Anvil header

Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
March 2, 2017
In This Issue...
Worship at 2U

Sunday, March 5
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: Tom Clowes
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, March 12
Intergenerational Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith and Alicia Obando, Director of Faith Development
Music: 2U Choir
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, March 19
Spring Equinox
Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Members of Covenant of Earth and Sky, 2U's CUUPS Chapter
Music: 2U Folk Ensemble
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, March 26
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: 2U Choir
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy
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Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, March 5
Spirit Play
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, March 12
Intergenerational Service

Sunday, March 19
Spirit Play
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, March 26
Spirit Play
Super Heroes
UU Explorers
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Recent 2U Plate-Sharing Recipients
 





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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

Pastoral Care

Safe Congregations 

Senior Potluck Lunch

Small Group Ministry

Social Justice

Sunday Services

Transylvania Church

Webmaster

Young Adult Group
David Dyer
Stephanie Bens
_____________________
Board of Trustees 
 

 




                                  
From the Minister
Spring is arriving early this year - the snowdrops in my yard have already bloomed, and the daffodils are bursting through the ground not far behind! The enlivening rhythms of birdsong and increasing warmth feel wonderful to my body...and remind me that there are things to which we need to be paying close attention, like climate change.
 
I know, I know: What a depressing thought after all that springtime cheerfulness! And this, too, is part of springtime. The upcoming equinox is a powerful symbol for the balance that is in our world: the hours of day and night; the struggle for justice against oppression; the need for spiritual sustenance in the midst of overfull life; the moments where joy and concern blend together.
 
For us, this month, we begin with the need and celebration of our Annual Canvass - the stewardship campaign in which we all pledge our support for the congregation in the coming year. There will be much more about that in this Anvil and in the weeks to come. Attending to our needs and to our desires will help us do wonderful things in the coming year. In keeping with the idea of balance, our theme this year is "Roots Hold Us Close, Wings Set Us Free." When we come together in faithful community, we can both sustain one another and launch ourselves into new and wonderful possibilities!
 
In just a little more than a month, we've had 14 people join the church - and we've got plenty of folks attending and visiting, too. This is wonderful, of course, and we are glad to have every person who comes through our doors in the sanctuary with us. It also means that we also need to remember that filling in the seats near the front of the church first makes it easier for folks to find places to sit as they come in. I like to sit in the back, too, when I can...but I hope many of you will balance your preference of location with making space for those who come in behind you!
 
Our congregation is full of opportunities and responsibilities, ways to bend the arc of the universe toward justice and ways to grow our own souls toward compassion and wholeness. You'll find many of them in this newsletter twice a month. I hope-whether you're new to 2U or you've been around a while-you'll join in to what we are creating together!
 
Faithfully,
Rev. Adam
Commit to 2U!
The 2017 Second Unitarian Church Canvass kicks off this Sunday, March 5. This is an important time in the life of our church when annually, each of us makes a commitment that sets the course of 2U for the coming fiscal year and beyond.
 
The Board of Trustees maps out where our financial situation governs what we can do as a community, and where we might stretch to make it better. That's where every member of our congregation plays a role! We affirm our church community each Sunday when we sing our congregational hymn, Spirit of Life. Its words form our 2017 annual pledge drive theme: "Roots Hold Us Close, Wings Set Us Free."
 
The hymn has an interesting dynamic. UU Minister Peter Friedrichs interprets the hymn like this: "'Roots hold me close' conjures up a picture of a tree...with roots that bind it fast to the soil. 'Wings set me free' calls to mind a great, majestic bird launching itself from the upper branches of that tree. But these are two separate images. The challenge is to picture the tree with wings, or the bird with roots. Can we be rooted and grounded as we take to the sky? Can we fly while also keeping our feet firmly planted, drawing nourishment from the soul?"

The strength we draw from each other at 2U grounds us and allows us to spread our wings. This starts with financial support from every member of our congregation-our wealth is what we share. At canvass time, we ask each member to make a financial commitment to 2U.

If you are like most of us, there are natural cycles that govern your involvement with this church. Work or family may sometimes make it challenging to be present on Sundays, but these moments are often balanced by times that you engage more fully-when your heart resonates more strongly with an action or event, or you simply see a need. One of the most magnificent aspects of our community is how there is room within our collective efforts that absorbs our physical ebbs and flows. 2U is always here for you! We are your roots, and together, our congregation gives us the strength to fly.

Following this Sunday's Canvass Kick-Off Service, you will receive a letter and canvass brochure in the mail that outlines our financial goals for the future and what each member's pledge can make possible. Please be responsive when you receive a call from your 2U canvasser-your input for the future of the church and the support you pledge are important. Together, we can soar as we continue to nurture to the roots that strengthen us.
 
The Canvass Team:
Allen Hailey
Barb Hailey
Monique Hanson
Mary-Helen Steindler
Mark Williams
Buddhist Fellowship on First Fridays
Join 2U's Stephen Starkey as he facilitates our monthly contemplative worship service and meditation as a spiritual practice every first Friday of the month in the sanctuary at 6:30 pm. A perfect way to de-stress and become more centered after a long work week! Our next session will take place on Friday, March 3.
From Linda Groetzinger
If you intended to contribute to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee "Guest at Your Table" (using the little  colorful box or not), please get your donations to Linda Groetzinger or to Andrew with note "for UUSC". Linda will send the congregation's donations to UUSC. Revised date: March 6th. Thanks!
From the Committee on Ministries
The Committee on Ministries (COM) is collecting input for a review of both the minister and the ministries of the church. What is important to you? What is working well? Where could we improve? There are three opportunities to share:

Sunday, March 12, 11:50am-12:50pm: An open, guided discussion in the sanctuary for the whole church community.

Sunday, March 19, 9:30am-10:30am: Smaller listening session

Sunday, March 26, 11:45am-12:45pm: Smaller listening session

Or see a COM member (with a blue nametag) to provide input one-on-one.
Sunday, March 19th, 10:30am SPRING EQUINOX SERVICE
Covenant of Earth and Sky invites all to join together in celebrating the Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara. This is the time of Planting, the Earth is waking up and young shoots are pushing through the rich soil. It is a time of Growth and Spirit when we look forward to nourishing our spiritual energy, inside and out. Special Music by the 2U Folk Ensemble. Come celebrate the arrival of Spring!

Hospitality Conversation Continued
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.
Get Out Your Knitting Needles, Embroidery Thread, Crochet Hooks, and Any Other Fiber Tool!
Do you like to knit, embroider, crochet, or do any other small transportable handicraft? Do you also like snacks, conversation, and getting to know your fellow church members? This is the group for you! The 2U Fiber Arts Group meets once a month from 2 to 4 on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. We would love to have you! Our next meeting will be Saturday the 25th, contact Margaret at mredlich21@gmail.com.
March Plate Sharing Recipient: RefugeeOne
Since 1982, RefugeeOne has welcomed more than 17,000 refugees from countless major world crises to Chicago. As Illinois' largest full-service refugee resettlement agency, RefugeeOne annually helps 2,500 refugees and immigrants rebuild and improve their lives.

RefugeeOne walks alongside refugees on the road to self-reliance: greeting new arrivals at O'Hare Airport, furnishing their first apartments, and providing English language training and job search support. Because hard skills aren't the only component to success in the U.S., RefugeeOne also provides mental health care, after-school programming, and mentors to help refugees integrate into American society. RefugeeOne and its clients are grateful to Second Unitarian Church of Chicago for your support!

For more about RefugeeOne or volunteering, visit  http://www.refugeeone.org/.
Help Wanted: Hospitality
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.
2U Senior Potlucks
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.
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 susanraezeigler@yahoo.com.
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 musicdirector@secondunitarian.org.
Money Matters
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:


Actual Budgeted Over/Under Budget
Pledges $138,944
$128,461
+ $10,483
New Pledges $0 $965
- $965
Collection Plate $7,841 $8,500
- $659
Special Gifts $14,270 $15,000
- $730
Fundraising $14,423 $14,000
+ $423
Space Sharing $24,883 $11,100
+ $13,783

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!
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

You can also now download the Breeze app at the Apple Store or Google Play Store by clicking here !

As always, please feel free to contact me at office@secondunitarian.org if you have any questions about this or anything else!

Thank you!

Andrew Zallar
Congregational Administrator
#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, March 8 .

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
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM