Making Friends with Ghosts
Halloween Sunday / Rev. Emily Gage
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You are welcome to come to church in costume.
Special Halloween Activities for All Ages!
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October Theme: Cultivating Relationship
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERING :: BUILD Chicago
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit BUILD Chicago– providing powerful experiential learning opportunities to nearly 6,000 youth in the Austin community. BUILD uses entrepreneurship to ignite the potential of youth from under-resourced communities and propel them to high school, college, and career success. Learn more here. NOTE: All donations this week will be matched, dollar for dollar.
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 Build Chicago 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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Sunday Worship Service
At this time, we are limiting capacity inside our sanctuary and requiring weekly reservations for adults and children to attend Sunday morning service at 10am in-person.
We will also be streaming live on YouTube at 10am. You can access it here.
To sign up for in-person worship, click here. Our Main Level seating will be prioritized for people with mobility challenges. If you are able, please choose a 2nd or 3rd Level seat.
There will be an Activity for All Ages happening inside Unity House. Children are welcome to participate in the Activity for All Ages that will be offered during the sermon portion of the worship service or they can stay in the sanctuary with their families.
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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.
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For Sunday Collections LAST CHANCE!
It's time to nominate great organizations to receive a Sunday collection! If you would like to nominate an organization to be on the ballot for Sunday collections in 2022:
- You must be a member of UTUUC in good standing
- The organization must align with UU principles
- The organization must be a 501c3 and non-partisan
The nomination form and 501c3 letter must be submitted by Sunday, October 31. Complete the online nomination form here, and send the 501c3 letter to sundaycollections@unitytemple.org. Members in good standing will vote at the annual meeting on December 12 to select which organizations receive collections in 2022. Questions? Contact sundaycollections@unitytemple.org
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BIPOC Friends Virtual Gathering
What does renewal mean to you? As we are challenged to consider how to grow and move forward with change at Unity Temple, join us in the spirit of compassion for the monthly BIPOC Friends gathering via Zoom 12:30–2pm on Sunday, October 31. Tell us your hopes and wishes for the group. To join our email list or receive a Zoom connection, or if you have questions, please contact
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Our 2022 Annual Fund Drive is Happening!
Thank you to everyone who has already made their 2022 pledge!
Our goal during this Season of Renewal is to ensure that our beloved community remains resilient, strong, and connected. We know from previous challenges that goals are reached when we work together and have an adaptable community with outstanding leadership.
.....As we embark on the 2022 Annual Fund Drive, we’re going to need everyone to rise to the financial challenge facing us, if we intend to accomplish our goals of providing high quality streaming services, appropriate staffing, support for our faith development programing, funding for facility maintenance projects and dealing with a multi-year recovery from the financial impact of the pandemic.
.....This years’ pledge goal of $1,206,081 is the projected amount needed to meet our expenses. For more information, click here to see our current budget and our 2022 projected budget.
Before the campaign comes to a close on October 30 you can:
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Review the 2022 campaign information you should have received by mail here, then
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Fill out your pledge form and mail into the office as soon as you can, or
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Make your commitment online at https://onrealm.org/unitytemple, or
- Call the office to pledge over the phone at 708-848-6225 ext. 104
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The pandemic continues to impact each of us differently therefore, as a community of faith we need each of you to decide how you can best support our goals and make a stretch gift. As of October 28, 2021 we have commitments totaling $559,216.
Thank you so much for your support!
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30 Day Compassion Challenge
The Inspiring Compassion team is launching a 30-day compassion challenge for the entire congregation, including youth. There are many ideas for how we can each respond more from our hearts through the month of November. This does not require a big time commitment and we are providing a variety of suggestions on ways of keeping this in our awareness. To learn more go here.
Our overarching question for Week 1(beginning November 1) is about where in our lives we have experienced compassion. To read more about the 30-day challenge and get resources, please click here.
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All-Congregation (One Day) Retreat 2021! Saturday, November 6 from
3–7:30pm. Come capture the spirit of community and camaraderie of the All-Congregation Retreat a little bit closer to home. More details to follow. All are welcome. Please email annualretreat@unitytemple.org if you would like to help us plan. We need your help!
Location
Jerome Huppert Woods (Picnic Area 1)
N Thatcher Ave, south of W Fullerton Ave
River Grove, IL 60171
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Pathway to Membership
Learn about the history of our congregation, how things work today and how you can become involved in the future. The November meeting times are Sunday, 11/14 and 11/21 from 1-3pm. We hope you are able to attend! Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to register.
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The Congregational Health and Reconciliation Team, or the CHART Team, exists to ensure our congregation maintains a safe and secure atmosphere free of disruptive and threatening behaviors that could harm others’ emotional or physical wellbeing. This team, consisting of Rev. Dawn Cooley, Rev. Emily Gage, Aisha Ellis (Board), Jennifer Evans (mental health professional), and Jay Petersen (Pastoral Associate), meets quarterly, assessing the wellbeing of our collective community and addressing specific challenges, working toward positive results for our members and friends. To contact this team, email chart@unitytemple.org.
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Bowling is Back! We hope you will join us at Circle Lanes on Friday, November 5, at 7:30pm. No competition, just bowl a game or two and have fun and conversation. Kids are welcome, and a ramp is available to assist young bowlers get the ball rolling. Contact Sports@UnityTemple.org if you plan to attend so we can reserve enough lanes.
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Let's get to know each other! On the first Sunday of the month November 7, you are invited to a meet and greet social hour hosted by Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership. We will meet from
1-2pm on the east patio of Unity Temple. Refreshments are unable to be provided at this time, but enjoyable conversation with new friends can be expected! To register email tlewis@unitytemple.org
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Meet the Ministers
Wondering what our minister's do when they are not at Unity Temple? What hobbies to they have? What's their favorite food? Do they have a pet? Learn these compelling answers and more! Sunday, November 14 with mandi huizenga. Register via email tlewis@unitytemple.org
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Men's Retreat Cancelled The Men’s Retreat scheduled for January 2022 is cancelled. In the meantime, we will keep connecting as best we can. Feel free to reach out to mensretreat@unitytemple.org. |
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit BUILD Chicago– providing powerful experiential learning opportunities to nearly 6,000 youth in the Austin community. BUILD uses entrepreneurship to ignite the potential of youth from under-resourced communities and propel them to high school, college, and career success. Learn more here. NOTE: All donations this week will be matched, dollar for dollar.
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Introducing the 8th Principle Team
To date 124 UU congregations have adopted the 8th Principle, which calls for us to “accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” Unity Temple has recently formed an 8th Principle Team, whose mission is to provide information and reflective experiences so that people understand what the 8th Principle is all about. We invite you to join the Team by emailing us at 8thPrinciple@unitytemple.org. You can find additional information about the 8th Principle here. Watch for much more information in the months ahead!
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Plastic Bag Recycling!
We are collecting “stretchy” plastic - like shopping bags, bubble wrap, plastic shipping sleeves - to be recycled and turned into a plastic bench. The bench will be donated to Third Unitarian Church in Chicago’s Austin community.
Watch this short video, and see what can be recycled here. Note: Bags from cheese, pet food, mulch, and salads are NOT recyclable. If there is no recycling label on the bag, it goes in the garbage, please! Place all plastics into (preferably) one or more plastic bags and drop-off in the bin on the front porch of Gale House (124 N. Kenilworth) behind Unity Temple. Thank you!
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New! Faith in Action Hour
World leaders are debating our future at the UN Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Join us for a new monthly Faith in Action Hour! We'll hear messages from friends at COP26, and take online actions together. Event takes place on Sunday, November 7, 1-2pm. Register here to join us on Zoom. Questions? Contact
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UU Prison Ministry Pen Pals There are currently 18 people in Illinois prisons who are members of the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship awaiting a pen pal. We invite you to consider becoming a pen pal. Training and support are provided. There are 3 steps to follow on the UU Prison Ministry of IL website:
- Watch the 40-minute introductory video;
- Read the resources provided;
- Submit the request form to be matched with a pen pal.
Someone from UUPMI will follow-up with you to check-in and confirm your match. Questions? Contact: penpals@unitytemple.org
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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.
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The Unity Temple Choir has Resumed Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7pm. For more details on meeting logistics and location please contact music director, Marty Swisher at mswisher@unitytemple.org. |
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Seeking Music Committee Members!
The Unity Temple Music Committee will be reconvened and is in need of members. Please contact music director, Marty Swisher if interested mswisher@unitytemple.org
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Mindful Reflection Online Community Tuesday Evenings Zoom meeting room opens at 6:45pm, program starts at 7:10pm. 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.
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)
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
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Religious Education Registration 2021/2022 is Open! Each year, we ask our families to re-register their children for our religious education programming. It ensures we have the most up to date information about our young people, helps us with planning, and gives us an ongoing communication loop. Along with information, we ask for a registration fee of $50 per child (for pledging members and friends) and $100 per child (for non-pledging members or friends). These fees help support elements of our program. Scholarships are granted by request to Emily Gage egage@unitytemple.org or Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org. Please register your child/children for Religious Education using this link.
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The Unity Temple E-Team has completed a comprehensive Covid-19 Phased Re-Opening Guidelines. This document is intended to serve as a guide for Congregational events going forward. The guidelines will be implemented based on the Cook County Risk Metrics determined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. We are currently in our orange zone as the infection rates are below 150 per 100,000. The Unity Temple E-Team has also completed version 3.0 of the congregations Building Use Policy and COVID Protocols for Unity Temple, Gale House and the Community Center for in-person events which can be found here. The COVID Risk category will be updated weekly and can be found on our homepage in the slider bar for easy access. Please reach out if you have any comments or questions eteam@unitytemple.org.
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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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