From Here to There / Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley
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A life-long UU, Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley is a Congregational Life Consultant for the MidAmerica Region, working with congregations across the region. Prior to this, she was a called minister in Southfield, Michigan, and also has served as interim minister in Calgary, Alberta, Rochester, Michigan, Naperville, Illinois, and San Rafael, California. Educated at the University of Toronto, with her M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and her D.Min. from Meadville / Lombard in Chicago, Lisa really learned about how to be a minister from the members of the congregations she served, and from her gifted colleagues. Now entering her fifteenth year of service to our wider movement, Lisa specializes in helping with safe congregations issues, transitions, and conflict situations. She makes her home in Kalamazoo MI with her partner Amy, their cat Squash, and their puppy Teddy. |
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July and August Theme: Journey
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERTORY :: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee–advancing human rights and justice through grassroots collaboration. Learn more here.
To contribute to Unity Temple’s Sunday collection, please text 73256 with the message UTUUC $____ (dollar sign followed by your donation amount), and select “Offering”. You may also give at the UTUUC website, by using the camera on your phone to scan the QR code on the screen during the Offertory or by sending a check, payable to Unity Temple, noting UUSC on the memo line, to 875 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301, and we will send a collective check on your behalf. Thank you for your generous support!
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Welcome to UTUUC
If you would like to learn more about how our congregation works and how you can become involved, please contact Tina Lewis, Director of Membership & Engagement to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org
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UTUUC Phones We have purchased a new phone system. For the time being, if you need to get a hold of anyone on staff, please send them an email while we wait for installation. Thank you.
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Worship Service :: will be at 10am on YouTube Live. You can access it here.
Coffee Hour :: Immediately following the service (around 10:45am) the Virtual Coffee Hour will be on Zoom. Go to Zoom Meeting ID: 999 2797 5277 Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
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Coffee Hour Courtesies Coffee Hour is a time for old and new friendships to be enjoyed. In the spirit of community, and in honor of our 1st Principle that upholds the inherent worth and dignity of every person, we ask everyone to be mindful of the brief time we have together during breakout sessions.
Please remember these courtesies to ensure everyone a meaningful and fun experience.
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The Board of Trustees wants to stay connected with you. We are again offering two opportunities to share what we have been doing, to listen to your questions and concerns, and to invite you to join us as we continue to reflect on our Unity Temple community. Please join us on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 1pm, or Tuesday, August 17 at 7pm. (NOTE: NEW TIME as to not conflict with another Board commitment). Zoom link for both sessions is https://uuma.zoom.us/j/5825811029 / meeting ID: 582 581 1029
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Good News! Live Streaming Sunday services could be a reality as soon as August 29 with YOUR help. If you would like more information about how you can be a part of the new AV Team contact jparks@unitytemple.org. This crucial need is time-sensitive, so please reach out today. Thanks!
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Marsha Borders, Glenn Brewer, Vera Dowell, Fran Knechel and Ian Morrison are the new Transition Team that has been appointed by the Board and represents both the breadth and depth of UTUUC experience. They will be assisting our Interim Senior Minister, the Rev. Dawn Cooley during the next two years. Right now, they are focusing on connecting Rev. Dawn with staff and lay leadership in the congregation, and learning together what it means to be on this team! Watch this space for more details as the transition continues transition@unitytemple.org. Welcome Rev. Cooley!
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Return to In-Person Worship Postponed! Due to the rise of the Delta variant of Covid-19 and the recent increase in positive cases in Cook County, we will be postponing our return to in-person worship. Although we will not be open to in-person attendees, we will be returning to live streaming the Sunday Service from the Sanctuary beginning with the August 29th service. The E-Team, Community Transformation Team, Worship Committee and Board of Trustees continue to work towards bringing back people to the Temple safely and in alignment with our principles.
The Community Transformation Team (CTT) continues to work on a comprehensive phased opening policy taking into account the guidelines and rules of the Center for Disease Control, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Village of Oak Park and the congregation’s guiding principles. Illinois is currently in Phase 5. The CTT has completed version 2.0 of the Phased Re-Opening Plan for in-person events at Unity Temple which can be found here. The CTT will continue to keep everyone updated in regards to the decisions made and the guidelines that we as a congregation will need to follow within our unique building settings. You can also check the Unity Temple website under the Phased Re-Opening tab for more information. Questions and comments can be directed to ctt@unitytemple.org.
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We're Hiring for a Worship Service Production Coordinator (WSPC). This position is responsible for the execution of all live video at Unity Temple, which then feeds the broadcasts to the UTUUC YouTube channel. The WSPC is also responsible for managing the volunteers who run sound for the non-streamed worship and memorial services. Responsibilities include:
- Running a live video switching system
- Managing the broadcast control location
- Camera operation during live music and speaking productions
- Managing sound for both services and memorial services that don’t require video streaming
The WSPC will report directly to the Ministers and work closely with, the Music Director, musicians and others involved in presenting during the worship service. To learn more about the job and how to apply follow this link.
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The Unity Temple Choir Begins Rehearsals on August 18th!
The Unity Temple Choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, August 18 at 7pm. We will meet in Unity House until 9pm.
- Singers will be required to be vaccinated in order to rehearse in Unity Temple.
- Choir members will rehearse in masks.
- Choir will not be performing in-person for services until we are confident that we pose no threat to unvaccinated children or our most vulnerable members present as this is our primary concern at this time.
- Choir will relocate to outdoor or online rehearsals if the efficacy of the vaccines for the developing variants pose increase risk to our vaccinated singers.
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Last Saturday’s Sacred Wanderings was well attended. The next Sacred Wanderings will take place on Saturday September 11 due to the Holiday. Hope to see you out there!
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BIPOC Friends Gathering at Gale House Wherever you are on your life journey ... you are welcome to join our in-person gathering. Together we will explore this month's theme, Journey. We are going through many transitions–welcoming a new interim senior minister, uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic, seasonal changes, and more. How do you maneuver these transitions? Where are you heading? Or simply join us to share what is on your heart during these challenging times. We will meet on Sunday, August 22, 12–1:30pm.
To abide by Unity Temple's public safety protocol, please wear a mask and be prepared for a quick health check-up upon arrival. We look forward to seeing you at Gale House! (Just next to Unity Temple on Kenilworth Avenue, enter through the side door, up the ramp.) Contact bipocfriends@unitytemple.org if you have any questions or concerns. |
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Rainbow Connections New Meeting Day and Time! Do you consider yourself part of the queer UTUUC community? If so, please join us on the evening of Thursday, August 19, from 7 to 8:30pm. **Please note the new day; we now meet on the third Thursday of the month!** It is our monthly Rainbow Connections meeting. (Allies are welcome, on occasion, by invitation only.) This month's virtual meeting topic is "Journey". If you are a first-timer, feel free to log on at 6:45 for a one-on-one chat to get to know you a bit. Hope to see you soon! Zoom link can be found here.
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Welcome to UTUUC
If you would like to learn more about how our congregation works and how you can become involved, please contact Tina Lewis, Director of Membership & Engagement to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org
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Unity Temple Summer RE Theme of "Grow Together" We offer online programming to fuel our fine young people's spiritual growth and to serve as an opportunity to connect and practice our principles together. We hope you will join Activities for All Ages via zoom every Sunday at 9:30am. If you have any questions or thoughts to share, please contact summer_re@unitytemple.org
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Daily Mindful Reflection Community 30 minute meeting, 7 days a week! Starts at 8:25am and ends at 9am every day, seven days a week. This will be different from our regular Tuesday night meeting. The daily meditation will include opening words, 20 minutes of mindful reflection, and closing words.
All are welcome! You are welcome to attend regularly or sporadically.
Time: Every Day (including weekends) at 08:30am Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting here. ID: 373 008 242 / Passcode: 4IFrYx
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,373008242#,,,,*940220#1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 373 008 242 / Passcode: 940220
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Religious Education Registration 2021/2022 is Open! Each year, we ask our families to re-register their children for our religious education programming. It ensures we have the most up to date information about our young people, helps us with planning, and gives us an ongoing communication loop. Along with information, we ask for a registration fee of $50 per child (for pledging members and friends) and $100 per child (for non-pledging members or friends). These fees help support elements of our program. Scholarships are granted by request to Emily Gage egage@unitytemple.org or Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org. Please register your child/children for Religious Education using this link.
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Mindful Reflection Online Community Tuesday Evenings Zoom meeting room opens at 6:45pm, program starts at 7:10pm. You Are Welcome Here! We will follow our usual format with 20 minutes of Mindful Reflection followed by a dharma talk and discussion. Questions email mindful@unitytemple.org.
ID: 373 008 242 / Passcode: 4IFrYx
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,373008242#,,,,*940220#1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 373 008 242 / Passcode: 940220
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee–advancing human rights and justice through grassroots collaboration. Learn more here.
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Communities, Not Cages! The U.S. operates the world's largest immigration detention system with a network of over 200 detention centers across the country. UU Service Committee (UUSC) members have been working to shut down ICE detention centers since the U.S. government expanded the use of family detention in 2014. As part of the Communities Not Cages advocacy coalition we have identified 10 facilities to shut down in the next year. Detention abolition is possible. Our partners on the ground are developing community-based alternatives to immigration detention. We’ve already seen counties in MA and GA end contracts with ICE. Join us by sending a message to President Biden today: Terminate federal contracts with detention facilities that are keeping families confined in prison-like conditions just for seeking safety and a better life. To learn more, contact: immigration@unitytemple.org
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Climate & Equity - Time for Action! It’s been two months since Illinois legislators left Springfield without passing a climate and equity bill, and the cost of doing nothing is colossal. Without passing Clean Energy legislation, thousands of union workers and solar installers will lose their jobs. Without setting a clear closure date for toxic fossil fuel plants, our communities will continue breathing dangerously unhealthy air, and BIPOC communities won’t have access to the clean energy economy.
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Side with Love Action Center
The UUA is now organizing work for justice and liberation under the same call to Side with Love - including the four intersectional areas of:
- Climate Justice
- Decriminalization, Ending Deportation & Detention
- Democracy & Voting Rights
- LGBTQ+ and Gender Justice
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Recycling Volunteer Training–All Ages The Eco Justice team is happy to announce that we've earned our first bench from our plastic recycling! We will continue collecting for a second bench. We could also use a few more volunteers. Jen Packheiser will be training interested folks on Saturday, August 21, 9am and Friday, August 27, 9am. Please wear a mask and bring gloves. You can find the sign up link here. Questions? Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org
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Plastic Bag Recycling!
Did you know "stretchy" plastic like plastic shopping bags, dry-cleaning bags, bread bags, ziploc and produce bags aren't usually recyclable in your bins at home? We're collecting these items that would usually go to a landfill (or to Jewel) to be turned into a recycled plastic bench! The bench will be donated to Third Unitarian Church in Austin.
Watch this short video, and see what can be recycled here. Place all plastics into (preferably) one or more plastic bags and drop-off in the bin on the front porch of Gale House (124 N. Kenilworth) behind Unity Temple.
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2021 Auction Was a Success!! Bidding for the 2021 UTUUC Auction came to a close a little after midnight on July 25, 2021. We brought in a little over $19,000 toward UTUUC's 2021 operating budget!
As fun as it was, the best is yet to come–you get to actually enjoy connecting / re-connecting with fellow congregants in whatever events/items you won! Instructions for those who bid, won and would like to settle their bill can be found here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us at auction@unitytemple.org
We hope you had fun and are looking forward to more in the weeks and months to come. Many thanks to all the donors and all who bid on the 2021 Auction!
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Through Our Differences, We Are One :: The beloved community includes people of all political parties. Here at Unity Temple we call people to live out our faith but this does not mean we share the same political or partisan perspective. May we remind one another to honor our own life experience in the development of our unique perspective while honoring that of others. The core of being a religious liberal is remaining open to and respectful of a pluralism of theological positions and political stances. As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large while also knowing that endorsements or support of particular candidates cannot be part of our congregational process.
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Planned Giving offers a variety of meaningful ways to support our congregation through charitable gifts and can be made by anybody – young and old, working or retired. These gifts are made today, but they support the future needs of your congregation and Unitarian Universalism. You can obtain more information about planned gifts by contacting the Planned Giving Team at plannedgiving@unitytemple.org
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Support Our Work : As we continue to find new ways to join together in virtual community we have launched additional portals to financially support UTUUC. Details can be found here. If you have questions please reach out to office@unitytemple.org. Thank you!
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