Worship for this Sunday - January 31, 2021
Live Streaming at 10am
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Who is Doing the Reimagining? |
Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd has served as Senior Minister at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation since 2012. Passionate about preaching, liturgy and social justice, her first commitment is the building of relationships that sustain and challenge us to grow in the face of brokenness and loss. Using her background in community organizing, pastoral ministry and worship design, her goal is to equip colleagues and lay leaders to do the work that is uniquely theirs to do in the congregation and the world. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and two children. |
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January Theme: Imagination
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERTORY :: Sarah's Inn
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Sarah’s Inn – improving the lives of people affected by domestic violence, through crisis intervention, community education, and violence prevention programs for youth.
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 Sarah's Inn 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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Welcoming All “Coffee Table” Zoom Event in lieu of Our Regular Coffee Hour
At 11:15 Rev. Alan Taylor, Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, mandi huizenga, Tina Lewis, and the Welcoming All team and facilitators will host a 90-minute all-congregational event intended to help us live into our mission of Welcoming All, using Ladd’s sermon as the basis for guided small and large group discussions.
There will also be a Q&A session with Rev. Ladd during the event. No sign-up is required to attend. If possible, please log in early, soon after the service, using the link in Saturday’s “Join Us Tomorrow for Worship” e-mail, to allow us to admit you to the event and form small groups. You can also go to Zoom Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
You are welcome to read the following short summary of “top quotes” from After the Good News; go here. We ask everyone to please attend this important event!
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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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FYI: This month, in addition to the monthly BoT meeting, the BoT will meet on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 7pm to address ongoing business. Questions? contact president@unitytemple.org
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Virtual Town Hall with IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike :: Wednesday, February 3rd from 6:30–7pm, faith leaders from across Illinois will host a virtual town hall to discuss discuss our state's vaccination plan as well as address concerns and questions about the vaccine with Dr. Ezike. This will be a time to dispel myths and provide essential education. If you have specific questions, please send those to Rev. Pam Rumancik minister@hinsdaleunitarian.org by 6pm on Sunday, January 31. All questions need to be submitted in advance.
The event will be hosted via zoom. This will be a webinar. All participants will be muted during the event. Please join here. There is a 500 person limit on this platform, details about simultaneous YouTube streaming will be made available soon. Additionally, we will make a recording available following the event.
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Let the Games Begin!
Friday, February 5 at 7pm
Get ready to put your game face on for a fun evening of virtual trivia games with fellow Unity Temple people of all ages. Have questions, please send an email to connections@Unitytemple.org
Who: All ages are welcome!
What: Virtual Trivia Game Night
Why: Because it will will give us a chance to connect and have fun together!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 892 8857 5780
Passcode: unity
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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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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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Celebration of Life for Rich Means
Saturday, January 30, at 1pm, all are welcome to attend the Celebration of Life for Rich Means on YouTube here. Immediately following, many more people will share memories at the Zoom Reception, accessed here. You can download the Order of Service here.
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UU Men's Retreat Event :: Featuring presentations on "Connecting and Coping in Covid Times" and "Altars and How they can Bring Meaningfulness to Life". Discussion groups to follow. All men welcome. Takes place virtually on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 10 am. To register contact Mark Johansen at mensretreat@unitytemple.org
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The Welcoming All Team in collaboration with our Faith in Action Network, is excited to offer an opportunity to expand our exploration of Welcoming All through a reading group examining issues of justice. Join us on Monday, February 15 at 6:30pm or Sunday, February 28 at 2pm for our February discussion of the book, All Alone in the World: Children of the Incarcerated by Nell Bernstein. Discussion will be led by Unity Temple's ministerial intern, mandi huizenga. Sign up here or
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Virtual Women’s Retreat–Keep the Weekend Open! :: Sacred Cycles of a Woman’s Life, February 26th–28th
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Featuring keynote speaker Nancy Vedder-Shults to speak on Creativity at Life’s Turning Points. Followed by workshops, music, and connection. It’s meaningful to us, our beloved retreat experience, continue during this time. Registration is open now. To sign up go here.
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Art Project :: Is it Whistler’s mother or a congregation member? Have some fun and recreate a piece of “art” with objects, people, pets, and props you have at home. Photos of the original and your project will showcased by the end of February 28th in an online “art” show. To submit an art project, send an email to
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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. Learn more about ways to connect here.
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Newcomer Orientation
Sunday, 2/7/21 from 11-12pm OR
Monday, 2/8/21 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, 2/21/21 11–12:30pm OR Monday, 2/22/21 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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This monthly offering provides an opportunity to get to know our ministers in a small group setting, share your story and ask questions about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. |
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Meet the Ministers
Rev. Alan Taylor
Sunday, 2/14 from 11-12pm and
Wednesday, 2/17 from 7-8pm
Rev. Emily Gage
Sunday, 2/7 from 11-12pm and
Wednesday, 2/10 from 7-8pm
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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Transformative Justice
On January 10 we launched our quarterly Faith in Action focus on Transformative Justice, with many opportunities for continued learning and action. Please complete this form to let us know how you’d like to get involved. We will be in touch with you soon!
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The Black Church
Tuesday, February 9, 6-9pm. Join Community Renewal Society and WTTW for THE BLACK CHURCH: THIS IS OUR STORY, THIS IS OUR SONG, from executive producer, host and writer Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This moving two-part series traces the 400-year-old story of the Black church in America. After the screening, Sylvia Ewing will moderate an online conversation with community leaders, including: Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton (Executive Director, Community Renewal Society) and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III (Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ). This event is free, but RSVP is required. Link to register.
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Defending Pretrial Freedom in IL
Thursday, February 4, 6–7:30pm
Victory! The Illinois legislature has voted to end money bond by passing the Pretrial Fairness Act, a part of the historic criminal justice omnibus bill proposed by the Legislative Black Caucus. Join the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice and the Coalition to End Money Bond for a teach-in to learn what we all need to do moving forward to protect this win and ensure its effective implementation. Register here. Please thank your legislators if they supported this bill; more information and thank you form here. Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Save the Date! Immigration Justice Update
Thursday, February 25, 7:30-8:30pm
Join the Immigration Justice team for a conversation with Mony Ruiz-Velasco–a member of Unity Temple who is a human rights advocate, immigration lawyer, organizer, and the Associate Director for Network Power at Alianza Americas. Facilitated by Betty Alzamora. Register here.
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Announcing Sunday Collections 2021
Thank you to all who voted for our Sunday collection recipients at the congregational annual meeting. The votes have been tallied, and we are pleased to announce the list of organizations that will receive collections in 2021. You can access the list here.
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Plastic Lid Recycling :: Plastic lid recycling is back! Mann elementary school (921 N. Kenilworth, Oak Park) is collecting lids for a new bench. Lids should be clean and dry and dropped off in the school vestibule from 8am-3pm weekdays beginning January 11. Milk, flip-top, deodorant, and medication bottle caps with the cardboard removed are all needed! More information here. Questions? Contact: ecojustice@unitytemple.org
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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 Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org
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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. The Zoom link for the daily mindful reflection is listed below. This Zoom platform does not allow the use of phone numbers to provide dial-in access on this platform. Zoom information:
Time: Every Day (including weekends) at 08:30am Central Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 373 008 242 Password: 4IFrYx
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6th Graders Spreading Love for Valentine’s Day :: For this year’s 6th grade RE class, our social justice project is helping Housing Forward in their mission to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. We will collect and donate the things they need such as quarters for laundry & vending machines, toiletry items, and cleaning supplies. Our campaign will run through Valentine’s Day. You can drop off items at Gale House or arrange for pick-up through this Google Form.
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You should not need to enter these numbers, but just in case, here they are: Meeting ID: 829 387 209 Password: 887083 Other way to join:
One tap mobile +13126266799,,829387209# US
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Meeting ID: 895 0302 7611 Password: 062305
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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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Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings / NOTE: As of March 13, 2020 we are temporarily suspending in person AA meetings. Questions about AA? Please contact Ron at winder.upper@hotmail.com. This link will take you to a list of suspended / relocated AA meetings in Chicagoland.
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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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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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