First Unitarian Church of Chicago
Excerpts from the July & August,
2000
First Unitarian News
Board Talk
Norman L. Hines, President, 1999-2000
On Thursday, June 15, 2000, at 7 pm, the Board of the First Unitarian Society of Chicago met as usual. The chalice was lit but rather than the customary reading, something very different happened, I said good-bye to everyone for this was my last meeting as President. I felt relieved but sad! When I said yes to the Nominating Committee for service on the Board and was later elected President, I was terrified! I love this church very much and did not want to cause it any harm. I was a relatively new member and Unitarian Universalist and had not participated in any organized religious organization for more than 25 years. What was I going to do?
Well, my fears were put to rest by the Board and our ministers. All felt the same as I did about the church and support was given by each and everyone. Time consuming, yes, but also worth the journey. So I thank my fellow board members and our ministers for making sure I stumbled as little as possible, and I thank the congregation for the privilege of serving. I will transition to Religious Education to learn from our children.
Oops! This is suppose to be about board activity. So here's the scoop.
Evelyn Johnson was voted to replace Rachel Cole on the Committee on Ministry (Rachel is away for a year). Ed Jamison will join the Administrative Committee, and Richard Jenifer and Julie Neuman leave it. UUA congregational nominating forms were approved for Lawrence Peers and William Sinkford as candidates for UUA President; such approval does not require endorsement. Hank Henriques led the Board in an extensive discussion of the work of the Committee on Ministry.
Respecfully, Norman
First Church Calls Rev. Marlene Walker
At the congregational meeting on June 11, the congregation voted to call the Rev. Marlene R. Walker as its first full-fledged Minister for Religious Education.
We are delighted that Rev. Marlene has accepted our call. We look forward to the beginning of her ministry with us on August 1.Thanks to all who helped create a wonderful Candidating Week that enabled us to get to know her before the vote.
A Message from Rev. Marlene Walker
It was truly a most amazing week! Through all the meetings, worship services, potlucks, gatherings and teas you greeted me with welcome. The warmth of the memory of your faces is still with me as I begin the preparations to join you as your new minister. Thank you's abound--most importantly to the MRE Search Committee for their many months of diligent efforts. They were the first of your faces that I met, and they did indeed bring the special spirit of First Church to light.
Deep thanks and appreciation to all who helped with planning and coordinating the Candidating Week events. There are more of you than I can name--because thanks go to each and every one of you. I especially want to thank all the committee chairs and the Board of Trustees, the office staff, the RE Council, the custodial staff, the youth group and those who helped with child care. Thanks also to my gracious hosts Margaret and Tom Huyck for the warmth of their wonderful home, Win Kennedy for helping me to find a new home in Chicago, to music directors Tom Weisflog and Ron Wentzel and to the choir for the wonderful music, and to all who brought food for the many gatherings and all who came to share it.
Thank you all!
Special thanks also to Rev. Beth for her work as your interim MRE and congratulations to her on her new ministry here in Massachusetts. Thank you to Rev. David for welcoming me to the ministry that he has been part of for so long. And finally, deep, deep thanks to my new colleague in ministry, Rev. Nina. I look forward to our growing ministry and collegial friendship with delight and anticipation.
Again it was an amazing week and I relish the prospect of the ministry that awaits us all.
Blessings,
Marlene
August Message from Rev. Marlene Walker
With each box that is packed and with each good-bye that has been said I feel myself moving closer and closer to Chicago. The details are falling into place. Following a week at RE Week at Ferry Beach on the coast of Maine, from July 15 to 21, the movers will load on July 25 and I will follow along on the 26th. First stop will be in Meadville, PA, for a visit with family and a break from the road. Then, if all goes as planned, I and the movers will arrive in Chicago on July 28 and I will move into my new home near 54th and Blackstone. I'll spend the weekend getting settled--or at least beginning to get settled--and on Tuesday, August 1 will begin our new ministry.
During the months of August and September my office hour schedule will be as follows: Tuesday and Thursday 12-5 pm and Wednesday 9 am-2 pm, and other times by appointment. Please stop by and say hello! Or e-mail me at Revmar@aol.com. I will work from home on Mondays and take Fridays as my day off. I am filled with anticipation and delight as the time grows closer. It was wonderful to see some of you at GA, and I'm very much looking forward to what lies ahead.
Warmly,
Marlene
Lifespan Religious Education
Dearest Friends,
The time to say my last good-byes is here. On June 11 I was called to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Lynn in Swampscott, Massachusetts as their Minister of Religious Education. I will move to Massachusetts in mid-July. It appears I will be leaving one wonderful congregation to go to another wonderful congregation. Thank you for a magnificent sendoff. The love, care, and hard work you put into my going away party, the thoughtfulness and generosity of your parting gifts, and the kindness of your wishes all mean so much to me. I know that you are looking forward to an exciting future in religious education.
Rev. Marlene Walker and I have already had several conversations about our ministries. It is clear that hers comes from an inner source of great care and respect for young people, as well as a love of learning of all kinds. May your years together be bright with many blessings.
In faith and love,
Rev. Beth Williams
Summer R.E. Contacts: If you have any questions about our religious education programs this summer, please direct them to the following people:
Children's Summer Program:
Summer Program co-coordinator Margie Gonwa; backup contacts are
co-coordinators Joe Cherry and Cynthia Echols
General R.E. Questions -- R.E. Council Chair Cathy Harth
Adult R.E. -- Acting Adult R.E. co-chairs Finley Campbell and Paul
Ulbrich
First Forum -- First Forum co-chairs Paul Ulbrich, and Phiefer Browne
Our programs for children this summer are well under way and going strong. However, we still need adult volunteers to lead individual classes for some Sundays in August. Please contact Margie Gonwa if you can help.
New Leadership at First Unitarian (Year in parentheses indicates end of term)
President: Allen Harden (2000-2001; board term ends
2002)
President-Elect: Joan Pederson (2001) (and President for
2001-2)
Board of Trustees: 2001: Finley Campbell, Elizabeth Ann
Collins, Ioanna Crawford; 2002: Evelyn Johnson; 2003: Rebecca
Bruckner, Paul Ulbrich, Barbara Thomas
First Alternate: Ed Jamison (2001)
Program Council Chair (& Second Alternate) Cindy Pardo
(2001)
Social Justice Council Chair: Bobbi Lammers Campbell
(2001)
Religious Education Council 2001: Cynthia Echols, Catherine
Harth Stern, Marge Saphir; 2002: Marge Gonwa, Pat McClarence, Enid
Norman; 2003: Phiefer Browne, Allan Lindrup, Mary Ann Hammond
Nominating Committee: Joe Cherry, Norman Hines, Devon Moss,
Sadie Picardo, Carla Young
by Bobbi Lammers Campbell, Chair
The Social Justice Council has endorsed the NAACP march on Washington August 26 (the 37th reenactment of the "redeeming the dream" march in 1963, calling on the federal government to intervene in the matter of police conduct toward citizens). We would like to organize a busload of First Unitarian families and their friends to march. Contact the Campbells.
Streetwise featured a story about the trip to the Tamms Super-Max
prison in southern Illinois. Evelyn Bomer (but with name misspelled)
was highlighted, as was our church's part in encouraging the project
and raising some funds for it. See
Allan Lindrup's account of the
trip. <top>
From the New President
Allen Harden, President, 2000-2001
We seek a volunteer to serve as Secretary of the congregation. The main task of the Secretary is attending all Board and Congregational meetings, and preparing written minutes for the church records. Board meetings are held monthly, usually on third Thursday evenings. This is a perfect opportunity to become more familiar with our operations and involved with leadership in our church. If you are interested, please leave a message for Allen Harden at the church office.
We also would like to offer our thanks and appreciation to Joanne Kent for the wonderful service she has provided as Secretary during the past year.
Ministers' Summer Schedules
Rev. Nina Grey will be available at church and at home July 1-12. From July 13 to 19 she will be at a Leadership Conference in Boston and at Craigville Conference Center. From July 20 to August 19, Nina will be on vacation, and plans to visit East Coast family and friends and take some relaxation and renewal on the coast of Maine. She will return August 20.
Rev. Marlene Walker will begin her ministry on August 1. She will be available at church and at home throughout the month of August.
Emergency pastoral coverage will be provided during July 13-31.
Information will be available at the church office.
Summer Volunteers Needed for Church Office Can you work a few weekday hours every week in the church office this summer? The office is air conditioned. Skills useful are phone answering, collating and stapling, perhaps data entry, and greeting visitors.
The need for morning coverage is most critical, but help can also be valuable at other times. If you can volunteer, please contact Jesse Williams at the office, 773/324-4100.
Our sympathy to Mamie and Kenneth Gibson, and Evelyn Johnson, and their family on the death of Mamie's sister and Evelyn's aunt, Evelyn Gaston. Evelyn Gaston brought much music and joy into the lives of her family, friends, her church, many young people and others, and she is much missed.
We send our warm get-well wishes to Ann Morrill-Ploum, who is recovering after surgery.
Our continuing best wishes to Florence Teegarden who is gaining strength.
Our warmest wishes to Rev. Beth Williams as she prepares for her move to Swampscott, Ma. and a new ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn in Swampscott. Best fortune, Beth!
Thanks to Ellen LaRue and Michael Donner for arranging the Easter-Passover-Earth Day Brunch at Jalapenas. About a dozen First Churchers, including Senior Minister Nina, enjoyed the event.
Several members of our church attended or participated in the Celebration of the Life of Robert L. Stern in Northbrook on June 10th. Robert Stern was the father of Allan Stern and grandfather of Eric and Alicia Stern.
Allan conducted the gathering, and both Alicia and Eric spoke of their grandfather. Richard Hutchins, Patricia Stern, Richard Pardo, and Bette Sikes were present, and music was provided by Allan Stern on saxophone, Tom Weisflog on the piano, and vocal music by Cindy Pardo.
Several of us enjoyed a fine breakfast on Sunday morning, June 18, prepared by the Sea Scouts, a group our church sponsors. Church members who work with the Sea Scouts are Dick Snow and John Porterfield. Assisting with the breakfast was Dick's son Luther Snow, who was here with his family from Decorah, IA, for the weekend.
News of Old Friends
Congratulations to Dodie Morris and Gino Whitaker who were married in our sanctuary on June 10. Rev. Nina Grey officiated at the wedding, and Rev. Calvin Morris, Dodie's father, gave a homily for the couple.
Dodie's mother Judy Morris and her husband Lorne McHattie were members of our church a number of years ago, and Dodie grew up at the church (her mother worked here) and in the Chicago Children's Choir. In town for the wedding was Joan Greenfield, who was active in our church during the ministry of her then husband Jack Mendelsohn.
Petrina Moore, an active member of First Church along with her husband Robert E. Moore in the 1960s, was an award winner in the Blum-Kovler competition. She teaches at Fermi.
Our Folks at UUA General Assembly
We are pleased that so many members of our congregation participated in the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association held in Nashville, TN, June 22-27. Representing us were Rev. Nina Grey, ministerial delegate, and First Unitarian delegates Bobbi Lammers Campbell, Finley Campbell, Barbara Murry, and Alex Poinsett. Also attending were Norman Hines, Betty Holcomb, Julie Neuman, Norma Poinsett, Allan Stern, Harvey Thomas, and Grace Williams. Greta Godbey attended for the weekend including the Service of the Living Tradition at which Dr. John Godbey was remembered in an honor roll call of ministers who died during the past year. A number of persons from Meadville/Lombard who are members of our church also attended General Assembly, among them Bill Murry, Thandeka, Naomi King, the Bumbaughs, Neil Gerdes, and Susan Grubb.
Finley Campbell and others will present a service about the General Assembly on July 30.
Meadville/Lombard Theological School
Congratulations to all the members of the Meadville/Lombard community for their successful completion of a wonderful year. At the June 4 graduation, 20 graduating students received degrees, either the M.Div. or the D. Min. In addition, three people were awarded honorary degrees. It was a grand and inspiring moment. Several of those receiving degrees have been active in our church in past years. Karen Broenneke, Jenny Crawford, and Jodi Cohen worked in the religious education program. Ken Olliff worked with the young adult program several years ago.
Thanks to those M/L folks who are members of our church and others in the M/L community for their deep dedication to the formation of Unitarian Universalist ministers.
An Opportunity for UU Women
You are invited to attend the annual UU Women's Federation Lake Geneva Fall Conference November 3-5. The 2000 theme is "The Sacred Within." Keynoter Pam Greenslate is a counselor and director/owner of the Center against Sexual Abuse in Peoria and a Reiki Master/Teacher. She will expand on the thought "Absolute realization is simply being the ultimate self spontaneously." Registration forms will be available at the church office in August.
This annual conference has been highly prized by many women in the Central Midwest District. Consider whether you would like to spend a few days with a great bunch of women in a wonderful setting.
Orientation to Unitarian Universalism & First Unitarian Society Want to learn more about our faith? More about our church? On Sunday, July 9, the Membership Committee and Rev. Nina Grey will present an Orientation Program for visitors, persons considering membership, and anyone interested in learning more about our Unitarian Universalist faith.
Rev. Nina and members of the congregation will share information about UU history and principles and talk about past and current activities of First Unitarian Society. Join them at 11:30 in the VOV Gallery. Light refreshments will be served, and child care is available. All are most welcome.
Norma Poinsett on Unitarian Universalism- please follow this link for an excerpt from remarks Norma Poinsett made on March 3, 1999. Norma is a Trustee at Large for the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Communications Policy
The Communications Committee reminds you of its policies and procedures to help get the word out about activities at First Unitarian. Please read the policies and procedures listed below with care.
1. As committees meet monthly or plan activities, include publicity as part of the agenda.
2. The office and the Program Council must be notified about activities and events. Please let the office know as soon as possible about committee meetings. Event forms should be filled out, whether your event is at the church or another location.
3. Contact the Communications Committee about your plans for both internal and external publicity. Chuck Staples is the Communications Chair.
4. For External Publicity:
The Communications Committee deadline for notification from other church bodies about publicity needed is three (3) weeks.
Communications Committee members will discuss with you:
Coordination by the Communications Committee is important to avoid confusion, to prevent too many people from contacting a publicity source, to emphasize timely events, and to make the best use of limited budgets.
5. For Internal Publicity:
6. Please ask the office staff to post announcements on any bulletin boards.