May 8, 2020
a whole-hearted community,
feeding body, mind & spirit

Theme for April: God / Divine
Sunday, May 10
10:45am: Virtual Service , click HERE
1:00pm: Virtual Discussion Group, click HERE

Tuesday, May 12
3:00pm: Talk With our Elders , click HERE
Thursday, May 14
8:30am: Breakfast Group , contact Pat Miller
4: 30pm: Kid's Conversation , contact Pam Fodor
6:00pm: Mindful Meditation , contact Lenny Edgin

Friday, May 15
12noon: Lunch with Rev Pam , click HERE
Church Office Closed...
but your dedicated staff is continuing to work from home.
You can reach us at our regular email addresses:


We will continue checking voice messages remotely but email is a quicker and more assured way of reaching us. We will continue to heed recommendations of the Governor and remain working from home until the end of May.
Worship
We will be offering Virtual Worship Service at 10:45 am
on Sunday - note new time!!!
May 10: The Goddess is Alive!
There are many stories told about the divine feminine that reflect the reality in which we live and breathe. Does Goddess energy offer different gifts and challenges than those found in a world dominated by a male image of God? How does our dawning recognition of the fluidity of gender and sex shape our experience of the Mother? All good things to explore when we gather together. 
~Rev Pam Rumancik
Click Here to Join by Zoom on Sunday at 10:45 am
Password: 859097 if needed Click HERE for the Oder of Service
You will need to set your computer up ahead of time and download a small program. You can try it out now by clicking the link and following the directions on your screen. This is a one-time set up, after that you can simply click the provided link and access the Zoom channel. For more information you click here for a tutorial by the Foothills UU Church in Colorado. https://foothillsuu.org/resource/zoom-resources/ .
* To avoid unappreciated Zoom interruptions, please do not share this link through social media. If you would like to share our service with someone, please direct them to the YouTube link. Thanks!

OR
Click H ere to View on Youtube on Sunday at 10:45
You also can simply click this link to watch the service.
Last week, there was not enough band-width to allow uploading the service as it was recorded. We have taken steps to mitigate that issue, but it is possible it may happen again. If there is no live feed at 10:45 am, check back later in the afternoon. We will upload the recorded service and get it up after 4:00pm.
May 17: Finding our Way - Slip Sliding Away
OR
Second Sunday Collection
This month's Second Sunday social justice collection is for Restore Justice .  
Restore Justice is based on the idea that " Each of us can be greater than the worst thing we’ve ever done. No matter how serious the offense, everyone deserves support for rehabilitation and a second chance at life." 

On this Mother's Day weekend, we must note that many of those leading and involved in Restore Justice are mothers of those who are incarcerated.
 
During the Covid-19 period, Restore Justice has been collecting data from those inside prisons to advocate for better treatment and early release. With this info, they have made recommendations to Gov. Pritzker.
 
Restore Justice trains and supports advocates, conducts research, nurtures partnerships, and develops policy solutions that will roll back the “tough on crime” policies of the past. (One of these trainings was scheduled at UCH in April which we postponed.) 
 
Please  donate  generously online or write a check to Restore Justice and send to UCH to support their important work. 
Pictured are Bill Ryan, Katrina Burlett, Cathy Blanford, Tracey Olson, Marian Honel- Wilson who   traveled to Springfield with Restore Justice in February to advocate for legislation for better prison conditions.
COMMUNITY
Caring Corner
The ripples of our lives touch those around us. We keep in mind all of our members and friends including...

  • Continued thoughts for Lisa Heckler's sister who is showing some hope of recovery.
  • All those who are sick.

Please let us know of folks we should add to our list and share with our Caring Circle Coordinators. If you would like to be part of our caring tree and check up on fellow church members during this challenging time, please let Pam Fodor or Mary Getty know.
 
*You will find the Caring Circle list of Area Coordinators at the end of the Touchstone found on our website at http://www.hinsdaleunitarian.org/new/the-touchstone/
UCH Financial Update - Message from your Board President & Treasurer
U CH leadership continues to be very grateful to everyone who donates time and money to make our church the great place that it is. During this difficult time, we know it is especially important to keep our membership informed about the church’s financial health.  

The COVID–19 pandemic has had a significant financial impact on our church. As you’ve heard during Sunday services, the church has experienced a loss of revenue from space sharing, Sunday offerings and fundraising events. At the same time, we have had only minor reductions in expenses. Our congregation has responded to this situation by supporting the virtual “Under the Big Top” event, making extra donations, and by submitting pledges for the 2020-2021 church year. The board and finance committee have also been meeting regularly to address the situation and monitor UCHs finances. One of the solutions we came up with was applying for the Small Business Administration’s “ Paycheck Protection Program ” (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.  

We are pleased to announce that UCH has advanced to the next approval phase for PPP loan. If we are approved, UCH will receive a $47,000 loan to meet our personnel costs through then end of this fiscal year. Importantly, this loan will come with the option to apply for forgiveness and more guidance on this option is forthcoming from the SBA. We hope to announce receipt of this loan in the near future and in the meantime, the staff, circle coordinators, pledge committee, BOT and finance committee will continue to focus on the budgeting process so we are ready to present a final budget at the June 28 th annual meeting.

We thank you again for your gifts and support. We especially want to thank you for spending time calling church friends, providing the technical assistance to make virtual church possible, sewing masks, leading meetings, attending meetings, showing up for church on Sunday’s and keeping our spirit of community alive. UCH feels like a thriving community. 

Sincerely,
Liz Reyes, President
Darren Howard, Interim Treasurer
Fair Trade Gifts support UCH
 It's not too late to have some coffee or tea or other fair trade treat delivered to your mom's house for Mother's Day and benefit the church at the same time! Online are photos of the coffee and teas available, and there are beautiful cards there as well. Any item that bears (IS) at the end of it's title is "in shop" (which right now is Deb's home in Lombard!) and available for porch delivery through Saturday 5/9. For porch delivery please email Debbi at fairisleshop@gmail.com or call her at the number in the UCH directory. All of the items on the shop at this link  https://www.fairisleshop.com/  can be ordered through May to benefit the church - just mention UCH in the comments at checkout for the church to receive any proceeds beyond cost. Thanks for supporting both the church and artisans who are struggling globally by sharing beautiful and tasty items from the shop this month!
The UCH "Virtual Players" present:
An evening of Tennessee Williams One-Act Plays!
Saturday, May 16 at 7:30pm.
A collection of short plays by Tennessee Williams will be performed via Zoom — hosted and directed by Ashley Kennedy, starring a talented cast of UCH members.
All are invited! There will be an opportunity for everyone to socialize via Zoom during this event as well.
(Zoom invite link will come in next week's News and Notes).
Care Packages of Food
If you find yourself quarantined and you are not able to get to the
store for food and supplies please contact the church. We have made up
emergency care packages that we are willing to deliver to your door.
Please reach out if you are need of any kind of assistance. Be well!
Picture Yourself!!
Are you wearing a mask lovingly made by someone from UCH? Take a picture of yourself or others wearing these masks and post it on our Facebook page HERE . Let them know you're wearing it IN good health and FOR good health!!
Pillars Community Health continues to closely monitor updates from the CDC and The Department of Public Health. While the Community Shop on Calendar Court in La Grange is closed, Pillars’ programs and services are still available for emergency services, as well as online, virtual and phone assistance for those needing non-emergency help of any kind.  
A list of available services is on the Pillars website: https://pillarscommunityhealth.org/coronavirus/
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Racial Equity Team Weekly Link:


Check out our Race Resources page with articles, videos & book suggestions to learn more. You can also subscribe to  Race/Related , a newsletter focused on race, identity and culture by the New York Times. It is published on Saturdays at 7 a.m. and edited by Lauretta Charlton.
and More.......
Emergency Exit Map
Please note that in the back of every Singing the Living Tradition hymnal there is an emergency exit route map. In case of an emergency, refer to this guide and please assist others who do not have a map.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check Us Out and “Like" the UCH Facebook Page!
In addition to News and Notes and The Touchstone, we will be using our Facebook page to keep the congregation and the community informed about upcoming events and initiatives. Share our posts with your family and friends. Just click on the logo above and search for “Unitarian Church of Hinsdale” in the search bar.
You can also find us on Twitter at @UUHinsdale .