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.
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Renewing Spirit / Rev. Dawn Cooley
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March Theme: Renewing Faith
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERING : Sarah's Inn
Unity Temple Gives. Each week, we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Sarah’s Inn– improving the lives of people affected by domestic violence, through crisis intervention, community education, and violence prevention programs for youth. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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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BIPOC Friends’ Gathering Join us this Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 11:30am to 1pm. We will meet either via Zoom (Zoom link to follow closer to 3/20) or in hybrid fashion, ie, in person & virtually. We will discuss the spiritual work of responding to Evil–whether in the context of Putin’s war or in our personal lives, and share practices and strategies for engaging in self care and renewal. To receive more information about BIPOC please join our next meeting, or email us at bipocfriends@unitytemple.org.
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Last Sunday, the Unity Temple Bells performed for worship under the direction of Linda Van Dyke. The Special Music selection was dedicated to beloved member and former director, Alice Muciek who was preparing this selection when COVID cancelled the performance. Alice passed in February of 2021 and is dearly missed by all. This was the UT Bell's first performance since the shut down. You can listen on the UTUUC YouTube page here.
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Save the Date!! Spring Music Festival 2022 : The festival will take place on April 30 at 7pm. It showcases the outstanding talent of members and friends of the congregation. Proceeds from this event provide funding for the Unity Temple Vocal Music Scholarship Competition and the music program. Adults: $15 presale / $20 at the door and children (13 and under): $5. Online ticket sales open March 20 and in-person ticket sales after Sunday service, open on March 27. Questions: springmusic@unitytemple.org.
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Unity Temple Vocal Music Scholarship CompetitionWinners!
On Saturday, March 12, a team of members hosted the Unity Temple Vocal Music Scholarship Competition. Singers from Oak Park River Forest, Fenwick and Trinity high schools sang in our sanctuary, got a full evaluation and coaching by music director, Marty Swisher and left with high hopes. Emily Churchouse, Troy Makani and Emma Meehan will receive $1000.00 in the form of payment to private voice teachers.
The Spring Music Festival supports this community outreach as well as our music program. Ticket sales have begun and we ask you to buy a ticket and support this program that impact the lives of community young people. Performances by the winners will be included in March 27 and April 10 worship services!
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Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship
This Saturday, March 19 from 11–2 CST, David Loy will lead a half-day online retreat. David’s dharma talk will be The Refuge of No Refuge: Staying Un/Grounded in a World that Seems to be Falling Apart. The day will include guided meditation and time for discussion groups. This program is offered freely. There will be an opportunity to make dana offerings. Please register here at UUBF 2022 Day Retreat Registration.
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Return to In-Person Religious Education
We are pleased to announce the return to in-person religious education for our young people beginning Sunday, April 3 at 10am! Children in Kindergarten thru 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 thru Youth Group will meet at the Community Center at 1019 South Blvd beginning at 10am and end 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 9-9:30am. Please email Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org or Rev. Emily Gage egage@unitytemple.org with questions you may have.
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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.
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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Creativity Circle Join us on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30pm via zoom for our first Creativity Circle meeting! This group, open to all ages and all levels of creative experience is a chance to create together in fellowship. Bring any arts or crafts project you'd like to work on during our time together. We'll start the meeting with introductions and check ins, then spend time together working on our projects. After some time has passed we'll share our work and what stirred in us while we worked. Zoom link can be found here. Meeting ID: 837 2805 7429 / Passcode: 596198
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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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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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This Sunday’s collection will benefit Sarah’s Inn– improving the lives of people affected by domestic violence, through crisis intervention, community education, and violence prevention programs for youth. Learn more here.
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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.
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Pretrial Fairness Last month 6 UU’s from Unity Temple and Third Unitarian attended the Pre-Trial Fairness Teach-in. Nearly 200 faith leaders from Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and other faith communities across Illinois have signed on to the open letter in defense of pretrial justice reforms. We invite you to sign this petition to your state legislator and encourage them to stand by the Pretrial Fairness Act and refuse to pass punitive policies that destabilize our communities. Contact: restorativejustice@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.
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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 on Tuesday evenings through April 26, 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. Sign-up here. Questions? Contact Judy Gaietto-Grace: housingforward@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
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UU Prison Ministry Pen Pals There are 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 found here:
- 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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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 here. You 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.
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Movies with Meaning is Back! As Unity Temple practices theme based ministry, Movies with Meaning offers the congregation an example of each month’s theme through a familiar, friendly and popular medium sharing the experience in community. For our March theme Renewing Faith, Movies with Meaning is showing You Will Die At Twenty, a parable perched between fate and self-determination. Go here to view the official movie trailer. Join us Friday, March 18 at 6:30pm, screening begins at 7pm sharp at 1019 South Boulevard. Masks required at this gratis event. All are welcome! For more information email adultre@unitytemple.org. |
Radical Compassion Group on 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.
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Save The Date!
All-Congregation Retreat October 14-16 2022! Bonfires, walking along the beach, reconnecting, leaves changing. If this sounds good to you, then you'll be pleased to know that we are bringing back the All Congregation Retreat, October 14-16 2022, back at Tower Hill in Sawyer Michigan. We need YOU to make it happen though! Contact annualretreat@unitytemple.org by March 14 to let us know you are interested in learning more, going, or better yet - will help us plan and execute!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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UTRF Rising Stars Program Join UTRF on March 19 at 7pm to hear the future of chamber music! This concert will feature an exciting line-up of students from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts playing solos and chamber music. Tickets range from $10–$20 based on seating assignment. For information on Member, Student and Parent discounts and concert information go here or contact Alice Kloska at 708.260.6661 or akloska@utrf.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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