Seasons of Renewal / Rev. Dawn Cooley
Homecoming Sunday / Water Communion
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October Theme: Cultivating Relationship
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERING :: Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI)
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 through education, advocacy, in-prison ministries, and equipping congregations to do this work. Learn more here.
To contribute to Unity Temple’s Sunday collection, please text 73256 with the message UTUUC $____ (dollar sign followed by your donation amount), and select “Offering”. You may also give at the UTUUC website, by using the camera on your phone to scan the QR code on the screen during the Offertory or by sending a check, payable to Unity Temple, noting UUPMI on the memo line, to 875 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301, and we will send a collective check on your behalf. Thank you for your generous support!
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This Sunday marks the return of in-person worship with a Homecoming Sunday / Water Communion Extravaganza at Unity Temple on October 9 and 10. There are still seats available for the Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon in-person worship services.
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Saturday, October 9
Sunday, October 10
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10am Worship (with in-person activities for kids of registered families) (Filled)
- 4pm Worship
The content of all 3 worship services will be the same but only the 10am Sunday service will be live-streamed.
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The goal of this weekend Homecoming Extravaganza is to enable as many of you who want to return to the building as possible to do so, given our current limited capacity in the sanctuary at one time. Instructions and registration can be found here.
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We appreciate everyone wearing a mask over your mouth and nose during the service as a way to protect each other, especially our children and those among us who may not be able to be vaccinated. If you find yourself needing a break from wearing your mask, we invite you to go out on the patio and come back when you are ready. |
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Sunday Worship Service :: will be at 10am on YouTube Live. You can access it here.
Community Hour :: Following the Sunday morning service, the Virtual Community Hour will be on Zoom at noon. Go to Zoom Meeting ID: 999 2797 5277 Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
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Welcome to UTUUC
If you would like to learn more about how our congregation works and how you can become involved, please contact Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org
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On Sunday we kicked off our 2022 Annual Fund Drive
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 we embark on the 2022 Annual Fund Drive, we’re going to need everyone to rise to the financial challenge facing us, if we intend to accomplish our goals of providing high quality streaming services, appropriate staffing, support for our faith development programing, funding for facility maintenance projects and dealing with a multi-year recovery from the financial impact of the pandemic.
.....This years’ pledge goal of $1,206,081 is the projected amount needed to meet our expenses. For more information, click here to see our current budget and our 2022 projected budget.
Before the campaign comes to a close on October 30 you can:
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Review the 2022 campaign information you should have received by mail here, then
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Fill out your pledge form and mail into the office as soon as you can, or
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Make your commitment online at https://onrealm.org/unitytemple, or
- Call the office to pledge over the phone at 708-848-6225 ext. 104
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The pandemic continues to impact each of us differently therefore, as a community of faith we need each of you to decide how you can best support our goals and make a stretch gift. As of October 8, 2021 we have commitments totaling $162,826. Thank you so much for your support!
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This past Sunday new and established congregants gathered for a delightful Meet & Greet on the patio at Unity Temple. Our next Meet & Greet will be November 7 from 1-2pm. Participation is limited to 12 and masks are required. Please contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to register.
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Pathway to Membership Sessions will resume this fall. If you would like to explore becoming a member of our congregation, we invite you to attend! New members will be celebrated at our next Welcome Sunday on December 5. To register for the October or November sessions contact tlewis@unitytemple.org.
October Schedule
Sunday, 10/17 and 10/24 from 1–3pm
November Schedule
Sunday, 1/14 and 11/21 from 1–3pm
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Welcome to Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Video As we approach the beginning of our program year here at UTUUC, we are thrilled to share our new welcome video for visitors to our website. With our upcoming Livestream capabilities and multiplatform programs, we are able to invite friends and family to join us from all over the world, so let's do it! In the spirit of welcoming, please share this video on your social media platforms and/or send the link to your email contacts as we continue to build upon our journey of welcoming all, inspiring compassion, nurturing wonder, and serving community.
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The Congregational Health and Reconciliation Team, or the CHART Team, exists to ensure our congregation maintains a safe and secure atmosphere free of disruptive and threatening behaviors that could harm others’ emotional or physical wellbeing. This team, consisting of Rev. Dawn Cooley, Rev. Emily Gage, Aisha Ellis (Board), Jennifer Evans (mental health professional), and Jay Petersen (Pastoral Associate), meets quarterly, assessing the wellbeing of our collective community and addressing specific challenges, working toward positive results for our members and friends. To contact this team, email chart@unitytemple.org.
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Meet the Ministers Wondering what our minister's do when they are not at Unity Temple? What hobbies to they have? What's their favorite food? Do they have a pet? Learn these compelling answers and more!
Sunday, October 17 with Rev. Dawn Cooley
Sunday, November 14 with mandi huizenga
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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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 through education, advocacy, in-prison ministries, and equipping congregations to do this work. Learn more here.
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Nominations for Sunday Collections!
It's time to nominate great organizations to receive a Sunday collection! If you would like to nominate an organization to be on the ballot for Sunday collections in 2022:
- You must be a member of UTUUC in good standing
- The organization must align with UU principles
- The organization must be a 501c3 and non-partisan
The nomination form and 501c3 letter must be submitted by Sunday, October 31. Complete the online nomination form here, and send the 501c3 letter to sundaycollections@unitytemple.org. Members in good standing will vote at the annual meeting on December 12 to select which organizations receive collections in 2022. Questions? Contact sundaycollections@unitytemple.org
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Bystander Intervention Trainings
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago is offering free bystander hate incident intervention trainings. In this one-hour, interactive online training, participants will:
- learn about the types of disrespect and dangers that Asian and Asian American people are facing right now and throughout history
- understand what to look for in scenarios and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities.
- talk through five strategies (5Ds) for intervention and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening.
- practice using the 5Ds so that participants are confident intervening the next time they witness Anti-Asian harassment.
Several UTUUC members have participated and recommend this training. Register here.
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CRS Annual Membership Assembly Join the Community Renewal Society for Liberating Love, this year’s online membership assembly on Saturday, October 23, 10am-Noon. We will celebrate achievements, learn about current campaigns, meet CRS board members and staff, and hear from guest speakers. Register here. Contact: restorative justice@unitytemple.org
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Communities, not Cages! Join the UU Service Committee in resisting the harmful impacts of our immigration system. Here are 5 critical pieces of information you need to know about the detention system and 5 ways you can get involved – Click here to take action with UUSC. Contact: immigration@unitytemple.org
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Austin Credit Union Thanks so much to all who contributed seed money for the start-up of the Austin Credit Union. We greatly appreciate your generous support! Collectively, we exceeded our $5000 goal, and Unity Temple will be part of the credit union's Founder's Circle. This initiative will be a multi-year process. We will continue to keep you posted as plans progress and there are additional opportunities to be involved. Questions?restorativejustice@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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Join us on October 20! UU Prison Ministry of Illinois Parole Illinois is supporting legislation that will implement a system of review for anyone who has served at least 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). UU Prison Ministry’s "inside" pen pals have worked hard to see this come to fruition! We have a small window of opportunity to get this legislation passed. On October 20, Parole IL is hosting a press conference and a rally at the capitol. We are hoping to bring as many people as possible to Springfield - to rally and to speak directly with legislators - as one way to show support for transforming our overly punitive legal system and bringing home our friends with long sentences who are ready to return to their families and communities. Register for the in-person event by clicking here and "like" UUPMI's facebook page for more actions. Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Clemency Now! You can literally save lives by these actions with UU Prison Ministry of IL! One of our inside pen pals, Lonnie Smith, will have his spirits lifted by you taking the brief time to call, write or tweet on behalf of him and so many others hoping for release. Sample letter, phone call, and Tweet are here. Email uupmi.info@gmail.com to let us know how you took action. Reach out with questions to restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Stop Line 3 and People vs. Fossil Fuels Join your Eco-Justice team in actions to Stop Line 3 - the dangerous oil pipeline in northern Minnesota that puts waterways, ecosystems, treaty rights, and communities at risk. Learn more and take action here.
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Plastic Bag Recycling!
We are collecting “stretchy” plastic - like shopping bags, bubble wrap, plastic shipping sleeves - to be recycled and turned into a plastic bench. The bench will be donated to Third Unitarian Church in Chicago’s Austin community.
Watch this short video, and see what can be recycled here. Note: Bags from cheese, pet food, mulch, and salads are NOT recyclable. If there is no recycling label on the bag, it goes in the garbage, please! Place all plastics into (preferably) one or more plastic bags and drop-off in the bin on the front porch of Gale House (124 N. Kenilworth) behind Unity Temple. Thank you!
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Adult Religious Enrichment meeting–All are welcome! Tuesday evening, October 26, at 7pm, all who are interested in discussing possible Adult Religious Enrichment opportunities at Unity Temple are welcome to join a conversation with Rev. Emily Gage and the Adult Religious Enrichment team on Zoom. Whether you are interested in delving more deeply into UU identity, exploring themes through movie watching and discussion, considering issues at the end of life, or something else entirely, feel free to bring your energy and enthusiasm to our meeting that will shape our Adult Religious Enrichment offerings for the coming months. Questions? egage@unitytemple.org. Hope to see you there!
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Beloved Conversations Virtual Fall 2021 Registration is open for this wonderful intensive program that "focuses on the internal work that each of us needs to do as we engage in deeper personal understanding, explorations of race and racism, extracting our souls and spirits from white supremacy culture, and work for racial justice." Members of our congregation have been participating in some version of this course since 2016. More information can be found at www.meadville.edu/beloved. Questions can be directed to Rev. Emily Gage
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Soul Connections Are you hoping to connect with other people from our congregation? Are you wanting to deepen your experience of being a Unitarian Universalist? Are you looking for a way to renew your spirit? Joining a Soul Connections small group with a 12 month commitment is a great way to answer these questions! Each month, you'll receive a packet on the month's theme with spiritual exercises, questions, as well as suggested movies, books, quotes and podcasts. It's a great way to build relationships, receive (and give) real nourishment for the journey. If you'd like to explore with us, please direct questions to soulconnections@unitytemple.org
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RE in the Park Join us for some RE family time at Euclid Park on Sunday, October 10 at 3pm. There will be games, activities and time for families to connect with fellow RE families! We hope to see you there. Please remember to wear your mask and be ready to see some friends in-person. Reach out to Val Ridenour with questions at vridenour@unitytemple.org.
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Religious Education Registration 2021/2022 is Open! Each year, we ask our families to 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.
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Mindful Reflection Online Community Tuesday Evenings Zoom meeting room opens at 6:45pm, program starts at 7:10pm. 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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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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The Unity Temple Choir has Resumed Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7pm. For more details on meeting logistics and location please contact music director, Marty Swisher at mswisher@unitytemple.org. |
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The Unity Temple E-Team has completed a comprehensive Covid-19 Phased Re-Opening Guidelines. This document is intended to serve as a guide for Congregational events going forward. The guidelines will be implemented based on the Cook County Risk Metrics determined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. We are currently in our orange zone as the infection rates are below 150 per 100,000. The Unity Temple E-Team has also completed version 3.0 of the congregations Building Use Policy and COVID Protocols for Unity Temple, Gale House and the Community Center for in-person events which can be found here. The COVID Risk category will be updated weekly and can be found on our homepage in the slider bar for easy access. Please reach out if you have any comments or questions eteam@unitytemple.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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