Index of Past Issues

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

Committee Meetings this Month
Caring Comm. - Wed. Dec. 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism - Sun. Dec.14 at 1:00
Comm. on Ministry - Tues. Dec. 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Executive Comm. - Wed. Dec. 3 at 5:30
Program Council - Tues. Dec.2 at 7:00 p.m.
RE Council - Tues. Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Social Justice - Thurs. Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Trustees - Thurs. Dec. 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Worship & Music - Thurs. Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m.

CHURCH WEB AND EMAIL CHANGES START DEC. 8
New church email addresses and a new website address will take effect on Dec. 8. Starting on that date, be sure to visit our informative website at the following new address: www.firstuchicago.org.

Just like the old web address, this new web address will include an electronic copy of the monthly church newsletter, First Unitarian News.

New email addresses will also take effect on Dec. 8 for Rev. Nina Grey (revgrey@firstuchicago.org), Rev. Millie Rochester (revrochester@firstuchicago.org) and Rick Brown, the church administrator (office@firstuchicago.org). Remember, both the new web address and the new email addresses take effect on Dec. 8 - so mark your calendars!

In the Interim
By Rev. Millie Rochester, Interim Minister for Religious Education
I've been feeling nostalgic lately, remembering holidays past, when all the family celebrated together in one place instead of scattered about as we are now. It was joyous but hectic, especially when our four offspring were very young.

I was especially grateful to my church one Sunday when our youngest child, Nathan, was little. The service had begun intergenerationally, and so he was sitting in the front of the sanctuary with the other children for the Story for All Ages. Nate was exuberant anyway, and with the excitement of the holiday season, he was wiggling and giggling, having a hard time focusing on matters at hand. Quietly and with a smile on her face, an older member of the congregation who was sitting nearby leaned over and reminded Nathan to respect others' needs and settle down. As his mom, I felt so grateful for the loving guidance she offered (and relieved that it was accepted in good spirit). In her gentle way, that adult had communicated to Nate the importance of respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Everyone's needs must be considered, and there are expectations for behavior. This adult was nurturing my son's spiritual growth in her reminder. It's not easy to always meet other people's expectations, and during the holidays, our expectations are not always realistic. That adds to the stress we might feel anyway. All the ads feature frenetically happy people - "'tis the season to be jolly," after all. But what if we're not happy? The contrast between the expectation and the reality, in that case, only adds to the stress and deepens our own sadness. Give yourself a break and ease up on your expectations. Reflect on what is important, and focus your energy on that.

We all need the help of a caring community, children no less than adults. None of us needs to struggle alone. Being present for one another is what being a faith community is all about - at every time of the year.

On a personal note, I extend my gratitude to this beloved community, for your good wishes on the occasion of my ordination into the Unitarian Universalist ministry. It was a glorious celebration, offered by my home congregation in Salem, Oregon. I was delighted that Rev. Nina Grey could attend, bringing your greetings and sharing my joy.

May peace be yours in this season of busy-ness.

Yours in faith,
Millie

COME ONE, COME ALL! You're invited to create holiday crafts, sip cocoa, and munch cookies after church December 14th in Hull Chapel. This is an annual event, sponsored by the Religious Education Council. Contact RE Council Chair Paulette Dodson (773-363-9620) if you have any questions.

CREATIVITY (and probably some sewing ability) sought for costuming Christmas Holiday Service participants! Please call Rev. Millie Rochester for further information or to offer your help.

UU Youth meet right after the worship service every Sunday. If you have questions or are interested in becoming an advisor to this fabulous group, contact Katari Coleman-Daniels or Interim Minister for Religious Education Millie Rochester.

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite
What an opportunity!! We've been offered half-price, group tickets to the Chicago Sinfonietta performance of Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite on Saturday, December 6th! This new one hour long concert at 11:30 a.m. is particularly family-oriented, and performed by an orchestra of diversity. Tickets are $15 each. At least ten tickets must be purchased for us to qualify for this special group rate. To purchase, see Veronica Jenifer and make checks payable to Chicago Sinfonietta. I hope you will be able to attend, and bring along a young person!

Cancellation
The RE council sponsored Potluck 3rd Friday is cancelled for December.

RE News
By Rev. Millie Rochester
When I was contemplating this column aloud recently, someone suggested the title "The RE Corner." I decided against that, because it evokes an image for me of religious education being separate from the rest of the life of the congregation - definitely not my impression of First Church! However, I do want to let you know what's happening, so I expect this will be a regular feature, though not necessarily always written by me.

So here's what's happening! It's a busy year. As the focus of this year's learning has been on our Jewish and Christian heritages, children have become familiar with the Ten Commandments, Rosh Hashanah, the harvest observance Sukkot, All Souls, and All Saints through stories, art, music and theatre. Justice-centered Sundays have encompassed the environment, struggles against anti-Semitism, and reaching out to others through a variety of projects that span the gamut from the local neighborhood to the international level: cultivating a worm bin for local compost, gathering donations for UNICEF, organizing a food collection for local families in need, and preparing to sponsor the Heifer Project.

On the first Sunday of each month, children, youth and adults have worshipped together, but December will be a little different. You may notice the aroma of latkes on December 7th as participants in the RE area snack while learning about Hannukkah. Christmas will be the topic on December 14th, in preparation for the traditional holiday service December 21st, and the all-church Kwanzaa service is December 28th. I can almost hear you wishing you could be involved in all of this - and there are many ways you can!
• Get to know our young people by being a facilitator on a regular basis.
• Help with costumes for the holiday program: we need to "clothe" doves, mice, cows, sheep, donkeys, angels, shepherds, wise people, sunrise/sunset (can hardly wait to hear suggestions!), and a star for "Christmas in the Barn."
• Become a Youth Advisor, if you are over the age of 25. See me to apply.
• Lead a class for Junior Youth (grades 7-8). Programs, ideas, and supplies are provided; see me to apply.
Get involved, you'll be so glad you did!

Please join the RE Council in its holiday basket project!

The Religious Education Council is sponsoring two families as holiday basket recipients in collaboration with the University of Chicago Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture. The families have registered with the Cathedral Shelter of Chicago. Each family has an income of less than $400 per month.
Family #787: African American family with mother and three children: Barbara, Mom, age 29, Trevon (male) age 10, Fontain (male) age 7, Alantis (female) age 4
Family #860: Hispanic family with mother, father and three children: Elizabeth, Mom, age 29, Samuel, Dad, age 30, Ismeria (female) age 9, Angel (male) age 2

The RE Council and children will be helping with the holiday food. The young people will be sorting and packing the canned food donated by the congregation.

We encourage donations of canned and packaged goods. There are two collection boxes in the church office. We will also receive donations at church Sunday, November 30 and Sunday December 7. Remember the families as you do your regular shopping and toss in a few extra items to donate. Cash donations will be converted to a check to the Cathedral Shelter that will issue a voucher to the families for holiday meat.

Suggested item are: Soup, Chili, Spaghetti sauce with meat, Parmesan cheese, Spaghetti noodles, Macaroni and cheese, Canned vegetables, Canned yams, Cans or jars of fruit, applesauce, Boxes of Instant potatoes, Canned tuna, Peanut butter, Jam, Hot chocolate mix, Boxes or bags of cereal, Oatmeal, Pancake mix, Syrup, Rice, Sugar, Crackers, Cookies, Jell-O or instant pudding, Paper towels, Rolls of toilet paper, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant.

Board Talk
By Grace Williams
Congregation President
I had several spiritually enriching experiences at church this past month.

First among them was helping, in a very small way, to clean up and winterize our church space and grounds at the November 1st work day organized by the Property Committee. Under the watchful supervision of Bette Sikes, I pulled up weeds and trimmed bushes in the front garden by the church steps, and, at Joan Pederson's instruction, helped to caulk windows in the R.E. School classrooms. It felt good helping to clean up my church home!

It was a joy to be in attendance at the installation of Rev. Dr. Lee Barker as President of Meadville Lombard Theological School on November 7. What a thrill to be the church host for such a significant event in the Unitarian Universalist movement, at which the President of the UUA, Bill Sinkford, delivered the sermon, a former UUA President and current Executive Director of Amnesty International, Bill Schulz, delivered the charge to the new Meadville President, at which the former President Bill Murry brought greetings on behalf of former presidents, still living, and formerly active in our congregation - Spencer Lavan and Gene Reeves - and to which greetings were brought from Susan Thistlethwaite, President of Chicago Theological Seminary, and representative of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools, and Richard Rosengarten, Dean of the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Among the attendees were many luminaries in the UUA ministry and national association, such as Jacqui James, who chaired the committee that produced our current Hymn Book, the former moderator of the UUA, Denise Davidoff, our own district executive Angela Merkert, our own Norma Poinsett, former member of the UUA Board, who processed, our own Rev. Nina Grey, who delivered the Invocation, the faculty and current student body of Meadville, and several members of our congregation. This event reminded me of just how important a church we are in the denomination, and how significant a liberal religious presence in Chicago.

The Sunday after the event, I was happy to hear a sermon from guest preacher, Rev. Fred Wooden, Senior Minister of First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, NY, a Meadville graduate, a former resident of Fenn House during the 70s, and night minister, who spoke lovingly of his memories and knowledge of all the nooks and crannies of the church. He asserted that a major purpose of religious community was to help release in us the special gift that each individual has to share with the world. Hearing him reminded me that this church has helped support, nurture and launch many of the senior ministers in our denomination, and they remember and respect, and often love us for it!

This feeling of admiration and respect for my church was further reinforced at the celebration of Timuel Black, historian, teacher, and long-time member of First Unitarian Church, on Sunday, November 23 - again in Our Sanctuary! At an event co-sponsored by the Hyde Park Historical Society, 57th Street Book Store and ourselves, Professor Black joyfully described the process he employed in writing his new book, Bridges of Memory, and treated us to short readings from it. We were also entertained by world-renowned jazz pianist, and Hyde Park resident, Willie Pickens.

Thanksgiving Seder continues to be a very special tradition in our church - a combination of a worship experience and a shared meal. Each year brings a slightly different mix of people - members and friends invite other friends. This year felt just right, and it was most pleasurable to see former active members, parents and extended family of others.

The Art Committee-sponsored Ethnic Heritage Festival on November 9, designed to raise funds to frame and hang portraits of all our professional ministers and our diverse laity in VOV Gallery, was a delightful experience. I am especially grateful to Veronica Jenifer, Chair of the Committee, for coordinating the event, to Polly McCoo for envisioning, persisting, and cajoling us to contribute and participate, to Lia McCoo for bringing to us wonderful musicians and purveyors of world music, to Madieria Myreickes for organizing enjoyable food for the event, and to everyone who helped in any way, and who dressed in ethnic costume and participated in the event.

The Board was pleased to recognize our Interim MRE, Rev. Millie Rochester, on the occasion of her ordination, on November 16, at a special coffee hour organized by the R.E. Council, with a specially calligraphed document produced by Trustee Michael Rhum. Millie, we all wish you continued growth, satisfaction and success in your ministry, as you continue to help us become the church we want to be during the next decade and beyond.

The crowning experience for me for the month was participating in the 75th birthday celebration of Polly McCoo, Bette Sikes, and Sadie Picardo - three remarkable women who have loved, cared for, sustained and supported this church community for several decades, each in their own inimitable way. Congratulations to you all! Long may you continue to enjoy, participate and model for us how to give and "be" in community.

What were some of your best experiences at church this past month, and year? May they help inspire us as we strive to develop and create a renewed, Vision, Mission and Covenant for our church.

A Happy Holiday Season to all!

Among Us
At this time we continue to hold in our hearts the people in our and other communities who are in Iraq, or serving the military, in other kinds of service, or who are otherwise in harm's way. We especially remember Devon Moss, Marsha Bogle, and Steven, Adam, and Joshua Lalonde. Our warmest wishes also go out to their family and friends.
We hold in our hearts Ivan Lappin, recovering from surgery.
We continue to hold Vi Stark in our hearts, and send her wishes for continued healing.
We also continue to hold Polly McCoo in our hearts and send her warmest healing wishes.
Michael Green is also in our hearts as we wish him continued recovery.
Congratulations to Tim Black on the publication of his book, Bridges of Memory.
Our deepest sympathy to Anne Jonas and Rev. Karen Day and their family on the recent death of Beverly Wood, Karen's mother and Anne's grandmother.
Congratulations to Rev. Lee Barker on his installation as president of Meadville/Lombard Theological School.
Congratulations to Polly McCoo, Sadie Picardo, and Bette Sikes on their 75th birthdays!

Lunches and Conversations with the Ministers
Nina and Millie welcome you to an ongoing series of lunches and conversations, times to eat together and engage in informal conversations about any topics, thoughts, ideas, concerns and questions on your minds. Bring your bag lunch and a drink. We'll gather in comfort in Chris Moore Parlor and have almost an hour together. In December we will meet on the following Fridays: Dec. 5, 12, and 19. Join us when you can, for one or many of these opportunities to listen to and talk with to one another.

Coming in January . . .
Unity Party
Save the date of Saturday, January 24 for the Unity Party! This multi-generational event will feature a potluck dinner of ethnic foods, mask-making for the young and young-at-heart, and dancing! We need help with assisting mask-makers, organizing food, taking tickets, clean-up and set-up. Please let Bobbi Campbell know if you are available.

First Forum
Our First Forum on Sunday, Jannuary 11 will feature guest speaker Dr. Chapurukha Kusimba, Curator of Anthropology, African Archaeology and Ethnology at The Field Museum. Kusimba studies the relationships between people and the environment in East Africa, especially during the pre-colonial societies from 700 to 1700 AD. He has studied historical trade routes and iron metallurgy, and he has recently focused on the historical role of the elephant in African culture, its impact on the landscape, and the environmental effects of overhunting elephants for the ivory trade.

Social Justice Council Report
By Dr. Finley C. Campbell, Chair
At a recent meeting of the Committee on Congregational Participation, it was brought to my attention that some people see the social justice work of the church as my personal balliwick and are unconsciously put off from participating in SJ work for this reason. We discussed this concept of the "cult of personality" at our November SJ meeting and concluded that such a perception was only an appearance and not the essence of my leadership. Yet, according to dialectical monotheism, appearances are real; they are not illusions or simply in the eye of the beholder. It was suggested at the CCP meeting that one way to reduce that problem would be to have other people write the SJ column. At the SJC meeting this proposal was modified: it was voted that each chair would henceforth write their own reports with their own bylines and, hopefully, that would solve the problem. The contradiction in that process is that I have to remind people to do so. And since I did not do that, we are back to the same old problem, although Ellen LaRue has submitted her report and hopefully our editor will include it as a part of the SJC column. To begin to modify the problem, I will simply give bullets of events without the long descriptive analysis as I have done in the past:

October 24 - November 24, 2003:
• anti-occupation of Iraq demonstration
• letter of protest about the closing of the Hyde Park Health clinic
• First Forums on Haiti and incarcerated mothers
• Nature of Racism course
• development of a social service project for the church
• proposals to the SJC for new activities from Richard Snow, Julie Neuman, and Anita Orlikoff

So, in future, expect this column to have reports from Elvira Pelliteri (9/11), Rafaella Pretini (Racial Justice) and, of course, Ellen LaRue (Environmental Task Force), with guest reports from Jane Kiser (labor contact), Allan Lindrup (UUSJ contact), and Bette Sikes (denominational affairs).

Movie recommendation: Matrix Revolutions: a powerful R-rated (for violent resistance against oppression) film, with one of the most diverse, science fantasy film. Or, should I say a science fantasy religious film.

Racial Justice Task Force
By Raffaella Pretini, Co-chair
The First Forum on Sunday Nov.16th, at which the Task Force presented to the church the collaboration with Companions Journeying Together as our service project, had a good response from the congregation. Several members and friends signed up to participate in one or more of the services activated by CJT to help incarcerated mothers and their families. Karin Hutt (former Director of Religious Education at First Unitarian and co-Minister at the Church of the Open Door) was our speaker from CJT.

The Task Force completed its work of writing letters. The letter to the Hyde Park Advocate Health Clinic was published in the Hyde Park Herald, and we understand that they are taking it into consideration. We met on Wednesday Nov.19th and discussed the status of our projects. We accepted the proposal from Dick Snow to begin a process of education about the problem of racist unemployment for black youth and eventually to participate in the struggle against the problem. We decided to propose a First Forum on the issue in January. We are still planning to meet with Lia McCoo on Sunday, Dec. 7, to hear about the arrest she suffered in Evanston involving racial profiling.

Nine/Eleven Report
By Dr. Roberta Lammers Campbell
We met at the home of Diana Gray for a wonderful dessert and snack evening of discussion about the nature of imperialism as an outgrowth of monopoly capitalism. We struggled hard over making a distinction between out and out colonialism and the kind of investment capitalism associated with imperialism. Diana brought up the example of the Belgian Congo as a form of colonialism, referring us to the book Leopold's Ghost which describes the genocidal labor system of the Belgian rubber and ivory companies under the leadership of Leopold I, king of the Belgians. On October 25th, we held a joint demonstration with the Hyde Park Committee for Peace and Justice, described in detail in the last newsletter report. Right now, we are continuing with our on-going discussion on the nature of imperialism. Our next meeting is December 7th, 6:30 pm, place to be announced. Members and friends of the church are invited.

Environmental Task Force
By Ellen LaRue
The accomplishments of the Environmental Task Force since last month are small but real. Ellie Hall, Ellen LaRue, and Irene Vitullo participated in the Nov. 1 Church Workday, helping out in the gardens and with sealing of the windows. After the Seder, John Porterfield made sure that the plastic, glass, and aluminum containers were recycled.

Disposal of Household Batteries
The Environmental Task Force will soon begin collecting household batteries at the church. The batteries will then be brought to the semi-annual household hazardous waste collections in Chicago. Depending on the kind of battery, common household batteries may contain heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc, lead, manganese, nickel, and lithium. According to the EPA, although they cause no harm while the battery is being used, such heavy metals can damage human health and the environment if they are discarded with normal trash. The most important batteries to keep out of the dump are button batteries and rechargeable batteries (including Nickel-Cadmium and Sealed Lead Acid). Some of the places in which you might have these kinds of batteries in your home include:
• Button batteries in watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls;
• Nickel-Cadmium in flashlights, toys, cell phones, power tools, computer packs;
• Sealed Lead Acid in video cameras, power tools, wheelchairs, clocks, cameras.
Most normal "flashlight type" batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V) are Alkaline Manganese or Carbon Zinc, and are no longer permitted to contain mercury. However, alkaline batteries manufactured before 1992 or outside the US may still contain mercury, and so these should also be taken to hazardous waste collection.
The Environmental Task Force also reminds you to please also recycle your inkjet and laser cartridges from your computer printer, and donate old cell phones rather than discarding them, because these also contain toxic materials. Computers also contain large amounts of toxic materials and should not be disposed of by dumping.

Attention Young Adults
The young adult group will meet on Sunday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. at FirstU. Please join us if you are a young adult and interested in pursuing your spirituality in another direction. The group meets every first and third Sunday of the month and lasts for no longer than an hour and a half. The group strives to be radically inclusive, justice-centered and spiritually alive. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Megan A. Tideman at mtideman@bust.com

A Special Thank You
A special “thank you” from co-chairs Pauline McCoo, Madeiria Myrieckes, and Cindy Pardo, to all who have helped make our annual Thanksgiving Seder Dinner a success. Thanks to each host and hostess for sharing their beautiful table settings. Once again we are reminded that First Unitarian Church is a family and without the help and support of each of us, the family cannot work. Thank you, Eve Emshwiller, Ed and Holly Jamison, Hank Henriques, Pat Lucas, Joan Pederson, David Pusczkiewicz, and Irene Krull Vitullo, and the office staff and janitorial support.

Heritage Festival Spirited and Successful!
By Joan Staples
Members and Friends of First Church listened to great music and musicians, ate well, examined our Heritage Gallery, purchased items, and helped us to fund the development of the gallery.
Participants and helpers will be thanked both individually and as a group - but a special thank you to our sponsors, whose generous gifts provided the needed foundation of support for our Heritage Gallery: John and Marge Saphir, Finley Campbell, Margaret and Win Kennedy, and Alex and Norma Poinsett. Collections on Nov. 2 and 9 were also tremendously helpful.

The first set of ministers’ portraits has been installed. Coming soon will be pictures of recent ministers and montages of our members and friends through the years. Additional memorabilia and archives may be added if they can be stored safely and securely.

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR & BAKE SALE
Our annual Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale will be held Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, December 7 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Come fill your holiday shopping baskets with ornaments, home decor, cards, gift baskets, jewelry and baked goods! A chili lunch will be served on Saturday.
Can you bake, sell, contribute items? This year we will be collaborating with University Church to create twice as much excitement, twice as many opportunities to raise money for our church. We need volunteers to help with many parts of this sale. Please contact Cindy Pardo (773) 667-5324 for information.
WE NEED: BAKERS (deliver your baked goods to Aki's Place Friday, Dec.5, between 7 & 8:30 p.m., or Saturday, Dec. 6 between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.) HELPERS: Help with sales or the Cafe: Call Cindy Pardo. EATERS: Chili Lunch and Stuffed Baked Potatoes in the Cafe on Saturday, 11:30 - 2:00. ALSO - for different items, check out the craft fair at University Church. They will have a children's art table there as well.

First Forum December 21
"Integration or De-segregation: Which do we have? What do we want?," with Alex Poinsett and Finley Campbell. Alex and Finley will lead a discussion following up on our recent reflections prompted by the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington. Join us for a lively discussion and reflection of what we each envision when we imagine an integrated society.

Package Wrapping at Borders
We have been invited to raise funds by wrapping packages at the Hyde Park Borders on Sunday, Dec. 14. They supply all the wrapping - we supply wrappers, and collect the free-will donation. You don't have to be great at wrapping - just decent - or call me and we'll have a short course. We could raise a good amount of money for the work of the church with this opportunity, so let Cindy Pardo know if you would be willing to spend a couple of hours helping people with the spirit of the holidays.

Bell Tower Restoration Note Cards Sale
By Diana Gray
Volunteer Recognition
A heartfelt thanks to the University of Chicago, Office of Community and Government Affairs, for a recent cash gift of $1,000 toward our fundraiser. Gratitude to University Publications for the design and printing of the note cards.

Sincere appreciation goes to those who helped with the concept and design of the note card project: Rick Brown, Rev. Nina Grey, Richard Jenifer, Cynthia Oakes, Bette Sikes, and Grace Williams.

Many thanks to the willing volunteers who helped assemble the note card packets for sale: Bobbi Lammers Campbell, Ioanna Chaney, Margaret Huyck, Joanne Kent, Ivan Lappin, Joan Pederson, Ken Schug, and Bette Sikes.

For their support, sales energy, and marketing ideas: Julie Neuman, Cindy Pardo, and Patti Stark.

Our Goal! So far we have sold only about 100 note cards since September. That is only 10% of our goal for selling 1,000 cards! NOW WE NEED YOU! For this to succeed everyone's assistance is needed. Help make the hard work of these volunteers worthwhile and the fundraiser successful! BUY two packets of note cards for yourself and to give as a gift. SELL four packets of note cards to friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Then we will realize our fundraising goal of 1,000 note cards sold and $15,000 raised

Great Books
The next Great Books meeting is on Sunday December 21st, at 11:45 a.m. in the Religious Education Classroom. The selection to be discussed is Happiness by Mary Lavin. She is one of Ireland's most respected women writers of the 20th Century. We welcome newcomers. Call either Gloria Gnatz, 773-643-9436, or Kennie James, 773-238-1833.

Sing With the Choir in our Holiday Celebration
The Choir invites singers and potential singers to join the Choir for the Sunday, December 14 service. Come to rehearsals on Wednesdays, December 3 and 10, at 7:30 p.m. Ask any member of the Choir, or Interim Choir Director Itai Daniel. At the service the Choir will sing a Spanish carol, Jamaican carol, some traditional songs, and a special piece written by Children’s Choir alum Jonathan Miller

Chicago Children’s Choir - Songs of the Season
Join the Chicago Children’s Choir at 3 p.m. on Sunday December 7 for a holiday musical journey around the world. The concert choir will open with traditional classical music and international folk songs. Music planned for the concert also includes a blend of holiday pop and gospel.

The concert will be held at the Music and Dance Theater of Chicago, a newly opened, architectural award-winning theater at 205 E. Randolph Drive in Millennium Park. To order tickets, call (312) 334-7777, or go to www.ccchoir.org.

UUSC Guest At Your Table
We join with Unitarian Universalists throughout our nation to support the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Guest at your Table (GAYT) program. Guest at Your Table supports both domestic and international programs of UUSC. Members and friends were invited to take a Guest At Your Table box home on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 23, and place it in their dining areas. Whenever we have a meal, we are encouraged to also place a contribution in the GAYT box. We will gather up the contributions at our first worship service of the new year, January 4, 2004 and send them on to the UUSC.

Wallace Rusterholtz's Autobiography Available at Coffee Hour
Wallace Rusterholtz's autobiography, My Not-So-Gay Life, deals with many fascinating topics: sexual identity and the problem of finding a close relationship, at a time when homosexuality was considered shameful; his World War II experience in Iran; the right to die; and, throughout, the influence of his Unitarian philosophy on his life choices.

This book will be available for sale during the coffee hour on Sunday Dec. 21 for $12.00 plus sales tax. Many of you will remember a spiral-bound version of My Not-So-Gay Life that was published several years ago. This edition is much revised, with additional material added. It is a self-published paperback. If you are not able to buy a copy on Dec. 21, phone Ellie Hall and she will arrange to get one to you.

Third Unitarian Welcomes New Minister
Reverend Brian Covell, the new settled minister at Third Unitarian Church, will share the pulpit with minister emeritus, Reverend Donald H. Wheat, as they celebrate 135 years of liberal religious presence on Chicago's far west side. The service is Sunday, December 7, at 11 a.m. Rev. Covell comes to Third Unitarian from New England, where he worked at two boarding schools in a variety of teaching, ministerial, and administrative roles. Prior to these appointments, he served as Interim Minister at the United Unitarian Universalist Society of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and served his ministerial internship at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, IL. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago in 1998. The service will be preceded by an Open Forum on Reparations for Slavery at 10am and will be followed by an anniversary champagne brunch.

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