April 10, 2020
a whole-hearted community,
feeding body, mind & spirit

Theme for April: God / Divine



Although we most likely can't be with all of the people we love on Easter, know that they are safe and well in their homes too and anticipating the wonderful day we can all be together again.
Monday
Call an elderly church member .

Tuesday
Call someone that serves on a committee with you.

Wednesday
Check in on a neighbor.

Thursday
Call a family with children.
Friday
Call someone you miss seeing at church.

Saturday
Send a good thought for healing out into the universe.

Sunday, April 12 @ 10:45am
Join us for virtual church service.
see below
Church Office Closed...
but your dedicated staff is continuing to work from home.
You can reach us at our regular email addresses:


We will continue checking voice messages remotely but email is a quicker and more assured way of reaching us. In mid-April we will reassess according to recommendations of Health authorities and decide our path forward.
Worship
We will be offering Virtual Worship Service at 10:45 am
on Sunday - note new time!!!
April 12: Renewal & Rebirth - Alleluia! 
The earth is a tremendous teacher, if we but stop and pay attention to her lessons. Each passing season is both the same as last year, and uniquely its own experience. Can we welcome this time of renewal even as we look for the new and unrepeatable gifts which are offered. The earth sings alleluia and we remember stories which speak deeply to the human heart. Happy Easter! ~Rev Pam Rumancik
Click Here to Join by Zoom on Sunday at 10:45 am
You will need to set your computer up ahead of time and download a small program. You can try it out now by clicking the link and following the directions on your screen. This is a one-time set up, after that you can simply click the provided link and access the Zoom channel. For more information you click here for a tutorial by the Foothills UU Church in Colorado. https://foothillsuu.org/resource/zoom-resources/ .
* To avoid unappreciated Zoom interruptions, please do not share this link through social media. If you would like to share our service with someone, please direct them to the YouTube link. Thanks!

OR
Click H ere to View on Youtube on Sunday at 10:45
You also can simply click this link to watch the service.
Last week, there was not enough band-width to allow uploading the service as it was recorded. We have taken steps to mitigate that issue, but it is possible it may happen again. If there is no live feed at 10:45 am, check back later in the afternoon. We will upload the recorded service and get it up after 4:00pm.
Next Week:
April 19: Earth Day presented by UCH Green Sanctuary Team
Join our green folks as they both celebrate our planet and mourn the damage we have done. How are we connecting to the mother of all life?
COMMUNITY
Caring Corner
The ripples of our lives touch those around us. We keep in mind all of our members and friends including...

  • Harriet Goff. Happy 91st Birthday Harriet!!!
  • Congratulations to Shelby Daniel Wayman on getting the internship she was hoping for!
  • All those who are sick.

Please let us know of folks we should add to our list and share with our Caring Circle Coordinators. If you would like to be part of our caring tree and check up on fellow church members during this challenging time, please let Pam Fodor or Mary Getty know.
 
*You will find the Caring Circle list of Area Coordinators at the end of the Touchstone found on our website at http://www.hinsdaleunitarian.org/new/the-touchstone/
"Virtual Meetings" Information
Virtual Meetings are now on our church calendar. If you receive an email saying you are invited to join a virtual meeting, it will have an "address" or link for you to click on and join at the given time. If it does not or you would like information about an event you see on our calendar, you'll have to contact the Host of that meeting. We are working on a better way to include everyone virtually in a safe and secure way. If you have any questions about the meetings, please contact the the person that has sent you the invitation or the host. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this uncertain time.
Your 2019-2020 Pledge Will Keep Us Going
Because we are gathering virtually now on Sundays, our normal offertory collections are falling behind. To continue paying your pledge for 2019-2020 please mail your checks to the church office at UCH, 11 W Maple, Hinsdale, IL 60521. We ARE collecting our mail and our bookkeeper, Lily, is religiously (no pun intended) coming into the office twice a week to keep our finances updated. Thank you very much for supporting your church during this unexpected and trying time.

You are also welcome to pay online on the Donate link on our website. We are working to make it easier to share your blessings with the church. Thanks!
  Necessities to Help with the Covid-19 Virus
Bust Your Stash!   Sally Burke is making fabric medical masks to assist professionals dealing with COV-19. Many people say that these masks are better than nothing in this medical shortage. If anyone would like to donate any fabric that is 100% cotton Sally would greatly appreciate it. Please contact her at sallyburke72@gmail.com and she will arrange to pick up the fabric.

And
Face Mask Match Up
We are now being told to wear masks when going out but they should be homemade so as not to use the medical supplies.
A team of talented seamstresses have been making masks to keep our UCH community safe. If you need a home made cloth mask, please fill out the  form here.  It will be delivered or mailed to you, then wear in good health.

 This is the mask pattern we will likely be using. If you can make it yourself, it would save many people time and money.

Also......

I am collecting new and gently used phone chargers and charging cubes to donate to La. Grange Hospital. My contact at La Grange Hospital indicated that these would be put to good use, since admitted patients often have their phones with them, but no charger cords/charging cubes. If you would like to contribute, either drop off your donation on my porch OR call/text me, and I can come by and pick them up from your front porch. I am collecting these things through Sunday night (4/12) and will donate them on Monday. 
My cell: 708-267-0274; My address: 5329 Lawn Ave, Western Springs. 
Wishing you all peace and health, Susan Hebble
Lunch with the Minister (virtually!)
Fridays from 12:00pm - 1:00pm Click Zoom Link to begin
Drop in to Rev Pam's virtual zoom chat room to say hello and share what's on your mind. While you are welcome and encouraged to check in with Rev Pam at any time, Friday lunch time will be open to anyone wanting to say hello by computer and let her know how you're doing.

If you are new to video communication, check out this link by our sister church Foothills Unitarian in Colorado https://foothillsuu.org/resource/zoom-resources/. It answers a lot of questions about Zoom.
Apr 18, 2020 7:00 PM
Join by clicking HERE
Meeting ID: 702 816 866
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,702816866# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
       +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 702 816 866
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adF7daFaxd
Care Packages of Food
If you find yourself quarantined and you are not able to get to the
store for food and supplies please contact the church. We have made up
emergency care packages that we are willing to deliver to your door.
Please reach out if you are need of any kind of assistance. Be well!
From Deb and the Fair Trade Table
In order to help make up for the lost revenue the fair trade table generates for the church, Debbi is offering to send 100% of the profits from any books folks would like to order from her to UCH. She will cover the shipping as part of her donation, so you pay only the price you see on her website plus tax. Her online book sales site is through the new Bookshop.org alternative to Amazon, and you can look up books there (there are over 7.5 million titles available - they probably have anything you are looking for) and Debbi can have them shipped directly to your home from the distributor. Once you decide which books you want, email Deb at fairisleshop@gmail.com or give her a call or text on her cell phone (630 272-6760) with the titles. She'll work out check or credit card payment with you then and keep track of donations for the church. (If you order directly on the website Deb won't know and the church can't benefit.) The link to the site is:  https://bookshop.org/shop/fairislebooks  We are also hoping to host a pre-mother's day sale where folks can look online at a new website Debbi is developing for fair trade items. In our first week we sold over $150 in books and raised over $60 for the church. Order for yourself or brighten someone's day with a gift - there are even puzzles available (both jigsaw and book form) so take a look!
Happy book reading everyone - it's good for your mental health!
Bored? Going Stir-Crazy?
Want to Help Out in Some Way?
Contact the office about leading a small group check-in during the week. Linda is keeping a calendar of meetings and is updating the online calendar. She can share the church's Zoom link & password.

Choose a time that works for you and send out an open invite - or invite some of your friends from church to chat about your experiences during this unusual time. Or simply check in to see what groups are meeting when and join one in progress.
We have to make up new ways to be community while we are all responsibly social distancing - but it doesn't have to be all bad. Let's have some fun people!
Pillars Community Health continues to closely monitor updates from the CDC and The Department of Public Health. While the Community Shop on Calendar Court in La Grange is closed, Pillars’ programs and services are still available for emergency services, as well as online, virtual and phone assistance for those needing non-emergency help of any kind.  
A list of available services is on the Pillars website: https://pillarscommunityhealth.org/coronavirus/
Non-Fiction Book Group
A note from Ron & Norma Solberg
Bookies,
We're postponing the March discussion and moving WILL IN THE WORLD TO Tuesday, April 28. We're hoping we can meet face-to-face then -- if not, we may try and reintroduce the teleconference. The upcoming books will be discussed as follows: May 26, BRING THE WAR HOME, June 23, THE COLOR OF LAW. Then we'll resume the book discussions in Sept. with THE WOMAN'S HOUR. Hope this works out for you all
Conversations with Tracey Olson
T opic: Conversation with our Wise Elders
Time: Tuesday, Apr 14, 2020 3:00 PM
    Every week on Tue, until May 19, 2020, 7 occurrence(s)
This conversation is with our wise elders to share their experience of sheltering in place, to offer coping strategies to one another, and to voice any needs. We had our first conversation last week
and it was a rich and fun! Hosted by Tracey Olson 
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/624767099
Meeting ID: 624 767 099 Or call in....+13126266799

 
 ************************************************
 
Topic: Conversation with Caregivers
Time: Apr 14, 2020 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
    Every week on Tue, until May 19, 2020, 7 occurrence(s)
For care givers who are caring for their parents or another older adult during this pandemic. Discuss if you are allowed to visit your loved one. The purpose is to share your experience and offer one another advice and support .Hosted by Tracey Olson
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 861 621 705 or Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799
DuPage PADS Emergency Update
 
April 3, 2020
 
F rom: Carol Simler, President & CEO, DuPagePads
To: DuPage County Sheriff, Police, Fire and Emergency Response Community
 
At DuPagePads, during this time of uncertainty we have been diligently working to fulfill our mission. We now have helped 144 people in securing a place to stay – keeping them safe from the spread of the virus.
 
·         38 single adults were diverted to be with family /friends or referred to treatment.
·         80 motel/hotel rooms are now occupied in the county accommodating 99 people (includes 5 parents with 10 children, and 84 single adults)
SOCIAL JUSTICE
This was posted on Tuesday, April 7 in the Chicago Tribune.
It is a "Letter to the Editor" written by Rev Pam Rumancik.
RA Registration Ends April 15!
Due to our need for physical distance and social connection, our Regional Assembly set for April 18, 2020, will be virtual this year. Instead of meeting in-person on April 18, 2020, we will gather on-line for a report from the  Commission on Institutional Change  (COIC), annual  Business Meeting , Keynote presentation by  Taquiena Boston , and previously advertised workshops. We are grateful that all our partners were able and willing to transition to an on-line format. The schedule will be similar to what was originally advertised—the final schedule and meeting information will be sent to registrants after the registration deadline. Since the entire event is virtual there will be no live streaming. Please register to attend on-line RA  here ! Registration will end on April 15!
Based on this year’s 2020 census, new legislative maps will be drawn in 2021. Illinois needs a commission independent of the legislature to draw those maps, allowing the voters of Illinois to have fair representation of their vote. A Constitutional Amendment to mandate an independent commission needs to pass both houses of the IL General Assembly by May 3 to appear on the November 3, 2020, general election ballot.
TAKE ACTION to send your legislators a HEADSUP! to pass the resolution (virtually) for a Fair Maps Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA41/SJRCA18) by May 3, in time to make the ballot November 3. You might leave a voice message with House Speaker Madigan (217-782-5350) and Senate President Harmon (217-782-8176) to take leadership.
We deserve competitive elections and fair representation. Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. It’s time for an independent citizens’ commission to draw legislative maps in Illinois.
Partnered with Change Illinois and the League of Women Voters of Illinois
Questions, comments, suggestions?  CONTACT US

Click here to -- TAKE ACTION
 
UUANI is supported by contributions from Unitarian Universalist individuals and congregations in Illinois, and by grants from the Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, the Chicago Area Unitarian Universalist Council, and the Illinois Environmental Council. We are grateful for each of these forms of support!
Racial Equity Team Weekly Link:


Check out our Race Resources page with articles, videos & book suggestions to learn more. You can also subscribe to  Race/Related , a newsletter focused on race, identity and culture by the New York Times. It is published on Saturdays at 7 a.m. and edited by Lauretta Charlton.
and More.......
Emergency Exit Map
Please note that in the back of every Singing the Living Tradition hymnal there is an emergency exit route map. In case of an emergency, refer to this guide and please assist others who do not have a map.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check Us Out and “Like" the UCH Facebook Page!
In addition to News and Notes and The Touchstone, we will be using our Facebook page to keep the congregation and the community informed about upcoming events and initiatives. Share our posts with your family and friends. Just click on the logo above and search for “Unitarian Church of Hinsdale” in the search bar.
You can also find us on Twitter at @UUHinsdale .