COVID Protocol: Our Covid-19 protocols have been adjusted, we are now in Green. Masking is recommended. Please visit our website here for more details.

Acts of Service / Rev. Dawn Cooley

November Theme: Change

Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday’s chalice table flowers will be given by Martha Swisher in honor of her son Stephen Michael Swisher and her grandson, Robert Michael Swisher, on his first birthday.

OFFERING : Hephzibah

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit RIP Medical Debt Relief–helping more than 650,000 families forgive their medical debt, and wanting to serve the 79 million Americans who must choose every day between paying their medical bills and basic needs like food and shelter. Learn more here.

You may donate by placing cash or check in one of the circulating baskets during the service, sending a check to the Unity Temple office (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.

Sunday Worship Service

In-person and online options for worship are now offered. COVID Protocol: Our Covid-19 protocols have been adjusted, we are now in Green. Please visit our website here for more details.You can access the live stream on YouTube at 10am here.

Community Hour Following the Sunday morning service join us for Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House and on the patios as weather permits.

Information Tables Are Back!

As the weather changes and we move our Community Hour back indoors, tables may now be requested to promote congregational happenings. Hosting a table is a great way to make sure congregants know how to participate in events, activities, and service opportunities. To reserve space contact 

tlewis@unitytemple.org.

Donate Now to the UTUUC 2023 Auction!

Donate Now to the UTUUC 2023 Auction! This is a fun & exciting fundraising event that brings people together & raises money for the church. Want to join in on the fun & donate? Use the attached QR code which will take you to the donation form. Or if you prefer, fill out a donation form during coffee hour. Members of the auction team will be there to help you!

Auction bidding begins February 16, 2023. We hope to have something for everyone!

Reflecting with the Board : Monday, November 14 at 7pm The Board of Trustees wants to stay connected with you. We are offering an opportunity to share what we have been doing, to listen to your questions and concerns, and to invite you to join us as we continue to reflect on our Unity Temple community. You can find the Zoom link to join us here. Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 838 6603 4326 Passcode: Unity

Please save the date for our virtual Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 11 at 1pm. Also, mark your calendar for a pre-meeting workshop. Worshops will be offered on Monday, November 28 at 7pm via Zoom, and Sunday, December 4, in person after service. Both sessions offer the same content. Details and registration information to follow soon.

Food & Fellowship

Monthly "Brown-Bag Lunch with the Minister(s)" will begin in November on the third Thursday of the month 11:30am - 12:30pm. These new opportunities to connect will be in person at 1019 South Blvd in the odd months and will switch to virtual meetings in the even months via Zoom. Bring your lunch to the first one on November 17!

Ashley Lottino joins us as Office Assistant. With a background in art and studying for her degree in education, Ashley is excited to bring her talents to the team as the Office Assistant. She is passionate about community centered organizations and is looking forward to being of service. In her free time, Ashley loves spending time with her daughter, whether it be cooking together, making art, or having outdoor adventures. She is also an avid reader, and feels very at home at the Oak Park Public Library.

Ashley started on November 3.

She can be reached Monday–Friday

from 9am–1pm at 1019 South Blvd

alottino@unitytemple.org x104

Michael Robinson joins us the Bookkeeper for UTUUC. Michael has been working in accounting and finance since 2004. He is a former resident of Oak Park and part of the OPRF class of '91. Michael currently resides in the Village of Maywood with his lovely wife and three children. He loves music and is the Minister of Music at his local church.

Michael started on November 7.

He can be reached Mon / Wed / Friday mornings at 1019 South Blvd

mrobinson@unitytemple.org x106

Thank you to everyone who has already made their 2022 pledge!

Our Annual Fund Drive is progressing, thanks to you who have already sent in your pledges. 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 of 11.3.22 we have a pledge total of $636,584. Our goal is $990,000.

We hope you will all send in your pledges as soon as possible so that we have solid results for budget planning prior to our Annual Meeting. This will also save the time of volunteers who need to make follow up calls and emails to those who have not yet pledged. Thanks for your generosity to our community. Your generosity supports our mission through our wonderful programs including worship services, religious education for our kids,  our music program, pastoral care, faith in action outreach and so much more.

• Fill out your pledge form and mail into the office as soon as you can.
• You can pledge on our website here.

Questions? Reach out to AnnualFundDrive@unitytemple.org.

Join us Monday, November 14, 5:30-7pm, to help make sure our legislators know that people across Illinois want Pretrial Fairness! We'll be texting to let people know that we need their support to protect the Pretrial Fairness Act. Register here. No experience required, a short training is provided. 

Join us on Wednesday, November 16, to advocate in Springfield to ensure the Pretrial Fairness Act goes into effect as our communities intended. Register here by Friday, November 11, 4pm! Unity Temple members are taking the bus from 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville, and from 637 S. Dearborn, Chicago.  Activities in the capitol will kick off at 10am and conclude with a rally at 3pm. Let us know if you’re going so we can connect! Contact Marsha: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.

Sunday Collections Nominations Open 

Each year members nominate organizations and vote at the December Annual Meeting to determine which organizations will receive a Sunday collection. To nominate an organization to be on the ballot for 2023, please complete this form by Sunday, November 20.  

Each year some community partners receive guaranteed collections. If you have a question about guaranteed collections for 2023, please contact FaithinAction@unitytemple.org.

Please note:

• You must be a member of UTUUC in good standing to nominate an organization.
• The organization must align with UU principles and UTUUC's mission.
• The organization must be 501c3, and non-partisan. A copy of the 501c3 letter must be on file by November 20. Please send the 501c3 letter to: SundayCollections@unitytemple.org. Thank you!

Prison Pen Pal Card Writing Event Help send holiday cards to our Church of the Larger Fellowship pen pals who are in prison.

This is a very lonely season for inside folks, and we hope to shower them with cards. Join us Sunday, December 4, 12-2pm at Gale House. We will supply cards, or you may bring your own. (No glitter, white envelopes required). Postage stamps gratefully accepted. RSVP: prisonpenpals@unitytemple.org.

Holiday Food & Gift Basket Join the Community of Congregations for the Holiday Food & Gift Basket program - supporting members of our local community who need assistance this holiday season. Please consider being a sponsor to purchase gifts, based on the need/wish lists provided. Sponsors wrap the gifts, and drop them off the week of December 5 at United Lutheran Church in Oak Park. To become a sponsor please email hfgbholidays@gmail.com. To volunteer to help deliver gifts in early December please sign up here. Thank you!

Faith in Action Newsletter

Our monthly Faith in Action newsletter is filled with impactful actions! See our latest newsletter here. If you’re not receiving these emails, please subscribe here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen, Assistant Minister for Faith in Action - cvahey@unitytemple.org.

Fund Peace Chicagoans: Take Action with Live Free to Establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention! Fill out this form and share it on social media to ask your alderperson to #FundPeaceChicago. To join our new gun violence prevention group, organizing with local partners on gun violence prevention efforts, contact: gunviolenceprevention@unitytemple.org.

Living Fully Free Thanks to all who joined us for the October 30 service with Marlon Chamberlain of Fully Free and Ciera Bates-Chamberlain of Live Free. If you missed it or would like to watch again, check out their messages here (minute 41:35). We invite you to complete this form to learn more about upcoming actions. Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.

Meals & Holiday Gifts Needed 

Meals are needed for Housing Forward's Interim Housing program.  Learn more here and sign-up to provide an individually-wrapped meal. Thank you for your generous support!

You are also invited to support the families that Housing Forward serves by providing holiday gifts. Please complete this form to sponsor a family and provide gifts. Gifts are due by noon on Friday, December 9 to the Housing Forward Maywood office, 1851 S. 9th Ave., Maywood, IL  60153. Additional instructions will be included in your confirmation letter.  Contact: housingforward@unitytemple.org.

Rainbow Connections

Meeting Do you consider yourself part of the queer UTUUC community? If so, please join us on the evening of Thursday, November 17, from 7 to 8:30pm. (Allies are welcome, on occasion, by invitation only.) This month Ron will lead us on a tour of Unity Temple! We will be meeting in person at Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street, Oak Park. Masks recommended but not required.

Community of Congregations Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Join in celebrating the season of gratitude on Sunday November 20 at 7pm, First United Church of Oak Park 848 Lake Street, Oak Park. For questions please email oprfcoc@gmail.com.

Sip & Share Your Hospitality & Connections Committee invites you to join us for an in person Sip & Share on Thursday, November 17 from 6:30-7:30pm at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd in Oak Park. Bring your own beverage to enjoy and some conversation or topics to share as you casually mingle with other guests. It’s sure to be lively evening!

Men's Retreat 2023

Mark your calendars for the weekend of January 27th–29th, 2023 at the Cabrini Center. Our theme this year will be "Turning Points of Our Lives". Contact mensretreat@unitytemple.org.

8 Years of Mindfulness! The Mindful Reflection Community will be celebrating its 8 year anniversary on Tuesday, November 15. Please come and join us whether you've come many times or it's your first time to join us! 

Religious Education is Happening! Have you Registered? 

Each year, we ask our families to register and 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 Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org. 

Please register your child/children for Religious Education using this link.

The Mindful Reflection 

community meets every TUESDAY evening virtually and in person in Unity House at Unity Temple. Meeting opens at 6:45pm for camaraderie, the program starts promptly at 7:20pm. Vaccinations are encouraged, masks are mandatory. We will follow our usual format with 20 minutes of Mindful Reflection followed by a dharma talk and discussion. Questions email 

mindful@unitytemple.org. Join Zoom meeting here.

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

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. 

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