Board Report

by Ioanna Crawford, Trustee

"There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed." Also, "One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity." Both quotes by Albert Schweitzer were very appropriate for opening the April Board Meeting considering the Board met until 11 p.m. covering a wide variety of topics.

Rev. Nina Grey reported on her activities with the congregation, the community at large, and the MRE search committee. Rev. Grey reported that because she has not been able to take her study leave so far this year, she will use Tuesdays for a while as "study days."

Rev. Beth Williams reported on the Coming of Age trip to Boston scheduled for the first weekend in May. She is also currently working with the RE Council to plan curricula for next year. Rev Williams is the candidate for an MRE position in another state (location not yet disclosed).

Treasurer Julie Neuman reported that though our current pledge collections are a bit below projections, our overall Income and Expenses for the current fiscal year are right on target, primarily because we collected more prior year's pledges than anticipated and space use income is above expectations.

Canvass Report: There is a shortfall of $9,923 in the preliminary 2000-01 fiscal year budget. Pledge increases came in lower than hoped for. The Board will appeal to the congregation for additional pledges or one-time donations. We will meet again on May 11 to review the latest pledge information and make the necessary cuts to next year's budget before our annual Congregational Meeting on May 21.

The Investment Committee reported that it decided to rebalance the endowment funds by selling some shares of the funds with the largest increases. This will bring the percentage allocations of the endowment funds in the various categories (fixed, large cap, small cap, international, and indexed) in line with the policy set by the Investment Committee. The proceeds will be used to fund the allowed capital withdrawal for the next fiscal year.

The Committee on Ministry had proposed that Trustees read a UUA publication, Review and Renewal of Ministry in Unitarian Universalist Congregations. The key concepts lie in shared vision and in articulating a mission, vision, or covenant prior to setting goals. The Trustees will meet with the Committee on Ministry at its next meeting, May 7, to review and discuss the process.

The MRE Search Committee reported that it has selected pre-candidates for final review. Pre-candidating will probably take place through early May.
The Board discussed whether bylaw amendments are needed to spell out the rights and responsibilities of an MRE in our congregation. Joan Pederson and Julie Neuman volunteered to review and propose any necessary amendments on this topic.

Talent Auction: Cindy Pardo reported that the Auction has raised $8,000 so far and that she was pleased to see such high participation, both in the offerings and purchases.

Other Topics: The Board elected Bette Sikes as a delegate to the Central Midwest District Annual Assembly on April 29. Betty Holcomb has agreed to serve as a board member of and church liaison to the Hyde Park School of Ballet. The Board approved this official position.

New Members Welcomed!
by Joan Bernstein
Welcome to our newest members. During the worship service on Sunday, April 16, nine new members were recognized in a New Member Ingathering led by Senior Minister Rev. Nina Grey and the congregation's President Norman Hines:
 

Brief biographies of these new members will appear in the June First Unitarian News.
 
 

Lifespan Religious Education

by Rev. Beth Williams, Interim Minister for Religious Education
 

Spring time is passing so quickly -- on the calendar at least, if not always in the weather. All too soon will be the time when I must leave you, as I complete my interim ministry with this congregation. June 15, 2000 will be my last day as your Minister for Religious Education. It will not be easy to say goodbye. You have come to mean so much to me. We have shared some moments of life in these past three years. We have worked together, worshipped together, and we have gotten to know and love one another. You share in the responsibility of what I am as a minister and a religious educator. I pray that I will always be worthy of this connection. These are some things I have learned from you: I have experienced what it is like to serve a congregation that is appreciative and affirming of ministry for religious education; I know what it is like to work with a truly collegial and collaborative partner in ministry, your Senior Minister Rev. Nina Grey; I know the heights that can be reached and the accomplishments made when a congregation is as committed to its children and youth, and works as hard in its commitment, as the First Unitarian Church of Chicago; I understand that it is not impossible to integrate the many generations into one religious community, because you are doing so at this very moment. I have the utmost faith that you will continue this good work, continue to enrich the religious education for all ages in this congregation, continue to grow, both in numbers and religious depth, that you will remain the warm and caring persons you are, and that you will be a place of support and excitement for your new Minister for Religious Education. You will always be near to my heart.

Children's Religious Education Highlights

Meet Our R.E. Teachers:
John Porterfield: John is a Spring-term teacher for our Pathfinders group (3rd & 4th Grades). He is originally from "the little piece on the bottom" of Missouri, where his mother founded an Episcopalian church and his father still resides, but has lived in Chicago since 1971. John includes his son Allen in his family. Allen grew up in the First Unitarian R.E. program and now lives in Chicago. John holds a degree in economics from the University of Missouri and a degree in architecture from the University of Illinois. He is an energy project manager, trainer, and advocate, as well as a housing rehab construction manager. John's hobbies include mentoring young people, reading, sailing, flying kites, and conversation of all sorts. He has been involved with our congregation for the past 18 years. John has agreed to be a teacher for our Pathfinders because he gets a huge satisfaction from observing how young people develop and make major developmental changes. His goal for the class this term is for our 3rd and 4th graders to be happy with themselves.

Please make an effort to get to know John, and thank him for being a leader in our religious education program.

Child Dedication: Equipping a child for the journey of spiritual growth and development is a significant endeavor. No one person or institution can ever solely fulfill this responsibility. Parents, friends, extended family, a congregation -- all are needed to assume the roll of spiritual nurturer. In the Unitarian Universalist tradition a rite of passage is conducted in which all of a child's spiritual nurturers express their intention to provide accompaniment and guidance on the child's spiritual journey. We call this rite of passage a Child Dedication. On Mother's Day Sunday, May 14, Rev. Beth Williams and Rev. Nina Grey will conduct a Child Dedication during the beginning portion of the worship service for the children of our congregation. If you would like your child to be dedicated on this day, please contact Rev. Williams or Rev. Grey by Sunday, May 7, at the church office, 773/324-4100.

Intergenerational Movie and Pizza Night: The R.E. Council is once again sponsoring this popular event for the whole family (even if you are a family of one!) on Friday, May 19, at 6:30 pm in the Chris Moore Parlor. First we will gather around pizza, pop, and sweet goodies in Aki's Place. Then we will pop some popcorn and settle down to watch our choice of movies (or both if time permits). The movie choices are My Favorite Martian -- "Disney's hilarious intergalactic comedy that crash-lands the classic television series into the nineties," with Christopher Lloyd and Jeff Daniels, and The Princess Bride -- "A wondrous tale of wit and whimsy that will transport you to a magical land where fantasy reigns supreme," and the hero must "battle wizards, warriors, pirates, poisons, giants and giant egos" to come to a maiden's rescue. Admission is $1 per person to help defray the cost of the pizza. Please RSVP to Rev. Beth Williams at the office (773/324-4100) by the morning of this event so we will know how much pizza to purchase.

Adult Religious Education Highlights -- New Classes for Spring

Introduction to Personal Coaching
Humans yearn for meaningful, rich, and impactful lives. The ultimate goal of coaching is to help people become more skilled at choosing what they want, staying on track with their vision, and realizing fulfillment and balance in their lives. In this 2-hour introductory session you will explore what a personal success coach can do for you as well as what it will take for you to become one. The class will be held on Thursday, May 4, from 7:30 to 9:30 in the Chris Moore Parlor. The facilitators are Ioanna Crawford and Dr. Margaret Huyck. No cost or registration is required.

Humanity's Place in the Cosmos
A three-part Adult R.E. course exploring the identity and role of humans in the universe through several broad questions. Each session will use a number of readings to establish a basic historical and scientific introduction to the questions at hand and to frame our own discussions. Readings are required to be read before each class. This course is offered by Dr. Paul Ricker, a member of our congregation and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, specializing in computational astrophysics. Registration for this course is required. Complete the form from the course flyer and return it by Sunday, May 7, to Rev. Beth Williams, MRE. Flyers describing the course in detail are available in the pamphlet rack in Pennington Center, at the Welcome Table, and at the Adult R.E. Table. Registration cost is $10.

Saturday, May 13: Who Are We? 2-5 pm
Discussion will focus on how science perceives the defining charcteristics of human identity and its implications for religious notions of the sanctity and immortality of the individual.
Saturday, May 20: Are We Alone? 2-5 pm
We will discuss recent new discoveries about the universe and the possible existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the context of the Drake equation, which collects together the factors required for advanced civilizations to exist. We will also discuss the implications the discovery of alien life (of any type) would have for our view of our own place in the cosmos.
Saturday, May 27: Why Are We Here? 2-5 pm
We will open this discussion with a review of Big Bang cosmology, covering both its successes and its currently open questions (both at the beginning of time and in the far future). The second half of the discussion will focus on the why of human existence in this picture, covering such ideas as the Anthropic Principle and the multiple universes of quantum cosmology.<top>

May Calendar Events:
Wednesday, May 3, May 17: Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography, Adult R.E. Workshop, 7-9 pm, Discoverers Room (continuing pre-registrants)
Thursday, May 4: Introduction to Personal Coaching, Adult R.E. Workshop, 7:30-9:30 pm, Chris Moore Parlor, no cost or registration required, all welcome.
Friday, May 5, 12, 19, 26: The Fullness of Silence: Noontime Silent Meditation, 12:15-1 pm, Chris Moore Parlor
Friday, May 5-Monday, May 8: Coming of Age Trip to Boston
Sunday, May 7, May 14, May 21: How Can I Help? Adult R.E. class, 7-9 pm, Hang Out Room (continuing pre-registrants)
Friday, May 12: Adult R.E. Potluck Meeting, 6:30-8:30 pm, Chris Moore Parlor
Saturday, May 13, 20, 27: Humanity's Place in the Cosmos, Adult R.E. class, 2-5 pm, R.E. Classroom (pre-registration required)
Saturday, May 13: The Monotheistic Tradition Goes to the Movies: Go Tell It on the Mountain, Adult R.E. video and discussion, 6:30-8:30 pm, Chris Moore Parlor
Sunday, May 14: Child Dedication, 10 am, Sanctuary
-- Kids' Church: Celebrating Mother's Day, 10:15 am, Woolman Hall
-- The Nature of Racism: The Revival of Racism (1830-1863), Adult R.E. class, 1 pm, VOV Gallery
Friday, May 19: Intergenerational Pizza & Movie Night, 6:30 pm, Chris Moore Parlor
Sunday, May 21: Coming of Age Celebratory Worship Service, 10 am, Sanctuary
Thursday, May 25: R.E. Council Meeting, 7 pm
Sunday, May 28: Teacher Appreciation Ceremony, 10 am, Sanctuary
-- Last class for Spring term Children's R.E., 10:15 am, various locations in Pennington Center
-- Philosophy & Religion in the West, Adult R.E. class, 1-4 pm, Chris Moore Parlor.
<top>
 

Auction 2000 Report

Thank you to the many folks who made it possible for us to raise approximately $8,000 in this year's Talent Auction! Auction volunteers included Holly and Ed Jamison, who handled lunch, Phiefer Browne, who assisted the Jamisons; Sadie Picardo, Kay Mann, Carla Young and Cathy Harth, who worked on the Silent Auction; Kimetta Smith of our church office, who is just always THERE; and Vi Stark and Betty Holcomb, who helped with a little of everything. Special thanks go to Bette Sikes, who was a wonderful "Celebrity Auctioneer," and to Jordan Greenlee and Anthony David, who stepped in at the last minute to made the Kids Auction a lot of fun.

The Talent Auction is one of our main fund-raising events. I was especially glad to see all the newcomers who participated, and hope that they find, as I have, that the events they will be going to during the coming year will make them feel much more a part of our congregational family. I also hope they will think of new activities to offer for next year's auction.

Finally, to all who offered a wonderful variety of items for the auction, and to those who bid on them, bless you. None of this would be possible without your participation.

Cindy Pardo, Madeiria Myrieckes, and Polly McCoo, Talent Auction 2000 Chairs <top>
 

Social Justice Council

Bobbi Lammers Campbell, Chair

April's Social Justice Council activities began on April 2 with our early celebration of Earth Day (which falls on Easter weekend this year). The Earth Day service was followed by a discussion of "Responsible Consumption: A Moral Imperative," the new study-action issue approved at last summer's General Assembly. We will be forwarding our commentary to Boston for incorporation into the denominational discussion of the topic. There was general agreement that we needed a lot more information about many of the issues that were raised. A most exciting development occurred when four of the forum participants agreed to form an Environmental Task Force to begin to provide that information. At the April meeting of the Social Justice Council, the Environmental Task Force was approved as a task force of the Council. The new Task Force has been meeting weekly to work at formulating their mission, and they invite your participation.

On April 4, the anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination, nine members and friends of the congregation participated in the March for Dignity organized by Jesse Jackson. The march began near Roosevelt and Western at one of the oldest public schools in the city.

The conditions at this school were contrasted with the facilities at the new Juvenile Detention Center across the street, and it was pointed out that if the children wanted air-conditioning, computers, small classes, better paid teachers, and toilet paper in the bathrooms, they could get arrested so they could go to school in the detention facility! We then marched to 28th and California (yes, it was a LONG WAY), but it was very exhilarating to be able to march with other members of the church.

Members of the Council also participated in the Mid-South Hunger Walk on April 9.

Two members of the Council (Finley and Bobbi Campbell) will be First U's delegates to the General Assembly at the end of June and look forward to participating with other UUs in the wider denominational social justice conversations.

The Social Justice Council First Forum in May is scheduled for May 7, at which Kristy Sanford, of the Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues, will speak on "Sweatshops in Chicago: How the Community of Faith Can Respond."

Finally, we are planning to choose a substitute for our former Grove Parc project, and we would like to involve as many people in the congregation as possible in that discussion. We are planning to have a Saturday retreat at the church, possibly in early October, where members and friends of the congregation could bring their proposals and as much information as possible for us all to consider. We are hoping to have someone from the UUA facilitate the discussion. We will have more information about this during the summer, but please bring any ideas or suggestions to Cindy Pardo or Bobbi Campbell. We hope to find a project where many people of diverse perspective could become involved, and one that would make a difference in the lives of the people we would work with. <top>
 

Criminal Justice Committee
by Evelyn Bomer

Update on Mumia Abu Jamal

Throughout the years we have asked for support in signing petitions to stop the execution of Mumia Abu Jamal. Your help is needed again, as time is running out.
Mumia has long been supported by many black and white organizations throughout the United States. He is again seeking to obtain a new trial because of errors in earlier trials, and a hearing on this is scheduled in the U.S. District court in early May. Please join us by again signing petitions, taking a bus ride to Philadelphia for the next hearing, making a donation, and/or writing to the judge. For the local group working on this issue, contact Stan Willis of the African-American Committee to Free Mumia Abu Jamal, 407 S. Dearborn, Suite 1395, Chicago 60605 (ph: 312/554-0005; fax: 312/554-1012). The text of the petition for a new trial can be found in the Blue Newsletter folder in the church office; included with the text is the name and address of the federal judge in the case.

Visitation to Tamms Maximum Security Prison

On May 13 at 12 noon from 87th and the Dan Ryan a group of prisoners' friends and family members will leave for a visit to Tamms Maximum Security Prison recently built in an isolated location in Southern Illinois. This prison is a "Supermax" operation, with extreme restrictions on prisoners' activities and limited visitation from family members. Prisoners have been placed there because they are perceived as quite violent. Because of the extreme nature of the incarceration, many believe that few incarcerated there are expected to leave alive or if they do be competent to return to society.

A very special thank-you to Allan Lindrup for his support in the past two years in helping to raise the funds from Unitarian Universalists for this trip and to First Unitarian's congregation for supporting in a special offering the costs of renting a bus to take 47 people on this one-day trip. Many friends and family members contributed $25 per person to be part of this trip.

We will be reporting further on this project in the June First Church News.  <top>
 

Focus on Ministry

Helping Our Ministers Grow
From Beth Williams's Personal Advisory Committee
As you know, Beth Williams, our Interim Minister for Religious Education, will be completing her ministry with us on June 15. We are very grateful for all she has done for the R.E. program and wish her the very best. We also encourage you to speak with Beth or any member of her Personal Advisory Committee about the R.E. program. Your comments, suggestions, and ideas are important, especially at this time of transition, to help our R.E. minister and program grow and to reflect the needs of our congregation. Please contact Beth or any member of the committee: Hank Henriques, Vivian Burns, or Diane Ryan Broz.

Committee on Ministry
by Neil Gerdes
The newly formed Committee on Ministry, established by a vote at our last annual meeting, is studying a review and renewal process for improving all the ministries, both clergy and laity, of our church. The Board is considering our proposal to enter into such a process. Suggestions from members of the congregation are also welcome. The committee includes Hank Henriques, chair; Grace Williams, Rachel Cole, David Puszkiewicz, and Neil Gerdes from the congregation, and Rev. Nina Grey and Rev. Beth Williams from the staff. <top>
 

Among Us

Warmest get-well wishes to Florence Teegarden, after a recent short hospital stay ... to Jim Stevens, recovering from ear surgery ... and to Renet Harlow, who has been ill.
Thanks to Ivan Lappin and Adam Dunne for creating the chalice for our Easter service.
Our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of Robert MacGregor, Henry W. McGee, and Hans Guterbock, each of whom was remembered in Memorial Services in April in our church.
Margaret Huyck's article "Women May Benefit by Delaying Social Security" appeared in the April 2000 issue of Lifetimes.She writes: "Under the Delayed Retirement Credit, the longer a worker delays in taking Social Security benefits, the greater the benefit. ... The delay option is independent of the Medicare program; a worker may delay Social Security while being fully enrolled in Medicare."

Beccie Bruckner on AIDS Ride

My Church Friends,

In a few months, I'll be participating in a special and powerful event to help fight the battle against AIDS. In July, I will be riding a bicycle 500 miles from Minneapolis to Chicago with over 1,750 other people in an event called Twin Cities to Chicago AIDS Ride 5. We're riding to raise money for six Chicago not-for-profit HIV/AIDS service organizations.

With the full endorsement of the Social Justice Council, I'm asking for your support. I've agreed to raise at least $2,300 in pledges and have met half of my goal. Please make a pledge to help me reach the entire goal!

To make a donation or a pledge, to participate in the ride, or to receive more information, see me or Cindy Pardo at church. You can also e-mail me at BeccieB@worldnet.att.net.
 

UU Urban Ministries Conference Coming to Chicago next March
by Richard Pardo

The next Urban Ministries Conference will be held March 8-11, 2001, at the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. The local host for the conference is the Unitarian Universalist Urban Coalition of Chicago which is made up of all the city UU congregations.

The planning committee is seeking proposals for workshops to be offered at the conference. The theme of the conference is Building Our Faith, Building Our Cities. We hope to offer workshops that address issues of both congregation building and justice making. We plan to have significant time at the conference devoted to issues of UU urban theology, of class and of interfaith coalition/dialogue. We welcome workshops on these topics and others of interest to those committed to urban ministries.
Please provide the following information in your proposal:
1. Workshop title or theme
2. Workshop leader(s) name(s) and contact information
3. A brief paragraph describing the workshop with attention to why this topic is an important one for a conference on urban ministries
4. A brief workshop leader biography that will help the planning committee "get to know you" a bit.
Please send your proposal for a conference workshop to Tracey Robinson-Harris by mail (25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108), by email (trobinsonharris@uua.org) or by fax (617/742-0321).
The deadline for workshop proposals is May 1. Decisions will be made by May 20.
Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the UU Urban Ministries Conference.<top>

Be a Chalice Lighter
Join with other UUs in an exciting and growing program in Central Midwest District (CMWD) called Chalice Lighters. As a Chalice Lighter you become part of a larger UU community that demonstrates its commitment to our faith, values, and beliefs. Three times a year each Chalice Lighter donates $10 or more to support a specific growth program in a specific CMWD church.

Our church is the recipient of the next Chalice Lighter grant, and what we get depends on how much is given. It will help if our members support this and future efforts. Contributions are tax deductible.

To become a Chalice Lighter, pick up a brochure from Bette Sikes or Margaret Huyck and sign up to respond to calls for donations of $10 three times a year. Bette Sikes has additional information. See her or Margaret Huyck at church.<top>

Great Books for May
The work for discussion at the May Great Books session, May 14, is Euripides' Bacchae. Great Books meets on the second Sunday of the month in the Choir Room at 11:30. All are welcome to join.

Verdi Comes to Hyde Park
On Friday, May 19, our own Tom Weisflog and Cindy Pardo will appear with 100 other singers, soloists, 13 brass and 3 timpani in the William Ferris Chorale's performance of the Verdi Requiem. Tom's "symphonic organ" arrangement of the orchestral accompaniment will be a highlight. The concert begins at 8:00 pm, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church (55th & Woodlawn) and will feature the Chorale augmented by three church choirs.

Sign up for tickets on a sheet in the Program Council box in the church office, or speak with Cindy if you'd like to attend this extraordinary musical event. Tickets are $20, $18, and $16. You may also call the Ferris box office at 773/325-2000 for tickets.

Giving More to Get More - Projected Budget Shortfall
As mentioned in Board Talk,  the Board projects about a $10,000 shortfall in income for the next fiscal year. To ensure that our program next year is as rich as possible and to support the incoming Minister for Religious Education, we urge you to make a supplementary contribution for the next fiscal year. You may either write a check now or in June (note on the memo line that your contribution is "Supplement for FY01"). Or you could revise your pledge to include a larger amount. Either way, we will all benefit from your increased commitment.<top>

Annual Meeting
By now you will have received a mailing including information on the Annual Meeting and biographical statements about those persons who have been nominated for leadership positions in our church.  If you are a committee or council chair, you have also received a request for a written report for the annual packet that sums up what has been done in the past year. If you haven't done it, please DO IT NOW.

In addition to receiving reports and voting of nominees, those attending will be entertained by the annual recognition of those who have worked hard for us during the past year. Other business also may be brought before the meeting.

Delegates to UU General Assembly Chosen April 16

Our representatives for the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in Nashville, TN, in late June were elected at a brief congregational meeting on Sunday, April 16. Serving as delegates will be Bobbi Campbell, Finley C. Campbell, and Alex Poinsett. Barbara Murry is an alternate. Others known to be attending the General Assembly are Rev. Nina Grey, Rev. Neil Gerdes, Rev. Bill Murry, UUA Trustee at Large Norma Poinsett, Jubilee Working Group members Betty Holcomb and Harvey Thomas, Norman Hines, and Allan Stern, who is working with the UUA Webpage. Julie Neuman and Grace Williams may also attend.

The UUA General Assembly will be held June 22-26, 2000, in Nashville, TN. The theme is Fulfilling the Promise: Our Common Call. The gathering will include plenary sessions at which participants learn about the work of the denomination, act on business items and statements of conscience, and consider action on resolutions of immediate witness.

Those attending will also be offered an incredible array of worship services, workshops and practicums, and music. There is much to be learned about our movement and how we can work better in our churches.

Another feature that many look forward to is the Thursday night opening Plenary Session featuring a parade by persons bearing banners from across the continent (sometimes even from other continents). Finley Campbell has agreed to carry our banner this year.<top>

Homecomings: UU Bed & Breakfast Network

Would you be interested in making new UU friends across the United States, Canada, and around the world? Join Homecomings to get the new directory of UU B&Bs. With hundreds of congenial hosts to choose from, Homecomings members can usually pay less than they would in a hotel and meet new friends at the same time.

For information about how to join, see the Blue Newsletter Folder in the newsletter slot in the office. Or call or write Homecomings International, Inc., P.O. Box 670505, Coral Springs, FL 33067; 954/346-4727.

12 Ways to a Dynamic, Growing Congregation
The following appeared in Unifire, the newsletter of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, several months ago. (Your Editor does not know the original source.)

A congregation will grow and become vital if it:

• is clear and enthusiastic about its purpose
• is highly responsive to its environment
• creates and nurtures leaders
• motivates commitment
• promotes warm, caring relationships
• empowers people to use their gifts
• develops a streamlined "can-do" organization
• is intentional about plans
• offers meaningful, beautiful worship
• provides high-quality religious education
• builds a solid, expanding financial base
• maintains accessible, visible, and beautiful space <top>

UU Camps for Families and Singles
Bayside Camp is a small (30-50 person) family summer camp held at the George Williams Conference Center, Lake Geneva, WI, July 16Ð22.
Bayside offers adult workshops and worship services, with an emphasis on quality child care during the morning adult activities, and lots of free time in the afternoons for family fun and relaxation.
For information contact 317/924-4421, Jeanine_Calabria@hotmail.com .

AMUUSE holds several sessions, at Saugatuck, MI (June 26-July 2, Aug. 7-13, and Aug. 21-25) and one at Williams Bay, WI (Lake Geneva) July 16-22.
States the flyer: "Our camp program creates a magical feeling of connection and support for single adults who sometimes feel isolated and alone." For information contact Sharan Spencer, Registrar, 847/816-3356, AMUUSE@compuserve.com .
 

Denominational Opportunities
The Chicago Area UU Council Annual Meeting will be held May 13, 2000, at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 9:30-1:30. The meeting begins with the annual business meeting and concludes with a luncheon featuring the 2000 Unsung UU nominees from local area churches. Registration is $10. Registration forms are in the Blue Newsletter Folder in the newsletter slot in the office.

Allerton 2000, the annual June gathering of district UU Women's Federation women and others, will be held June 2-4 at Allerton Park, Monticello, IL.
The 2000 theme is "She Who Follows Her Own Star." Those attending are urged to come as one's favorite foremother. Workshops include such topics as everyday spiritual practice; keeping, giving up, or changing one's name; singing; political issues facing owmen; art projects such as rubber stamping and creating prayer beads; envisioning one'slife; making career changes; drumming.

Allerton Park is a lovely setting on a country estate with nature walks and sculpture. For a brochure and registration information, see the Blue Newsletter Folder in the newsletter slot in the office.

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice are hosting a program at our church on Sunday, June 11, 4:30-7:30. The topic under discussion is "Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Helping the Environment While Helping Your Budget." John Porterfield is the featured speaker.

Gay Pride Parade, Sunday, June 25. The UU Urban Church Coalition and Second Unitarian are hosting a Pre-Parade Brunch at noon at Second Unitarian, 656 W Barry. After the brunch all will march together in Chicago's annual Gay Pride parade. Each church is invited to bring a banner and march with the CAUUC group. Get there by no later than 10:30 if you also wish to attend church at Second Unitarian. For more information contact: Lara Tushla, 773/955-7141.<top>
 

OFFICE HOURS

Nina Grey: Tuesdays 2-6, Wednesdays and Fridays 10-2 and other times by appointment. Mondays off. E-mail NinaGrey@aol.com.

Beth Williams: Wednesday, Friday 11 am-3 pm, other times by arrangement. Mondays off. At church most Sundays from 8 am to noon. E-mail UUBETHNW@aol.com.