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Dear DUUC Members and Friends,

I have never been into the practice of New Year’s resolutions. For me it is kind of like not eating chocolate for Lent. They don’t tend to last the whole year and oftentimes seem superficial.

That said, one of the most meaningful practices at New Year’s I have heard about is from my friend and former colleague, UU religious educator Tim Atkins. Each year, Tim chooses one word as a theme for the coming year. You can read more about his practice here. I like this practice as it focuses more on the practice of becoming our full potential, rather than beginning a practice that is not necessarily a part of who we are (which is what I find resolutions to be.)

From my earliest childhood, I knew that we humans are meant to be our fullest selves. Now, as a child, that meant perfecting our behavior to avoid sin and the punishment in the afterlife. Now, in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, I believe in our lifelong transformation so we can draw the circle wider in our hopes of creating Beloved Community. We are not perfect, in fact, we cannot ever be perfect, but we can always transform to more fully embrace our selfhood. We can always become more self-actualized in our pursuit of bringing justice to the world. 

That last sentence feels contradictory, it is not though. Let me explain. The more we know ourselves, understanding our motives, our weaknesses, our strengths, the more we bring those things in our communities. We gift our community our strengths and our communities fill in and teach us through our weaknesses. Together, through deep, committed relationships that challenge and encourage us to thrive, we create a more justice community and thus, a more justice-filled community. It may sound odd that we have to know ourselves to transform our world, but that is exactly what self-realization is all about. 

More importantly, that is exactly the reason that churches, especially Unitarian Universalist churches exist. We are meant to challenge, to grow, to strive in our thriving and flourishing for each other and our world. 

My friend Tim’s practice is one that allows us to consider this process of changing and growing ourselves to bring justice to the world. If this practice speaks to you (a word for the year that challenges you to grow), may I suggest one of these words for your theme of the year? And with it a suggestion of reading for you to consider as well.

Integrity

Welcoming

Healing

Conflict

Curiosity

Journeying with you,

rev. mandi huizenga

Sunday Service

In-person and Online

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Single service 

10:00 am - Worship Service - All ages

11:15 am - Adult Education 

Time is our most precious commodity. How we use it (or don't use it) determines who we are and how we engage the world. Home (the 1st place) and work (the 2nd place) demand the most of our time, but where do we spend our time when we're not at home or work? What do we support and what supports us? In this Service we will explore our Third Places & why participating in them is essential for healing loneliness and changing our community. This Service is multigenerational with opportunities for all ages to engage!

Adult Education @ 11:15am

Science Sunday (Learning Center) 

Scott Thompson will talk about Scientific Wonders of this century... so far! 

Sunday, January 14, 2024

9:00 AM Worship Service - All ages

10:00 AM Coffee Hour - All ages

10:15 AM Education Hour - All ages

11:30 AM - Worship Service - All ages

The Worship services will be identical in content and order.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, join us to learn and experience the role of music in combating oppression and finding hope through despair.

10:15 am Education & Social Hour

Keys to Flourishing and Loving: An Emerging Way – Part 1 (Sanctuary)

An experiential workshop facilitated by Randy Schenkat

Looking at Forces of Destruction that are limiting our collective thriving especially around the unequal use of power. Seeing the traps of our common ways of viewing how the world works. Hearing stories of a new breed of organizations – for profit and non profits that are bringing forth new operating systems which catalyze growth and flourishing of co-workers while being very financially successful. Imagining new possibilities in social justice and vibrant democracy and considering what this might mean for our DUUC voice. Creating structures and practices that enable human flourishing and deepen capacities for a loving world.

Randy worked with Winona(MN) Council for Quality for 25+ years

www.winonaworks.com. He has BBA and Special Ed Administration Licensure from UW-Madison and has practiced as a school psychologist, special education teacher and administrator, college professor, and public school and higher education change agent before the Quality Council role.

Meet & Greet (Learning Center)

Would you like to get to know more people in the congregation? Meet & Greet is a great way for new members, visitors, and established members to get to know one another in a small group setting. Walk-ins are welcome, though registration is helpful for set-up. Contact Tina Lewis tlewis@dupageuuchurch.org to register.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

9:00 AM Worship Service - All ages

10:00 AM Coffee Hour - All ages

10:15 AM Education Hour - All ages

11:30 AM - Worship Service - All ages

The Worship services will be identical in content and order.

We are awakening to a new age of parenting and worship…let’s explore how DUUC is experimenting and learning about each.

10:15 am Education & Social Hour

Science Sunday (Learning Center)

Mike Winter will be discussing "The Making of the Fittest" and exploring the links between DNA and evolutionary change. We will investigate how DNA acts, in one instance, as an innovative process that initiates the changes that caused evolutionary progress for the last 3 billion years, and in other ways as a conservative regulator that stops radically dangerous mutations from threatening life on Earth! We hope to see you there! 

Keys to Flourishing and Loving: An Emerging Way – Part 2 (Sanctuary)

An experiential workshop facilitated by Randy Schenkat

Looking at Forces of Destruction that are limiting our collective thriving especially around the unequal use of power. Seeing the traps of our common ways of viewing how the world works. Hearing stories of a new breed of organizations – for profit and non profits that are bringing forth new operating systems which catalyze growth and flourishing of co-workers while being very financially successful. Imagining new possibilities in social justice and vibrant democracy and considering what this might mean for our DUUC voice. Creating structures and practices that enable human flourishing and deepen capacities for a loving world.

Randy worked with Winona(MN) Council for Quality for 25+ years

www.winonaworks.com. He has BBA and Special Ed Administration Licensure from UW-Madison and has practiced as a school psychologist, special education teacher and administrator, college professor, and public school and higher education change agent before the Quality Council role.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

9:00 AM Worship Service - All ages

10:00 AM Coffee Hour - All ages

10:15 AM Education Hour - All ages

11:30 AM - Worship Service - All ages

The Worship services will be identical in content and order.

Our Church’s mission statement says, “We gather as an inclusive community to grow in character, mind and spirit and to transform the world toward fairness, love and compassion.” What does it really mean to grow in character, mind, and spirit?

10:15 am Education & Social Hour

Covenant of Engagement (Sanctuary)

facilitated by Committee on Shared Ministry

The January special offering will benefit DUUC’s SMILE project.

The SMILE project was designed to provide mentoring and work experience to high school students who are not the top of their class, nor in the bottom quarter, but those who could use encouragement and help to prepare for entering the workforce after high school. We are also attempting to offer our congregation a means to help reduce racism in our community by creating opportunities for businesspeople in our community to build relationships between themselves and young people of color. We have mentored 36 students, impacted 18 business groups, including two police departments. In addition, family members from each student have felt the effects of these experiences as have the leaders of the four high schools which the students have attended.

The November special offering raised $1788.19 in support of the Humanitarian Service Project. Thank you for your continuing generosity.

Registration required - please click here.

News and activities abound!

Have you noticed ALL that is happening in our active and we've-got-it-going-on! church community? The weeklies and first-of-month newsletter are so full of great news, activities, and opportunities that the email message often can't show it all, so is "clipped." All that goodness is a great problem to have, but be sure to note the link - at the top of the message - that encourages you to view the full weekly/newsletter message as a webpage. Don't miss a thing!

Christmas Eve Pageant 2023!

Thank you to all those who participated. To see more fabulous photos visit our DUUC Coffee Hour Facebook page. 

Pathway to Membership

We believe that every individual is on their unique spiritual journey, and our church provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for people of all backgrounds and beliefs to explore their path. Are you curious to learn what being a member of DUUC is all about? Please join our two part Pathway to Membership class. In the first session, participants will share stories about their religious/spiritual histories and learn about the histories of Unitarian Universalism and DUUC. The second session will focus on how the church works, what membership offers, what it means to be a member, and how we can build a future together. Childcare may be offered upon request. To register contact Tina Lewis at

tlewis@dupageuuchurch.org. 

Winter Schedule

January 21 & 28 from 1:00-4:00 pm

February 18 & 25 from 1:00-4:00 pm

March 17 & 24 from 1:00-4:00 pm

Pathway to Membership On-Line

An on-line version of our membership class is currently being developed. If your location or schedule prevents you from participating in our in-person membership classes, we want to learn more about your availability to meet on Zoom. Contact tlewis@dupageuuchurch.org.

Meet & Greet Winter Schedule

Would you like to get to know more people in the congregation? We host a special social gathering on the second Sunday of each month in the Learning Center. It's a great way for new members, visitors, and established members to get to know one another in a small group setting. Walk-ins are welcome, though registration is helpful for set-up. Winter schedule: January 14 and March 10. Note: No M&G in February. To register contact:

tlewis@dupageuuchurch.org

New Young(ish) Adult Group

If you are in your 20's or 30's, you won't want to miss our kick off meeting Sunday, January 14 at 5:30pm in Kreves Hall. Pizza will be provided. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is helpful in planning food. Contact tlewis@dupageuuchurch.org to register. 

Volunteer! 

In the spirit of being an inclusive and welcoming church community, we take pride in our hospitality efforts. Coffee Hour provides an opportunity for people of all ages to connect with one another before attending adult and youth learning opportunities between services. Offering coffee, tea, and lemonade during this time makes people feel more comfortable and at home on Sunday mornings. Many helping hands are needed to support Coffee Hour, that is why we are reaching out to everyone in the congregation to serve. The winter schedule may be found  here. Please add your name to the list as many times as you like! Reminders will go out to teams the week before they are scheduled to serve. Thank you in advance for contributing to the warm and welcoming experiences of Sunday mornings at DUUC.

Food for fueling young minds

Statistics show that, in general, 39% of community college students are food insecure. This month the DUUgooders chalice circle is working with the College of Dupage to stock its "Fuel Pantry" shelves for food-insecure students who need assistance fueling their bodies and minds with food to help them achieve their scholastic and life goals. January 10 - 28 you'll see Fuel Pantry bins in the entryway. Please consider dropping off some non-perishable items during the month.

The most in-demand items include:

• Cereal
• Granola Bars
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Canned Soups & Ramen
• Canned Chicken & Tuna
• Canned or Dried Beans
• Pasta & Sauce
• 
  

Or any other non-perishable food is welcome. Thank you!

DUUC Memorial Garden:

Our Ash Scattering Procedures

The Facilities Committee has developed procedures to administer the Memorial Garden and ash scattering at our church. The Memorial Garden, located just outside the window from the library in Kreves Hall, is a place for reflection, drawing, writing and/or just sitting peacefully. Separate from the Memorial Garden are ash scattering areas. Ashes from eligible individuals may be scattered in designated places according to the procedures approved by the Board on September 19, 2023. To see this document please follow this link.

Final DUUC Grounds Long Range Management Strategy

As you are well aware the buildings on our property have changed over the years, and this has caused the nature of the vegetation growth on our property to change. Also, the church has received a new section of property to the north with lots of fast-growing weeds and other invasive plants to manage. 

In mid-2021 the Board tasked a workgroup to develop a plan to better manage our property as much of it was becoming "shaggy." The workgroup finalized a report for the Board in late 2021, and subsequently conducted a congregational survey in early 2022 to get specific comments on where and how to improve it. With useful feedback, and now with the experience of managing its unique features in the 2022 summer growing season, the Facilities Committee has finalized a long range plan that we can use to direct our maintenance and prairie contractors, and to use DUUC volunteers to focus on specialty areas. 

This report was submitted to the Board on December 04, 2023; view the Grounds Long Range Management Strategy. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Facilities Committee. 

Finally, as part of our Service Auction, the Facilities Committee offered a tour of the grounds on May 5, 2024. There are still a few spots left on this tour, so if you are interested, please contact the Facilities Committee. 

Auction Event High Season!

While there were a few eager (and super-organized) donors with late-2023 parties, January starts Auction-event high season for event throwers and goers! Your Auction team reminds you:

Party and event donors, please be sure to contact your guests in a timely manner as your event date nears. Party and event purchasers, please be sure to mark your calendars. If you are unable to attend as a date nears, let your host know. Your host, with assistance from Tina as requested, can offer your spot to someone else.

• Winners: Silent Auction parties and events 
• Winners: Live Auction parties and events 
• Winners: Silent Tours and Services

Donor and winner contact information is available in the Church Directory. Access the up-to-date directory via REALM. Questions? Contact auction@dupageuuchurch.org.

'Tater and Vader

There are a few more spots available for the 'Tater and Vader Auction dinner and movie offering! Join us for a baked potato-and-toppings feast and Star Wars flick on January 20 at 5:00pm in the Learning Center. $15 per family. If you are interested, please contact auction@dupageuuchurch.org by January 16.

Did you lose a car key?

DuPage PADS received a trunk load of donations from someone from our church on January 10. Upon sorting through the items, they found a car key. It was in a red gift bag along with girls underwear/undershirts. 

If this is your key, please contact Taryn Julius at DuPage PADS:

630.682.3846 ext. 3703

tjulius@dupagepads.org

Accessibility during Sunday Services 

Happy New Year from the Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry Team at DUUC! We are re-upping this article highlighting some of the accessibility features available during Sunday Services.

• Our sanctuary has a Hearing Loop assistive listening system, so audio will go directly to your hearing device via its T-coil. If you do not have a device with T-coil capability, you may ask an usher for a receiver and earphone.  
• Large print hymnals and large print orders of service are available from the ushers.
• Seating is flexible. Chairs may be moved to accommodate strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs. If you need assistance with seating, please see an usher. Chairs with arms are available at the ends of some rows for those who need them.
• Auto generated closed captioning (CC) is available during the livestream and on archived recordings of Sunday Services. 

For more information about AIM and accessibility accommodations at DUUC, please see the AIM page and the ADA accessibility statement on DUUC’s website.

The DUUC Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry Team strives to increase awareness of issues surrounding disability and disability rights and to help make all church programs and spaces as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you have questions about AIM at DUUC, have accessibility or inclusion questions, suggestions, or concerns at church, and/or would like to join the DUUC AIM Team, please email us at aim@dupageuuchurch.org.

DUUC Library News

Have an overdue DUUC Library book? No problem! No judgements! No fines! Just drop it off in the basket in the Library alcove area in Kreves Hall.

January Kindred Circle Events

January 11 @ 7pm New Moon: Come build your intentions for this new moon cycle. Fellowship to follow.

January 25 @ 7pm Full Moon: Come celebrate the full moon in all it’s glory and release your intentions for this moon cycle. Fellowship to follow.

Questions? Please contact Cheryl Kuczynski cheryl.kuczynski@outlook.com

Mindfulness Meditation

Mondays 7:00pm - 8:45pm

This mindfulness meditation group is open to anyone who has interest in meditation from beginners to more advanced. Our time together consists of sitting meditation, walking meditation (when we meet in person), a short teaching and responsive group sharing.

We are meeting Hybrid in the DUUC Learning Center and on Zoom.

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 885 7102 1238

Passcode: 512058

For more information, go to our website: www.presentmomentsangha.org or contact Mary Kullman at  spiritmk7@gmail.com or Elaine Waite at elainepiedra@gmail.com.

Sunday Flowers Needed 

Celebrate a person or event by providing flowers for a Sunday service. Flowers are needed on various dates throughout 2024. You may request to have Sunday Flowers order a $35 standard arrangement for you from Phillip’s Flowers. Or, if you are planning to attend the service in person, you may choose to bring in your own arrangement from your garden or favorite flower shop. The arrangement should be brought to the sanctuary by 8:50 a.m. Your dedication will be printed in the email with the link to the on-line version of the Order of Service as well as in the printed Order of Service.  The flowers are yours to take home after the second service. If you are not attending service that day, you may contact Sheri office@dupageuuchurch.org or (630) 505-9408 to make arrangements for pick-up during office hours. Payment may be made by sending a check made out to DUUC for $35 to the church office (write “flowers” on the memo line), through the DUUC Payment Portal (select “other” under donation, and write in “flowers”), or VANCO (select “flowers fund”). Contact Kristen Tang

flowers@dupageuuchurch.org or (630) 305-7771 for more information and/or to request a date. Thank you!

Do you need to contact a staff member?

Please consider making a donation to support DuPage UU Church and all of its programs.

Text "DUUC" to 73256 using your mobile device OR click here.

Thank you!

Community Event

For those who were unable to attend the 2024 World Peace Day Interfaith Prayer Service, below is a link to the broadcast of the event.

(40:18) is the start time for DUUC.

NILA’s World Peace Day 2024 Interfaith Prayer Service is live on NCTV17.org

In the Wider Unitarian Universalist World

Click here for more information.

UU MEN’S RETREAT

NEW! Where: Baraga/St. Mary’s Retreat House, 14230 Main St. Lemont IL, 60439 · (630) 257-5102

When: Fri. Mar. 8^th (7 PM) thru Sun. Mar. 10^th (Noon), 2024

Welcoming all who identify as male. Welcoming all faiths.

Theme: Being a Male Today. We will explore the changing roles and self-images facing males today.

Our Keynote Speaker: Paul B. Koch, Jr., M.Div. D.Min. Regional Minister, Christian Church of Mid-America will deliver his address: Men’s Responses to Gender-attributed Power.

In addition to our discussions there is scheduled to be a Wilderness Walk, Chair Yoga, Drumming, Board Games and Open Mic time.

Men from Unity Temple UUC, UU Community Church (Park Forest), First Unitarian Church of Chicago, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale and Countryside Church UU are already participating.

Friday Night Pizza Party! Come hungry for food and fellowship!

Cost: The retreat costs $160 and includes a single room, two nights, three meals Saturday and breakfast Sunday.

Saturday Day Only Participation For $55—Limited Number (Includes 3 meals)

• Deposit of $20 secures you a spot.
• Scholarships available!
• Please note: Our scholarship fund is fully funded at this time.
• Full payment needed by Friday, Mar. 1^st.

Registration Link Here. Go to Search Profile/Add Profile.

Note: If you cannot afford the Retreat Fee, or have any questions please contact us at mensretreat@unitytemple.org or call 708-383-3734.