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.

Important Notice / Rev. Emily Gage

Women Inspired by Song Ensemble (WISE) will be performing this Sunday

April Theme: Path of Resistance

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

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday’s chalice table flowers are given by Jen Marling in celebration, love and remembrance of her father Bill’s birthday today and the birthdays of her mother Mary and beloved niece Julia Bankes tomorrow.

OFFERING : BUILD Chicago

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit BUILD Chicago – providing powerful experiential learning opportunities to nearly 6,000 youth in the Austin community. BUILD uses entrepreneurship to ignite the potential of youth from under-resourced communities and propel them to high school, college, and career success. Learn more here. May what you give bring you joy. 



You may donate by placing cash or check in one of the circulating baskets during the service OR:

• by sending a check to the Unity Temple office (875 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301) with org name on memo line, 
• by texting 73256 with the message UTUUC and select “Offering,” 
• by using the camera on your phone to scan the QR code on the screen during the Offertory. 
• You can also give at the UTUUC website. 



Due to the unstable condition of the vacant space behind 1019, we're asking congregants to please refrain from parking in that area. The UTUUC Property team is currently discussing options on how to improve that space for both congregant and staff usage. Stay tuned for updates!

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 at Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House.

Please join our Meet&Greet gathering on the first Sunday of the month. It's a wonderful way for new people to get to know members of the congregation in a casual setting beyond Community Hour. This group meets in Gale House, the green building next door to Unity Temple. Hope to see you on Sunday, May 7 at 11:30 in Gale House! Contact 

hospitality@unitytemple.org for more information. 

Congregational Meeting on April 30 Members, please join us for the UTUUC All Congregation Meeting on April 30, 2023 at 12 noon. The meeting will take place in person in the sanctuary at Unity Temple. This All Congregation Meeting is a demonstration of our commitment to one another and to the Fifth UU Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.

We must have a quorum of 107 people in order to conduct official business, which will focus on voting for the Relational Covenant, providing a first quarter update to the FY2023 Financial Budget and revised outlook for the second half of 2023, as well as a special appearance and message from our new Developmental Minister.

In order to attend the meeting, members must register in advance. You can register now here. Registration will close at 12 noon on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Food & Fellowship 

Monthly "Brown-Bag Lunch with the Minister(s)" will take place on April 20, the third Thursday of the month from 11:30am - 12:30pm. These new opportunities to connect will be in person at 1019 South Blvd. Bring your lunch!

Your Stewardship Committee Needs Your Help The UTUUC Stewardship Committee has the job of developing new sources of income for our congregation. We have enough committee members, but need people who can take care of specific tasks. We have several ideas and we need help implementing them. Ideas include a congregational survey, online/facebook/go fund me approach, spreading the word about UTUUC, endowment/deferred giving to name a few. Please contact us. Your skills will help us greatly. Stewardship@UnityTemple.org.

Brave Conversations UTUUC’s Anti-Oppression Anti-Racism Committee of the Board invites you to join with the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale’s Racial Equity Team for the monthly Brave Conversations discussion. All are welcome! We’ll watch the short film Purple and discuss how to build skills for difficult conversations.

Details for This Virtual Event:

Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 7-8:30pm

Topic: Building Skills to Engage in Conversations Across Divides

Video: Purple tells the story of everyday Americans with opposing viewpoints addressing their differences head-on and discovering some of the concerns and humanity that lie behind each other’s positions. Designed to build greater empathy and recognition in the face of deepening U.S. divides, the video Purple models a rare conversation that uplifts and inspires even while going toward the heat of passionate political differences. Zoom link here. Meeting ID: 981 4074 2710 Passcode: 589921

Facilitators: Marian Honel-Wilson (UCH) and Willa Shultz (UTUUC).

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce Rev. Roger Bertschausen as our next Senior Minister, starting in early August. His ministry with us will be developmental - meaning he will be here for a limited duration (typically four to seven years). Feel free to find Matt Bruce, Aimee Conrad, Ed McDevitt or Sandy Meyer at coffee hour, or email us at dmsearch@unitytemple.org with questions. You can learn more about Rev. Roger here.

Join us on April 22, 9am, to join with BUILD Chicago, One Earth Collective, Interfaith Green Network, Oak Park Climate Action Network, and many other partners in an Earth Day clean-up of Harrison St and Columbus Park (meet at the Columbus Park pavilion near the Field House on Central Ave.)! Free Earth Day fun and celebrations continue in the afternoon. Learn more and register here. Questions? Contact: ecojustice@unitytemple.org.

Schedule:

• 9am - Sign-in at the pavilion
• 9-11:30am - Trash clean-up, garden prep & mulching
• 11:30-12:30pm - Lunch

Clemency Calls Your Restorative Justice team asks you to please call the Governor TODAY and urge him to sign and grant clemency to pen pal members of the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship and other partner organizations, whose clemency petitions await on his desk. More details and a call script here*.  Let’s shower the Governor’s office with our calls!  A few minutes of your time can have a tremendous impact. Let us know if you make this call: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org. *To learn more watch our March 26th worship service here (minute 40).   

Immigration Justice Our Immigration Justice team asks for your help to support people seeking asylum. Join us to support a new Hospitality House in Little Village for our new neighbors who are seeking asylum and need a temporary place to live. Shop for urgently needed items here. 

LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice Thanks to all who have signed-up to join our new LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice team. We are working with local partners to organize education, advocacy, and a rapid response team. Together, let's help create the networks of care needed to uplift the right to bodily autonomy! Sign-up here to receive updates.

On Wednesday, May 3, 9-11am, join our Immigration team at an interfaith breakfast at Old St. Pat's, 700 W. Adams St, Chicago, to learn about how we can respond to the very urgent need to open spaces to the growing number of people seeking asylum in our area.  To join us contact: immigration@unitytemple.org.

Faith in Action Newsletter To learn more about living our mission through our Faith in Action Network, check out the latest newsletter here. You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. 

Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen, Assistant Minister for Faith in Action cvahey@unitytemple.org

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.

Faith in Action Day–Save the Date! All are invited to join us for any part of the morning on Saturday, May 6! Our monthly Sacred Wandering group begins at 8:30am for spiritual renewal in Thatcher Woods, followed by a 11am potluck breakfast at the shelter at Evans Field, and at Noon an organized clean-up of Thatcher Woods. Follow the signs for Unity Temple Faith in Action. All ages are welcome!

Our new Faith in Action Advocacy team, in collaboration with our UU Advocacy Network of IL (UUANI), had their first constituent meeting with Senator Harmon in his Oak Park office. It was a great meeting to talk about 4 key priorities from our teams. We hope to branch out to more districts in the future!  Please contact FaithinAction@unitytemple.org to learn more. Pictured from left: Terry Kinsey, Rev Allison Farnum (with a photo of her prison pen pal Lonnie) from UUPMI, Bill Koehl from UU Geneva, Barbara Moline, Scott Aaseng and Jen Packheiser.

Religious Education had a special guest visitor last Sunday. The visitor hid some eggs, gave many high fives, offered some selfies to people of all ages and perused the books offered by Ex libris. A good time was had by al!

Tuesday Evening Mindful Reflection Community 

meets virtually and in person in Unity House at Unity Temple. Meeting opens at 7pm EST for camaraderie, the program starts promptly at 7:20pm. Vaccinations are encouraged, masks are optional. 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. 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

On Saturday, April 8, the Daily Mindful Reflection Community marked its 3 year anniversary! They have not missed a day in 3 years!!! Congrats to the many hands and hearts who keep it going.

The 2023 Spring Music Festival (SMF) will take place at Unity Temple on April 29 at 7pm. Adults: $20 in advance/$25 at the door and children (13 and under): $5. Online ticket sales are open here or by scanning the QR code. In-person ticket sales are available in the foyer after services through April 23.

The annual SMF showcases the outstanding talent of members and friends of the congregation. Anchored by the Unity Temple Players (our house band), this not-to-be-missed event includes professionals as well as the very best amateur talent of our musical family. Proceeds provide scholarships for community area high school students who compete for one of three $1,000 awards applied to voice instruction and to benefit the UTUUC General Operating Fund. Questions? Please contact: springmusic@unitytemple.org.

NOTE: The SMF Planning Team is looking for a volunteer to video record the event. You will be guaranteed one of the best seats in the house. If you have experience and/or skills with a video camera and are willing to perform that role, please contact springmusic@unitytemple.org.

On April 2, The Unity Temple Choir, a chamber orchestra and professional actors/singers presented a moving choral work entitled, Considering Matthew Shepard. Matthew Shepard was a 21 year old gay man who was murdered in the fall of 1998. The music engages listeners in a heartbreaking story that ends with a commitment to Tell Each Other Stories engaging All Of Us to finding the best in each person and to commit to move forward in reconciliation. Link to the performance here.

Announcing the 2023 Unity Temple Vocal Music Scholarship winners: Sofia Bondurant from Whitney Young High School, Tate Van Duinen from Fenwick High School and Mackenzie Cohen from Oak Park River Forest High School.

Women's Connection Gathering Please join us on Friday April 21, at 6pm to discuss Michelle Obama’s book The Light We Carry. Reading the book is helpful, but not mandatory, to attend. This book follows closely with our Women’s Retreat theme of Emerging Together. Please bring a dish to share, socialize, followed by discussions and engaging exercises to help us realize our Own Light. Questions please contact womensconnections@unitytemple.org. We will gather at 1019 South Boulevard, Oak Park.

Softball 2023 The coed team is back and would like to invite any and all who want to get out and have fun regardless of your skill. We welcome all! 

• Co-ed 14-inch League
• League Fees: $65 per player
• 10-game regular season, plus post-season tournament for those who qualify
• Games are on Friday
• Game times are at 7, 8, 9 and 10pm (times subject to change)
•  All games played at Ridgeland Common Park

If this sounds like something you are interested or have questions reach out to sports@unitytemple.org.

Rainbow Connections Do you consider yourself part of the queer UTUUC community? If so, please join us on the evening of Thursday, April 20, from

7-8:30pm. It is our monthly Rainbow Connections  meeting. (Allies are welcome, on occasion, by invitation only.) This month's topic is "Heart-Bridging", a connection building activity for our community. We will be meeting in person at 1019 South Blvd, Oak Park as well as on Zoom. Hope to see you soon! Zoom link can be found here.

Pathway to Membership provides an opportunity to learn about what becoming a member means. Participants will learn about our mission, programs, operations, volunteer opportunities, and more. At the first session, we get to know one another and learn about the congregation's interesting history. Guest speakers join the second session to share information about how the congregation works together to create meaningful experiences and build community. We hope you can participate! The next sessions will be on April 16 & 23. To register contact pathway@unitytemple.org. 

UTUUC Cares For those of us who are facing life challenges, help is available. The Caring Committee arranges for meals and other practical assistance for those in need of help due to illness and other life limitations. They can be reached at caring@unitytemple.org.  And if you would like a compassionate ear when facing troubling circumstances, trained, commissioned members of the Spiritual Care Team are available to meet with you. When shadows fall on the path of life, you need not walk alone. The team can be reached at spiritualcare@unitytemple.org.

UTUUC Office Hours The office/community center located at 1019 South Blvd is open Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm. If you are looking for access to the office outside of these hours, reach out to staff associated with your needs to make arrangements. For Administration, contact Brian Franklin at bfranklin@unitytemple.org, Membership and Engagement contact Tina Lewis at tlewis@unitytemple.org, Religious Education contact Val Ridenour at vridenour@unitytemple.org, and Music Ministry, contact Marty Swisher at mswisher@unitytemple.org. 

Chalice Table Reservations We welcome floral arrangements or other decorations such as objects from nature or spiritual symbols to be included on our Chalice Table during worship on Sunday mornings. Please refrain from political/campaign related objects as they will be removed. To reserve a date, please fill out this form. Thank you for contributing to our worship experience. For assistance contact flowers@unitytemple.org.

Guidelines for submissions to the eBeacon newsletter can be found here.

Calendar Reservations Do you need to reserve space in one of our three buildings for a meeting, activity or event? You may make a reservation request by clicking here.

Congregational Life Table Reservation Would you like to reserve a table to promote congregational happenings during Community Hour in Unity House? 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.

We Celebrate Our Differences :: The beloved community includes people with diverse life experiences. Here at Unity Temple we call people to live out the values of our faith: interdependence, pluralism, justice, equity, generosity and transformation. 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