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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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Hey, Good Looking! What Are You Doing Saturday Night?!
Hope to see you at the Chili Cookoff Saturday night! If you are running short of time and don't have time to cook but would like to enjoy the fellowship, please, please DO come anyway. The more, the merrier! If needed, we can always fill in with a last minute pizza order. Please see the details below.
2U Forms Strategic Planning Team
Last fall Rev. Robersmith had the Board read: "Holy Conversations, Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations" after which we agreed that 2U could benefit from the work and fresh perspective of such a team. From the book's introduction: "Congregations need structured ways to talk about their identity, purpose, and future, and they need a path to develop consensus and a commitment to act." Big picture questions such as: Who are we? Who is our neighbor? What is our mission? What are we called to do or be? ...will be considered. And, so will practical matters such as growth of the church.
My personal perspective, as a member who began attending in 1988 when the AIDS crisis was in full swing, is that a part of our mission has been (and continues) being a welcoming congregation to the LGBTQ community at a time when there were very few other churches with that position. We had members die from AIDS and providing support became a key part of our identity. Today, society has come a long way and other churches have caught up, making this a less unique differentiating factor for 2U. So, what new strands shall we add to or emphasize in our tapestry?
The 7 member team, nominated by the Board, includes Berlinda Browne, Tyler Duston, Maureen King, Elizabeth Kindig, Bill Morice, Ben Polson, and Rev. Adam. Don't recognize all of these folks?
Excellent, we have sought a blend of long-time members and new ones, with a mix of ages and other differences to create a diverse team not too steeped in how we have done things here at 2U. The team will likely take a year to 18 months with this work and will get underway in March.
That is One Heavy Door...
Don't mind getting to 2U a bit in advance on a Sunday morning once a month or so? Please consider the Hospitality call for volunteers below. We also need greeters at the main side door to provide assistance in getting in (as we have done in past years). Besides those of us in wheelchairs, others have had elbow, hand and shoulder surgery recently and also could use a hand opening the thick wooden doors. Many hands make light work as one of our 2U sayings goes.
See You in Church!
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Second Unitarian Chili Cookoff - bring a friend or two!
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Who makes the best chili at 2U? Is it someone on the staff? Is it someone on the Membership Committee? How about the Board Secretary? Well, you can find out if you attend our inaugural
2U Chili Cookoff!!
Vegetarian, meat-filled, vegan - bring what you like and make best, and we will provide the rest (shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, non-alcoholic beverages, and limited beer will be available - otherwise, BYOB)!
Judges will be on hand to give out prizes for the best chili - please plan to bring one batch to share - if possible, bring the chili already warm - if you have a crockpot, bring it, otherwise, we will have the means to keep the chili warm on site.
Here are other details:
Date/Time: Saturday, February 18, 2017, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Second Unitarian Church - Palmer Room
Cost: $10 for adults (18 and older), kids are free
Please plan to sign up if you would like to attend or volunteer to assist with this event by emailing Susan Zeigler:
susanraezeigler@yahoo.com.
See you at the cookoff!
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President Trump Criminalizes Immigrants and Refugees - What You Can Do
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Many people were horrified, if not surprised, that Donald Trump signed an Executive Order banning all foreign nationals from entering the U.S. from seven Muslim majority countries: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. This includes people with green cards and other legal status who are trying to get home to the United States after visiting family abroad. Such people will have their visas cancelled at the port of re-entry and they will not be allowed through Customs. This began to occur on Saturday, January 28,
according to the Chicago Sun-Times
, as at least two families made up of permanent legal US residents were detained at O'Hare. Trump also issued other Executive Orders that are criminalizing undocumented immigrants. It is important to recognize that Executive Orders have the force of law immediately upon the President's signature, and are not subject to Congressional approval (or rejection).
Demonstrations have occurred at O'Hare, and several 2U members participated. On Sunday, January 29, at a congregational meeting, 2U voted to sign the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)'s
Declaration of Conscience.
Beyond these steps, what can UU's do to express our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and opposition to discrimination based on untrue stereotypes?
- Educate yourself. Know the facts. The UUSC has a good blog with information on this issue.
- Sign the UUSC's Declaration of Conscience yourself, as an individual.
- Confront anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant harassment when you see it; protect the person being harassed. This is a helpful infographic on what to do and not to do. UUSC has a terrific list of practical, everyday things we can all do. If you personally see an incident or are the victim of one, report it to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
- Support organizations like the CAIR and the American Civil Liberties Union which are bringing lawsuits against these Executive Orders.
- Get involved with the 2U Social Justice Council. Several 2U members are creating a small team to connect the congregation to the Sanctuary movement. We're looking for additional people who have several hours per month to spend on this work. You don't need to be an experienced activist or organizer - just someone who wants to help. Consider yourself asked!
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Message from Seminarian Susan Frances
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Dear 2U Friends,
As some of you know, I am a part-time seminarian student at Meadville Lombard Theological School. I have reached the point in my studies when I am eligible for a parish internship, which I will commence this fall. I tried to write about this transition earlier in the church year, but every time I sat down to write about it, I ended up staring at the page thinking about all my 2U memories. So instead of writing something about my internship process, I want to honor the fact that I am going to miss the people, programs, and passion at 2U and to express my gratitude.
Thank you to the 2015-2016 Board for unanimously approving my request for 2U to be my sponsoring congregation for the UUA's ordination process. Thank you to Rev. Adam Robersmith for being my teaching pastor for 2014-2015 and for being an excellent ministerial role model.
Thank you to the individuals who participate with me in COVES to create, present, and energize the rituals celebrating the Wheel of the Year. Thank you to everyone who sings alongside me in choir. Thank you to everyone who I serve with on Halsted Street and at the Crib with the Night Ministry and I march alongside during the Pride Parade and rallies in Chicago.
Thank you to the teachers who trained and taught with me and to the children who learned with me about our 7 Promises (a/k/a 7 Principles) in Spirit Play. Thank you to the curious attendees and to my co-facilitators in classes I taught. Thank you to those who allowed themselves to be vulnerable and connected in my small group and to the other small group leaders as we encouraged each other.
Thank you to the volunteers I worked with on LFD Council and shared with at Church Council. Thank you to the board members who allowed me to sit with them during times of transition.
My ministerial journey has been supported, inspired, and enhanced by each of you. And now, after 12 years of committed involvement with 2U, my ministerial journey is taking me to the next sacred space. I will be the intern minister for the Unitarian Church of Evanston (UCE) from August 2017 through June 2019. This internship will fulfill 24 credits for my Master of Divinity coursework at Meadville and provide me with experience needed to attain my competency requirements for the UUA's Ministerial Fellowship Committee.
Being the intern minister means that I will be spending 20 hours a week, including my Sundays, at UCE, where I have been invited to focus my internship on their worship services and their social justice ministry. I am blessed to have 2U as my home church and look forward to maintaining my membership at 2U and my connection with you through my ordination process.
Many blessings to each of you,
Susan Frances
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Hospitality Conversation Continued
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We typically think about hospitality through the lenses of etiquette (what makes a good host or party); or fellowship (welcoming others into our homes for a good social time); or as charity (taking in someone experiencing misfortune). Yet we find in various religious traditions a deeper, more radical sense of hospitality, a hospitality that engages the roots of our humanity and challenges us to expand our very selves in surprising and unexpected ways. What then is the deeper BEING of radical hospitality? Come, join us on
Sunday, March 19
after the service at noon in the sanctuary to continue our series of conversations exploring the roots, theology, and practices of radical hospitality. Facilitated by Dan Lewis.
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Help Wanted: Hospitality
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Here at 2U our Hospitality Committee welcomes all guests and friends, and welcomes all to join the Hospitality Committee!
The Hospitality Committee has two major roles. First, we make sure that every Sunday, our sanctuary and greeting area (the Palmer Room) are ready to welcome you, your friends and family. This means putting our orders of service together, making sure that hymnals are arranged, assisting the worship associates, and arranging the Palmer Room, among other duties including putting things away after each service.
Second, we greet and extend friendship to all who come though our doors. Any member who wants to make friends or just warm the hearts of visitors on these cold winter days, will find a perfect home on the Hospitality Committee. Hospitality Committee members make many new friends; it's a great way to find a place in the 2U community.
You can sign the Hospitality sign-up clipboard out in the Palmer Room or talk to Mark or at
mrkwllms0@gmail.com / 312-810-4408. Mark will be happy to talk with you about the opportunities to get involved.
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RESTORATION // RE-INTEGRATION // TRANSFORMATION
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Spend an evening celebrating with the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois! It's been a powerful year as we've gotten this organization off the ground. We want to celebrate all the love, time, material resources, compassion, and faith that so many people have put into this project. We plan to feed you, dance, hoot and holler.
People of all ages are welcome. There will not be childcare. Suggested donation of $25 but no one turned away because of lack of funds. Spread the word! Bring your friends and fellow congregants!
For more information see:
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Plate Sharing Applications
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Applications for plate sharing are due by Sunday, February 26th for the April-June quarter. The application form may be secured through the 2U office, or from Norm Groetzinger at
Groetzinger.N@Comcast.net
. Electronic submission is encouraged. The organization for which you are submitting must be one in which you are involved, preferably as a volunteer. Applications are to be submitted to both Norm and to Susan Richter, who chairs the plate-sharing committee at
susan.richter@gmail.com
. Feel free to approach either of us with any questions about plate sharing.
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2U Senior Potlucks
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Are you a "senior"? Are you a member or friend of 2U? Then join us at our Senior Potluck Luncheon for a tasty lunch and casual conversation. We meet at 12:30, on the second Wednesday of every month, in the Palmer Room. It's fun, it's simple, and there is always good food and good company!
Our next lunch is Wednesday, March 8. For more information and to get on our email reminder list, please contact Dave Haeckel at
davehkl@yahoo.com, or telephone 773-281-0429.
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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 January 31:
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Actual |
Budgeted |
Over/Under Budget |
Pledges |
$138,944
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$128,461 |
+ $10,483
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New Pledges |
$0 |
$965 |
- $965
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Collection Plate |
$7,841 |
$8,500 |
- $659
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Special Gifts |
$14,270 |
$15,000 |
- $730
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Fundraising |
$14,423 |
$14,000 |
+ $423
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Space Sharing |
$24,883 |
$11,100 |
+ $13,783
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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 January, we raised $863.28 towards the collection plate sharing recipient,
SitStayRead.
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, February 22
.
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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