Index of Past Issues

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

First Forums in April

In the Interim

By Rev. Millie Rochester, Interim Minister for Religious Education

Spring is here, at last. As I write, the sun is shining in a blue sky. It seems incredible to think snow was falling just days ago!

This is the season customarily associated with renewal, as the days lengthen and new life blossoms. Renewal is in the air for the church, as well, with a visioning process well begun. And the same can be said of the religious education program. Many of you have responded to the RE Council's survey evaluating religious education at First Church - thank you for sharing your thoughts. As we learn from your insights, the Council will make decisions for next year's programming.

Further opportunities for renewal are soon to come, through reflections on the professional religious education leadership of the congregation. The church Board will sponsor a workshop Saturday, April 3rd from 10:00 - 1:00. I do hope you will participate, especially if you were a part of the Start-Up Workshop that took place in the fall. The Reverend Sue Sinnamon, who serves the UU Church in Evanston as Minister of Religious Education, will be our facilitator to help you discern your RE leadership needs and how best to fill them in the coming years. There is new growth in the development of Adult Religious Education, too. The New Unitarian Universalist Orientation series continues in April, acquainting newcomers with the workings of First Church. Interest about Jesus of Nazareth having been recently especially piqued, a Saturday workshop based on the PBS Frontline series "From Jesus to Christ" is scheduled for April 10th. Notify the Church Office to register. A Small Groups Ministry planning group is set to begin in mid-April; see further in this newsletter for details

So, spring is breaking out all over - and I hope you will be part of this process! As always, I remain available for you, should you wish to talk about your thoughts and feelings. I look forward to hearing what you think.

Faithfully, Millie

We are an awesome bunch, I've concluded! It's amazing to me just how much we've accomplished, and are accomplishing, during this church year. While coping individually, and as families, with illness, surgeries, changes in our jobs, in our financial circumstances, retirement, impending weddings, dealing with teenagers, raising young children, supporting our young people in college, taking care of elderly parents and relatives, we have:

• Developed a process, and have undertaken, Claiming Our Future - our vision, mission, covenant work.

• Worked on a new orientation towards Budgeting and Stewardship that will ultimately serve to make all members and friends of the church have a greater understanding of, be engaged in, and feel responsible for, the financial health of our beloved church.

• Celebrated three wonderful, long-time, super-active 75 year-old members of the congregation (Polly McCoo, Bette Sikes and Sadie Picardo) - who were also remembered by a former member and UU Un-Sung Hero, Charles Patton, and his wife, who, all the way from Mississippi, sent a gift for their former friends.

• Continued a lively Social Justice programming, with a new initiative, for the 2003-2004 church year, Companions Journeying Together, which helps incarcerated women maintain their family relationships, and strong, intentional education and planning for new projects by the Environmental Task Force, among other activities.

• Conducted a small group pilot project on anti-racism programming by the Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism Committee.

• Buried and celebrated our dead: long-time beloved member Wallace Rusterholz, and Choral Director Ron Wentzel - the latter with a wonderful concert in which our own choir was joined by the DePaul Community Chorus, and conducted by Ron's close colleague, Marty Swisher.

• Continued an active Religious Education Program with a committed R.E. Council, active parents and teachers, and an Interim Minister for Religious Education, Rev. Millie Rochester, who will help us develop a process and activity for thinking through and deciding on the most appropriate religious education professional for us, beginning with a workshop on April 3.

• Revived our First Forum series with excellent speakers and fascinating topics.

• Begun the process of searching for a new choral director.

What would we do if we had more members, more children and youth, a fully refurbished church home, and more money! The mind boggles!

At our Board Meeting on March 18, we focused on the Budget for the 2004-2005 church year, and the Stewardship/Canvass campaign, which culminated in a very well-planned and conducted Stewardship Luncheon held on the last Sunday in March, during which we had an opportunity to discuss the draft budget and the need for increased pledging.

Our other major focus was a recommendation from the Committee on Ministry (COM) that our Senior Minister, Rev. Nina Grey, be granted sabbatical leave for the five-month period, January to May 2005, which the Trustees approved. COM also recommended the appointment of a task force to work out the details and plan for the sabbatical. In her letter of agreement, our Senior Minister is permitted one month of sabbatical leave for each year of service, and the timing of the sabbatical will occur during the latter months of Rev. Millie Rochester's two-year interim, and before we hire a new religious education professional.

When next you hear from me in this column, I would just have returned from 10 days in Washington, DC, after staffing my employer's annual conference, and a few days' vacation. I wish us all a Happy Easter and a most productive Claiming our Future workshop on April 17.

Committee Meetings this Month

Adult RE - Tues. April 13 at 7:00
Caring Comm. - Wed. April 21 at 5:30
Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism - Sun. April 11 at 1:00
Comm. on Ministry - Tues. April 27 at 5:00
Communications - Thurs. April 1 at 5:30
Executive Comm. - Wed. April 7 at 5:30
Program Council - Tues. April 6 at 7:30
RE Council - Sun. April 18 at 11:45
Social Justice - Thurs. April 8 at 7:00
Trustees - Thurs. April 15 at 7:00
Worship & Music - Thurs. April 1 at 7:00
Don’t Forget Daylight Savings Time!

Daylight Savings Time begins at Midnight Saturday April 3. If you forget to turn your clock forward one hour, you will be late for church.

Note: Short Congregational Meeting
There will be a brief congregational meeting on Sunday April 4 from 11:15-11:45 to discuss the positions of Choir Director and Instrumental Music Director, and whether these should be kept separate or combined in the future.

Computer Whiz? You Can Help!
You can put your computer skills to good use and make your contribution to the congregation. Please contact Tom Huyck at tomhuyck@yahoo.com.

Graphics Person - You can help us produce attractive flyers, inserts and display ads.

Desktop publishing - 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 I am not available. (Editing can be done by others). This would involve observing how the newsletter is produced, and setting up the necessary form on your computer. A word processing program is sufficient.

Child Dedication

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, we celebrate the birth or adoption of a baby and welcome young children into our community through a ritual of dedication. In this ritual, both parents and congregation affirm our mutual interdependence, and the congregation as a whole celebrates the child(ren) by name, and welcomes them wholeheartedly into our community.

In this congregation, the ritual of child dedication will be conducted during the Sunday service on May 2. If you are considering participation in this ceremony, please discuss it with one of the ministers as soon as possible.

RE Workshop April 3rd
As fast as the time flies, it's not too early to mark your calendar and plan to attend the RE and Church Leadership Workshop to follow up on the one that occurred in the Fall. Minister of Religious Education Sue Sinnamon, of the Evanston church, will lead members of the congregation in a discernment process to help clarify needs and desires for the future of the RE Program. This Saturday workshop is scheduled from 10 AM until 1 PM. Food will be provided. Please contact the church as soon as possible if you will need childcare.

Among Us
Continuing warm wishes to Michael Donner, who has moved to Hartwell House.
We welcome home Devon Moss from his service in Iraq, and we keep Devon and his family in our hearts.
We continue to hold Katari Coleman-Daniels in our hearts as she continues her recovery.
We continue to send warm healing wishes to Linn Orear as she recovers from surgery.
We continue to keep Polly McCoo in our hearts and send her warm healing wishes.
Congratulations to Chuck Staples, who joined the church 50 years ago this month.
Congratulations to Susan Scrimshaw, who not only was named to the board of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, but also, with a student teammate, won an annual free-throw contest at half-time of a UIC Flames basketball game.

“. . . And To Help One Another”
What do we mean when we say these words each week? Recently, I found out when I underwent major surgery. Because I don’t have family living nearby, I needed to reach out to my Church family to help me. As I sought to “spread the joy around” by asking various people to undertake different tasks, I was met with unfailing willingness to help me.

So, I would like to extend a public thank you to the many members of my Church family who live our affirmation: Rev. Nina Grey, Betty Holcomb, Vi Stark, Cindy Pardo, Tom Huyck, Barbara Thomas, Rev. Millie Rochester, and Linn Orear. I also received numerous visits, phone calls, cards, and lovely flowers, far more than I can acknowledge in this “thank you.”
– Carrie Hedges

First Forum Coming on May 23: Talking About Death and Dying
Our goals as a congregation include providing resources for members and friends to find a perspective on our lives as we progress through the life cycle. We mark transitions from birth to death through our connections with each other and our faith. On May 23, at a First Forum presented by the Caring Committee, four First Church experts will offer a panel presentation on a topic for which we all need guidance: talking about death and dying. The presenters will be Kimberly McIntyre, RN; Pat MacClarence, MSW; Lorie Rosenblum, MSW; and Don Scott, MD.

Welcome Suppers!
New members and visitors are invited to a special Welcome Supper on Sunday, April 18, 6 p.m. at the home of Tom and Margaret Huyck, in Hyde Park. This will be another opportunity to get to know a few other folks in the First Church community. Families are welcome. Please RSVP to Margaret (mhhuyck@sbcglobal.net or 773-667-3649) if you can attend. Welcome Suppers will also be held on Sunday May 23 and June 13. Watch for details.

New Member Ingathering
New members of First Church will be welcomed officially during the service on Sunday, April 18. If you are a new member, or would like to become a member soon, please make sure that Rev. Nina or Rev. Millie is informed about your intentions.

What’s happening in April . . .
Sunday, April 4

First Forum: Beyond the Seven Principles: The Core of Unitarian Universalism
Our presenter for First Forum after the service on April 4 is Rev. David E. Bumbaugh, Associate Professor of Ministry and Director of Field Education at Meadville Lombard Theological School. This forum is the first in the Meadville Lombard Faculty Lecture Series at First Church. His topic is “Beyond the Seven Principles: The Core of Unitarian Universalism.” Is Unitarian Universalism an expression of the Middle Class? This forum will explore the manner in which the social location of Unitarian Universalism has shaped the structure and development of this movement. It will consider how the experience of the emergent Middle Class has and continues to influence what Unitarian Universalists believe and how we practice religion.

David Bumbaugh joined the faculty of Meadville Lombard in 1999 after forty years experience in parish ministry. He is the author of four books, among them, The Education of God. He has served as the chair of the UU's for Chicago Freedom Movement and as the president of the South Suburban Human Relations Commission, among many other posts. His wife is also a Unitarian Univarsalist minister and they have four grown children, one of whom is a graduate of Meadville Lombard.

Friday Evening, April 16
First Forum and Potluck: What’s Happening with Religious Humanism Today?
A special evening First Forum, preceded by a pot luck supper, will be presented Friday evening, April 16. This forum is part of the Meadville Lombard Faculty Lecture Series at First Church. Our presenter is Rev. Dr. William Murry, Academic Dean and Professor of Ministry, Meadville Lombard Theological School, whose topic is "What's Happening with Religious Humanism Today?" While some say religious humanism is dying in Unitarian Universalism, others see a new religious humanism emerging. What are its characteristics and its prospects for the future? How has it been influenced by feminism, environmentalism and post-modernism as these movements have arisen in the 20th and 21st century?

Rev. Murry was a parish minister for 20 years before joining Meadville Lombard in 1997 where he held the post of President through 2003, in addition to his current roles. He served as a college professor and chaplain before becoming a Unitarian Universalist at age 44. He is the author of the book A Faith for All Seasons. Rev. Murry is married and has three grown sons.

Prior to the lecture the First Forum committee invites you to a potluck supper beginning at 5:45 PM. Bring your favorite dish to share with others and join us in a brief review of the First Forum series for this year. The committee will provide utensils and drinks. Bring your ideas for topics and speakers for next year to share with the First Forum committee.

Saturday, April 17
Creating our Vision and Mission
By Diana Gray

The Task Force had thought that Sunday, March 21 would serve to "get the ball rolling" with our mission, vision, and planning process. Instead the congregation exploded like it was shot from a cannon with an incredible level of participation and energy that people brought to this service! Thanks to the fantastic job of logistics by Madeiria Myrieckes in setting up the groups and assigning participants, we smoothly moved to the discussion groups. Fourteen wonderful volunteers facilitated the discussion groups. We had excellent participation from youth, young adults, RE families, and lay leadership. The materials produced by the congregation are rich and enlightening. We have many shared ideas, exciting suggestions, and hope for our future. The material is growing as members and friends continue to submit their comments and ideas through April 6. We have much work ahead but you have provided wonderful material. This is really becoming exciting!

The next event is a workshop Saturday, April 17, 2004 to review our visions and from those visions build our mission statement. The workshop is tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.to be confirmed later. Our consultant Angela Merkert will facilitate the workshop. During the workshop we will provide activities and supervision for the children so that parents may join us. We will ask people to indicate their plans to attend in advance to help the Task Force plan for the children's events.

Sunday, April 18
First Forum: Guilt!
Julie Neuman will be the presenter at the First Forum after the service on April 18. So much need....limited resources. What should I do? Let's pool ideas on how to handle the many appeals that come our way every day. Sponsored by the Social Justice Council.

Sunday, April 25
First Forum: The War on Terrorism as an Excuse to Jail Citizens Without Trial
At the First Forum after the service on April 25, Tom Huyck will discuss the case of Jose Padilla, which is to be argued in the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 28. Padilla is the U.S. citizen arrested at O’Hare Airport who is being held by the military as an “enemy combatant” in the war on terrorism, with no charges filed against him and no access to a court or a lawyer. Tom Huyck, a member of our congregation who practices criminal law, will discuss the contending arguments in this case and trace the history of the doctrine that “war” can justify suspending the civil liberties of civilians.

Life Journeys Class Begins
A Life Journeys Class for older members and friends of the church will begin in mid-April. It will focus on the gifts and challenges of life in the later years, and will meet on Thursdays twice monthly, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at Montgomery Place. First opportunity to join will be presented to UU residents of Montgomery Place. Additional available spaces will be offered to any older member or friend of the church. Contact Rev. Nina Grey for more information.

Small Group Ministry at First Church -- Next Steps
By Rev. Nina Grey
Last year, almost 20 members and friends of the church participated in the four-session Small Group Ministry Learning Group, to learn about the Small Group Ministry or Covenant Group program that is becoming ever more widespread in Unitarian Universalist congregations.

Small Group Ministry provides opportunities for the deepening of spiritual life, the strengthening of connections, and the upbuilding of congregational life. It makes spaces for newcomers to enter into a group as they are taking their time to learn more about Unitarian Universalism. Small Group Ministry groups do not do "the work of the church." Rather they provide times and safe space for spiritual growth. While each group follows a similar set format, some programs are set up with each group having a different focus. Other times programs are set up with every group sharing the same focus.

Next Steps: The Small Group Ministry Planning Group is being developed by the newly reconstituted Adult Education Committee, one of the subcommittees of the Religious Education Council. Members of the Small Group Ministry Planning Group are being recruited among those who participated in the Small Group Ministry Learning Group.

The Small Group Ministry Planning Group is scheduled to meet in the evenings on the following Sundays: April 18, May 9, May 23, and June 6. Some of the topics it will discuss and make decisions about, regarding our upcoming Small Group Ministry Program, are:
- Facilitator recruitment, training, and support
-Models of small group ministry most appropriate for our church
-Possible Times and duration of Small Group Ministry group meetings
-The relative benefits of closed or open meetings of Small Group Ministry groups.

UU News
Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly
By Bette Sikes

The annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists will take place in Long Beach, California, June 24-28. The myriad programs, worship services, business events, and exhibits provide a rich experience to all those in attendance. Registration is open to one and all. Our church is entitled to three lay delegates and three ministerial delegates. A special feature at the 2004 General Assembly is a program under which attendees may join a covenant group (limited to the first 750 to apply).

The setting on the Pacific Ocean offers much to attract. One can even stay on the Queen Mary, which is permanently docked at Long Beach. Programs at General Assembly include informative workshops on church life, lectures on a variety of subjects, programs on a diversity of religious perspectives, and a rich variety of social justice presentations. The annual Service of the Living Tradition on Friday evening recognizes our religious leaders and features a leading preacher delivering the sermon. Many UU youth are involved in the Youth Caucus, which keeps the young people in touch with the business of the Assembly. There is also a program for children. Details about the business agenda and programs can be found at the church office and at www.uua.org/ga. Registration forms and housing information are also available in the church office as well as at www.uua.org/ga.

GA DELEGATES WANTED!
Would you like to represent First Church Chicago at the General Assembly gathering of all the Unitarian Universalists? The opportunity is available. Our church is entitled to three Delegates and three Alternates. Delegates represent their congregations and their best judgement when debating and voting on policies and procedures that will govern the Denomination for the next year. Delegates promise to attend important sessions where discussion and voting occurs. This year the General Assembly will be held June 24-28 in Long Beach, CA. The next "moderate price" registration deadline is April 30; when you register, you are asked whether you are a Delegate or not. Unfortunately, our church budget for this year does not include funds to support delegates; thus, you must be willing to fund your own registration and travel. If you would like to be an official delegate from First Church, please submit a statement to Margaret Huyck (President-Elect and Chair of the Committee on Congregational Participation) by April 4, indicating why you would like to represent our congregation at GA. The names of candidates will be published in the Order of Service on April 11; all are encouraged to transmit opinions and recommendations to Board members by April 14. The Board of Trustees, as the elected officials of our congregation, will vote on delegates at the April 15 Board meeting. Contact Margaret Huyck at mhhuyck@sbcglobal.net, or put a note in my box at church. Delegates are expected to report back to the congregation on important issues and votes taken.

Central Midwest District Assembly
The UUA Central Midwest District Annual District Assembly will be held on April 23-25 at the Hyatt Lisle Hotel, 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle, Il.

Brochures are available in the church office. To register online go to www.regonline.com/?12577, or call (708) 236-0831. As Unitarian Universalists we have a great opportunity to gather for the weekend to engage in ways we can "Walk our Talk." The Rev. Dr. Michael Schuler, the keynote speaker for the weekend, is senior minister of First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI. During Dr. Schuler's tenure the congregation has grown to 1300 members and is now the largest UU congregation in the Central Midwest District and in the Unitarian Universalist Association. Dr. Schuler will call us to consider how our liberal religious history calls us into the future.

In addition to to a thought provoking keynote address, there will be an opening ceremony with a banner parade and musical offerings by members of several area choirs.

Social Justice . . .

Social Justice Council - Meeting of March 11
Excerpt of Minutes by Allan Lindrup

Open Discussion: There will be two anti-war demonstrations on March 20. One is sponsored by the Committee Against War in Iraq. A second demonstration, organized by Not in Our Name is likely to include civil disobedience. With regard to Haiti, we could ask some of our representatives in Congress to call for hearings on what really happened in connection with the ousting of President Aristide. There was discussion of what First Unitarian could do to educate members about the candidates for judge. Also, after the primary, what could be done to encourage members and friends who are not registered to vote to get registered.

First Forums: The Environmental Task Force has organized the March 21 forum, which is an update on recycling today. It will feature speakers from the Chicago Recycling Coalition. A flyer will be designed and included in the Order of Service that date. On April 18 the forum, titled "The Little You Do Counts", is organized by Julie Neuman. There will not be a Social Justice Council first forum in May. The Sept. 11 Study Group has the lead on organizing the June 20 first forum.

Racial Justice Task Force: Allan reported that Advocate Health representatives would be invited to attend a community forum at First Unitarian to explain the closing of their Hyde Park clinic. If they decline to attend, which seems their likely course, then we would invite representatives of S.E.I.U., which did a study of their overcharging behavior, and Jobs with Justice, which is supporting their workers' efforts to unionize. The first choice of date for such an event is Friday evening, April 2, providing the participants are lined up in time to advertise the event in the newsletter and to the community. The task force authorized Finley to see the Passion of Christ on behalf of the task force and then prepare an analysis of the extent of its racism. Finley is still hoping to facilitate a presentation and discussion on Africa and neo-imperialism before the end of March, but the date has been delayed.

U.U.s for Social Justice and Denominational Affairs: Allan reported that the next UUSJ newsletter is coming out in April. The next quarterly UUSJ Board meeting, with a preceding workshop on 'War and the Economy,' will be held at this church on Sunday, May 23, from 2 to 5 p.m., in the Chris Moor Parlor. Finley reported that the Central Midwest District annual meeting will be held at the Hyatt Hotel in Lisle IL, which is next to Naperville. There are some opening events on the evening of Friday, April 23, but the main day of workshops and business is on Saturday, April 24. Finley and Allan are two members of this Council who are planning to attend.

Hyde Park & Kenwood Interfaith Council: Allan reported that the Interfaith Council heard a presentation from Melody Geraci on the Homesharing Program run by Lawyers Committee for Better Housing. The Interfaith Open Communities Hyde Park Cluster is the local partner organization. The program matches individuals who need affordable housing with home owners who need someone to share their home who can provide services in return for a lower rent. The organization serves as a match maker, does background checks, and serves an intermediary for any problems that arise between renter and rentee. The Interfaith Council's annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 15. The focus is expected to be on how our various faiths deal with GLBT issues, though the scope of the meeting may be expanded to how we address other marginalized people in our community.

Fund Raiser for Rebuilding Palestinian Homes
This fund raiser will be held on April 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the home of John and Marge Saphir. It is being sponsored by the 9/11 Discussion Group. Everyone is welcome.

We will see a video 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. A speaker is available to answer your questions.

Environmental Task Force
By Ellen LaRue
We made available for signing a comment to the EPA on the proposed rule changes for restricting mercury emissions from power plants. (Several changes have been proposed, all of which would result in more mercury emissions, and/or hot-spots of mercury pollution.) Many signatures were gathered and the comment has been sent to the EPA. We also sponsored a lively and informative Social Justice First Forum on recycling.

Racial Justice Task Force Report
By Allan Lindrup, Co-chair
On March 21 church members and friends contributed a significant volume of toiletries, which are being donated to Companions Journeying Together for distribution to women in need of them at Cook County Jail. Model/sample letters have been provided to Rev. Rochester, so that the Sunday School youth can write and request large volume toiletry contributions from Colgate-Palmolive and Proctor and Gamble, for the same cause.

Each spring Companions Journeying Together, working with congregations such as First Unitarian, assembles thousands of packets of nice stationary and envelopes, Bic (or equivalent) pens, plus writing suggestions and stamps, so that incarcerated women in downstate prisons, plus those at Cook County Jail, can write to their own mothers and grandmothers, their children, and perhaps others such as sisters, on or around Mothers Day. The packets include what is needed to write five letters. Companions Journeying Together needs these before the end of April, as they are distributed starting the first week of May. We hope to provide 150 packets, roughly one per member of our church. While members of this task force are donating the other materials, we are asking church members and friends to donate 20 or more 37 cent stamps per household on Easter Sunday, April 11, so that we can have the 750 stamps we will need. You will find a box into which to put the stamps (or if you forget, cash to permit us to buy the requisite stamps that week) on the Social Justice Council table. The assembly will either take place on Sunday, April 18, at 1 p.m., in the large RE room, or on an evening in the week that follows.

A community forum, hosted by First Unitarian, in which a representative or representatives of Advocate Health can answer questions regarding their operations and why they closed their local health clinic, is being planned. Watch your Orders of Service for notice of the date and time. If Advocate fails to provide any representatives, then the Service Employees Intl. Union will be asked to talk about their findings of gross overcharging by Advocate of the uninsured, while Jobs with Justice will be asked to talk about the struggle going on to try to bring union representation to Advocate employees.

CHARLOTTE LACKNER ANTI-RACISM COMMITTEE
By Pat Lucas
During its March meeting, the Committee evaluated the series of six Dialogue Circles sponsored and attended by members of the Committee. One of the outcomes of the Dialogue Circles was the effort to have more information in the Order of Service as to the race/culture of the composers of the music used in the service. The Committee hopes this information will raise the awareness of the congregation that hymns and classical compositions appropriate for a church service were composed by people of color. The Committee will be making plans to convene a series of Dialogue Circles for members of the congregation. The Committee would be interested in your feedback on this plan.

The Committee lamented the fact that Black History Month, February, went by with no African-American speaker or preacher being invited to speak from the pulpit. The Committee approved letters to the Worship and Music Committee and to Rev. Nina Grey requesting that arrangements be made for non-European-Americans and representatives of other religious traditions to speak/preach at our church and offering the assistance of the Committee in this endeavor. Anyone interested in joining with the Committee in its anti-racism activities is invited to attend our monthly meetings on the second Sunday of the month.

What they were saying at First Forum:

ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS
By Pat Lucas

Martha Reese drew a roomful of attentive members to her presentation on March 14 about relations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Ms. Reese is a member of The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine which advocates for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem and support for those attempting to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Martha described how the demography of the region is being manipulated by the Israelis through the establishment of Jewish settlements in Palestine.

She stated that over $3 billion in aid from the United States, in addition to loan guarantees, goes to support setting up these communities, the intent of which is to establish and maintain a Jewish majority in the region. Palestinian's homes have been destroyed in the process. She described and showed pictures of roads that had been constructed by the Israelis which can only be used by cars with yellow license plates, which are only issued to Israelis. Palestinians are forced to use back roads which are in disrepair and have barricades which necessitate people leaving their vehicle, passing the barricade on foot, and transferring to another vehicle to continue their journey.

These and other barriers to travel have led to the loss of jobs and the increase in poverty and despair. The information and details about the constraints under which the Palestinians are forced to live is not as thoroughly covered in our press as are the actions taken by certain Palestinians against the Israelis. The Palestinian attacks are widely covered with little information as to the background which has led to such desperate action. Bobbie Campbell reminded the attendees that a fund raiser was planned for 3 PM, Sunday, April 4, 2004 at the home of John and Marge Saphir to support the rebuilding of homes destroyed in Palestine.

All-Church Banquet
The first annual all-church banquet will be held at the church on Saturday evening June 19. It should be an opportunity for us to socialize and to celebrate the completed church year, especially the "Claiming Our Future" process. The program will include a multi-generational talent show. Soon we will be asking you to make banquet reservations so that we will have an idea of how many people to plan for.

The dinner will be catered. Ticket prices will be as follows: $25 per adult (16 and over). Children under 10 free. Youth 10-15 $20. The maximum price per family (2 adults with children under 16) will be $70. If you can, please contribute a few extra dollars so that we can offer complimentary tickets to anyone who is unable to pay the full regular price. Rev. Nina and Rev. Millie will distribute the complimentary tickets.

Medicare Forum
Hyde Park OWL (Older Women’s League) and the League of Woman Voters of Chicago announce a Public Education Forum on The Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 on Saturday, April 24, at 10:00 a.m. at Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave. Keynote Speaker will be Steve Pittman, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans. Discussion Groups with expert leaders. Information and Action. See Joan Staples for further information.

Hyde Park OWL was founded in our church in 1989. For this forum, we are especially inviting all ages, women and men, since the new law impacts everyone.

House Sitter Needed
A First Unitarian Church family is looking for someone interested in house-sitting (including dog and cats) for them for 10 days this summer in Oak Park. If you’re into animals and looking for a getaway, this would be the job for you. Anyone interested or wanting more information should contact us at our home phone 708-386-7164 David & Vicki McNutt

Eggshells for Birds
By Irene Vitullo
Here's a novel way to recycle kitchen waste - not all of it, just the eggshells - and help the migrating birds that fly along Lake Michigan and stop over at Wooded Island. Just rinse the eggshells, let them dry, then crush them. Take an early morning bird watchers walk with our own Doug Anderson, who is recognized by novices and experts alike as an authority on birds, and spread your collection of crushed eggshells along the path. Doug says that migrating birds need extra calcium for their long flights, and crushed eggshells disappear rapidly during migratory season as the sparrows and various other ground feeders search for nutritious food. Of course, you can go anytime; it's just nice to hear Doug talk about the birds. He has such a knowledge of birds, and is so gentle and generous in his presentation, that it's a pleasure to be in his company. And in the company of birds, of course!

Doug's guided bird watching walks begin at 7:00 a.m. Wednesdays and 8:00 a.m. Saturdays (every week). Everyone meets at the Clarence Darrow Bridge south of the Museum of Science and Industry. There is a free parking lot at 58th Street (the only free parking lot at the Museum). The entrance is on on Lake Shore Drive going south. Drive past the 57th Street exit, and exit at 58th Street . The parking lot entrance is right near the exit. From there it's a short walk to the Clarence Darrow bridge. I don't know which Saturday I'm going, but I've been saving my eggshells for months in anticipation of this bird feeding trip. I'm surprised at how small a quantity my cache of eggshells is, after being crushed in a quart size plastic bag, but I'm going to enjoy my connection with my aviary friends, if ever so fleeting, when I give them some calcium for their flight.

New UU Orientation Classes
Newcomers and visitors are especially invited to join this four-session Orientation program to Unitarian Universalism and First Church. The sessions will be held on April 2 and a date to be announced, at 7:00 p.m. The sessions are sponsored by the Membership Committee and facilitated by Rev. Nina Grey and Rev. Millie Rochester. The sessions will include history, the evolution of a variety of religious perspectives within UUism, a look at UU religious education and social justice in its many manifestations, and the sharing of personal religious journeys. We'll also hear from leaders in the congregation about how things happen at First Church. Longer-time members and friends are also welcome. At the conclusion of the class, there will be a special invitation to join the church. An Ingathering of New Members will take place at the Easter service, April 11, 2004.

“A Community of Men”
By Joseph Harrington
At its March 9, 2004 meeting the Adult Education Committee considered a number of topics, including the issue of men and their spirituality. Rev. Millie Rochester and First U member, Joseph Harrington, met subsequently to further explore this topic. They agreed that an excellent first step would be to hold an evening program centered on an existing UU curriculum entitled, "A Community of Men". The program will afford male members of the congregation an opportunity to discuss and explore their common spirituality and beliefs in an open and mutually supportive environment. Our hope is for the participants to gain insight and a better understanding of 'a community of men' in the broader context of the First U community. The proposed date for the program is Tuesday, June 15, 2004 (the Tuesday before Father's Day). More details will be available soon.

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