The Transformative Power of
Unitarian Universalism / mandi huizenga
July and August Theme: Journey
Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon
Live stream link can be found here.
OFFERTORY :: Hephzibah
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Hephzibah – providing group homes, foster care, family-based services, day care, educational enrichment, and a sibling camp. Hephzibah helps children thrive and families flourish through innovative community-based programs. 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 Hephzibah 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!
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 Membership & Engagement to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org
UTUUC Phones We are currently experiencing issues with our phone system. For the time being, if you need to get a hold of anyone on staff, please send them an email. Thank you.
Worship Service :: will be at 10am on YouTube Live. You can access it here

Coffee Hour :: Immediately following the service (around 10:45am) the Virtual Coffee Hour will be on Zoom. Go to Zoom Password: 875875 Or access directly here.
Coffee Hour Courtesies Coffee 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.
Last Chance to Bid on Auction Items for 2021!! The Unity Temple 2021 Auction ends this Sunday at Midnight July 25, 2021. We have over 200 items that have not been bid on . . . a great chance to connect or re-connect with dinners, events and get-a-way offerings. Go to UT2021.givesmart.com and review your options and place your bids. If you have any questions, you can reach our team at auction@unitytemple.org.

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce Reverend Dawn S. Cooley will be joining UTUUC as our Interim Minister on August 1, 2021. We expect Rev. Cooley to be with us for two years. Learn more about Rev. Cooley here.

Welcome, Rev. Dawn Cooley!!
The Community Transformation Team has completed version 1.0 of the Phased Re-Opening Plan for in-person events at Unity Temple. Guidelines for Gale House and the Community Center are coming soon. The CTT continues to meet regularly, and will be updating the guidelines as recommendations change. Check the Unity Temple website under the Phased Re-Opening tab for more information and updates. Please reach out if you have any comments or questions ctt@unitytemple.org

Unity Temple Faith In Action Network
Spiritually Grounded / Deeply Relational / Strategically Effective
Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit Hephzibah – providing group homes, foster care, family-based services, day care, educational enrichment, and a sibling camp. Hephzibah helps children thrive and families flourish through innovative community-based programs. Learn more here.
Thank You! Chicago Passes Transformative Legislation!
We ask you to take a moment today on behalf of the communities that have been most impacted by policing. Call or email your alderperson to either thank them for their vote or share your disappointment if they did not vote in support of this transformational legislation. We need to remind our alderpersons why this ordinance is necessary. After years of organizing and calls to action, Chicago now has the most democratic and progressive system of civilian oversight of the police in the country. 

Community Renewal Society applauds the work of our leaders and volunteers, as well as the leaders and volunteers from 100+ organizations across Chicago. We met with residents, directly impacted survivors of police brutality and their families, the Chicago Police Department and alderpersons, and worked with two Mayoral administrations to create the ordinance that was approved on July 22 - this is what Beloved Community looks like!  Please support our continued work in the area of police accountability and stay tuned for next steps. Contact restorativejustice@unitytemple.org 
Side with Love Action Center 
The UUA is now organizing work for justice and liberation under the same call to Side with Love - including the four intersectional areas of:
  1. Climate Justice
  2. Decriminalization, Ending Deportation & Detention
  3. Democracy & Voting Rights
  4. LGBTQ+ and Gender Justice
It's another great move toward greater collaboration and impact! Check out the new Side With Love Action Center! Watch for more exciting updates in the months ahead! Questions? Contact faithinaction@unitytemple.org
Plastic Bag Recycling!
Did you know "stretchy" plastic like plastic shopping bags, dry-cleaning bags, bread bags, ziploc and produce bags aren't usually recyclable in your bins at home? We're collecting these items that would usually go to a landfill (or to Jewel) to be turned into a recycled plastic bench! The bench will be donated to Third Unitarian Church in Austin.
 
Watch this short video, and see what can be recycled here. 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.
 
We are looking for a few volunteers to sort and transport the plastic to the Jewel in River Forest (7525 Lake St.). If interested please review these directions and sign-up here. Questions? Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org
UU Prison Ministry Pen Pals We invite you to consider being a pen pal with someone living in prison. Here are 3 steps to follow on the UU Prison Ministry of IL website:
  • Visit to watch the 40-minute introductory video; 
  • Read the resources provided;
  • Submit the request form to be matched with a pen pal.
Someone from UUPMI will follow-up with you to check-in and confirm your match.
Questions? Contact: penpals@unitytemple.org
MyHAT Small Support Group Meeting This group is for people living with mental illness and those who care about them. We practice deep sharing and deep listening. Participation is confidential. We are always open to new participants. Our next meeting is on Monday, July 26 from 7-9pm. We will meet in Gale House (next to Unity Temple). Come with your masks on and be prepared for a quick health check. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact myhat@unitytemple.org
BIPOC Friends In-Person Gathering
12 Noon–1:30 / Sunday, July 25
Join us for a gathering at Gale House next to Unity Temple as we catch up with each other, and re-center ourselves for a new faith year at Unity Temple in August. If the weather permits, we will end by taking a walk to Scoville Park and checking out the tree that was dedicated to Rev. Alan Taylor upon his departure. Come with your masks and be prepared for a quick health check. Questions and concerns to bipocfriends@unitytemple.org.
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 Membership & Engagement to set up a conversation. She looks forward to meeting you! tlewis@unitytemple.org 


Unity Temple Summer RE Theme of "Grow Together" We offer online programming to fuel our fine young people's spiritual growth and to serve as an opportunity to connect and practice our principles together. We hope you will join Activities for All Ages via zoom every Sunday at 9:30am. If you have any questions or thoughts to share, please contact summer_re@unitytemple.org
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.
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
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


Unity Temple Choir Will Break for the Summer Beginning June 16, the choir will break for the summer. Contact music director, Marty Swisher to learn more. mswisher@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

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!