BEACON March 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

8/7/2019 BEACON March 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

1/12

B E A C O NU n 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 nM a r c h 2 0 1 1

Sometimeslifehasawayof

surprisingyousomuchthatit

takesalongwhileforanew

realitytosinkin.Something

happens,andsuddenly,lifeas

youknowithaschanged,a

newchapterhasbegun,and

yourinsidesarehurriedlytry

ingtocatchupwithyour

outerreality.

PerhapsyouknowwhatIm

talkingabout.

Imexperiencingoneofthosetimes.Thestorygoes

likethis:mywifeKarenandIweresettlinginforacozy

eveningastheBlizzardof2011kickedinwhenwegota

phonecallwiththesewords:Shepickedyou.Wehad

beenchosenbyabirthmothertobetheparentsofan

eightdayoldbabyboy.Trappedinside,alongwiththe

restoftheChicagolandarea,wepacedbackandforthin

ourlivingroomforanightandadaybeforewecouldget

outandbuyacarseatandsomediapersandsignazil

lionformsinordertobringoursonhome.

Ithappenedsoquicklyandthechangesithas

wroughtonourhouseholdaresoextremethatwestill,a

fewweekslater,findourselvessaying;Wow!Thatsour

son!Andthen,Isntthisthegreatestthingever?!

Wehavebeenblessedazilliontimesoverbythe

communityaroundus.Youhavebeenoverwhelming(in

thebestway)withyourlove,yourjoy,andyoursupport.

Wefindourselvesawellsuppliedbabyhomeinevery

wayclothesforthenextsixmonths,blankets,books,

burp

cloths,

a

bed,

bottles,

a

bathtub,

and

so

on

and

so

forth.Paulevenhasanawesomestroller.(Thankstoall

ofyouwhocontributedinthatway!)Hismommieshave

alsohadsomeyummyvegetarianmeals.Wevesoap

preciateditallincludingtheparentingtipsandper

spectivesinthereceivingline.Itgivesmegreatjoyto

thinkthatyouallwillhaveahandinPaulsupbringingat

UnityTemple.

Karenistakingsixweeksoffamilyleavefromher

teachingjobatGlenbardSouth.Followingthat,Iwill

takefiveweeksofmaternityleavefromUTUUC,from

March28throughApril30. (seepage2)

FROM REV. EMILY GAGEMyfriendandcolleague,BarbaraWellstenHove,sometimestalksabout

littleluxurieswaysof

purelyindulgingandaffirming

ourselves. Myfavoritelittle

luxuryistimeforsolitude. Im

atrainedextrovertand,make

nomistake,Ilovemeetingand

greetingnewfriendsandold. Ilovelivelyinterchange

andtheopportunitytoshareideasandfeelingswitha

varietyofpeople. Theserewardsofareligious

communityaresomeofthemostsacredandspecialin

mylife.

Yetformygrowthandhappiness,itisimportantto

carveouttimeforsolitude. Itisimportanttosit,lieor

strollslowlyandgivemymindachancetoexpandthe

breathingmindinthebreathingbody. Perhapsyou

mightdescribethisasmeditationorevenprayer,butformethisissuchanaturalandsimplething,itdoesnt

needawordordescription. Isimplyrelaxandallowmy

mindtobeinachildlikestatewherethequestion

why?isalwaysattheready. Thereisnoanxietyinthis

questioning,quitetheopposite. Isimplyfeelarelaxed

curiosityaboutthewaytheworldisandmysituationin

it. Thisisanhonestbutluxuriouswanderingtoward

insight.

Thisisapatternfromchildhoodanditisahabitof

pleasure.ForalongtimeIsearchedfranticallyfora

spiritualpractice,aseriousdisciplinethatwouldmake

meadeepermorecenteredperson.Allalongmy

spiritualpracticewasrightundermynose. Mywishfor

youisthatyoufindyourowncomfortablewaytothe

holy.Itcanbeaformalpracticeorsomethingassimple

astakingsometimetoletyourmindwanderthrougha

sacredgroveofyourownimaginationandrea

son. Happyjourneying!

-Scott

IfyouhaveapastoralcareneedpleasecontactScottat

[email protected]

or

708

250

6810.

SABBATICAL MINISTERFOR PASTORAL CARE


2/12

2 TheBeacon

MembershipOpportunities 3

BoardofTrustees 3

AnnualFundDrive 2

CommunityMinister 4

Music 5

AdultReligiousEnrichment 6

ReligiousEducationNews 7

ChaliceCircles 8

SocialMission 9

UTRestorationFoundationEvents 10

MarchEventsNotToMiss 11

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

IN OUR PULPITRev.Dr.MatthewJohnsonDoyle :: March6

Rev.Dr.MatthewJohnsonDoylewascalledasthesenior

ministeroftheUnitarianUniversalistChurchinRock

ford,IL,in2008.Priortothat,heservedforfiveyearsat

HighPlainsChurch,UU,inColoradoSprings,CO.He

graduatedfromMeadvilleLombardTheologicalSchool

inChicagoin2003,andfromWhitmanCollegeinWalla

Walla,Washingtonin1999.Herecentlycompletedhis

DoctorofMinistryfromIliffSchoolofTheologyinDen

ver.Rev.JohnsonDoyleisathirdgenerationUnitarian

UniversalistwhogrewupnearSeattle.

Rev.Dr.LeeBarker :: March20

Rev.Dr.LeeBarkerisalifelongUnitarianUniversalist

andpresidentandprofessorofministryatMeadville

Lombard(UU)TheologicalSchoolinChicago,aposition

hehasheldsince2003.Priortothatheserved25years

intheparishministry.HehasheldpulpitsinPennsyl

vania,NewJerseyandCalifornia.Eachofhisministries

hascontributedtoasurgeininstitutionalgrowth,a

renewedcommitmenttosocialjustice,andtheadoption

ofafarrangingreligiousandspiritualvision.

Rev.BrianCovell ::March27Rev.BrianCovellhasbeenMinisteratThirdUnitarian

ChurchofChicagosince2003. Sincecalledtothatcon

gregation,hehasservedboththeChicagoAreaUU

CouncilandtheCentralMidwestDistrictasPresident.He

receivedhisM.Div.attheDivinitySchooloftheUniver

sityofChicagoin1998.Currentlyheisactiveintwo

organizationsbasedinthenearbyAustinneighborhood

ofChicagoBeat#1512oftheChicagoAlternativePolic

ingStrategy(CAPS)andtheCentralAustinNeighborhood

Association(CANA).

LIVEYOUR VALUESGIVE YOUR VALUESCommitment Forms DueMarch 6!

AHUGEthankyoutothe118

householdswhohaveturnedintheir

commitmentformsfortheAnnualFund

Drivethisyear. Unfortunately,asofThursday,February

24,therearestill192householdswhohavenot

respondedanalarmingnumberintheaggregate. We

havebeenblessedwiththreeeloquent,thoughtful,

heartfeltmembertestimonialsoverthelastthree

weeks,andwehopethattheyhavegivenyouachance

tothinkaboutthemanywaysthattheUTUUCongrega

tionsupportsyouandyourvalueseachday.

Yourcommitmentsarecriticaltohelpingustobuild

our

budget

for

next

year.

Without

your

commitment,

weareflyingblindinourabilitytosetgoalsforstaff

salariesandbenefits,programming,andthemanyother

commitmentsthatwehaveasacongregation.

PleasetakeamomenttoconsiderwhattheUTUUC

communitybringstothelivesofyouandyourfamilyand

begenerousinyourgiving.

Youcandropyourcommitmentformofinthebox

onthemembershiptableinthelobby,mailitback,or

putitintheofferingbasketonSunday. Inadditionto

mailingyouapacket,wehavetriedtomakeiteven

easierforyoutofulfillyourcommitmentthisyearby

postingallofthedrivematerialsontheAnnualFund

DrivepageattheUTUUCwebsite,

www.unitytemple.org. Wehavesetadeadlineforthe

DriveofSunday,March6,butpleaseturninyourform

assoonasyoucan. Ifyouhavequestions,need

additionalinformationorwanttocontactamemberof

theAnnualFundDrivecommittee,pleaseemail

[email protected]

6225ext.100. THANKYOU.

Gage,cont.frompage1

Mymaternityleavewillrequiremakingsomeadjust

mentstothepulpitscheduleandmyotherresponsibili

ties.Thedetailswillbeforthcoming.Iamsogratefulthat

ouragreementprovidesforthisgiftoftimeasKarenand

Iadjusttoparenthood.

AsPaulgetsbiggerandstronger(heishealthybut

small),welookforwardtointroducinghimtotheUnity

Templecommunity.

Andmayeachofyoufindthataslifetakesitsunex

pectedtwistsandturnsthatyou,too,aresurroundedby

thislovingandsupportivecommunity.


3/12

March2011 3

From the Board PresidentDuane [email protected]

S

pringisaroundthecorner! TheAnnualFundDriveis

nearingthefinishline! Thingsarelookingup.

Inmy 40someyearsasaUnitarianUniversalistI

haveoccasionallybeenaskedwhyIstickaround. Or,

rather,whatmotivatesmetokeepinvolvedandto

contributetomyUUCommunity. Thatgivesmea

chancetopauseandthinkaboutwhathaskeptme

connectedinvariouspartsofthecountryandevenout

ofthecountrywhentheChurchoftheLargerFellowship

(CLF)wasourUUhome.

Ihavealwaystakenmyreligionseriously,evenback

whenIwasagoodMethodist. Thespiritualaspectoflife

gives

me

a

good

grounding

for

the

other

things

that

I

do.IcancomfortablyreciteourcovenanteachSunday

morningandknowthatthevaluesexpressedinour

recitationaretheprinciplesbywhichIaspiretoleadmy

life. Themusicandthesermonsinspireandchallenge.

Noteverysermonresonateswithtrueclarity,buteach

thoughtfulmessagefromthepulpitcausesmetoreflect

andoftenchallengesmetobemybetterself.

Itis,however,thecommunityofpeoplethatIfind

andkeepfindinginthiscongregationthatisthemagnet

thatdrawsmeinagainandagain. Thehugfromthe

firstgradercompeteswiththewavefromtheteenand

thesmilefromapeerforthemostjoyfulspiritof

inclusionandbelonging. Tobeamongkindredsoulsisa

comfortinthischallengingworld.

However,somediscomfortisinorderalso;we

shouldbeuncomfortablethatourstaffisnotbeingpaid

whatourUUAguidelinessuggestforachurchofour

size. Anduncomfortablethatourliberalreligiousvalues

arebeingmockedandattackedinthepoliticalarena.

Ourvaluesareneededinthisworldofturmoil. As

ourUUAPresidentsays,WecanbetheReligionofour

Time! Listentothenewsandreadthepapersand

knowthatyouareneeded. Soafteryouvefilledout

yourfinancialcommitmentformforourAnnualFund,

stopbytheSocialMissiontableandfindyourpassion.

March,write,protestandlobbyyourelectedrepresenta

tives.

Are YOU New? Welcome!IntroductiontoUnitarianUniversalism

ThissessionistheprerequisiteforthePathwaysto

Membershipcourse,andisopentoanyonewhowould

liketolearnmoreaboutUnitarianUniversalist

philosophy,identity,history,andtheology.Formore

informationandtoregisterforthisclass,contactSue

[email protected]

0306.InstructorisRev.EmilyGage.Nextclassdate:

Sunday,March13.Location:UnityHouse.Nocharge.

TheclasswillbeofferedagainonApril10.

PathwaystoMembership

Thistwosessionclassisforthosewhohavealready

takenIntroductiontoUnitarianUniversalism.Partici

pantswillreflectonanddiscusstheirpersonalattitudes

andbeliefsaboutreligionandspiritualitywithothersin

theclass,andlearnmoreaboutourcongregationandits

programs.Formoreinformationortoregisterforthis

class,[email protected]

7087630260.Nextclassdates:Sundays,March13and

20.Location:UnityHouse.Cost:$20.00.Pathwayswill

beofferedagainonApril10and17.

Forfreechildcareatalloftheseopportunities,contact

[email protected]

advance.

BOARDOF TRUSTEESMEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Welcoming Sunday CelebrationOnApril10,wewillofficiallywelcomenewmembers

intoourUTUUCcommunityduringbothservices.The

celebrationcontinueswithareceptionat4:30p.m.for

newmembersandtheirguests,followedat5p.m.bya

familystyleSundaydinner,allpresentedbytheMem

bershipCommittee.Membersofthecongregationare

invitedtoattend.Letusknowifyouwillbejoiningusfor

dinnerbySunday,April3,eitherbysigningupatthe

WelcomeTableoremailingmonam

[email protected].

NewMembers:IfyouhavesignedtheMembership

Bookandhavenotyetbeenformallywelcomedina

worshipservice,youarecordiallyinvitedtoparticipate.

Werequestthatyouattendbothservices,ifpossible,to

beintroducedtothefullcongregation.(Feelfreeto

leavethesecondserviceafterthewelcomingceremony

portion).MarkRobinson,ourWelcomingSundaycoordi

nator,willalsobemakinginvitationcalls.

Forfreechildcareforthiseventcontactchild

[email protected]

at

least

one

week

in

advance.


4/12

4 TheBeacon

FROMTHE COMMUNITY MINISTERFrom the Community MinisterRev. Clare ButterfieldClare@faithinplace.orgYourresponsetomysermononFebruary13waswarmenoughthatImgoingtousethismonthscolumntofollowupandletyouknowwherethingslie

withSB2058.Bythetimeyougetyournewsletters,I

suspectthebillwillbeeitherintheIllinoisSenate

AgricultureCommitteeoralreadypassedoutof

committeefordebateontheSenatefloor. Whileour

CentralIllinoisstaffmemberhashadcordialconversa

tionswiththeOilandGaslobbyrepresentativesin

Springfield,andwevaluethemaspeople,wedoexpect

themtoopposeusonthisbill.Theyareconcernedthat

itwillrestrictthefracturingforoilthatisalreadygoing

oninSouthernIllinois. Theintentionofthebillisto

requiredisclosureandreportingforhydraulicfracturing

fornaturalgas,anditsayssointhebillheading,but

theiroppositionisnotunexpected.

ItwillbeuptoourSenatorstomakeadecision,in

thatcase,betweenthesupportersofthebillandits

opponents.Itwillwiniftherearemany,manyvocal

supporters,whoarespeakingreasonably,lovingly,and

abouttheprotectionofIllinoiscriticalwaterresources

forthepresentandthefuture.Ourtone,ourcare,our

approach,andtheessentialnatureofthewatersupply

areallinourfavor. Ifyouweremovedtobepartofthe

struggle,postcardswillbeavailableattheSocialMission

tableonSundays,andifyougototheFaithinPlace

website(www.faithinplace.org)youcanlearnwhatyou

needtoknowaboutthebill,currentstrategies,andthe

triptoSpringfieldonMarch30,forwhichIhopemanyof

youwillbejoiningus.

Theconnectionbetweenanyspecificissueandthe

mandatesoffaithisalwaysquestionable.Wedoour

best,intheseinstances,tobediscerningandtobefair

minded,butalsotoriskbeingwrongforthesakeof

futuregenerations.Weveheardenoughaboutdamage

towatertothinkthatthisisanoccasiontomakeour

bestguessandmove.Sittingaroundwaitingcouldbe

muchmoredangerousthantheactionwevedecidedto

take.

MarchisthemonththatincludesWorldWaterDay,

andinadditiontoouradvocacyactivitiesthismonthwe

arerollingoutthepilotversionofanew7part

curriculumforadultsonwater.Ifthereisasmallgroup

atUnityTempleinterestedintestingitoutforus,I

wouldlovetohearfromthem,andwillsupplythemwith

themostupdateddraftofthecurriculum.Werejust

askingfordetailedfeedbackonwhichsectionsofthe

curriculumworkandwhichdontsothatwecanmake

thefinalproductisasusefulaspossible.

Whatstrikesmeaboutallofthis,becauseitcanfeel

confusinglyspecific,isthatourfaithscansometimes

remainineffectuallygeneral.Webelieveabstractlyin

loveoftheother,butpeopleintheiractualitycanbe

quiteannoying.Webelieveabstractlyinstewardshipof

theEarth,butittakes,asitturnsout,somepretty

intenseefforttoswimagainstthetideofourculture.

Becauseitshardiswhywepracticefaithingroupsin

communityinsteadofbyourselves.Weneedeach

othertomakethebetterworldthateachofus,

individually,dreamsof.

GREEN SANCTUARYIntroduction to Ethical EatingAreyoustilldebatingthevirtuesoforganicvs.

nonorganicproduce? Orareyouconfusedwhenyour

friendsandneighborsaretalkingaboutbuyingtheirpro

ducefromaCSA,becauseyoudontknowwhatthatis?

Comespendanafternoonwithusandhopefullymanyof

yourquestionswillbeanswered. Wehaveanexciting

programplanned. IrvCernauskas,coownerofIrv&

Shelly'sFreshPicks,alocalbusinessthatprovideshome

deliveryoflocalandorganicfoods,willbeourguest

speaker.

Irv

has

been

involved

with

nonprofit

environ

mentalactivitiesforthepast10yearsandisactivein

creatingmarketsforlocalfarmers. Heisdedicatedto

greensustainableagricultureandfarming.

WewillalsobeshowinganexcerptfromDirt!The

Movie. Thisdocumentaryisawittybutincisivelookat

dirt,what'sinit,howit'susedandhowwemustprotect

it. Andfinallywellhaveapanelofspeakers(mostof

whomarefromourowncongregation)whocanshare

somestoriesaboutchangesthattheyhavemadeintheir

ownlivesthatfollowprinciplesofethicaleating.

PleasejoinusSunday,March13,from3to4:30pm

inUnityHouseforwhatssuretobeaninterestingand

stimulatingafternoon. Anyquestions,pleasefeelfreeto

[email protected].


5/12

March2011 5

SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL 2011DontmisstheSpringMusicFestival,Saturday,April9,

at7 p.m.Thissomewhatannualfundraiserpresentsa

cavalcadeofyourfavoriteUTperformers:Marty

Swisher,PeterStorms,UTPlayers,VictoriaStorm&Kelly

Clark,CharlieRossiterandWhiskeyBucketBluesReview

tonamebutafew.LastyearsFestgarneredravere

viewsandwerehopingformoreofthesamethisyear.

Dontmissoutonagreateveningofmusic.Ticketsare

$12foradults,$5forchildren.Allproceedswillgotothe

UnityTemplemusicprogram.

MUSIC

PleasejoinusagainforTaizServiceintheUnity

TempleSanctuary,onFriday,March25,at7p.m.This

servicewillofferatimeformeditation,reflection,and

renewalthroughmusic,briefwords,andsilence.Come

sing,lightacandle,andnurtureyourspiritduringthis

nontraditionalworshipexperienceandbringa

friend. Theservicewillconcludebefore8p.m.Formore

information,contactMartySwisher,MusicDirector,at

[email protected].

3rdSaturdayCoffeehouseinMarchfeaturesCathryn

Cofell,amuchpublishedpoetandfrequentkeynote,

radioguest,workshopfacilitatorandartsadvocate. She

isafoundingchairoftheWisconsinPoetLaureate

Commission.Herlatestprojectinvolvesperformingher

poemsaccompaniedbyObviousDog,themusicalduo

comprisedofBruceDethlefsenandBillOrth.Bruceisthe

currentWisconsinPoetLaureate,whosings,playsbass

guitar,andharmonica.Billsingsandplaysguitarand

bassandistheHumanServicesDirectorforSaukCounty,

Wisconsin.InUnityHouse.DoorsopenonMarch19at

7:30p.m.,openmicat8p.m.,featuredperformerat9

p.m.Donation$3$5.Openmiclimitedto5minutes.For

moreinformationcall7086609376.

3RD SATRUDAY COFFEEHOUSE

TAIZAT UNITY TEMPLE

From the Music DirectorMarty [email protected]

M

archmusicatUnityTemplewillbeginwithguests

fromFirstBaptistChurchofOakPark. OnMarch

6,bellringersMaryLeeEnebergandJohnHyndmanwill

onceagainbringtheirbeautifulmusictooursanctuary

featuringmusicbyDebraCalkins,KevinMcChesneyand

auniquearrangementofPoorWayfaringStranger,

arrangedbyJeanneWarzyn. Wearefortunatetohave

ourformerkeyboardist,TehraHiolski,joinustoperform

duringthisserviceaswell.

OnMarch13,formermusicdirectorand

internationalsongleaderextraordinaireNickPage

returnstoUnityTempleformusicaldelightswiththe

choir.Hellalsoleadmusicforourspecialfourthgrade

chaliceceremony.Nicksinfectiousjoyofmakingmusic

andempoweringotherstosingissuretoraisetheroof

ofourjewelboxsanctuary! TheUnityTempleSingers

willperformonMach20,asMeadvilleLombard

TheologicalSeminarypresidentbringshismessageto

ourcongregation. Andfinally,March27willfeatureThe

UnityTempleChoirsinginganewcompositionentitledI

AmtheWindbynewcomposer,Christopher

Delp. FormermusicdirectorBetsyDaviswilljoinusas

keyboardistforthisservicebringingherbrandof

sensitivity

to

our

musical

offering.

TaizatUnityTemplecontinueswithourMarch25

service. Joinusforthisserviceofpeacefulprayer,

meditationandmusicalchantat7p.m. Asthe

instrumentalensemblecontinuestodevelop,we

welcomenewmemberstojoinourtroupe. Ifyouwould

[email protected]

arealwayslookingfornewmembersandwelcomeall

interestedmusicians.

Toclapornottoclapthisisthequestion. We

thoughtwewouldshareourperspectiveonthis. When

performingforthecongregation,itisourintentionto

inspireyou,toconnectameaningthatmightstrikea

personalchordwithyouandtoexposeyouto

messagesandmusicthatwesincerelyhopewillenhance

yourworshipexperience. Weneverexpect

acknowledgmentandapplause. Whenyouaremovedto

applause,weappreciateitbutpleaseknowthatthebest

complimentthatyoucangivetousistoexpress

appreciationaftertheservice,ortosmileduring/after

themusicisfinished. Allofourmusiciansfeelhonored

toperformforyouandseektogiveagiftthatisan

extensionofourselves.

Lastly,Iwouldliketothankallfamilieswhoso

consistentlysupportedourrecentChaliceSinger

endeavor. ForsixweeksinJanuaryandFebruary we

heldrehearsalsinbetweenservices. Wehadconsistent

attendancefrom24studentswhorehearsedfortheir

February27performance. Wethankthosethatdrove

theirsingerstoUTonthoseSundays,rehearsedthe

wordsandmovementathome,forthosewhoprovided

snacks,applauseandallthenecessarysupportneeded

forafirstrateexperienceforourchildren.Thank

you.Wehavesomanychildrenexcitedaboutsinging,

andwearesofortunatetobeabletogivethemanother


6/12

6 TheBeacon

ADULT RELIGIOUS ENRICHMENTMovies with MeaningGreatfilms,greatconversationsandgreatpeopleareall

apartoftheongoing,MovieswithMeaningse

ries. WemeetonthethirdThursdayofeverymonthto

watchandshareinsightsaboutfascinatingcontempo

raryfilms.SojoinusinthewestbalconyofUnity

House. Everyoneissincerelywelcomed! Filmsscreenat

6p.m.andarefollowedbydiscussionat8p.m.Formore

informationcontactScottTalbotLewis,7084451466or

[email protected].

Thursday,March17,ElNorte(1983).Ateenagebrotherandsister,Guatemalanrefugees,entertheUnitedStates

illegallydesperatelyhopingtofindabetterlife. Armed

withtheabilityandwillingnesstoworkhard,aswellas

strongfamiliallove,theyachievelimitedsuccessinLos

Angeles. ThisgroundbreakingandOscarnominated

dramaexposestheongoingplightofillegalaliensinthe

Americansouthwest.(RatedR.)

Parents Support GroupAParentsSupportGroupforUTfamilieswithspecial

needschildrenmeetsonthethirdTuesdayofeach

monthat709S.OakParkAve,OakPark,at7:30p.m.

AnyoneinterestedpleasecontactCarolDiMatteoor

TomDunningtonbyphone7085242859oremail

[email protected].

Career Transition OutreachEveryMondayfrom8:45to9:45a.m.atUnityTemple,

DianeWilson,LCPC,andBrookeMcMillan,LCSW,help

thosefacingjoblossandcareeruncertainty. This

outreachhelpsparticipantsmanagethepsychological

andpracticalaspectsoftheirjobtransition. Authorof

BackinControl,Wilsonisacoach,counselor,and

neurofeedbackspecialist.Formoreinformationemail

[email protected] Support Group TheCaregiversSupportGroupisheldeverythird

Mondayofthemonthat7p.m.intheWestbalconyof

UnityHouse.Thisdropingroupisopentoanyone

affectedbythecaregiverroleandwilltakeonly6090

minutesofyourtimeonceamonth. Facilitator:Susan

Anderson,[email protected].

Purple Sages OnWednesday,March23,thePurpleSages(Senior

Women)willwelcomeJeanEllzeyforatalkentitled

DealingEffectivelywithChangeasweAge,withfocus

onresidenceandlifestylechoices.ThePurple

SagesmeetthefourthWednesdayofeachmonthinthe

secondfloorBookDiscussionRoomoftheOakPark

PublicLibrary,from11:30amto1:30pm.Formore

informationaboutthePurpleSages,consultJoanVan

Note7087051428orJoyceMarco7083835643. Knitting for Peace.KnittersmeetonthesecondandfourthSaturdaysof

everymonthat2p.m.intheGaleHouse.Outputis

donatedtotheUniversityofChicagoHospital,Project

Linus,andotherswhowepersonallyaretoldareinneed

becauseofillness.Contact:SarahMuller,

[email protected].

Mens Potluck on Friday, April 15Men:Markyourcalendarsandjoinusforapotlucksup

perinUnityHouseat7p.m.onFriday,April15.Bringa

dishtoshare(purchasedokay)forconversationanda

briefspiritualexercise.Allarewelcome!PleasecallTom

Barnesat7083867179 orStephenJordanat708383

4367formoreinformation.

The Mystical Way: Discussion Group Ledby Jared NourseTothedegreethatwehaveaneedforquietreflection

andastrongersenseofspirituallife,wehaveaMystic

within.Thisgroupwillfocusonhowoneapproachesand

nurturesthisMysticalsideofthemselves,andwhere

thatmightlead.Onesourcewewilldrawfrom:

"OrdinaryPeopleasMysticsandMonks,"byMarsha

Sinetar($10atAmazon).Saturdaymorningsfrom10

a.m.tonoon,April2,9,16,and23.Formoreinforma

tionortoRSVP,[email protected].


7/12

March2011 7

RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONUpdate from the Membership DirectorSearch CommitteeInNovember2010,Rev.Taylorappointedacommittee

tooverseethehiringofapermanentmembership

director. IndividualsservingontheMembership

DirectorSearchCommitteeincludeHannahBowers,Josh

Ditelberg,ReverendEmilyGage,MargaretKlemundt,MonaMcNeese,JayPetersen,ReverendAlanTaylorand

DavidWilke. Overthepastfourmonths,Search

Committeemembershaveinterviewedmultiple

stakeholderswithinUTUUCaswellasmembership

directorsfromotherUUcongregations. Inaddition,we

hadanopportunitytodiscusstheroleofthiskeystaff

positionwithUTUUCleadershipduringtheJanuary2011

ProgramCouncilmeeting. Weexpecttohaveafinal

versionofthemembershipdirectorjobdescriptionby

earlyMarch,andourgoalistoinitiatetheinterviewing

processbymidMarch. Welookforwardtoproviding

regularupdatesasthehiringprocessmovesforward.

PleasecontactMargaretKlemundtatkle

[email protected]

concerns.

Large Church Conference forUU CongregationsEverythreeyears,theUnitarianUniversalistAssociation

sponsorsaLargeChurchConferenceforcongregations

of550andmoremembers.Althoughwearenotquite

yetat550members,UnityTemplehasbeeninvitedto

participateinthisyear'sconferenceinMinneapolis,Min

nesotafromMarch1720.We'llbesendingateamof

nine:BetsyDavis,DuaneDowell,VeraDowell,Rev.Emily

Gage,MargaretKlemundt,ScottLewis,TinaLewis,Ian

Morrison,andDavidWilke.You'llhearmoreaboutthe

conferencewhenwereturnwithlotsofgreatideas!

Looking for a few good facilitators...forOur Whole Lives (OWL)UnityTempleoffersOurWholeLives(OWL),avalues

basedsexualitycurriculum,everyyeartoourfirst,fifth

andeighthgradeclasses.Theeighthgradeisthemostintensive,meetingweeklyformuchofthechurchyear

outsideofSundaymornings.Thefirstandfifthgrade

classesareeightweeksinthemiddleoftheyearonSun

daymornings.Wearelookingforafewgreatfacilitators

tobetrainedtoteachtheseclassesnextyear(inparticu

lar,weareinneedofmen).Potentialfacilitatorsshould

bereliableandopen,havealoveofyoungpeople,be

goodcommunicators,andbepassionateaboutequip

pingourchildrenandyouthtomaketheirowndecisions.

Ifyouareinterested,orwouldlikemoreinformation,

pleasecontactRev.EmilyGage,MinisterofFaithDevel

opment,[email protected].

Coming March 13: Fourth Grade ChaliceCeremony! Not to be Missed!OneofourownUnityTempleritesofpassageforour

youngpeopleisthefourthgradechaliceceremony,

whichwe'llcelebrateduringtheworshipserviceon

March13.It'saculminationofaUnitarianUniversalist

identitycurriculum,inwhichourfourthgradersspend

timetalkingandthinkingaboutwhattheybelieve.You

won'twanttomissseeingthemleadpartoftheservice,

andhearingsomeoftheirthoughts!Seeyouthere!

Raise Money for UTUUC by usingGoodSearch.com and GoodShop.comWhatifUnityTempleUnitarianUniversalist

Congregationearnedadonationeverytimeyou

searchedtheInternet?Orhowaboutifapercentageof

everypurchaseyoumadeonlinewenttosupportour

cause?Well,nowitcan!

GoodSearch.comisanewYahoopoweredsearch

enginethatdonateshalfitsadvertisingrevenue,abouta

pennypersearch,tothecharitiesitsusersdesignate.

Useitjustasyouwouldanysearchengine,getquality

searchresultsfromYahoo,andwatchthedonationsadd

up!

GoodShop.comisanewonlineshoppingmallwhich

donatesupto30percentofeachpurchasetoyour

favoritecause!Hundredsofgreatstores,including

Amazon,Target,Gap,BestBuy,eBay,Macy'sandBarnes

&Noble,haveteamedupwithGoodShop.Youllbe

supportingUTUUCeverytimeyouplaceanorder.

AndifyoudownloadourGoodSearchtoolbar,we

willearnmoneyeverytimeyoushopandsearchonline,

evenifyouforgettogototheGoodShoporGoodSearch

first!DownloadtheUnityTempleUnitarianUniversalist

Congregationtoolbarathttp://www.goodsearch.com/

toolbar/unitytempleunitarianuniversalist

congregation.


8/12

8 TheBeacon

And Service Is Our Prayer, UU CovenantEachweekinourcovenantweaffirmthat"serviceisour

prayer." Thismonthstopicexploreswhatthatmeans.

Reading#1

IconfessthatIhavehithertoindulgedverylittlein

philanthropicenterprisesTherearethosewhohave

usedalltheirartstopersuademetoundertakethe

supportofsomepoorfamilyintown;andifIhad

nothingtodo,Imighttrymyhandatsuchpastimesas

that.However,whenIhaveventuredsofarastomake

[poorfamilies]theoffer,theyhaveoneandall

unhesitatinglypreferredtoremainpoor.[Since]somany

ofmytownsmenandwomenaredevotedtothegoodof

theirfellows,Itrustthatoneatleastmaybesparedto

lesshumanepursuitsAsforDoinggood,thatisoneof

theprofessionsthatarefull[andDoinggood]iswork

whichIdecline

HenryDavidThoreau,Walden,p.8788.

Reading#2

Themoreyougive,themoreyouwillreceive,because

youwillkeeptheabundanceoftheuniversecirculating

inyourlife.Infact,anythingthatisofvalueinlifeonly

multiplieswhenitisgiven.Ifthroughtheactofgiving

youfeelyouhavelostsomething,thenthegiftisnot

trulygiven

Deepak

Chopra,

The

Seven

Spiritual

Laws

of

Success:

A

PracticalGuidetotheFulfillmentofYourDreams,p.25.

Reading#3

UUCongregationswhichthrivefocusnotonlyon

servingtheirmembers,butunderstandthatservingthe

largerworldiscentraltotheirmission.

fromtheSocialJusticepageoftheUnitarian

Universalistwebsitewww.uua.org.

Focus/Discussion

1.Howdoyouunderstandthesufferingthatexistson

thisearth?Howdoesyourfaithhelpyouholdthis

brokenness,suffering,andoppressioninalifegiving

way?(FromtheUUsocialjusticeworkshopHealinga

BrokenWorldfoundonwww.uua.org).

2.Howdoyouinterpretthephrase"serviceisour

prayer?" Isitavalidstatementwithmeaningfor

you? Whyorwhynot?

3.Whoorwhatinspiredyoutogiveserviceinthefirst

place?Doyouhaveanearlymemoryofprovidingor

receivingservice?Ifyoureceivedservice,whatwasyour

responsetotheinitiative

Join a Chalice Circle,weekdays or any day!Anewdaytime,weekdayChaliceCircleisforming.

ScottTalbotLewiswillfacilitate. Inaddition,there

are15otherChaliceCircleswithmanypossible

schedulesandtimesformeeting.ChaliceCircles

createopeningsfortrust,friendship,honesty,growth

andreflection.Theyareaspiritualpractice.We

welcomeadultsofallages.Beknownasyouare,join

agrouptoday.Forinformationaboutjoiningany

ChaliceCircleorfacilitatortrainingcontactMarge

[email protected].

CHALICE CIRCLES

Unity Temple Gives...Thegenerosityofourcongregationismakinga

differenceinpeopleslives. EverySundayour

collectionplateofferingsaredonatedtoaworthy

charitableorganizationinsupportofourmissionand

values. DuringthemonthofJanuary2011,your

weeklycollectiondonationscontributedthefollowing

amountstotheseorganizations:

SarahsInn$766.32

ThirdUnitarianScholarshipFund:$1040.95

MicahsPorch:$1252.25

HopitalAlbertSchweitzer:$1225.55

UTUUCEmergencyAssistanceFund:$1334.55

Thankyouforyourgenerosity!

4.Whatdoes"service"meantoyou? Howdoyou

acceptordenythiscovenantindailylife? Isitanactive,

everydayactionorsomething"planned"aroundcertain

timesofyear?

ClosingReading

Thisistheblessingforapoliticalvictory:

AlthoughIshallnotforgetthatthings

workinincrementsandepicyclesandsometime

leapsthathalfthetimefallbackdown,

let'snotrelinquishdancingwhilethemusic

fitsintoourhipsandbouncesourheels.

Wemustneverforget,pleasureisrealaspain.

excerptfromMargePiercyspoemTheArtofBlessing

theDaywhichappearsinabookofthesametitle.

Chalice Circles Annual PotluckAllChaliceCirclemembersareinvitedtoChaliceCircle

programannualpotlucksupper.Bringadishtopassand

joininonSunday,March27,5to9p.m.atUnityTem

ple.


9/12

March2011 9

Faith In Place Lobby Day, March 30EveryoneisinvitedtoparticipateinFaithInPlace

LobbyDayonWednesday,March30. Parentsare

encouragedtoattendwiththeiryoungfolks,if

possible. Wehavetwicebroughtyoungpeopleonthis

triptoSpringfield.KristinaEntnertookherthen9year

olddaughter,Hannah,afewyearsago,andMagnus

LittlewentwithRichPokornylastyear. It'sagreatway

forouryouthtoseetheirStateGovernmentupclose,

andalsotodosomeimportantadvocacywork. Rev.

ClareButterfieldwouldlovetohaveouryouth

participate.

FaithInPlacewillhaveatourbusanddriverforthe

day. ItwillleaveChicagoat6a.m.andreturnthesame

dayatabout6p.m. Theyoungfolkswillgetonedayoff

school(whatadeal!).Youcanalsoarrangeyourown

transportationbycarortrainYoucaneventravelthe

daybeforeandhavetimeforsightseeing!

RichPokornyisavailabletotalkmoreaboutthis

opportunitywithclasses,parents,oranyoneelse

interested. Formoreinformationabouttheevent,

[email protected].

SOCIAL MISSION Immigration Teach-InNoHumanBeingIsIllegal:ImmigrationTeachInfor

theentirecommunitytakesplaceonSaturday,March

26from9a.m.to3:30p.m.inUnityHouse.

Registrationbeginsat8:30a.m.Topicscoveredby

expertpresenterswillincludefederalandstate

immigration

laws,

policies

and

practices;

trade

and

economicissues;detentionanddeportationpractices;

andmore.TheprogrambuildsontheStandingonthe

SideofLoveinitiativesponsoredthroughUUA.We

invitealltolearnmoreaboutthiscomplicatedhuman

rightsissue.Registerat

[email protected]

registrationfeeof$15includeslunch,coffeeand

snacks.FormoreinformationcontactShirleyLundin

[email protected]

bringothers!

Identifying Sunday Collection RecipientsTheSocialMissionCommitteeistakingsuggestions

fororganizationstoreceiveourSundayCollectionsdur

ingthe201112fiscalyear. Organizationswillbevoted

onattheAnnualMeeting,andthehighestvotetotals

determinewhichorganizationsreceiveoneortwocol

lectionplates. Organizationsthatreceiveenoughvotes

toqualifyforacollectionaregenerallyoneswithwhich

UTUUCmembersarefamiliarandactive.

Togetanorganizationontheballotpleasefillout

andsubmitanapplicationform.(Pleasenotethator

ganizationsreceivingacollectionthisfiscalyearwill

automaticallybeincludedontheballotfornext

year.) Youcangetanapplicationformbyemailingso

[email protected] orattheSocialMission

tableonSundays.

March & Rally to End the War &OccupationWhat:RallyfollowedbyamarchalongMichiganAvenue

When:Saturday,March19at1p.m.

Where: MichiganAvenue&CongressParkway

Who:OrganizedbyMarch19thMobilization,acoalition

ofChicagopeacegroups

Saturday,March19,markseightyearsofUSwarand

occupationinIraq.Onthatday,theUnityTemplecon

gregantswillattendthemarchandrallydowntown

(detailsabove).TheywillgatherontheOakParkstopEl

platformatnoonandtraveldowntown.Tojointhemor

getmoreinformation,gotothe PeaceTableorSocial

MissionTableonSundaysorcontactRuthBabcockat

[email protected],orRichPokornyat

[email protected]. Wewillhavesignsandban

nersforyou.

VDAY March 18JoinwithourOPRFHighSchoolstudentsonFriday,

March18,from7to10p.m.,atPilgrimChurch,460Lake

Street,OakPark,tocombatviolenceagainstwomenand

girls.VDAYisaglobalinitiativetostopviolenceagainst

womenandgirlsandrevitalizethespiritofantiviolence

movements. OPRFstudentscontinuetheannualtradi

tionofjoiningtogetherandhearingthevoicesofwomen

withourownlocalVDAYconcertfeaturingstudent

feministgroups. Helpussupportwomen'srightsand

listentolocalmusicians,dancersandpoets.Proceeds

fromthe$5admissionfeewillgotoSarah'sInn,alocal

organization

supported

by

UTUUC.

Help OPRF Food Panty with the FeinsteinChallengeDuringMarchandApril,itemsandmoneydonatedto

theOakParkRiverForestFoodPantrywillincreasethe

amountofmoneytheFoodPantrycanreceivethrough

the$1millionFeinsteinChallenge,sponsoredbyAlan

ShawnFeinstein.OnSundays,bringfoodandtoiletries

tothecartinthefoyerofUnityTempleoryoumaygoto

www.oprffoodpantry.org

to

donate.

Thank

you.


10/12

10 TheBeacon

UNITY TEMPLE RESTORATION FOUNDATION

OnSaturday,March26,thewizardryofLiamTeague,

hailedasthePaganinioftheSteelpan,joinswiththe

multiinstrumentalartistryofRobertChappellto

performintricateoriginalcompositionsandintense

improvisationsthataresuretoamazeanddelight.

Ticketscanbepurchasedonlineatwww.utconcerts.com

orbyphoneat8008383006.

UT CONCERT SERIES: LIAMTEAGUE & ROBERT CHAPPELL

RestorationPriorities

Themostimportantrestorationprojectscontinuetobe

thosethathelpsecureandstabilizethebuilding

envelope,meaningtherepairoftheconcreteroofslabs

andwallsandtheconservationoftheartglass.To

completethetoppriorityprojects,approximately$5to7

millionisneeded.Thisworkisthefocusoffundraising

efforts.Additionally,weareworkingtoimplementthe

firstphaseofthegreengeothermalinteriorclimate

controlsystem.Wecontinuetoseekfundingforthis

work,aswell.Pleasenotethatthisspring,weplanto

beginworkonanartglassrestorationproject,restoring

aportionofthetall,narrowwindowsinthesanctuary

withagrantfromTheRichardH.DriehausFoundation.

ProgramstoHelpSupporttheRestoration

Simplyput,UTRFoffersprogramstobringmorepeople

toUnityTemple,basedontheconceptthatmorepeople

=biggerdonorpool=moredonors.Programsincrease

thepublicsawarenessofUnityTemplessignificance

anditsurgentneedforrestoration.Bringingnew

audiencesintothebuildinghelpsdeepenthepublics

engagementwithUnityTempleandtheworkofUnity

TempleRestorationFoundation.UTRFsprogramsare

fundedbygrantsfromTheMacArthurFundforArts&

CultureatTheRichardH.DriehausFoundationandthe

IllinoisArtsCouncil.

Break::the::Box|BlairKamin:TerrorandWonder:ArchitectureinaTumultuousAgeTuesday,March22,2011,7:30pm,$10/$15

ThePulitzerPrizewinningarchitecturecriticforthe

ChicagoTribunesurveystheperiodbracketedbythe

September11terroristattacksandtheopeningofthe

world'stallestbuildinginDubai.Thiswasaneraof

extremeoscillation betweenartistictriumphand

urbandisaster,frugalenergysavingarchitectureand

giddydesignexcess.Itwasatimeofterrorandwonder,

andbuildingswerecentraltoitsnarrative.

CominginApril:

WritersatWright|SarahVowell:UnfamiliarFishesWednesday,April6,2011,7pm,FREE

WritersatWright|ElizabethBerg:OnceUponaTime,ThereWasYouTuesday,April12,2011,7pm,FREE

Break::the::Box|JohnPavlus:ThisisHowWeDoItTuesday,April19,2011,7:30pm,$10/15

REGISTRATIONOPEN PrairieSchoolAdventures|

PrintmakingMagic

July1822,2011,9am12pm,$185/195

Thecolors,textures,andlightofFrankLloydWrights

UnityTemplewillinspireyourkids.Campersexplorethe

magicalmethodsofmakingcolorfulmonotypeprints,

fromsketchingandmixinginkstousinganactual

printingpresstocreateoneofakindworksofart.

Grades26.

REGISTRATIONOPEN PrairieSchoolAdventures|Art

Glass,Wright&Nature

July2529,2011,9am12pm,$165/175

WithnatureandWrightasinspiration,camperscreate

theirownartglasswindowdesignsintranslucentMylar

andpresenttheminagroupexhibit.Grades26.

Living by Heart with Rev. Laurel HallmanRev.LaurelHallman,oursabbaticalpreacheron

Sunday,April3,hasagreedtoofferanintroductionto

"LivingByHeart,"hermeditationpracticeforUUson

Saturdaymorning,April2,from9a.m.tonoon. Rev.

Hallmanwillpresentherworkshoptostrengthenyour

ownheartwisdomandteachpracticalwaystonurture

yourinnerselfandlivewithdepth,meaningand

purpose. ADVDandworkbookwillbeprovidedtoeach

participantgivingtheoptionforindividualorgroup

continuation.

Tolearnmoreabouttheworkshop,pleasecontact

VeraDowell,whowithDuane,wereparishionersof

Laurel'sinDallasorcheckitoutontheweb. Costwillbe

$15. Advancedregistrationforthisworkshopis

encouragedtoensurewehavematerialsforall

participants.Registerbyemailing

[email protected].


11/12

March2011 11

Board of [email protected]

DuaneDowell President

IanMorrison VicePresident

MargaretEwing Secretary

GlennBrewer Treasurer

JeanBorrelli

BetsyDavis

NinaGegenheimer

JayPeterson

DavidRipley

DianeScott

JenniferWalters

PollyWalwarkOur StaffForallcalls,pleasedial7088486225

andthenyourpartysextension:

Rev.AlanC.Taylor,SeniorMinister

OnsabbaticalthroughJune30,2011

Rev.EmilyGage,MinisterofFaithDevelopment

ext.103 [email protected]

Rev.ScottTalbotLewis,SabbaticalPastoralCare

Minister

7082506810 [email protected]

TinaLewis,InterimMembershipDirector

ext.

102

[email protected]

DavidWilke,DirectorofAdministration


MarthaSwisher,MusicDirector

[email protected]

HeatherGodbout,YouthCoordinator

ext. 107 [email protected]

MeridianHerman,RentalManager


SuleKivancAncieta,PreschoolCoordinator

JanetKrumm,NurseryCoordinator

DavidOsorio,Sexton

RitoSalinas,Sexton

PeterStorms,Accompanist

JenniferFlynn,PublicationsAssistant


TracyZurawski,Bookkeeper


WWW.UNITYTEMPLE.ORG

EVENTS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH

March6 AnnualFundDriveCommitment

FormsDue

March12 KnittingforPeace

2p.m.,GaleHouse

March13 IntroductiontoUU

1p.m.,UnityHouse

IntroductiontoEthicalEating

3p.m.,UnityHouse

March13,20 PathwaystoMembership

1p.m.,UnityHouse

March17: ElNorte(1983). 6p.m.,UnityHouse

March19 3rdSaturdayCoffeehouse

7:30p.m.,UnityTemple

March23 PurpleSages(SeniorWomen)

11:30a.m.,OakParkLibrary

March25 TaizService

7p.m.,Sanctuary

March26 NoHumanBeingisIllegal:TeachIn

9a.m.,UnityHouse

UTCSPresentsTeague&Chappell

7:30p.m.,UnityTemple

KnittingforPeace

2

p.m.,

Gale

House

March27 ChaliceCirclesAnnualPotluck

5p.m.,UnityTemple

March30 FaithinPlaceLobbyDay

BusesleaveforSpringfieldat6a.m.

Visit Our Calendar Online!AllCongregationeventsandactivitiesarelistedonour

webcalendaratwww.unitytemple.org/calendar. Thereyoucanfindrealtimelistingsofeverythingoc

curringatUnityTempleaswellasschedulerooms.

SelectAddEventatthetopofthecalendarandcompletethewebform. Youwillreceiveanemailwhen

yourUTUUCeventasbeenconfirmed.

BEACON Newsletter SubmissionsApril2011Beaconsubmissionsaredueat10a.m.on

[email protected].


12/12

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

Nonprofit

Organization

USPOSTAGE

PAIDOakPark,IL60301

PermitNo.305

UNITY TEMPLEUnitarian Universalist Congregation875 Lake StreetOak Park, IL 60301708-848-6225

www.unitytemple.org

SundayServicesareat9&10:45a.m.

March6

MakingEditsRev.MatthewJohnsonDoyle

Offering:LawyersCommitteeforBetterHousing

March

13

LivingtheUULifeFourthGradeChaliceCeremony

Rev.EmilyGage

Offering:Parenthesis

March20

TeaandFlowersRev.Dr.LeeBarker

Offering:MeadvilleLombardTheologicalSchool

Upcoming ServicesMarch27

OnReconciliationRev.BrianCovell

Offering: AustinScholarshipFund

March25at7p.m.

TaizatUnityTemple

Documents

BEACON March 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation