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.


NOTE: Our offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 24-25 in observance of the Holiday.

Attitude of Gratitude

Rev. Dawn Cooley & Val Ridenour

Worship for All Ages

Performances by the Unity Temple Choir and Fall 2022 Chalice Singers

November Theme: Change

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 & Norman Coleman in honor of our Veterans and our active duty members of the Armed Services.

OFFERING : Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Unitarian Universalist Service Committee–advancing human rights and justice through grassroots collaboration. 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 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 for Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House and on the patios as weather permits.

Information Tables Are Back!

As the weather changes and we move our Community Hour back indoors, tables may now be requested to promote congregational happenings. 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.

Donate Now to the UTUUC 2023 Auction! Donations have started to roll in! But as you know, More is Better! Do you have a special dinner you can donate and/or host? How about a talent you can donate to enhance a special occasion like dinner music, intimate home concert, or provide decorations to beautify a house party? These are just a few ideas that will make the 2023 auction more exciting.


You can scan the QR code to the right to donate. An auction team member will reach out to you to confirm the donation. Or if you prefer, fill out a donation form during coffee hour. Members of the auction team will be there to help you!

Auction bidding begins February 16, 2023. We hope to have something for everyone! Stay tune for more information & updates

Please save the date for our virtual Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 11 at 1pm. Also, mark your calendar for a pre-meeting workshop. Worshops will be offered on Monday, November 28 at 7pm via Zoom, and Sunday, December 4, in person after service. Both sessions offer the same content. Details and registration information to follow soon.

Celebration Sunday

Save the Date! On Sunday, December 4 we will be celebrating new members in a special ceremony during service. Please join us for celebratory treats at the Community Hour following service. We hope you can attend!

The Spiritual Care Team was commissioned by the congregation on Sunday, November 13. Team members are shown left to right: Jay Cohen, Geoff Roupes, Diana Coates, Emma Farrell, Tristan Hanson, Jay Petersen and Matt Brown.

Thank you to everyone who has already made their 2022 pledge!

Our Annual Fund Drive is progressing, thanks to you who have already sent in your pledges. 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 of 11.17.22 we have a pledge total of $652,582. Our goal is $990,000.


We hope you will all send in your pledges as soon as possible so that we have solid results for budget planning prior to our Annual Meeting. This will also save the time of volunteers who need to make follow up calls and emails to those who have not yet pledged. Thanks for your generosity to our community. Your generosity supports our mission through our wonderful programs including worship services, religious education for our kids,  our music program, pastoral care, faith in action outreach and so much more.

  • Fill out your pledge form and mail into the office as soon as you can.
  • You can pledge on our website here.

Questions? Reach out to AnnualFundDrive@unitytemple.org.

Religious Education is Happening! Have you Registered? 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 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.orgJoin 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 November theme Change, Movies with Meaning is showing Sound of Metal, an evocative look at the experiences of the deaf community.  Click here to view the official movie trailer. Join us Friday night, November 18 gathering at 6:30pm with movie at 7 at the Unity Temple Community Center, 1019 South Boulevard. All are welcome! For more information email at 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

All Ages White Elephant Gift Exchange Please join us on Friday, December 9 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd. All ages are welcome. Pizza provided. BYOB. Bring a wrapped gift valued at $10 or under to participate. Leave with something you never knew you wanted. Funny? Weird? Nice? Your call. RSVP to whiteelephant@unitytemple.org

Are you looking for more ways to meet people in the congregation? Each month we hold 2 social hours and hope you can attend! Please join us at Unity Temple from 1-2 pm on the first Sunday of every month and/or at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd on the third Thursday of every month from 6:30-7:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided. Register in advance here. Walk-ins are also welcome!

Men's Retreat 2023

Mark your calendars for the weekend of January 27th–29th, 2023 at the Cabrini Center. Our theme this year will be "Turning Points of Our Lives". Contact mensretreat@unitytemple.org.

Community of Congregations Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Join in celebrating the season of gratitude on Sunday November 20 at 7pm, First United Church of Oak Park 848 Lake Street, Oak Park. For questions please email oprfcoc@gmail.com.


Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective

Sunday Collections Nominations Open! 

Each year members nominate organizations and vote at the Congregation’s Annual Meeting to determine which organizations will receive Sunday collections. To nominate an organization to be on the ballot for 2023, please complete this form by Sunday, November 20. Each year some community partners receive guaranteed collections. If you have a question about guaranteed collections for 2023, please contact: FaithinAction@unitytemple.org.

 

Please note:

  • You must be a member of UTUUC in good standing to nominate an organization.
  • The organization must align with UU principles and UTUUC's mission.
  • The organization must be 501c3, and non-partisan. A copy of the 501c3 letter must be sent to SundayCollections@unitytemple.org by November 20. Thank you!

Prison Pen Pal Card Writing Event Help send holiday cards to our Church of the Larger Fellowship pen pals who are in prison.

This is a very lonely season for inside folks, and we hope to shower them with cards. Join us Sunday, December 4, 12-2pm at Gale House. We will supply cards, or you may bring your own. (No glitter, white envelopes required). Postage stamps gratefully accepted. RSVP: prisonpenpals@unitytemple.org.

Holiday Food & Gift Basket Join the Community of Congregations for the Holiday Food & Gift Basket program - supporting members of our local community who need assistance this holiday season. Please consider being a sponsor to purchase gifts, based on the need/wish lists provided. Sponsors wrap the gifts, and drop them off the week of December 5 at United Lutheran Church in Oak Park. To become a sponsor please email hfgbholidays@gmail.com. To volunteer to help deliver gifts in early December please sign up here. Thank you!

Faith in Action Newsletter

Our monthly Faith in Action newsletter is filled with impactful actions! See our latest newsletter here. If you’re not receiving these emails, please subscribe here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen, Assistant Minister for Faith in Action - cvahey@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.

Considering an EV? While electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular in Illinois, we know people have questions! Join the Chicago Area Clean Cities (CACC) coalition and ComEd for "Navigating the Journey to EV," - a free, virtual event designed to share important tips as you consider a new or used EV, including available rebates and tax credits. 


When: Thursday, December 1, 6-7pm

Can't attend live? Still register and CACC will send you a link to the recording afterwards. Register hereQuestions? Contact: ecojustice@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. To join our new gun violence prevention group, organizing with local partners on gun violence prevention efforts, contact: gunviolenceprevention@unitytemple.org.

Meals & Holiday Gifts Needed 

Meals are needed for Housing Forward's Interim Housing program.  Learn more here and sign-up to provide an individually-wrapped meal. Thank you for your generous support!

 

You are also invited to support the families that Housing Forward serves by providing holiday gifts. Please complete this form to sponsor a family and provide gifts. Gifts are due by noon on Friday, December 9 to the Housing Forward Maywood office, 1851 S. 9th Ave., Maywood, IL  60153. Additional instructions will be included in your confirmation letter.  Contact: housingforward@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

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!