August 7, 2020
There you can make a one time payment by bank transfer or credit card or set up monthly giving. You can also text a gift to (815) 332-0643. Please indicate if your gift is toward your pledge or general fund. Contact the office with questions.
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All activities will be offered using Zoom
No activities will take place at the church.
Friday August 7
9:30am Chair Yoga
7:00pm Women's Book Club
Saturday August 8
9:30am Flow Yoga
Sunday August 9
9:00am Coffee with Questions
10:45am Service: Lou Ness
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Monday August 10
4:00pm Faith Forward Spiritual Practices
7:00pm Board Meeting
8:30pm Parent Support
Thursday August 13
8:00am Men's Breakfast
Friday August 14
9:30am Chair Yoga
Saturday August 15
9:30am Flow Yoga
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Traditions Past--Creating New Traditions Forward
Sunday, August 9, 2020
10:45am
Lou Ness
Together we will begin to explore how age old beloved and tested
traditions will be put aside as we enter Fall and prepare for the holiday season because it will be here before we know it.
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All Are Called
Sunday, August 16, 2020
10:45am
Rev. Jenn Gracen
As this congregation moves through the interim period how can we faithfully meet the demands of our time? Who are we called to be right now, individually and collectively?
We welcome Rev. Jenn to our pulpit as she begins her interim period with us.
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Congregational Events and News |
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Did you miss last week's service? |
Never fear. You can still watch the whole service by clicking here.
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Your Tree of Life Dream Team has come up with the BEST fundraising event EVER ! ...and we’re callin’ it 8’S ARE WILD!
To find out ALL about it, click here
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Yoga for Everyone -- A chance to move, breathe, and stretch
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Beginning Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th, Cynthia Allen will be offering weekly 30 minute yoga sessions. Fridays, 9:30 – 10:00 am will be a gentle Chair Yoga and Saturdays, 9:30 – 10:00 am will be a Flow Yoga session.
To get the Zoom links, to find out more about Cynthia and the classes, and to see contact information, please click here for the flier posted on our website.
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It’s that time of year again!
Religious Education is looking for commitment from members of our congregation to volunteer in our Religious Education Virtual Classrooms.
The great news is that this year our classes will not
conflict with Worship services! I am asking every member of our congregation to volunteer as they are able. We are in need of teachers, assistant teachers, and classroom helpers in every age group. Please let me know what you can do to help. In order to respond to Devi’s graduation challenge to our congregation, I would like to highlight the particular need for Jr. Youth Group and Youth Group leadership. We have a monthly theme-based curriculum that will reflect the work of the congregation at large and provide a supportive and affirming space for these youth. But we can’t do it without YOU!
Please email Heather to let her know you are interested at hmmadaus@gmail.com or text 815-509-7862.
Announcing a new resource for families of all ages!
Our Religious Education team is working hard to keep you connected to yourself, each other, and our communities. We are pleased to announce that we will be offering Soulful Home packets for all families. These monthly packets will give us suggestions for using our monthly themes as a springboard for family conversation and action. All registered families will receive a packet via email. Please contact Heather to request a printed packet via the USPS or to be added to the email packet list.
Parent Support Group
Need to decompress? Parents unite Mondays at 8:30pm.
Follow our new link to sign in!
Our Coming of Age Students Still Want to Hear from YOU!
Contact information-
Heather can be reached by phone and text at 815-509-7862 Or email her at hmmadaus@gmail.com
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Our next meeting for the Women's Book Group will be on the first Friday, August 7, 2020, at 7pm on Zoom. We will be discussing Yann Martel's book, "The High Mountains of Portugal". Please bring one question to add to the discussion.
Meeting ID 521-385-171
Meeting Password
730531
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Women's Circle Friday August 28 |
If you identify as an adult woman, we invite you to join us August 28th at 7pm for Women's Circle. We meet to socialize, decompress and be in community. Women's Circle meets every fourth Friday of the month so join in any month. Use this link to join us online https://bit.ly/3e1s3tj
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Online Directory at Your Fingertips |
Members and Friends, did you know you can view our church directory using your smart phone. If you are in our directory, you have been invited to our online member program called Breeze. Breeze also has a phone app. Go to your phone's app store and search for Breeze Church. It is a free app. treeoflifeuu is the organization name. Use the same username and password you used when you set up your account from the invitation email. Contact the office if you need help.
Help us celebrate you. Please help us update your birthdate, anniversaries, and other dates by visiting your profile in Breeze and edit profile information. For assistance, contact Judy at office@treeoflifeuu.org
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Just a quick reminder that Religious Education is coordinating the sorting and collection of caps and deciding what items will be this year's addition. The items vary in length, bench height, and colors and selection will depend on the weight of collected caps. Location of items will depend on item selected. So stay at home and collect plastic caps numbered 2, 4, & 5. If you go out, caps can be left outside TOLUUC garage (call 815-338-5538 so we know to bring inside) or the front stoop of Sandy Light's house. We will see the bags. Secure the bags to avoid wind.
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Our memorial garden offers customized garden stepping stones to honor the lives of your loved ones. You may purchase an engraved stone with the name of the one you wish to memorialize for $100. Contact Judy Ayres for questions or to make arrangements. 815-353-8690
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Faith Forward Spiritual Practice is a 12-session series that helps participants develop regular disciplines of the spirit – practices that help us connect with the sacred. Spiritual Practice affirms religious diversity while seeking unity in our communal quest for meaning and wholeness. Each session offers a forum for learning, sharing, and growth that can enrich our personal faith journeys. Join us on Mondays online at 4pm by CLICKING HERE. Facilitator: Judy Stettner. The following is the Spiritual Practice schedule:
May 11 Defining Spiritual Practice
May 18 Finding your Spiritual Practice
June 1 Keeping Sabbath
June 8 Prayer
June 15 Meditation
June 22 Mindful Walking and Eating
June 29 Worship and Ritual
July 6 Discernment and Devotional Reading
July 13 Hospitality and Belonging
July 27 Work and Service
August 3 Retreat
August 10 Life as Spiritual Practice
You can drop in on these sessions anytime; they do not need to be taken in order. This schedule will repeat every 12 weeks. We encourage you to register ahead of time by emailing office@treeoflifeuu.org so materials and suggestions can be sent to you ahead of time. This will make our time together more effective. You can also find the handouts HERE
Our session this week is Life as Spiritual Practice
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WRAP Your Wellness Your Way
New Dates
Tree of Life UU Congregation is now offering WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) sessions along with UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) for adults 60+. Sessions meet weekly online 5:00pm-6:30pm Wednesdays August 19, 2020 to September 23, 2020. To learn more about this wonderful program toward a healthier life CLICK HERE
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Social Justice Team Notes
Compassion For Campers—The next Faith Leaders of McHenry and Compassion for Campers distribution of camping gear and supplies will be held at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson, Woodstock on Tuesday, August 4 from 3:30-5 pm. Download and print a flyer for distribution where ever the homeless might gather. For More information contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net or phone 815 814-5645.
UU the Vote—Our UU the Vote project will once again participate in a turn-out-the-vote postcard project with hand written and addressed cards being sent to registered voters in Wisconsin and Michigan, both crucial battle ground states. In each state cards will alert voters to vote-by-mail options. Post cards, a message to copy, and targeted addresses will be provided. We are asking you to provide postage of 35 cents each which can be ordered for home delivery from the USPS here. If you are interested in signing up to send 5 to 10 or more cards contact Lisa Messinger at Lmessing1@gmail.com . Our partners in UU the Vote at the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI) are encouraging us to educate voters in our own state on Illinois Fair Tax question which will be on the November ballot we will also be sending post cards to our neighbors about that and encouraging people to phone bank.
Vote by Mail and Voter Registration—The Coronavirus pandemic has put traditional election practices at risk, but Illinois has approved Vote by Mail for the November election. Most registered voters received forms to request a vote by mail ballot this week. Please promptly fill out the request and use the enclosed envelope to send it to the McHenry County Clerk as soon as possible you can also make a request on line at IllinoisVotes2020.com and click on the button that says “Request your Vote by Mail Application.” If your or any one in your family needs to register to vote, make a change of address, or a name change visit the McHenry County Clerk’s office in person or register to vote on line at the State Board of Elections.
UU The Vote - Fair Tax Watch Party Saturday August 8th at 7:00pm.
Learn more about the Fair Tax Amendment which will be on the Ballot on November 3. Join us for an hour presentation on the Fair Tax by RALPH M. MARTIRE Executive Director, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability and Arthur Rubloff Endowed Professor of Public Policy at Roosevelt University. Stay for Q&A and discussion. Please contact Irene Raven if you plan to attend or if you are interested in watching the presentation on your own. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86969226358
Abolish ICE in McHenry County—The Abolish ICE in McHenry County Protest on Saturday, July 25 in Woodstock was a success. The issue of canceling the contract to use McHenry County Jail has been submitted to the County Board for consideration. On Tuesday morning the Law and Government committee voted not to end the ICE contract but the Finance Committee is taking it up is on August 6th at 8:30am. Please contact your County Board representatives or attend the meeting in person to let your views known.
Chalice House—The Chalice House refugee sanctuary sponsored by Countryside UU Congregation in Palatine and our friends at the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants (ICDI) will be hosting their first family, refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who were recently released from detention in Texas pending their appeal to have their asylum claim heard. They may soon be making an appeal for items that the family will need as the settle into the home.
Social Justice Team Meeting—The Social Justice Team will meet by Zoom on Wednesday August 26 7 pm.
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Food Pantries Need Our Help |
The food pantries serving McHenry County have been overwhelmed with a 30% jump in usage and a loss of surplus food donations from restaurants and groceries. The Social Justice Team and the Board would like you to consider making a contribution to the Northern Illinois Food Bank which services all McHenry County pantries. All contributions are tax-deductible. To make a gift by mail, send your check made out to Northern Illinois Food Bank to 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, IL 60134. To make a gift by phone, call (630) 443-6910. To donate on-line visit this link.
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Irene Raven will be leading a Coffee with Questions discussion this Sunday on the Fair Tax Amendment which will be on the ballot on November 3rd. We are having a watch party this Saturday evening at 7 with a discussion after. Details on the watch party is below under the Social Justice section in the Newsletter.
This short video shows how the Fair Tax amendment will fix Illinois’ broken tax system, ensuring that 97% of Illinoisans—those who make $250,000 a year or less—get a tax cut or pay no more than they do now. Working people need relief now more than ever, and that’s exactly what Fair Tax reform will provide.
Here is a link to an op-ed article by Rev. Alan Taylor of Unity Temple suggesting that unfair taxes contribute to racism.
Questions to consider during Coffee with Questions:
What is your view on flat tax vs a fair tax (graduated)? After looking at the videos and reading the editorial, do you have new thoughts on the issue?
Do you see this as a racism issue? A class issue?
Do you think this amendment will pass? If not, why not?
What can you do to help with the effort to pass this? Can you make a specific commitment?
Join us this Sunday at 9am for a thoughtful discussion on this topic.
There'll be food for thought and the soul. Zoom ID 87312276484, Password 013596
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The following was shared last Sunday during Joys and Concerns.
Kaz: Great joy that Rev. Jenn is with us today. We all waved and clapped!
Jess Miller: Jess is very concerned that her stepmother was just diagnosed with Covid. Jess will be going to Ft. Wayne to be with her dad.
Lisa Messinger: Lisa's concern is for her Godmother who was rushed this week to the ICU as she continues a long battle with Crohn's disease.
Stella Golden: Stella is concerned for a furry family member; her 6 1/2 year old dog was just diagnosed with cancer.
Judy Mullen: Judy reports with great joy that Sean has finally gotten his driver's license back so they are now able to get out and do things again.
John Murphy: John had a correction to his spoken message about the deadline for caps collection for the RE to beat the deadline for pounds of caps needed to qualify for the benches RE has chosen. He needs the caps by Monday at 5pm either delivered to Sandy Light's home or placed in front of the church garage door.
If you are in need of assistance or know somebody in the congregation that does, our care committee can be reached at care@treeoflifeuu.org .
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From the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association)
We have all been feeling the urgency to respond to and support Black Lives Matter. Thanks to our UUA working to understand how, even as Unitarian Universalists, we perpetuate a white supremacy culture for the last several years we have resources to lead us as a congregation in our response.
Carey McDonald, UUA Executive Vice President (not be confused with our Carrie MacDonald) brings us the following words "Going into the fall, I’m excited and humbled by work called for in the final report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change. The Commission’s report and presentation was a highlight of this year’s virtual GA, a culmination of their three-year process. The published report, Widening the Circle of Concern, is now available and lays out ten areas of recommendations to become a truly anti-oppressive faith community. It is essential reading for every Unitarian Universalist, with recommendations for the UUA, UU organizations and seminaries, and all our congregations. A free copy has been mailed to all congregations; hard copy editions can be purchased from InSpirit, the UUA bookstore, and you can read the report online. And watch for opportunities from the UUA to deepen, connect, and share these transformative aspirations for our faith."
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Community Resource
In an effort to provide the county with the most up to date guidance regarding COVID-19, MCDH has created the McHenry County Department of Health Resource Guide. This tool will provide guidance on seeking medical care along with recommendations on staying safe during this time. This tool is not designed to diagnose or treat COVID-19, but can assist the community with more information about this new coronavirus.
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Judy Stettner
Congregational Administrator
Heather Madaus
Interim Director of Religious Education
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Cassandra Vohs-Demann
Director of Music
Billy Seger
Accompanist
Leah Mikkelson
Board President
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Office Hours: Hours will vary from below while our staff practices social distancing to flatten the curve
Monday 10-2
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10-2
Thursday 10-2
Friday 10-2
Others by appointment
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Our Board Members:
Leah Mikkelson - President
President Elect -Sue McCowin
Janet Burns - Treasurer
Irene Raven- Secretary
Steve Lyons - Trustee
Ivy Sitkoski- Trustee
Mike Bissett- Trustee
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Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation
5603 Bull Valley Road
McHenry, IL 60050
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