Worship for this Sunday–March 7, 2021
Live Streaming at 10am
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Loyalty of Water / Rev. Emily Gage
Fourth Grade Chalice Ceremony
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March Theme: Commitment
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERTORY :: Austin Scholars Progam–Third Unitarian Church
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Austin Scholars Program of Third Unitarian Church – since 1974, helping to support more than 500 outstanding high school seniors in the Austin community to attend college. 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 Austin Scholars 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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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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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. Please contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to sign up.
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Despite our best efforts as Unitarian Universalists, racism still exists across our denomination and within our congregations. Building on the discussions from our January 31st event with Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, the Welcoming All Team is hosting a discussion with member of the Commission, Meadville Lombard Theological School president, and Unity Temple friend Dr. Elías Ortega. Learn about the commission's assessment and recommendations so that we may continue our work of Welcoming All.
In preparation we are hosting two information sessions; Reading Group Discussions, and Reading the Report. Here is a link to the report online or if you would like to borrow a printed copy of the report write to office@unitytemple.org.
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Widening the Circle of Concern Information Session Join the Welcoming All Team for an information session on the UUA's Commission on Institutional Change's report, Widening the Circle of Concern. Two information sessions will be offered on Sunday, March 14 at 12pm and Thursday, March 18 at 6:30pm. A generous donor has made several copies of the report available to borrow through Unity Temple which can be picked up by emailing office@unitytemple.org.
Here is the link to join either Zoom session. |
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Reading Group: Widening the Circle of Concern The Welcoming All Team's March reading will be the UUA's Commission on Institutional Change's report, Widening the Circle of Concern; a report on racism within our denomination and congregations. We will discuss the report and the various recommendations that can be applied to our congregation and denomination. A generous donor has made several copies of the report available to borrow through Unity Temple which can be picked up by emailing office@unitytemple.org. These discussions will be held Monday, March 15 at 6:30pm and Sunday, March 28 at 2pm.
Here is the link to join either Zoom session.
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Our amazing 6th grade RE class used their social justice project to support Housing Forward in their mission to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. Thank you for supporting their collection for Housing Forward. |
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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This Sunday’s collection will benefit Austin Scholars Program of Third Unitarian Church – since 1974, helping to support more than 500 outstanding high school seniors in the Austin community to attend college. Learn more here.
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Legislative Advocacy Training– Saturday
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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Consider switching to e-billing. In the US, paper products make up the largest percentage of municipal solid waste, and hard copy bills alone generate almost 2 million tons of CO2. If you have a green tip you’d like to share, contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org
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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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Illinois Legislative Advocacy: How to Hold Effective Virtual Meetings with Legislators
Thursday, March 11, 6–7:30pm
Legislators need to hear from you about what is important to our communities. Given the restrictions of COVID-19, traditional legislative advocacy and travel to Springfield will not be possible this spring. Join us to learn new strategies to virtually engage and meet with your legislators including, how a bill becomes a law in Illinois, and how to lead effective virtual meetings and build relationships with your legislators. Register here. Questions? Contact restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Film Screening Join the Eco-Justice team on March 21 from 2-4pm for a screening of the film Necessity: Oil, Water and Climate Resistance, a documentary about the ongoing fight against the expansion of pipelines carrying highly toxic tar sands oil through Indigenous lands and essential waterways in North America. After the documentary, we'll host a guided discussion and share ways to support the campaign to stop the Line 3 pipeline. Register here for this free event and to receive the Zoom invitation.
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Online Sacred Wanderings
March 6 (First Saturdays). We have discontinued our face-to-face meetings until further notice. Join us for forest bathing as well as meditation and mindfulness in the outdoors! For our online meeting you will define outdoors however you want. On a porch, deck, patio, in your yard, walking in a forest preserve with your smartphone or sitting inside looking at a plant, out a window or at a YouTube clip of a nature setting. Join Jay and Terry as we intentionally practice connecting with nature and surrounding ourselves with the energy of the natural world. Forest bathing is not taking a leisurely walk in the woods to enjoy the scenery. There's a specific intention in the practice to connect with the natural world and to gain benefit and energy from it. In other words, you are bathing in the energy of the trees, leaves, sky, and earth. Meditation and mindfulness assists in securing this intention.
We will merge with the online daily Mindful Reflection Community for the first 30 minutes and follow the schedule they usually follow. Then we will follow a modified SacredWandering Schedule.
Meeting opens at 8:25am.
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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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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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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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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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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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 connections@unitytemple.org. |
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A Friend in Need, 1903 by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge / A Remake of a Friend in Need, 2021 by the Brumirski Family.
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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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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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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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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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Thursday Midweek Centering:: In a time of chaos and anxiety, take a pause in your week to center and ground yourself. At 3pm 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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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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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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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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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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