First Unitarian Church of Chicago

April, 2003

First Unitarian News

Index of Past Issues

Rev. Grey's column, "Both Sides," is available here.

Committee Meetings this Month

Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism - Sun. April 27 at 1:00
Communications - Tues. April 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Executive Comm. - Wed. April 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Membership - Thurs. April 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Program Council - Tues. April 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Racial Justice - Thurs. April 24 at 7:00 p.m.
RE Council - Tues. April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Social Justice - Thurs. April 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Trustees - Thurs. April 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Worship & Music - Thurs. April 3 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, April 13
Immediately Following the Service


You will be receiving formal notice of this meeting in the mail.The Board is calling this meeting to consider two matters:

(1) A vote on a proposal by the Religious Education Council, approved by the Board of Trustees, to finance the Minister for Religious Education position for 3 to 5 years.

(2) Discussion of a proposal by the Investment Committee, approved by the Board of Trustees, to take out a line of credit on Fenn House to finance the demolition of the spire.

 

Lifespan Religious Education
By Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker

These are times of uncertainty: uncertainty in the world, uncertainty in the economic systems that support the fabric of our lives, uncertainty in our community and uncertainty in our church. Our country is at war, a war many of us did not want to see happen, a war that has managed to seep into our living rooms and into our daily life and the lives of our children in a way that no other war ever has. It is tempting, at least for me, to want to turn on the television and check in to see what has happened next. When I do I find myself shaking my head at the most recent reports of "collateral damage," killing, bombs blasting. I become a combination of angry, frightened, numb and despairing. Even when not watching or listening to war reports I know that it is there, happening, and it is always in my awareness, sometimes closer to the surface, sometimes less so.

Our children are hearing about the war, seeing it live on television and no doubt talking about it on the playgrounds at school. As difficult, horrifying and mind boggling as it is for us as adults it is even harder for our children to comprehend. The best general advice I have for parents and others concerned about how to talk with children about the war is to minimize as much as possible their exposure, especially to the graphic images on television, and to honestly and in age-appropriate ways respond to their questions when asked. For extra help and suggestions I recommend the following web sites for more specific suggestions. I will also be making reprints from these resources available in church. Remember also that I am here and available for any families, children and youth to answer questions, provide resources and support in any ways that you may need. These are uncertain times but we will get through them together.

• The Southern Poverty Law Center - Teaching Tolerance Program at http://www.tolerance.org /parents/kidsarticle.jsp?p=0&ar=7

• PBS's Parents page at http://www.pbs.org/parents /issuesadvice/war/

• And the UUA at http://www.uua.org/news/2003 /iraq/resources.html

What's Been Happening In Way Cool Sunday School

We're well into the spring term and we have been busy! We are exploring the sources of our UU faith. We have been getting our garden behind Fenn House ready to plant and have started seeds indoors. Our worms continue to make lots of compost and later this month we will add our compost to the compost from other groups in Chicago who are supporting urban farmers in Logan Square at a special event called Wormapalozza. Watch for special announcements about that! We have had a visitor from Heifer Project International who shared with us how Heifer Project began, what it does and how we can help by filling our Ark with animals. (see article about Heifer Project elsewhere in the newsletter). We are still sorting and preparing tons of soccer equipment for shipment to Haiti. On March 23rd Marissa Zagone (our First Church bookkeeper) visited with us and we built a native American medicine wheel and tied prayer bundles for peace. Watch for our UU Rainbow Principles banner in Hull Chapel. We worked throughout the fall and winter on it as we learned about our UU Principles. We finished it this month and it is an inspiring work of art.

In the Pre-School/ Kindergarten class our younger children continue to learn about each other and themselves using the Chalice Children curriculum.

We have also made some changes in our youth program this term. The junior youth group (grades 7-9) have been meeting during Way Cool Sunday School with youth advisors Bruce Russell-Jayne, Colleen Grogan and Erik King. The big project has been a joint project with the Senior High group of painting the youth room. It is a work in progress and is fantastic. If you have not seen it ask one of our youth to give you a tour during coffee hour!

The Senior High Group is meeting after church from 12-1:30 with advisors Beccie Bruckner and Allan Stern. They are busy planning an overnight pool party and gathering at Allan Stern's home next month. They and the 8th graders from the junior high group are also looking forward to the District Spring Con coming up next month.

Lifespan RE Growth Statistics

We have been growing! Some of you have asked for the growth statistics of our lifespan RE Program over the last few years. Here they are. As you can see our expanding Lifespan RE Program is a fundamentally important part of our congregation and ministry.

Children and youth registered and/or attending RE:

            1997/98 - 40
            1998/99 - 52
            1999/00 - 46
            2000/01 - 82
            2001/02 - 94
            2002/03 - 104

This year's enrollment number of 104 represents the following statistics:

Enrollment/Registration:

Enrollment Total        104

Enrolled Members       58
Registered Total          51
Registered Members    33
Donated fee/Total        32
Donated fee/Members             29
Donated fee/Non members      3
Enrolled without family          7


Living with Uncertainty Discussion Opportunities

Once again we will gather for times of sharing as together we live through these difficult times. We will create space, time and opportunity for those who gather to share in an atmosphere of respectful listening and appreciation. These gatherings are meant to be for the purpose of providing support during these difficult times as our nation is engaged in war, we experience fears about possible terrorism, and the many emotions and thoughts that arise in these times.

Leader: Rev. Nina Grey
Dates and Times: April 6 and May 4, 7-9 p.m.
To register please call Rev. Grey or the church office.


Steeple Status Report
By Richard Pardo

In my last report to the congregation on the status of the steeple, the contract for demolition had been signed and we expected scaffolding erection to begin shortly. That sequence was slightly delayed as this project became the first one to be handled under a new city ordinance requiring a 90 day review for demolition of historic buildings (our building is 'orange' in the city lexicon of historic importance). We were able to convince the city and Alderman Hairston that delay at this point provided safety concerns and also that we had met the intent of the ordinance over a long period of time in trying to preserve the steeple initially and then informing the community over a year ago that it would be necessary to remove the steeple.

As you can easily see, the scaffolding erection is complete. Demolition has begun. The weather vane has been removed from the apex of the spire and is now safely inside the church. Removal of stone has begun and soon portions of the steeple inner superstructure will begin to be dismantled. At this point no surprises have cropped up in the demolition project and we are on schedule to complete the project by the middle of May.

 

Board Talk
By Cynthia Oakes
Congregation President

The bombs began dropping a few days ago. 10,000 people took Lake Shore Drive in protest. I have a student whose family lives in Baghdad. I have a friend and church member whose husband is on his way to who-knows-where as a member of the military. I have another friend who is visiting her mother in Egypt and wonders if she'll make it back to the U.S. I'm on my way to visit a daughter who deals with terror in very real ways every day as she lives in Washington D.C. I'm worried about how I will run two congregational meetings when I have a limited knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order..... Wait a minute. I'm worried about Robert's Rules of Order???? Clearly, it's time to get a little perspective.

In every church meeting I attend, I sense this same feeling. Well, maybe not about Robert's Rules of Order, but certainly about the need to gain perspective. It seems that now is the time to step back, breathe (as Rev. Nina likes to remind us to do, and I find works well for me), and try to gain this much-needed fresh perspective. How do we accomplish that? Two years ago the Committee on Ministry proposed a process that the Board approved. Now I hear over and over that it is time for us to follow through. It is time to begin the Vision, Mission, and Covenant work for this church. Many of us participated in Decisions for Growth and felt empowered and energized by that work. But that was a while ago. We have new ministers, new members, a new world order, new budgetary concerns ... to name a few of the changes that we are experiencing. This year, the Board has consistently been in the position of making decisions that have serious implications for the life of the church. How much easier our work would have been if we knew exactly how we, as a church family, define who we are and where we want to be heading.

At our Board meeting we committed ourselves to move forward with this process. Vision, mission and covenant work will begin soon. It is a process that needs every one of us. Everyone's voice will need to be heard. We will define who we want to be. We will declare to the world who we are and what we stand for. And we will be the ones who get to decide what that is. If you are not a member now, I urge you to join with us so that you can be part of our democratic process and vote your opinions. If you have hesitated to become more active because you weren't sure how you fit into this church, I urge you to become a fully participating member; speak out, you can help create the Beloved Community. If you are frustrated with the way things seem to be moving, now is your chance. It will take all of us, with our wonderfully diverse cultures, theologies, politics, and personalities to create the church community we so wish to be a part of. And who knows, maybe we can create a world where worrying about Robert's Rules of Order will be the biggest concern of the day. Wouldn't that be a relief.In other Board news, the Board:• approved the Bell Tower Restoration Committee's proposal to hire a consultant from the UUA to help begin the Capital Campaign

• heard reports from Canvass Chair, Joan Pederson; Senior Minister, Rev. Grey; Minister of Religious Education, Rev. Walker; Church Administrator, Rick Brown, Church Treasurer, Julie Neuman

• heard an inspirational report from the Religious Education Council and approved their proposal to ask the congregation to finance the Religious Education Ministry position for 3-5 years

• approved the Investment Committee's proposal to take out a line of credit on Fenn House to finance the demolition of the spire

• agreed to call a Congregation Meeting on April 13th to discuss the Investment Committee's proposal and to vote on the RE Council's proposal You should have received a Call to the Congregation in the mail. If you have not, please contact the office ASAP.

All Board minutes are part of the public record and available in the office.

 

Environmental Task Force
By Ellen LaRue and Dottie Barron

We had a presentation on the Green Sanctuary Project on March 9. We will look carefully at this to see if we can take this on. Manuals have been ordered. Meanwhile John Porterfield is checking the feasibility of a used bike sale.

Green Corner: Volunteer work days at Wooded Island resume Saturday, April 12, and continue (weather permitting) every second Saturday from 10:00 to noon. Join Environmental Task Force members and others to help remove invasive plants and tend new plants. We meet at the Darrow Bridge with Ross Peterson, Nature Committee Chair, Jackson Park Advisory Council. This is a rewarding, hands-on project that enhances a great Hyde Park resource. We especially enjoyed liberating beautiful old oak trees from strangling underbrush and invasive grape vines. Tools and gloves are provided.

Congratulations to Doug Anderson as he starts his 30th year of leading two weekly bird walks. Meet him at the Darrow Bridge on Wed. mornings at 7:00 or Sat. mornings at 8:00. The Darrow Bridge is just south of the Museum of Science and Industry lagoon. Call Bill or Dottie Barron if you need directions.

Heifer Project International Project

Way Cool Sunday School has begun a project with Heifer Project International to stock an ark full of animals that will be sent to communities around the world to help them become self-sustainable. If you are interested in participating in this project you don't have to be part of Way Cool Sunday School. Call Rev. Walker at home or at church for more information. Check out the Heifer Ark bulletin board in the RE hallway in Pennington Center. There are lots of ways that you can help.

Great Books

This month's Great Books Discussion will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room on Sunday, April 20, when we will finish our discussion of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. For more information, contact Gloria Gnatz or Kennie James.

Among Us

A very happy birthday to Wallace Rusterholtz who turned 94 on March 21.

We hold in our hearts Devon Moss and his family as Devon serves in our Armed Forces, Michael Green, whose son is serving, and Pat Lucas, whose sister is serving as a nurse in Kuwait.

We continue to hold in our hearts Vi Stark, recovering from surgery.

Our continuing warm wishes to Rev. David Arksey's father, also recovering from surgery.

Our deep thanks to Madeiria Myrieckes, Polly McCoo, and Cindy Pardo and all who provided leadership, support, and contributions for the Talent Auction.

Our deep sympathy to Cindy Pardo and her family on the death of Cindy's father.

Our deep sympathy to Allan Stern and his family on the death of Allan's step-mother.

Our deep sympathy to Frieda Stillerman on the death of her dear friend, the Rev. Barbara Edgecomb.

Eve Emshwiller is author of "Digging into Diversity in the Andean Highlands" in the Spring 2003 issues of In the Field, a publication of the Field Museum. Eve is Adjunct Curator of Economic Botany at the Museum.

 

COMMITMENT TO OUR FUTURE
First Church Canvass Campaign 2003-2004

$20,000 MATCHING CHALLENGE FOR LIFESPAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION!

The big news for the Canvass in March was news that an anonymous donor has generously pledged to match up to $20,000 in
• new pledges,
• increases over last year's pledges, and
• special gifts.

The matching gift will be used to support our Lifespan Religious Education program, including our full-time Ministry for Religious Education.

If you have not been a pledger before, this is the year to start. If you have been waiting for the year to take an extra stride forward in the level of your pledge, this is it! If the long-term commitment of a pledge increase isn't possible for you in 2003-2004, this is the time to commit to making a special gift.This is HUGE challenge for us, and it will take every bit of generosity that each of us can responsibly pledge, but we CAN match it and we WILL--but only WITH YOUR HELP!

Here's how you can pledge your financial support for 2003-2004 if you have not already signed up for a Canvass dessert or completed a pledge card:

• Sign up for one of the remaining Canvass desserts: various times April 3-6 and April 12-13, as well as an event at Montgomery Place; let us know if you need childcare or a ride. Call or e-mail Cindy Pardo ( pardoquilts3@juno.com) or fill out the green form available on Sunday at church. Give the form to Cindy, place it in the offering basket, or deliver it to the Canvass mailbox in the church office.• Can't make it to dessert? Fill out a pledge card after church on April 6. You can pledge special gifts, too.
• Can't get to church, or didn't receive a Canvass brochure? Realize that you can pledge more than you thought? Call or e-mail Ann Collins (ecoll24068@aol.com) or Joan Pederson (GeogJoan@aol.com), or write to the Canvass Committee c/o the church.

Please don't delay! Remember, your pledge is your promise to financially support this church during the coming church year. Pledge what you know you can manage each week, or each month, or each quarter.

Please be as generous as you can be, but remember that our budget is built on our pledges, and if we don't pay our pledges, we cannot pay our bills or make our payroll. Thank you for the most generous and responsible pledge you can make to help secure our future for the coming year and for the years to come!

Joan Pederson for the Canvass Committee

 

A Report from the Social Justice Council
A Journal Perspective by Finley C. Campbell, Chair

March 2: the 9/11 Study group meets. A highlight is a video about how a cabal around Bush helped to plan the coming war as early as the end of the first Gulf War. Over twelve people attend the meeting.

March 12th: The war has not started yet. Representatives of the 9/11 Study Group meet with our counterparts in Hyde Parkers Against the War in Iraq and make plans for what to do when the war starts. We plan to do mass leafleting in the Hyde Park area. March 13th: the Social Justice Council meets. The main discussion is also about the war. We discuss the upcoming antiwar plans: the resolution for the church, the major demonstrations, our plan to meet at the Henry Moore statue on the evening of the attack, our participation in antiwar groups. We share our hopes and fears about the severity of the war and its consequences. In the meantime our work goes on: Racial Justice is having a community meeting with Anna Mustafa, the Environmental Task Force is planning a Green Sanctuary forum, 9/11 is studying as its next topic: "Who Rules America?"

March 15th: 9/11 members and friends leaflet the Hyde Park Co-op in preparation for the big March 16th antiwar rally. Six of us show up.

March 16th: A big day. There is a major discussion of the upcoming resolution against the war at our first social justice congregational meeting since I've been here (1992), under the leadership of the Board of Trustees. Three parts to consider: first, shall we take up the issue at all? Second, shall we let an 80 per cent vote determine the acceptance of the vote? Third, do we agree with the resolution? A lively discussion followed. The real votes will take place at the second Congregational Meeting. Afterwards, several of us, some 17 in all, head out to the big downtown antiwar rally in Daley Plaza. The highest number for the turnout is ten thousand people. This is followed by a big march.

March 18: The Racial Justice Task Force has its community meeting with Anna Mustafa. She gives us an update on her case. There is a strong possibility that she will get her job back and she gives great appreciation for our help in standing beside her and the Arab-American community. She also gives a poignant description of the fear which is gripping her community and calls for signs of solidarity with them.

March 20th: The US-led war against Iraq starts. About 12 of us convene at the Henry Moore statue for a "talking circle," sharing our fears, outrage, and anxiety about this terrible event in US American history. Then we go over to the Candlelight Vigil also taking place at the same time in front of our church. We are a part of the multimillions of brothers and sisters who are also opposing this war around the world.

March 21: One of our members, Allan Lindrup, is arrested in an act of civil disobedience in protesting against the war, along with hundreds of others.

March 22: Three members of the Social Justice Council attend the war rally being held downtown at the Federal Plaza. Pro-war and antiwar partisans confront each other, loudly and peaceably, on opposite sides of the street. There are US American flags on both sides. That afternoon, Allan Lindrup and I appear on a Arab-American radio talk show in a show of solidarity with the Muslim American community. The radio host indicated that to see so many mainstream Americans opposing the war has given his community great hope both for now and the future. March 30th: We vote on the resolution. The results to be reported in the next newsletter.

Conclusion: All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to believe that there is nothing to be done to oppose it. We live in a time, as these activities show, that even the little we do COUNTS. For example, I believe that the main reason that there has, so far, been no major terrorist reprisal against us has been the visible demonstrations -- including mass arrests -- of thousands of US citizens, especially our white brothers and sisters, against this war, in the Muslim media. So, if a terrorist attack does occur, then we should be suspicious about who is behind it or who allowed it to happen.

 

Considering Membership
By Rev. Nina Grey

Individuals and families join our church for many reasons. They may have been coming for awhile and realize that this feels like their religious/spiritual home, a community that welcomes and accepts them as they are, and helps them grow. They may have attended Orientation sessions and discovered they resonated with Unitarian Universalism and our church. They may believe that this is a community where their children can thrive and learn life-affirming values and explore their evolving beliefs in an atmosphere of freedom.

Many love our commitment to a pluralistic vision, the inclusivity expressed in our Sunday morning worship. They have become more involved over time and want to further strengthen their sense of connection. They want to give back to the community out of a realization that they are receiving much. They want to become more responsible for the shaping of the life of the congregation.

Some realize that their children or whole family have developed strong ties with individuals and the community and they may want to deepen those ties. They feel a deep and abiding commitment to our principles and values and want to join with us in living these out more fully. They want to be an essential part of a congregation like ours which cherishes diversity, seeks to create beloved community and make a difference in the world.

For these and other reasons, people come to a decision and inquire about joining the church. They then may visit with one of the ministers, talk about their reasons for joining, and learn even more about what membership means. They come to know that to become a member, you sign the Membership Book. To be a Voting Member, you wait 90 days after signing the book, and you also offer an identifiable contribution of a minimum of $50.00 in the preceding year.

Membership qualifies you to serve as a leader of various committees and councils and the Board of Trustees. Some of those leadership positions are appointed volunteer positions and some are elected ones. Membership means that you can also be chosen to be a delegate to a District or General Assembly.

We encourage members to involve themselves in church life in ways that help them grow, feed their spirit, and respect their life rhythms and needs. We encourage them to give financially in ways they feel good about, which are also respectful of their life needs.

We invite you to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our church. We welcome your participation in the life of our congregation. We invite you to consider joining the church. To join the church, or to learn more about us, please call Rev. Nina Grey or Rev. Marlene Walker. You may also speak with a member of the Membership Committee. The chair of the committee is Margaret Huyck.

 

Ingathering for New Members

New members will be officially welcomed during a church service in April or early May. If you are ready to become a member of our congregation, please talk with Rev. Nina or Rev. Marlene.

 

Healing Stories
An adult RE course Co-led by Rev. Nina Grey and Lorie Rosenblum

Dates: April 13, May 11, June 1, June 22
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Whether we are or have been ill, or have suffered losses, or feel burdened by life's struggles, we can find healing through stories. These are stories that have been handed down through our families, stories we have created on our own, stories from literature, stories from our faith traditions. Stories are a primary and time-honored way of making meaning in our lives. In this four-session course we will share and examine our own and others' healing stories. We will see how change and wholeness can be made more possible through re-storying our lives.

Lorie has a Ph.D. in English and was a professor of English literature for 20 years. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has worked in a hospital setting for the last 16. She is especially interested in medicine and narrative.

Nina is senior minister. She has been in ministry for 21 years and facilitated many adult education groups. She has a certificate as a Pastoral Care Specialist, and is in a Doctor of Ministry program in pastoral care at the McCormick Theological School.

Lorie and Nina have facilitated a previous course, "Living With Dying," at First Unitarian Church.

Please call the church at (773) 324-4100 to register and for more information.

Two books will be required reading: Mitch Albom, Tuesdays With Morrie, and Arthur Frank, At the Will of the Body. Both are brief and available in paperback.

Overview:
Session 1: Brief introduction to narrative theory. How do we use stories to make meaning? What is the relation between narration and suffering? Family stories.

Session 2: Stories of struggle, coping, and resilience. Discuss Tuesdays With Morrie.Who are our mentors? How can ordinary people develop resilience for coping with life's roadblocks?

Session 3: Stories of recovery and reintegration. Discuss At the Will of the Body. How does confrontation with mortality and the construction of an illness story strengthen us? How does the medical care system silence our stories?

Session 4: Stories of mourning, acceptance of loss, including loss of self, and transformation. Letting go of old or "broken" stories, constructing new, transforming stories. Share answers to questionnaire on "Life-Defining Stories."

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