Calendar

Friday October 12
7:00pm Board/RE/WA Meet and Greet

Sunday October 14
9:15am Coffee with Questions
9:15am Choir Rehearsal
10:45am Service
12:00pm Board Listening Session
12:00pm First Notes
12:20pm Mindfulness
4:00pm OWL

Monday October 15
7:30pm Mindfulness

Wednesday Oct. 17
7:30pm McHenry County Odyssey

Thursday October 18
1:30pm Mindfulness
7:00pm McHenry County Pride

Friday October 19
7:00pm Social Justice Immigration Forum

Mystery Dinner from 2017 Service Auction - offsite

Saturday October 20
7:00pm Peter Mayer Concert - offsite


All Committee Meetings are open and you are welcome to attend.

Our Board Members:
Carrie MacDonald - President
president@treeoflifeuu.o
 rg
Rebecca Colon - President Elect
Randy Meyer - Treasurer
rjmeyer315@yahoo.com
Mike Stough - Secretary
mikestough87@comcast.net
Pat Costigan - Trustee
Rebecca Heisler- Trustee
Patrick Kerin- Trustee

Office Hours:
Monday 10-2  
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10-2
Thursday 10-2  
Friday 10-2
Others by appointment

Music Director Hours: By appointment
music@treeoflifeuu.org  

Click here for Website Calendar Link

Click Here to see the latest Board Minutes


In This Issue
UUA
October 12, 2018
 
Please feel free to forward this to your interested family and friends using the Forward to a Friend button below on the left hand side of this newsletter.    
 
The Happenings
Fall FUNdraising Auction
Saturday, November 10, 2018 6pm 

By now you should have either picked up your Fall FUNdraising Auction packet or received it in the mail. We can't make this night successful without your help. Please think about your availability the day of the auction and fill out the volunteer form.You might not be able to help set up, but can you volunteer an appetizer or dessert? Please fill out the volunteer form and give it to Sue Kazlusky in the social room after church on Sundays or Judy Stettner in the office. We need this form by October 21. Secondly, we have set $16000 as our goal and the church budget is counting on us for this amount.  Is there something that you can donate for the Silent Auction or a party you can host for the Live Auction? Please fill out the donation form in your packet and give it to Kaz at church or to Judy in the office. We need this form by October 28.  Lastly, our gift card tree is a very popular Silent Auction item but we need our congregation members and friends to donate these cards. Sandy Eckert will be set up at a table in the social room on Sunday and will accept any and all contributions. We will accept gift card donations until November 4. We hope that you are able to help.  
Need inspiration? Check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3MMNablKlU 
 

Atonement   
Sunday, October 14, 10:45 am 
The Almost Rev. Kevin DeBeck   
 
How does a person make up for a past wrong? What has to be done to get back into covenant with one another? The Almost Rev. Kevin DeBeck looks at what atonement meant for people in ages past and what it means to us today. We will take a special Second Sunday offering for our long time community partner, PADS.  
 
Following this day's service, the board will hold a listening session. Grab a cup of coffee and join them in the sanctuary for an open discussion.  

Celebrating Life Through Music: Refuge The Church of What We Know    
Sunday, October 21, 10:45 am 
Peter Mayer    
 
For our worship service, Peter Mayer leads us in word and song sharing his insights into Unitarian Universalism and how it connects us spiritually with the world as we experience it and as science provides us a picture. This is sure to be a very special service.  

Get Your Tickets NOW to see Peter Mayer in Concert! 
 
Saturday, October 20th   7:00 pm at First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake. 461 Pierson, Crystal Lake.
To have adequate seating, First Congregational in Crystal Lake is partnering with us. Only $20 in advance online.
Even with online fees, you will only pay $21.50 per ticket.Or $25 at the door.  
You can get more information about Peter Mayer on our web site https://treeoflifeuu.org/2018/07/26/tree-of-life-hosts-peter-mayer/  
 
We are selling tickets to the concert to pay for Peter's Sunday service. If we do not sell enough tickets, worship arts will have far less money to bring us other amazing speakers and performers. At the concert, Peter will be performing a full concert's worth of music and only a few songs on Sunday. Come soak up all that Peter has to offer us.  

UU Orientation
   
Date: Saturday November 10th 9am-12pm
Remember a 1000-mile journey begins with a single step .  Whether you are new to Tree of Life or have been coming a while we want to offer you the opportunity to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and more about how the congregation works.
Childcare is available upon request
  •  To register. Send an email to stettner.marc@gmail.com .  Or call Marc Stettner at 256-665-2655.  Or sign up at the visitor information table in the front lobby area.
 

New Directories Are Here! 
   
New directories are available to members and friends in the church social area on Sunday. This one even features those wonderful pictures we had taken a few years ago by Lifetouch.  
Members can also access the directory online by logging into the member tab at www.treeoflifeuu.org  
 
Did you know great resources for deepening your search for truth and meaning are just a click away? The UUA offers many amazing books and media from UU authors and others at https://www.uuabookstore.org/ 
InSpirit UUA bookstore can suggest timely resources to you with regular updates by clicking here. 

Social Justice Notes  
 
October 19: 7pm - 9pm - Social Justice Forum: Let's Talk About Immigration which will include a panel discussion and a Q&A and comment period 7pm - 9pm
 
October 20, 7pm - "Ghosts of Ellis Island" - a performance by Pippa White at the Spoken Word Cafe, at Stage Left Cafe in Woodstock.
 
This week's second Sunday donation is for McHenry County Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS). Information about this important organization can be found at: https://www.pioneercenter.org/programs/homeless-services-mchenry-county-pads/mchenry-county-pads/
 
Makki Linda Turner is planning to take the lead to organize a Social Justice Book Discussion group, details will follow. Those who are interested in participating in the book group should follow up with Makki Linda. 
 
The Tree of Life Social Justice Committee would like to encourage our members and friends of our Congregation to put your spiritual values into action by voting your values this year. Early voting is currently available at the McHenry County Clerk's office during regular office hours through election day November 6th. On October 22nd 9 additional early voting locations will open throughout the county. 
If any church members would like a ride to vote, either on election day or for early voting please contact the Social Justice Committee or post on the SJC FB page and we will try to pair you up with another church member who would be willing to offer a ride. You can also contact the campaign or political party of your choice for rides to the polls if that is more convenient for you.
 
For more information on how you can participate with these or other SJC activities and events contact Social Justice Committee Chair Terry Kappel at (815)669-7983 or tkappel@hotmail.com   .
 

Religious Education 
   
Nursery Care is available during Worship Services for children birth-4. We invite children of all ages to use our Quiet Work Area under the supervision of their families during worship services. You will find it tucked away outside the sanctuary in the Clock Room.
Volunteers needed for the 2018-19 school year!
We have an urgent need for the following:
Spirit Play Doorkeepers- These volunteers would assist in the Spirit Play classroom once or twice per month.
Classroom teachers and assistants- 10/14 and 10/21. Our theme is Sanctuary and teachers will have clear lesson plans and activities ready for implementation.
Pageant assistants- November 4th and 11th and December 9th and 16th
Upcoming dates:
October 14th and 21st: regular RE classes
October 27-28: Camp Compassion: The RE Committee, in conjunction with the Social Justice Committee, is sponsoring this event to raise money for the Compassion for Campers program. This event will start at 6pm, run through the night, and will wrap up in time for us to attend and participate in the service Sunday morning. All members and friends are invited to join us for this program! Please watch for information to come home with your student this week!
Youth Group (9-12th grades) will be meeting on Sunday mornings during regular Church School hours in October. Calling all youth 9th-12th grade. The future of the Youth Group depends on you showing up! Please join us in the RE Fireplace room following the Story for All Ages.
An activity group for LGBTQ teens meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month, 7-9PM, in the
downstairs youth room. The time of the meeting coincides with the meeting of McHenry PTI (Parents of Transgender Individuals).
 
Have questions? Are you jumping up and down to volunteer for something, but don't know where to turn? I'm available by appointment at pretty much any coffee shop, anywhere! Please email DRE@treeoflifeuu.org   or call 815-509-7862. Let's talk!

 

Coffee with Questions
 
Topic: Clerical Celibacy 
Presenter: Stan Liszka and Bob Coleman 
Date: Sunday 10/14/18
Time: 9:15 AM 
Location: TREE OF LIFE in the fireplace room 

Search for clerical celibacy on the web
Community Care Committee 
   
Joys and Concerns shared during the service will be printed in the Happenings and Bulletin unless there is a request made to the office or community care committee to withhold.
 
Bob Coleman reported Bob Jackson is now residing at Hearthstone Rehabilitation as he regains his strength and recovers from a nasty shingles infection. He would love card, calls and visitors. Please call before visiting.
 
Jenee Wolfram reflected that while raising children in Cary to celebrate diversity can be challenging, she is feeling hopeful that Cary Grove High School is presenting The Laramie Project about the killing of Matthew Shepard as their fall play. Please come support them.  
 
Peter and Ellen Tinkler shared that after Don Metivier gave them 16 young chickens he found abandoned at the bottom of his driveway, the girls are now doing great and giving them eggs.  
 
Carrie MacDonald writes "To all the women who are feeling defeated, devastated, and even violent after yesterday's [Friday's]vote: I hear you. I believe you. I'm with you. I never told anyone, and I know so many don't tell anyone. But know I am with you, and I feel safe saying that the people of this church are with you."
    
Please note that this committee can be reached at caring@treeoflifeuu.org  
 
If you are looking for a ride to church, please contact Pat Costigan, our Transportation Coordinator, who is matching people in need of rides with others who are willing to provide them.
Drivers to and from Sunday services needed! Do you drive through Crystal Lake on your way to services in Sunday? Let Pat Costigan know. We try to keep the commitment to once per month and can be creative!  Please email: caring@treeoflifeuu.org    
 
Hospitality/Fellowship
 
Recruiting Treat Fleet Volunteers!!
 

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UU WORLD WEEKLY
The email newsletter of UU World, the magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association
 
October 10, 2018
 
FEATURED STORIES
Time for cold anger
An anger that burns without consuming can be the fire and the energy for action, for organizing, for creating justice.
By Susan Frederick-Gray, 10/6/18
 
Keeping in conversation
Resisting the erasure of bisexuality.
By Mary Benard and George Grattan, 10/10/18
 
Together for the long haul
Faced with costly renovations, a suburban congregation and an urban ministry embarked on an innovative campaign to rejuvenate both of their historic buildings.
By Alexandra Varney McDonald, 10/8/18 (Fall 2018)
 
Onward and upward forever?
The realities of an individual life-and of aging-reveal the limits of unlimited growth and expansion.
By Doug Muder, 10/1/18
 
NEWS
Reported by UU World writers
UUs mobilize for voting rights, criminal justice reform
As elections approach, Unitarian Universalists work to register voters, promote criminal justice reform, and re-enfranchise 1.5 million people in Florida.
By Elaine McArdle, 10/3/18
 
Flooding imperils UU conference center in North Carolina
Most congregational properties escaped major damage from Hurricane Florence, but many homes are flooded.
By Elaine McArdle, 10/1/18
 
IN OTHER MEDIA
On Capitol Hill, faith groups' protesters duel over Kavanaugh confirmation
Among the protesters was the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, head of the Unitarian Universalist Association, who with other UUA ministers had donned her clerical collar and stole to protest in the office of Senate Judiciary Committee chair Sen. Chuck Grassley.
Religion News Service, 9/28/18
 
Undocumented immigrant has spent one year as refugee in Meriden church
For a full year, undocumented immigrant Sujitno Sajuti has lived within the walls of Unitarian Universalist Church while lawyers search for options.
Record Journal, 10/9/18
 
FROM THE EDITORS' BLOG
Interdependent Web: Meant for love and beauty, the opposite of helplessness, a new world is coming
Weekly roundup of blogs and other user-generated content about Unitarian Universalism.
By Heather Christensen, 10/5/18
 
Interdependent Web: Crying, chanting, and marching
Weekly roundup of blogs and other user-generated content about Unitarian Universalism.
By Heather Christensen, 9/28/18

Contacts
Kevin DeBeck
Minister

Judy Stettner  
Office Administrator  
Heather Madaus  
Interim Director of Religious Education 
Forrest Ransburg 
Director of Music 
 
Carrie MacDonald
Board President  
 
Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation | 815-322-2464 | office@treeoflifeuu.org | http://treeoflifeuu.org
5603 Bull Valley Road
McHenry, IL 60050