Anvil header

Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
March 15, 2017
In This Issue...
Worship at 2U

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: Reece Johns

Sunday, March 26
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: 2U Choir
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, April 2
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Rev. Adam Robersmith
Music: Compass Rose
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, April 9
Intergenerational Service at 10:30
Worship Leaders: Rev. Adam Robersmith and Alicia Obando, Director of Faith Development
Music: 2U Choir
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy
__________________ ___
Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, March 19
Spirit Play
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, March 26
Spirit Play
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, April 2
Spirit Play
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, April 9
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

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 Board Chair, Tom Denio
Buried typically at the bottom of the Anvil, many of us overlook the UUA's website....After the Women's March in Washington, D.C., people gathered in the historic sanctuary of All Souls Church Unitarian to sing Leonard Cohen's "Anthem." To check out the beautiful music video and its text thread, click on   www.uua.org , scroll down a little and click on "All Souls Solidarity Sing." You'll be glad you did. You might even want to click "Share" and brighten someone else's day!   Could we film 2U in a video like this someday?  Hmmmm....

Speaking of the UUA, the annual UU extravaganza, General Assembly ("GA"), is in New Orleans this year from Wed., June 21 through Sunday afternoon, June 25. This year's highlights include:
  • Over 100 workshops, lectures, panel presentations, film screenings and worship services.  
  • The 200 member GA choir will perform at the Sunday worship service. 
  • Staples such as the Banner Parade and Service of the Living Tradition.
  • The annual Ware lecture will be Saturday evening and the speaker is Mr. Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of Equal Justice Initiative ("EJI") in Birmingham, Alabama. Past Ware lecturer's include Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Kurt Vonnegut, and poet Mary Oliver.
  • Election of the next UUA President as Peter Morales' term is coming to an end.
Mr. Stevenson is a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated and the condemned. Under his leadership, EJI has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse of the incarcerated and the mentally ill and aiding children prosecuted as adults. Mr. Stevenson has successfully argued several cases in the United States Supreme Court and recently won an historic ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court banning mandatory life-without-parole sentences for all children 17 or younger as unconstitutional. Mr. Stevenson has won numerous awards including the ACLU National Medal of Liberty. In 2015, he was named to the Time 100 recognizing the world's most influential people.

Early registration for GA ($360) is now open and runs until April 30 , after which the cost of registration increases.  Scholarships from the UUA are available with a deadline of March 31 - please see the UUA's website. If vacation days from work are an issue, the first day can be skipped. I very much hope to attend this year - please let Rev. Adam or me know if you are interested in going.

Here at home, we are into canvass season to secure our funding for the fiscal year starting July 1. PLEASE return calls and e-mails from your canvasser IN A TIMELY MANNER to help us all out as most canvassers have 8 - 10 folks to meet with and devote a fair amount of time to the process.

Having plugged GA above, I will simply ask you to click on the link below to Regional Assembly in Oak Brook, IL. Our own Kellie Kelly, former Director of Faith Development at 2U, and member Rev. Darrick Jackson are co-leading a workshop on Saturday, April 29 titled:

Building Bridges across Class and Race -   UU culture is seen as white, well-educated, professional and middle class. This workshop will explore how class and race shape one's worldview. We will look at ways to use the gifts these differences bring to strengthen spirituality and social justice across faith and cultural borders.

See you in church!

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!

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 two opportunities to share:

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.
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.
Welcome, New Members
A published author and translator, Sue Burke moved to Chicago after living in Spain for 17 years. Sue found Unitarian Universalism in the 1980's while living in her native Milwaukee. "I was looking for something more spiritual in my life. At the time NOW was meeting at the Unitarian Church so I started going there." In Summer, 2015, Sue's powerful poem, " Petty Love," was published in the UU World, inspired by a conversation Sue had with her sister who was dying of cancer. Upon moving to Chicago, Sue investigated local UU congregations. "When I got to Second Unitarian, that was what I was looking for.  Very friendly people, very active congregation, not too big, not too small." She is "still trying to figure out what to get involved in. There are a lot of choices."

Audrey & Renner Barsella found 2U when they were looking for a community after graduating from Columbia College, where they met. This summer the couple was married, with Rev. Robersmith performing the ceremony. That, along with buying a condo and looking to create roots, nudged them into joining in February. Both work in communications: Audrey for an architecture firm, and Renner for the Sierra Club. Renner has already become active in the Social Justice Council.
Commit to 2U!
The 2017 Second Unitarian Church Canvass kicked off on 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.

You should have received a letter in the mail that outlines our financial goals for the future and what each member's pledge can make possible. Brochures will be provided by your canvasser and will also be available in the Palmer Room on Sundays. 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
BIG (Building, Infrastructure, and Grounds) News
The BIG Committee will hold its next meeting on Sunday, April 2 at 12:30 pm in the 2U Library . Please join us if you can, especially if you have an interest in improving our space, either inside or out. Committee members are busy with a number of projects, and we can always use more help. Our old building requires considerable regular maintenance because of its age, past deferrals, and heavy use. Several large improvements would benefit the congregation and those with whom we share the space. We are making progress, but there is more work to do!

Plans to cool the sanctuary and the Palmer Room for those days when it's very hot and sticky are underway thanks to generous donations made for this special purpose and the careful stewardship of our congregation's resources by the staff, board of trustees, and other church leaders. Another improvement soon to come is the installation of cabinets behind the chancel for storage space for our choir and others with whom we share space. This project was made possible by a generous in-kind donation and by the memorial fund established to honor former 2U member Jen Duston.

There has been some damage to our building to which we need to attend: damage to the brick work as a result of roof damage that the building sustained last spring. Roof repairs have already been made; the tuckpointing work will be done sometime in the next few months. Also, repairs should soon be made to the Palmer Room following damage caused by the movers of election-day equipment in both April and November. Congregational Administrator Andrew Zallar has filed claims with the Board of Elections to cover the cost of repairing the damage.

Two other building projects are in the research phase. We are obtaining estimates for the cost of re-painting the exterior wood trim on the building. It's a big job requiring painters to reach high. There's a clear need to attend to the paint, especially on the front of the church where the wood trim (and our decorative doors) receive the full force of the sun. We are also obtaining estimates for an improvement that would make our building more accessible.

There's a long list of smaller projects that need attention. With more children attending church on Sunday mornings with their parents, we need to do some cleaning of one classroom that we haven't used for a couple of years. The decorative doors at the front of the church need a touchup for protection. The basement landing and hallway could use cleaning and repainting. We'll need to get back in the yard soon to help the plants that we put in the ground last summer "creep" this year (the first year they "sleep" and the third year they "leap")!

We continue to put off several other large improvements, including those to the sanctuary floor and in the loft, which needs new windows and a refinishing of the floor.

For questions or to volunteer to serve on the committee (or lend hands to help), please contact 2U member Monica Drane or Andrew Zallar.

Spring Orientation
Our Spring Orientation will be offered for visitors and friends interested in becoming members on April 9, 23 and 30, following the service:

In the first session, we will discuss spiritual journeys and what brings us to 2U, plus 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 at office@secondunitarian.org or you can also sign up at the Welcome Table following service.
Three Cheers for Sex Ed the UU Way
Second Unitarian Church and Epiphany UCC Church (in the Northcenter neighborhood) joined forces to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a lifespan sexuality education program developed jointly by the UUA and the UCC, to a group of teenagers from both congregations this school year. According to the UUA website, "OWL helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior." It places the conversation about sexual relations, gender identity, and sexual orientation within the context of our UU faith, using facts and a developmentally appropriate approach. It supplements the limited sex-education program provided by the public schools. The 2U-Epiphany OWL class met for two-hour Sunday-night sessions about every other week beginning in October and concluded on March 12. Partnering with Epiphany enabled 2U to offer the class: we needed more than the three students who were ready to participate, and we benefited from the fact that Epiphany also had a fully certified OWL teacher. The eleven-session course, which included an additional parent-information meeting, was offered to families free of charge thanks to the generosity of Epiphany Church and the four teachers, especially Sue Dunmore from 2U, who taught all eleven classes plus the parent-information session and developed the "hybrid" curriculum for this mixed-age group from the existing 7th-9th grade and 10th-12th grade OWL curricula. Rev. Rudra Dundzila of 2U also taught several of the classes. A 2U parent provided, on a volunteer basis, logistical support and acted as the liaison with Epiphany, and a few other 2U members served as resources. The response to the OWL class was overwhelmingly positive, and parents and students alike from both congregations expressed their deep gratitude to the dedicated teachers.
MidAmerica Regional Assembly
Please see below regarding information on the MidAmerica Regional Assembly coming soon this April 28-30. Click here to register or to learn more about Regional Assembly.
2U Dinners
Want to get to know people at 2U? Please join us for our evening of 2U Dinners on  Saturday, April 29. These are small dinners in people's homes. The host provides the main course and menu, and lets the guests know what to bring. We will also be having a dinner at 2U as well, to make sure that we have an easily accessible option for all our members and friends.

Hosts are needed! If you would like to host, either at your home or at the church, please contact  Judy Corbeille at

Sign up sheets are available at the Welcome Table.
Position Opening for MidAmerica Region Staff
The MidAmerica Region is looking for a full-time Regional Administrator. This person is responsible for communications, event registrations, logistics for meetings, and assists with financial matters. This person also takes on projects for the Region, and works in collaboration with other administrative staff across the Regions and the UUA. The Administrator works on a team with other regional administrative staff, under the supervision of one of our program staff. Ability to work in a technological and online environment, ability to handle multiple deadlines, manage projects, and work with numbers is essential. They also supervise part-time casual employees, when appropriate.

This person, like the rest of our staff, works from a home office, and must be able to function well in the virtual world, and be self-starting and motivating. There is occasional travel, both local and to Regional Assembly and semi-annual staff meetings.

Please click here for a full job description. Applications will be taken until the job is filled. The interview process will begin early in April, so applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes early. The position begins sometime after May 1, with the date to be determined by mutual consent. The Region strives to be a great place to work, and we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our staff work from their homes. Computer equipment is provided. Stipends are given for cell phone service and internet service, but not for other expenses for working from home.

Send applications via email to Lisa Presley at lpresley@uua.org.
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, March 25th, contact Margaret at mredlich21@gmail.com.
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, April 7.
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, April 12. 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 February 28:


Actual Budgeted Over/Under Budget
Pledges $156,907
$146,049
+ $10,858
New Pledges $420 $1,115
- $695
Collection Plate $9,458 $9,700
- $242
Special Gifts $14,370 $15,000
- $630
Fundraising $14,877 $14,000
+ $877
Space Sharing $26,300 $13,100
+ $13,200

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 February, we raised $805.96 towards the collection plate sharing recipient, Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance.

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 29 .

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