Office Hours: If you are planning to come by 1019 (our Unity Temple Community Center) for any reason during the week, please check to make sure a staff person will be here to help you. Contact office@unitytemple.org.

Dangerous Stories / Rev. Emily Gage

September Theme: Belonging

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

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday's chalice table flowers will be given by Jane Coleman in gratitude for her closest loved ones: Norman, Cathy, James and Evan.

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 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 Blue. In respect and care for the vulnerable, masking is required (2yrs and up) in our facilities despite changing external guidelines. Please visit our website here for more details.You can access the live stream on YouTube at 10am here.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

It's not too late! If you would like join the September Pathway to Membership class contact tlewis@unitytemple.org as soon as possible. Three spaces are still available. First class is this Sunday from 1-3pm.

Please join us for Reflecting with the Board sessions on Wednesday, September 21 and Monday, September 26 at 7pm. Zoom link for both sessions can be found here. Meeting ID: 867 5702 8578 / Passcode: Unity

Religious education for children and youth kicked off the new program year! 

The Engagement Fair is Right Around the Corner! There are many interest groups at Unity Temple, providing members with diverse opportunities for community, learning, service and fun! Please mark your calendar for Sunday, September 25 right after service to visit the Engagement Fair in Unity House. Friendly representatives from the groups will be on hand to tell you about what they do and how to get involved. It’s a wonderful way to learn more about the culture and values of our congregation and to find new ways to be involved. Don’t miss it!

Becoming a Member

We are excited to resume our Pathway to Membership sessions this fall and invite you to attend! This two part gathering is designed to help you decide whether or not becoming an active member of our faith community is right for you. You will get to know others in a a small group setting, learn about our congregations history and how things work today, as well as explore ways to be part of our future in meaningful and fun ways. 

Fall Pathway to Membership Schedule

These sessions meet from 1-3pm at the UTUUC Community Center. Childcare is available upon request. Online accommodations can be arranged. Masks are required at this time. To register for one of the two-part sessions listed below, contact tlewis@unitytemple.org. 

September 18 &25 / October 16 & 23 / November 13 & 20

We will celebrate new members in community at a brief ceremony during Welcome Sunday on December 4. We look forward to your participation!

Women's Connection Potluck! Save the date! Join the Women's Connection on Friday, September 23, beginning at 5:30pm. Bring a dish or something to share, the idea is to be together. We will gather at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd in Oak Park.

Questions can be sent to womensconnection@unitytemple.org.

Call for Cookies

Community Hour on the patios will continue, however, our cookie supply is running low. Donations are now being gratefully accepted. If you would like to donate a package or two of cookies, please drop them off in the kitchen on Sunday mornings. Note: NO NUTS. Also, gluten free cookies are much appreciated too. Thank you!

Would you like to get to know more people in our congregation? Come to our monthly meet and greet on Sunday, October 2 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.

Sip & Share Your Hospitality & Connections Committee invites you to please join us for an in-person Sip & Share on Thursday, October 20 from 6:30-8pm at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd in Oak Park. Bring your own beverage to enjoy and some conversation or topics to share as you casually mingle with other guests. It’s sure to be lively evening!

Great News! Due to some last minute participant scheduling conflicts, there are a few rooms available for family or friend pairs at the UTUUC All-Congregation Retreat October 14-16, at Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer MI. 

The UTUUC All-Congregation Retreat is a great occasion for new congregants or long-term members of all ages, whether single, couples or families to play, talk, relax and be together in a country setting near the shores of Lake Michigan.   

Registration includes the Housing and Meal fees at Tower Hill based on your accommodation, and Programming fees, which covers a light dinner on Friday night, as well as snacks, materials for crafts and sessions, and s’mores around the campfire. The limited inventory includes rooms with 3-4 beds and a few camping spots. 

All payments are due by September 23, and Registration will close that day. You can register by going to Realm and Events, or email annualretreat@unitytemple.com for more information.

Singers Ages 6-10 are Invited to Participate

The 2023 Fall Chalice Singers, the Unity Temple Children's Choir, will begin on Sunday, October 9 and rehearse after Sunday worship from 11:15 to noon each week until performance on November 20. Singers ages 6-10 are invited to participate where the music makes you move and the snacks are fabulous! Music Director, Marty Swisher will lead the troupe! Sign up will take place on September 25 at the Engagement Fair or email Marty at mswisher@unitytemple.org.

Religious Education 

Each year, we ask our families to register and 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.

The Mindful Reflection 

community meets every TUESDAY evening virtually and in person in Unity House at Unity Temple. Meeting opens at 6:45pm for camaraderie, the program starts promptly at 7:20pm. Vaccinations are encouraged, masks are mandatory. 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.

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 September theme 

Belonging, Movies with Meaning is showing Lion, the true story of life lost and found. Click here to view the official movie trailer. Join us Friday night, September 16 gathering at 6:30pm with movie at 7 at the Unity Temple Community Center, 1019 South Boulevard. Face masks required at this gratis event. All are welcome! For more information email adultre@unitytemple.org.

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

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.

VoteLove In 2020, Unity Temple reached 17,000 voters with postcards and phone banking! Nationwide, UU’s reached more than 3 million voters, and have set a goal of reaching 4 million this year! Join us to contact disenfranchised voters via letter writing. Stop by our table at community hour or contact votelove@unitytemple.org to learn more and sign-up to write letters. Together we can protect our democracy!

Prison Pen Pals:

Over 30 individuals who are incarcerated in Illinois and members of the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship, are waiting, many of them for over a year, to be assigned an outside pen pal. Become a pen pal or consider teaming up with a friend  to do this together. Your engagement can make a huge difference! To learn more, visit the UU Prison Ministry of IL website here, and contact Barbara at prisonpenpals@unitytemple.org.

Faith in Action Newsletter

We invite you to subscribe to our monthly Faith in Action newsletter filled with impactful actions. Please subscribe here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen, Assistant Minister for Faith in Action cvahey@unitytemple.org.

Support Asylum Seekers Our partners at the IL Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights are providing support for the more than 500 people who have arrived in Chicago from Texas. On-site volunteers are needed in Burr Ridge and Countryside from 11:30a-2:30pm and 5-8pm to help serve meals, play with kids, run errands, etc. Spanish-speaking volunteers are preferred. Volunteers are also needed to help sort donations at Casa Michocan, 1638 S. Blue Island. If interested and available, please contact: immigration@unitytemple.org.

Our neighbors at Housing Forward are in need of food for their Interim Housing program. Please see the open dates and sign-up here to provide a meal. If you are not able to provide meals directly, you may also donate to Housing Forward and designate the donation for “Interim Housing program meals.” You may also donate bottled water, juices or Gatorade by dropping these items off at the center located in the Write Inn, 211 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park. Questions? Contact Judy at housingforward@unitytemple.org.

STAY CONNECTED