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Newsletter

May 2024

2024 Annual Meeting

Join us on June 2 at 11:30 am, in person or on Zoom!

• Approve the 2024/25 budget and slate of candidates.
• Celebrate our accomplishments and gain a peek into the next church year!

Pre-meeting, join an information session

• Review the budget: May 19 in the Adult Learning session at church and May 22 at 7pm by Zoom. Both sessions will be recorded. 

Find details on the 2024 Annual Meeting page on our website.

Sunday Service

In-person and Online

A Spring Music Service exploring love as the central value of our faith.

~By Led by Amanda Thomas, DUUC Choir Director

10:15 am Education & Social Hour

Science Sunday (Learning Center)

Anyone alive in the eighteenth century would have known that "the longitude problem" was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day- and had been for centuries. Lacking the ability to measure their longitude, sailors were regularly and literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land. We will discuss the quest for a solution by established scientists and craftsmen; and also some very bizarre attempts to establish location by less than stellar experimenters.

Come hear why longitude was so important, and so difficult to master at Science Sunday on May 5th in the Learning Center at DUUC. 

As we approach the close of our program year, with so much successful shared ministry, but also in the face of drastically changing religious landscapes, let us consider what it means to step into the unknown.

~By rev. mandi huizenga

With so much change before us and much of the news devastating, who will we choose to be at Unitarian Universalists?

~By rev. mandi huizenga

10:15 am Education & Social Hour

Budget Review (Sanctuary)

This is an opportunity to review next year’s budget and ask questions.

Science Sunday (Learning Center)

Science Slam - YOU are one of our special guests for this Science Sunday. Come and tell us about some interesting science you know, have recently discovered or are intrigued by. Choose a topic from science, for example: anthropology, cooking, economics, nutrition, weather or zoology... Or some other. If it has something to do with the way the world works and you're fascinated by it, come tell the rest of your DUUC friendly science lovers. Put together a 5-10 minute talk, demonstration or PowerPoint to help spread knowledge of the wonders of science.

Sunday, May 26, 2024

10:00 AM Worship Service - All ages

Just us for the Unitarian Universalist tradition of Flower Communion.

~Led by Laura Cuber & Amelia Deering

Sunday, June 2, 2024

10:00 AM Worship Service - All ages

On the last Sunday of our program year, we invite you to welcome and covenant with our new members. Following the service we will hold our annual congregational meeting – all are welcome to attend, members will practice our value of democracy in action.

~By rev. mandi huizenga

ZUUm Hour @ 10AM

It doesn’t have to be an hour. A time for everyone online to catch up after the morning service has concluded. All are welcome! Use the link below to join.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 836 7128 3883

Passcode: 073322

The Special Offering during May will benefit Teen Parent Connection nominated by Susan Camasta. Teen Parent Connection is a nonprofit agency serving teen parents in DuPage County, as they navigate the challenges of both parenthood and adolescence. In addition, they offer school-based pregnancy prevention education programs in middle schools and high schools to help reduce the risk of teen pregnancy. Staff, board, and community are dedicated to empowering young families and creating the best possible start for young mothers, young fathers, and their babies. Their mission is “to serve the community through education on the realities and responsibilities of teenage pregnancy and through long-term assistance to adolescent parents for their development of self-esteem, parenting skills, and empowerment towards self-sufficiency. The primary goal of the organization is to provide services that will prevent child abuse and neglect among this at-risk population. TPC is currently the only agency in our County providing comprehensive programs and services related to teen pregnancy and parenting. Four star Charity Navigator rated.

For more information visit their website at https://teenparentconnection.org/

During March $2221.09 was collected for the Riverwalk Adult Day Services. Thank you for your continuing generosity.

Delegate? Attendee? Join us! This year’s General Assembly is coming soon - in June. We’d love to have you participate as a business meeting delegate or register to attend online sessions and workshops! Information, delegate application, GA registration:

• The UUA General Assembly (GA) has moved to a rotating multi-platform / virtual schedule. This summer, GA will be virtual, with events scheduled June 20-23.
• Apply (by May 19) to be a General Assembly business meeting delegate for DuPage UU Church. (There is no cost to attend or be a delegate at the business meeting. This will be an exciting year with discussion and voting on our Principles’ Article II revision!) The Board will review applications and select a representative delegate group by end of May.
• Register to attend GA sessions and workshops online. There is an extensive lineup of sessions; many will be recorded for on-demand viewing for registered attendees.

The Coming of Age youth and mentors would like to say a heartfelt “Thank you!” to everyone for your generous support of our bake sale on April 28th. We raised $1026! The money will go toward materials to build and supply a Little Free Pantry at DUUC. Thank you!

BAG (Building and Grounds) Sunday Cleanup

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Starts 1 PM 

RAIN or SHINE 

Lunch available

Sign up for your favorite tasks at volunteersignup.org/APDX7

Weeding, Window Cleaning, Dusting, Provide lunch food, Set up Lunch, Clean up Lunch, and Other Tasks 

Choose your favorite tasks. Children are welcome to help in the company of a parent or caregiver. 

Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet: volunteersignup.org/APDX7

We can always use a few long-handled dusters, kitchen stools, and short ladders (less than 6 feet tall). Ample supplies of cleaning solutions and tools provided. If you have questions about something, email us at getinvolved@dupageuuchurch.org.

Young Adult Group

20s and 30s members and friends, come join us at our monthly Young Adults Group meeting! We will be discussing short and long-term plans for the group as well as general socializing. All people in their 20s and 30s are welcome! Sunday, May 5th at 5:00 pm in Kreves Hall. For more information, contact yag@dupageuuchurch.org.

Elders Circle

Are you interested in meeting once a month with others to discuss lifespan issues-both pro and con? Do you want to share your story and hear other’s stories, with friendly conversation and a few laughs along the way? Consider coming to the DUUC Elder Circle, which welcomes both congregants and friends. We meet monthly on the fourth Wednesday at 10 am. for two hours. It is a hybrid meeting-both in person and on Zoom. A discussion guide on an interesting topic is provided before each meeting. For more information, contact Bev Becker or Bob Harris at elders@dupageuuchurch.org. 

May Kindred Circle

May 11 - Beltane

Please come join us in celebrating Beltane with spring at it's peak and the coming of summer upon us. Also known as May Day. We hope to have the May Poll ready to go. Ritual starts at 6pm with a pot luck to follow. Please bring a dish to pass.

Questions? Please email: kindredcircle@dupageuuchurch.org

From your Library and Book Store Committee

In celebration of Mother’s Day in May, the DUUC Library will feature the book I Love My Mommy Because…” by Laurel Porter-Gaylord with illustrations by Ashley Wolff.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. Through the Take the Moment campaign, we shine a spotlight on NAMI's array of signature programs including: NAMI Basics, NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Family & Friends, NAMI Homefront, NAMI In Our Own Voice, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Support Groups and our invaluable NAMI HelpLine, which is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.”

Image description: “Take the Moment” is written in large white and blue block letters against an orange background. In the upper right hand corner, text reads “2024 Mental Health Awareness Month.” Text in the lower right hand corner reads “NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness.”

You can support Mental Health Awareness Month anytime! Here are some suggested ways to get involved:

●    Raise awareness by sharing your mental health story or reading the personal journeys of others at NAMI’s Personal Stories webpage.

●    Post, share, and/or follow social media about Mental Health Awareness Month by using the hashtags #MentalHealthMonth, #MHM, and #TakeTheMoment. See the NAMI 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit for more ideas.

●    Donate to NAMI, NAMI DuPage or other organizations that advocate for better treatment and acceptance of people with mental illness.

●    Sign up for NAMI’s federal action alerts to participate in advocacy for better mental health policies at both local and federal levels.

●    Take a Mental Health First Aid Course to learn how to better support those in your community experiencing mental health issues.

For those who are experiencing a crisis or struggling through a difficult time in life, our church offers support through PMA, Pastoral Ministry Associates. Contact us at pmagroupleaders@dupageuuchurch.org

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.

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: 871 1920 5816

Passcode: 897802

For more information, go to our website: www.presentmomentsangha.org 

Sunday Flowers Needed 

Celebrate a person or event by providing flowers for a Sunday service. Flowers are needed for various dates throughout the summer months. 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!

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!

In the Wider Unitarian Universalist World

Mini-MUUSA 2024

This year MUUSA will be held at the UU Church of Bloomington in Bloomington, Indiana on July 3-7. Registration is now open. Learn more at https://www.muusa.org/brochure. To register visit muusa.org.

Be Part of the virtual 2024 General Assembly

Enjoy prominent speakers, dynamic worship, and exclusive access to on-demand programming. Seasoned attendee, or first-timer? Either way, join in this extraordinary gathering! REGISTER HERE.

Community Event

Join the 33rd Annual DuPage County River Sweep!

Saturday, May 4th, 2024

9:00am — 12:00pm

The annual River Sweep is a coordinated stream cleanup held each spring throughout DuPage County and parts of Will, along the DuPage River. The purpose of the one-day event is to encourage volunteer groups to help “sweep our rivers clean” by picking up debris in and along local waterways. Join in the fun, and make a difference right now!

To volunteer in Naperville, contact Amy Phillips

aphillips@theconservationfoundation.org

(630) 428-4500 x113