No Greater Power
Rev. Emily Gage
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September Theme: Embracing Possibility
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERTORY :: Community Renewal Society
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 Community Renewal Society (CRS) – a powerful network of Chicago-area faith communities organizing and advocating for racial and economic justice. 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 CRS 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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Worship Service :: will be at 10am on YouTube Live. You can access it here.
Community Hour :: Immediately following the service (around 10:45am) the Virtual Community Hour will be on Zoom. Go to Zoom Meeting ID: 999 2797 5277 Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
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Community Hour Courtesies Community 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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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 Engagement & Membership to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org
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BIPOC Friends meet Rev. Dawn Cooley Please join our next gathering to meet our interim Senior Minister Rev. Dawn and introduce yourself to her. Rev. Dawn is looking forward to joining us for the first 45-minutes of our monthly meeting. If you identify as BIPOC and want to be on our email list or have any questions about this meeting, please contact bipocfriends@unitytemple.org. We will meet on Sunday, September 26 from
12–1:30pm.
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Meet the Ministers Wondering what our minister's do when they are not at Unity Temple? What hobbies to they have? What's their favorite food? Do they have a pet? Learn these compelling answers and more!
Sunday, September 26 with Rev. Emily Gage
Sunday, October 17 with Rev. Dawn Cooley
Sunday, November 14 with mandi huizenga
During this pandemic time, final meeting location will be confirmed via email 48 hours in advance. Meetings can take place indoors, outdoors on the patio at Unity Temple or virtually via Zoom from 1-2pm. Refreshments are unable to be provided at this time, but enjoyable conversation can be expected! Register email tlewis@unitytemple.org
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We have some exciting news! Homecoming Sunday, in person, is happening! Are we really going to have an in-person Homecoming Sunday? Yes!!! Mark your calendars for the return of in-person worship with a Homecoming Sunday / Water Communion Extravaganza at Unity Temple on October 9 and 10! You can learn details here.
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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.
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The Unity Temple E-Team has completed a comprehensive Covid-19 Phased Re-Opening Guidelines. This document is intended to serve as a guide for Congregational events going forward. The guidelines will be implemented based on the Cook County Risk Metrics determined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. We are currently in our orange zone as the infection rates are below 150 per 100,000. The Unity Temple E-Team has also completed version 3.0 of the congregations Building Use Policy and COVID Protocols for Unity Temple, Gale House and the Community Center for in-person events which can be found here. The COVID Risk category will be updated weekly and can be found on our homepage in the slider bar for easy access. Please reach out if you have any comments or questions ctt@unitytemple.org.
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The Unity Temple Choir has Resumed Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7pm. For more details on meeting logistics and location please contact music director, Marty Swisher at mswisher@unitytemple.org. |
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Please Welcome Our New Bells Director! We are delighted the Unity Temple Bells will continue to ring once again here at Unity Temple! This multi-generation ensemble will perform during services in December and in March. Under the direction of new director, Linda Van Dyke, the group brings a rich variety of handbell repertoire to our worship. Linda has lived in Oak Park for almost 30 years. She gives clarinet and saxophone lessons to 30+ students in the area, plays professionally for touring and local shows and is very active with music at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church. She conducts three handbell choirs at Fair Oaks and is excited to create music with the choir here at Unity.
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Pathway to Membership Sessions will resume this fall. If you would like to explore becoming a member of our congregation, we invite you to attend! New members will be celebrated at our next Welcome Sunday on December 5.
October Schedule
Sunday, 10/10, 10/17 and 10/24 from 1–3pm
November Schedule
Sunday, 11/7, 11/14 and 11/21 from 1–3pm
During this pandemic time, final meeting location will be confirmed via email 48 hours in advance. Meeting will be indoors at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd, outdoors on the porch of Gale house located at 124 N. Kenilworth, or on-line via Zoom. Refreshments are unable to be provided at this time. To register for the October or November sessions contact tlewis@unitytemple.org.
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Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion Featured speaker Alex Kapitan, a trans and non-binary UU leader, will lead us in learning what it means to be a men’s group, woman’s group, community or congregation that affirms and embraces gender diversity. This virtual event will take place on Saturday, September 25 at 1pm. To sign up contact mensgroup@unitytemple.org.
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The Congregational Health and Reconciliation Team, or the CHART Team, exists to ensure our congregation maintains a safe and secure atmosphere free of disruptive and threatening behaviors that could harm others’ emotional or physical wellbeing. This team, consisting of Rev. Dawn Cooley, Rev. Emily Gage, Aisha Ellis (Board), Jennifer Evans (mental health professional), and Jay Petersen (Pastoral Associate), meets quarterly, assessing the wellbeing of our collective community and addressing specific challenges, working toward positive results for our members and friends. To contact this team, email chart@unitytemple.org.
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Welcome to Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Video As we approach the beginning of our program year here at UTUUC, we are thrilled to share our new welcome video for visitors to our website. With our upcoming Livestream capabilities and multiplatform programs, we are able to invite friends and family to join us from all over the world, so let's do it! In the spirit of welcoming, please share this video on your social media platforms and/or send the link to your email contacts as we continue to build upon our journey of welcoming all, inspiring compassion, nurturing wonder, and serving community.
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Let's get to know each other! On the first Sunday of the month, you are invited to a meet and greet social hour hosted by Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership. We will meet from
1-2pm on the east patio of Unity Temple. Refreshments are unable to be provided at this time, but enjoyable conversation with new friends can be expected! To register email tlewis@unitytemple.org
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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 Community Renewal Society (CRS) – a powerful network of Chicago-area faith communities organizing and advocating for racial and economic justice. Learn more here.
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Clemency Now! You can literally save lives by these actions! One of our inside pen pals, Lonnie Smith, will have his spirits lifted by you taking the brief time to call, write or tweet on behalf of him and so many others hoping for release. Sample letter, phone call, and Tweet are here. Email uupmi.info@gmail.com to let us know how you took action. Reach out with questions to restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Austin Credit Union
Unity Temple’s Restorative Justice Team is leading a fundraising effort to support the Austin Credit Union donor initiative–spearheaded by the Leaders Network. Fundraising at Unity Temple will occur in September only, so as not to overlap with our congregation’s annual fund drive. Our initial goal is to raise at least $5000–or 100 UT members contributing $50 each. This level allows Unity Temple to become a Founding Member of the Austin Credit Union.
We hope you will support this initiative with a donation–gifts of any amount are greatly welcomed and appreciated! There are a few ways to make a donation:
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Please make checks payable to “Unity Temple” note Austin Credit Union on the memo line, and mail your donation by September 30 to UTUUC, 875 Lake St., Oak Park 60301
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You may give online via PayPal here: be sure to select Austin Credit Union from the drop-down menu. All donations will be bundled and a single check sent to the Leaders Network designated for the Austin Credit Union Fund.
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Plastic Bag Recycling!
We are collecting “stretchy” plastic - like shopping bags, bubble wrap, plastic shipping sleeves - to be recycled and turned into a plastic bench. The bench will be donated to Third Unitarian Church in Chicago’s Austin community.
Watch this short video, and see what can be recycled here. Note: Bags from cheese, pet food, mulch, and salads are NOT recyclable. If there is no recycling label on the bag, it goes in the garbage, please! 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. Thank you!
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Communities, not Cages! Join the UU Service Committee in resisting the harmful impacts of our immigration system. Here are 5 critical pieces of information you need to know about the detention system and 5 ways you can get involved – Click here to take action with UUSC. Contact: immigration@unitytemple.org
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Carceral Systems and Siding with Love
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois and the Unitarian Church of Evanston’s REAL and Prison Ministry teams invite you to join us for Carceral Systems and Siding with Love. How do we actively side with Love in the face of harmful carceral systems that especially target black and brown people? Join in one or all of these reflective, informative sessions to learn more about:
- Policing
- Prisons
- Family Separation and Surveillance
- Basics of Restorative Justice
Registration is required and a short reading or video will be emailed to you one week before each session. This is a four-part series of 90-minute Zoom workshops spread over eight weeks, each two weeks apart. Register here for reminder emails and zoom links. Click here for more information. Questions? Contact restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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EXCITING NEWS!
Last week Governor JB Pritzker signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) into law! This is the most equitable climate legislation in the country - which will take bold action on the climate crisis, protect communities, and launch a generation of new, good-paying jobs with equity provisions. Learn more here.
Thank you to everyone who spent over three years advocating for this historic legislation - along with our partners at Faith in Place, UUANI and the entire IL Clean Jobs coalition! We did it!
Click here to find out how your Illinois Representative voted, then send a THANK YOU! here. Click here to find out how your Illinois Senator voted, then send a THANK YOU here!
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UUANI Action of the Week Each week our Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of IL (UUANI) offers a call to action. Sign-up to receive these simple and impactful actions direct to your in-box here.
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Soul Connections Are you hoping to connect with other people from our congregation? Are you wanting to deepen your experience of being a Unitarian Universalist? Are you looking for a way to renew your spirit? Joining a Soul Connections small group with a 12 month commitment is a great way to answer these questions! Each month, you'll receive a packet on the month's theme with spiritual exercises, questions, as well as suggested movies, books, quotes and podcasts. It's a great way to build relationships, receive (and give) real nourishment for the journey. If you'd like to explore with us, please direct questions to soulconnections@unitytemple.org
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Beloved Conversations Virtual Fall 2021 Registration is open for this wonderful intensive program that "focuses on the internal work that each of us needs to do as we engage in deeper personal understanding, explorations of race and racism, extracting our souls and spirits from white supremacy culture, and work for racial justice." Members of our congregation have been participating in some version of this course since 2016. More information can be found at www.meadville.edu/beloved. Questions can be directed to Rev. Emily Gage
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RE in the Park Join us for some RE family time at Anderson Park on Sunday, September 26 at 3pm. There will be games, activities and time for families to connect with fellow RE families! We hope to see you there. Please remember to wear your mask and be ready to see some friends in-person. Reach out to Val Ridenour with questions at vridenour@unitytemple.org.
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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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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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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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