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Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
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From the Board Chair, Tom Denio
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Ah, it's almost Christmas time! Did you know that Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, first published in December of 1843 was really the story about how Ebenezer Scrooge became a UU? I love this classic tale of the Christmas spirit winning the heart of this coldhearted money-lender. As Wikipedia asserts: "It was he [Dickens] who superimposed his humanitarian vision of the holiday upon the public" and "Dickens believed the best way to reach the broadest segment of the population regarding his concerns about poverty and social injustice was to write a deeply felt Christmas story rather than polemical pamphlets and essays."
Which of the seven principles did Ebenezer exhibit? I'll give him credit for 5 of the 7 from the tale including: 1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations (think of his generosity to Tiny Tim who lived long before the Affordable Care Act); 3. ...encouragement to spiritual growth (the ghosts of Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come); and 7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Take a fresh look at the tale and give it your own 7 principles test!
I am especially grateful to the many volunteers who helped 2U make this season special. Thanksgiving seems long ago and thank you to Imani McPhaden for organizing it this year with the help of Jodi and Chuck Cerny. The 2U Choir, singers and musicians all sounded absolutely great last Sunday! Thanks to Barb & Allen Hailey, Kate Friedlob, Monica Drane, Nancy Kloetzli and Jeanne Mayer for the cookie sale. Thanks also to Tom Clowes and Judy Corbeille for helping with the Special Gifts campaign. Shauna Womeldorff has carefully planned the beautiful Winter Solstice celebration on Dec. 21 with the Covenant of Earth and Sky and the Labyrinth on Dec. 29 and New Year's Day with Rev. Adam! If you haven't attended these before, please consider stopping in this year. The Do-It-Yourself Christmas Pageant on Dec. 18 is lots of fun and I hope you can join us, too, for our Christmas Eve service at 7:00 pm if you are staying here in town.
See you in Church ...its warm inside and so are the people!
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Special Gifts Campaign Launched with $ for $ Match
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 We are pleased to announce the Board and several leaders in the church have donated $7,000 to create a $ for $ match of your year end gift! Our goal is to raise $15,000. For every $ you donate, your gift will be doubled! The campaign is now through January 8, 2017.
These gifts help make 2U a vibrant community. Thanks to the generosity of your pledges, contributions and special gifts, we are able to benefit from a full time minister and critical staff.
Let's keep 2U healthy and strong in these challenging times.
Please donate today, a coming Sunday, or online by clicking here. *If donating online, please indicate that your donation is towards our Specials Gifts Campaign.
Thank you for your continued support of 2U!
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Christmas Eve Service
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Please join us at 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, as we come together for our annual candlelight service, based in the Lessons and Carols tradition. With stories and songs, we'll reflect on the spirit of Christmas, the promise of hope and the season of peace.
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Winter Solstice 2016
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7:00 PM in the Sanctuary
Since ancient times, we have gathered in this season to celebrate the rebirth of the Sun in the Pagan tradition.
On the Winter Solstice, the darkest of nights, the Goddess becomes the Great Mother and once again gives birth to the Sun and the new yearly cycle, bringing light and hope to all the Earth. On the longest night of winter, there springs the new spark of hope, the Sacred Fire, the Light of the World. We are in the midst of winter at the darkest part of the year, but even in the depths of darkness there is the promise of light to come with the celebration of the Goddess and the Yule Child.
All are welcome to join Covenant of Earth and Sky (CUUPS Chapter) to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Please bring a sweet or savory holiday dish to share. There will be a drawing for a Winter Solstice Gift Basket! Questions or comments, please email Shauna at covenantearthsky@secondunitarian.org.
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New Year Labyrinth Walks
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 The Covenant of Earth and Sky (2U's CUUPS Chapter) and the Rev. Adam Robersmith are happy to offer the church community two New Year Labyrinth Walks. We'll have a 24 foot canvas walking labyrinth that will be laid on the Sanctuary floor and lap labyrinths available for those with mobility challenges.
We welcome all to experience the sacred space of a labyrinth. It is a walking meditation where one can find solace, joy, spiritual energy and connection to the larger world around us. COVES and Rev. Adam will be facilitators to answer questions and offer guidance in how to walk a labyrinth.
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Church Office Closures
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 As a reminder, the church office will be closed from Friday, December 23 through Monday, January 2, 2017. Rev. Robersmith and the rest of the church staff will be out of the office during that time.
Office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.
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Membership Orientation
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Membership Orientation will be offered on January 15, 22 and 29, 2017, following service:
In the first session, we will discuss spiritual journeys and what brings us to 2U, pus a history of Unitarian Universalism. The following week, we discuss 2U's specific history and congregational involvement such as the many activities and committees in our church community. The last session is devoted to governance and finance. Although our by-laws only start that you must attend one session, we always encourage people interested in pursuing membership to attend all three as it gives you a much broader idea of our church life. Each session lasts until about 2 p.m.
Orientation is offered three times per year. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to the church office. You can also sign up at the Welcome Table following service.
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Understanding the World's Religions
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 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, led by 2U's Community Minister, Rev. Rudra Dundzila, cover Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, and Native American religion, and conclude with a final integration. The sessions will meet 7-9 PM. Some will be at Second Unitarian, and some will be field trips to our partners in faith.
Dates & Tentative topics
Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - Buddhism (at Second Unitarian)
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - Hinduism
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - Sikhism
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 - Islam
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 - Native American
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 - wrap up (at Second Unitarian)
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2U Member Survey
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 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.
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Choir Corner
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 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!
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Money Matters
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 What is our current financial condition? Our budget for this year is $303,451 or $5,836 per week!
Here is a summary of our current finances starting July 1 through November 30:
| Actual | Budgeted | Over/Under Budget | | Pledges | $105,717 | $89,901 |
+ $15,816
| | New Pledges | $0 | $665 |
- $665
| | Collection Plate | $5,312 | $6,400 |
- $1,088
| | Fundraising | $13,015 | $12,400 |
+ $615
| | Space Sharing | $18,978 | $8,100 |
+ $10,878
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If you have any questions about the budget or would like more information, please contact Andrew Zallar in the 2U office.
Collection Plate Sharing
In November, we raised $688.33 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, UUSC.
Thank you all so much for helping to make 2U possible!
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Introducing Breeze!
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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!
You can also now download the Breeze app at the Apple Store or Google Play Store by clicking here!
Thank you!
Andrew Zallar
Congregational Administrator
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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, December 28.
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
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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