|
Friday March 24
7:30pm Vespers Service
Saturday March 25
8:30am Breakfast at Benedict's
Sunday March 26
9:00am Coffee with Questions
9:00am Choir Rehearsal
10:45am Service
11:00am Religious Exploration
12:00pm Coming of Age Youth
12:15pm Inquirers Tour
7:00pm Chalice Circle
Monday March 27
12:00pm Lunch with the Minister
Tuesday March 28
4:00pm Fundraiser Planning Meeting
7:30pm Mindfulness
| |
|
Thursday March 30
8:00am Men's Breakfast
10:00am Mindfulness
Saturday April 1
8:30am Breakfast at Benedict's
Some activities are offered onsite. Check with the group leader for venue information.
The office is open every Wednesday 1-3pm. For other times, please make an appointment.
| |
Join in Enriching Worship | |
|
Tonight!
Love Speaks and Sings
4th Friday Vesper Service
Friday, March 24, 2023
7:30pm-8:15pm
Join us tonight for our inaugural 4th Friday Vesper Service as we celebrate how Love Speaks and Sings. We gather in the sanctuary to enjoy readings, poetry, music, and singing that reflect on dimensions of love. Afterwards, light refreshments will be served.
If you would like to help with or take part in this or future vesper services OR if you have questions, please see or email Julie Huddle: jhuddle95@gmail.com
| |
|
Vulnerability in the Formation of Compassion and Service
Sunday, March 26, 2023
10:45am
In a week and a half Jews all over the world will gather to observe Passover, to remember the foundation of the Israelite community in redemption from slavery. Telling the story of our roots as an oppressed people opens our hearts to the suffering of others and compels us to act to alleviate their suffering. Rabbi Gordon will bring examples from the Passover liturgy and the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, in illustration of this foundational principle.
- Speaker: Rabbi Maralee Gordon
- Worship Leader: Mary McClelland
- Chalice Lighter: Beth Hoover
- Music: Lilith Ransburg
After the service, we invite you to enjoy refreshments and conversation. 12:15-1:15pm we offer a newcomers tour.
To Attend in Person
In accordance with CDC guidance, masks and vaccination are optional. We will ask you to sign in with your contact information for possible contact tracing. We ask you let us know if you find you have a COVID infection within a week of attending a service.
To Attend Online
We conduct our services live on the Zoom platform to allow for a more interactive experience. You will need to have the free Zoom app on your device and have it updated to the latest version. www.zoom.us
Use this link to join us on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 847 0286 6562 Passcode: 929464
| |
Get Involved with Our Community | |
|
Making a Difference 2023
We are in the last week of our annual pledge campaign. We set aside this time each year to evaluate our giving to Tree of Life and make a promise (pledge) for what we plan to give in the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024). This allows our leaders to create a budget that reflects our values and abilities that we will then ask you to vote on. While fundraisers are fun and rentals are possible, it is our pledges that provide the main source of our budget.
Visiting Stewards are reaching out to every member and families that pledged last year. If you are ready to support Tree of Life financially and want to meet with a visiting steward also, please let Judy Stettner know (256-682-1119 or office@treeoflifeuu.org) or make your pledge here.
Our Visiting Stewards this year are: Janet Burns, Sandy Eckert, Ted Funn, Julie Huddle, Sue McCowin, Randy Rapp, Irene Raven, and Judy Stettner.
TOGETHER we are Making a Difference!
| |
|
Phishing emails not from Rev. Jenn
Please note that Rev. Jenn WILL NEVER write and ask you to buy anything on her behalf. If you get a message supposedly from her asking you to run errands or buy gift cards, delete it. If you are unsure whether or not the message is from her, call the church office at 815-322-2464.
The best way to protect yourself and your contacts from phishing is to change your email password often and never give it to anyone. Thanks!
| |
|
Help us plan our Chili Cookoff and raffle fundraiser
We are excited to announce we will hold a Chili Cook-off and Basket Raffle Saturday, May 6th along with the youth group's Plant Sale. But there are lots of details to work out and we could use your help. Join us Tuesday at 4pm to help us pull it together.
Topic: Chili Cookoff planning Meeting
Time: Mar 28, 2023 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84207817380?pwd=SWMydW91NHJtb2dSYUQ4WGx0QlRiQT09
Meeting ID: 842 0781 7380
Passcode: 719520
| |
|
Are You Ready for Membership?
At our April 2nd service we will welcome our newest members. If you have been attending for awhile, attended our Inquirers sessions, or just know this is the place for you to grow in, we invite you to meet with our Congregational Administrator, Judy, and sign our membership book. This can also be done remotely. Contact Judy here
So what does membership entail? Here is our definition of membership according to our bylaws.
Membership
Section 1. Eligibility
Membership in TOLUUC shall be open to all who seek its fellowship and who support and share in its work. Membership shall be contingent upon the completion of the process established by the Membership Development Committee (unless membership is being transferred from another Unitarian Universalist congregation).
Section 2. Responsibilities
Members are expected to attend the services of TOLUUC, to contribute regularly to its financial support by making contributions of record, and to participate in its programs and projects.
| |
Our youth and volunteers are hosting a plants sale on Saturday, May 6, before our Chili Cook-off!
Mark your calendars now!
Proceeds will defray travel costs for our courageous volunteers who are heading to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in June.
We have received all the seed starting supplies we need! Thank you to everyone who responded right away and gave us your recycling.
We still have need of any planting pots we can reuse to split plants (do you have a stack of empty ones hidden away?).
As we head into Spring, please give some thought to any plants you can donate.
Will you be splitting up any houseplants?
Will you be thinning any flowers in your gardens?
Will you have extra seedlings that are left over from your own gardening efforts?
Your cast-offs may earn you a prize and also help our service trip volunteers! We'll need these plants in May, but it's time to start thinking Spring now!
Contact Heather Madaus to donate items. Learn@treeoflifeuu.org
| |
|
Get Crafty
A small group of folks will be gathering in the clock room after services on Sunday mornings to craft. We will be bringing our knitting and embroidery projects but welcome all regardless of your craft of choice. We will also have a few adult coloring books and crayons available if you want to join us but don't have a project you are working on. We are considering the possibility of a group service project in the future. One suggestion, knitting preemie hats for donation to a local hospital. We are open to all ideas and suggestions. This is a very informal drop in and everyone is welcome. Hope you are able to join us.
Questions? Contact Janet Burns for more information Janetrugi@yahoo.com
| |
|
Children's Religious Exploration 2023
Our Children's Explorations will follow the path of our Soul Matters themes as we move into Winter and Spring. We'll have whole, all-ages group meetings together every other week, and smaller, less formal gatherings in between. All Sunday Explorations begin in Sanctuary for the beginning of the Congregational Worship Service
3/26 RE in basement
4/2- No RE Spring Break
4/9- No RE Easter (but we will have a potluck after the service with an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids)
4/16- RE in Clock Room
4/23-RE in basement
4/30- RE- COA worship Service in Sanctuary
5/7- RE in basement
5/14- No RE Mothers Day
5/21- RE activities in basement or outside! Last Day celebration
5/28- No RE Memorial Day
June-August Have a great Summer!!!
*locations subject to change based on weather, Covid, ventilation, and volunteer availability.
People of all ages are welcome to use our Soul Matters library located in the Fireplace room just outside the sanctuary doors. Are you feeling Vulnerable? Please consider planting some seeds in our seed-starting trays! Supplies are near our Soul Work Library and we've linked a speaker to the Clock Room so you can still participate in Worship while you work. Please move completed seed trays to our mini-greenhouse in the choir loft.
Please contact me with questions and to volunteer your time using this form or
Learn@treeoflifeUU.org
Text 815-509-7862
Heather Madaus
Director of Lifespan Learning, TOLUUC
| |
|
Ready to nurture your inner poet?
Poetry lovers unite. We share our own poetry or that of poets we are especially appreciating lately. We encourage each other in our writing. We meet in the sanctuary on the first Thursday of the month at 7pm. For more information, use this form
| |
|
Book Club
On Friday April 7, at 7:00 pm, Book Group will be discussing I Will Always Write Back, by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda. In 1997, both Caitlin and Martin were twelve years old and became pen pals. Caitlin lived in Pennsylvania and Martin lived in Zimbabwe. The correspondence lasted for six years, gave them the opportunity to become best friends, and opened their eyes to life in places other than their own communities. Since this book is categorized as Young Adult, we have invited our RE families to join our discussion! Come to Book Group to share thoughts with all about this moving, true story. Note that with the April meeting, Book Group will be returning to a hybrid platform. For those who attend in person, we will be meeting at Tree of Life. For those who wish to join on Zoom, use the link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81958368232?pwd=SVJkNWZxblV2UnMrdGl2SW1UOWEydz09
| |
|
Are you looking for small group connections? Chalice Circles might be your answer.
As we move forward, some groups remain online and others are meeting in person.
Our UU faith is a theology of connection and through the Soul Matters themes we explore those connections – reflecting on our lives, our gifts, and the needs of the world around us, as we grow community. In our circles we practice deep listening to receive the reflections of each other and we learn to hear our own voice as well – developing the insight and confidence to speak our truth wherever we are.. Everyone is welcome to join. We currently have 5 circles meeting: , 4th Wed. 1:30 pm, and the 3rd and 4th Sundays at 9 am and 7 pm. New circles are opening up as necessary to accommodate either online or on site attendance. Information about the program can be found at : https://treeoflifeuu.org/tree-of-life-rooted-in-love-extending-that-love-to-all-of-humanity/ If you’re interested in joining or would like more info use this form or see M.E. Tanabe or Janet Burns at church.
| |
|
Does your life need more mindfulness?
Tuesday 7:30 pm, Thursday 10:00 am
Please join us as we explore different ways of being mindful -- bringing deeper awareness to our daily lives and deeper presence to others and to all Life. Group practice is a supplement to living mindfully. Whether you join us or not, please consider taking time to gift yourself with periods of stillness and gratitude. Such a gift to yourself is always a gift to others... and ultimately, to the Life we all share.
We use the Meditation Chapel platform because it links us to people from around the world. A simple one-time registration takes less than 2 minutes to sign-up (but may take a while to receive a reply since program is run by volunteers). Here’s the link: https://meditationchapel.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c772dca35f9340088f1fd5d65&id=7d83c2bb65
You will receive the URL’s (web addresses) for all 7 of the Zoom meditation rooms (chapels). The name of our “Chapel” room will always be Mary of Magdala
This is a drop-in program. No sign up or commitment required.
For more information, click here. For questions or concerns contact: M. E. (Emi) Tanabe m.e.tanabe@comcast.net
| |
|
Breakfast at Benedicts
All are welcome to meet at Benedict's La Strata Cafe for breakfast on Saturday mornings (40 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake) at 8:30am.
Please RSVP to Irene Raven at irene.raven@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome, including those in bibs and highchairs. Let us know if you will need a ride.
| |
|
Join the men’s group every Thursday morning at 8am in the Double Yolk Café on the Woodstock Square. We eat and talk Until 9:30-10am. Late arrival or early departure is acceptable. GPS: 117 E Van Buren St.
| |
|
Are you new(ish) to Tree of Life and Unitarian Universalism? Faith Forward Inquirers is a weekly program to welcome new attendees and introduce them to Unitarian Universalism and Tree of Life. We meet online and in the sanctuary Sundays from 12:15-1:15pm using the same link as the Sunday service. These sessions are the main path to learning more about us and are a path to membership.
March 26 Campus Tour
April 2 Faith Development for Children and Adults
April 16 Social Action & Community Service
April 23 Worship & Liturgical Year
April 30 Pastoral Care & Small Group Ministry
May 21 Small Group Connections
This schedule is tentative.
Sessions repeat throughout the year and can be taken in any order. Questions? Use this form
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84702866562?pwd=MU51VG5HNUJON0IrVTZrVm90a0NWQT09
Meeting ID: 847 0286 6562
Passcode: 929464
| | |
|
|
Raices Latinas : Agriculture in McHenry County will be screening a film "Harvest of Loneliness: The Braceo Program". The film sheds light on temporary farm laborers working in the United States.
Where: Woodstock Opera House.
When: March 30,2023 6:30pm
For more information: www.raiceslatinas.org
Moms Demand Action: the McHenry County chapter met at TOL on 3/1/23. They are continuing their work on educating gun owners on gun safety . The McHenry County Board has voted against following the recent legislature in the State of Illinois regarding gun ownership and passed a gun sanctuary proposal at the last board meeting. Moms Demand Action will be participating in a lobby day in Springfield on March 30. For more information check out their FB page.
CASA of McHenry County looking for volunteers: CASA is a nationwide advocacy group for children in the DCFS system. Children whose parents are involved in court cases that involve abuse or neglect are assigned a volunteer who follows these kids through this very difficult process. Many of our congregants have been or are currently CASA volunteers. These volunteers act as the eyes and ears of the court and always keep the welfare of the child as their focus. Currently CASA is looking for volunteers to fill this role. Recently passed state legislation now requires every child in an abuse or neglect case to have a CASA. If you are interested if changing a child's life contact CASA at info@casamchenrycounty.org or 779-994-44398
Save These Dates
- April 29, 11-1, Underground Railroad presentation by Gloria Van Hot "Women Named Harriet". Here at Tree of Life.
- June 10-11 Pride Fest and Parade on the Woodstock Square
- June 16, Friday, Ride to Leave the Lights On
- September 21, World Peace Day on the Woodstock Square.
Watch the Happenings in the coming weeks for more information on the many upcoming events that will give you an opportunity to flex those social justice muscles
The next meeting of the Social Justice team will be on April 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Starbucks at 4305 W. Elm St. in McHenry. Please join us with your ideas and insights!
If you need more information about any of these activities please contact Sue Rekenthaler at tomatos @mc.net or Andy Myers at andreagmyers @gmail.com.
| |
|
The 2023 Chicago Interfaith Trolley Tour & Iftar will tour several houses of worship on the north side of Chicagoland. on Sunday, April 2, 2023, from 4-7pm. Your tour will take you to several places of worship, including the first Black church of Evanston, Second Baptist; a social justice and interfaith-centered synagogue, Sukkat Shalom; and the beautiful Bahai Temple of North America. We will conclude the tour over a shared meal and conversation as we open fast with our Muslim sisters and Brothers with an Iftar.
Space is extremely limited -- register today to secure your spot!
| |
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate? | |
Serves the unhoused during Community Resource Days on the first and third Friday of every month from 10 am to 2 pm at Willow Crystal Lake, 100 S. Main Street. Contributions to Compassion for Campers can be made by sending a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 with Compassion for Campers on the memo line or donate on-line at https://treeoflifeuu.breezechms.com/give/online Please choose Compassion for Campers from the drop down list of funds.
Here are items you can donate directly now.
- High protein canned goods, with pop open tops.
- Men and women’s deodorant
- Larger body wipes
- Hair brushes
- Coffee creamer
- Instant coffee
- Coloring books and crayons for the children we have been seeing
- Rope for tent tie downs
- brandades
- cough drops/lozenges
- Non aspirin pain relievers
- Canned tuna or chicken
- nail trimmers
- back packs/ cloth tote bags
- Wrapped toilet paper rolls
- Paper towels
These items can be placed in the purple bin outside the sanctuary doors. Monetary donations will help us buy the bigger ticket items such as tents, sleeping bags, propane stoves, and hotel rooms when the weather gets dangerously cold.
| |
|
Community Connections are at Your Fingertips
Breeze is our online membership tool. It includes our directory, our events calendar, and giving portal. It is an up to date directory that can travel with you on your smart phone- very handy! But sometimes it can be hard to log in if you don't remember your username. It is not your email! It is usually some variation of your name that you set up. If you cannot remember, you can get that information from the office. To log in go to https://treeoflifeuu.breezechms.com/
Don't have a Breeze account yet? Use this form.
| |
Do you like a good discussion? Try Coffee with Questions | |
Sundays online 9am -10:30am. All are welcome. No reservation necessary. We talk about the news of the day, what's on our minds, or a topic picked by the group.
Please feel free to invite others to join us in our reflections this week and other weeks, for our inciteful reflections and dialogue via zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81049358647?pwd=bVExLzB3RzMxdWM3aUxvZzRhR1hDZz09
| |
|
Keeping Memories Alive
Our Memorial Garden is available to honor the memory of loved ones. Stones engraved with your loved one's name can be purchased for $100. The fee goes toward the stone engraving and the continued upkeep of the garden. Contact Judy Ayres northernayres@comcast.net or the office.
| |
|
Do you want to support the financial well being of Tree of Life without spending more?
Get your grocery, gas, restaurant , and other shopping cards in the social room after church services. Remember you pay the face value for the shopping card and Tree of Life gets a percentage off when we purchase them. Win, Win. Any questions, contact Sandy Eckert. Happy Shopping!
| |
Thank you for your support over the years while shopping AmazonSmile for Tree of Life UU Congregation. Unfortunately, AmazonSmile is closed Feb. 20. Fortunately, we are already set up with a great alternative! Join iGive today (for free) via this link: https://www.iGive.com/TreeofLifeUnitarianUniversalistCongregation When you login & shop their 2,000+ stores (think Chewy, Walmart, Expedia and so many more), we'll earn donations at least TWICE what we earned through AmazonSmile. The average donation through an iGive store is about 3%, with some offering 25% or higher! Make it all automatic. Download the iGive Button & turn your browser into an automatic donation generating machine! | |
|
The following Joys and Concerns were shared at our last service.
Terry Kappel shared a concern for his friend Corrina Sac, owner of the Uprising Bakery and Café, who is struggling financially following the events that occurred last year. Please contact Terry if you are interested in supporting the café.
Lilith Ransburg is concerned about the anti-trans legislation last week, especially targeting transgender youth. Lilith asks that members consider becoming advocates for transgender people.
Sue McCowin had a very joyful trip dogsledding in Canada last week.
Sandy Eckert heard a wonderful review on the radio of Sheryl Bass’s new book. Congratulations Sheryl!
Bruce Weiss and his wife Marian are joyful to be at the service today. They were long time members of Tree of Life in Woodstock and are enjoying being back. Welcome back Bruce and Marian!
If you are in need of assistance or know somebody in the congregation that does, our care committee can be reached using this form.
The Caring Committee needs you. Tree of Life is not just a friendly congregation, it is also caring. We need a couple more people to be on the committee to help coordinate our caring efforts. If you might be interested contact Steve Lyons or use the form above.
March Birthdays
Doug Mikkelson March 3
Dave Dreyer March 4
Randy Meyer March 15
Steve Lyons March 15
Sue Kazlusky March 16
Patrick Murfin March 17
Daniel Laux March 18
Sandra Bartholmey March 22
Carol Alfus March 24
Paula Yensen March 25
Sue McCowin March 31
| |
|
Connect with Us
Did you know we have a Facebook Page and a Facebook group? Our page is our public outreach page and is maintained by staff. Our group is for you! You can request to join our group using the QR code below or search for "Tree of Life- A UU Congregation in McHenry" in Facebook.
| |
Reach out to the Wider Community | |
|
Event Title: Inherent Worth and Dignity in Illinois Prisons
Where: In-person at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park, IL or on Zoom (pre-register here to receive the Zoom link).
When? Sunday, March 26
The public is welcome to attend any or all of our events:
10 AM Worship Service at Unity Temple led by Rev. Alison Farnum, Executive Director of UU Prison Ministry of Illinois
Noon Lunch at Unity Temple in Unity House (optional)
12:45 PM Viewing of the film, Stateville Calling, in Unity Temple's Unity House and on Zoom.
1:45 PM Panel discussion in Unity House and on Zoom with Vincent and Anthony of the Illinois Prison Project, moderated by Bill Ryan (whose work on Elder Parole is featured in the film) and Cathy Blanford.
This is a free event and open to the public, both on Zoom and in person. A free-will offering will be collected to help off-set the cost of lunch.
Pre-registration required for lunch and to receive the Zoom link. Pre-register here
Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org
| |
|
Bayside UU Family Camp
Looking for a great summer experience? Join us at Bayside UU Family Camp held at Lutherdale Camp on the shores of Lauderdale Lakes in Elkhorn, WI. This year, camp will take place July 2nd to 8th. This special week includes adult workshops, activities for children, free time for family fun and relaxation, and intergenerational activities. For more information visit our website at baysideuu.org or contact baysideuu@gmail.com.
| |
For the past two years, the Article II Study Commission engaged thousands of UUs in theological reflection and thoughtful discernment about what is at the heart of our living tradition. The passionate responses they received indicated some important consensus about what it means to be UU. They integrated this feedback into their proposed revision of Article II. Get the proposal, report, and a wealth of resources to engage in faithful discernment ahead of General Assembly this June
| |
|
You can browse the new inSpirit catalog on our website. You can also download it in a PDF format. And the print version will be in stock early in the new year.
To have a copy sent to you, please contact the bookstore staff at bookstore@uua.org, providing your name and mailing address, or use this form. You may place orders online, email us, or call and leave us a message. Your purchase supports the bookstore, the important work being done by publishers Beacon Press and Skinner House Books, and the programs and services of the UUA that serve to support congregations—thank you so much!
| |
|
Click here for our Congregational Covenant
See the latest approved Board Minutes & Reports
December
January
| Office Hours: Wednesdays 1-3pm, other times by appointment | |
Our Board Members:
Sue McCowin - President
President Elect -Sandy Eckert
Janet Burns - Treasurer
Irene Raven- Secretary
Steve Lyons - Trustee
Ivy Sitkoski- Trustee
Ted Funn- Trustee
| | | |
Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation
5603 Bull Valley Road
McHenry, IL 60050
| | | | |
