BEACON October 2010 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

8/8/2019 BEACON October 2010 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

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BEACONnity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

October 2010

I t hardly seems possible that Rich Meyer will be retir ing from his role as Membership Director. Come and celebrate with Rich on October 17 in worship and on October 24, 4 7 p.m., for his retirement party (see the box with more information on page 3).

Now that Rich is retiring, it is tempting to view the

upcoming transition with anxiety and a sense of urgency to 'just get on with it.' When an important position in a congregation is vacated by someone who has held it for a long time and is beloved, experience and research teach that this a time for reflection and re orientation, that significant insights and advances can be made during such an inbetween time. So we will have an interim period to assess where we are now, to deter mine what the congregation needs at this point, and to develop a job description for the permanent position that responds to those needs. A Search Committee will be put together by November 1 to facilitate this impor tant work and to find a good match for our permanent Membership Director by July 1.

This is a time of challenge, as well as opportunity. We cannot replace Rich with another person with the same set of strengths and approaches to the Membership Director position. Rich will be missed as a staff member for his graciousness, his kindness, his willingness to lend an ear or a hand to anyone in need. (Fortunately he will still be a member of the Congregation, but we must follow his lead on how he wants to be in relationship

with the Congregation). Whoever will be in this role in the future will have their own set of strengths, and it is important not to assume that the new Membership Director will approach the position in the same way Rich did.

In the interim, we will hire an Interim Membership Director. This position will be designed to attend to the core responsibilities of the position and to help us clarify and prioritize our current membership needs. Members

FROM REV. ALANTAYLOR of the congregation will be considered for this position, as will non members. If you have interest, please contact me.

Because Rich has been our "go to" person on Sunday mornings, we will create a Sunday Morning Coordinator position. Perhaps a couple members would like to split

this paid position and do alternate weeks. Either way, this function is likely best undertaken by folk(s) familiar with and committed to our community. Again, let me know if you have interest.

What can you do? I know Rich would remind us that each and every one of us makes a difference when we make it a habit of greeting and engaging newcomers. Please do so!

This is a time to think about how we continue and extend our hospitality ministries, what we need for our newcomers and growing membership, and how best to work all this out. This is significant work, sacred work that invites people into community and connection. It is important not to rush such reflection and conversation. During this time of transition, some specific needs may get temporarily missed. When that happens, please let the appropriate leaders know and be forgiving as we findand sometimes stumbleour way into embracing new leadership and ways of doing things. And of course your participation in them is welcomed!

Warmly,

Congratulations to Michael Leuchtenberger , our former Intern Minister, who will be ordained and installed by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, New Hampshire on October 24. Both Rev. Alan Taylor and Marty Swisher will participate in the service. Notes can be sent to Michael at UUCC, 24 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301.


2/12

2 The Beacon

From Duane Dowell, [email protected]

I d like to take a break this month....a break from pontificating

about

Policy

Governance...a

break

from

reporting the next great news from the Pursuit Team...a break from advertising the next great church auction. And say Thank You.

There are many things to say thank you for. One of the privileges of being President of this congregation is that you get to be a little bit nosy. Wandering into Unity Temple at odd hours gives glimpses of the countless hours of volunteer work that gets done to make our congregation hum. You might run into Mary Marling counting the money from the Sunday collection or setting up an audit or typing up a list of the service men and women who have died that we remember at our Sunday service. And who hasnt been greeted by Mona McNeeses smile early or late on a Sunday morning making sure all are welcome.

You could bump into Barbara Moline on a Monday or Tuesday morning making sure after all the Sunday activities that the Sanctuary is clear of dropped bulletins, scarves, hats, etc....that the dishes are clean and put away in the kitchen...that the linens got washed...that the Temple generally looks presentable for the hundreds of visitors who visit Frank Lloyd Wrights Masterpiece.

This article was partially prompted by the fact that Barbara recently had to give up this church lady function following three devastating leg fractures.

If you had particularly good vision, you might catch Tom Dunnington and Carol DiMateo hosting a parent group or a youth group...Or Ed Malone working on yet another legal document as his pro bono work for the church...or Russ Lorraine teaching yet another OWL class for our teens...well, you get the idea.

Of course, starting a list like this leaves out YOU; who have served on more committees than you can count, or who have lost track of the number of years you have sung in the choir, who, as a greeter, made that special connection to someone who came back again and again and is now one of these volunteers that needs thanking.

And yes, we do have some regular staff (not enough) who are paid (not enough) to shoulder the burden of keeping this organization afloat and running well. They deserve our daily thanks and gratitude as well!

Thank you all for making this a wonderful place.

Are YOU New? Welcome!

Introduction to Unitarian Universalism This course is the prerequisite for Pathways to Membership sessions, and is for all who would like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism philosophy,

history and

theology.

For

more

information,

and

to register for this class, email Sue Stock at [email protected] or call 708 445 0306 . Instructor: Rev. Taylor. Date & Time: October 17 from 13 p.m. Location: Unity House. No charge.

Pathways to Membership This two session class is for those who have already taken Introduction to Unitarian Universalism. It focuses on our congregation and its programs. Participants will have opportunities to discuss their personal attitudes and beliefs about religion and spirituality and to share these with others in the class. For more information, and/or to put your name on the list for a class, contact Rob Bellmar at 708 763 0260 or [email protected] . Next class dates are Sundays, October 17 and 24 from 14:30 p.m. Location: Unity House. Cost: $20. November classes will be held on Sundays, November 14 and 21 from 14:30.

For free childcare during any of these classes, contact [email protected] at least one week in advance.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MEMBERSHIPOPPORTUNITIES

Membership Opportunities 2 Board of Trustees 2 Community Minister 3 Religious Education News 4 Adult Religious Enrichment 5 Ex Libris 5 Music Program News 6 UTUUC Constitutional Amendment 6 Chalice Circles 7 Social Mission 8 Auction 2010: Unity by Design 8 UT Restoration Foundation Events 9 Thank You to Crop Walk Participants 10 October Events Not To Miss 11

INSIDETHIS ISSUE


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October 2010 3

FROM THE COMMUNITY MINISTER From Rev. Clare ButterfieldCommunity Minister

[email protected]

I speak regularly to audiences much larger than the one in the hearing room for the EPA Coal Ash hearings this week in Chicago, so Im not sure what was particularly intimidating about signing up to testify there. Its instructive that it is intimidating though, because that will likely be more discouraging to ordinary citizens who care about the issue of coal ash disposal than it will be to industry representatives whose income depends on their ability to continue to dispose of this toxic matter without close government regulation.

Its the stories I heard that stick with me. Did you know that the entire town of Pines, Indiana is a Superfund site? Not only is it the site of a significant coal ash impoundment, but much of the town was built on coal ash fill. When they finally got around to testing the well water they found that it was all contaminated to the point of being unsafe to drink. Twothirds of the homeowners now receive municipal water (from Lake Michigan) but another third still have no alternate supply to their wells.

And any runoff from this toxic town drains into the

local creeks, and as you might recall, all the rivers adjacent to Lake Michigan drain into it (except the Chicago River, because we turned it around).

In Central Illinois our staff member, Brian Sauder, went in search of the Oakwood impoundment over by Decatur, and found it. Its a natural ravine that was gradually filled with coal ash from a Dynergy electric plant there, without liners or cover or any kind of protection to keep the toxins from the impoundment from reaching the water table and the nearby Vermilion River. Wells in Oakwood have tested positive for toxins and some homeowners there have been advised not to drink their water, but there is no other water for them to drink.

This happened because of our thirst for electricity, and cheap electricity at that. But I wonder how anyone could have come to a ravine near the Vermilion and decided that its ideal use would be to fill it up with coal ash.

The day left me with a strangely mournful feeling about how much has gone wrong, and how much work and effort and will it will take to fix it. I suppose that means that Faith in Place is unlikely to run out of things

to do in my lifetime so I should be happy. I am more interested in what it will take for us to see a place of natural beauty and recognize that its intrinsic value is too great for us to use it instrumentally for some sorry purpose of our own. It will take a kind of thought that our society today does not encourage, but which places like Unity Temple and Faith in Place still do. Faith in Place is wading into the coal fields this year with our programming, and were finding out that they are closer to home than we thought they were. Your participa tion, particularly through postcards to the EPA in support of their proposed Subtitle C regulations, is warmly welcomed (theyll be at the social mission table during coffee hour).

Welcoming Sunday CelebrationOn October 17, we will officially welcome new

members into our UTUUC community at both services. The celebration continues with a reception at 4:30 p.m. for new members and their guests, followed at 5 p.m. by a family style, home cooked Sunday dinner, all presented by the Membership Committee. Members of the congregation are invited to attend. Look for the RSVP sheet at the Welcome Table, by Sunday, October 10th, or email [email protected] to let us know that you will be joining us at dinner.

New members: If you have signed the Membership Book and have not been formally welcomed in a worship service you are invited to participate. We request that you attend both services, if possible, to be introduced to

the full congregation. (Feel free to leave the second service after the welcoming ceremony portion.) Mark Robinson, is our Welcoming Sunday coordinator. He will be making invitation calls.

For free childcare for this event contact [email protected] at least one week in advance.

Retirement Party for Rich MeyerCelebrate Rich Meyer! Rich Meyerthe membership guy!is retiring. Come say thank you to our very own Prairie Home Companion. There will be music, merriment, and home style eating in Unity House on Sunday, October 24, from 47 p.m. How can you

help? Sign up the first two Sundays of October at coffee hour to bring an appetizer or dessert, or to assist the day of the party. Please also RSVP to rsvp @unitytemple.org or at the sign up table at the first two Sundays of October. Questions? See or write Betsy Davis at [email protected].


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4 The Beacon

From Rev. Emily Gage Minister of Faith Development [email protected]

W e Unitarian Universalists love our freedom. We celebrate our freedom to believe according to our own hearts and minds, and we also find joy in the fact that we are free to explore beyond what we believe right now. We like that freedom. We take it so seriously that sometimes we find ourselves rebelling against direction or authority just because we can. (What?! No we dont! I hear you thinking.)

It has always been thus in Unitarian Universalist circles (and Unitarian and Universalist circles), this thing about freedom. Many have believed so strongly in it,

many have exercised it with such clarity and volume, that they ended up losing their lives for it. I remember shocking Unity Temples fourth graders last year as I told them about Michael Servetus and his book that debunked the argument about the Trinity through his Biblical research. Its a long story, but he ended up being burned at the stake by John Calvin, simply because he exercised his freedom of belief. (He was only unitarian with a small u, as this was back in the 16th century, but still, he is one of our freedom loving ancestors.) Still others got into real trouble, like Theodore Parker, who expanded the definition of Unitarian Christianity so far that his Unitarian ministerial colleagues tried to exile him from their group. They lost their argument, but many refused to talk with Parker or participate in pulpit exchanges afterwards. And so it goes. That also was more than a century ago, but Ive heard plenty of modern day stories of those of you who have struggled with families and friends and acquaintances who dont value freedom in the same way as we do in our congregations.

All this is to say that freedom can be a hard thing to practice. Its an ongoing process, testing things within

our own hearts and souls and minds, working hard to put what we believe into how we live our lives. Often we run up against those who view things a bit differently, and our job is to remain open and engaged with each other as we both continue on our spiritual journeys. All this, and at the same time, how wonderful to find such expansiveness in our horizons, in the possibilities around us and within us.

As Unitarian Universalists, we are free as individuals, and we are free as congregations.

One of the most important things that we do as a

free congregation

is

to

have

the

right

to

call

the

RELIGIOUSEDUCATION Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregationinvites you to celebrate with us

as we installThe Reverend Emily Lauren Gage

as ourMinister of Faith Development

Sunday, the seventh of November, 20105 oclock in the evening

Unity Temple875 Lake St.

Oak Park, IL 60301708-848-6225

RSVP [email protected]

A reception will follow in Unity HouseChildren are welcome to the service and reception.

Childcare also provided.Religious leaders are invited to robe and process.

ministers of our own choosing. (And ministers have the freedom to choose as well.) Thus it is a special joy when a minister and a congregation come together and officially celebrate that calling. On Sunday, November 7th at 5 p.m., I will have the honor and privilege of being installed as Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregations Minister of Faith Development. I hope

you can

come

and

celebrate

with

usit

will

be

a

wonderful occasion. My friends and colleagues the Rev. Roger Bertschausen and Rev. Dottie Matthews of Fox Valley UU Fellowship in Appleton, Wisconsin will preach the sermon and will be among the special guests, the choir and other musicians will share their gifts, and, as always, there will be yummy food afterwards to celebrate. Our young people are absolutely welcome, and we will have childcare as well. It will be a great day to celebrate our freedom to choose one another, and our freedom to be who we are as Unitarian Universalists.

Hope to see you there and many times before!

Don't let your child(ren) get lost--makesure they are registered for Unity TempleReligious Education!

Registering your children for UT Religious Education is how we make everything possible in our programs communication, planning, and safety. Please do it for your children and for Unity Temple today! Registration forms at the Faith Development table on Sundays or available by download on our website.


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October 2010 5

Career Transition Outreach Every Monday from 8:45 9:45am at Unity Temple, Diane Wilson, LCPC, helps those facing job loss and career uncertainty. This outreach is designed to help participants manage the psychological and practical aspects of their job transition through accountability and goal setting. Author of Back in Control , Wilson is a coach, counselor, and neurofeedback specialist. [email protected] . No registration or fees.

ADULTRELIGIOUSENRICHMENT

Caregiver Support GroupThe Caregivers Support Group is held every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the West balcony of Unity House. This drop in group is open to anyone affected by the caregiver role and will take only 6090 minutes of your time once a month. Facilitator: Susan

Anderson [email protected] . No registration or fees.

Articulating Your UU FaithDo you wonder sometimes about how to express your faith to others? How do you talk about what you believe? These questions and more will be pondered and

even possibly

answered

at

the

Articulating

Your

UU

Faith

class in the fall, facilitated by Rev. Emily Gage. Set your calendars now for the four session class: Thursdays, September 30, October 7, October 21, October 28 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Minimum of ten participants. To register, email [email protected].

Ex Libris opens on Sunday, October 3 with a new schedule: We will be open the first and third Sundays each month. Ex Libris will concentrate on putting much of our current stock on sale. We will have books and gifts available for holiday gift giving. On December 5, we will begin to add free gift wrapping for holiday presents.

You will find many books for those interested in learning about the foundation of UU history and of special interest to the church, along with the rich history of religious and spiritual thinkers. We want to help you find "that one book" which greatly changes or enriches an individual's life.

We are looking forward to selling Tom Dunnington's book based on his work in helping us with "joys and sorrows" in church and without. We plan for book signings with other local authors as well.

Ex Libris will be closed the months of January and February so that the OWL program can use the bookstore space. We will open again when OWL classes are finished. There will be a used book sale in March. Please save your books, CDs and videos for

donation. We welcome suggestions and volunteers.

Movies with Meaning Film DiscussionsThe Movies with Meaning series will continues! Films screen at 6 p.m. Discussion follows at 8 pm.

October 21 Persepolis (2007) Marjane Stapis autobiographical graphic novel is the source of for this challenging film that tracks a young

girls experience of the 1978 Iranian revolution. Far froma Disneytype movie, this animated film is both beautiful and deeply felt. Rated: PG13

November 18 Doubt (2008) This film adaptation John Patrick Shanley's Tony winning play stars Meryl Streep as a strict principal of a Roman Catholic school. Amy Adams plays her innocent protg. A new priest played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman falls under suspicion when the aging nun notices a questionable relationship between the priest and a school boy. Rated: PG13

EX LIBRIS

UU Parenting Workshop:Bringing Our UU Faith HomeInterested in finding ways to grow your children into kind and responsible human beings true to Unitarian Universalist values? By creating unique family rituals, you can feel more connected with each other and with our greater community. This is also a chance to participate in a group exploration of the different ways in which we deal with some of the unique parenting opportunities and challenges we face as Unitarian Universalists. We will be using a UU Parenting Curriculum tailored to include topics the group finds most interesting. Parents of children of all ages are welcome. Childcare available by contacting

[email protected] . Faciliators: Sunny Hall & Carrie Bankes. Tuesdays, 78:30 p.m., November 2, 9, 16 & 23. Fee: $10 for supplies and snacks. To register, email [email protected] .

Reinventing ChristmasAre the holidays just a synonym for stress? Does the uber consumerism of Christmas get you down? How do you create rituals and traditions that have resonance for you? Whether youre partnered or single, a parent or not, this workshop of exercises and discussion will help you transform Christmas in to a simpler, more meaningful time. Based on the book Unplug the Christmas Machine, and facilitated by Cathy Busking and Karin Sullivan. Tuesdays, October 19 and 26, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Minimum of ten participants, maximum of 15. To register, email [email protected].


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6 The Beacon

From the Music DirectorMarty [email protected]

Music at Unity Temple continues to serve as a source of inspiration for our services by involving as many congregants as possible. We are fortunate to have many talented friends and members that enhance our instrumental and vocal ensembles. We encourage your participation at whatever level. The choir, Taiz singers and instrumentalists and services provide a great place to share your musical interests and gifts with us. Five new members have joined the choir this season and already our ensemble has been enhanced by their warmth and talented contributions. Its never too late

to join

choir

or

be

a part

of

our

music

program

here

at

Unity Temple.

On October 3 , The Unity Temple Singers (our a cappella vocal ensemble) will sing a haunting arrangement of a memorial to a loved one entitled Good Night, Dear Heart. The Unity Temple Choir sings on the 10 and 17, the 24 features our own Peter Storms on keyboard and on the 31, our youth will lead our service music.

The children of our congregation ages 613 interested in being featured in a vocal ensemble performing on November 7, at 5 p.m., for the installation of Reverend Emily Gage. This exciting service has provided us with a great opportunity to gather our singers for a work that needs all our youth voices. Please contact Marty Swisher, [email protected] if you are interested. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 20, and 27, at 4 p.m. for an hour.

Taiz at Unity Temple continues to grow in popularity with many members of our wider community finding Unity Temple a place to pray, meditate and sing a chant or two. We encourage members of Unity Temple

to join us as the instrumental ensemble continues to grow to include more members.

We welcome your creative ideas and suggestions. Lets continue to build and inspire together.

Thank you for all your support!

MUSIC

Taiz at Unity TemplePlease join us again for Taiz Service in the UnityTemple Sanctuary, on Friday, October 22, at 7 p.m.This service will offer a time for meditation, reflection,and renewal through music, brief words, andsilence. Come sing, light a candle, and nurture yourspirit during this non-traditional worship experienceand bring a friend. The service will conclude before 8p.m. For more information, contact Marty Swisher,

Music Director, at [email protected].

3rd Saturday Coffeehouse in OctoberThe 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse welcomes Madison, Wisconsin poet Robin Chapman on Saturday, October 16. Robin has been a poet since she was eight and a Unitarian since she was 10. She writes about wilderness trips, prairie grass, growing up in a weapons town, and, sometimes, nonlinear dynamic systems. Her poems have

been set

to

music

for

choirs,

glazed

in

ceramic

tile

near

the giraffes at the Milwaukee Zoo, brailled onto photographs, and painted onto paintings of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Author of six books, her most recent is Abundance , winner of the Cider Press Editors' Award. She has also coedited two poetry anthologies, On Retirement and Love Over 60 . She received the Helen Howe Poetry Prize for 2010 from Appalachia. Unity House doors open 7:30 p.m. Open mic begins at 8 p.m. and feature at 9 p.m. Donation $35. We are acoustic. Open mic limited to 5 mins. Info at 708 660 9376.

Vote on constitutional amendment tochange date of the annual meetingA special meeting of the membership will be held on November 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary to vote on the proposed constitutional amendment to change the date of the annual meeting. Currently, the constitution

requires that the annual meeting occur in June. The practice has been to hold the annual meeting on the first Sunday in June, which conflicts with A Day in our Village. The Board of Trustees is proposing an amend ment that would allow the meeting to be held earlier in the year. To amend the constitution, a majority of all members who are eligible to vote must approve the amendment. Absentee ballots will be sent to each member. The ballot will also be available on the website and in the lobby after services beginning October 17.


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October 2010 7

Racism and the Challenge of Diversity

Opening Words

Were all just people represents a wellmeaning, bighearted attempt to avoid the terrible repercussions that have too often been the offshoot of seeing differences among people. It does so by emphasizing the common ground that we share. But it seems to me not only to be an impossible goal to attain...but also to defeat the very goals at which it is aimed. How can we embrace or celebrate diversity if we are trying, at the same time, to deny its existence? How can we validate the individual identities of each person if in the process we are panic stricken at the thought of acknowledging the group membershipsof race, gender, religion, sexual orientationthat are fundamental to most

peoples identities? Blind Spots , p. 144.

Focus/Discussion

1. What attitudes towards diversity did you learn growing up?

2. If you changed your attitudes, what caused you to change?

3. What experiences, good and bad, have you had to trying to connect with people different from yourself?

4.

What experiences

have

you

had

with

diversity

that

were meaningful to you?

5. When it comes to diversity, what don't we talk about that you think we should talk about?

Closing Words

If you dont get why what you said is insulting, she fired back, then its not worth my time to talk to you. (Overheard conversation)

What if we viewed these moments in which the other person doesnt get it as a valuable opening rather than as a reason to shut the door to further communica tion? In his book, Racial Healing , Harlon Dalton advises that when we look at one another in confusion, recognizing that theres some fundamental misunder standing occurring, we should relish these moments for they have the potential to teach us much about how race affects our lives. Blind Spots , p. 146.

Thanks to Marilyn Miles who provided ideas for this topic.

Join a Chalice CircleChalice Circles Welcome New Members There are currently 15 Chalice Circles with many possible schedules and times for meeting. Chalice Circles create openings for trust, friendship, honesty, growth and reflection. They are a spiritual practice. We

welcome adults of all ages. Be known as you are, join a group today. For information about joining a Chalice Circle contact Marge Entemann at [email protected] or 708 445 8544 .

The group from the SW suburbsWestchester to Downers Grove to Lislemeets Friday nights and is looking for new members.

CHALICECIRCLES

Upcoming Chalice Circle 2010-11 EventsThursday, November 4, 2010 79 p.m. Chalice Circle Facilitator Fall Get Together Chalice Circle Ministry Team hosts its annual fall facilita tor get together. All facilitators and those who are inter ested in becoming facilitators are welcome.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 79 p.m. Chalice Circle Facilitator Training Chalice Circle Ministry Team presents facilitator training for current facilitators, new facilitators and those who are interested in becoming a cofacilitator.

Sunday, March 27, 2011 59 p.m. Chalice Circles Annual Potluck All Chalice Circle members are invited to Chalice Circle program annual potluck supper at Unity Temple.

Please contact Marge Entemann for additional informa tion about facilitator training at [email protected] or 708 445 8544 .

GA Forum: Learn What's Happening in

the Wider World of UUThis brief session will focus on issues and initiatives that are afoot in the wider world of UU. David Ripley, Alan Taylor, Janet Holden, Marty Swisher, and Rich Pokorny will talk about what they learned while attending the General Assembly this summer as well as other ideas brewing in the UU community. Come and learn about issues than affect all of us and perhaps become informed about an initiative in which you would like to get involved. The forum will take place on Sunday, October 17, 12:151 p.m. For more information contact Charlie Rossiter, event coordinator at 708 606 4673.


8/12

8 The Beacon

Mark Your Calendars!Catalog Auction Bidding: October 1031 Silent Auction Event: Saturday, November 13, 710 p.m. at the Temple

Thank you to everyone who has helped us kickoff our planning for these major fundraising events with such generous donations and raffle ticket purchases. (Keep in mind that the CASH raffle prize grows with each purchase!) The Committee has talked a lot about how much the Catalog events are wonderful community building experiencesso were asking people to share testimonials with usso we can share them with you.

For those of you new to the Catalog Auctionwe hope this will give you a flavor of the terrific opportunities that can be found by participating in catalog events.

The auction events are a fun way to meet new people and try new things. We will definitely bid on Susan and Keith Huizingas tamale party again I couldn't believe they even taught my husband, who is definitely a kitchen novice, to make delicious tama les. What a great way to spend an evening and support a good cause! Jane D.

Please visit the auction page at www.unitytemple.org to learn more about the Catalog and Silent Auction events and how you can support us. Tickets are on sale via www.brownpapertickets.com or can be purchased at the Auction table on Sundays or during the Catalog Auction. NEW THIS YEAR: visit the auction page of the website to make your donation! The form is now ONLINE! Questions? Comments? Want to get involved? Contact Jennifer Marling@773 889 8040 or email [email protected] .

AUCTION2010!UNITYBY DESIGN:COMMUNITYBY CHOICE

Update from Diversity Task ForceThe Diversity Task Force continues to work on the congregational goal of expanding and deepening diversity in membership and programming. This month we piloted the Diversity Questionnaire with the Program Committee and Pathways Questionnaire Training Program, and will be fine tuning the questionnaire with their input. The questionnaire will be distributed to the congregation on October 3, and we look forward to getting input from all of you! Stay tuned for Rev. Alan Taylor's message from the pulpit on diversity, as well as Chalice Circle readings, to kick off the Diversity Initiative in October.

SOCIALMISSION

Food, Fun, Fellowship Fundraiser forPeace - Saturday, October 23rdPlease join us at a party and fundraiser for peace and justice work, right here at Unity Temple on Saturday, October 23, starting at 6 p.m. The evening includes a catered dinner with veggie and meat options, a cash bar, a silent auction, fun and fellowship, and music by Turtles Anonymous. CoSponsors are the Oak Park Coalition for Truth & Justice and OPRF Students for Peace & Justice. Admission and dinner is $20 for adults and $10 students & low income individuals. Extra contributions are of course welcome. The proceeds will fund the monthly OPCTJ Film Series at the Oak Park Main Library; NEW New Deal workshops; support for peace in Iraq & Afghanistan; Thursday morning peace vigil; promoting a living wage; assisting the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; and supporting the Coalition to Save Community Banking. Purchase tickets at the Social

Mission table on Sundays or contact Rich Pokorny at 708 848 3015 or [email protected].

Human Rights Activist Shares Her StoryCipriana Jurado, a human rights activist from Ciudad Juarez, is currently being hosted by Chicago Religious Leadership Network. She has worked as an advocate for the labor rights of women and for economic and environmental justice for more than 20 years. In the mid 90s, she founded the Center for Information and Solidarity for Working Women (CISO), a non profit organization. Cipriana has undertaken investigations of human rights violations, especially in Juarez, for which she has received death threats and one of her colleagues was killed. In January 2010, Amnesty International released an alert asking the international community to protect Cipriana and other human rights defenders in Jurez from intimidation and death threats. She has come to Chicago seeking temporary refuge from these

threats. Come and hear more of Cipriana's story and work defending human rights in Mexico, on October 3, in Unity Temple at 12:15 p.m.


9/12

October 2010 9

UNITYTEMPLE RESTORATIONFOUNDATION UTRFs programs helps to build awareness of Unity Tem ples architectural significance and serious restoration

needs, and

broaden

the

community

of

support.

Proceeds

from UTRFs programs help support the restoration.

Wine, Chocolate & Architecture: A Haunting Halloween Trio Thursday, October 28, 79 p.m. Wine and chocolate have always been a well matched pair. Add the beauty of a candlelit Unity Temple for a hauntingly delicious Halloween. Sip an ecletic selection of wines from France, South Africa, Italy and California, specially selected by Marion Street Cheese Market. En joy artisan chocolates and gourmet caramels made by

local confectioner Katherine Ann and MSCM's own pas try chefs. MSCM will be on hand to help you get the most from this delicious experience. TakaraOak Park's fashionista, Marion St. boutique owner, and clothing & jewelry designerwill join us with an array of exquisite fall clothing, jewelry and accessories in hues of wine and chocolate. Her exclusive and avant garde pieces make perfect gifts for friendsor for yourselfand a portion of each purchase will support the restoration of Unity Temple. Space is limited, so make your reservations to day. $30 per person in advance, $35 at the door.

Break :: the :: Box David Patterson, The Five Influences: Music and Mr. Wright's Architecture October 7, 8 p.m. (An ArtRageous! Oak Park event) Frank Lloyd Wright compared music to architecture: a symphony was an edifice of sound; Beethoven was a great architect. With Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as a map, musicologist David Patterson decodes music's influence on Wright's approach to design. Cosponsored by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. Cost: $5.

Literary Series, Cosponsored by The Book Table, Friends of the Oak Park Public Library, Midwest Media and Unity Temple Restoration Foundation.

Jack Bishop of America's Test Kitchen Wednesday, October 13, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Americas Test Kitchen is the most watched cooking show on public televisionup to 2 million viewers each episode. Join Jack Bishop, Editorial Director of America's Test Kitchen and host of Cook's Illustrated's podcast, to celebrate the publication of The America's Test Kitchen

Healthy Family Cookbook . Admission: $5 (can be applied to purchase of The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook on night of event).

Look in the November Beacon for information about more UTRF events, such as Chris Ware & Charles Burns: Cartoonists in Conversation (November 2) and Prairie

School Adventures opportunities for kids in Grades 26, including Holiday Card Printmaking for Kids & Families (November 6) and Gingerbread Prairie House Workshop (December 29).

For more information and tickets, call 708 383 8873 or visit www.utrf.org.

Unity Temple Concert Series:The Wailin Jennys at UTCS

The 38 th season of Frank Lloyd Wrights Unity

Temple Concert

Series

(UTCS)

opens

with

the

Wailin

Jennys, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. If youre a fan of A Prairie Home Companion, you may be familiar with the pristine voices, exquisite harmonies and earthy passions of this trio. Offering a folkpop sound interlaced with alt country and rock, they make new songs sound traditional and familiar ones brand new. Dont miss your opportunity to see the Jennys during their only Chicago area appearance.

As is the case with many arts organizations, UTCS has been facing financial challenges due to the precarious economic environment. Scheduling this season required a leap of faith. This season could potentially be our last if we cant increase attendance at our concerts. The Concert Series has been entertaining audiences for nearly four decades, incorporating an eclectic mix of performers. With a subscription price of $22.50 per concert for the best seats, the series offers a fabulous entertainment value. While UTCS provides wonderful music in an architecturally beautiful setting, the underlying goal is to contribute financially to the ongoing preservation efforts of the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation. If

youve never experienced a UTCS concert, this would be a great time and perhaps even your last chance to attend.

There is still time to subscribe to the entire 20102011 season of six concerts. Also, new this year, you have the option of choosing three performances with our 3pick subscription. Single concert tickets are also available. For a preview of our upcoming season or for ticket information, visit our website at www.utconcerts.com . Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 708 445 8955.


10/12

10 The Beacon

Unity Temple Gives...The generosity of our congregation is making a difference in peoples lives. Every Sunday our

collection plate offerings are donated to a worthy charitable organization in support of our mission and values. During the month of August 2010 , your weekly collection donations contributed the following amounts to these organizations:

Lawyers Committee for Better Housing: $392 PCC Wellness Center: $336 Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association: $276 Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty: $326 Micahs Porch: $448

Thank you for your generosity!

Need a Ride to the Airport?

Need a ride

to

the

airport?

Your

$30

fare

benefits

Unity Temple ($20 to UT, $10 to the driver). Call Russ Lorraine, 708 214 1770 ; Duane Dowell, 708 890 1148 ; John Frye, 708 456 5266 or 708 431 8929 ; or Lisa Gariota (weekends and O'Hare only), 773 594 1426 .

Parents Support GroupA new Parents Support Group for UT families with special needs children will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 709 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, at 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested please contact Carol DiMatteo or Tom Dunnington by phone 708 524 2859 or email [email protected].

The Purple Sages (Senior Women)Will be meeting on Wednesday, October 27, from 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. in the Book Discussion Room on the 2nd floor of the Oak Park Library. Bring a brown bag lunch! For more information, call 708 705 1428.

Mens RetreatMark you calendar for the Mens Retreat, January 1416. For information contact Mark Johansen at 708 383 3734

or markeric

[email protected] .

THANK YOU to participants of the2010 Crop Hunger Walk!Parents, if your child(ren) walked or worked for CROP this year, please share this BEACON story with them.

Two years ago, in 2008, our local CROP Walk broke

our own

record,

raising

nearly

$75,000

to

fight

hunger

locally and throughout the world. Then recession gripped the nation, and in 2009 our total dropped to $66,107.72. For 2010, the local CROP Team decided to try to collect $70,000 or more. Adding this amount to our total for the preceding 26 Walks, we would have raised over $1 million for CROP during our 27year effort. We asked every participating group to set its own group goal, and to recruit at least one additional person to walk with their group this year. The Walk Team goal for 2010 was to increase the number of groups over last year's total. For the amount to be raised, we adopted the slogan, "A Million to Feed Millions." This meant that when we add the amount we collect in 2010 to all the money our community previously raised for CROP, we would have given over $1 million to feed millions of hungry people world wide.

Locally we reached our goals and then some! Altogether, our CROP Walk collected $75,020.78 , with 470 total walkers. This is the most we have ever collected in one year. Also, in this fiscal year (July 1, 2009 June 30, 2010), our local Walk raised more than

any other Walk in this Church World Service Region. And you helped make it happen! Unity Temple

raised $7,361.79. This is more than a 75 percent increase over our Unity Temple total for 2009 ($4,107). The 35 walkers from Unity Temple included our minister, Alan Taylor. Walkers enjoyed a pre Walk picnic lunch at Unity Temple, decorated CROPUnity Temple tshirts together, heard Gospel music sung by a Praise Team that worships in Forest Park, and much more. Our Unity Temple total was bolstered by generous morning offerings collected at worship on two May Sundays.

We appreciate all of your efforts: Unity Temple staff, Social Mission's CROP Task Force, artists who made posters to promote the Walk, R.E. Committee, Sunday School Teachers, Children and their Parents, Donors who sponsored our walkers, Donors who gave on line, Volunteers who set up the pre Walk lunch, those who gave a Sunday offering.

Pat Eichenold, Coordinator, and Joyce Marco, Historian West Suburban CROP Hunger Walk Team


11/12

October 2010 11

Board of [email protected]

Duane Dowell President Ian Morrison Vice President Margaret Ewing Secretary

Glenn Brewer Treasurer Jean Borrelli Betsy Davis Nina Gegenheimer Jay Peterson David Ripley Diane Scott Jennifer Walters Polly Walwark

Our Staff For all calls, please dial 708 848 6225 and then your partys extension:

Rev. Alan C. Taylor , Minister x101 [email protected] Rev. Emily Gage , Minister of Faith Development x103 [email protected] Rich Meyer , Membership Director x102 [email protected] David Wilke , Director of Administration x100 [email protected] Martha Swisher , Music Director [email protected] Heather Godbout Youth Coordinator X107 [email protected] Meridian Herman , Rental Manager x108 [email protected] Sule KivancAncieta , Preschool Coordinator David Osorio , Sexton Rito Salinas , Sexton Peter Storms , Accompanist Jennifer Flynn, Publications Assistant

X105 [email protected] Tracy Zurawski , Bookkeeper x104 [email protected] Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield , Community Minister [email protected]

WWW.UNITYTEMPLE.ORG

OCTOBEREVENTSNOT TO MISS September 30 Articulating Your UU Faith Oct. 7, 21, & 28 7 p.m., Gale House

October 3 Cipriana Jurado shares her story 12:15 p.m., Unity Temple

October 17 GA Forum: The Wider World of UU 12:15 p.m. Unity Temple, room TBD

October 17 Intro. to Unitarian Universalism 1 p.m., Unity House

October 17 & 24 Pathways to Membership 1 p.m., Unity House

October 17 New Member Welcome Reception 4:30 p.m., Unity House

October 19 & 26 Reinventing Christmas

7 p.m.,

Location

TBD

October 21 Movies with Meaning: Persepolis 6 p.m., Unity House

October 22 Taize Service 7 p.m., Sanctuary

October 23 Food, Fun, Fellowship Fundraiser for Peace 6 p.m., Unity House

October 24 Retirement Party for Rich Meyer 4 p.m., Unity House

October 27 Purple Sages (Senior Women) 11:30 a.m., Oak Park Library

Visit Our Calendar Online!You can find all Congregation events and activities listed on our web calendar at www.unitytemple.org/calendar . You can find real time listings of all the events occurring at Unity Temple, and also schedule rooms for Congregation events and activities right from the page. Select Add Event at the top of the calendar and complete the web form. You will receive an email when your event as been confirmed.

BEACON Newsletter SubmissionsSubmissions for the November 2010 Beacon are due at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 25. Please email submis sions to [email protected] .

Be a Beacon-folding Hero!Come and help us distribute our beautiful Beacon to the masses! Our next Beacon folding party will happen

on Friday, October 29 at 9:15 a.m. Thank you!


12/12

C h a n g e s e rv i c e r e q u e s t e d

Nonprofit Organization

US POSTAGE PAID

Oak Park, IL 60301 Permit No. 305

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

www.unitytemple.org

Reminder of New Service Times!Worship begins at 9 & 10:45 a.m.

Religious Education classesheld at both services.

October 3 A Religion for Our Time: Cultivating Courage and Conscience Offering: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

October 10 A Religion for Our Time: Embracing Diversity Offering: Oak Park Housing Center

October 17 A Religion for Our Time: A Vision for Unity Temple Offering: The UTUUC Emergency Assistance Fund

Upcoming ServicesOctober 24 Be Who You Are Rev. Emily Gage Offering: Hephzibah Children's Association

October 31 Fear Not?: Worship for All Ages Rev. Emily Gage and Rev. Alan Taylor Offering: Hephzibah Children's Association

Friday, October 22, 7 p.m. Taiz Service at Unity Temple

Documents

BEACON October 2010 - Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation