Index of Past Issues

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

First Forums in February

Committee Meetings this Month
Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism - Sun. Feb. 8 at 1 pm
Comm. On Ministry - Tues. Feb. 24 at 7:00 pm
Communications - Thurs. Feb. 5 at 5:30 pm
Executive Comm. - Wed. Feb. 4 at 5:30 pm
Program Council - Tues. Feb. 3 at 7:00 pm
Social Justice - Thurs. Feb.12 at 7:00 pm
Trustees - Thurs. Feb. 19 at 7:00 pm
Worship & Music - Thurs. Feb. 5 at 7:00 pm

Notice of Annual Meeting
The 169th Annual Meeting of this congregation has been set for Sunday May 16th after church. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this very important event, when the congregation elects trustees and officers, votes on a budget and discusses other business important to the life of the church. 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.

Back-Up Person Needed
A person with computer skills and email and a computer to match is needed to be a back-up for producing the church newsletter when the editor is not available. This would involve observing how the newsletter is produced, and setting up the necessary forms on your computer ready-to-go. Contact Tom Huyck.

In the Interim

By Rev. Millie Rochester
Interim Minister for Religious Education

This is the first year I've been able to observe the gradual change of season from fall to winter here in Chicago - and it feels like the transition is over! It's beautiful, if cold. I am mindful that this is the half-way point of the church year, the quarter-point of my ministry with you, and am glad for opportunities for us to get to know one another better.

The Unitarian Universalist minister Peter Lee Scott wrote a column, probably in 1957, that still rings true, these many years later. I would change it only slightly:

WHEN TO CALL THE [INTERIM] MINISTER [FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION]?

- When you haven't met me yet, but would like to.
- When you have problems you'd like to discuss, concerning your children, your job, your marriage, or anything else where a sympathetic ear might be of help.
- When you're going in the hospital or know someone else in the congregation who is.
- When someone close to you has died or is critically ill.
- When you're planning to be married, or wish you could be.
- When you have a child to be dedicated.
- When you're pregnant but wish you weren't.
- When you, or a friend or neighbor would like more information about the Unitarian Universalist faith.
- When you're considering joining the congregation.
- When you'd like to show me what a good cook you are!
- When you have suggestions to make about programs for the church.
- When you have suggestions for a sermon or about multigenerational services.
- When you'd like help with committee work or with other congregational activities.
- When there are community issues you'd like to discuss or would like me to be involved with.
- When you're mad at me.
- When you appreciate something I've said or done.
- When you'd like to talk religion with me.
- When you'd like to talk parenting with me - as a parent, or as a child.
- When you've had good news and want to share it.
- When you've had bad news.
- When you're feeling overwhelmed.
- When you want to tell me your history with the church.
- When you want to spend more time with the children and youth.
- When you've heard a great joke and want to share it.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Faithfully yours,
Millie

Empty Bowls Luncheon

The Empty Bowls Project for Hunger luncheon will be held this Sunday, February 1, after church. The basic idea for Empty Bowls is simple. The children create ceramic bowl designs, and then serve a simple meal of soup and bread. Guests choose a bowl to use that day and to keep as a reminder that there are always Empty Bowls in the world. In exchange for a meal and the bowl, the guest gives a suggested minimum donation of $13. Plain bowls of soup will be available for $1.

RE Family Field Trip

The RE Council is encouraging any interested families to join us for a field trip to the Greater Chicago Food Depository for it's February "Kids' Day". Kids Day is a great way to reinforce the lessons from our Empty Bowls project by teaching kids more about hunger and the many ways they can help reduce hunger in our community. Kids Day is for children 5-12 and will take place on Saturday, February 21st from 1:30 - 3:30. Five families have already signed up to participate. If you would like to join us, please send an email to Adrienne King before February 1st at adrienne.king@bain.com. Include your name, the number of children and number of adults (a 1:1 ratio is required) in your party, and your phone number. She will register our names with the Food Depository and will contact everyone with further details on the event. Hope to see you there!

RE News
By Rev. Millie Rochester

Many thanks to all who facilitated the Wintersession: Melissa Lacewell-Harris, Jane Kiser, Ivan Lappin, Pat Lucas, Linn Orear, and Anne Morrill-Ploum. They can tell you how rewarding and fun it is to get to know the children by being with them weekly and participating in their activities.

Now is the time for you to make arrangements to be a facilitator in Way Cool Sunday School, which resumes in February. The program is activity-based, focusing on the teachings of our Jewish and Christian heritages. On the first Sunday of the month, our church community worships together in the sanctuary. Second and fourth Sundays in the RE area are activity-based, third Sundays have a social justice focus, and fifth-Sunday activities are based on the arts. I hope you will consider signing up for more than one Sunday a month, so that you will have a better opportunity to get to know the children, and get the most out of the experience yourself.

You may be wondering what happens for younger children during Way Cool Sunday School. Our littlest ones are given loving care in the nursery from long-time attendant Carolyn Sanders, and one adult volunteer. Although several parents have been taking turns, this opportunity is also open to others. Please see Adrienne King to volunteer. Preschoolers and kindergartners are learning about the commonalities within diversity, through the Unitarian Universalist program We Are Many, We Are One

Here is what you can expect as a facilitator. Each group works as a team and agrees who will be the "point person." Everyone receives session plans for the semester, so you can plan ahead with one another. I am always available for consultation, and will be in touch with the point person routinely during the week. When you arrive on Sunday morning, the class space will be set up as agreed in conversation, and if you arrive early, you can visit with your fellow-facilitators over bagels and cream cheese or another light breakfast/snack. But the best part, by far, is that you will come to know the wonderful young people who attend First Church, and truly be a part of their lives. Let me know, by signing up at the bulletin board in the RE wing, that you want to do this!

Church Receives RE Grant

First Unitarian Society of Chicago has been awarded a LREDA grant to provide fair compensation for our religious educator, Rev. Millie Rochester. The total award is $15,000 to be paid over a three-year period beginning June, 2004. The award is provided by the Liberal Religious Education Association to support congregations who are willing to strengthen the religious education program. It is very unusual to give such a grant to a congregation with an interim RE leader. As our award letter said, "Please justify our faith by doing everything possible to continue to meet the conditions of the grant when you call or hire a person for the permanent position..." We first applied for such a grant several years ago, but personnel changes in our church, and then funding reconsiderations at the foundation held up any action. The grant applications have been prepared by Margaret Huyck, Juliana Neuman, and our current RE leader.

One of Our Own Acting in "The Laramie Project"

Ryan Greenlee, a sophomore at The Latin School of Chicago, will be appearing in Moses Kaufman' s play, “The Laramie Project,” an emotionally moving play about Matthew Sheppard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming, who in 1998 was kidnapped, severely beaten and left to die, tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. The Laramie Project chronicles the "life of the Laramie townsfolk a year after the murder. The play explores hate and fear as well as love, bravery, kindness and forgiveness" as the people of Laramie deal with "the hate crime that put Laramie on the map".

Performances will be held at The Latin School of Chicago, 59 West North Blvd. (across the street from the Chicago Historical Society), in the Wrigley Theater, on February 11th, 12th and 13th, at 7:30 P.M. Tickets are $ 7.00 (adults) and $ 5.00 (students) and can be purchased at the door. . Not recommended for children under 12 years old. Arrive early for good seating.

Wallace Rusterholtz

Wallace Palmer Rusterholtz died at home on Thursday, January 15, just 2 months shy of his 95th birthday, outliving his father and grandfather who both lived to be 93. Born in a small farming community outside of Erie, PA, Wallace was the elder child of Blanche Billings Rusterholtz and Harper Rusterholtz.

Wallace served in the Army in World War II, stationed for the most part in Iran, with a unit that was moving U.S. aid to the Soviet Union while it battled Hitler’s invasion. During that time, Wallace studied the history and culture of Iran, summarized in a booklet that was widely circulated to the troops. He played a role in the famous Teheran Conference between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin, providing historical information and maps to members of Roosevelt’s staff. Wallace’s autobiography, My Not-So-Gay-Life, vividly describes his many wartime adventures. He took the opportunity of soldiering to climb the Great Pyramid in Egypt and to collect ancient art objects which decorated his home in Hyde Park, complementing his extensive library collection.

Wallace and his late wife, Hazel Everitt Rusterholtz, moved to Chicago in 1954 so that she could use her MSW in the Chicago Public Schools. Wallace called himself the luckiest man on earth, to have found "My Hazel," an intelligent, capable and forthright woman and loving wife. Wallace and Hazel were married for twelve years. In Chicago, Wallace gained his fourth degree, a second Masters of Art, in Library Science at the University of Chicago (1956), after previously earning a B.A. at Dartmouth (1931), an A.M. in American Studies at Harvard (1933), and a PhD in American History at the University of Buffalo (1949). Wallace worked as a history professor in the City Colleges, and retired from Truman College as a full Professor of American History in 1974. Wallace is the author of several books, including, in addition to his autobiography, a book of humanist sermons and poetry, Can We Believe, American Heretics and Saints, a Brief History of the First Unitarian Society of Chicago, and the Swiss Family Rusterholtz, a family memoir.

Wallace came to Chicago in 1934 to attend the Century of Progress Exposition, and came one Sunday morning to our church. By that time a devoted humanist, he recalled, “I was almost overcome by the incense that filled the church. Von Ogden Vogt was the minister at that time and he was a high church Unitarian, so incense filled the air inside. And there was a marble mosaic altar, and so on. I said to myself, my goodness, have I strayed into an Episcopal church by mistake?” When Wallace and his wife moved to Chicago in 1954, they came to our church on “the very first Sunday,” and received a warm welcome. Wallace attended church every week, continuing to walk more than a mile each way to and from church until he was 92. He served on the Library Committee and on the Board of Trustees of Meadville/Lombard Theological School. He served on the Archives Committee and the Board of Trustees of First Church.

At age 24, Wallace began delivering occasional sermons at the Unitarian Church in Erie. He recalled, “I filled their pulpit quite a few times over two or three years and I loved it, I just loved it. There is nothing in the world I enjoy so much as filling a Unitarian pulpit at a Sunday morning service, and that clinched it.” Wallace spent every summer from 1913 to 2002, with the exception of the war years, at the Chautauqua Institute in New York, where he was a co-founder of the revived Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Chautauqua in the early 1980s. His highly popular sermons focusing on American historical figures and issues opened every season of the Fellowship. In his last summer at Chautauqua he gave a lecture series entitled the "Ten Best Presidents," which was so wildly popular, that the Institute was twice forced to move his series to a larger venue. Wallace also delivered a number of his sermons, collected in his book, at our church.

In his autobiography, My Not-So-Gay-Life, transcribed from taped interviews, Wallace gave an unusually detailed description of his experiences as a gay man. Like many in his generation, Wallace was forced to compromise between his sexuality and society's expectations. He states that his wife Hazel was at all times aware of his sexual orientation. A few years after Hazel's death in 1959, he formed a 23-year-long relationship with John Bondi, who died in 2002 from complications related to Alzheimer's.

Wallace was a longtime supporter of many causes, including the League of Women Voters, the Hemlock Society, The Humanist Society and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Surviving Wallace are his nieces, the Rev. Sylvia Carlson, of Greensburg PA; Pat Worcester of South Burlington, VT; his grandniece, Diana Dethardt, of Homewood, Illinois and Kim Clark, also of Greensburg, and grandnephew Steve McDonald, also of South Burlington, and a great-great niece and nephew. Wallace will also be remembered by friends Joe Cherry, of Chicago and old-time war buddy, Emanuel Feingold of Winnetka, Illinois. Wallace was memorialized in a service at First Church on Sunday, January 25. The Choir sang a song, “Continuity,” composed to a poem written by Wallace. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to: the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, Chicago South Office, 10 W. 35th Street, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60637, or Horizon Hospice Care 833 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Volunteer Opportunities
Here are two very special opportunities for the right volunteers:

Crypt Care. The Crypt (under our Sanctuary) includes many beloved members of our congregation, as well as many friends from the neighborhood. We need a person who can come into the office 1/2 day/week and keep the records in shape, provide information to those wishing to purchase a space, and help publicize this service. Please contact Rick Brown, our office manager.

Volunteer Orientation. All new volunteers, for the office, or planning events, etc. need to be oriented to the people, places, and procedures involved in getting things done. We'd love to have someone who can help write up procedure sheets, and help new volunteers to become effective. Please contact Margaret Huyck, Chair of Committee on Congregational Participation.

Our Annual Talent/Silent Auction
The auction will be held on Sunday, March 7, after the church service. This is our annual fund-raising event that secures money to sponsor the programs of this church. This is a fun event where each of us shares their talents. Some test new recipes at a brunch. Others share the experience of exciting trips taken. Do you need help with babysitting, taxes, or house repairs? Well, this auction may be just what you need! What can you contribute? Photography, sewing, mending or website design?

Fill out a form if you can contribute. Review the Silent Auction offerings on Sunday, Feb. 29, and bring your very worthy ($25) items by Feb. 22. There will be a special wine and cheese on Feb. 29. If you can help plan, sort, or cashier, see Madeiria Myrieckes or Polly McCoo. If you missed it last year, don’t be left out in the cold!

Note Cards For Sale
Note cards, featuring four attractive photos of First Unitarian Church, are available for sale after service each Sunday as a fund raising effort for the capital campaign. Cards are packaged 16 to a set (four of each of four photos) with envelopes. These will sell at $15 for a pack of 16 cards. Please make checks payable to First Unitarian Society of Chicago and indicate "note card sale" on the memo line of the check. In the spirit of Chicago, "Buy early and buy often!"

Lunches and Conversations with the Ministers
Nina and Millie welcome you to an ongoing series of Friday noon 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. Join us when you can, for one or many of these opportunities to listen to and talk with one another.

Board of Trustees sets CLAIMING OUR FUTURE as Top Priority
The newly constituted Task Force on CLAIMING OUR FUTURE (formerly Mission, Vision, and Covenant) is working with the consulting services of Angela Merket, Congregational Service Director of the UUA Central Midwest District. On January 22, the Task Force, comprised of Paulette Dodson, Bernard Frieden, Diana Gray, Rev. Nina Grey, Madeiria Myreickes, Cynthia Oakes, and Rev. Millie Rochester, will finalize the time-line for developing congregation-driven mission, vision, and covenant statements.

During the January Board Meeting, Trustees endorsed CLAIMING OUR FUTURE as the top priority of the congregation over the next six months. In partnership with the task force and consultant Angela Merkert, the Board committed to infusing enthusiasm, focus, insight, and action in seeing this project through to fruition.

Watch your Orders of Service, Announcements, and future Newsletters for details on how each of you will participate together as First Unitarian CLAIMS OUR FUTURE!

Great Books
February's monthly meeting of our Great Books Group will be held Sunday, Feb. 15th at 11:45 a.m. in the Religious Education Resource Room. We will be discussing "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare. Call Gloria Gnatz for further information.

Offering for Striking Hotel Workers
The Labor Task force spearheaded a Special Offering at the January 18 service on behalf of the striking Congress Hotel workers, who have now been on strike seven months. The amount of the offering - $657.00 - was very generous. Striking workers received news of this gift the following week and were extremely grateful and heartened to know that they are in the hearts of UU members and friends.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
The Stewardship Team is beginning to make plans for the annual Stewardship Campaign (formerly known as the Canvass). During the campaign we will be asking members and friends to make their annual pledges to help fund the work of our church. We hope to make this an opportunity for everyone to engage in conversation about their hopes and expectations about the coming church year. We also will be working to see how we can better engage everyone in the life of the church.

The Campaign needs many hands to make it successful. Can you help? The jobs range from setting up whatever gatherings we decide to do to helping to produce printed material, with a lot in between. Many hands make light work. Let's begin on the most successful Stewardship Campaign ever by participating. Contact Cindy Pardo either by phone or e-mail (PardoQuilts3@sbcglobal.net) to see what you can do. Remember - the best way to get to know people is to work on a project with them.

Fundraiser to Rebuild Palestinian Homes
The 9-11 Discussion Group will be sponsorng a fund-raiser for Justice Peace Technologies, an organization which helps rebuild Palestinian homes which are demolished by the Israeli military. The fund-raiser will be at the home of Marge and John Saphir on Sunday February 8, from 2 to 4.

A video will be shown describing the work of the Rebuilding Homes Campaign of Justice Peace Technologies, which brings together Palestinians and Jews who oppose the illegal destruction of Palestinian homes. Their philosophy is that, even if the homes are destroyed again, they are building the type of multi-racial solidarity which will be essential for building a new society there.

There will also be an opportunity for discussion of the situation in Israel-Palestine. Please join us! For more information call Bobbi Campbell or Elvira Pellitteri.

Board Talk
By Grace Williams
Congregation President

The Board meeting of January was one filled with business and emotion, and I was proud of the manner in which Trustees, Officers and Ministers engaged with one another. We heard the good news of the progress of the Mission, Vision, Covenant Task Force, about the successful LREDA grant proposal, which will provide us with $15,000 for the next 3 years to help with our R.E. Program, the vision for the upcoming Budget Process and Stewardship Campaign, and plans for the search for a permanent Choral Director. We received a recommendation from the Committee on Right Relationships and acted on it, and learned of the death of our beloved Wallace Rusterholz - within minutes of his passing. Come learn about the "pregnant negatives" and positives that the Board has been concerned with, and has been making decisions about, at the upcoming Board Forum on Sunday, February 8, after the worship service.

Wallace died on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday-January 15-in a way, a happy congruity with the fact that the NAACP was one of the organizations that he supported. I was pleased to be present at the celebration of his life, at his Memorial Service on Sunday, January 25. It was wonderful to hear, as part of that service, Wallace's own poem "Continuity," read by Rev. Millie Rochester, and sung by our Choir.

It was a delight to attend this year's Unity Party - the perfect antidote to the winter blues! Sincerest appreciation to everyone who made this event happen once again, and to all those who attended, among them many of our young people.

In this month dedicated to celebrating the history and contribution of African Americans to this country, and, for me, to the world, I close with a meditation by Howard Thurman:

"A candle is a small thing.
But one candle can light another.
And as it gives its flame to the other,
See how its own light...increases!
YOU ARE SUCH A LIGHT.
Light is the power to dispel darkness.
You have this power to move back the darkness in yourself and in others-with the birth of light created when one mind illuminates another, when one heart kindles another, when one man [person] strengthens another.
And its flame also enlarges within you as you pass it on."

May it always be so.

I wish you a Black History Month filled with wonderful opportunities to celebrate and reflect on the contributions of African Americans to this country, and to the world!

Peace and blessings,
Grace

Among Us
We offer our deepest sympathy to Joe Cherry, Patti Stark and other friends and family, as well as to the caregivers, of Wallace Palmer Rusterholtz, beloved member of many years, who died January 15, 2004. Wallace served on the archives committee, the Board of Trustees and at least one search committee for the church. He offered many sermons here and taught adult religious education through the years. He was a most generous contributor to our life and was honored a few years ago for a very large planned gift he gave in 1997. There is a more extensive obituary elsewhere in the newsletter. Here we would like to thank all those who helped to fashion a wonderful service of memory for Wallace on January 25, 2004. Special Thanks to Madeiria Myrieckes who offered so much support for the reception and to Cindy Pardo who created a lovely bouquet for the altar. Wallace will be deeply missed by his dear friends at First Church and Montgomery Place and by his family and his friends in many places near and far.

We hold in our hearts Devon Moss and his family, as Devon continues to serve in our Armed Forces in Iraq.
We send our warm wishes to Michael Donner, who is recuperating at Warren Barr Pavillion. He welcomes cards at: Warren Barr Pavillion, 66 Oak St., Chicago, IL, and phone calls at: 312-337-5400, ext. 3891
Our thanks to Meadville/Lombard student and First Unitarian friend Kathleen Green, who led the Montgomery Place Vespers service in January and also to Moira Harden who played piano at the service.
Our continuing warm wishes to Polly McCoo, Michael Green, Carrie Hedges, Bette Sikes, and Ken Schug.
Congratulations to Melissa Harris-Lacewell on her wonderful presentation at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration at Rockefeller Chapel, January 19, 2004.
Our thanks to everyone who made the Unity Party a wonderful evening for all ages, and special thanks to W. Saphir for providing great dance music.

Report from the Social Justice Council
By Dr. Finley C. Campbell, Chair

A year finishes; a new one begins. Looking back over the past year reveals a host of social justice work carried out by our church:
• The 2003 Emancipation Proclamation Pageant (a version of which was also presented at the Du Sable Museum in relationship to its Amistad Commemoration),
• Our participation in several anti-war protests, including the participation of an SJC member in a non-violent arrest situation,
• The Congregational meeting where the members present unanimously voted to oppose the US invasion of Iraq, following a meeting in which all sides were presented and a truly democratic spirit prevailed,
• The all-church environmental picnic at the Point where we learned the ecological nature of caterpillars,
• The initiation of our first Labor Day church service, to a large audience, which promises to be an annual event,
• Co-sponsoring a march and rally against the US occupation of Iraq,
• Several outstanding First Forums dealing with such issues as incarcerated mothers, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the 1963 March on Washington and the Civil Rights Movement (sponsored by the First Forum Committee with SJC members participating), debating integration vs. desegregation,
• And most of all coming up with a social service project designed especially for a multigenerational church.
• And, of course, innumerable meetings and study groups where we shared our deepest angers and fears, our love of humanity and our hopes for the future, where we analyzed for action, and acted out of UU principles.

In January alone, we held three major events: the Emancipation Proclamation Pageant 2004 which, unfortunately, had a small attendance but which was vigorously supported by those who stayed to the end. The high point was the participation of two of our youth: Moira Harden and Zarinah Ali and their friend Anne. They put together two great dance sequences which added greatly to the power of the presentation. $300 total was raised for a Haitian Project of a group called DARE. The second event was the formation of a Labor Support Task Force, leading the way for a special collection at our church for striking workers, raising over $600. Finally, there was the First Forum dealing with helping unemployed youth, especially black and Latin, learn the skills and techniques necessary for getting jobs and keeping them, with a representative of the Blue Gargoyle leading the discussion. This project was chaired by Dick Snow who has agreed to try to set up a social justice task force to interface with the Blue Gargoyle work.

A friend of mine, in both jest and seriousness, once said that the reason that many people did not relate to the Social Justice Council was that they saw it as my council. Well, as this brief report reveals and other reports from the Task Forces show: it is clearly OUR council, designed to allow those First U members who wish to do so, in big ways (planning rallies) or small (mailing Xmas cards to incarcerated mothers) to bear witness through love and indignation that it is by both Faith and Works that we are saved.

The Social Justice Council will be meeting on Thursday, February 12, at 7:15 pm in the RE "big" room. Join us and see for yourself. And if you are interested in setting up a task force on some social justice issue or presenting a forum, please let us know.

Movie recommendation: COLD MOUNTAIN, a powerful evocation of the white side of the War of the Rebellion, showing how those whites who started out supporting the Confederacy but eventually turned against it were brutally persecuted by agents of the Southern Rebellion. Also, it shows the survival skills of ordinary white women during that time not only to survive but to triumph in a situation where most of their men are "gone to war." Finally, it demonstrates the old saying, that at a time of war and brutality, amor vincit omnes (I hope I got that right), "Love [does] conquer all."

Chicago-Area UUSJ Task Force Meets Here
The Chicago-Area UU Social Justice Task Force on Democracy, Civil Liberties and Human Rights will meet at First Church on Sunday, Feb. 29 at 1:30 p.m. It is an open meeting and newcomers are welcome. Interested persons may contact the task force chair, Roy Corr, at (773) 728-5339, or Allan Lindrup, uusj@att.net.

Environmental Task Force
By Ellen LaRue

The Environmental Task Force met on January 18. We started planning in earnest for a Working Bikes sale in April and a First Forum on recycling in March. We agreed to send a letter to the Coop Supermarket manager regarding recycling and reuse of the plastic grocery bags. (When the letter is ready it will be available for review at the Social Justice Council table at coffee hour.) We will make copies of two UU's for Social Justice Action Alert letters for signing. One is to Senator Durbin about the upcoming vote on the energy bill. The other is for congressmen about CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement) and the agribusiness threat to small farmers and the environment. We also have a canister for collecting hazardous household batteries. We will collect and transport them to the City of Chicago Hazardous Household Waste Collection, which is held twice a year. When the Social Justice table is set up at coffee hour, the canister will be there. The rest of the time it will be in the church office, on top of the mailboxes. Not all batteries are bad. The batteries we want to collect are ones that contain toxic metals, especially mercury. The canister has the information on it, as does the December newsletter - or ask one of your ETF members.

Green Corner. Eve Emshwiller lent me a booklet Eco-Justice: Linking Human Rights and the Environment, by Aaron Sachs. (Wordwatch Paper 127, Dec. 1995) It makes a number of interesting points. One is this: "[E]nvironmentalists are increasingly recognizing that one of the best ways to guarantee the enjoyment of communal environmental rights is by upholding the basic civil and political rights of the individual...[P]eople can use their individual rights (such as free speech) to protect their environment-related communal rights (the right to an ozone layer)." It's a type of interconnectedness that had not occurred to me before.

Communications Committee
Joan Staples has decided to step down as chair of the Communications Committee, but will remain active on the committee. Tom Huyck, newsletter editor, will succeed her as chair.

9-11 Study Group
By Elvira Pellitteri

The 9-11 Study Group met on Sunday January 11th at the home of Elvira Pellitteri. In preparation for a fundraiser which the group is planning in order to raise money to rebuild Palestinian homes, the discussion centered around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

An article from Dollars and Sense magazine (November/ December 2003) called "Backs to the Wall" was read during the meeting and participants commented upon it. The portions of the article that were read dealt with the impact that the construction of the Israeli Separation Wall has had on Palestinians and what will happen if it is completed. It states that the wall has already resulted in a de facto annexation of fertile land and water by the placement of Jewish-only settlements there. It further claims that if the wall is completed in its entirety the result will be the confiscation of much Palestinian territory and the destruction of the agricultural base of the West Bank, removing any possibility of a viable Palestinian state.

Among the commentaries there was a reminder that one should not judge the people of either nation harshly, and that there are many Israelis who are not in agreement with the policies of the Israeli government. There was also an admonition not to let these policies lead to anti-semitic feelings in the world. It was pointed out that it was Anti-Semitism that in fact led to all these problems between Jews and Palestinians.

Before closing the meeting, the group agreed to support a special offering for Iranian victims of the recent earthquake there.

The fundraiser to raise money to rebuild Palestinian homes will take place from 2 to 4 on Sunday, February 8th at the home of Marge Saphir. All are invited to attend.

CHARLOTTE LACKNER ANTI-RACISM COMMITTEE
By Pat Lucas

January was a busy month for members of the Committee. Several members participated in the Emancipation Proclamation Pageant performed January 10, 2004 at the church. Those involved included Finley Campbell, the author of the production, Bobbie Lammars-Campbell, Joanne Kent, Pat Lucas, Raffaella Pretini, and Giuseppe Latino. Those who attended thought this year's performance was the best ever. The performance was enhanced by the participation of two young members of the congregation, Zarinah Ali and Moira Harden and their friend Ann, who developed dramatic pantomimes and dances. We thank Finley and his co-director, Mitchell Green, for all the time and effort they put into directing the Pageant.

The Committee also co-sponsored the Unity Party held last month. Bobbie Lammars-Campbell devoted many hours of hard work to organizing the party and other members assisted with set-up, ticket taking and other chores.

The Committee is continuing its series of movies focused on anti-racism themes. On Friday, February 27, 2004 at 7 PM, another segment of the acclaimed documentary, "Race, The Power of an Illusion" will be shown in the Chris Moore Parlor. This is an excellent educational series and everyone is invited to attend and take part in the discussion. Refreshments will be served.

The fifth of the series of six Dialogue Circles also met. The presentation was led by Bobbie and Joanne and the topic was "How anti-black racism affects white people." Members presented a number of perspectives on the topic including the economic, social, personal, and political effects. Personal observations and experiences were expressed to explain the points made. The sixth and last session of the series will take place in February after which a decision will be made about forming Dialogue Circles open to all members of the congregation. If you think you would be interested in participating, contact one of the co-chairs: Joanne Kent, Ellen LaRue, or Frieda Stillerman, or any member of the Committee. Anyone interested in joining the Committee may do so. The Committee meets after services on the second Sunday of each month for about 90 minutes.

Holiday Family Project
By Melissa Harris-Lacewell

Hello all. I am writing to thank all of you who supported the holiday family project this year with your donations, time, and energy. I delivered the packages to the Cathedral Shelter last Wednesday the 10th. Each family received four boxes of dry goods and canned food, [a good portion of which was received from the First Unitarian congregation]. We also have provided $50 in Jewel food store gift certificates for each family to purchase perishable items. Each family also received warm winter blankets, gift certificates to Target and Walgreens, and a box of personal items such as soap, lotion, and toothpaste. The children all received multiple gifts of toys, books, clothing, and all the children received the gift item they specifically requested. The adults in both families also received some warm winter clothing and the gift item that each had requested. My station wagon was filled to capacity and I felt like Santa in her sleigh on the way to the shelter! Thanks so much to everyone who once again made this a successful endeavor. I enjoy working with each of you!

Homesharing Program
By Allan Lindrup

Hyde Part Cluster of Interfaith Open Communities
The Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing and Interfaith Open Communities are pleased to introduce a new HomeSharing Program. The time-honored Hyde Park tradition of shared housing now has agency-based involvement through this new LCBH program. The common issues of high rent and unmanageable home owner expenses can be addressed through HomeSharing. Seniors facing decreased mobility or loss of independence also benefit by HomeSharing. Applicants are carefully screened and interviewed by HomeSharing staff. Matches are recommended based on mutual compatibility and interest. HomeSharing agreements usually involve an exchange of affordable rent and services such as house cleaning, meal preparation or simple companionship. To find out more, contact Melody Geraci by email at homesharing@lcbh.org, or visit the website at www.lcbh.org

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