COVID Protocol: As we continue to consider the most vulnerable among us, we will require proof of vaccinations in addition to wearing a mask in our facilities. We realize this could be frustrating as mitigations guidelines are changing in the wider community and appreciate adherence to the current Unity Temple adopted measures. In addition, fulfilling this requirement will allow us to do things like begin singing, and eventually resume Community Hour activities following service in Unity House. May our covenantal community continue to hold one another with respect and care. 
What Faith Are We Renewing
Rev. Scott Aaseng
March Theme: Renewing Faith
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
OFFERING : UU Advocacy Network of Illinois
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 UU Advocacy Network of Illinois. UUANI supports Unitarian Universalists coming together to work for justice, beloved community and a healthy planet–putting our deepest values into effective action. Learn more here.

You may donate by placing cash or check in the donation box in the front pew on the main floor, sending a check to the Unity Temple office (to 875 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301) with (name of organization) on the memo line, by texting 73256 with the message UTUUC $____ (dollar sign followed by your donation amount) and select “Offering”, by using the camera on your phone to scan the QR code on the screen during the Offertory or you can give at the UTUUC website. Whatever modality you choose, may what you give bring you joy.
Issues with GMAIL: Please note we are experiencing some issues with emails originating from GMAIL accounts. If you sent an email from your GMAIL account to UTUUC staff and have not heard within a couple of days, please call or send a follow up message. Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.

This Sunday, two of our Vocal Music Scholarship Competition Winners will be performing for worship. Troy Makani, sophomore at Fenwick High School and Emma Meehan, a junior at Fenwick High School each have competed and won $1,000 scholarships to be applied to private voice instruction. Sunday will be their pre-scholarship performance. Troy and Emma will be returning next year! Please buy a ticket to the Spring Music Festival (April 30) to continue the funding for Unity Temple's Scholarship Music Program and this competition. 
Sunday Worship Service
In-person and online options for worship are now offered. Proof of COVID vaccinations for those who are eligible will be required to attend in-person. (This includes everyone age 5 or older. Vaccines for those younger than 5 are not yet available.) In addition, all those 2 and older must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth. More details can be found on our website here. You can access the live stream on YouTube at 10am here
Community Hour
Following the Sunday morning service, the Virtual Community Hour will be on Zoom following the service. Go to Zoom Meeting ID: 999 2797 5277 Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
UTUUC Name Tags are Back! The name tag board will be back in action this Sunday and will be relocated to Unity House for better lighting and easier access. If you need a new name tag, please add your name to the list at the Welcome Table located in the foyer. We will happily make you a new one! 
NOTE: You may donate by placing cash or checks in the collection baskets that are being passed. If you are sitting in the back row of the section of pews you will find a basket stored under the pew. Please pass the baskets and someone will be at the back of the main floor of the sanctuary to collect all the baskets.

You can also give by sending a check to the Unity Temple office with (name of organization) on the memo line, or by following the instructions on your screen.
Radical Compassion Group this Sunday March 27 at 7pm via Zoom Unity Temple’s Inspiring Compassion Team and Mindful Reflection Community are co-sponsoring a personal exploration group to expand our mindfulness and compassion practices.  

This is a drop-in group where each session will stand on its own and participants can come to any or all sessions. It is inspired by the book Radical Compassion by Tara Brach, but it is NOT a book discussion. It is an opportunity to discover new practices. Feel free to join us even if this is your first time as it is not required that participants read the book. We will be practicing the teachings of Chapter 7 on March 27. A chapter summary will be offered and practice questions will be discussed.

To view the calendar of sessions and topics, see Radical Compassion Description and Calendar. The Zoom link can be found here. Meeting ID: 373 008 242 Passcode: 4IFrYx
Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation (UTUUC) Needs Your Service Would you like to see our congregation develop a financially secure future? Do you have ideas on how to cultivate support and appreciation for UTUUC through stewardship and generosity? 

UTUUC’s Board of Trustees are seeking volunteers to form a five-member Stewardship Committee, which will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing all fundraising activities, resource development, and gift cultivation to further our congregation's mission. Members with experience working on the Annual Auction, Fund Drive and Planned Giving teams are especially welcome. Transform your vision for UTUUC into a reality—VOLUNTEER! For more information, contact the members of the Nominating Committee (Alec Brownlow, Aisha Ellis, Amanda Kaleta-Kott, Jane Wood, Erik Wise) at nominations@unitytemple.org.
Our spirits were renewed with the return of the Unity Temple Choir last Sunday!
Spring Music Festival 2022 : The annual Spring Music Festival showcases the outstanding talent of members and friends of the congregation. Anchored by the Unity Temple Players (our house band), this not-to-be-missed event includes professionals as well as the very best amateur talent of our musical family. Proceeds provide scholarships for community area high school students who compete for one of three $1,000 awards applied to voice instruction and to benefit the Unity Temple Music Program.

Spring Music Festival 2022 will take place at Unity Temple on April 30 at 7pm. Adults: $15 presale / $20 at the door and children (13 and under): $5. Online ticket sales as well as in-person ticket sales after service are open. Questions? Please contact: springmusic@unitytemple.org. To purchase tickets and / or make a donation, please click here.

Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective

This Sunday’s collection will benefit the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois. UUANI supports Unitarian Universalists coming together to work for justice, beloved community and a healthy planet–putting our deepest values into effective action. Learn more here.
UU the Vote Elections have consequences and as UU’s we are called to advocate for our values. In 2020, UU the Vote reached millions of voters and made a discernible impact in pivotal states like Georgia, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. We hope to surpass that effort in 2022. Join us for the launch of this year’s campaign on Sunday, April 10 at 3pm CT. This 90-minute live webinar will feature UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, our state partners, and our new UU the Vote Campaign Manager. Learn how we’ll be showing up for ballot measures to combat voter suppression, fight for reproductive justice, and resist the criminalization of BIack, Indigenous, and people of color communities. Register here. Questions? Contact: votelove@unitytemple.org. Watch for more information about our statewide launch with UUANI on May 14, and our Unity Temple team efforts beginning later this spring!
Faith in Action Newsletter We’ve launched a renewed Faith in Action newsletter filled with impactful actions. 
Check it out here. If you didn’t receive this monthly newsletter and would like to, please subscribe here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen at cvahey@unitytemple.org.
People in prison are counted in the census but not allowed to vote. We can change that! Thanks to all who participated in the Voting in Prison Day of Action to help get Senate Bill 828 across the finish line! Click here to contact your legislator about this important bill. Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.
Environmental Justice Last month, Unity Temple members joined with over 500 advocates from across Illinois for a virtual rally and to meet with our legislators for Environmental Justice Action Day. Thank you to all who participated in this exciting week of advocating for our UU values! The fight for environmental justice continues. To protect communities, we must pass legislation that meaningfully addresses environmental racism. Learn more and sign this petition to tell your legislators to pass (HB4093/SB2906), because industry has valued profit over people for far too long. It’s time for people of faith and justice to speak up and protect our communities! Questions? Contact: ecojustice@unitytemple.org
Leaders Network Survey Last fall, thanks to 60+ generous donors, Unity Temple donated $7500 as seed money for the start-up of a new westside credit union. The next step is a market research study to provide insight into what matters most to the community as it relates to financial services and how the credit union can support members of the greater westside. Leaders Network asked us to share this survey with all who reside and conduct business in the greater westside. Please complete the Leaders Network Westside Credit Union Survey TODAY! Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.  
Housing Forward has opened a warming shelter at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph St, Oak Park. In April the site will move to Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St. We are organizing a team of volunteers to assist some weekday evenings, 6–10:30pm. Volunteers are asked to greet clients and help set-up and clean-up the dining space (meals are already arranged). COVID protocols will be in place and proof of vaccination is required for all volunteers. View this slideshow for a brief orientation. If interested, please contact Judy Gaietto-Grace, our liaison to Housing Forward: housingforward@unitytemple.org
Speak Up for Trans Lives Currently, there are more than 150 anti-transgender bills moving through state legislatures across the country, including Illinois. From banning participation in sports, to legislation that criminalizes providing life-saving gender affirming health care, these bills are deadly for trans and nonbinary people of all ages. One of the most impactful ways for allies* to combat this wave of anti-trans legislation is to show up in public to articulate our values, unequivocally affirming that trans and nonbinary people are beautiful, sacred, and loved. Whether it's lobbying our state representatives, testifying in a legislative hearing, making a public comment at a city council or school board meeting, or writing a letter to the editor, we can fight for our trans and nonbinary kin to have access to the rights, protections, and resources they need to flourish.
 
Join Side With Love and our partners at The Trevor Project on Thursday, March 31, 7-8:30pm (CST) to grow your skills for speaking publicly in a values-aligned way, and find out how to get connected with opportunities to leverage your voice for justice. *Please note that while people of all genders are welcome, this is intended primarily as a training for cisgender folks aspiring to act as allies. Register here.

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.
Did you miss “Digging into the 8th Principle” worship service on February 13? Perhaps you want to watch it again? If yes, you can find it hereYou will be inspired and challenged by the music, stories and reflections. Thank you to all who participated in the post-worship Community Conversation. The 8th Principle team will be reviewing the feedback to determine next steps for the journey. Wondering about opportunities to engage? Please complete the Interest Card here.

To date 150 UU congregations and organizations have adopted the 8th Principle, which calls for us to “accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” Your 8th Principle team continues to revise the following documents to help you learn more. Please check them out. Contact 8thPrinciple@unitytemple.org if you have questions.
 
Would you like to get to know more people in our congregation? Come to our monthly meet and greet on Sunday, April 3 from 1–2pm in Unity House located across from the sanctuary at Unity Temple. New and established congregants alike are invited to attend. Registration is helpful, though drop-ins are welcome. Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to register in advance.
MyHAT Small Support Group Meeting This group is for people living with mental illness and those who care about them. We practice deep sharing and deep listening. Participation is confidential. We are always open to new participants. We will meet IN PERSON wearing masks at Gale House, the house immediately south of Unity Temple on Kenilworth in Oak Park. If you would like to join the in-person meeting through Zoom or have questions, please contact myhat@unitytemple.org. The next meeting is March 28 at 7pm.
UUA General Assembly 2022
Registration for General Assembly 2022 in-person in Portland, Oregon is now open. Financial support for registration as well as a payment plan is available. General Assembly 2022 will be a multiplatform event, with registration options for in-person and/or virtual participation.
 
The 2022 UUA General Assembly (GA) Housing Reservation System offers attendees premium amenities, discounted rates, and the best networking opportunities. Attendees who book within the UUA housing block will be in the expert hands of Connections Housing, the only official 2022 UUA General Assembly Housing Bureau.
Pathway to Membership 
Considering becoming a member? Come share your spiritual/religious history, learn about ours, discover how our congregation works today, and how we can be part of each other’s futures. We will meet on Sunday’s April 3 & 10 from 1-3pm at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd. Online accommodations available if needed.
Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to register. 
Pathways to Recovery at Unity Temple is a safe and confidential space where we will explore UU principles and our congregation’s values of connection, acceptance and transformation to support recovery from addiction. It is a peer-led group that is intended to be a supplement to, not a replacement for, other addiction recovery groups such as AA, SMART Recovery, and Recovery Dharma. We will meet every other Wednesday at in Gale House at 7pm, beginning April 27. Questions can be directed to recovery@unitytemple.org.
MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022
MidAmerica Regional Assembly 2022 is now open for registration! It takes place on Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 10am–2pm ET / 9am–1pm CT. The keynote speaker is social justice educator, storyteller and speaker, CB Beal. There will be worship, the annual business meeting, a keynote address and conversation as well as community break out rooms for discussion. There is a sliding scale fee between $25 to $50 and scholarships are available. Learn more and register here.
Mindful Reflection Online Community Tuesday Evenings Zoom meeting room opens at 6:45pm, program starts promptly at 7:20pm. 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.
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
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
Return to In-Person Religious Education: Sunday, April 3rd @ 10am
We are pleased to announce the return to in-person religious education for all of our young people beginning Sunday, April 3rd. Preschoolers will be in their classroom for the whole service. Children in Kindergarten-5th grades will begin service with their families and go to RE classes after the story for all ages portion of the service. Class leaders will meet their classes in Unity House and walk to their classrooms together. Grades 6th through Youth Group will meet at the Community Center at 1019 South Blvd beginning at 10am and ending at 11am. For those families who would like to continue to participating in religious education via zoom, there will be a weekly activity for all ages via zoom from 9-9:30. Please email Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org or Rev. Emily Gage egage@unitytemple.org with any questions. 
Upcoming Celebrations of Life
Alice Muciek / Sunday, April 24 at 3pm
Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation and livestream
 
Mona McNeese / Saturday, May 7 at 10m
Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation and livestream 

NOTE: If you would like to serve as a greeter and / or assist with the receptions following the services please contact tlewis@unitytemple.org.
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. 
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

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!