Worship for this Sunday–February 28, 2021
Live Streaming at 10am
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Radical Proximity
Rev. Alan Taylor
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February Theme: Beloved Community
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERTORY :: Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA)
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit FORA– providing education to refugee families to prepare them to become economically self-sufficient and robustly engaged in America. We now offer online tutoring for 60 recently arrived K-12 refugee children. 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 FORA 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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Email Scam :: Folks have reported receiving emails from UTUUC staff requesting help such as:
Hello. Do you have a moment? I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am currently busy in a prayer session, no calls so just reply to my email.
It is important to check email addresses from senders, and know the staff will never request you to just reply to an email. If you receive an email along these lines, please ignore and delete it. We apologize for any confusion and want to reiterate these messages are not coming our ministers or staff. Please send any concerns to office@unitytemple.org. Learn more about UU guidance on this matter here.
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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 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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Saturday morning, February 20th, many of our Religious Education Classroom Volunteers gathered for a breakfast Zoom hosted by the RE Committee for Children and Youth, our RE Assistant Val Ridenour, and our Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage. Delicious treats were delivered to doorsteps and we gathered virtually for sharing joys and challenges and connection. Even in the pandemic, we have over 100 kids gathering each Sunday with these awesome volunteers for learning, community, and fun.
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Warm Hug! Have you been missing a warm hug from friends? This month you can send one to a congregation member ...and receive one! Sign up by March 8 and you'll receive the name of another person. Send a warm note, a package of hot chocolate, or whatever your heart desires and you will receive one in return. To sign up, please email connections@unitytemple.org before March 8th.
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Connection / Care Calls Have Kicked Off! In the spirit of our monthly theme, Beloved Community, volunteers will begin calling all member households of the congregation who do not already have ongoing contact with a pastoral associate thru the month of February. The purpose of these calls is stay in touch, provide support as needed, and build community during this pandemic time. The Care Team hopes you will find this touchpoint with a fellow member meaningful and fun.
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Revolutionary Love Conference: The Courage To Imagine Join Unity Temple members for this annual conference at Middle Collegiate Church in NYC, held this year virtually, April 15-18, 2021. Featured speakers include Sister Simone Campbell, Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Valerie Kaur, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Brian McLaren, and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, amongst others. For more information, check out the website here. Our ministerial intern, mandi huizenga, is collecting names to get the group rate, which is $53.55 per ticket. Scholarship funds are available. Contact mhuizenga@unitytemple.org. Deadline to register for group rate is March 15.
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Registration is Open! General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. That remains true even when we cannot gather physically. Last year, GA had more than 4,900 registered attendees participate from remote locations around the world. For more information and to register go here.
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Sharing, Mondays at Noon Need a lunchtime boost in your day? Every Monday at Noon Jeanette Mancusi invites you to take a break in your workday and briefly share something good that has happened to you recently. We hope you can join us! Click here to join the call. Questions may be sent to tlewis@unitytemple.org. Join Zoom Meeting https://uuma.zoom.us/j/98514736011 Meeting ID: 985 1473 601
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The Vegetarian Potluck Group invites you to indulge in creation during these pandemic times. Share a favorite vegetarian or vegan recipe by making it, providing a written version of it, and delivering (or we will deliver it for you) to a UTUUC congregant on Saturday 3/20. Contact vegdinner@unitytemple.org to register by Monday, 3/15. Delivery assignments will be distributed by Wednesday, 3/17.
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Thursday Midweek Centering:: In a time of chaos and anxiety, take a pause in your week to center and ground yourself. At 3pm and at 6pm, each Thursday, Rev. Alan and our ministerial intern, mandi huizenga will lead a reflection and a deep listening practice so that we may companion each other through this challenging time. Join us on Zoom here. Or email at ataylor@unitytemple.org or
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Knitwits :: Calling all knitters to knit mittens for Hepzibah, baby blankets for the Linus project or any knitting project that spreads goodwill and warmth. We can choose a group focus or each participant can choose their own while spending a little virtual time together. Let's gather on zoom the first and third Thursday mornings 10am to 11:15am and continuing through the winter months. Looking forward to sharing ideas Contact Barbara Boockmeier at knitters@unitytemple.org for the zoom link.
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Mother’s Little Helpers, John Falter
Saturday Evening Post April 18, 1953
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Mother’s Little Helpers, interpreted by the Morton family, 2021
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Connections Art Project
Have some fun and recreate a piece of “art” with objects, people, pets, and props you have at home. To submit project, send an email to
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Visitor Form
If you would like to be contacted about how to get involved with our community, please take a moment to fill out this form.
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What is Coffee Hour?
It is a time to connect with old friends and make new friends following worship service on Sunday mornings. Attendees socialize in small groups of 6-8 during breakout sessions. We hope you will join us!
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Invitation To Get Involved
We are so glad you have found us and invite you to begin a process of getting to know one another with hopes that you will be inspired to become part of our vibrant community. Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org for Zoom access to the following sessions. View video invitation here.
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Newcomer Orientation
Sunday, 3/7/21 from 11-12pm OR
Monday, 3/8/21 from 7-8 pm
Each month we offer an orientation to familiarize participants with the fundamentals of Unitarian Universalism, and an overview of our mission and programs.
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Pathway to Membership
Sunday, 3/21/21 11–12:30pm OR Monday, 2/22/21 to 7–8:30
We want you to know how we learn and grow, create community, care for one another, governor and financially support ourselves, and have fun! Join this monthly class to experience a deep dive into UTUUC.
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Becoming a Member
We recommend attending our orientation, meeting our ministers, and learning about how we work by attending our interactive informational sessions. Upon completion we invite you to sign The Membership Book and fill out an Enrollment Kit. If for some reason, you are unable to attend our sessions, please contact Tina Lewis, Director of Membership & Engagement to discuss alternative arrangements.
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This monthly offering provides an opportunity to get to know our ministers in a small group setting, share your story and ask questions about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. |
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Meet the Ministers
Rev. Alan Taylor
Sunday, 3/14 from 11-12pm and
Wednesday, 3/17 from 7-8pm
Rev. Emily Gage
Sunday, 3/14 from 11-12pm and
Wednesday, 3/17 from 7-8pm
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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Legislative Advocacy Training– Saturday, March 6, 10–11:30am :: The Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois and Unitarian Universalist Prison
Ministry of Illinois invite you to join Director of Restore Justice, Jobi Cates, in a Legislative
Advocacy Training. We will spend time on big picture orientation followed by tips for
strategic organizing and advocacy. Register here.
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Most grocery stores will now let you bring your own bags to the store if you pack the groceries yourself. Or, ask the store staff to put the groceries back in your cart and take them out to your car to bag.
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This Sunday’s collection will benefit FORA– providing education to refugee families to prepare them to become economically self-sufficient and robustly engaged in America. We now offer online tutoring for 60 recently arrived K-12 refugee children. Learn more here.
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Solidarity Circle Training
Sunday, March 7, 3–4:30pm
A Solidarity Circle is a group of individuals who come together to journey with someone who has been released from prison or jail. The group consists of a Circle Leader and several Circle Members (ideally 6-8) who meet regularly to listen and to assist the Circle Leader in finding ways to meet both immediate and long term needs, and to achieve independence. Join us to learn about the logistics of the Circle meetings, Circle Leader boundaries, and identifying points of privilege when engaged with someone with a social location different from the Circle Member’s social location. Register here for a Zoom link to the training. Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Online Mindful Poetry Writing Workshop :: Ever have the feeling that you've got something important to say that everyday talk just can't capture? Something inside that you just can't put into words. Thought about writing poetry, but haven’t been sure how to get started.? Or maybe you write poetry and would like to give some more time to it? This workshop will help you find a new way to use language to speak with “the voice that is great within us". The Mindful Reflection Community will be sponsoring this online poetry writing workshop titled The Voice That is Great Within Us on Saturday, March 13, from 1-4pm. Terry Cahill will facilitate this event. He is a published poet and workshop host. The workshop will be limited to 20 participants. Dana (financial generosity) will be accepted. To register email Terry Kinsey at mindful@unitytemple.org. |
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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! If you'd like to explore with us, please direct questions to soulconnections@unitytemple.org
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Religious Education is Up and Running and We are Virtual this Year! Our dedicated volunteers are working to connect with our young UU's by offering class rituals and connection activities each Sunday. If you are looking for more information about how to join a class or you are interested in becoming a class leader, please send an email to either Rev. Emily Gage egage@unitytemple.org or Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org
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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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6th Graders Love Project Extended! :: For this year’s 6th grade RE class, our social justice project is helping Housing Forward in their mission to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. We will collect and donate the things they need such as quarters for laundry & vending machines, toiletry items, and cleaning supplies. Our campaign will run through Saturday, February 27. You can drop off items at Gale House or arrange for pick-up through this Google Form.
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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)
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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Meeting ID: 895 0302 7611 Password: 062305
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Our shared mission is a powerful gift, especially during these times of uncertainty and unrest. As we breathe life into it, our mission takes on the shape and color of a world we only dared to dream about five years ago. |
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It inspires us to embrace values of connection, transformation, justice and acceptance that underpin our response to the urgent needs of humanity and the earth. |
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It energizes us to transform ourselves, our congregation and our world by welcoming all, inspiring compassion, nurturing wonder and serving community.
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It comforts us to know we are joined together in spirit on this journey toward a future we promised to build. |
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A future in which we…create a culture of radical hospitality and relationships with people across boundaries of race, class and other identities that divide us…cultivate caring communities, bear witness to love and pain and respond, individually and collectively, with acts of compassion…nurture and celebrate a sense of wonder and create opportunities for spiritual deepening, questioning and growth…act in partnership for justice and live our faith in service.
Even virtually - especially virtually - our shared mission brings and keeps us together. It is the greater whole.
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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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