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.

Dearly Departed: A Remembrance Service

Tristan Hanson, Shared Pulpit Participant

Tristan Hanson has been a lifelong learner, a filmmaker, and a parent working to raise good humans. She is a native Oregonian and a long-time UU. She came to Unity Temple in 2019 after her family moved to Oak Park from Chicago. She is a part of the new Spiritual Care Team and participated in the Shared Pulpit Seminar last spring, led by former Unity Temple intern mandi huizenga.

January Theme: Finding Our Center

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

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday’s chalice table flowers are in loving memory of Mary Marling & Carrie Bankes.

OFFERING : DRUUMM

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit the 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.



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.

Please be aware of email scams. This past week many people received an email from a gmail account pretending to be Rev. Dawn, not a unitytemple.org account. Our ministers and staff would NEVER contact you using anything but a unitytemple.org nor would we ask for gift cards. 

If you receive a suspicious email and are not sure of its validity, please contact our office to verify before responding or clicking on any links.

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.

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.

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!

AND, Congregational Life Tables are Back! Stop by the Auction and Women's Retreat table to learn more about how you can participate. Tables are located in Unity House during Community Hour.

Food & Fellowship Monthly "Brown-Bag Lunch with the Minister(s)" will take place on January 19, the third Thursday of the month from 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. This month we will meet in person at 1019 South Blvd. Bring your lunch!

UT Auction 2023 – A Time To Create New Memories! Creating new memories can start with you donating to the 2023 Auction!! Donating an event, a long weekend at your vacation house, dinner & more. You will create many new & memorable memories for yourself & for friends & members of the congregation! 

Need ideas of what to donate? Just talk to one of the Auction Team at coffee hour who will be happy to help you decide what to donate. 



Auction bidding begins February 12, 2023. We hope to have something for everyone! Stay tune for more information & updates! See one of our auction team members during coffee hour to make your donation!

The Annual Fund Drive Reached 82% of Our Goal As of January 5, 2023 we have a pledge total of $812,189 towards the goal of $990,000. 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.

Winter Pathway to Membership Schedule

Our membership classes will resume in January. Participants learn about the congregation’s history and how we work today. It is a wonderful way to get to know a small group of people and decide how you can become part of our collective future. Groups meet at our community center located at 1019 South Blvd on Sundays from 1:30-3:30pm. Childcare is available upon request. In addition, on-line accommodations can be made. The winter schedule is January 15 & 22, February 12 & 19, and March 12 & 19. To register contact tlewis@unitytemple.org. 

The 2023 Annual Women's Retreat will take place from February 17–19, 2023 at the Carmelite Spiritual Center. This year's theme is Emerging Together. Our keynote speaker will be, our very own Rev. Dawn Cooley. This will be a very spiritual and uplifting weekend with break out sessions, music, dance, crafts and food.  

Registration is open and can be found here. You can also log onto Realm and go to Events and will see the event listed as the Featured Event.

Men's Retreat 2023

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

Women’s Connection Pizza Party The Women’s Connection invites you to a pizza party on Friday, January 13 at 6pm, 1019 South Boulevard. We will supply pizza and salad, bring an appetizer or dessert to share. After socializing we will update everyone on our  ANNUAL RETREAT in February. This is a great way to connect after the holidays. Questions? 

womensconnection@unitytemple.org.

Congregational Life Table Reservation 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.

Volunteers & Meals Needed On January 4, Housing Forward re-opened an emergency winter overnight shelter for up to 15 individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The shelter is located in the former rectory building of St. Catherine / Lucy, 38 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park. Volunteers are needed to work with staff to greet clients, help serve meals, site security overnight and clean-up the next morning. There are 3 shifts:

• Evening – 6:30-10:30p (3 volunteers)
• Overnight – 10:30p-5:00a (2 volunteers)
• Morning – 5:00a-7:00a (2 volunteers)  

If interested in volunteering at the shelter or providing a meal for shelter guests, please sign up here. Questions? Please contact cjackson@housingforward.org.

Pretrial Fairness Our Restorative Justice partners are working with Chicago Community Jail Support to support people being released from prison. You may donate to help purchase clothing for people being released, including winter coats, hats, gloves, groceries, and more. Link to donate. Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.

Sunday Collection Recipients Thanks to all who nominated organizations and all who participated in the voting process to select UTUUC’s Sunday collection recipients for 2023. Here is the list of selected recipients for 2023. Questions?  Contact: SundayCollections@unitytemple.org.

Join us Monday, January 16, 1–3pm for the Community Renewal Society Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8441 S Saint Lawrence Ave, Chicago 60619. We’ll hear from district council and aldermanic candidates, and learn about the 2023 election. All are welcome! If you are unable to attend in person, live-stream information will be sent the week of January 9. Register here!  Contact us if you’re interested in possible carpools: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.

Electric Vehicles Are you considering an electric vehicle? Do you want to learn more about them? Join our partners at Interfaith Power & Light on January 11 at 1pm (CST) to hear from a leader in electric vehicle consumer advocacy, Rosa Mitsumasu Scotti. Topics will include why EVs are better, charging infrastructure, battery technology, available financial incentives, and more. Register here to sign up for the EV 101 webinar. Questions? Contact: ecojustice@unitytemple.org.

Faith in Action Newsletter

To learn more about living our mission and values through our Faith in Action Network, sign-up for our monthly newsletter here  and watch our impact statement 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.

Sacred Wanderings 

Saturday, January 7, 2023 8:30am–10:30am CDT, Thatcher Woods, north pavilion. Free parking is available - 8030 Chicago Ave, Maywood 60153. Follow the signs. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a lawn chair and a tea cup for tea during the sharing circle at the end. Tea will be provided. We will meet in any weather condition.

Masks are optional.

Join Kevin, Jay and Terry as we intentionally practice connecting with nature and surrounding ourselves with the energy of the natural world. Forest bathing is not taking a leisurely walk in the woods to enjoy the scenery. There's a specific intention in the practice to connect with the natural world and to gain benefit and energy from it. In other words, you are bathing in the energy of the trees, leaves, sky, and earth. Meditation and mindfulness assists in securing this intention. There will be silence and discussion.

Those with physical challenges are easily accommodated. If you have any questions please email mindful@unitytemple.org. We look forward to seeing you! 

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

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 January theme Finding Our Center, Movies with Meaning is showing Puzzle a movie which shows how making one small change can lead to unexpected adventure.  Click here to view the official movie trailer. Join us Friday night, January 20, gathering at 6:30pm with movie at 7 at the Unity Temple Community Center, 1019 South Boulevard. All are welcome at this gratis event! For more information, contact adultre@unitytemple.org.

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