COVID Protocol: Our Covid-19 protocols have been adjusted, we are now in Green. Masking is recommended. Please visit our website here for more details.

Love Perseveres

with Rev. Suzelle Lynch & Brad the Dad

February Theme: Path of Love

Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday’s chalice table flowers are given by Donald Bussey to express his love for this congregation.

OFFERING : Faith in Place

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Faith in Place–inspiring people of diverse faiths to care for the Earth through education, connection, and advocacy. To learn more about our work for environmental justice contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org.



You may donate by placing cash or check in one of the circulating baskets during the service, sending a check to the Unity Temple office (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. COVID Protocol: Our Covid-19 protocols have been adjusted, we are now in Green. Please visit our website here for more details.You can access the live stream on YouTube at 10am here.

Community Hour Following the Sunday morning service join us at Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House.

Please Sign the Card Today It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Rev. Dennis Bushkofksy. Rev. Dennis served United Lutheran, the congregation we rented space from during the restoration of Unity Temple. A memorial service will be held at United Lutheran, 409 Greenfield Street in Oak Park, on Saturday February 25, at 2pm. A large card will be available to sign during Community Hour following service. We hope everyone will add their names.

Please join our Meet&Greet gathering on the first Sunday of every month from 11:30-12:30pm. It's a wonderful way for new and established congregants to get to know one another. Refreshments will be served and we will gather in Gale House, the green building next door to Unity Temple. Questions Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org. Hope to see you this Sunday, March 5 at 11:30 in Gale House!

Going, Going, Gone!

The 2023 UTUUC AUCTION has 1 more week of bidding & ends Sunday, February 26! There are still some great items open for bidding!! The auction link can be found here.

• Auction Help During the community hour after the service there will be Auction Team members ready to help with questions & bidding if you need it!
• Buy-it-Now This year many offerings are offered as buy-it-now & once the bid is in, it’s gone! So don’t hesitate!! 
• New this year – we have a “scholarship” program where generous donors have contributed money for members who find that they need a little help in paying for items. John Frye is the liaison for this program. You can contact him at auction2023@unitytemple.org. This is a confidential program that you can trust.
• FAQ Link For more information you can go to UTAUCTION2023 FAQ.

Developmental Minister Search Process Our search team has now submitted a profile for developmental minister candidates to review. The search profile includes a wide range of information, such as congregational demographics, our governance model, our staffing configuration, finances, and a snapshot of our history. The application also includes recent successes and needs, as well as our goals for the developmental ministry period:

1.    Setting congregational finances and membership on a multi-year path to long-term sustainability

2.    Cultivating a lay leadership pipeline, supported by development and training opportunities

3.    Updating and preparing by-laws and constitution for congregational vote

For a deeper examination of goals, and more insight into successes and needs, please refer to this past December’s Annual Report.

The team will receive names and ministerial records of candidates on March 11. We will then have until March 28 to submit a ranked list of applicants. Offer day is April 1. In the meantime, we are gaining input from staff. We thank everyone who has offered input through listening sessions over the past several months, but of course continue to welcome your thoughts. Feel free to find Matt Bruce, Aimee Conrad, Ed McDevitt or Sandy Meyer at coffee hour, or email us at dmsearch@unitytemple.org.

Everybody In! Join our partners with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights! 

Our communities in Illinois need economic justice, healthcare access, and racial equity to prosper! Contact your state legislators here to ask for their support or thank them for already signing on to:

• Fully fund the Immigrant Service Line Item for economic relief and citizenship support
• Create a child tax credit for Illinois families, including those who file taxes with ITIN
• Make driver's licenses and state IDs available to all residents
• Reduce medical debt for those who are uninsured or underinsured by requiring nonprofit hospitals to screen for program eligibility before billing a patient

Questions? Contact: immigration@unitytemple.org.

Fund Peace Chicagoans Take Action with Live Free to Establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention! Fill out this form and share it on social media to ask your alderperson to #FundPeaceChicago. Questions? 

Contact:

gunviolenceprevention@unitytemple.org.

Faith in Action Newsletter

To learn more about living our mission through our Faith in Action Network, check out the latest newsletter here. You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen, Assistant Minister for Faith in Action cvahey@unitytemple.org.

Immigration Justice Join our Immigration Justice team’s first organizing meeting of 2023 on Tuesday, February 28, 6-7pm via Zoom. Meet our new team facilitators, hear about upcoming actions, and help us explore new potential partnerships. A leader from Bethany House of Hospitality will join us. We look forward to re-convening and moving forward with immigration justice! To request the Zoom link, please email immigration@unitytemple.org.

LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice Thanks to all who have signed-up to join our new LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice team. We are working with local partners to organize education, advocacy, and a rapid response team. Together, let's help create the networks of care needed to uplift the right to bodily autonomy! Sign-up here to receive updates.

Unhoused Neighbors Need Your Help

Housing Forward needs your help to support 15 individuals and families experiencing homelessness. If interested in volunteering at the shelter (38 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park) or providing a meal for shelter guests, please sign up here. Questions? Contact housingforward@unitytemple.org.

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.

Beloved Conversations Registration for Within programs for the Spring 2023 Term are open! We are currently building new communities of learners in both of our Gathering Our Selves programs (for Black, Indigenous, People of Color participants) and our Un/Learning for Liberation program (for white participants). Join us for a deep dive into the personal, transformative, spirit-growing work that needs to be done around issues of race, identity, and justice, in relationship with other folks who share some similar experiences!

Registration will run from February 1–28 and the Spring Term will kick off on March 13, 2023. Spring and Fall content is different, so even if you participated in the fall, you can join again for entirely new learning! If you participated in a previous term of BCV: Within, you can save 20% off your registration using coupon code BCVALUMSPRING23.

For more details about Beloved Conversations, our three Within programs, this upcoming Spring Term and to register go here. You can also email JeKaren Olaoya at belovedconversations@meadville.edu 

to request a promotional packet or ask any questions you might have. You can also follow our Beloved Conversations page on Facebook for updates.

Tuesday Evening Mindful Reflection Community 

meets virtually and in person in Unity House at Unity Temple. Meeting opens at 7pm EST for camaraderie, the program starts promptly at 7:20pm. 

Vaccinations are encouraged, masks are optional. 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.

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

Movies with Meaning offers the congregation an example of each month’s ministry theme through the familiar, friendly and popular medium of cinema sharing the experience in community. For our February theme Love, Movies with Meaning is showing What They Had a portrait of a family at a crossroads. Click here to view the official movie trailer. Join us Friday night, February 17 gathering at 6:30pm with movie at 7 at the Unity Temple Community Center, 1019 South Boulevard. All are welcome at this gratis event! For more information reach out to adultre@unitytemple.org.

Spring Pathway to Membership Schedule

Participants learn about the congregation’s history and how we work today. It is a wonderful way to get to know a small group of people and decide how you can become part of our collective future. Groups meet at our community center located at 1019 South Blvd on Sundays from 1:30-4pm. Childcare is available upon request. In addition, on-line accommodations can be made. The spring schedule is March 12 & 19 and April 9 & 16. To register contact tlewis@unitytemple.org

Calling all WISE Women—Rehearsal this Sunday, February 19! Women Inspired by Song (WISE) is a unique opportunity for women of all ages in our congregation to sing for Sunday Services. WISE welcomes all women who like to sing. You don't need to know how to read music.

Our Winter WISE Sunday is February 26, 2023. We’re singing stirring, yet easy to learn songs about LOVE. We need your beautiful self and voice! Rehearsal this Sunday (February 19) immediately after service, in the sanctuary (with an alternate weeknight rehearsal for those of you who’ll be at our Women’s Retreat on the 19). You can still join us–Please come! Contact Winter WISE Coordinator, Terri Schultz, at wise@unitytemple.org to sign up and get more information.

Please welcome Brian Franklin, our new Director of Finance and Administration! Brian's background includes extensive project and administrative management experience. He has two degrees from the University of Illinois, a BA in English and a Masters degree in Library and Information Science. In his last position as Director of Business Administration at the UU Church in Urbana-Champaign (UUCUC), he managed the day to day operations of the congregation, which included the administrative office, communications, facilities, financials and human resources. 

In his spare time, Brian enjoys spending time with his dog Buddy (a Beagle) and cat Hank, cooking for family and friends, and playing board games. His favorite games at the moment are Scythe and Small World. Please feel free to reach out to Brian at 708.848.6225 x100, via email at bfranklin@unitytemple.org, or stop by the office. 

On a sunny Saturday morning in February, some of the Religious Education volunteer class leaders and the RE Committee joined together to connect and talk through ways to invite more inclusion in the classrooms for our young people. Delicious food provided by the RE Committee and great conversation was had by all. Thank you all for everything you do for the young people in our congregation. 

The Annual Fund Drive Reached 92% of Our Goal As of February 9, 2023 we have a pledge total of $849,847 towards the goal of $924,500. 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.

UTUUC Office Hours The office/community center located at 1019 South Blvd is open Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm through February, at which time we anticipate expanding hours. If you are looking for access to the office outside of these hours, reach out to program staff associated with your needs to make arrangements. For Membership and Engagement contact Tina Lewis at tlewis@unitytemple.org, Religious Education contact Val Ridenour at vridenour@unitytemple.org, and Music Ministry, contact Marty Swisher at

mswisher@unitytemple.org. 

Chalice Table Reservations We welcome floral arrangements or other decorations such as objects from nature or spiritual symbols to be included on our Chalice Table during worship on Sunday mornings. Please refrain from political/campaign related objects as they will be removed. To reserve a date, please fill out this form. Thank you for contributing to our worship experience. For assistance contact flowers@unitytemple.org.

Calendar Reservations Do you need to reserve space in one of our three buildings for a meeting, activity or event? You may make a reservation request by clicking here.

Congregational Life Table Reservation Would you like to reserve a table to promote congregational happenings during Community Hour in Unity House? Hosting a table is a great way to make sure congregants know how to participate in events, activities, and service opportunities. To reserve space 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