It Takes Practice / Matt Meyer
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Our favorite songs, whoever the artist or whatever the style, were created in a strange alchemy of study and inspiration, of strict practice and of letting go. Spiritual Practice is a similar combination of dedication, muscle memory, and perhaps a little divine inspiration. Join us for a musical exploration of learning to risk, building the muscle memory of courage, and the spiritual practice of relationship when things around us are changing fast.
Matt is a musician and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston. Matt has written a children's book, a thoughtful story that introduces young readers to timely and nuanced concepts of justice and liberation in a kid-friendly way. The book is titled Desmond Gets Free and can be found here.
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January Theme: Living with Intention
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERING :: Maywood Fine Arts
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Maywood Fine Arts – providing affordable, quality arts education to enrich the lives of children and families in Maywood and the surrounding communities. Learn more here.
You may donate by placing cash or check in the donation box in the front pew on the main floor, sending a check to the Unity Temple office (to 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.
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Starting on February 6, we will resume multi-platform Sunday services, with both in-person and online options for participating. Proof of COVID vaccinations for those who are eligible will be required to attend in-person. (This includes everyone age 5 or older. Vaccines for those younger than 5 are not yet available.) In addition, all those 2 and older must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth. More details can be found on our website here.
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Sunday Worship Service
At this time, we have suspended in-person services and will be live streaming from the sanctuary with only worship participants present. You can access the live stream on YouTube at 10am here.
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Community Hour
Following the Sunday morning service, the Virtual Community Hour will be on Zoom following the service. Go to Zoom Meeting ID: 999 2797 5277 Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
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8th Principle Team
To date 142 UU congregations and organizations have adopted the 8th Principle, which calls for us to “accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” Your 8th Principle team has prepared some resources to help learn more:
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! After the service on Sunday, February 13 there will be a facilitated Community Conversation about the 8th Principle on Zoom from noon to 1:30pm. Further details will be available in the next eBeacon. Contact 8thPrinciple@unitytemple.org if you have questions.
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Compassion Connections Starting in February 2022
The Inspiring Compassion Team invites you to join a Compassion Connection session starting in February! These are one session drop-in groups to cultivate social care, discuss relevant topics and create an opportunity to share compassion. Come be with others in our community looking for a moment of connection. Learn more, find the schedule and Zoom links here.
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Pathway to Membership
Considering becoming a member? Come share your spiritual/religious history, learn about ours, discover how our congregation works today, and how we can be part of each other’s futures. We will meet at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd. Masks and proof of vaccinations are required. Online accommodations available if needed.
UPDATED Winter Schedule
(Choose one of our two-part series)
- Sunday’s, February 13 & 20 from 1-3pm
- Sunday’s March 13 & 20 from 1-3pm
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This interactive workshop will explore principles and strategies that will allow you to approach difficult conversations in a radically new way.
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Would you like to get to know more people in our congregation? Come to our monthly meet and greet on Sunday, February 6 from 1–2pm in Unity House located across from the sanctuary at Unity Temple. New and established congregants alike are invited to attend. Masks and proof of vaccinations are required. Registration is helpful, though drop-ins are welcome. Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to register in advance.
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Annual Women's Retreat Building Strength: Through Resilience & Flexibility We are pleased to announce the UTUUC Women’s Connection will hold a one day, in person retreat at Concordia University, River Forest, IL. We welcome all who identify as women to attend, including trans-women. The date is Saturday February 12, 2022. There will be a virtual in-gathering on Friday, February 11 to set the tone for our Retreat. Our Keynote Speaker will be Rev. Karen Mooney. To attend in person, COVID vaccinations will be mandated, along with mask-mandated by the State of Illinois guidelines. Registration and more information on the program can be found here. Registration is open and will continue through February 11. For more information contact womensconnection@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, February 20 following service at 11:15am. Masks and proof of vaccinations are required. Registration is helpful, though drop-ins are welcome. Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to register in advance.
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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 Maywood Fine Arts – providing affordable, quality arts education to enrich the lives of children and families in Maywood and the surrounding communities. Learn more here.
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Phonebank for Voting Rights: Texas Voters to the Primary!
Organizing takes relationships & conversations – join us January 30, 3pm CST to talk with voters for upcoming primaries. We'll train you to make calls to invite people to take action for democracy. Join UU the Vote and TXUUJM - we are hosting a phonebank to Texas to turn out voters in the March 1st primary election. We know that voter suppression laws and partisan redistricting, abortion restrictions, and climate crises threaten the lives, safety, and political power in BIPOC and other marginalized communities. However, UUs, our partners, and frontline organizations are building power to win on the local and state levels. This is the first election in which Texans will be voting in new, redrawn districts. Let’s make sure community voices are heard in the 2022 Texas primary. Join us!
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Check out 30 Days of Love with Side With Love’s intersectional justice priorities. Although each week has a primary focus, you will notice a lot of overlap – demonstrating how intersectional all injustice is. Each week includes spiritual grounding, political education, and a variety of opportunities for people of all ages. Check out all the offerings here:
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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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Faith in Action Hour Join us Sunday, February 6, 1pm, for one hour of powerful actions we’ll take together! Learn what’s happening around voting rights, climate, reproductive, restorative and immigration justice! Organized by UTUUC’s Faith in Action Network. Register here to receive the Zoom link. We look forward to seeing you on February 6! Questions? Contact: FaithinAction@unitytemple.org
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Teach-in Join the Coalition to End Money Bond for On Faith and Freedom: A Teach In on the Pretrial Fairness Act to learn about how we can educate and empower people to reimagine public safety rights and support pretrial freedom under Illinois’ new legislation. Session takes place on - February 15 at 6pm. We will reflect on how we are called by our faith traditions to defend this historic transformation of our state’s pretrial justice system. You can register for this event here. Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Radical Compassion Group Unity Temple’s Inspiring Compassion Team and Mindful Reflection Community are co-sponsoring a personal exploration group to expand our mindfulness and compassion practices. It is inspired by the book Radical Compassion and is co-facilitated by Jay Cohen and Jan Johnston. This is an online drop-in group where each session will stand on its own and participants can come to any or all sessions.
At the next session on Sunday, January 30, we will be practicing the teachings of Chapter 3. Feel free to come even if you were not there for the previous sessions. Participants are NOT required to read the book and all are welcome.
We meet from 7–8:30pm on Zoom. To see the calendar of sessions, topics, as well as the Zoom link, visit our Radical Compassion Description and Calendar. We hope you can join us, regularly or sporadically, as we continue our year of inspiring compassion.
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Mindful Reflection Online Community Tuesday Evenings Zoom meeting room opens at 6:45pm, program starts promptly at 7:20pm. 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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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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76% and counting......
As of January 27, 2022 we have commitments totaling $921,945 towards our goal of $1,206,081. Our Annual Fund Drive Team are emailing and calling the remaining 79 households that have not yet pledged. If you have not made your pledge, PLEASE:
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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
Our goals are reached when we all work together!
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UT Choir is Online!
Our choir persists. We have begun meeting online at 7pm on Wednesdays. Email music director Marty Swisher for the link and for an inspirational gathering! 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. 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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