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.

Ways of Knowing / Rev. Dawn Cooley

March Theme: Path of Vulnerability

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

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday’s chalice table flowers are given by Alison Price and are dedicated to her husband, Doug Askham, for their 25th anniversary and for his birthday.

OFFERING : Unity Temple Agnes Kelly Senior Fund

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This week our offering supports the Unity Temple Agnes Kelly Senior Fund. This fund was established to help serve the needs of elderly members of our congregation who are unable physically, mentally or financially to care for themselves, and who have no close relatives, or no relatives living nearby, who can provide such assistance.



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.

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 at Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House.

Please join our Meet&Greet gathering this Sunday from 11:30-12:30pm. It's a wonderful way for new and established congregants to get to know one another. Refreshments will be served and we will gather in Gale House, the green building next door to Unity Temple. Questions Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org. Hope to see you this Sunday, March 5 at 11:30 in Gale House!

A Big THANK YOU from the 2023 Auction Team!

The 2023 UTUUC AUCTION is over & was a great success because of you – our generous donors & bidders!!

Auction Results : This year’s auction involved a large number of the UUCOP community – both bidder & donors. There were 190+ bidding units (families, couples, singles) which translates to over 300 people involved in the auction. This is an amazing number! To date, the auction surpassed its stretch goal of $30,000! 

Thank you for your support of community & financial support. We will finalize all the numbers over the next few weeks but we wanted to share the good news with you.

We could not have done this without your support. Thank you from the 2023 Auction Team!

Spring Pathway to Membership Schedule

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 1:30-4pm. Childcare is available upon request. In addition, on-line accommodations can be made. The spring schedule is March 12 & 19 and April 9 & 16. To register contact tlewis@unitytemple.org

Softball is back for 2023!

The coed team is back and would like to invite any and all who want to get out and have fun regardless of your skill. We welcome all! 

• Co-ed 14-inch League
• League Fees: $65 per player
• Season Begins Week of April 12, 2023
• 10-game regular season, plus post-season tournament for those who qualify
• Games are on Friday
• Game times are at 7, 8, 9 and 10pm (times subject to change)
•  All games played at Ridgeland Common Park
• Team communication is managed with TeamSnap
• Practice is TBD (typically Saturdays or Sundays)

If this sounds like something you are interested or have questions reach out to Mike Cantrell at sports@unitytemple.org.

Updating Your Contact Information in Realm - Online Directory We recently enabled the text messaging feature in Realm to use as a communication tool to reach out to congregants with emergency or urgent information when needed. If you haven't done so already, please ensure that we have a current mobile phone number on file for you in Realm.

To login to the directory, please visit this link. If you do not know your login credentials to Realm, please reach out to Ashley Lottino and she can assist you with resetting your password or getting you set up with login credentials. We've also created some helpful instructions on how to update your contact information and privacy settings. 

Food & Fellowship 

Monthly "Brown-Bag Lunch with the Minister(s)" will take place on March 16, the third Thursday of the month from 11:30am - 12:30pm. These new opportunities to connect will be in person at 1019 South Blvd. Bring your lunch!

Save the Date! Spring Music Festival 2023 will take place at Unity Temple on April 29 at 7pm. Adults: $20 presale / $25 at the door and children (13 and under): $5. Online ticket sales as well as in-person ticket sales after service begin on March 19.

The annual Spring Music Festival showcases the outstanding talent of members and friends of the congregation. Anchored by the Unity Temple Players (our house band), this not-to-be-missed event includes professionals as well as the very best amateur talent of our musical family. Proceeds provide scholarships for community area high school students who compete for one of three $1,000 awards applied to voice instruction and to benefit the UTUUC General Operating Fund. Questions? Please contact: springmusic@unitytemple.org.

Postcard Writing Event Want to get involved in advocacy but don’t know where to begin? An old pro at postcard writing? We welcome you. Join us on Monday, March 6, 7-8:30pm at 1019 S. Blvd. for postcard writing & comradery! Our Wisconsin neighbors need our support to help get out the vote in the upcoming elections.

We will supply:

• The postcards from our Wisconsin UU State Action Network (learn more here).
• Voter addresses.
• Detailed directions on what to write (this is non-partisan, values-driven to help GOTV)
• Light refreshments.  

You supply: 

• Postage (we have some donated stamps so please don’t let cost be a barrier!)   
• The fun and comradery of joining together in this important work. 

If you have questions or are unable to attend, but would like to donate toward postage, please contact us: UTUUC LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice Team - reproductive@unitytemple.org.

Inherent Worth & Dignity: Behind Bars in IL Prisons Join us on Sunday, March 26 at Unity Temple for worship, lunch, film, and panel discussion. Pre-register here for this free event by March 22. 

• 10am - Worship service with Rev. Allison Farnum, Executive Director of UU Prison Ministry of Illinois
• 12pm - Lunch in Unity House (optional)
• 12:45pm - View the film Stateville Calling (in-person or via Zoom)
• 1:45pm - Panel Discussion with Vincent and Anthony of the IL Prison Project, moderated by Bill Ryan and Cathy Blanford (in-person or via Zoom)

This is a free event and open to the public. Lunch and Zoom requires pre-registration. A free-will offering will be collected to help off-set the cost of lunch. Questions? Contact: restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.

LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice Thanks to all who have signed-up to join our new LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice team. We are working with local partners to organize education, advocacy, and a rapid response team. Together, let's help create the networks of care needed to uplift the right to bodily autonomy! Sign-up here to receive updates.

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.

Everybody In! Join our partners with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights! 

Our communities in Illinois need economic justice, healthcare access, and racial equity to prosper! Contact your state legislators here to ask for their support or thank them for already signing on to:

• Fully fund the Immigrant Service Line Item for economic relief and citizenship support
• Create a child tax credit for Illinois families, including those who file taxes with ITIN
• Make driver's licenses and state IDs available to all residents
• Reduce medical debt for those who are uninsured or underinsured by requiring nonprofit hospitals to screen for program eligibility before billing a patient

Questions? Contact: immigration@unitytemple.org.

Unhoused Neighbors Need Your Help

Housing Forward needs your help to support 15 individuals and families experiencing homelessness. If interested in volunteering at the shelter (38 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park) or providing a meal for shelter guests, please sign up here. Questions? Contact housingforward@unitytemple.org.

Faith in Action Newsletter To learn more about living our mission through our Faith in Action Network, check out the latest newsletter here. You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen, Assistant Minister for Faith in Action cvahey@unitytemple.org.

Sacred Wanderings 

Saturday, March 4, 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! 

Tuesday Evening Mindful Reflection Community 

meets virtually and in person in Unity House at Unity Temple. Meeting opens at 7pm EST for camaraderie, the program starts promptly at 7:20pm. 

Vaccinations are encouraged, masks are optional. 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

Religious EducationEach 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.

The Annual Fund Drive Reached 92% of Our Goal As of March 2, 2023 we have a pledge total of $851,496 towards the goal of $924,500. 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.

UTUUC Office Hours UTUUC Office Hours The office/community center located at 1019 South Blvd is open Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm. If you are looking for access to the office outside of these hours, reach out to staff associated with your needs to make arrangements. For Administration, contact Brian Franklin at bfranklin@unitytemple.org, Membership and Engagement contact Tina Lewis at tlewis@unitytemple.org, Religious Education contact Val Ridenour at vridenour@unitytemple.org, and Music Ministry, contact Marty Swisher at mswisher@unitytemple.org. 

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.

Calendar Reservations Do you need to reserve space in one of our three buildings for a meeting, activity or event? You may make a reservation request by clicking here.

Congregational Life Table Reservation Would you like to reserve a table to promote congregational happenings during Community Hour in Unity House? 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.

We Celebrate Our Differences :: The beloved community includes people with diverse life experiences. Here at Unity Temple we call people to live out the values of our faith: interdependence, pluralism, justice, equity, generosity and transformation. 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