"In the measurement world you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold."

Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

On Saturday, October 14, the 2U Board of Trustees met in a retreat to envision the upcoming church year. Our goal was to decide upon a focus to the year rooted in possibility and deep inspiration. We shared the things that inspire each of us. We acknowledged each other's gifts. We examined the narrowness of fear-based survival thinking and the freedom of love-based being steeped in possibility. And we began to imagine what would call us forth as a community.

One of our inspirations is a flash mob of orchestral musicians assembling one by one in a placid plaza of Sunday afternoon passers-by and astonishing them with a joyous performance Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". (You can view it on YouTube by searching on "Sanabell flash mob".) The effect is wondrous, magical, transcendent, joyous and full of hope. And we were inspired by this vision of joyous community.

We, the 2U Board of Trustees, invite you into our focus for the year:  Sharing Joy and Hope.

We as a board intend to cultivate genuine joy and hope for ourselves and our community as a spiritual, generative commitment.

We intend to examine all we do through those twin lenses: how does each of our activities - even the most mundane -  support, generate, and express joy and hope?

We intend to seek out new, creative forms of outreach that inspire authentic joy and hope in those around us. (Imagine sharing our choir with the neighborhood!)

We intend to stand in joy and hope in the face of an uncivil, angry, unjust, polarized world. We will seek cause for joy and hope especially in our struggles for justice and acts of compassion.

Frankly we don't yet exactly know what this focus of sharing joy and hope will look like on us. We don't claim to have it all figured out. We don't have a "program," a "theme," or a poster. Instead we invite you to embark with us on a spiritual journey of discovery, reflection, and expression:

What inspires us and calls us forth to our highest and most radiant - as individuals and as a beloved community? 

What are we called upon to celebrate? 

What are the roots of joy and hope amongst us, and how might we further cultivate those roots?

How do we nourish and sustain ourselves in joy and in hope during very difficult times?

How might we share authentic joy and hope with the world around us?

How might this journey transform us as a community? Transform those whom we touch?

We the 2U Board of Trustees wish to set a context of sharing joy and hope in all that we do . . . and see what miracles unfold.

Let us begin this conversation, this journey, this visioning, with the simple question, what inspires you?

Dan Lewis, on behalf of the 2U Board of Trustees

Because Unity Temple is not suitable for hosting this type of youth event, the Board of Second Unitarian graciously agreed last June to allow the Unity Temple youth group to host this con in our historic building. Heather Godbout, Youth Coordinator from Unity Temple, her team of volunteer advisors, and their youth want to thank the congregation at 2U for welcoming them into our church home.

Sunday, November 19

12:00 PM

Save the date for 2U's Annual Holiday Decorating Party on  Sunday, Nov. 19th 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!

On Sunday, December 3rd, our pianist, Carl Kennedy, is performing a concert at 2U with his jazz trio from 8 to 9 pm in the sanctuary. The program will feature Carl's original compositions as well as a selection of jazz standards. Carl is excited to share this project with the 2U congregation and hopes to see you all there! $10 suggested donation.

Our 2U Holiday Music Sunday is coming up soon on Sunday, December 10! If you are interested in lending your musical talents to this worship service, please contact 2U Director of Music, Amanda Thomas, soon at  [email protected] as t here are only a few spots still open!

The Annual 2U Holiday Cookie Sale is coming up soon on Sunday, Dec. 10. Enjoy the beautiful music on this Holiday Music Sunday and afterwards purchase a variety of homemade cookies. Cookie bakers and volunteers to help the day of the event are needed. (If anyone is familiar with using Square, we'd love your help for check-out.)  A sign-up sheet is on the What's Happening table, or please contact Barb Hailey, 773-844-8846, [email protected] or contact Kate Friedlob, [email protected] , 773-528-0884 for more information.

Jess Vogt knew a bit about Unitarian Universalism when she and her husband, Paul, moved into 2U's neighborhood from South Carolina in June, 2015. She started coming to Second Unitarian this August, "and I'm glad I did," she said. Jess is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Studies at DePaul University, where she runs a lab that studies urban forestry in the Anthropocene. (The Anthropocene is a proposed epoch in 

"HARVEST THE POWER"-AN INTRODUCTION

 

The Adult Religious Education team of 2U is excited to hold an introductory session for anyone interested in exploring the UUA leadership development curriculum "Harvest the Power." The workshop will be held on Saturday, December 2nd  from 10:00 a.m. to noon, in the Fleishman Room, at 2U. This is the leadership development program that was highlighted during worship services on October 22nd and 29th.

 

Interim Minister, the Rev. Jennie Barrington, and Adult RE chair John Broome will lead the introduction.

 

If you are wondering whether this program is good for you, or would like more information about it, please plan to join Rev. Jennie and John on Saturday, Dec. 2nd at 10:00 a.m., at 2U. There is no fee for this workshop, and no need to pre-register. All are welcome!

 

Please e-mail John at [email protected] or Rev. Jennie at [email protected]  for additional information.

It would also be great if we could get a Young Adults group going again too. The previous coordinators have left, so we could use some new coordinators to help plan and carry out social, educational, community service activities for 2U folks that are 18 - 29 years old.

 

We envision the day when Chicago itself will truly be a sanctuary city for ALL.  We are committed to making that day come.

 

Join the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America and Immigrant Welcoming Congregations throughout the Chicagoland area to discuss how we can work together towards a faithful vision of expanding sanctuary on Sunday, November 19th from 2PM-5PM at Wellington Avenue UCC .

 

In January 2017, Mijente & Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) recognized the need for immigrant and racial justice organizations to build transformational relationships and strengthen organizing efforts against the criminalization of communities of color. Inaugurating the campaign for Expanding Sanctuary, Mijente & BYP100 called for new partnerships and strategies across areas of policy, community defense, and education to build networks of love and protection. Hearing their call, communities of faith in Chicago participated in this campaign by showing up for a stronger Welcoming City Ordinance and demanding community accountability in police contract negotiations.

 

The work to make Chicago a real sanctuary city continues; as people of faith, it is our duty to make it a reality. Join us for a day of interfaith community and education around the roots of migration, defunding immigration enforcement and detention,  the Chicago gang database,  and intergenerational organizing. We look forward to celebrating the victories of the past year and envisioning new possibilities for a real sanctuary city.

 

Free childcare, breakfast, and snacks will be provided! For more information or questions, please contact [email protected].