Anvil header

Newsletter of 2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago
October 1, 2017
In This Issue...
Worship at 2U

Sunday, October 1
Service at 10:30
Preacher: the Rev. Jennie Barrington
Sermon: UU Martyrs
Music: Tom Clowes
Director of Music: Amanda Thomas
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, October 7
Service at 10:30
Preacher: the Rev. Jennie Barrington
Sermon: When Things Fall Apart
Director of Music: Amanda Thomas
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, October 15
Child Dedication Sunday
Intergenerational Family-Friendly Service at 10:30
Preacher: the Rev. Jennie Barrington
Sermon: Beyond This Place There Be Dragons
Music: 2U Choir
Director of Music: Amanda Thomas
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, October 22
Service at 10:30
Preacher: the Rev. Jennie Barrington
Sermon: To Fulfill Human Potential
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy

Sunday, October 29
Service at 10:30
Preacher: Karen Fort
Sermon: Harvest the Power
Music: 2U Choir
Director of Music: Amanda Thomas
Accompanist: Carl Kennedy
__________________ ___
Children & Youth Faith Development Schedule
 
Child care for infants and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Green Caterpillar room.

Sunday, October 1
Spirit Play: Promises
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, October 8
Spirit Play: Promises
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, October 15
No classes
Child Dedication Sunday
Intergenerational Service

Sunday, October 22
Spirit Play: Promises
Super Heroes
UU Explorers

Sunday, October 29
Spirit Play: Promises
Super Heroes
UU Explorers
_____________________
Recent 2U Plate-Sharing Recipients
 

LAF





_____________________
_________________
Church Office Information & Staff

Interim Minister
773-549-0260, ext. 13
Office Hours: 
Tues-Thurs 10:30-3:30
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
                                  
2U Ministry Leaders

Board of Trustees

Bookstore

Buddhist Fellowship

Building & Grounds
Open

Covenant of Earth & Sky

Finance Committee

Green Sanctuary

Hospitality 

Leadership Development and Nominating Committee

Library

Lifespan Faith Dev.

Membership

Music

Newsletter

Night Ministry Outreach


Safe Congregations 

Senior Potluck Lunch

Social Justice

Sunday Services

Transylvania Church

Webmaster

Young Adult Group
Open
_____________________
Board of Trustees 







                                  
From the Interim Minister
"When I was a boy each week, on Sunday we would go to church--  Pay attention to the Priest, and he would read the Holy word--  And consecrate the Holy bread, and everyone would kneel and bow. Today the only difference is: Everything is Holy, now. Everything, everything, everything is Holy, now." (Peter Mayer)
 
Dear Members and Friends,
 
Sixty years ago, nine young students walked into their high school. Since they were black, and the school, in Little Rock, Arkansas, was all white, it took them being escorted by federal troops, sent by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for them to simply attend classes that their parents were paying taxes for. Their example inspires me. While I was the interim minister for the UU Church of Little Rock, we talked frequently about systemic racism, and racial discrimination and prejudice in education, housing, and other arenas, and about the Central High School Crisis of 1957. As several members of that congregation said to me, "It is still an open wound.  The "Little Rock Nine" volunteered to be the first black students to desegregate Central High School because they all wanted higher education. They were told they would not be allowed to participate in any clubs, sports, nor the choir, nor attend the prom. But they volunteered anyway. They endured verbal and physical harassment and abuse in order to avail themselves of a better education, that year and in the coming years. After high school, all nine of them went on to undergraduate classes, several master's degrees, and even doctoral work. Many of them worked and volunteered in public service or government service. They all then gave of their knowledge and their selves in service of the needs of their wider communities, especially with youth, and on behalf of people who are marginalized.
 
Higher education, and the right to vote, to organize, to demonstrate, and to protest are sacred things. And in these days when so many people in our nation are in need of the basic necessities of shelter, medical care, potable water, food, safety, and comfort, all of those things feel holy to me, too. Several times a day, I give thanks for how blessed I am to have the basic necessities and comforts of life. During the month of October, the leadership of your congregation will give us the opportunity to contribute to several funds to people in hardship due to the recent natural disasters. These include: the UUA's Hurricane Harvey Fund; Chicago's Puerto Rican Arts Alliance; and Chicago's National Museum of Mexican Art. These last two are both raising funds to be sent directly to their countries.
 
Out of our sense of the preciousness of our basic needs and comforts, and the preciousness of life itself, let us do what we can to ease the burdens of our neighbors in need.
 
In faith, your Interim Minister,
Rev. Jennie
DONATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF
Dear 2U Community:
 
Have you been wanting to do something to help the people in Texas, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, who have suffered so much devastation in the past few weeks from the hurricanes and earthquakes, but you may have also wondered how you can know if the money you donate will actually get to the people who need it?
 
We, at 2U, would like to support efforts made to send funding to those people and be certain they get it. The national UUA has created a  Hurricane Harvey Fund which will be used to help UU congregations in Texas, and, Chicago's National Museum of Mexican Art and Chicago's Puerto Rican Arts Alliance have both come together to create the  Chicago for Mexico and Puerto Rico Relief Fund to direct funds to the Red Cross in both places to go to those that need it the most.
 
For the five Sundays in October, 2U will be collecting donations at a table in the Palmer Room after worship services to support these organizations.

We strive to make a difference where it is needed. Please consider donating funds to this effort.
 
For questions, please contact Shauna Dobbins Womeldorff at  wardrobewoman@hotmail.com. Blessed be.
Fall Orientation
Calling all visitors who want to become members!

2U's Fall Orientation will be held  Sunday, October 1, Sunday, October 15 and Sunday, October 22 following the morning service. Sessions are scheduled to begin at 11:45 AM in Fleishman Hall and will end at 1:45 PM or before. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the Welcome Table in the Palmer Room.

While attending any one of these three orientation session swill meet the by-law requirements for membership, attending all three sessions will provide a greater breadth and depth of understanding for the theological roots of our community, ways to engage with the 2U community, how 2U is organized and what membership really means.

Please contact Karen Fort or Judy Corbeille  with any questions or for more information.
FALL FEST
Save the date for our annual Fall Fest scheduled on Saturday, October 21 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Childcare will be provided.

This will be 2U's most fun social event of the year and you will not want to miss it!

Auction items and events are currently being requested! If you have something you'd like to donate to our silent auction, please contact Susan Richter at susan.richter@gmail.com.

If you would like to help out with the event, please contact Tom Denio at tadenio@comcast.net.

More details are still coming soon! Stay tuned!
From the Rev. Dr. Rudra Dundzila
Dear friends,
 
Our Jewish friends just finished the celebration of the High Holy Days, concluding with Yom Kippur, "Day of Atonement." It is the holiest day of the Jewish year. On this day-Jews believe-G-d seals our fate for the coming year. Therefore, the entire day is spent fasting and praying to G-d for forgiveness and a good year.
 
In this season of the High Holy Days, my fate was likewise set for the coming year. In my case, the First Unitarian Church of Hobart, IN unanimously called me to covenant with them as their part-time consulting minister. I accepted. This year-to-year call is renewable, with the future potential of becoming the settled minister. As you may recall, your past Senior Minister Rev. Adam Robersmith began as a year-to-year part-time contract minster at Second Unitarian Church. You then called him to be your settled minister.
 
With this personal good news, there is also a sadness. I am taking leave of Second Unitarian Church, starting 1 October. Our relationship between minister and congregants is ending. In our years together, I have served you as community minister, interim minister of religious education, contract minister for pastoral care, and most recently contract minister for preaching and adult faith development. I cherish the years I have spent with you, developing friendships, and growing together as a religious community. You helped me become and flourish as a Unitarian Universalist minister. We served meals together for the Night Ministry, danced at fundraisers, and marched together in support of Black Lives Matter. Most recently, we challenged each other to address white supremacy in our very midst, both in our congregation and our Unitarian Universalist denomination. You are a beacon of hope and faith in Lakeview and beyond.
 
You are in very good and kind hands with Rev. Jennie. I wish you well your journey of exploration for your next settled minister.
 
I say not good bye, but "FARE thee well, great heart!" in the immortal words of Shakespeare. Our paths will surely cross with smiles, handshakes and hugs wherever UUs gather.
 
Peace and blessings,
Rev. Rudra Dundzila
Reminder: Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 8
This is just a friendly reminder that the Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 8. For information about the Chicago Marathon and scheduled street closures, please go herePlease note that the only streets impacted around 2U are east of the church on Broadway starting at Addison and south to Clark/Diversey. So, if you are west of Broadway, you will not be impacted by the street closures.
2U Fiber Arts Group
Do you knit? Crochet, cross-stitch, embroider, anything else? Come join us! The 2U Fiber Arts Group meets once a month on Sunday or Saturday afternoons in member's homes for crafting in community. Our next meeting will be on the 29th of October from 2-4, email mredlich21@gmail.com for more information.
Action Needed Against Gun Violence
Do you wake up to news of more murders happening to youth and innocent citizens? Do you despair about guns were used in over 500 murders-just here in Illinois? Do you wish laws would make gun dealers more stringent -- more careful -- more _____? Did you know that Second Unitarian Church is a member of the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition? http://ilgvp.com/our-members/

You may want to join some of us who are active by writing, phoning, emailing our state representatives when laws are up for vote. In October I am hosting a group of 8 or more folks to come to my home to make calls concerning SB 1657 Gun Dealer Licensing.

Other activities have included filling out witness slips, visiting a gallery that features art against gun violence, joining demonstrations, and attending informational meetings.

Gun violence prevention is a slow process, but ICHV isn't giving up, and I believe we must support any means to cut out this bane of our city/state.

If you'd like to join us (we're about 18 members), email me at cjalthag@gmail.com or phone me, 773-973-5610 or 312-613-2808 (mobile).

Jill Althage
2U Member since 1980
2U Yard Days
Please join us for more 2U Yard Days on Saturday, October 14 in the morning and Sunday, October 15 after the service. If you're able, then please plan to join us as we weed, sweep, water, and tidy the garden. There's lots to do! Bring your gardening gloves and any small tools (weed diggers) if you have them. Dress for mess. All ages are welcome. Please contact Monica Drane at 312.550.3412 with questions.
UU Climate Action Team Meeting
Every  Second Saturday at 2U!

Next meeting:  October 9, 2017
11 am to 11:30 am new members
11:30 am to 2:30 pm meeting
Plate Sharing Applications
Applications for plate sharing are due by Wednesday, October 25 for the January-March 2018 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 Groetzinger and to Susan Richter, who chairs the board's plate-sharing committee at susan.richter@gmail.com . Feel free to approach either of us with any questions about plate sharing.
2U Choir
I nterested in singing and joining the 2U Choir? Join the 2U Choir  on Thu rsday 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.
Book News from Jill, the Librarian
Here's a book that was donated a while ago, but has some merit today.

Walking Between the Worlds: The Science of Compassion by Gregg Braden

Publisher: Radio Bookstore Press, 1997.  There are 7 chapters:

Mystery of the Forgotten. Our Power of Feeling

The Brightest of the Bright. Two Becomes One

The Science of Compassion. Our Second Path

The Forgotten Link. Resonance and Our Seventh Sense

Journey of Initiation. The Seven Mysteries of Relationship

All of Our Ancestors. Emotion, Compassion and Critical Mass

Remember. The Promise of Eternal Life

The back of this book provides this summary: Ancient calendars indicate that we are living the completion of a grand cycle of human experience. Within the last years of this cycle, we have been asked to accommodate greater change in less time than at any other point in recorded human history. Our bodies, immune systems and emotions have been challenged to unprecedented levels. At the same time, science is witnessing phenomenon for which there are no reference points of comparison.

Two thousand year old texts remind us that compassion is an accessible state of awareness determining the quality of our well being. Are we witnessing the birth of a new species of human genetically shifting to accommodate this time of change? Recent data demonstrates that compassionate emotion may be our forgotten switch to turn "ON" powerful codes of genetic options.

Following his best selling book, Awakening to Zero Point: The Collective Initiation, Gregg Braden explores these and other possibilities in his latest work marrying science, relationships and the ancient messages of compassion.

Presented for the first time:

A step by step guide to the ancient sciences of compassion and blessing

The Essene mysteries of relationship illustrated with case histories and true life accounts

The latest research confirming the role of emotion in our immune response and life giving relationships

The opportunity to redefine hate, fear, separation and the role that they play in your life!

Could our greatest challenges of health, relationship and survival be our way of redefining accepted at some point biological limits in our ancient Memory?
 
Check this out: Call number is 158.1 BRA
Money Matters
What is our current financial condition? 
Our budget for the 2017-18 year is $336,687 or $6,474.75 per week!

Here is a summary of our current finances July 1 through August 31:


Actual Budgeted Over/Under Budget
Pledges $49,858
$49,134
+ $724
New Pledges $0 $0
$0
Collection Plate $2,719 $2,300
+ $419
Special Gifts $0 $0
$0
Fundraising $0 $0
$0
Space Sharing $9,468 $4,667
+ $4,801

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 August, we raised $550.43 towards our collection plate sharing recipient, UUANI.

Thank you all so much for helping to make 2U possible!
Interested in Social Justice?
Interested in social justice? If you haven't already, sign up for 2U's monthly social justice newsletter, The Hammer. You can "opt in" by clicking here  and entering your email. Both members and non-members are welcome to subscribe.
#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, October 11 .

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