Committee Meetings this Month
First Unitarian Annual Meeting Scheduled
This year's annual meeting will be held after church on the third Sunday in May -- May 19. All members and friends are encouraged to attend. To vote on a matter before the congregation, a member must have signed the membership book at least 90 days before the meeting and made a minimum $50 contribution of record within the previous year.
Rev. Nina Grey's Hours
I will be in the office as follows and by appointment: Tuesday, 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 2 to 6 p.m., and Friday, 10 to 2 p.m. Thursday is my time for study and sermon preparation. Monday is my day off. I can be reached at church, at 324-4100, or at home, at 288-0348. I welcome your calls, including calls on Monday in emergencies. If I am away from these phones, I regularly check my voice mails. You may also reach me by email at ngrey@uuma.org. The office will also know how to reach me.
Rev. Marlene's office hours
My office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. Monday continues as my day off and Friday is my day for reading and preparation which I mostly do at home. I am also available at other times by appointment. I am often in the office at other times as well and at church in the evenings for various meetings. I can be reached by phone either at church or at home (773-955-1607) Please feel free to call me at home even on Mondays if it is urgent. Another good way to reach me is by e-mail and my new e-mail address is mwalker@uuma.org.
Lifespan Religious Education
Rev. Marlene Walker, Minister for Religious Education
This month the Religious Education Council has been reflecting on an article from the Essex Conversations titled "Youth Groups as a Model for Transformative Ministry" written by Jen (Harrison) Devine who is the youth programs director at the Unitarian Universalist Association. Jen suggests that there is much we adults can learn about building community from the model used by our youth groups. Youth groups have long been based on a small group model of community building that is based on personal sharing and relationship building, a model that is more and more being adopted by congregations across denominational lines to build covenant and small group ministries. According to Jen, "when people come through a church door, they are usually searching for religious community, friends, shared values, comfort, meaning, and a place for spiritual exploration. People rarely come to church to get involved in a pledge drive or to join the committee for repainting the sanctuary."
Small group ministries can be places where people meet and bond. It is often said among church growth specialists that new members to a church need to make six new friends in the first six months after first coming in to a new church or they won't stay. Small groups based on a model such as our youth groups can be places where this connection and relationship can happen. There are many ways that these small groups can, and are, structured and they all tend to follow a pattern that is very similar to the one used by our youth groups. The groups seem to work best with about 10 people including the facilitators or youth advisors (who are specially trained and meet as a small group ministry with other facilitators), there is generally a gathering followed by a chalice lighting and a reading. The group then has a check in time where each person can share whatever he or she wants or needs without questions or interruptions for a short specified length of time followed by an open reflection on check in by the group. There is then a spiritual topic of discussion introduced by the facilitator or advisor, followed by some kind of evaluation and check out time. A closing reading or ritual then ends the group time.
This is essentially the model that our UU youth groups having been using for quite sometime and it can and does lead to the building and deepening of relationships between members. Small group ministries don't happen on their own and they don't happen by magic. Small group ministries, like youth groups, take commitment, intentionality, planning and leadership. They can also be places of growth for individuals and congregations, bringing new energy and spiritual growth to both. They help retain new members and increase commitment. What would small group ministry look like here at First Unitarian? It's an idea worth exploring. What do you think? Let me know!
Blessings and bright wishes for the New Year!
January Intersession Empty Bowls Project
During the month of January there will not be regular Church School Classes. All classes will be downstairs in the Garden Room at 10:00AM for Children's Chapel each Sunday where we will all be doing a special Social Justice focused program. This year our theme is hunger and homelessness and our project is The Empty Bowls Project. As we learn about hunger and what we can do to help we will be making ceramic bowls with help from a local Hyde Park ceramic shop called Brush Strokes. We will glaze the bowls and they will be fired at Brush Strokes and be ready in time for the Empty Bowls Soup lunch on the first Sunday in February during coffee hour in Hull chapel. All are invited. The bowls, filled with soup, will be sold on a sliding scale of $13-20 and all proceeds will be given to the Hyde Park Kenwood Interfaith Food Pantry.
January Empty Bowls Project Schedule:
Church School News
In the first part of December we completed our Fall Term and enjoyed the multigenerational services during the second half - the RE Holiday Pageant and Kwanzaa. Thank you to all who taught this Fall. It was a great Fall Term with many exciting projects in all our classes and our highest enrollment and attendance in many years. It was also a special and important time to be with our young people as they too learn to live amidst the uncertainty of our times. You made a difference - Thank you!
Preschool - Kindergarten: Continued to "Celebrate Me and My World" as they enjoyed the new and fun additions to their classroom brought in by the Parent Support Network. They learned what happens when a lit chalice is placed too close to things that can burn and we all learned the importance of fire safety. They closed the term by reading and learning the story of Christmas. Thank you to Fall term teachers Adrienne King, Ivan Lappin and Anne Morril-Ploum!
1st and 2nd Grade: This class began the month by hosting the Kid's Lunch for RE Holiday Crafts and Ornament making and discussing what it means to be a host. During the rest of the month they made a large barn out of cardboard boxes and created animals and the people for their manger which was in the sanctuary for the Holiday Pageant. They were very excited about this project and had lots of conversation about homes and birthplaces and comfort. Thank you to Fall Term teachers Margie Gonwa, Cathy Hart, and Jaime Moore.
3rd and 4th Grade: There have been many Holidays and Holy Days this month. The class learned about Divali, the Hindu New Year celebration, by making clay cepas and sand designs; about Hanukkah by making menorahs, dreidels, Mogen Davids and the Hebrew letter for life; and about Christmas by celebrating Posadas, the Mexican celebration of looking for a place in the inn and a making figures of Jesus, Mary and even Shaquille O'Neal. They also had a Posadas parade and made and broke open a Piñata! Thank you to Fall Term teachers, Mary Bader, Allan Harden and Marty Schimel!
5th and 6th Graders: If it has seemed to you like there have not been many 5th and 6th graders around this past month you are correct! They have been away several Sundays visiting the worship services of Neighboring Faiths. This month they continued their exploration of Islam and visited a nearby Mosque. They also learned about Quakers and attended the First Day Meeting at the 57th Street Meeting of Friends. Yes, they can be quiet for an hour! Thank you to Fall Term teachers Andrew Greenlee, Alan Lindrup and Anita Orlikoff!
7th -9th Graders: The OWL Program has been on break this month so we have had more youth attending Uniteens on Sunday mornings. They have been busy planning a sleepover in January, eating popcorn, attending worship and hanging out with each other and advisors Betty Holcomb and Coleen Grogan. Thank you to youth advisors and OWL facilitators Jen Crow, Amanda Helin, Steve Ploum, Paul and Kathleen Ricker and Laura Steinman - DRE at Third Unitarian!
Important Notice
Youth Advisor Training
On January 19th from 9-5 p.m. there will be special Youth Advisor Training. Dan Harper, DRE from First Parish Lexington, MA, Meadville Lombard Modified Residency Student and Youth Advisor Trainer will facilitate this workshop for us with assistance from our own Anne Jonas. This is a wonderful gift and opportunity that Dan has offered us. I If you have an interest in being a youth advisor soon or sometime in the future or just want to know what a youth advisor needs to know please speak with Rev. Marlene about attending this training.
Important Events in January
UNITY PARTY
Please plan to come to the third annual Unity Party on Saturday January 19 (snow date January 26) from 6 to 10 pm. As always, there will be food, music, conversation, dancing, and special activities for younger children. This year we're hoping to set aside some specific time slots for square dancing and, hopefully, dance lessons.
This year we are planning to raise funds rather than just meet expenses. The cost will be $5 per person, with a $15 maximum for families. Tickets will be available Sundays during coffee hour beginning December 30. Food will be potluck: Please bring your favorite "comfort food" to share.
The Unity Party is sponsored by the Social Justice Council, Charlotte Lackner Anti-racism Committee, Religious Education Council, and Interweave, but everyone is invited to help with planning. Our next (second) planning meeting will be Saturday, January 5 at 10 am. Pleae call Bobbi Campbell (773-752-4019) if you plan to come.
This event is called a Unity Party, because it is a celebration, not just of our wonderful diversity, but of our unity, based on our commonly held beliefs as formal and informal Unitarians. Your friends and family will be most welcome!
Annual Emancipation Day Pageant
O Freedom: The Day of Jubilee -- the 8th Annual Presentation of the Emancipation Day Pageant. On Sunday, January 6, 2002, at 12 noon (ending by 1:00 p.m.) in the Sanctuary, the Worship and Music Committee, along with the Social Justice Council, will be presenting the chamber version of this annual activity as a First Forum offering. Unlike in the past, the main focus of this special presentation will be the Emancipation Proclamation itself (Prologue, Act III, Epilogue), since it will no longer be a part of the worship service. There is still room available for singers, dancers, narrators, participants of all ages. So, call Finley C. Campbell, director, at 773-752-4019. There will be three rehearsals, so this will not take a lot of time. Join us.
Committee on Ministry Soup Lunch
Soup Lunch, Sunday, January 20, 2002, sponsored by the Committee on Ministry and the Personal Advisory Committees for Rev. Grey and Rev. Walker. Break bread with the ministers and committee members at 11:45 after Worship Service. Briefly discuss the work of these committees.
Annual Talent Auction is March 3rd.
As First Churchers, we are proud of the programs of worship, spiritual education and social outreach that we have supported with our pledges. We acknowledge that the rising costs of maintaining our staff and buildings puts our budget in jeopardy at a time when the national financial reports are threatening.
Our annual fund raiser is the Talent Auction, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2002. This is an opportunity to offer your talents as well as bid on the talent offerings of fellow members. These offerings range from dog care to computer service to gala social outings. We need your talents also to do the many jobs that make our festive event a joyous affair. Sign up at coffee hour or in the church office. For information call Madieria Myrieckes (312) 461-9832 or Polly McCoo (773) 768-8535.
Coming soon! This year' raffle tickets!
Caring Committee Workshop
The Caring Committee is working to expand their activities. We are planning a workshop for Sunday, February 3, 2002, at 1:00 p.m. in the church. We believe that "Caring is Us." Our congregation can only be strengthened if we learn to be aware of the needs of others and practice positive methods of reaching out. During the workshop Rev. Grey and Rev. Walker will review the goals of the committee. We will also participate in role playing and learn the resources available to meet various needs. We will learn how to listen as well as learn how to ask for help. Sign up for the workshop at coffee hour. For further information call Polly McCoo (773) 768-8535 or Madieria Myrieckes (312) 461-9832. If your caring needs are spiritual, call the church office to make an appointment with Rev. Grey or Rev. Walker.
Among Us
Our warm healing wishes to the parents of our Instrumental Music Director, Clinton Velandia. Clinton's parents were injured in a car accident in Paris, where they are living. Clinton went to be with them during December. We expect him back in early January.
Our thanks to Juhae Chang, a fine musician, who is substituting for Clinton.
Our warm healing wishes to Allan Stern, recovering from surgery.
Warm healing wishes also to Arnita Boswell, who is expecting to have surgery in January.
We are thinking of Paul Ricker whose grandmother is very ill.
We are also thinking of Don Scott whose mother is very ill.
Our warm healing wishes to Robert Chenoweth, recovering at Barr Pavilion, Northwestern Hospital (312) 640-6235.
And our warm healing wishes to Mike Donner.
We are thinking of Doug Anderson.
Welcome to Don Scott who recently joined the church.
Our hearts are with Devon Moss, who is serving in the armed forces and with his family.
We are thinking of Paul Ulbrich as he begins his travels prior to moving to California.
Our long-time member Jan Johnson, who we sponsor as a student at Starr King School for the Ministry, in is her final year in school. She recently met with the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee, which granted her Preliminary Fellowship, the first stage in accreditation for the UU ministry. Congratulations, Jan!
Important Notes from our Treasurer
By Julie Neuman
Budget
January is budget preparation month! If you are involved with a church committee, be sure to get this topic on your January agenda. Budget submissions for the 2003 fiscal year (July 1, 2002, thru June 30, 2003) are due on or before Sunday, February 3rd. Place them in the Treasurer's mailbox or send them via e-mail to JNjulchen@aol.com. The Finance Committee will review all requests in time to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees at its February meeting.
Special Fundraising
Several special fundraising efforts have been initiated this year: for the organ repair, for retreat scholarships, and to help a family sponsored by the Criminal Justice Task Force. Special funds such as these can be separately administered...IF they have been set up correctly at their inception. If you are planning a special fundraiser, please contact the Church Treasurer to explain your project and obtain a set of account numbers to track your proceeds and expenditures. A form is being developed to facilitate this process.
Budget AND Fundraising
With all this special fundraising going on, let's not forget that the current year's budget contains a line item of $4000 for general, unrestricted fundraising to support the programs of the church. Creative ideas are always welcome: please contact President Joan Pederson or any of the Trustees with your suggestions. We must raise this money by the end of June!
From the Board
By Joan Pederson
Congregation President
Happy New Year, and happy new beginnings. I begin with warm thanks and best wishes to Paul Ulbrich, who begins the year in California where a new stage of his life will get its start. He has served on the Board for the past 18 months and has served the congregation in many other capacities during his 30+ years among us. I know that I am not the only one who will miss him.
Looking for a new start or a fresh perspective closer to home? This place is humming with possibilities. The choir (especially if you like to sing as well as hum), social justice groups of several kinds, lifespan religious education (whether you're 8 months, 8 years, 18, 38, or 108), the active new Interweave group, Neighbor's Eve on New Year's Eve, the Emancipation Proclamation pageant after church on January 6, Soup Lunch on January 20, the Unity Party on January 19--and that's just a few weeks' worth!
Looking for a chance to lend a helping hand or give something back? The Board and the Program, Religious Education, and Social Justice Councils all have committees, task forces, or other working groups that could use a few more members. Opportunities for short-term service abound, such as ushering, helping with property projects, and canvass and Talent Auction assistance. Get in touch with Cynthia Oakes (President-elect: (773) 667-1081), John Porterfield (Program Council Chair: (773) 406-0313), Margie Gonwa (RE Council Chair: (773) 233-4882), or Bobbi Lammers Campbell (Social Justice Council Chair: (773) 752-4019) to get plugged in.
And if you get a call from the Nominating Committee sometime during the next few months, open up to the possibilities and transformations that come with saying "yes."
The Board has been looking at some of its own committees. A few have chairs who would like to give someone else a turn at exercising leadership. Others have some members who are interested in shifting focus to a different area of church life. These are normal, natural, healthy signs of growth and change within a vibrant community, which continues to thrive as long as someone new comes along. If you get a call encouraging you to participate, please give it serious thought and remain open to saying "yes." By the way: those of you with little time available for evening meetings at church don't need to feel left out. A few groups rely largely on e-mail or phone calls, and more are open to the suggestion if their members are so equipped. And there's a way to beat the competition for limited street parking: University of Chicago lots and the garage at 55th and Ellis are free and open to the public between 4 pm and 8 am weekdays and all day on weekends.
With the help of the Property Committee, the Board also has been looking at our physical plant inside and out, and will continue to do so. A few things to note for now: work on the Fenn House roof is done or nearly so, our rebuilt organ should be back in place soon (not to be mistaken for the rented instrument provided by the organ builder during December), and 2002 brings two major property anniversaries--the 50th anniversary of our acquisition of Fenn House and the 40th anniversary of the construction of Pennington Center. Attention to "Safe Congregation" work has brought such recent improvements as improved railings outside Pennington Center and the greater security of repaired locks and door closers.
These structures, along with Hull Chapel and the main Sanctuary and parish house, have been entrusted to us by earlier generations of First Church members, by the contributions of our younger selves, and by the continued stewardship of the entire congregation. But First Unitarian Church is not this assemblage of connected buildings, nor the one of those buildings where we gather to worship together on Sunday mornings. The CONGREGATION is the church: people, both members and friends, both oldtimers and newcomers. Thoughtful stewardship of our buildings provides the church with spaces in which and from which we can do the nourishing, sustaining, necessary work of religious community in this time, in this city. They also provide a considerable portion of the money with which that work is carried out.
As we celebrate the anniversaries of Fenn House and Pennington Center this year and look to the beckoning future, let us all be thoughtful stewards of the gifts of time, talent, money, and property with which we together will carry on our work of religious community, our shared ministry as First Unitarian Church.
November Board Meeting
By Joan Pederson
Congregation President
Cynthia Oakes chaired the November Board meeting while I was away on business. At that meeting the Board
Due to the holiday mailing schedule, this is being written before the December Board meeting. Notes of that meeting and, I hope, of the January meeting will appear next month.
A Sleighride Through Church History
2001 Talent Auction Bidders and all others with a $25.00 donation to the church are welcome to "A Sleighride Through Church History". Come join the fun with Swedish refreshments, the date is Friday, January 4th at 7:30 p.m. being presented by Viola Moore at 5759 South Harper Avenue. Please call Viola Moore (773)955-2193 to RSVP.
Racial Justice Task Force
By Dr. Finley C. Campbell
On December 7, 2001, on the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor (1941), in Hull Chapel, the Racial Justice Task Force presented: "From Bayreuth to Auschwitz and Beyond: Richard Wagner and Modern Racism." Dr. Finley C. Campbell (that's me) was the main presenter, both in his role as a member of the Racial Justice Task Force and as an Afro-American specialist in history. There were also six other people present, mainly from the general Chicago community: four black sisters, a white brother, and an hispanic sister. Dr. Campbell presented in polemic form his research on Richard Wagner and Wagner's role in the building modern racism. Three points were covered: the nature of racism as an ideology; the specific role which Wagner played both musicologically and politically in building the modern racist movement; and an explanation of why it was so important to recognize the ideological, rather than the emotional, origins of racism. Tapes and copies of the script available for a donation to the Racial Justice Task Force Fundraising Effort.
Coming in February
Neighboring Faiths for Adults
This group will meet on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., beginning February 20. In a "compact" ten session course, we will learn about and visit religious groups in a variety of traditions. We will think about what is religious, and learn about western and eastern religious traditions as well as nature based religions. Facilitated by Rev. Nina Grey.
Forums, lectures, adult education offerings in January
Mediation in the Juvenile Court
First Forum: Sunday, January 20, at 11:45 a.m. The Criminal Justice Task Force presents Alternative Justice: Mediation in the Juvenile Court. Suzi Schrader, Director of Volunteer Development and former Juvenile Program Coordinator and Charles Hall who case managed the Juvenile Program for the Center for Conflict Resolution in partnership with the State’s Attorney’s office will discuss the restorative justice mediation program being used in Chicago. Rather than the usual judicially imposed probation or incarceration, this program uses mediation conferences between offenders and their victims. Trained volunteers serve as mediators. This approach gives victims a voice while holding youthful offenders accountable for their crimes and clarifying the consequences of their actions. It helps them make amends and encourages them to avoid similar problems in the future. Join us for a discussion of this alternative approach, its relative success, and volunteer opportunities for support of this program.
Living with Uncertainty
First Forum: Sunday, January 13 at 11:445 a.m. Rev. Nina Grey and Lori Rosenblum will lead this continuing opportunity for sharing responses to living in our times. We meet in the Chris Moore Parlor. This is a time for caring speaking and listening in an atmosphere of acceptance of our diversity and full humanity.
Great Books
Sunday, January 13, 2002, at 11:30 a.m. in the choir room. Our first Great Books discussion for 2002 will be a continuation of the novel “Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison. For further information please contact Gloria Gnatz (773) 643-9436 or Kennie James (773) 238-1833. All are welcome to participate in our discussions held on the second Sunday of each month January thru June, with a hiatus during July and August.
The Nature of Racism
Sunday, January 13 at 9:00 a.m. Dr. Finley C. Campbell, facilitator. The session will cover "Racism in the Movies." Birth of a Nation, Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Song of the South, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Plus how to spot racism in a movie.
The Bible Workbench
Sunday, January 20, at 6:30 p.m. Facilitator: Rev. Marlene Walker. A UU friendly bible study program that explores the scriptures of our Jewish and Christian heritage in an exciting format that includes contemporary literature, experiential exercises and reflections. If you have never studied the Bible, or have but want to see it in a new way, come join us. Enrollment limited: see Marlene.
UU's View the News
Friday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. Facilitators are Dr. Finley C. Campbell and Kennie James. Presentation and discussions; subjects based on general interest. In light of the absence of a humanist-ethical framework in which to view the news, it is important that we U.U.s develop our own way of systematically analyzing the news which filters through the media screen. In light of this, we offer an opportunity to share informed opinions on the news events of our time.
Rise Up and Call Her Name
Friday, February 1, at 6:30 p.m., and continuing on subsequent Friday evenings through February and March. Rev. Marlene Walker, facilitator. A Woman Honoring Journey into Global Earth-based Spiritualities, the course provides a unique format for learning about goddesses from a variety of traditions, hearing and telling personal stories, creating your own sacred art, participating in creative rituals, dialoguing about questions key to feminist spirituality, and engaging in personal discovery. Both women and men are encouraged to participate in this journey. Materials fee of $10.
Parenting Group
Sunday, January 20, at 1:00 p.m. This group will meet monthly on the third Sunday through June. All parents are invited to join us. The first four sessions will be an exploration of the Spirituality of children using a variety of resources. The final two sessions will be focused on the Lion and Lamb Project, a program that raises the awareness of violence in the media (video, video games, movies, TV etc.) and it’s effect on children. Child care will be provided. Facilitators: Rev. Marlene Walker, Ann Ploum.
Recent Challenges to Civil Liberties
By Bobbi Campbell
The Social Justice Council has been discussing the challenges to civil liberties that have occurred since September 11. We are in the process of writing an open letter to Governor Ryan requesting that he not sign the Illinois anti-terrorism legislation, and we sponsored a First Forum, which is summarized below:
When Ben Wolf of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) spoke at First Forum on December 2, he said that the terrorist attacks of September 11 caused Americans to change their paradigm of freedom in a way no foreign power could have forced us to. The ACLU is concerned about what it sees as legislative threats to civil liberties.
Wolf said he saw three principal changes taking place:
Wolf suggested that we may be entering into a semi-permanent war:
Several specific examples of threats to civil liberties were discussed:
In the discussion, it was noted that: