|
Saturday Aug. 17
7:00pm Barn Party - offsite
Sunday Aug. 18
9:15am Coffee with Questions
10:45am Service
6:30pm Chalice Circle
Wednesday Aug. 21
7:00pm Stewardship Meeting
7:30pm Odyssey
Thursday August 22
5:00pm Men's Group - offsite
7:00pm McHenry County Pride
Friday August 23
7:00pm Women's Book Club - offsite
Saturday August 24
10:00am Kayak Adventure - offsite
7:00pm Movie in the Barn - offsite
President Elect - Leah Mikkelson
Steve Lyons - Trustee
Marcia Johnson- Trustee
Patrick Kerin- Trustee
Office Hours:
Monday 10-2
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10-2
Thursday 10-2
Friday 10-2
Others by appointment
|
|
 |
|
You can forward this email to your interested friends and family by using the Forward to a Friend button on the left hand side of this newsletter.
|
We Are All Migrants 
Sunday, August 18, 2019 10:45am
Rabbi Maralee Gordon
Rabbi Maralee Gordon will speak about the migratory nature of humanity from time immemorial, Jewish sources on the journey of the Israelites through the desert as a framework for our own life journeys, and the perils immigrants face today.
|
So...what DO we believe? A UU primer to  Unitarianism
Sunday, August 25, 2019 10:45am
George "Kaz" Kazlusky
Most of us have come to Tree of Life and Unitarian-Universalist thought after experiences with other denominational doctrines. Today's message examines Unitarianism in "easily-digestible" portions from its origins in the mid 1600's in Eastern Europe to present day with emphasis on how it has evolved and descriptions of some of its more famous advocates.
|
|
Congregational Events and News
|
It's A Party in the Barn!
These parties were offered at our Service Auction back in November but you can still buy into them. Invite your friends and family.
Barn Party 2019
Saturday August 17, 2019 7:00pm until 10:00pm
Join us on Saturday, August 17 at the Tinkler's Barn in Woodstock for a live performance by Ken Johnson and Tom Steffens. Enjoy some hors d'oeuvres and Janet Burns delicious desserts in the fabulous and welcoming barn. Barn doors open at 7:00pm. ($25 per person)
Movie in the Barn 2019
Saturday August 24, 2019 7:00pm until 10:00pm
Enjoy a family friendly movie on the big screen at the Tinkler's Barn in Woodstock. TOLUUC youth will staff booths as fortune tellers, advice dispensers and face painters. Visit the concession stand for popcorn, candy and drinks. Barn doors open at 7:00pm. ($10 per person)
|
September 15th
Mark it on your calendar!
Following our Water Communion service on September 15th, we will be having our annual church picnic on the lawn. We will be serving pulled pork sandwiches (hot dogs will also be available). The rest of the meal will be potluck -- please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Once again, our Green Sanctuary Team is requesting that everyone bring their own tableware so as to cut down on paper and plastic being used. Let's go GREEN!! Please make sure the items you bring have been prepared ahead of time and are ready to set out. All food dishes should be brought to the kitchen before the service.
There will be a bounce house, games and activities for all to enjoy. If you know of someone who has expressed an interest in coming to Tree of Life, this would be a fun way to introduce them to the congregation. The festivities will begin after the service and continue until 3:00 p.m. We will need help with various tasks -- there are sign-up sheets in the social room so please help us put together (and take down) a fun-filled event!
|
Sit and Remember
Thanks to the generous funds available in the Bob Tirk Memorial Fund and Ann Tirk, we now have a comfortable bench by the new memorial garden. All are invited to stop by the garden for quiet contemplation.
Memorial stones may be requested for $100. This includes the cost to have a stone etched and the ongoing upkeep of the garden. To request a stone or for more information, contact the office.
|
Join the Tech Crew
Doug Mikkelson can almost always be found Sunday mornings staffing the sound board at the back of the sanctuary but it is time to give this hard worker a break. You can find information about getting trained to run the sound board and sign up on our website at https://treeoflifeuu.org/soundboard-sign-up/
|
Men's Group
Pizza! Pizza! Since UUs are so fond of change, the Men's Group will meet at a different pizza place this Thursday, August 22...Buddyz Pizza, 1138 N. Green Street in McHenry. If the weather's pleasant, we can dine al fresco beside the creek.
Buddyz has a full meal selection, from Italian dishes to thin and thick crust deep dish pizza...and a well stocked bar. There's no need to bring any munchies to this Dutch-treat event.
Things start at 5:00 this Thursday the 22nd and we'll stay until the first guy falls asleep or into the creek.
|
Women's Book Club
The TOL Women's Book Club
next book club selection is
The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi. Ivy Sitoski is hosting on Friday August 23 and 7pm at 6221 Chickaloon Dr, McHenry.
|
Religious Education
Mark your calendars!
September 8, 12:10-2pm First day of 4-6th OWL
September 15, Water Communion
September 22, first day of Spirit Play (PK-4th), Soul Matters (4-12th), and Coming of Age (8-10th)
October 13, no Religious Education classes
Upcoming volunteer opportunities (2019-20 school year)
Pageant Volunteers
! Our students will be working on their Winter Pageant in October, November, and December. Please contact Heather if you have an interest in teaching, singing, acting, or crafting with our students!
Spirit Play Storytellers and Doorkeepers
(4yrs-3rd grade)
Soul Matters teachers
(4-8th grades)
Nursery Care is available
in the RE basement during regular Worship Services for children birth-4.
Step out Area:
(Clock Room) 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.
Registration is open for the 2019-2020 school year!
Spirit Play (ages 4 through Grade 4)
Soul Matters (Grade 4-12)
Additional age-dependent opportunities:
Our Whole Lives (Grades 4-6)
Coming of Age (Grades 8-10)
The 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 the church and at pretty much any coffee shop, anywhere! Please email
hmmadaus@gmail.com
or call 815-509-7862. Let's talk!
|
Social Justice Notes
Social justice committee continues to meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the
month.
Thank you to all who are volunteering with Compassion for Campers!
While we have filled all of our Mondays with volunteers and meals,
we still are in need of supplies. Specifically we need bug spray, medium and large men's brief or boxer brief underwear and body wipes. Contact Sue Rekenthaler for more information.
tomatos@mc.net
We are encouraging members to attend the
Immigration Resources Fair to be held Saturday, Sept 7th from 10am-1pm at First Church in Crystal Lake. See the flyer at the bottom of The Happenings for additional information.
Protect the safety of refugee children! Call our US Senators Duckworth and Durbin and support 2 bills:
S397 - Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act which would end the use of unlicensed emergency detention facilities for refugee children such as Tomillo,Texas and Homestead Florida.
S388 - The Families not Facilities Act, which would reduce the ability of ICE to engage in inappropriate civil immigration enforcement actions that harm the safety of unaccompanied children and prevent reunification of families. Learn more at
www.uuani.org
Coming soon:
1. Actions to protest gun violence
2. Expungement workshops to train members to assist those impacted by the war on drugs
3. Renewal of our UUA Welcoming Congregation Status
Join us! Our next meeting is Wednesday Sept. 18th in the Fireplace room. Contact chairperson Patrick Murfin for more information (
pmurfin@sbcglobal.net)
|
Coffee with Questions
Russ Marks will lead a discussion of the first chapter of his brother-in-law's book "The Courage to Lead."
A leader relates authentically to life when he is clear that he cares for others more than he cares for his personal happiness. This philosophy, if it is true, can help one deal with the realities of life...whether one curses them or excepts them...and can lead to the possibility of saying yes to all of life.
How do you care for others? Is caring for others difficult? What kinds of care are the most difficult? Do you have an obligation to care? Who or what obliges you? Is caring situationally motivated? Must you care for yourself to be able to care for others?
Join us at 9:15 this Sunday morning, August 18, in the upstairs religious education room for another lively discussion. There'll be coffee and food for body and soul.
|
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.
Kathy Tinkler shared the joy of having
Ellen Tinkler back after she spent 38 days in Canada at camp without running water. Welcome back to civilization, Ellen!
Patrick Murfin is concerned for his grandson,
Nicholas, who just found out his father has advanced melanoma and a poor prognosis.
Rebecca Colon was thankful for the dedication ceremony for
Mariana and welcome to her visiting family last month. It was a wonderful day for all of us.
Ron Relic truly appreciated
M.E. Tanabe and her message of community that held our congregation together when we did not have a minister.
George Sowinski announced that 53 years ago this week he said I do to the woman sitting next to him. He seemed pretty pleased with himself.
Drivers to and from Sunday services needed!
Do you drive through Crystal Lake on your way to services in Sunday? We try to keep the commitment to once per month and can be creative!
The Member Care Team can be reached at the same email address or by calling Karen Meyer if you are in need of support from the congregation.
|
|
Charles Troy Presents "The Creation of The King and I" As A Benefit Fundraiser For WACM
Acclaimed musical theater historian Charles Troy will be presenting his highly entertaining and informative multimedia show "The Creation of The King and I" at
7:00 pm on Sunday August 25 at Grace Lutheran Church 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road in Woodstock as a benefit fundraiser for the Woodstock Area Community Ministries (WACM) Direct Assistance Program.
WACM's Direct Assistance program (DAP) provides financial assistance to residents living within Woodstock Community School District 200 who are experiencing an emergency financial crisis. As of August 1 of this year, DAP has received 318 requests for emergency financial assistance and has provided a little over $24,000 in aid. The funds provided by DAP were used to purchase clothing, bus passes, gas cards, and prescription medicines. The money was also used to help pay for car repairs, rent bills to avoid evictions, and utility bills to prevent utility service shut-offs.
The ticket price for the show is $15, and seating is general admission. Mr. Troy's shows combine scans of rare photos, original graphics, edited audio tracks and video clips, live performances, and a scripted narrative. The run time for the show is 90 minutes.
Tickets can be ordered by contacting Bruce Weiss either by email at woodstockbruce@hotmail.com or by phone at 815-338-2721 using the hashtag "king and I". Tickets can be paid for by check made payable to WACM and sent to WACM c/o Bruce Weiss 846 N. Madison Street Woodstock, IL 60098. Tickets purchased by August 20 will be mailed out to purchasers. Tickets purchased after August 20 will be held at Will Call.
If you enjoyed the Broadway play and movie "The King and I", you will love this presentation. If you are unable to attend the show, kindly consider making a $15 donation to WACM in support of the work of its Direct Assistance program.
|
 MidAmerica UU Young Adult (18-35) conference September 13-15 at People's Church of Kalamazoo, MI. Facebook event link
|
Judy Stettner
Office Administrator
Heather Madaus
Interim Director of Religious Education
Cassandra Vohs-Demann
Director of Music
Carrie MacDonald
Board President
|
|
|
