Coming of Age Celebration
Rev. Emily Gage
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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 :: Austin Scholars Progam–Third Unitarian Church
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Austin Scholars Program of Third Unitarian Church – since 1974, helping to support more than 500 outstanding high school seniors in the Austin community to attend college. 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 Austin Scholars 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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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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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 is the last session of the discussion series which will meet at 12pm and focus on Congregations and Communities.
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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Reflecting with the Board Sunday The Board of Trustees wants to stay connected with you. We are again offering two opportunities to share what we have been doing, to listen to your questions and concerns, and to invite you to join with us as we continue to reflect on our current Unity Temple community. Zoom link for both sessions is here.
Please join us on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 1pm OR Monday, April 19, 2021 at 7pm.
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Spring Hope Project
Thank you for sharing your hope with us and making Gale House look beautiful!
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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 Austin Scholars Program of Third Unitarian Church – since 1974, helping to support more than 500 outstanding high school seniors in the Austin community to attend college. Learn more here.
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Eco-Advocacy Day – Monday, April 26
Could you give an hour of your time to encourage our elected officials to pass one of the strongest and most equitable climate bills in the country? Please join us for the April 26 Environmental Justice Virtual Advocacy Day. We'll be meeting online as a group with our state representative or senator to encourage them to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) and other environmental justice legislation. Unity Temple has over 200 active supporters of UUANI, our statewide justice network, in 24 Illinois legislative districts. Together we can make a difference. Sign up today! Questions? Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org
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Phonebank to Phoenix Last June our UU General Assembly passed the Amen to Uprising - Action of Immediate Witness to support the Movement for Black Lives and the call to decrease police budgets, and invest in community support. UU the Vote and Side with Love, in partnership with Arizona grassroots organizations, ask us to join their phonebank to reach Arizona voters this weekend Saturday, April 17, 2pm (CST)! This is an opportunity to have values-based conversations, and invite folks to create positive change. Full training and support is provided. Sign up here for Saturday's national UU phonebank to Phoenix. Questions? Contact votelove@unitytemple.org
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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. |
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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) 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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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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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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UU Prison Ministry Pen Pals We encourage you to consider being a pen pal with someone living in prison. There are 3 steps to help you prepare. Visit the UU Prison Ministry of IL website to watch the 40-minute introductory video; read the resources provided; and then submit the request to be matched with a pen pal.
Someone from UUPMI will follow-up with you via phone to check-in and confirm your match. To learn much more about how pen pals are supported, please read the great quarterly pen pal newsletter here. Questions? Contact penpals@unitytemple.org
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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. |
Green Tips
If you have a green tip you’d like to share let us know!
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Thatcher Woods Clean-up Join us on Saturday, May 1 beginning at 10:30am to clean-up Thatcher Woods! Meet at 8:30am for Sacred Wanderings, or at 10:30am, to pick-up trash, recyclables and enjoy the forest. Use the north entrance (8030 Chicago Ave, Maywood, IL 60153) and drive to the parking lot near the North Pavilion. You'll see signs for Sacred Wanderings from Chicago Ave as well as near the Pavilion. Bring your own masks and gloves but other litter pick-up supplies will be provided. Physical distancing will be practiced. Questions? Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org
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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, 4/25/21 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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Widening the Circle of Concern Information Sessions: The Welcoming All Team is hosting the final information this Sunday, April 18 at 12pm. Focus of the session will be Congregations and Communities. A discussion on the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change’s report, Widening the Circle of Concern, will take place on May 2. 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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UTUUC Walking Groups! YOU are invited to join UT friends on spring walks. All you have to do is show up to as many of the times and locations listed here to enjoy some exercise and good company. Don’t forget your mask and have fun!
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Come and Play Co-Ed Softball with the Wright Fielders! This team is meant to be fun and inclusive, all skill levels are welcome. The Park district will have COVID related restrictions which will be shared with all players. As of right now we will be wearing masks on and off the field. More specifics are listed here. See weekly schedule here. Questions? Contact sports@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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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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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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Do You Consider Yourself Part of the Queer UTUUC Community? If so, please join us on the evening of Wednesday, April 21, from 7–8:30pm for our monthly Rainbow Connections meeting. (Allies are welcome, on occasion, by invitation, per the topic.) This month's virtual meeting will address spirituality. If you are a first-timer, feel free to log on at 6:45 for a one-on-one chat to get to know you a bit. Hope to see you on Wednesday! Join Zoom meeting here.
Meeting ID: 970 4355 4768 Password: 315690
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,97043554768#,,1#,315690# US
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Backyard Gatherings Have Returned! We are looking for people who wish to host a backyard gathering this spring/summer. This can be a backyard fire or a simple conversation circle. If you are interested in hosting please email connections@unitytemple.org.
Here is the sign up for our current offering.
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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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Re-opening and Re-imagining Church: A panel discussion on lessons from the pandemic. The Chicago Area UU Council (CAUUC) Spring Conference will be held on Saturday, May 8 from 9:30–11:30am and will be conducted via Zoom. There is NO FEE required to participate. Please sign up here.
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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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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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Marwood Youth Camp 2021 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 2021. You can find the brochure here.
When: Friday, April 23 at 7pm via zoom
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Desmond Gets Free A new children's book, written by Unity Temple's own Matt Meyer, was recently published by Skinner House Press. A story inspired by the words of Desmond Tutu, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Desmond Gets Free introduces young readers to timely concepts of justice and liberation in a kid-friendly way. Ages 4-8 Get your copy 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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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.
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 Final Session
Join the Welcoming All Team for the final session before the congregation discussion on the UUA's Commission on Institutional Change's report, Widening the Circle of Concern. The final session will take place this Sunday, April 18 at 12pm and the focus will be Congregations and Communities. Here is the link to join the Zoom session.
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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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