Productive Expectations / mandi huizenga
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September Theme: Embracing Possibility
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
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OFFERTORY :: Beat the Streets Chicago Wrestling Program
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will support Beat the Streets Chicago Wrestling Program – dedicated to improving the lives of youth by building character, discipline and self-esteem through participation in the great sport of wrestling. Learn more here.
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 Beat the Streets 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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Welcome to UTUUC
If you would like to learn more about how our congregation works and how you can become involved, please contact Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org
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Worship Service :: will be at 10am on YouTube Live. You can access it here.
Community Hour :: Immediately following the service (around 10:45am) the Virtual Community Hour will be on Zoom. Go to Zoom Meeting ID: 999 2797 5277 Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
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Community Hour Courtesies Community Hour is a time for old and new friendships to be enjoyed. In the spirit of community, and in honor of our 1st Principle that upholds the inherent worth and dignity of every person, we ask everyone to be mindful of the brief time we have together during breakout sessions.
Please remember these courtesies to ensure everyone a meaningful and fun experience.
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Marsha Borders, Glenn Brewer, Vera Dowell, Fran Knechel and Ian Morrison are the new Transition Team that has been appointed by the Board and represents both the breadth and depth of UTUUC experience. They will be assisting our Interim Senior Minister, the Rev. Dawn Cooley during the next two years. Right now, they are focusing on connecting Rev. Dawn with staff and lay leadership in the congregation, and learning together what it means to be on this team! Watch this space for more details as the transition continues transition@unitytemple.org. Welcome Rev. Cooley!
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Return to In-Person Worship Postponed! Due to the rise of the Delta variant of Covid-19 and the recent increase in positive cases in Cook County, we will be postponing our return to in-person worship. Although we will not be open to in-person attendees, we will be returning to live streaming the Sunday Service from the Sanctuary beginning with the August 29th service. The E-Team, Community Transformation Team, Worship Committee and Board of Trustees continue to work towards bringing back people to the Temple safely and in alignment with our principles.
The Community Transformation Team (CTT) continues to work on a comprehensive phased opening policy taking into account the guidelines and rules of the Center for Disease Control, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Village of Oak Park and the congregation’s guiding principles. Illinois is currently in Phase 5. The CTT has completed version 2.0 of the Phased Re-Opening Plan for in-person events at Unity Temple which can be found here. The CTT will continue to keep everyone updated in regards to the decisions made and the guidelines that we as a congregation will need to follow within our unique building settings. You can also check the Unity Temple website under the Phased Re-Opening tab for more information. Questions and comments can be directed to ctt@unitytemple.org.
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Welcome to Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Video As we approach the beginning of our program year here at UTUUC, we are thrilled to share our new welcome video for visitors to our website. With our upcoming Livestream capabilities and multiplatform programs, we are able to invite friends and family to join us from all over the world, so let's do it! In the spirit of welcoming, please share this video on your social media platforms and/or send the link to your email contacts as we continue to build upon our journey of welcoming all, inspiring compassion, nurturing wonder, and serving community.
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Call for Volunteers (You read that right, YAY!)
It brings me great joy to prepare for a phased reopening of Sunday morning gatherings! While things won't be exactly the same for some time as we continue to navigate the evolving pandemic, with help from those who can, we will begin our return as soon as it is the right time to do so. We want to be ready! That means we need many volunteers to help in many different ways. If you are vaccinated and would like to help with our return to Sunday morning gatherings, please indicate how you would like to serve here.
Beyond Sunday morning, there are more opportunities to volunteer emerging. Stay tuned for weekly updates. Our community is strengthened and sustained by your support. Please contact me at tlewis@unitytemple.org with questions. May your volunteer contributions be meaningful and bring you joy.
With sincere gratitude,
Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership.
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Let's get to know each other! Once a month, newcomers are invited to a meet and greet social hour with Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership. During this pandemic time, final meeting location will be confirmed via email 48 hours in advance. We will either meet indoors at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd, outdoors on the porch of Gale house located at 124 N. Kenilworth, or on-line via Zoom. Refreshments are unable to be provided at this time, but enjoyable conversation with new friends can be expected! Next meeting: Sunday, September 19 from 1-2pm. To register email tlewis@unitytemple.org
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Annual Women's Connection BAR–BQ
Sunday September 12th, at Jenny’s backyard
802 Highland Ave
Oak Park
2:30pm. All interested in planning for 2022 Women’s Retreat/new committee members welcome, (and needed). Currently an in person Weekend Retreat is scheduled.
4pm: BBQ begins-for all Women. You don’t have to be a member to join us. Event will be outdoors, rain or shine with shelter tent to use. Feel free to bring a mask and socially distance as you are comfortable. We will provide burgers, meat, salmon, or veggie, brats, & buns and some drinks. Please bring side dish, or dessert to share. Any questions/concerns contact womensconnections@unitytemple.org
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Meet the Ministers Come get to know one of our ministers on the second Sunday of every month, except the first gathering which will be on Sunday, September 26 from 1-2pm. During this pandemic time, final meeting location will be confirmed via email 48 hours in advance. Meeting will be indoors at the Unity Temple Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd, outdoors on the porch of Gale house located at 124 N. Kenilworth, or on-line via Zoom. Refreshments are unable to be provided at this time, but enjoyable conversation can be expected! To register email tlewis@unitytemple.org
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Welcome to UTUUC
If you would like to learn more about how our congregation works and how you can become involved, please contact Tina Lewis, Director of Engagement & Membership to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org
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Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
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Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will support Beat the Streets Chicago Wrestling Program – dedicated to improving the lives of youth by building character, discipline and self-esteem through participation in the great sport of wrestling. Learn more here.
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Austin Credit Union
Unity Temple’s Restorative Justice Team is leading a fundraising effort to support the Austin Credit Union donor initiative–spearheaded by the Leaders Network. Fundraising at Unity Temple will occur in September only, so as not to overlap with our congregation’s annual fund drive. Our initial goal is to raise at least $5000 – or 100 UT members contributing $50 each. This level allows Unity Temple to become a Founding Member of the Austin Credit Union.
We hope you will support this initiative with a donation–gifts of any amount are greatly welcomed and appreciated! There are a few ways to make a donation:
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Please make checks payable to “Unity Temple”, note “Austin Credit Union” on the memo line, & mail your donation by September 30 to: UTUUC, 875 Lake St., Oak Park 60301
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You may give online via PayPal here: be sure to select “Austin Credit Union” from the drop-down menu.
All donations will be bundled and a single check sent to the Leaders Network designated for the Austin Credit Union Fund. Please click here for more information and if interested, to register for an Information session via Zoom with the Leaders Network. Thank you, in advance, for your generous support! Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
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Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence
Join the Community of Congregations on Saturday, September 25, 6:30pm at St. Edmund Parish. The vigil will be held on the parish lawn at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and Pleasant Street, following the conclusion of the 5:30 Mass in the church.
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Plastic Bag Recycling!
We are collecting “stretchy” plastic - like shopping bags, bubble wrap, plastic shipping sleeves - to be recycled and turned into a plastic bench. The bench will be donated to Third Unitarian Church in Chicago’s Austin community.
Watch this short video, and see what can be recycled here. Note: Bags from cheese, pet food, mulch, and salads are NOT recyclable. If there is no recycling label on the bag, it goes in the garbage, please! Place all plastics into (preferably) one or more plastic bags and drop-off in the bin on the front porch of Gale House (124 N. Kenilworth) behind Unity Temple. Thank you!
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Release, Not Transfer! The Pulaski Detention Center is set to be closed soon. Yet ICE is now trying to transfer detainees quickly, without giving them a chance to make a case for release. If people are transferred, they will be separated from their families, friends, and community. It will be harder for them to work with their lawyers and gather community support for their cases. Please send an email here demanding a fair process for detainees at Pulaski Detention Center. 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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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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Beloved Conversations Virtual Fall 2021 Registration is open for this wonderful intensive program that "focuses on the internal work that each of us needs to do as we engage in deeper personal understanding, explorations of race and racism, extracting our souls and spirits from white supremacy culture, and work for racial justice." Members of our congregation have been participating in some version of this course since 2016. More information can be found at www.meadville.edu/beloved. Questions can be directed to Rev. Emily Gage egage@unitytemple.org.
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Sacred Wanderings (NOTE date change for this month only) Live and In Person at Thatcher Woods on Saturday, September 11 from 8:30-10:30am (First Saturdays)!! Join Terry and Jay 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.
The group will meet no matter what the weather conditions so come prepared. Please bring a lawn chair you can carry to sit on as well as a cup for tea for the discussion at the end, if you desire. Tea will be provided. Mosquito netting, hand sanitizer and masks will be provided. Those with physical challenges are easily accommodated. If you have any questions please email mindful@unitytemple.org.
We will gather at 8030 Chicago Ave., just west of Thatcher Ave., north Pavilion, Maywood, IL.
Watch for Sacred Wandering signs.
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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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Mindful Reflection Online Community Tuesday Evenings Zoom meeting room opens at 6:45pm, program starts at 7:10pm. 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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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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The Unity Temple Choir has Resumed Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7pm. For more details on meeting logistics and location please contact music director, Marty Swisher at mswisher@unitytemple.org. |
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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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