beacon july/august 2011 - unity temple unitarian universalist congregation
TRANSCRIPT
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8/6/2019 BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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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
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2 TheBeacon
Are YOU New? Welcome!IntroductiontoUnitarianUniversalism
ThissessionistheprerequisiteforthePathwaysto
Membershipcourse,andisopentoanyonewhowould
liketolearnmoreaboutUnitarianUniversalist
philosophy,identity,history,andtheology.Formore
informationandtoregisterforthisclass,contactSue
InstructorisRev.EmilyGage.Nextclassdate:Sunday,
August7,2011,from1to3p.m.Location:UnityHouse.
No
charge.
PathwaystoMembership
Thistwosessionclassisforthosewhohavealready
takenIntroductiontoUnitarianUniversalism.
Participantswillreflectonanddiscusstheirpersonal
attitudesandbeliefsaboutreligionandspiritualitywith
othersintheclass,andlearnmoreaboutour
congregationanditsprograms.Formoreinformationor
toregisterforthisclass,contactRobBellmarat
Saturdays,August13and20,2011,from9a.m.tonoon.
Location:UnityHouse.Cost:$20.
Forfreechildcareatalloftheseopportunities,contact
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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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,
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,
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.
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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
Teens: Want to Make Some Money?SummerREislookingforteenagerstojoinourteam
assubstitutes.ComejointhefunofteachingourUnity
Templekidsandmakesomemoneytoo. Youwillearn
$20foreachSundayyousub.
Youwillbepairedwithteacherswhohavetaught
SummerREbefore,soyouwillnotbeonyourown.
ManyofoursubstitutesbecomeSummerREteachers
thenextyear.
Interested?HaveQuestions?ContactAmyClark
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
questionsandwillingnesstovolunteer.
11-12 Curriculum & Events For All AgesWhat'shappeningnextyearforouryoungpeople?You
canclickhereforourCurriculumandEventsforAllages!
Markyourcalendars!!
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8/6/2019 BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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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
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8/6/2019 BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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
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] 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!
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8/6/2019 BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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.
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8/6/2019 BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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8/6/2019 BEACON July/August 2011 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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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