We have resumed 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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8th Principle
mandi huizenga and Members of the 8th Principle Team
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Community Conversation
Following the service, in lieu of our regular Community Hour, there will be a facilitated Community Conversation about the 8th Principle from noon to 1:30pm. Please join us on Zoom here. For planning purposes, we would appreciate knowing if you can attend. RSVP here.
To date 150 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 continues to revise the following documents to help you learn more. Please check them out. Contact 8thPrinciple@unitytemple.org if you have questions.
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February Theme: Widening the Circle
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERING :: Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will support Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM)–a growing Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry and anti-racist collective bringing people together to overcome racism through resistance, and transform Unitarian Universalism through our multicultural experiences. Learn more here and contact Unity Temple BIPOC Friends at bipocfriends@unitytemple.org.
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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Sunday Worship Service
In-person and online options for worship are now offered. 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.
You can access the live stream on YouTube at 10am here.
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NOTE START TIMES! Reflecting with the Board Sessions Please join the Board of Trustees as we share what we have been doing and listen to your questions and concerns. This Sunday, February 13 at 1:30pm and Monday, February 14 at 7pm. Zoom link for both sessions can be found here. Meeting ID: 582 581 1029
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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)
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Sunday’s, February 13 & 20 from 1-3pm
- Sunday’s March 13 & 20 from 1-3pm
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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 support Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM)–a growing Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry and anti-racist collective bringing people together to overcome racism through resistance, and transform Unitarian Universalism through our multicultural experiences. Learn more here and contact Unity Temple BIPOC Friends at bipocfriends@unitytemple.org.
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Environmental Action Day Friday February 18. Our work continues, to limit carbon emissions, advance environmental justice, and protect community health! Register here to join an action team–your team captain will contact you closer to the event with your meeting time with one of your legislators. Many of us joined this effort last year and had productive conversations in virtual space with our legislators. Let's get on board again to keep clean energy moving forward! Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org. |
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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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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Prison Commissary For months, people incarcerated in Illinois prisons have been unable to access commissary to purchase needed hygiene supplies, soap, laundry detergent, food that meets their dietary needs, and more. TAKE ACTION to message Mr. Rob L. Jeffreys, Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, and Governor Jay B. Pritzker to attend to this injustice immediately! There is no reason for this practice to continue another minute! Allied with Restore Justice Illinois and the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois. 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.
Our next session will be Sunday, February 20. 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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Movies with Meaning is Back! As Unity Temple practices theme based ministry, Movies with Meaning offers the congregation an example of the month’s theme through a familiar, friendly and popular medium sharing the experience in community. For our February theme Widening the Circle, Movies with Meaning is showing The Hundred-Foot Journey, a delicious love story portraying the melting and blending of two opposing cultures. Click here to view the official movie trailer. Join us Friday night, February 18th gathering at 6:30pm at 1019 South Boulevard. Masks required at this gratis event. All are welcome! For more information email adultre@unitytemple.org. |
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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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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UTUUC Soup Drive! Looking for an easy, one-time way to help the UTUUC Community? The Care Team is hosting a Soup Drive! All donated soups will be used for congregation members in times of need. Many of you donated to our soup drive last year at this time—thanks to all who donated—but we have run out of soups for future needs. We are in need of both vegetarian and meat based soups. If interested, please email soupdrive@unitytemple.org for instructions. The soup drive will run thru March 10. Put your soup out into the world and good karma will be returned to you!
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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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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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Do You Consider Yourself Part of the Queer UTUUC Community? If so, please join us for our monthly Rainbow Connections meeting on Thursday, February 17, from 7 to 8:30pm. (Allies are welcome, on occasion, by invitation only.) This month's virtual meeting topic is "What movie, play, or theatrical/musical event(s) widened who you are in relation to LBGTQ+ issues?" 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 (not required). Please note this month Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership will be joining us for the first few minutes of our meeting with some announcements. Hope to see you soon! Zoom link can be found here.
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Creating BIPOC Friends’ beloved Community at UTUUC Please join BIPOC Friends’ next virtual gathering on Sunday, February 20, 2022 from 11:30am–1pm. As part of our discussion, we will reflect upon the impact African Americans’ many achievements have made in our lives, both historically and in the present. To receive more information about BIPOC please join our next meeting, or email us at bipocfriends@unitytemple.org. A Zoom link will follow closer to the date. Thank you!
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Worship Associate Training The ministers & Worship Committee are excited to involve more laypeople in our worship. Are you interested in:
- Serving behind the scenes to help with planning the service and making it go smoothly?
- Offering a prayer or a reading?
- Writing and delivering a sermon?
- Or something else?
If so, you are invited to attend “Worship 101” on Saturday, March 5, from 10am–2pm. Rev. Dawn will teach us about the basics of UU worship, explain the various potential roles and we will explore your interests and discuss how we might structure further training. To sign up for Worship 101, please go here. For more information, please send an email to worship@unitytemple.org.
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Compassion Connections Starting in February 2022
The Inspiring Compassion Team invites you to join a Compassion Connection session this 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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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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76% and counting......
As of February 10, 2022 we have commitments totaling $932,373 towards our goal of $1,206,081. Our Annual Fund Drive Team are emailing and calling the remaining 72 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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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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