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. | |
Office Hours: If you are planning to come by 1019 (our Unity Temple Community Center) for any reason during the week, please check to make sure a staff person will be here to help you. Contact office@unitytemple.org. | |
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October Theme: Courage
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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Sunday’s chalice table flowers will be given by Jane & Norman Coleman in gratitude for their five beautiful daughters; Doris, Shirley, Hattie, Robin & Cathy | |
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OFFERING : UU Prison Ministry of Illinois
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit UU Prison Ministry of Illinois – equipping Unitarian Universalists in Illinois to transform institutions and support people harmed by the prison industrial complex. 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.
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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.
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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. | |
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Call for Cookies Our cookie supply is running low. Donations are now being gratefully accepted. If you would like to donate a package or two of cookies, please drop them off in the kitchen on Sunday mornings. Note: NO NUTS. Also, gluten free cookies are much appreciated too. Thank you!
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Our office is in the process of transitioning email / storage systems. As with all changes, there are challenges. We have recently been made aware that many emails have been re-routed to spam and in some cases have been deleted. Additionally, some emails are not going through at all. We ask for your patience during this transition. If you have sent an email and have not had a proper response or received a bounce-back message, please follow up with a phone call.
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Did you or one of your loved ones serve in the military? If so, send Rev. Dawn a picture to include in the service on November 13! Please include what branch they served in. dcooley@unitytemple.org.
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Please save the date for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 11 at 1pm. Details, along with registration information to follow soon.
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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 10.26.22 we have a pledge total of $388,670. Our goal is $990,000.
We hope you will all send in your pledges before October 30, 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.
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Fill out your pledge form and mail into the office as soon as you can.
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You can pledge on our website here.
Questions? Reach out to AnnualFundDrive@unitytemple.org.
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A good time was had by all at our All Congregation Retreat on the weekend of October 14-16 in Sawyer Michigan. Over 90 members of all ages joined us and the weather (though chilly) was beautiful. Enjoy these pictures of our Balloon Making fun, Warren Dunes Beach hike, Talent Share, Costumed Fun and "Adults Only" Drinks and Conversation time. | |
Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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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.
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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!
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Advocacy Day We need all hands on deck during November’s Veto Session to ensure the Pretrial Fairness Act goes into effect as our communities intended. Join the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice in Springfield on November 16! During the upcoming veto session, we are opposing threats that are trying to undermine the legislation before it goes into effect. Activities in the capitol will kick off at 10am and conclude with a rally at 3pm. Register here. Questions? Contact restorativejustice@unitytemple.org. | |
Cards & Stamps
Donate holiday cards and birthday cards to send to people who are incarcerated, who we support through the Church of the Larger Fellowship Ambassador Program of Illinois.
Many no longer have family connections and struggle with extreme loneliness. Cards must be plain (no glitter, foil, etc.) and envelopes should be white. Postage stamps are also welcome! There is a collection box in Unity House on Sunday mornings, and donations can also be dropped off at the UTUUC Community Center front desk (1019 S. Boulevard, Oak Park). Please place cards and stamps in a labelled envelope. Questions? Contact prisonpenpals@unitytemple.org.
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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.
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Vote Love Thanks to all who joined us in writing letters to disenfranchised voters with Vote Forward! Please be sure to put your letters in the mail by October 29! Vital phone-banking also continues with UU the Vote. Sign-up here! Questions? Contact votelove@unitytemple.org.
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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 provide holiday gifts. Please contact us if you would like to sponsor an individual to 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.
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Support Asylum Seekers We are working with our community partners - the IL Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants - to support asylum seekers who have recently arrived in the Chicago-area.
Please donate new clothing and needed supplies. Order items here to directly support families. Questions? Contact: immigration@unitytemple.org.
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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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WiSE is Back! If you are a Woman Inspired by the Singing Experience, please attend rehearsal Sunday, October 30 directly after the service in the sanctuary. There is no need to be able to read music, or even be an experienced singer. We can't wait to see you! | |
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Singers Ages 6-10 are Invited to Participate The 2023 Fall Chalice Singers, the Unity Temple Children's Choir, will meet and rehearse after Sunday worship from 11:15 to noon each week until performance on November 20. Singers ages 6-10 are invited to participate where the music makes you move and the snacks are fabulous! Music Director, Marty Swisher will lead the troupe! To sign up, email Marty at mswisher@unitytemple.org.
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Becoming a Member
We are excited to resume our Pathway to Membership sessions this fall and invite you to attend! This two part gathering is designed to help you decide whether or not becoming an active member of our faith community is right for you. You will get to know others in a a small group setting, learn about our congregations history and how things work today, as well as explore ways to be part of our future in meaningful and fun ways.
Fall Pathway to Membership Schedule
These sessions meet from 1-3pm at the UTUUC Community Center. Childcare is available upon request. Online accommodations can be arranged. Masks are required at this time. To register for one of the two-part sessions listed below, contact tlewis@unitytemple.org.
November 13 & 20 We will celebrate new members in community at a brief ceremony during Welcome Sunday on December 4. We look forward to your participation!
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Fall 2022 Soup Drive
Please consider preparing a yummy vegetarian or meat soup to be shared with members of our beloved community in times of need.
Prepare soup and ladle into a gallon size freezer Ziplock and FREEZE FLAT (on a cookie sheet or smaller). Label with: Type of Soup Vegetarian or Meat, Ingredients (for allergies, amounts not necessary), Prepared by, and date. Bring your soup donation to Unity Temple on October 30 and place it in the Soup Drive cooler before or after service. You may also drop it off at 1019 South Blvd between 9am–12 noon, Monday-Thursday. Deadline is Thursday, November 10. Thank you!
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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". Registration will open October 17. Watch eBeacon for live link.
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Would you like to get to know more people in our congregation? Come to our monthly meet and greet on Sunday, November 6 from 1–2pm in Unity House located across from the sanctuary at Unity Temple. New and established congregants alike are invited to attend. Registration is helpful, though drop-ins are welcome. Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org to register in advance.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Movies with Meaning
Movies with Meaning offers the congregation an example of each month’s ministry theme through the familiar, friendly and popular medium of cinema sharing the experience in community. For our October theme Courage, Movies with Meaning is showing tick, tick…Boom!, a movie about the power of finding your voice and holding on to a dream. Click here to view the official movie trailer.
Join us Friday night, October 28 gathering at 7pm with movie at 7:30 at the Unity Temple Community Center, 1019 South Boulevard. All are welcome at this gratis event. For more information send an email to adultre@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.
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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Job Postings Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is hiring! We are looking for a part time Bookkeeper, a part time Office Assistant and a Nursery Supervisor and Childcare Coordinator. Details can be found on our website here. | |
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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