphany Church for its contributions of students, a teacher, and a meeting space. Thanks, too, to Jill Althage for making it easy to locate the OWL resources in the 2U library.

If you have questions about this year's high school OWL class at 2U, then please contact Monica Drane at 312.550.3412 or follow this link. If you are interested in receiving training to teach a future OWL class, then please contact Monica.
Introducing Breeze!
Have you heard about Breeze, 2U's new online church management software for members?

This new software enables 2U members to have access to our online member directory (with pictures!), update their contact information, check their contributions online and much more!

Have you had a chance to update your profile and add your photo yet?

By now, you should have received an email inviting you to create your account login. If not, please let me know!

You can access the database here

As always, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions about this or anything else!

Thank you!

Andrew Zallar
Congregational Administrator
2U Holiday Music Sunday
Our 2U Holiday Music Sunday is on Sunday, December 11! If you are interested in lending your musical talents to this worship service, please contact 2U Director of Music, Amanda Thomas at [email protected].
Choir Corner
Interested in singing and joining the 2U Choir? The 2U Choir meets on Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 in the sanctuary under the direction of our Director of Music, Amanda Thomas! All are welcome!

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Amanda at [email protected].
From Jill, the Librarian
The Library is up and running.

We have some interesting materials for your viewing pleasure. You are welcome to come in and browse when you have a meeting and when the library is open officially (without other meetings). Here is the schedule for this month: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 13 and Sunday, November 27.

Attached is a list of recent books/materials and a list of titles on order. I have added a new books shelf. Come in and enjoy. Checking items out is easy and you can do it without a librarian. Find the card in the back of the book, write your name and the current date, place card in file next to the computer. 
 
Here's where you get to talk/email/phone me about library wishes:
1. How would you like the library to improve? What would that look like?
 
2. Name some books you hope that we have, but if we don't will order. 
 
3. Would you like to help with the library? How?
a. Cataloging new books/materials        
b. Being a member of the Library Committee
c. Helping with policies.
d. New ideas.
e. Checking materials out and telling the world you love libraries.
Looking for 2U Night Ministry Volunteer Coordinator
As you know, for years 2U has regularly served a meal at the intersection of Belmont and Halsted in support of the outreach program of the Night Ministry. Many 2U members have cooked soup, made sandwiches, desserts or served on the corner. Most nights we serve between 30 and 70 people.

What you might not know is, that this year The Night Ministry has cut down on the numbers of evenings it serves the Lakeview neighborhood. So rather than a once-a-month commitment, we only cook and serve on the street once every other month. On alternate months, our church provides a meal to homeless LGBTQ youths who find shelter at the The Crib (located at the Lake View Lutheran Church near Halsted and Addison). The shelter has a maximum occupancy of 20 young people between the ages of 18 and 24.

We are looking for someone or a team of folks who beginning January 2017 would take on the responsibility of coordinating the meal at The Crib 5-6 times a year (the first Sunday night of the odd months). It might involve cooking mac and cheese, a casserole, hot dogs or you can be as creative as you'd like. The meal would be prepared in the 2U kitchen and then transported and served at the Crib. The church has a generous budget for The Night Ministry, so the only expense is your time. The coordinator would not be expected to cook or even be there physically each month, only to organize the event and support the volunteers.

If you are interested in more information you can contact Sami Nordmark at [email protected].
#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!
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, November 9.

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