Two official notices

Special Congregational Meeting

Sunday, April 22, 2001 11:30 am, Main Sanctuary

(immediately preceding the Talent Auction Lunch)

Agenda: Electing delegates to represent our church at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly
 

2001 Annual Meeting of the First Unitarian Society of Chicago

Friday, June 1, 7:30 pm, Main Sanctuary
 

New Editor Begins with This Issue of First Church News
 

Bette Sikes has been the editor and typesetter since January 1999, but wishes to look for new areas in which to make mischief in the coming months. At the time of the next newsletter deadline, she will be on the high seas, so send her nothing in March. Your new newsletter editor will be Tom Huyck. You can reach him by phone at home (773)667-3649 or his law office (312)427-7500, fax (312) 427-7500, email at WTHuyck@aol.com. Newsletter material can be left in the newsletter box at the office. It is preferred that material be in computerized form, either on a floppy disk in the newsletter box, or emailed. Your comments and suggestions about the formatting of the newsletter are welcomed.
 

Tom is looking for someone to serve as assistant editor. This would involve newsgathering as well as editing of copy. It is a good opportunity for a newer member to get acquainted in the church.
 
 
 

Pastoral News

We send our sympathy to the Rev. Viola Moore and other family and friends on the death of her husband the Rev. Robert Moore, a long-time friend of our church. Rev. Moore died on Thursday, Feb. 15, after a long illness. A memorial service will be held in our sanctuary on Saturday, March 17, at 10 am.

Our sympathy to Aneesah Ali, Zarinah Ali, and their family on the death of Aneesah's brother, William Rhetta III.

Dealing with health issues are Jim Stevens, Tom Huyck and Linnea Anderson. We hold Margaret Walters in our hearts, on her recent return from the hospital. Margaret is on the third floor at Montgomery Place.

Enid Norman and Richard Bos will be married at our church on Saturday, March 3. They will be living in the United Kingdom (Haythorn Cottage, Lucas Green Road, West End, Woking, Surrey GU24 9LZ). Enid, we will indeed miss you.

On Feb. 3 Robert Borja, veteran calligrapher and graphic artist, received the Jury prize for his best-in-show book Abraham Lincoln Thought at the Chicago Calligraphy Collective Exploration 2001 exhibition at the Newberry Library. A feature story about the work appeared in the Feb. 21 Hyde Park Herald; the award was also mentioned in a Chicago Tribune story Feb. 8. Long-time member Borja designed the current order of service cover and many other materials at our church.
 

Meet Our Newest Members

The congregation welcomed into membership the following persons on Feb. 4: Amy Girst, Diana Gray, Aaron Greven and Kristin Boeke-Greven, Geza Gyuk and Katherine Szoke, and Rev. Marlene Walker. Katari Coleman-Daniels signed the membership book on Feb. 11.
 

Lifespan Religious Education

by Rev. Marlene Walker, Associate Minister for Religious Education
 

Well, we've made it through winter, almost at least. We're into March and not only will the coming March winds herald a new beginning of Spring but this month we will celebrate the beginning of our ministry together with a Service of Installation. On March 11 at 5:30 pm, you will formally install me as your Associate Minister for Religious Education. We will gather to celebrate in word, song, and promise the realization of a common vision: the vision that a ministry of Lifespan Religious Education would be and must be central to the life and future of this congregation. It has been a long journey from the beginning of that vision and hope to where we have arrived this month. Many, many of you worked and hoped, and held on to that vision through meetings and surveys, congregational record sheets and search packets, struggles and disappointments and even moments of joy as the reality of the fulfillment of that vision came in to sight. Last June at the end of candidating week you voted as a congregation to call me to that ministry. In July I moved here from Boston and in August I began the work of this ministry. Over the past seven months we have grown to know each other and begin the work of moving the vision of a full-time ministry of Lifespan Religious Education to a concrete reality. On March 11 you will install that ministry into the life of this congregation.

Installations are interesting and important events, and I've been thinking about them quite a bit over the last few weeks and months. Oftentimes, I, and you, refer to the upcoming installation as "my" Installation or "Marlene's" installation. I've begun to correct myself when I notice that happening. I think that it is important as we celebrate this new beginning, this new ministry, to realize that it is not "mine," it is not "yours," but it is ours together. It is "our" Service of Installation. The central part of a service of installation is the Act of Installation. The congregation and the minister will commit to a promise, a covenant, by making a public statement of that covenant. It is this promise that you as a congregation and that I as a minister make together that will bring what began as a vision to a concrete reality--and keep making it a reality. It's a funny event, unlike installing a new appliance, or a piece of machinery or equipment or even a new software program; the installation of a new ministry is not an ending but a beginning. Yes, the vision is now a reality but the beautiful and amazing thing about a vision is that it keeps growing; the promise, the covenant, is what makes it so.

So, on March 11 we will celebrate with joy not only this new ministry but the commitment to diversity, especially lifespan and generational diversity, that is part of the heart of this congregation. It will be a grand celebration! Many will come and share it with us. There will be music and stories and songs and hymns. It will be church and worship writ large. My colleague the Rev. Mark Belletini refers to installations and ordinations as "high play," and that is indeed what we will have: all the time remembering that it is but a beginning, that the vision is alive and growing and will need to be fed and watered and cared for in the days following our joyful celebration. That is the covenant, the promise we will make with each other. Join us, everyone of all ages, on March 11 as we begin our new ministry, our new promise, our new vision.
 

Blessings,

Marlene
 

The Past Month in RE

We continued our Winter Term focus on Peace and Justice in our RE Classes. The Spring Term begins March 4. Thanks to all who been teaching this winter and to all who will continue or begin teaching in the Spring Term. You are all wonderful.

Pre K-Kindergarten/Discoverers and Adventurers: We have been focusing on difference and how important it is that we are all different, including the colors of our skin, and that we are all important and need to be treated with fairness and equality. We made paper bag puppets of our families and talked about all different kinds of families. We drew and cut out the outlines of our hands and put them on our classroom board and made a spider web game. Pat Curran, Paulette Dodson, and Anne Morrill-Ploum

1st & 2nd Grade/Voyagers: We looked at how some things are fair and some things are unfair and how it feels to be treated and fairly and unfairly. We played a grab-bag game with fair and unfair outcomes and made a collage. We really enjoyed the story of Tyrone the Terrible. Margie Gonwa and Ellen LaRue with help from Kelly Skalicky and Norman Hines

3rd & 4th Grade/Explorers: In an effort to promote peace, justice, and beauty in the world, we made peace doves and wrote on them our wishes for peace and justice. We also wrote a letter to President Bush with our wishes and ideas for a more peaceful world mailed it to him at the White House along with our peace doves. Beth Marshall and Laura Keys-David with help from Anthony David

5th & 6th Grade/Searchers: We discussed the ideas of "affirmations" and "put-downs" and related them to self-image, partly through the story about Joshua. We had an exciting discussion about personal dilemmas that involve justice and talked about sources of conflict, root causes of conflict and win/win rules for conflict resolution. We also applied those rules to a simple role-playing situation. Hank Henriques and Paul Ricker

Junior High/7th & 8th Grade: Continue plans for a worship service for the congregation in June and also have met with the Senior High group to plan a joint activity with other Chicago-area UU youth groups. Amanda Helin and Betty Holcomb

Senior High/10-12th Grade: Planning a movie night with the Junior High class and other local youth groups as well as planning fund raisers to help with expenses for those hoping and planning to go to the UUA General Assembly in June. We also have said farewell to our long-time youth advisor Enid Norman, who is moving to England after her wedding March 3. We will miss you, Enid! Jen Crow, Steve Ploum, Enid Norman, and Joan Pederson.
 

How to Register for Adult RE Classes

Some of the Adult Re Classes require advance registration and/or payment of a small fee. For the time being, registration means simply calling or leaving a message for Rev. Marlene Walker. The fee usually can be paid at the first session, or by leaving a check (Made out to the church) in an envelope for Rev. Walker.
 
 
 

Adult Religious Education Offerings in March

"The Nature of Racism: A Course in the History of an Ideology," Dr. Finley C. Campbell, instructor: Sunday, March 11, 9:05-10 am, VOV Gallery.

"Living with Dying" Among the subjects covered are:

(1) Your interest, your experiences, your questions

(2) Talking about serious health issues and death and dying with family, friends, and your doctors

3) Spiritual approaches to death and dying and transformation

4) What is a good death for you (or a good life); death with dignity and hospice care

5) Memorials, funerals, burials, and grieving

Pre-registration required: course fee $15.00; call 773-324-4100 for information or to register.

Classes begin Sunday, March 4, 7 to 9 pm, with classes continuing on March 18 and 25 and Sunday evenings through April. Facilitators: Rev. Nina Grey, Madeiria Myrieckes, and Dr. Paul Ulbrich

"The Words and Spirit of Howard Thurman." Begins March 4 at 11:45 am and continues on March 18 and 25. Facilitator: Rev. Marlene Walker.

Drum Building Workshop. Friday evening, March 30, and most of Saturday, March 31. Come build your own drum. Limited to 25 participants. Cost, including all supplies, is $145; registration fee of $25 is required by March 15. Some scholarship funds are available. Call the RE office for more info. Facilitator: Stan Secrest, the drum man from the UUA General Assembly.
 

Coming in April

"Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: A Seminar in Feminist Thealogy for Women" will begin Tuesday, April 3, at 7 pm and meet each Tuesday through May. Facilitated by Margie Allen and Anne-Marie Fisher.
 

Great Books

Great Books continues its new series, "Living with the Past." The group meets Sunday, March 11, at 11:30 in the Choir Room to discuss "The Rat Man" by Sigmund Freud. For information call Gloria Gnatz, 773/643-9436 or Kennie James 773/238-1833.
 

Return to The Mountain

A decade or more ago many members of this congregation began a journey which has become somewhat legendary in our church history. Led by our minister at the time, Rev. Tom Chulak, a group of us trekked to the Great Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina for a week of conversation, music-making, relaxation, church work, and the opportunity to get to know each other better. We were joined in this activity by members of Community Church in New York City, and in later years added members of Third Unitarian in Chicago and UU churches in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia.

What made these weeks so special was in part the location. "The Mountain" is a UU conference center located in some of the most beautiful country around. There is something special about this place that encourages both relaxation and connection among the people who spend time there. Time spent at The Mountain shows one different sides of fellow congregants, as well as offers the possibility of potentially life-changing introspection.

Rev. Marlene, a Life Member of The Mountain, has been encouraging us to try to return to the Mountain as a congregation. We have a firm date for this, the Program Council voted to support this effort, and WE ARE GOING BACK! For now, we are working to create a program for us--a congregational retreat? a covenanting process?

We have agreed to join with members of Community Church in New York during our week there. We will have an opportunity to do our own work as well as to work with another urban church. And this is definitely a family activity. There are separate activities for children, as well as plenty of time to spend with children. We have many questions to answer about this week, but mark the dates now: Aug. 12-18, 2002.

To hear about the Mountain experience, ask Bette Sikes, Joan Pederson, Julie Neuman, Grace Williams, Cindy or Richard Pardo, Richard or Veronica Jenifer, and watch their facial expression. If you want to work on shaping this activity, see Cindy Pardo or Rev. Marlene. This will be a very special time. Plan to join us.
 
 
 

Plastic Grocery Bags Needed

by Bette Sikes, Church Bag Lady

Now that the Hyde Park Coop no longer accepts plastic grocery bags for recycling, are those bags piling up at your house? Do I have an idea to you!

Every Saturday the Food Pantry run by the Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council uses such bags to distribute food to the needy, but often runs out of plastic bags.

I am pleased to receive your bags and to package them appropriately for ready use by those who volunteer at the Food Pantry. Bring them to me at church on Sunday or leave them in the Church Office with my name on them.
 

Central Midwest District Annual Assembly Coming in April

The 2001 Annual Assembly offers 10 workshops, rich worship services, and opportunities to meet other Unitarian Universalists. Also featured this year are candidates for the two major posts in the UUA--the presidency and the moderator. The 3 candidates for UUA President are Revs. Diane Miller, Larry Peers, and Bill Sinkford. Two are vying for the position of Moderator: Patsy Madden and Diane Olson, both of whom have wide experience of work within the UUA.

Registration brochures may be found in the Blue Folder in the Newsletter slot in the Church Office. Register by April 1 to save money.
 

UUA General Assembly in Cleveland

The 2001 UUA General Assembly will be held in Cleveland June 21-25. The theme is "Fulfilling the Promise: Claiming Our Heritage." 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. Also this year delegates will elect a new UUA President, Moderator, and fill a number of other positions.

Now that's just the "business" side of a General Assembly. Those attending will also be offered an incredible array of worship services, lectures, workshops and practicums, music, etc. etc. etc. There is much to be learned about our movement and how we can work better in our churches. Youth programming always proves to be a highlight of GA; many youth attend as delegates from their churches (we are hoping to send a contingent this year).

The centerpiece for many of us who attend is the Service of the Living Tradition, at which new ministers are recognized, ministerial retirements are acknowledged, and the roll of those who have died in the past year is read.

Our church is entitled to 4 lay delegates and 4 alternate delegates at the General Assembly. These delegates will be selected at a Special Congregational Meeting on April 22 after church and before the Talent Auction. If you would like to be a delegate, pick up a nominating petition in the Church Office, get 15 voting members to sign their names, and return the form to President Allen Harden (or his box in the office by April 15. The top 4 vote getters will be the official delegates; the next 4 can be alternate delegates.

Nominating petitions can be found in the Blue Folder in the Newsletter slot in the Church Office. That's where registration and housing forms will appear when they are available.
 

UU Christians Meet in St. Louis

In "Revival II: Sustaining an Inclusive Unitarian Universalist Christianity in the 21st Century," UU Christians will spend time together to explore Christianity in a UU context. Revival II will be held on April 4-7 in St. Louis, MO. The keynote speaker is Carl Scovel. there will also be workshops time for individual prayer and meditation, and worship services. For information, contact Rev. Danny Reed, DannyRReed@aol.com. Copies of the registration form may be found in the Blue Folder in the Newsletter slot in the Church Office.
 

Young Adults hold Spring WUURSHIP

WUURSHIP stands for "Why Unitarian Universalists Respect Spirituality, Humanity, Individuality, & Peace." A gathering is tentatively planned for April 6-8 in Madison, WI. For more information contact http://cmwd.uuyan.org or call A.D. Lowe or Natalie Nguyen at 773/878-0061. A flyer can be viewed in the Blue Folder in the Newsletter slot in the Church Office.
 

Talent Auction 2001

Our annual Talent Auction fund raiser will be held on Sunday, April 22, after church and a brief congregational meeting. We need to get started!

There are two parts to our auction: (1) lunch and a live auction and (2) a silent auction. Your creativity and generosity are needed for both.

The live auction features offerings of services (lessons, computer services, flower arranging, food, etc.), dinners, parties, & events (nature walks, travel experiences, children's parties, an evening of relaxation over chili or a day at the beach, concert tickets), and the use of vacation homes or other special places.

The silent auction features merchandise and gift certificates obtained from local businesses plus new or gently used items from our own members (a great place to share that set of dishes Aunt Maud gave you that will NEVER fit your decor!). This year we are asking that merchandise donations be valued at a minimum of $25.

We will begin collecting silent auction items soon. Forms for donations can be picked up the Church Office, where items can be left. And be thinking about your live auction offerings. It is always exciting to see what wonderful things we receive for this important event. The Silent Auction Preview will be held on Easter Sunday, April 15, in VOV & the Bell Tower Room.
 

Books, Books, Books!

The Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism Committee is interested in creating a library with about racism and related subjects. It has occurred to several of us that we probably could come up with a number of other topics that would be appreciated in a lending library. We might also have a paperback exchange section.

Is there a former librarian, a bibliophile, or just a well-organized reader who might be interested in helping to create what could be a valuable addition to our church life? We are still in the beginning stages of our thinking about this, and we would love your input. Contact Cindy Pardo (773/667-5324) if this idea interests you and you would be willing to work on it.
 

Committee Meetings This Month

Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism - Sun. March 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Committee on Ministry - Fri. March 23 at 7 p.m.
Communications - Wed. March 21 at 4 p.m.
Executive Comm. - Wed. March 14 at 7:30 p.m., and Wed. March 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Finance - Mon. March 12 at 6 p.m.
Investment - Tues. March 13 at 7:30 p.m. (Sikes House)
Membership - Tues. March 13 at 7 p.m.
RE Council - Tues. March 6 at 7 p.m.
Social Justice - Thurs. March 1 at 7 p.m.
Trustees - Thurs. March 15 at 7 p.m.
Worship & Music - Thurs. March 1 at 7 p.m.
 

Canvass is Coming

About March 10 we will mail out a canvass packet, including appeal letters, budget summaries, and suggested levels of participation. Also included will be forms on which people can indicate their preferences of time/place for attendance at one of a series of canvass receptions.

On March 25, Nina's sermon will be directed to kicking off the canvass process.

Between March 25 and April 8, we will host numerous canvass receptions, mostly in the homes of church members. Every member and friend will be invited to one of these receptions, and is strongly urged to attend. The receptions will start as social events (including desserts and/or hors d'oevres). Eventually, each will turn to a program that will begin with discussions growing out of the Sundays. Etc. committeee's work, and that eventually will turn to the budget and the canvass. Representatives of the Board, Sundays. Etc. and the ministry will be present at each reception.

People will be given their pledge cards at the receptions, and encouraged to complete and return them at this time.

Follow-up canvassing and canvassing of those who are unable to attend a reception will happen by phone, etc.

The budget will be reconciled in light of pledges during April, and the final proposed budget will be distributed to the congregation in May, prior to its formal consideration in the June 1 Annual meeting.
 

STRENGTHENING VOLUNTEER LIFE

Have you ever wondered how important volunteers are to First Church? Imagine that you are at church on the Sunday morning of Volunteers' Week Off. No usher, greeter, bell-ringer, choir, chalice lighter, welcomer, or worship associate. No offering. No teachers, snacks, membership table, social justice table, activity sign-up, orientation session, or First Forum. Few adult RE offerings.
 

Behind the scenes: few events arranged, deposits made, or social justice actions undertaken. Little financial oversight, publicity, stewardship, long-range planning, preparation for classes, or support of our ministers. No phones answered before noon, no potluck meals. No newsletter!
 

Aren't you relieved that First Church doesn't have weeks like that? Many, perhaps most members and long-time friends here volunteer in countless ways large and small, Sunday morning and throughout the week. These loving efforts enrich this community, even as they enrich the lives of those who provide them.
 

Thank you for the work you do, the talents you share, the time you spend, the love you make manifest here. Please remember to thank the others whose efforts carry this community forward, recognizing that they have sacrificed time and energy that could have been spent elsewhere.
 

Two kinds of resources to help our volunteers (and thus the congregation as a whole) can become available to us if we reach out. First, take advantage of local, regional, and continental UU gatherings. They are rich with opportunities for learning how to do all kinds of church work more effectively and with greater satisfaction for all involved. See notices elsewhere in this newsletter.
 

Second, respond generously to the canvass, beginning later this month. If we strengthen the position of Church Administrator, as proposed, it will be possible for the office to provide the comprehensive support needed for the work of volunteers and our professional ministers in every area of church life.
 

Not yet a volunteer yourself? Are you ready for opportunities for service, friendship, learning, interaction, growth, challenge, leadership, and joy? Look for the new brochure about committees and other volunteer opportunities, or get in touch with any member of the Committee on Congregational Participation--the President-elect and the chairs of our three councils. You can reach us at church, by note via the church office, or by phone (all in area code 773).
 

Joan Pederson, President-elect, 624-5808

Cindy Pardo, Program Council, 667-5324

Cathy Harth, Religious Education Council, 288-0446

Bobbi Lammers Campbell, Social Justice Council, 752-4019
 

SERVICE OF INSTALLATION - SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 5:30 P.M.

The Service of Installation for Rev. Walker will be held on Sunday, March 11, with a festive reception to follow. We have set the time for 5:30 p.m. so that we may have the musical services of Tom Weisflog, but we are looking forward to hearing from many others in our denomination and our own church community during the service as well. The Rev. Marjory Bowens-Wheatley will give the sermon, the Inter-generational moment will be offered by Rev. Linda Olson-Peebles, Rev. Betsey Stevens will make the Charge to the Minister and the Revs. Rob and Janne Eller-Isaacs will give the Charge to the Congregation. The service will be a special event in the life of our church, with much participation from our own members, our children, youth and choir. Rev. Walker has given an explanation ofthe significance of this service in her column this month, which I urge you to read. Please make time for this very special service and for the reception.
 

URBAN MINISTRIES CONFERENCE SUNDAY SERVICE

Even if you cannot attend the Urban Ministries Conference, we hope that you will attend the conference worship service on Sunday, March 11. All Chicago urban UU churches are urging their members to be present toworship with other UUs from urban congregations from all over the country. The service will be held at Peoples Church, 941 W. Lawrence, at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Cheng Imm Tan preaching. Although we will also offer a regular service at our own church, this is opportunity to experience a diversity in worship which does not come our way often. Please join us.
 

Ministers' Hours

Rev. Nina D. Grey: At church Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 to 2 and by appointment. On Thursdays, I study and prepare sermons. Monday is my day off. Call me at church (773/324-4100) or at home (773/288-0348). E-mail NinaGrey@aol.com. In an emergency, call me at home even on Mondays.

Rev. Marlene L. Walker: Phone number 773/955-1607; e-mail Revmar@aol.com. Tuesday and Thursday 10-3 pm and Wednesday 9 am-noon. Monday is my day off, and I work at home on Fridays. Contact me with questions or concerns at the church (773/324-4100) or by e-mail. If you are calling about an urgent concern or an emergency, call me at home even on my day off.
 

Meet the Candidates

The candidates for President and Moderator of the UUA will participate in a forum at the Congress Plaza Hotel on Friday, March 9 at 5:00 a.m. The forum is part of the UU Urban Ministries Conference, but is open to everyone. It will be moderated by Bill Murry, President of Meadville Lombard and a member of our congregation.
 
 
 

Do You Know All about Video Conferencing?

The Central Midwest District Leadership Development Committee seeks a volunteer with knowledge of video conferencing resources who can help in developing the effective use of off-site conferences. Can you help? If so, contact Stan Christianson, 180 N. Stetson St., Suite 3020, Chicago, IL 60601-6223; 312/621-0445 office; 312/621-4546 fax; 219/241-5350 cell; email standc@earthlink.net.
 

Looking for a Full-Time Position as a Religious Educator?

Two churches in the Central Midwest District are seeking full-time religious educators: First Unitarian Church of St. Louis and First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee. For flyers describing the positions, see the famous Blue Folder in the Newsletter Slot in the Church Office.
 

AMUUSE (Adult Midwest UU Singles Enrichment) has issued a 2001 brochure listing its three summer programs. For a copy see the small literature rack near the big bulletin board in the Pennington Center hallway.
 

Midwest Leadership School 2001

Every summer churches can take advantage of excellent leadership training by sending a team to the Midwest Leadership School, held at Beloit College. Two sessions are offered for 2001: July 7-14 and July 14-21. For information, consult the brochure in the Blue Folder in the Newsletter slot in the Church Office.
 
 
 
 
 

The Unitarian Fling
 

"The Unitarian Fling," a hilarious show with words and music by our own Jim Stevens, will be performed by members of the Choir in Hull Chapel at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. Refreshments and gaiety will follow the performance. This is a revival of a show that many members of our church have enjoyed in the past. It is a benefit for the organ repair fund, and costs $10 per person.
 

In Memoriam

Robert Moore
 

A memorial service for long-time member Robert Moore will be held at our church on Saturday, March 17, at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Moore died February 15, just a week shy of his 84^th birthday. Rev. Moore was a theology graduate of the University of Chicago, and served for a number of years as pastor of Methodist churches in Wisconsin, Vermont and New York. In 1955 he returned to the Chicago Theological Seminary in Hyde Park where he was the dean of students for 20 years. He and his wife, Rev. Viola Moore had two sons and two daughters, who were active in youth activities at our church.
 

Adult RE Courses

"The Nature of Racism: A Course in the History of an Ideology," Dr. Finley C. Campbell, instructor: Sunday, March 11, 9:05-10 am, VOV Gallery. This month's session is entitled "Neo-Racism: Old Baloney in New Casings, 1966 to the foreseeable future."
 

"Living with Dying" Among the subjects covered are:

(1) Your interest, your experiences, your questions

(2) Talking about serious health issues and death and dying with family, friends, and your doctors

3) Spiritual approaches to death and dying and transformation

4) What is a good death for you (or a good life); death with dignity and hospice care

5) Memorials, funerals, burials, and grieving

Pre-registration required: course fee $15.00; call 773-324-4100 for information or to register.

Classes begin Sunday, March 4, 7 to 9 pm, with classes continuing on March 18 and 25 and Sunday evenings through April. Facilitators: Rev. Nina Grey, Madeiria Myrieckes, and Dr. Paul Ulbrich
 

"The Words and Spirit of Howard Thurman." Begins March 4 at 11:45 am and continues on March 18 and 25. Facilitator: Rev. Marlene Walker. Howard Thurman was the spiritual advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr.; the first black dean at a white university; and cofounder of the first inter-racially pastored church in the U.S. He was a mystic who offered a transcendant vision of our world and his words remind us that out of religious faith emerges social responsibility and the power to transform lives. His faith led him to struggle with the particular manifestations of violence and hatred that marked his time. His mystic spirit and deep commitment to nonviolence inspire us still and his words are often used in UU worship. This course will look at some of those words and the deep spirit of this truly amazing man.
 

Drum Building Workshop. Friday evening, March 30, and most of Saturday, March 31. Come build your own drum. Limited to 25 participants. Cost, including all supplies, is $145; registration fee of $25 is required by March 15. Some scholarship funds are available. Call the RE office for more info. Facilitator: Stan Secrest, the drum man from the UUA General Assembly.
 

Coming in April

"Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: A Seminar in Feminist Thealogy for Women" will begin Tuesday, April 3, at 7 pm and meet each Tuesday through May. Facilitated by Margie Allen and Anne-Marie Fisher.
 

Great Books

Great Books continues its new series, "Living with the Past." The group meets Sunday, March 11, at 11:30 in the Choir Room to discuss "The Rat Man" by Sigmund Freud. For information call Gloria Gnatz, 773/643-9436 or Kennie James 773/238-1833.