BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

8/6/2019 BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

1/12

B E A C O Nn i t y T e m p l e U n i t a r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t C o n g r e g a t i o nJ U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

Iamdeeplygratefultohavehadtheopportunitytotakeleavefromthelifeandminis

tryatUnityTemple.Overthe

pastsixmonths,ithasbeena

blessingtoattendtomyfam

ily,toimprovemySpanish,to

studyfamilyemotionalsys

tems

theory,

to

pursue

thea

terimprovclassesatSecond

City,tovisitotherchurches,

toreadafewnovels,tobe

availabletomyfamilyaround

thedeathofmyfatherinlaw,andmostsatisfyinglyto

havesometimehereintheChicagoareawithoutneed

ingtoworryaboutattendingtotheconstantdemandsof

ministryandbeingabletositdowntodinnerwithmy

familysevendaysaweek.

Whatwasthemostmemorableandmeaningfulpart

ofmytimeaway?ThebirthofmydaughterEricaIsabel

whowasbornMarch1.Ericahasgrownquicklyandis

alreadysmilingandjustbeginningtolaugh.Marcohas

doneacommendablejobofacceptinghisroleofbig

brother.AndIhavelearnedthatMarcowasanatypical

babyheneverspitup.Ericaregularlyleaveshermarkon

myshirts,nowoftensmiling.AndEricaisahappybaby

mostofthetime,wholovesconversationsthatarent

muchmorethancooingonherend.

AngieandIaremuchlessstressedthistimearound

inbringingachildintotheworld,andIamsurprisedat

howmucheasierithasbeentoattendtoErica,spitup

aside.AngiesaysthisisbecausesheiswithEricafar

morethanme!Addinganothermemberofthefamily

bringstremendouschange,andoneofthemisthetimeI

havewithMarcointhemorningsandevenings.AndsoI

returnamongyounotonlyhavinghadaprolongedres

pitefrommydutiesbutalsowithadifferentsetofpri

maryrelationshipsamongmyownfamily.Ihavegrown

andchanged.

Iimagineyouhavegrownandchangedaswell.Iun

derstandthatthecongregationhasthrivedduringthe

lastsixmonths.Newmembershavejoined,babieshave

beenborn,childrendedicated,couplesmarried,dozens

ofpeoplehavereceivedpastoralsupport,andthelead

ershiphaseffectivelyrunthechurchwithoutme.

AsIreturn,Ilookforwardtolearninghowyouhave

changedasindividualsandasacongregation.Ilookfor

wardtoreenteringcongregationallife.Ilookforwardto

returningtothepulpit.Ilookforwardtoshapingour

sharedvisionforourfutureamongyou.

Lastly,Imustexpressmyappreciationforallthose

whohavesteppedforwardtomakethepastsixmonths

suchavitaltimeforthecongregation.DuaneDowellhas

navigatedtheCongregationaspresidentwithwisdom

andaplomb;IanMorrisonhasledstrategicplanning;

Rev.EmilyGagehasguidedourleadershipwithherat

tentivepresence;DavidWilkehasskillfullydirectedthe

administration;andawholehostofothershavestepped

in,doubtlessmanyIamnotevenawareof.

Thankyoutoallwhohavemadethesesixmonthsa

success.Ilookforwardtobeginningthenextchapterof

myministryamongyou.

Warmly,

Ifyouhaveexperiencewiththeaterimprovandare

availablethemorningofJuly31,contactRev.Taylor

at7088486225x101.TheservicethemeisATheol

ogyofImprovisationandwillincludeimprovexer

cisesbymembersofourcommunity.

WelcomeBackRev.AlanTaylorandHisFamily!On

Sunday,July3,wewillwelcomebackAlan,Angie,

MarcoandEricawithanAllCongregationPotluck

Brunchandactivitiesfollowingthe9a.m.service.

Brunchwillbeonthepatiofollowedbyabeanbag

tournament&gamesacrossthestreetinScoville

Park.Don'tmissthisspecialevent!

FROM REV. ALAN TAYLOR


2/12

2 TheBeacon

Are YOU New? Welcome!IntroductiontoUnitarianUniversalism

ThissessionistheprerequisiteforthePathwaysto

Membershipcourse,andisopentoanyonewhowould

liketolearnmoreaboutUnitarianUniversalist

philosophy,identity,history,andtheology.Formore

informationandtoregisterforthisclass,contactSue

[email protected].

InstructorisRev.EmilyGage.Nextclassdate:Sunday,

August7,2011,from1to3p.m.Location:UnityHouse.

No

charge.

PathwaystoMembership

Thistwosessionclassisforthosewhohavealready

takenIntroductiontoUnitarianUniversalism.

Participantswillreflectonanddiscusstheirpersonal

attitudesandbeliefsaboutreligionandspiritualitywith

othersintheclass,andlearnmoreaboutour

congregationanditsprograms.Formoreinformationor

toregisterforthisclass,contactRobBellmarat

[email protected]:

Saturdays,August13and20,2011,from9a.m.tonoon.

Location:UnityHouse.Cost:$20.

Forfreechildcareatalloftheseopportunities,contact

[email protected].

MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SummerServices 2

MembershipOpportunities 2

BoardofTrustees 3

MinisterofFaithDevelopment 3

CommunityMinister 4

MusicDirector 5

AdultReligiousEnrichment 6

ReligiousEducation 7

ChaliceCircles 8

SocialMission 9

ReportfromChicagoAreaUUCouncil 10

PurpleSagesComeHometoUT 10

July&AugustEventsNotToMiss 11

INSIDE THIS ISSUEUMMER SERVICES9 a.m. onlyJuly3 :: ReadyorNot

Rev.AlanTaylor

Offering:PeoplesChurchofChicagoHomeless

Ministry

July10 :: AWelcomingCongregationProcess

JanetHolden

Offering:UnitarianUniversalistChurchofBrunswick,

Maine

July17:: IsForgivenessAlwaysPossible?

MadeleineVanHecke

Offering:DisabledAmericanVeterans

July24 ::MakingPeace

DianeScottandtheUTUUCPeaceCommittee

Offering:ClusterTutoringProgram

July31 :: ATheologyofImprovisation,PartI

Rev.AlanTaylor

Offering:LawyersCommitteeforBetterHousing

August7 :: ATheologyofImprovisation,PartII

Rev.AlanTaylor

Offering:PCCWellnessCenter

August14 :: SpiritualityFoundinGardening

TheSquashBlossoms:CathyBusking,AnneWhite,

SunnyHall,MonicaPhillips,SharonStorbeck,

MaribethPerosino,RoccoPetrosino

Offering: OakLeydenDevelopmentalServices

August21::TheBreathofLife

Rev.EmilyGage

Offering:OakParkAreaLesbianandGayAssociation

August28 ::SayingYestoLife

Rev.AlanTaylor

Offering: Depression&BipolarSupportAlliance

Office Closed August 1-5TheUTUUCAdministrativeOfficewillbeclosedAugust1

through5andreopenAugust8.


3/12

July/August2011 3

From the Board PresidentDuane [email protected]!!Hasitreallybeen18months?Whataprivilegeithasbeentobeyourofficialrepresentativeatsuchanimportanttimeinthelifeofour

congregation.WithAlanTayloronsabbatical,itis

amazinghowmanypeoplehavesteppeduptotheplate

anddemonstratedwhatahealthyandvibrantcommu

nityweshare.SpecialthankstoEmilyGageandDavid

WilkewhohavesteeredtheAdministrativeTeamand

theprofessionalstaffthroughallthedaytoday

responsibilitiesofmakingacongregationhum.

AtourJunemeetingtheBoardreviewedthebudgetapprovedbythecongregationattheAnnualMeeting

anddirectedtheAdministrativeTeamtoproposesome

guidelinesattheJulymeetingbasedonsomerecent

increaseinpledges.Wealsoapprovedsomechangesin

thePolicyManualthatguidesthestaffintheirdaily

operations.Furthermore,theBoardapprovedamotion

toengageaprofessionalaccountingfirmtobeginuson

apathtoanexternalauditofourcongregational

finances.Todatewehavedependedontheservicesof

volunteermemberswithexpertiseinthefieldto

performanannualinternalauditandithasservedus

well.Thiswillmoveustowardamoreindependentand

responsiblemanagementofourbusinesspractices.

Freshleadershipwilltakethehelmaswebeginour

fiscalyearonJuly1.TheBoardofTrusteeswillelectits

officersonJuly12.

Ourworshipcommitteehaslinedupastimulating

arrayofspeakersforoursummerservices.Remember,

onlyoneserviceat9a.m.untilSeptember11.Seeyouin

church!

REPORTFROMTHEBOARDOF TRUSTEES FROM REV. EMILY GAGEMinister of Faith DevelopmentEmily [email protected]

Water, Water EverywhereWe NeedSome for Unity Temple!Sunday,September11,willbeourHomecomingSunday

withWorshipForAllAges.(Backtotwoservicesthat

day!)We'llcelebrateourcomingtogether,and

welcomingRev.AlanTaylorbackwithawateringather

ingceremony.Allyouneedtodoistobringsomewater

fromwhereveryourjourneystakeyouthissummer

whethernearorfartohelpmakethecelebrationextra

special!Thanks!

I

vehadmyhandsandhead

full

of

a

lot

of

paperwork

recently.Ourfamilyismoving

(closertoUnityTemple),and

sothereareallkindsofthings

onthelistswitchingoffand

switchingonutilities,getting

therightformsforresidentvehiclestickers,faxingthisor

scanningthattothispersonandthat.Iguessitsnot

evensomuchliterallypaperworkthesedays.Still,itisa

seeminglyendlessstreamofdetails,allapparently

accessedwithapassword.Sometimesitseemslikethe

listwillneverbecompleted.

ImremindedofthetitlestoryofAnneLamotts

excellentwritingbook,BirdbyBird.Anniesbrotherhad

aschoolassignmenttodoabookfullofbirds,oneof

thosebiglongtermprojects.Buthedidntsitdowntodo

ituntilthenightbeforetheprojectwasdue.That

eveninghesatdownbeforethemountainofwork,

overwhelmed,andwonderedaloudtohisdad,Howam

Ievergoingtodothisproject?Birdbybird,saidhis

dad.Justtakeitbirdbybird.

Andsoitisthatwemakeourwaythroughmuchof

whathastobedone.Birdbybird,onestepatatime,

untilwevemadeitthrough.

VerylatelastDecember,ourseniorministertheRev.

AlanTaylorleftonhisfirst(andwelldeserved)sabbati

cal. Sixmonthssoundedlikeaverylongtimebackthen,

andthereweresomanyplanstoputthingsinplacefor

hisabsence.Somehow,morequicklythanIthought,

SundaybySunday,wearejustaboutthroughthis

sabbatical.Andwehaventjustsurvived;wevethrived.

Weveheardallkindsofwonderfulpreachersand

speakers,weveseizednewlearningopportunities,weve

discoveredhowmucheachofuscouldstepintonew

areasofleadership,wevefoundnewwaysofbeingwith

oneanother.IknowitsbeenagiftforAlan,andithas

trulybeenagiftforusaswell.

IhopeIhavementionedthisbefore:Iamtrulyproud

ofthiscongregationandallthatyouareandhavedone,

especiallyinthesepastsixmonths.Especiallywhenthe

seniorministerwasonsabbaticalandacertainMinister

ofFaithDevelopmenthadanunexpectedlifechangeand

somematernityleave.Yourgenerosityofspiritandyour

leadershiparearealgift.

continuedonnextpage


4/12

4 TheBeaconFROMTHE COMMUNITYMINISTERRev. Clare [email protected]

Ihappenedtobeinchurch

ontheSundayafterthe

rapturethatdidntoccur.

NotUnityTemple,butavery

friendlyUnitedChurchof

ChristoutinCrystalLake.I

jokedthattheministerhadaskedaUnitariantoguest

preachthatmorningjusttobesuretherewassomeone

inthepulpit.Andthenwewentonwiththeworship

services,praying,confessing,thanking,andthinking

aboutourrelationshiptootherpeopleonthisplanetand

otherlivingthingsbesidespeople.

Meanwhiletherewererecordfloodsalloverthe

MississippiRiverValley,recordfiresanddraughtover

mostofTexas,andtornadoesontheEasternSeaboard.

Andafoxcametovisitusonourpatio,inthemiddleof

Bronzeville.

SoIguesswecanunderstandwhysomeare

convincedthattherapturemustbeimminent.WhatI

suspectisimminentissomethingharderforustograsp.

Therearealmost7billionhumanbeingsonthisplanet

now,competingwithotherspeciesforthedwindling

resourcebase,andalteringthefragilebalanceoflife

throughouractivities,mainlytheactivitiesofindustrial

izedcountries.WhiletheUnitedStatesmayhave

successfullyreducedtheoverallamountofenviron

mentaldamagewedowithinourborders,muchofthis

reductionisduetotheexportofourmanufacturingto

othercountries,mostnotablyChina,whodonotshare

ourlegalpriorityforpollutionprevention,sowestill

havetoownthoseemissions.

Whatishappeningisafunctionofhumandensity

andthemomentinhistory.ItsnotBiblical.TheBiblical

authorshadnoideathathumanbeingscouldinfluence

thenaturalworldtothedegreethatwehave.Butitcan

seemlikeitsometimes.Anditsscary.

Whenthescaleofwhatshappeningoverwhelmsus

wesometimeschoosetooptoutofthewholeissuein

response,decidingthatwhateverwemightdowillbe

toolittletohaveanyimpact.Orwedolittlepersonal

things,almosttalismanicallyasifourcompostpractices

(goodthoughtheymightbe)couldrescueasuffering

planetfromdoom.Orwecandisregardthescience

altogether,asifwecouldlegallyrepealgravity,orthe

20thCentury,assomeinourgovernmentseemtobe

tryingtodo.Noneofthisworks.Whatwillworkisa

renewedsenseofthecommonsofbeinginthis

togetherandofworkingtogetheringoodwilltofigure

outwhatthebestpublicpoliciesaretoprovidedecent

livelihoodtothegreatestpossiblenumberofhuman

beingswhilepreservingthesystemsonwhichourlives

depend

for

future

generations

as

well

as

for

other

non

humanlivingthings.Itshardworkoperatingatthat

publicpolicylevel,asoursofardisappointingexperience

withourhydraulicfracturingbillhasshownus(though

wecontinuetoholdouthopeforthefallvetosessionto

getitpassed).Butitstheworkthatneedstobedone.

Theoutcomewillbeeversomuchbetterifweaccept

thatcheerfullyandturnourselvestoit,ratherthan

decidingthattheworldmustbecomingtoanend,or

evenhopingthatitis.

SummerinChicagoisareminderthatitsstilla

prettyniceworld.Ithinkitsgotsomemileageleftinit.I

dontthinkanyofusintheUUcommunitycanexpectto

berapturedoutofhereanytimesoon,soImgladthat

weseemtosharethesensethatwelldowhatwecanto

makeitmorepossible,evenjoyful,tostickaround.

WeslowdownabitinthesummerhereatUnity

Temple(andhopefullyyoucaninyourlivesaswell).

Theresjustoneworshipserviceat9eachSunday,and

lessstructuredprogrammingforouryoungpeople.Alan

will

be

preaching

a

number

of

times,

and

theyll

be

a

gatheringortwo,soifyourearound,youllhavea

changetoseehimandhisfamilybeforeHomecoming

SundayinSeptember.Illbetakingmostofmyvacation

inJuly,butIllbearoundinAugusttohelpgetthingsin

gearforthenewyear,soIllbearoundifyoudliketo

meetorchatorplanwithmeaboutanything.

Myplanbythenistobesettledintoournewhouse

withthatmovinglistallcheckedoff.InAugust,Ivegot

otherpaperworkonmyplate,akindthatIlove.Signing

Illinoiscivilunionlicenses.Isignedmyfirstonetheother

day,andtruly,itmademeweepy.Wevestillgotaway

togoforfullequalityforsamesexcouplesintheUnited

States,butinIllinois,wearesurelyonourway.Justiceis

slow,too,sometimes.Mosttimes.Ittookalongtimeto

gethere,andIreallywasntsureitwouldeverhappen.

Butitdid. Sowellgoon,birdbybird,stepbystep,

throughallthatpaperwork,untilwereachanewplace

thatbarelyseemspossiblenow.

Thanksforbeingwhoyouareanddoingwhatyoudo,

continuedfrompage 3


5/12

July/August2011 5

Marty [email protected]

MusicatUnityTemplecontinuestofeaturefriends

andmembersofourcongregationthroughoutthe9a.m.

summerservices.WearefortunatetohavePeter

Storms,BetsyDavis,AbigailAllisonandTehraHiolski

joinsusasourorganists/pianists. MaryAnnGardnerwill

sharehertalentsonJuly17,providingmusicacrossthe

agesonherrecorders. BaritoneMarkRobinsonwillbe

ourfeaturedvocalsoloistonAugust14aswillTerri

SchultzonAugust21.Musicianswithinthecongregation

areinvitedtoperformforservicesthissummerandare

encouragedtocontactMusicDirectorMartySwisher

([email protected])forcoordination.

TheUnityTempleChoirhelditsendoftheyear

appreciationdinneronJune15,followedbyitsfirst

annualtalentshow!Memberspresentedpresentations

ofhammerdulcimerandaccordionplaying,guitar,

djembe,stringbass,vocalduets,trios,operaticsolosand

duets,poetry,hamboneandmouthrhythmsaswellas

storytellingandphotosharing. Itwaswonderfuland

eachcontributionwassoappreciated. Thankyou,choir

forallofyourmanytalentsandgenerousityof

heart.Rehearsalfortheupcomingseasonwillbeginat7

p.m.onAugust24.

TheInthestyleofTaiz,havebeensuspendedfor

thesummer. Wewillresumetheseservicesof

meditationandmusicat7p.m.onSeptember23,and

continueeachmonthonthefourthFridayofthe

month.TeamTaizisinneedofadditionalhelpwithset

up,technologysupport,serviceleadership,ensemble

singingandinstrumentalists.Theserviceisevolvingand

willincorporateindividualsreadingapoemateach

service.Ifyouareinterestedincontributingtothis

serviceofspiritualchantandmeditationpleasecontact

MusicDirectorMartySwisher.

WhileyoumaynotseeverymuchofyourMusic

Directorororganist/pianistinthesummermonths,we

arediligentlyworkingplanningfortheupcomingyear.PeterandIarereviewingmusicandmusicalguests

andplanningforservicesthroughouttheyearwiththe

helpandguidanceofRevs.TaylorandGage.BetsyDavis,

ourboardliaisonandformerMusicDirectorcontinuesto

provideconstantsupportandsuggestionsaswe

continuouslywrestlewithhowwhatwedreamcanbe

donecanfitwithinahalftimeposition.Musiccommittee

membersareworkinghardtosupportavisionofamusic

programthatwilladdressadditionalmusicalneedsofthe

congregation. ChairpersonKenHookerhasledthe

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR process.Wewelcomeyoursuggestionsandparticipationintheprocess.

OnJuly25,IwilltraveltoArlington,Virginia,toco

hosttheUnitarianUniversalistMusicianNetwork

Conference. Asthreeyearmemberoftheconference

planningcommittee,mydutieshaveincludedchoosing

conferencesites,identifyingtheselectionofrepertoire

for

the

Medium/Difficult

reading

sessions,

hosting

featuredartistsfortheconcerthighlights,andhosting

theconferenceheadlineconductingclinician.Thisyear,I

willpresentasessiononScorePreparationand

Analysis:UncoveringtheMagicoftheMusic.Lastyear,I

presentedasessiononWorkingwithChoirs:aUU

Ministry.PresidentoftheUUMN,JohnHubert,leadsthe

conferenceplanningcommitteethisyearandisdoingan

outstandingjobalongwithexpertDonnaFischeratthe

UUA. Thesupportofthecongregationofparticipation

withthisorganizationhasbeenagreatgift.Iamso

proudtorepresentyou. Everyyear,whenIintroduce

myselfasMusicDirectorofUnityTemple,members

smileandcongratulatemeforbeingatsuchawonderful

placetheyonlyknowthehalfofit.

UT Piano Plays a Different (Better!) TuneTheefforttofundthefinalphaseoftherestorationof

thecongregationsSteinwaypianowasacomplete

success.BetweentheproceedsfromtheSpringMusic

Festival,theindividualpurchaseofkeysbycongrega

tionmembersandthroughanespeciallygenerous

contributionfromChrisandTaraNemethweraisedthefull$8200requiredtorebuildtheactionandrevoicethe

piano.Bythetimeyoureadthistherestorationworkon

thepianowillhavebeencompleted.Thankstoallwho

helpedmakethishappen,eitherthroughyourfinancial

donations,orbycontributinginanywaytothesuccess

oftheSpringMusicFestival.


6/12

6 TheBeaconADULT RELIGIOUS ENRICHMENTMovies with Meaning

NeverLetMeGoisbasedonthenovelbythesame

namebyJapaneseEnglishwriterKkazuoIshiguro.

IshirguroinfusesthisstorywiththequestionTowhat

degreedoesaccesstopowerandprivilegeeffectour

personalagency? ThenovelisbeautifullyadaptedforfilmbythetalentsofleadingEnglishfilmmakersand

actors.Readingthenovelorotherworksbythis

outstandingauthorisstronglyencouragedtoenrichour

discussion.

Thursday,July21:NeverLetMeGoKathyandRuth,playedbyCareyMulliganandKeira

Knightley,arefriendsandrivalsforPetersaffectionata

strictEnglishboardingschoolwherethestudentsare

groomedforalifeofspecialpurpose.Withfatesboth

knownandmysterioustothem,theystruggletocreatea

happyandmeaningfulexistence.(2010,RatedR)

MovieswithMeaningisanongoingAdultReligious

Enrichmentprogramthatusesmoviesandgroup

discussiontogainnewinsightsintothehumansituation.

FilmsscreenthethirdThursdayofthemonthat6p.m.in

theWestBalconyandarefollowedbydiscussion.There

willbenoMoviewithMeaninginAugust.Formore

informationcontactScottTalbotLewisat7084451466.

Parents Support GroupUTfamilieswithspecialneedschildrenmeetonthethird

Tuesdayofeachmonthat709S.OakParkAve,Oak

Park,

at

7:30

p.m.

Contacts

are

Carol

DiMatteo

or

Tom

Dunnington,[email protected].

Monday MomentumTheMondayMomentumGroupcanhelpwiththe

emotionalrollercoasterofunemployment.Joinusevery

Mondayat8:45amatUnityTemple,BalconyRoomWest

forfeedbackandsupport.Opentoall.Forquestions,

contactBrookeMcMillin,LSW,at7083830608orjust

comeasyouare.Knitting for PeaceKnittersmeetonthesecondandfourthSaturdaysof

everymonthat2p.m.intheGaleHouse.Outputis

donatedtotheUniversityofChicagoHospital,Project

Linus,andotherswhowepersonallyaretoldareinneed

becauseofillness.Contact:SarahMuller,

[email protected].

Women's Connection Summer SocialTheWomen'sConnectionishostingitsSummerSocialon

Sunday,July10,3to8p.m. Allwomenareinvitedto

comebywhenyoucan. ItwillbeheldinJennyEarland

son'sbackyard(802S.Highland,OakPark)andwewillbe

havingfood,sobringalittlesomethingtoshare. Wewill

talkaboutournextyear'sFebruarywomen'sretreat,so

bringyourideasforworkshopsandotherofferings,

too. Ifyoucan'tcomebutyouhaveideasfortheretreat

orwanttodoaworkshoporbeonthecommittee,

[email protected].

Articulating Your UU FaithBack byPopular Demand!Joinothersinengaginginexpressingwhatyoubelieve

andfigureoutwaystoanswerthateternalquestion:

WhatisUnitarianUniversalism?Fornewandlongtime

UUsalike,thisgroupwillhaveafuntimereflectingand

sharingwithothersonwhoweareandhowwetalk

aboutit.Articulationskillsguaranteedoryourmoney

back!FacilitatedbyRev.EmilyGage.Classwillmeet

Tuesdayevenings,September27,October4,October18,

andOctober25,from7to8:30p.m.Minimumenroll

menttorun:[email protected]

tosignup!Hopetoseeyouthere!

Purple Sages update on page 10.

Prayer Group July 11Ifyouwouldliketoexploreprayingasagroup,meetat

UnityHouseat7p.m.onMonday,July11.Togetherwe

willdiscoverwhatprayingmeanstousandformacove

nantaboutgatheringinprayeronaregularbasisatUnity

Temple.Allarewelcome;bringyourideas,thoughts,

fears

and

hopes.

We

will

practice

active

listening,

discuss

differentformsofprayer,anddeepenoursenseofcom

munity.Latermeetingdateswillbedeterminedbythe

group.FormoreinformationcontactScottTalbotLewis

at7084451466.


7/12

July/August2011 7RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONWondering Where Your Kids Are?

DuringSummerServicesweagainhaveagreatRE

program!AftertheStoryforAllAges,childreninpre

schoolthroughfifthgradewillgotoUnityHousefortheir

REclasses.Olderkidsarewelcometocomeandhelpout.

ThisyearwearefocusingonourUUprinciplesand

commitments. Theexcellentcurriculumisdesignedfor

ourchildrentoexploreUUvaluesthroughcrafts,play

andactivities. TheclassesareheldontheEastBalcony

andthepreschoolroom. Ouroutsidegameswillalltake

placeontheUnityTempleGrounds. JoinusWehavea

lotoffun!

Aftertheservice,youcaneitherpickupyourkidsor

findthemontheEastBalcony. Tofacilitateyouandyour

childfindingoneanother,theywillstayontheEastBal

conyuntilyoueithercomeforthemoryousignalthe

teachersthatyourchildmaycomedowntoyou.Thissystemissowecanassurethechildrenconnectwithyou

safely.

AmyClarkWilliamswillbecoordinatingSummerRE

forherthirdyear.Shehasagaingatheredawonderful

teachingstaffofourUnityTempleteens. HaveQues

tions? ContactAmyClarkWilliamsataclarkwil

[email protected].

Teens: Want to Make Some Money?SummerREislookingforteenagerstojoinourteam

assubstitutes.ComejointhefunofteachingourUnity

Templekidsandmakesomemoneytoo. Youwillearn

$20foreachSundayyousub.

Youwillbepairedwithteacherswhohavetaught

SummerREbefore,soyouwillnotbeonyourown.

ManyofoursubstitutesbecomeSummerREteachers

thenextyear.

Interested?HaveQuestions?ContactAmyClark

[email protected]

6308907845.

Leave No Child Behind: Register for 11-12 Religious Education Classes!InordertofacilitategoodcommunicationforourReli

giousEducationclassesthatrunfromSeptembertoJune,

weaskthatallparentsregistertheirchildren.(That's

nurserythroughhighschool.)Themoreinformationwe

have,themoreefficientlyourprogramcanrun.Ifyou

havenotyetregisteredyouryoungpeopleforour

"Regular"churchprogrammingthatbeginsinSeptember,

pleasedosoASAP.Youcandosobydownloadedthe

formonthewebsiteandreturningittoRev.EmilyGage.

Ifyouareunabletopaythefee,simplymarkthatonthe

form.Thankssomuchforyourhelp!

RE Classroom Volunteer TrainingSeptember 10We'llbetrainingourReligiousEducationclassroom

volunteersbygradelevelonSeptember10intheclass

roomthateachclassislocatedin.Allclassroomvolun

teersareurgedtoattend;parentsaremorethanwel

come. Thescheduleisasfollows:

8:30a.m.,Preschool,SouthBalcony

9:30a.m.,KindergartenFirstGrade,EastBalcony

10:30a.m.,SecondThirdGrade,WestBalcony

11:30a.m.,SeventhEighthGrade,UnityHouseWest

1:30p.m.,FourthGrade,GaleHouseDiningRoom

2:30p.m.,FifthGrade,GaleHouseUpperClassroom

3:30p.m.,SixthGrade,GaleHouseLivingRoom

Questions?PleasecontactRev.EmilyGage.

We Want YOU to Work with Our YoungPeople in the Fall!Fabulous,thoughtprovoking,energetic,challenging,lov

ingUnityTempleyoungpeopleages3to18areseeking

equallyfabulousadultguidesfortheirreligiousjourneys.

Enthusiasm,commitmenttoownlearning,willingnessto

seethingsinanewwayallamust.Curriculum,training,

greatteammembers,andsupportprovided.Assistants,

teachers,roomparents,specialprojectleadersareall

welcome.BeginsinSeptember.PleasecontactRev.Emily

[email protected]

questionsandwillingnesstovolunteer.

11-12 Curriculum & Events For All AgesWhat'shappeningnextyearforouryoungpeople?You

canclickhereforourCurriculumandEventsforAllages!

Markyourcalendars!!


8/12

8 TheBeacon

What Have You Changed Your MindAbout?InabookentitledWhatHaveYouChangedYour

MindAbout?(JohnBrockman,editor)numerous

publicintellectuals,rangingfromphysiciststo

anthropologiststoneuroscientists,givetheiranswer

tothisquestion.Thisthoughtprovokingquestionis

thecenterofthismonth'ssuggestedtopicfor

ChaliceCircles.

OpeningReadings:Fromthebook,WhatHaveYouChangedYourMindAbout?[Ichangemymind]everytimeIlearnapieceofnew

information.SinceIstartedmylifeknowingvirtually

nothing,[thismeans]Ihavechangedmymindabout

virtually

everything.

(Nick

Bostrom,

p.

61.)Ifyouvespentalongtimethinkingyourselfintoa

particularintellectualposition,youarenaturally

resistanttolettingitgo.Ifitfeltrighttoyoufor

whatevercomplexmeshofpersonalreasonsthat

makeanideafeelright,thentoabandonisntjust

aquestionofrationalitybutalsoaquestionofself

esteem.Forifthatfeelingwaswrong,howmany

othersmightbe?(p.xxvi,Introduction)

What

remains

is

a

kind

of

openness

to

evidence.

HoweverfirmlyIbelieveinsometheory,however

closelyImightbeidentifiedwithsomepositionor

claim,IknowthattheworldwontfallapartifIhave

tochangemymind.PsychologistSusanBlackmore

(p.18),whochangedhermindaboutparanormal

phenomenaafterspendingdecadestryingto

demonstrateit.FormatandDiscussionQuestionsTheChaliceCirclethatdiscussedthistopicuseda

different

discussion

format

from

their

usual

approach.Insteadofanopendiscussionafterthe

initialreadingandintroduction,thegrouphadan

initialgoaroundinwhicheachmemberbriefly

answeredtwoquestions,withoutanydiscussionor

commentingbyothers.NeedaRidetotheAirport?Needaridetotheairport?Your$30farebenefits

UnityTemple($20toUT,$10tothedriver). Call

DuaneDowell,7088901148;JohnFrye,7084565266

or7084318929;TomHall,7082034094;orLisaGari

ota(weekendsandO'Hareonly),7735941426.

CHALICE CIRCLES Thetwoquestionswere: Whatisonethingthatyouhavechangedyour

mindabout? Whattriggeredthechange?Generaldiscussionandreactionsfollowedthisfirst

goaround.

ClosingReading:Whatwebelieveisneithermorenorlessthanthat

whichenablesustomakesenseoflife.Iusethe

termmakingsenseintheordinary,colloquialway

thatwemaysayofanexplanation,Thatmakes

sense.Wemeanmorethan:Thisfitsmyprior

understandingofthewaythingsare.Wemean:This

enablesmetomakesenseofotherthings,suchthat

theyfittogetherinwaysthattheydidnotbefore.

Whatmakessenseistheinsightortheintuition

that

what

was

obscure,

paradoxical,

or

even

nonsensicalbeforebecomesintelligiblewhenseen

inthislight.

QuestionsfortheReligiousJourneybyRev.George

KimmichBeach

Join a Chalice Circle,Weekdays or Any Day!A

new

daytime,

weekday

Chalice

Circle

is

forming.

ScottTalbotLewiswillfacilitate. Inaddition,there

are15otherChaliceCircleswithmanypossible

schedulesandtimesformeeting.ChaliceCircles

createopeningsfortrust,friendship,honesty,growth

andreflection.Theyareaspiritualpractice.We

welcomeadultsofallages.Beknownasyouare,join

agrouptoday.Forinformationaboutjoiningany

ChaliceCircleorfacilitatortrainingcontactMarge

[email protected].


9/12

July/August2011 9SOCIAL MISSION VOLUNTEER

Food Rescuers Needed Once a MonthWanted: Afewfaithfulvolunteerstodoaoncea

month shift, rescuingfoodfromTraderJoe'sonFriday

morningsat10a.m.Musthavevehicle.Youwillteamup

withotherstogotoTraderJoe'sinOakPark,loadupand

bringrescuedfood (mostlyproduce)totheOPRFFood

PantryatFirstUnitedChurch,whereyouwillsortand

bagitems. Ifyouwouldliketoparticipate,pleasecon

tactBarbaraMoline([email protected]).

Rev. Mark Kiyimba, UU Minister FromUganda, in ChicagoRev.MarkKiyimba,theUUministerfromUgandawill

beinChicago fromJune30thtoJuly4th. Youhavetwo

opportunitiestomeetandhearhim. RevMarkwillbeatthehomeofRichPokornyandEllenWehrle(1102South

Maple,OakPark60304)forlunchanddiscussionatNoon

onSaturdayJuly2nd. Therewillbenocharge,butwe

preferRSVP's,sowecanhaveenoughSalerno'spizzafor

all. ContactRichat7082181202or

[email protected]. WearetwoblocksSouthof

theBlueLine(Eisenhower)Harlemstop,oneblockEast

ofHarlemtheredbrickduplexonthecornerofMaple

andHarvard.

Rev.MarkwillalsoleadtheworshipserviceatSec

ondUnitarian(2U),656WestBarryinChicago,onSun

day,July3,at10:30a.m. AreceptionwithQ&Awillfol

lowtheserviceat2U. YouwillhearRev.Marktalkabout

hischurch'sprojects,getastatusupdateontheantigay

billinUganda,andhowheandhisfriendscametorisk

theirlivestobeontheSideofLove. Joinusforalively

discussionabouthumanrights,theology,UU'sinAfrica

andshareyouthoughtsaboutourfuture.

PADS in Need of Summer VolunteersDuringthesummermonths,PADS(PublicActionto

DeliverShelter)doesnothavethefundingorvolunteer

forcetorunitsfullemergencyshelterprogram

supportingasmanyas60guestsanightatrotatingsites.

Instead,theyareinneedofvolunteerstohelpwithaSummerTransitionalHousingproject,benefitinga

highlymotivatedgroupofabout15guests.

Ifyouwouldliketomakeadifferenceintheevery

daylifeofsomeonedealingwithhomelessness,many

opportunitiesarestillavailablethissummerforproviding

foodorstaffingtheshelterduringearlymorningshift.

Breakfastandlunchsuppliescanbedonatedand

droppedoffatthesitebutideallydinnerispreparedand

sharedcommunallywiththeguests.

PleasecontactShelterManager,EmilyAker

[email protected].

228.She'llfindawayyoucanhelp.

SteveBankes,WestSuburbanPADSBoardMember

Community Renewal Society ListeningCampaignWewanttohearfromyou!TheCommunityRenewal

Society,aprogressive,faithbasedorganizationworking

toeliminateraceandclassbarriers,wantstohearfrom

faithcommunities.Theyaredevelopingideasfornew

campaignstobeginnextyear.AllenVanNoteandRich

Pokornywillcontactseveralmembersofourcongrega

tiontoholdconversationstofindoutwhatissuespeople

feelmostneedourattention.Eachconversationwilltake

about30to45minutes.Ifyouwanttotakepart,please

contactoneofus,incasewefailtoaskyou. Foundedin

1882,CommunityRenewalinforms,organizesandtrains

bothcommunitiesandindividualstoadvocateforsocial

andeconomicjustice. CRSseekstoadvocateforthe

leastoftheseandthemostvulnerablepopulationsof

ourcommunities. FormoreinfopleasecontactAllenVan

[email protected]

[email protected] or7082181202.

Program Council Meeting in SeptemberUTCommitteeChairs,pleasemarkyoucalendar:There

willbeaProgramCouncilmeetingonSaturday,

September10,from8:30a.m.tonoon.

Unity Temple Gives...Thegenerosityofourcongregationismakinga

differenceinpeopleslives. EverySundayour

collectionplateofferingsaredonatedtoaworthy

charitableorganizationinsupportofourmissionand

values. DuringthemonthofMay2011,yourweekly

collection

donations

contributed

the

following

amountstotheseorganizations:

HolyTrinityEpiscopalCathedralChoir:$769.53UUASevereStormFund: $1,356.38

MaywoodFineArtsFund:$1,119.94

Parenthesis:$805.50

SarahsInn:$1,021.12

Thankyouforyourgenerosity!


10/12

10 TheBeacon PURPLE SAGES COME HOME!Afteralmostthreeyearsmeetingas"payingguests"

oftheOakParkPublicLibrary,lastmonththePurple

SagesbeganmeetinginUnityHouse,firstfloorwest

wing.Thankstostaffmemberswhohavemadethis

possible,we'llbeabletoresumelightingachaliceto

openourmonthlymeetings(nocandlelightinginthe

Library!),prepareabeveragetoshareaswegather,and

occasionallytakeafieldtrip(e.g.,takepartinan

interestinglocalplay,concertorprogram,orvisita

restauranttogether).

OnJuly27we'llbediscussingthebook,Rescueand

Flight:AmericanReliefWorkersWhoDefiedtheNazis,by

SusanSubak.Susanisthedaughterofnonagenarianand

longtimeUTUUCmemberCarlSubak.In1938,Carlwasa

Czechuniversitystudentwhenhebecameoneofthe

firstJewishrefugeesbroughttotheUnitedStateswhile

AdolphHitler'sNazigovernmentoverranEurope,first

absorbingAustriaintotheReich,theninvadingthe

SudetanlandofCzechoslovakia.Workingfromarchivesof

theUUServiceCommittee,Susan,whohasaPh.Din

history,describedwhyandhowUnitariansstartedthis

serviceprojectasWorldWarIIbegan,anditsgrowth

throughitsfirstdecade.

CarlSubakandhisfamilyweremembersofThird

UnitarianChurchfrom1963tothefallof1968,when

theyjoinedtheUnitarianUniversalistChurchinOakPark.

SusanattendedUUCOPSundayschool.

Whileresearchingthissubjectin2005,Susanshared

her

fathers

personal

story

at

a

UTUUC

summer

Sunday

service.Whenthebookwaspublishedin2010shesigned

copiesatUnityTemple.

TheJuly27thdiscussionwillbeledbySageJoyce

Marco,whoknewSusanasachildatThirdUnitarian

Church.

Ifheisfeelingwellenough,Carlwillbeourguestatthis

meeting.

Asofthiswriting,plansformeetingAugust24are

open.We'lldecideJune28whethertogoouttolunch

togetherinAugust(aswasthecustomwhenwemetin

GaleHouse),orchooseanotherAugustactivity.

ThePurpleSagesisanaffinitygroupofolderwomen

(selfdefinedmostofusareover60)atUnityTemple.

WemeetregularlythefourthWednesdayofeachmonth

from11:30a.m.to1:30p.m.UnlikeaChaliceCircle,we

welcomeoccasionalparticipationbythosewhose

scheduledoesnotallowforregularattendance.It'salso

OKtoattendifyou'dliketoexplorewhetherthePurple

Sagesareagoodfitforyoubeforemakingacommit

ment. ContactsareJoyceMarco,

[email protected],andJoanVanNoteat708

7051428.

A REPORTFROM CAUUC, YOURCHICAGO AREA UU COUNCILOnSaturday,May21,20UUs,representing10

congregationsinthegreaterChicagoarea,metatThird

UnitarianChurchtodeterminewhetheritwouldbe

fruitfultocontinuetheworkoftheCouncil. Afterarich

discussion,itwasdeterminedthatCAUUChasfilleda

vitalroleinsupportingUUcongregationsandtheir

membersinthegreaterChicagoarea,astheyworkto

heightenthepresenceofUnitarianUniversalismandour

valuesinourcommunities.

CAUUChaslonghelpeddevelopandsupport

organizationsraisingthevisibilityofUnitarianUniversal

ismandpromotingthevaluesweholdmostdear.

Currently,CAUUCsupportstheseorganizations: The

ChicagolandMarketingInitiative(CMI),nowinitsfifth

year,offeringsupporttoindividualcongregationsin

outreachandnowproducinganareawideradiobroadcastonWCPTProgressiveTalkRadio,Foodforthe

Soulat6p.m.Sundayevenings;theUUAdvocacy

NetworkofIllinois(UUANI),initssecondyearof

organization,nowinvolving60membersfrom18

congregationsacrossIllinoisin designingaprogramto

supportIllinoislegislativeinitiativesthatpromoteourUU

values;theUUMultiracialUnityActionCaucus

(UUMUAC),alsoinitssecondyear,involvingmembers

frommanyofourChicagoareacongregationsin

promotingracialdiversityinourcongregationsandracial

justiceinourcommunity;andUUsforSocialJustice

(UUSJ),forover20yearsenablingareaUUstowork

togetherinadvocacyforsocialjusticeissuesthatreflect

ourUUvalues.

ThediscussionalsoadvisedthatCAUUCresumeits

workinsupportingcongregationalleadershipbystaging

eventsfeaturingknowledgeablespeakersandbybringing

togethercongregationalleaderstoshareexpertise.

Atransitionboardwasestablished,ninepeople

representingeightcongregations,ledbypresidentpro

tem,DaveKarcher.Anareawidemeetingisscheduled

forSaturday,October1,toconsiderneworganizationfor

CAUUC. Theboardwillsolicitinputfrommember

congregationsasitdoesitsworkframingthatorganiza

tionthissummer.

TheBoardofCAUUCishugelyappreciativeofthe

fiscalsupportCAUUChasreceivedovertheyearsfroma

nucleusof20congregations.Wehopeyouhaveseen

yourhardearnedduesdollarsatmeaningfulwork.For

moreinfo,visituuchicago.org.


11/12


12/12

C h a n g e s e rv ic e r e q u e s te d

Unity TempleUnitarian Universalist Congregation875 Lake StreetOak Park, IL 60301708-848-6225

www.unitytemple.org

SUMMER SERVICES9 AM ONLYTHROUGH SEPTEMBER 4See complete schedule on Page 2.

SUMMER RELIGIOUSEDUCATION PROGRAMAGES 3 THROUGH 5THGRADE

See Page 7 for m ore information.

Nonprofit

Organization

USPOSTAGE

PAIDOakPark,IL60301

PermitNo.305

Documents

BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation