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.

Keepin’ It Real / Rev. Allison Farnum

Rev. Allison Farnum is the Director and Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois and an affiliated community minister at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, Illinois. She lives with her partner and two children in Evanston, Ilinois. For more information, visit www.uupmi.org.

March Theme: Path of Vulnerability

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 Ellen Griffith and John Frye in celebration of each other’s birthdays and their 54th anniversary— all in March!

OFFERING : UU Prison Ministry of Illinois

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois – equipping Unitarian Universalists in Illinois to ​transform institutions and support people harmed by the prison industrial complex. 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 at Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House.

Inherent Worth & Dignity : Behind Bars in IL Prisons

Join us this Sunday, March 26 at Unity Temple for worship, lunch, film and panel discussion. 

• 10am - Worship service with Rev. Allison Farnum, Executive Director of UU Prison Ministry of Illinois
• 12pm - Lunch in Unity House (optional)
• 12:45pm - View the film Stateville Calling (in-person or via Zoom)
• 1:45pm - Panel discussion including Bill Ryan, and Vincent Boggen and Anthony Jones of the IL Prison Project, moderated by Rev. Allison Farnum. This is a free event and open to the public. Join the event in-person or via Zoom here.

Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.

DRUUMM Chicago Gathering On Sunday, March 26 from 2-4pm DRUUMM, Unitarian Universalism’s oldest and largest people-of-color collective invites you to the upcoming local gathering with interested Black, Indigenous & People of Color in your congregations and communities. DRUUMM hears and strives to be responsive to the needs of BIPOC UUs by creating opportunities to connect more deeply and support one another’s faith formation. These gatherings are free and include a shared meal. The gatherings will include worship, time for deeper relationship building, and a featured program around The Stories We Tell About People of Color In Unitarian Universalism and Our Imagination of the Future of our Faith.

Interested BIPOC UU can learn more and register online or email us directly at info@druumm.org. 

Gathering will take place at the Unity Temple Community Center, 1019 S. Blvd., Oak Park IL.

Stewardship Committee Developing Funding for our Programs

Your Stewardship Committee needs assistance to develop funding for your congregation. Can you help with any of the following? Rentals at 1019 and Gale House, developing a congregational survey of interests, endowments and planned giving, other ideas you can help develop. Please contact stewardship@unitytemple.org.

Save the Date for a Congregational Meeting on April 30! At our Annual Meeting in December, we agreed to take an updated look at our budget after the first half of the year. Please save the date for a congregational meeting on April 30. At this meeting, we will provide current budget information. We will also vote on a congregational relational covenant. Time and format to be announced.

Our search team has received a healthy response to our search profile. We are now interviewing candidates, watching sermons, and talking with references. The team has until March 28 to submit a ranked list of applicants. Offer day is April 1. We thank everyone who has offered input through listening sessions over the past several months. Feel free to find Matt Bruce, Aimee Conrad, Ed McDevitt or Sandy Meyer at coffee hour, or email us at dmsearch@unitytemple.org with questions.

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.

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.

Pen Pal Power Hour Join the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship via Zoom on Thursday, March 30, Noon, to learn about being a pen pal with someone in prison. Register here. Questions? Contact: prisonpenpals@unitytemple.org.

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.

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.

The Unity Temple Choir, a chamber orchestra and professional actors/singers will present an incredibly moving choral work entitled, Considering Matthew Shepard. Matthew Shepard was a 21 year old gay man who was murdered in the fall of 1998. The music engages listeners in a heartbreaking story that ends with a commitment to Tell Each Other Stories engaging All Of Us to finding the best in each person and to commit to move forward in reconciliation.

Join us for an unforgettable musical experience during worship on Sunday, April 2 at 10am.

SAVE THE Date: Spring Music Festival 2023 will take place at Unity Temple on April 29 at 7pm. Adults: $20 presale / $25 at the door and children (13 and under): $5. Online ticket sales as well as in-person ticket sales are open.

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 community area high school students who compete for one of three $1,000 awards applied to voice instruction and to benefit the UTUUC General Operating Fund. Questions? Please contact: springmusic@unitytemple.org.

Marwood Youth Camp 2023 Information Session

Who: Current 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Families

What: The UT Marwood counselor team will be holding an information session to help answer any questions you might be having about Marwood Camp 2023. You can find the brochure here.

When: Thursday, April 6 at 7pm via zoom

How: To receive the zoom information, please email Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org. For more information, check out the Marwood Camp website.

5 year Anniversary of Sacred Wandering!

April 1 (NO FOOLING) in Thatcher Woods from 8:30am CDT to 10:30am. We start promptly at 8:40am. Location is Thatcher Woods, North Pavilion, 80030 Chicago Ave. Maywood, IL 60153. Follow the signs for Sacred Wandering, Free parking. Click here for additional information.

We meet in all weather conditions so please dress appropriately. Bring a chair and a tea cup for tea at the sharing circle as we close our meeting. Those with physical challenges are easily accommodated. If you have any questions please email mindful@unitytemple.org. We look forward to seeing you! 

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. 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

On Sunday, March 19th, the Chalice Singers performed two beautiful pieces and our 4th grade religious education class participated in their Chalice Ceremony Rite of Passage. A truly beautiful Sunday was had by all. 

Food and Fellowship Lunch with the Minister (Revs Colleen and Dawn, with Jane Wood), including an archive display from former UTUUC archivist Ron Moline.

Pathway to Membership provides an opportunity to learn about what becoming a member means. Participants will learn about our mission, programs, operations, volunteer opportunities, and more. At the first session, we get to know one another and learn about the congregation's interesting history. Guest speakers join the second session to share information about how the congregation works together to create meaningful experiences and build community. We hope you can participate! The next sessions will be on April 16 & 23. To register contact pathway@unitytemple.org. 

Please join our Meet&Greet gathering on the first Sunday of the month.  It's a wonderful way for new people to get to know members of the congregation in a casual setting beyond Community Hour. This group meets in Gale House, the green building next door to Unity Temple. Hope to see you Sunday, April 2 at 11:30 in Gale House! Contact 

hospitality@unitytemple.org for more information. 

UTUUC Cares For those of us who are facing life challenges, help is available. The Caring Committee arranges for meals and other practical assistance for those in need of help due to illness and other life limitations. They can be reached at caring@unitytemple.org. And if you would like a compassionate ear when facing troubling circumstances, trained, commissioned members of the Spiritual Care Team are available to meet with you. When shadows fall on the path of life, you need not walk alone. The team can be reached at spiritualcare@unitytemple.org.

Softball is back for 2023!

The coed team is back and would like to invite any and all who want to get out and have fun regardless of your skill. We welcome all! 

• Co-ed 14-inch League
• League Fees: $65 per player
• Season Begins Week of April 12, 2023
• 10-game regular season, plus post-season tournament for those who qualify
• Games are on Friday
• Game times are at 7, 8, 9 and 10pm (times subject to change)
•  All games played at Ridgeland Common Park
• Team communication is managed with TeamSnap
• Practice is TBD (typically Saturdays or Sundays)

If this sounds like something you are interested or have questions reach out to sports@unitytemple.org.

Unitarian Universalists Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI)

UUA / MidAmerica Region

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)

Bayside UU Family Camp 

Looking for a great summer experience? Join Bayside UU Family Camp held at Lutherdale Camp on the shores of Lauderdale Lakes in Elkhorn, WI. This year, camp will take place July 2-8. This special week includes adult workshops, activities for children, free time for family fun and relaxation, and intergenerational activities. For more information visit baysideuu.org or contact baysideuu@gmail.com.

UTUUC Office Hours The office/community center located at 1019 South Blvd is open Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm. If you are looking for access to the office outside of these hours, reach out to staff associated with your needs to make arrangements. For Administration, contact Brian Franklin at bfranklin@unitytemple.org, 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.

We Celebrate Our Differences :: The beloved community includes people with diverse life experiences. Here at Unity Temple we call people to live out the values of our faith: interdependence, pluralism, justice, equity, generosity and transformation. 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