So Much Has Flowered, So Much In Bud
Rev. Alan Taylor
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April Theme: Becoming
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERTORY :: Planned Parenthood 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 Plant Parenthood of IL – the largest provider of comprehensive reproductive health care services in the Chicago area. Planned Parenthood supports each individual’s right to make informed, independent decisions about health and family planning. You can 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 Planned Parenthood 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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Special Announcement
To learn more about Rev. Taylor's special announcement, please click here. For additional information regarding the announcement click here.
Please join Rev. Taylor following service for conversation during Coffee Hour.
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Worship Service :: will be at 10am on YouTube Live. You can access it here.
Coffee Hour :: Immediately following the service (around 10:45am) the Virtual Coffee Hour will be on Zoom. Go to Zoom Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
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Coffee Hour Courtesies :: Coffee Hour is a time for old and new friendships to be enjoyed. In the spirit of community, and in honor of our 1st Principle that upholds the inherent worth and dignity of every person, we ask everyone to be mindful of the brief time we have together during breakout sessions.
Please remember these courtesies to ensure everyone a meaningful and fun experience.
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MyHAT Art Studio with Anna* Join us on Sunday, April 11th from 1-2pm for an art studio with Anna* via Zoom. We’ll explore the theme of Spring/Rebirth
after a long winter! Please bring your inner artist and any art supplies you have (even just a pen and paper). This event is open to all ages.
*Anna Olson is an art therapy and counseling graduate student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and intern at the Disability Culture Activism Lab.
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Widening the Circle of Concern Information Sessions: The Welcoming All Team is hosting information sessions in preparation for a discussion on the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change’s report, Widening the Circle of Concern, on May 2. This Sunday's session which meets at 6:30pm will focus on Governance & Religious Professionals.
Here is the link to join the Zoom session. A generous donor has made several copies of the report available to borrow through Unity Temple which can be picked up by emailing office@unitytemple.org.
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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This Sunday’s collection will benefit Planned Parenthood of Illinois – the largest provider of comprehensive reproductive health care services in the Chicago area. Planned Parenthood supports each individual’s right to make informed, independent decisions about health and family planning. You can learn more here.
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Community of Congregations Spring Gathering :: Join us for our spring gathering on April 15, 7pm for Responding to Hunger with Dr. Michele Zurakowski, Executive Director of Beyond Hunger. Michele will share her insights on the state of hunger in our community followed by a Q&A. Please click here for the zoom link.
Meeting ID: 867 2266 0242 Passcode: 079384
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Green Living Skills Share Join us on Thursday, April 22 from 7-8pm to share your strategies about living plastic-free! We invite you to bring one or two examples to show the group, if you’d like. This is the first in a series of Green Living gatherings on Zoom. Register for the event here. Questions? Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org. |
Solidarity for UU’s Imprisoned in IL
Our Restorative Justice team invites you to support the UU Prison Ministry of IL by contributing here. Funds raised will provide small grants to people who have recently been released from prison and are facing crisis needs such as housing, clothing, transportation, or medical care; and to support our UU pen pals in prison with small additions to their commissary accounts to help buy sanitary supplies or food. Questions? Contact restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.
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Anjanette Young Ordinance Our partners at Community Renewal Society ask you to please sign this petition for the Anjanette Young ordinance. More information from the NAACP about why this ordinance is needed is here. Questions? Contact restorativejustice@unitytemple.org. |
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Support Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) The Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC) and the Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA) are made up of trade unions and faith-based and community-based organizations. We have been supporting GAPA as part of the Community Renewal Society for years. The coalitions have united to introduce the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) Ordinance. The ECPS ordinance will fundamentally transform policing and public safety in Chicago by (1) creating a Community Commission on Public Safety, (2) creating District Councils, and (3) creating an opportunity for additional democratic reform. Learn more here.
Calls to Action:
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If you live in Chicago, email your alder to support ECPS here.
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Register to help canvass and phone-bank for ECPS on April 10 here.
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Join us April 21, 9am for a car caravan at the Thompson Center to let City Council know they need to pass ECPS. Register here.
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Virtual Environmental Advocacy Day Join your Eco-Justice team, the UU Advocacy Network of IL, and environmental organizations around the state on Monday, April 26 to meet with legislators and advocate for the Clean Energy Jobs Act (which would be the nation’s most progressive energy policies), as well as for Lead Service Line Replacement and Environmental Justice in Permitting. Sign-up here to join us! Once you register you’ll be added to a team, and your team guide will reach out closer to the event with your meeting time. We’ll meet via Zoom so no bus rides this year! Questions? ecojustice@unitytemple.org
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UU Justice Revival–Taking a Collective Breath Join with twenty five Unitarian Universalist congregations in IL, the UU Advocacy network and UU Prison ministries on Sunday April 25 at 10am CST to take a collective breath. As spring waits on the horizon, can we breathe? We can breathe as vaccines become available. We can breathe as we once again gather together. We can breathe into a new administration, breaths of accountability, breaths of attention. We have work to do to create a just world where everyone can find their breath. It is time to breathe. Let us take a collective breath together. Click here on April 25th to join us via YouTube. Promo Video can be viewed here.
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Green Tips :: Cleaning out your closets? Did you find items too old/broken to donate to a resale shop? Chicago Textile Recycling will take clothes, stuffed animals, belts, purses and many other things in their bins. Their main location is in Hillside but they have bins all over. Check out their website for more info: chicagotextilerecycling.com. Questions? ecojustice@unitytemple.org.
If you have a green tip you’d like to share let us know!
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Visitor Form
If you would like to be contacted about how to get involved with our community, please take a moment to fill out this form.
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What is Coffee Hour?
It is a time to connect with old friends and make new friends following worship service on Sunday mornings. Attendees socialize in small groups of 6-8 during breakout sessions. We hope you will join us!
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Invitation To Get Involved
We are so glad you have found us and invite you to begin a process of getting to know one another with hopes that you will be inspired to become part of our vibrant community. Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org for Zoom access to the following sessions. View video invitation here.
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Newcomer Orientation
Sunday, 4/2/21 from 11-12pm OR Monday, 4/26/21 from 7-8 pm
Each month we offer an orientation to familiarize participants with the fundamentals of Unitarian Universalism, and an overview of our mission and programs.
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Pathway to Membership
Sunday, 4/18/21 11–12:30pm OR Monday, 4/19/21 to 7–8:30
We want you to know how we learn and grow, create community, care for one another, governor and financially support ourselves, and have fun! Join this monthly class to experience a deep dive into UTUUC.
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Becoming a Member
We recommend attending our orientation, meeting our ministers, and learning about how we work by attending our interactive informational sessions. Upon completion we invite you to sign The Membership Book and fill out an Enrollment Kit. If for some reason, you are unable to attend our sessions, please contact Tina Lewis, Director of Membership & Engagement to discuss alternative arrangements.
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Spring Hope Project! Connect with our community in creating a beautiful display of hope! Members and friends are asked to create statements of hope, using the kits located on the porch of Gale House, and attach them to the display on the porch at Gale House. Selfies are being collected of participants attaching their statements of hope and will be shared in the eBeacon. Please send your selfies to connections@unitytemple.org.
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Widening the Circle of Concern Information Sessions: The Welcoming All Team is hosting information sessions in preparation for a discussion on the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change’s report, Widening the Circle of Concern, on May 2.
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Four multiple topics sessions will be offered on: Saturday, April 10 at 10am–Theology
Sunday, April 11 at 6:30pm–Governance & Religious Professionals
Sunday, April 18 at 12pm–Congregations and Communities
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Here is the link to join any of the Zoom sessions. A generous donor has made several copies of the report available to borrow through Unity Temple which can be picked up by emailing office@unitytemple.org.
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Sharing, Mondays at Noon Need a lunchtime boost in your day? Every Monday at Noon Jeanette Mancusi invites you to take a break in your workday and briefly share something good that has happened to you recently. We hope you can join us! Click here to join the call. Questions may be sent to tlewis@unitytemple.org. Join Zoom Meeting https://uuma.zoom.us/j/98514736011 Meeting ID: 985 1473 601
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Unity Temple Geocaching! Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Are you called to nature for some fresh air and exploring? All you need is a mobile device and some boots! The Connections Team is setting up some geocache containers hidden in the north side of Thatcher Woods. You are welcome to do this activity during a time that works best for you. You can find the navigation coordinates here. If you have questions, send an email to connections@unitytemple.org.
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Unity Temple BIPOC Friends Please join us on Sunday, April 25 from 12–1:30pm for the third and final part of sharing stories about our families' and our origins. These powerful and touching histories of ancestry, migration and immigration connect us all. If you have questions, want to request a Zoom link, or have photos and other memorabilia to share with the group, please contact bipocfriends@unitytemple.org.
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Thursday Midweek Centering:: In a time of chaos and anxiety, take a pause in your week to center and ground yourself. At 3pm each Thursday, Rev. Alan and our ministerial intern, mandi huizenga will lead a reflection and a deep listening practice so that we may companion each other through this challenging time. Join us on Zoom here. Or email at ataylor@unitytemple.org or
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Knitwits :: Calling all knitters to knit mittens for Hepzibah, baby blankets for the Linus project or any knitting project that spreads goodwill and warmth. We can choose a group focus or each participant can choose their own while spending a little virtual time together. Let's gather on zoom the first and third Thursday mornings 10am to 11:15am and continuing through the winter months. Looking forward to sharing ideas Contact Barbara Boockmeier at knitters@unitytemple.org for the zoom link.
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Registration is Open! General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. That remains true even when we cannot gather physically. Last year, GA had more than 4,900 registered attendees participate from remote locations around the world. For more information and to register go here.
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Religious Education is Up and Running and We are Virtual this Year! Our dedicated volunteers are working to connect with our young UU's by offering class rituals and connection activities each Sunday. If you are looking for more information about how to join a class or you are interested in becoming a class leader, please send an email to either Rev. Emily Gage egage@unitytemple.org or
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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)
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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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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On Thursday, April 8 the daily Mindful Reflection Community sat for its 365th consecutive day! What a year it has been and what a practice we have developed. Congratulations to all of those who have meditated with us occasionally or regularly throughout this year. All are welcome to join.
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Meeting ID: 895 0302 7611 Password: 062305
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Despite our best efforts as Unitarian Universalists, racism still exists across our denomination and within our congregations. Building on the discussions from our January 31st event with Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, the Welcoming All Team is hosting a discussion with member of the Commission, Meadville Lombard Theological School president, and Unity Temple friend Dr. Elías Ortega. Learn about the commission's assessment and recommendations so that we may continue our work of Welcoming All.
In preparation we are hosting several information sessions. Here is a link to the report online. A generous donor has made several copies of the report available to borrow through Unity Temple which can be picked up by emailing office@unitytemple.org.
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Widening the Circle of Concern Sessions
Join the Welcoming All Team for multiple sessions on the UUA's Commission on Institutional Change's report, Widening the Circle of Concern. Four multiple topic sessions will be offered on:
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Here is the link to join any of the Zoom sessions. A generous donor has made several copies of the report available to borrow through Unity Temple which can be picked up by emailing office@unitytemple.org.
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Saturday, April 10 at 10am–Theology
Sunday, April 11 at 6:30pm–Governance & Religious Professionals
Sunday, April 18 at 12pm–Congregations and Communities
Here is the link to join any of the Zoom sessions. |
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Our shared mission is a powerful gift, especially during these times of uncertainty and unrest. As we breathe life into it, our mission takes on the shape and color of a world we only dared to dream about five years ago. |
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It inspires us to embrace values of connection, transformation, justice and acceptance that underpin our response to the urgent needs of humanity and the earth. |
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It energizes us to transform ourselves, our congregation and our world by welcoming all, inspiring compassion, nurturing wonder and serving community.
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It comforts us to know we are joined together in spirit on this journey toward a future we promised to build. |
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A future in which we…create a culture of radical hospitality and relationships with people across boundaries of race, class and other identities that divide us…cultivate caring communities, bear witness to love and pain and respond, individually and collectively, with acts of compassion…nurture and celebrate a sense of wonder and create opportunities for spiritual deepening, questioning and growth…act in partnership for justice and live our faith in service.
Even virtually - especially virtually - our shared mission brings and keeps us together. It is the greater whole.
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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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