COVID Protocol: In respect and care for the vulnerable, proof of vaccinations and masking is required in our facilities despite changing external guidelines. 
Mystery and Wonder / Rev. Dawn Cooley
and New Member Welcome
April Theme: Awakening
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
OFFERING : Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
Unity Temple Gives. Each week, we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti. For more than 60 years, HAS Haiti has weathered public health crises, epidemics, natural disasters and political instability to serve more than 350,000 people in Haiti with dignity, compassion, and respect. 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.
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, join our in-person Community Hour for cookies, coffee and conversation in Unity House. If you are joining us from home, the on-line Community Hour will be on Zoom following the service. Go to Zoom Meeting ID: 999 2797 5277 Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
Would you like to get to know more people in our congregation? Come to our monthly meet and greet on Sunday, May 1 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.
UU Prison Pen Pal Workshop Learn what it's like to correspond with someone in prison—and the opportunities for transformation. Sponsored by the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) Ambassador Program of Illinois. Workshop takes place on Sunday, May 1, 2-4 PM via ZOOM. We have over 30 incarcerated persons waiting to be matched! 
Pre-registration required: RSVP to prisonpenpals@unitytemple.org with your name, email address, congregation affiliation and any questions. Upon confirmation, a short video prerequisite and the Zoom link will be sent.
From the Board We wanted to thank everyone who attended the recent meetings to discuss the options for ministry following Rev. Cooley's time with us. After considering all of the feedback that we received in emails, Reflecting with the Board sessions, and individual conversations, the Board voted unanimously at the special meeting on April 26 to enter the next search process for a developmental minister to join our congregation beginning in the fall of 2023. We will provide more information as the process continues. Please reach out to the Board if you have questions or would like to discuss at board@unitytemple.org.

Your UTUUC Board of Trustees
Amanda Kaleta-Kott, President, Matt Bruce. Aimee Conrad, Vice President,
Aisha Ellis, Stephen Lee, Secretary, Ed McDevitt, Sandy Meyer, Rich Pokorny and Michael Weekes
Stewardship Committee
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, Rich Pokorny, Erik Wise and Jane Wood at nominations@unitytemple.org.
Engaging Our History The transition team is hosting timeline workshops. At each workshop, you will have a chance to learn from and respond to the timeline of the last 60 years of UTUUC history. Please click here if you would like to submit moments in our congregation's history to be included on the timeline. Questions? Contact the transition team of Marsha Borders, Glenn Brewer, Vera Dowell, Fran Knechel and Ian Morrison at
Unity Temple Auction Needs New Life and We Need Your Help! Now that things are opening up again, it's time for another Unity Temple Auction. Our auction raises significant funds, but even more importantly now, brings us together. We need to reconnect at dinners, outings, music events, get-a-ways and everything else donors can offer. But we need some leaders to organize the auction. Please contact Rich Pokorny at 2022auction@unitytemple.org if you can help.
A little rain didn't stop these 6th graders from the Social Justice religious education class from walking the streets of Oak Park and picking up litter. This class has been focusing on making the world a better place by offering a mix of purpose and fun. 
Summer RE will begin on Sunday, June! Join us for summer religious education programming where children will engage in activities for all ages that will fuel our fine young people's spiritual growth and serve as an opportunity to connect and practice our principles together. This summer, we will be focusing on nature and using the Gale House Gardens to further our connection to nature and education. If you have any questions or ideas to share or are looking for ways to support the Summer RE program, please contact summer_re@unitytemple.org.
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

Celebration of Life for Mona McNeese Please join us for Mona McNeese's celebration of life on Saturday, May 7 at 10am. The service will be in-person and live-streamed on our YouTube channel here. (It will not be posted as a recording.) Masks are mandatory, and proof of vaccination will NOT be required. There will be congregational singing. 

Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
OFFERING : Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti
This Sunday’s collection will benefit Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti. For more than 60 years, HAS Haiti has weathered public health crises, epidemics, natural disasters and political instability to serve more than 350,000 people in Haiti with dignity, compassion, and respect. Learn more here.
Faith in Action Day at Thatcher Woods
Join us on Saturday, May 7 for a special day to renew our spirits and live our values!
 
8:30am : Spiritual Grounding
Join Sacred Wanderings for a quiet time together in the woods. We are celebrating our 4-Year Anniversary of Sacred Wanderings!

10:30am : Connection
Join us for a light brunch at the pavilion to connect with old and new friends alike. We will provide food. You’re welcome to bring finger-foods to add to the party, but absolutely not required. 

11:30am : Action
Clean-up of Thatcher Woods - gloves and bags are provided. This is an all ages event! Come for as little or as much as you'd like! All are welcome!
 
Free parking is available - 8030 Chicago Ave, Maywood 60153. For Sacred Wanderings follow the signs; you’ll see us from the parking lot. For brunch or clean-up, follow the signs to the north open-air pavilion across the field. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a lawn chair if you'd like. We will have access to the picnic tables under the north open-air pavilion during the brunch. We will meet in any weather. We look forward to seeing you! Questions? Contact: ecojustice@unitytemple.org
Letter Writing Party Join our national letter writing party with UU's from around the country on May 9, 5:30-7:30pm. We'll write letters to disenfranchised voters to help get out the vote. Register here. Questions? Contact: votelove@unitytemple.org
Faith in Action Newsletter We’ve launched a renewed Faith in Action newsletter filled with impactful actions. Check out the new edition here. If you didn’t receive this monthly newsletter and would like to, please subscribe here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen at cvahey@unitytemple.org.
Baby Registry The Immigration Justice Team has partnered with Al Otro Lado and UUSC in sponsoring a family recently reunited in the US. One of the family members recently had her first baby! We invite UT and community members in welcoming Baby with a helping hand for her Mom, by selecting any of the items as a donation in this Target Baby Registry. Your generosity is deeply appreciated! Questions? Contact: immigration@unitytemple.org 
DRUUMM Public Worship
Wednesday, May 4th, 7:30pm (CST)
Rev. Tyler Coles, Guest Preacher
Dr. Zanaida Robles, Musical Artist
 
All are invited to the Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministry (DRUUMM) public worship service, You Can Count on This. Learn more and register here. This service is an opportunity for the wider world of Unitarian Universalism to connect with DRUUMM and be in community together. It is open to everyone while prioritizing space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. We particularly encourage our DRUUMM members in multiracial families and White antiracist allies to join. RSVP by May 3 here. Unity Temple is a co-sponsor of this worship & fundraiser.
DRUUMM is a partner organization of Unity Temple BIPOC Friends. UT BIPOC’s goals are to create community through the sharing and celebration of our unique racial and cultural identities, and to grow in our faith practice so we can live out our values of connection, transformation, justice and acceptance as aligned with our UU principles. We can be reached at bipocfriends@unitytemple.org
UUANI Vote Love Spring Conference Join UU's from across Illinois on May 14, 10am–12:30pm! Get inspired for our shared work to live our values and learn key skills related to getting out the vote. Hear from Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, UUA President and Nicole Presley, UU the Vote Lead Organizer. Join us for our first phone bank to Wisconsin at 1pm. Learn much more and register here. Contact: votelove@unitytemple.org
Book Drive Our congregation has been invited by Cathy Blanford of the Hinsdale UU Prison Pen Pal Program to join their book drive supporting the Urbana Champaign Books to Prisoners Project. This is a volunteer organization in which volunteers read letters from incarcerated individuals from prisons throughout Illinois and then select books from a donated collection to fill their requests. Reading has been proven to increase empathy and reduce recidivism among prisoners. In addition to providing books to those seeking them, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of books on this site will be donated to the UC Books to Prisoners Project to help pay for postage and shipping supplies. Details can be found here. Questions can be sent to prisonpenpals@unitytemple.org.
The UUA wants your input! Thank you to everyone who has engaged in conversations about the 8th principle. (If you missed “Digging into the 8th Principle” worship service on February 13, you can find it here.) 
 
Many of you are seeking an opportunity for deeper exploration of the seven current UU Principles. Our Adult RE committee is working on this–stay tuned! Additionally, you have asked about the process that Unitarian Universalists use to identify, establish, and re-visit our purpose and principles. The UUA has created an Article II Study Commission for the purpose of looking at the language of ALL of the principles. The entire Charge to the Commission is linked here. 

Furthermore, the Commission has set up an Article II Individual Survey in order to receive comments and feedback from as many UUs as possible. We urge each of you who is interested, to complete the survey which will remain open until April 30. 
 
To date 157 UU congregations and organizations have adopted the 8th Principle. 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.
 
Online Ticket Sales End Tonight! Spring Music Festival 2022 will take place at Unity Temple this Saturday, April 30, 7-9:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Adults: $15 presale / $20 at the door and children (13 and under): $5. Online ticket sales close at midnight, April 29. Invite a friend. It promises to be a most enjoyable evening. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $20 per person.

Proof of vaccinations and masking are required.

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 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.
To sample some of the acts from previous Festivals, please visit the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Facebook page.

Questions? Please contact: springmusic@unitytemple.org. To purchase tickets and / or make a donation, please click here.
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.
Becoming a Member
For more information about how to become a member of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Contact 
The 2022 Spring / Summer Adult Softball League This league is for skilled, semi-competitive teams that enjoy the social aspect of the sport. Co-ed 14 inch league ages 18 & up. We are offering co-ed on Friday night one league (recreational / intermediate league), no divisions. 

Game times take place on Fridays at 7:15pm / 8:15pm / 9:15pm. 10 game regular season + post-season tournament for those who qualify. All games are played at Ridgeland Common Park. Covid guidelines will adhere to current protocols when the season begins. You can find a link to the schedule here. For information on how to sign up contact sports@unitytemple.org. NOTE: The team is looking for a manager. Please reach out if interested.
Architectural Well Being: How the Built Environment Can Enable Healthier Lifestyles May 12, 7pm
Amy Coffman Phillips and Rachel Hahs of Biomimcry Chicago. 
Biomimicry Chicago’s mission is to learn from nature, cross-pollinate innovative ideas, inspire locally attuned design, and accelerate the path to a more sustainable Chicago. General admission is FREE, advanced registration is recommended. No assigned seating for this event. A recorded version of the event will be made available to UTRF members for free. For information, go here or contact Alice Kloska at 708.260.6661 or akloska@utrf.org
Dance Movement Crew and Silvita Diaz Brown
May 7, 5:30pm and 8pm Chicago native and artistic director Monternez Rezell takes street dance to another level by integrating the street culture into concert dance creating movement in a way that pushes the limits of dance and creates new possibilities for endless style. This performance will collaborate with Silvita Diaz Brown, a Mexican/American choreographer, dancer, actor, acrobat, yoga instructor and founder of Sildance/AcroDanza dance-theatre company, for two completely unique performances. Tickets range from $20 – $39 based on seating assignment. For information on Member, Student discounts and concert information go here or contact Alice Kloska at 708.260.6661 or akloska@utrf.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!