December, 2005
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Elsewhere you can find: Religious Education News By Danielle Gerrior Several times this year someone has asked me what the children's religious education program needs in terms of more support from the church. More materials? More volunteers? Both are of course great, but neither matter at all without the most important component of any children's religious education program in any church: the regular attendance of the children of the congregation. Children who do not go to Sunday school are much less likely to form important bonds to their religious tradition, to adults in the church, and to the others their own age. At this time, the vital support needed by the RE program is for parents weekly to bring their children to Sunday school, and for other adults in the church actively to value the work done by the RE council and volunteer teachers. There is certainly lots of that work and fun going on this time of year! The holiday season is upon us, and the celebrations have begun! On December 4, after worship and during the craft fair, all children are invited to make ornaments to decorate the church's Christmas tree (and to take home, if they wish). After church on December 11 will be the rehearsal for the Christmas pageant, which we will perform during the holiday service on December 18. No memorization of lines is required, but children and youth should make every attempt to be at both rehearsal and performance. I hope to see you all there!
This year we will gather in Hull Chapel on New Year's Day, the last day of Kwanzaa, to celebrate this important eight-day African American cultural holiday, often celebrated in families and extended families. Individuals and families of our congregation will carry the Kinara, candles, fruits and other artifacts that are traditional on this day, and place them on our altar. We will light the candles of the Kinara, and ponder the meanings of the seven principles of Kwanzaa for individuals, families and community. If you wish to help create this multigeneral service, please contact Polly McCoo, or Rev. Nina Grey. Holiday Fair Trade Fair This will be the perfect way to make your holiday gift giving mean more. Gifts from Fair Trade cooperatives in Central and South America, Africa and Asia will be featured at this event, held on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4. We will be having a bakery table as well, so we need folks to cook up some of their favorite goodies. And if you can help price and set up, sell items, or help take things down, please see Cindy Pardo at the Coffee Table after service, or talk to Kay Mann. Great Books The Great Books group will meet on Sunday, December 18 at 11:45 in
the RE Resource Room. We will discuss Ephigeneia et Aulis by
Euripedes. Newcomers are welcome! Please contact Gloria Gnatz or
Kennie James for further information. Committee Meetings this Month
World Religions Class The World Religions Class meets Sunday, December 9, at 7 p.m.
This is the last opportunity to become a part of this class, which meets
on the second Sunday of most months. In this third session, we will
be learning about Buddhism, using Huston Smith's book, The World's
Religions, and Rev. Gary Kowalski's curriculum based on that book.
Join us for an enjoyable, thoughtful and fun discussion. Speak with
Rev. Nina Grey if you would like to be part of this class. Ornament Making The RE Council will be sponsoring an ornament making event for all
of the young people of our church after worship on Sunday, December
4, during First Forum. The ornaments made will be to decorate our congregation’s
Christmas tree and also to be taken home. What They Were Saying at First Forum . . . UU Political Activism At a well-attended 13 November First Forum, Rev. Lee Barker, Meadville-Lombard President, shared the history of the California Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry (UULM-CA) in which he played an active role as part of his "Service and Spirit Ministry" at a UU church in Pasadena. He stated his belief that for the UU denomination to fully embody its principles, its churches must not serve just their own congregations but must reach out to the larger world: e.g., food and housing in the neighborhood; create coalitions with external organizations; and affect public policy (examples from his church: a mock same-sex marriage ceremony, voter registration in the surrounding impoverished neighborhood, open to the public film showings on social and political issues). When someone asked if such activities would affect our status as a charitable organization, Lee said that almost any action is allowable as long as issues are being discussed and no specific political endorsements are made. But he also pointed out that, important as they may be, the above examples tend to be haphazard and don't result in sustained advocacy. He recounted his 1978 "flaming failure" during his first ministerial position in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital -- an enthusiastic but unsuccessful attempt to make a major impact on the lawmaking process in the state by simply contacting legislators with reminders of how they should vote to benefit their citizens. A second chance came in the 1990's when he learned about a UU group in northern California starting a legislative ministry with the double mission of (1) Education and (2) Lobbying. After several years of organizing (see below), UULM-CA became a stable entity with a full-time executive director and additional staff. Lee distributed copies of the latest (quarterly) newsletter which included articles on a joint gathering and press conference of UU youth and clergy in Sacramento on behalf of full civil marriage equality, extension of health care to ALL of California's children, a reflection on McCarthyism, formation of a UULM-CA Water Democracy Team, plans for regional meetings around the state, several health care articles, and more. The website is www.uulmca.org Much of Lee's talk was directed toward lessons learned in forming the organization. The original group contained two principle factions: those who wanted to get into action almost immediately (with "quick fixes" on current issues) and those who believed that ensuring longevity required a clear definition of mission, a structure which included a professional staff (including a lobbyist), and a realistic plan for ensuring continued financial support. The "quick fix" people lost interest and were gradually replaced on the board by the "planners." Interestingly, Lee reported that the planners tended to be the younger members of the group. During the lively discussion period it became apparent that a number of us were thinking "Why not a UULM-Illinois?" "What would be the first steps?" "Could our church play a central role in getting things started?" etc I invite anyone interested in serving on a task force to explore these questions to contact me at kschug@msn.com or put a note in my mail slot in the church office.
By Tom Huyck First Forum on November 6 was addressed by Rev. Clare Butterfield, Director of the organization Faith in Place. Her subject was “The End of Fossil Fuels: A Religious Response.” Rev. Butterfield, a UU community minister, explained that her organization is an interfaith group “that gives religious people tools to become better stewards.” It is currently working with over 100 congregations in a six-county area. Rev. Butterfield handed out statistical charts showing that the world’s supply of oil and natural gas is being depleted. Production of these fuels is now at its peak, and by 2050 they will be depleted to the extent that the amount of energy used to extract them is more than the energy produced. By 2040, the U.S. demand for oil will equal the entire world’s production. Among other effects, this has an implication for food production, since currently it takes 10 calories of fuel energy to produce one calorie of food energy. Among the actions suggested to conserve energy were solar thermal hot water heaters, wind turbines, supporting local and sustainable farms, more use of mass transit, insulation, and turning down thermostats. Rev. Butterfield mentioned that some congregations purchase “wind certificates,” a method of supporting wind-generated electric power by paying the utility the difference between the cost of such power vs. the cost of conventionally generated power. Rev. Butterfield feels that religious congregations need to demonstrate
how we can live well with less. This does not mean lowering the standard
of living, but involves “re-defining the good life” as something
more than constantly increasing consumption. A religious congregation
can be a place where status is conferred by the kind of person you are,
not by your consumption. To her, the religious issue is “accepting
that our life is of necessity conducted at the sacrifice of other life,”
and that we should be thankful for it, and minimize it. Rev. Butterfield
can be contacted at www.faithinplace.org. Mark Your Calendars for Music! By Joan Staples The Choir will present its annual holiday celebration in song on December 11 during the regular service. Included will be selections from different countries and cultures. After the service we invite the congregation to a discussion about music and worship in our church. Our Winter concerts will take place on Saturday, February 11 and Saturday, March 11. Both concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The February concert will feature the Michael Thorn Jazz Trio playing “Jazz for Friends and Lovers.” the March concert will be “An Evening of Sacred Choral Masterworks and Great Hymns.” Tickets will be $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors. An ad/sponsor
program book will be produced again this year. We invite you and your
friends to be part of this program book. The funds raised at our concerts
and at offerings during Choir Services will maintain and expand our
musical programs. Among Us Our continuing warm wishes to Herga Taylor, mother of Grace Williams, who is now recovering at home. Welcome to our newest members, David Breeden, who signed the Membership Book on November 13, and Joseph Wenzel and Alex Wolf, who signed the book on November 20. They were honored at our New Member Ingathering in the Thanksgiving Service on November 20, along with other new members: Melvin Dukes, Lawrence Gray, Karolyn Kuehner, Shirley Sadaqa, Carolyn Sander, Ben Lopez Sr., Eva Flores-Lopez and Daryl Mosby. Congratulations to Timuel Black who was honored at a special preview reception of the exhibition, "Timuel D. Black, Jr.: Seven Decades in the Struggle for Human Rights" held at the Woodson Regional Library on Friday, Nov. 11. Rev. Nina Grey joined Swami Varadananda of the Vedanta
Center on a CAN TV program, “Building Community,” to talk
about the 91st Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council-sponsored Community
Thanksgiving Service at the Rockefeller Chapel, which was held Thursday,
November 24. The program, shown live on November 22, also included information
about the Chicago Children’s Choir and a four-minute clip of the
CCC Concert Choir in performance. UU Merchandise for Sale Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) offers UU-themed items such as luggage straps, notecards, and chalice jewelry. Check them out at www.clfuu.org (Click on the CLF Shop), or call (617) 948-6166. “Not only are they practical, colorful, and beautiful, these items get our Unitarian Universalist name out there and visible. They make great holiday gifts, too.” Proceeds support CLF’s work bringing Unitarian Universalism to isolated religious liberals throughout the world. Kickoff Reception for Lisa Fittko Memorial Internship A kickoff reception for the Lisa Fittko Internship will be held at First Church on Saturday, December 10 at 3:00 pm. Music, talk, food, and a speaker from the Crossroads Fund will be featured. Lisa Fittko was a long-time Hyde Park resident who passed away this year at the age of 95. She was an anti-Nazi activist in Europe before and during World War Two, and she and her husband became well known for escorting fleeing refugees over the Pyrenees Mountains from France to Spain during that war. She later wrote a book about the experience, Escape Through the Pyrenees. In Chicago, she continued her activism. She helped organize Hiroshima Day in Hyde Park, was an active Independent Voters of Illinois precinct captain, tirelessly demonstrated against the Vietnam War, picketed for farm workers, helped organize clerical workers at the University of Chicago, and served as Board President of Harper Square, a housing coop designed to integrate residents both racially ad economically. Friends of Lisa Fittko decided to honor her memory with an internship in political and social activism with the Crossroads Fund. The Social Justice Council of First Church is a co-sponsor of the effort. The Crossroads Fund is a 22-year old public foundation that pools resources to support grassroots organizations working in the Chicago area for social and economic justice, peace and reconciliation issues. Contributions can be made to the Lisa Fittko Internship, Crossroads Fund, 3411 W. Diversy, Suite 20, Chicago 60647. Help Plan our Kwanzaa Service A call to all who would like to help plan our Kwanzaa Service, January 1, 2006. From the beginning, the Kwanzaa Service at First Unitarian has tried to include everyone. This very important celebration began in California in the late sixties to bring together the African American citizens with a ceremony that honored ancestors, traditions, and a plan for the future -- our children. Those of us at First Church use the seven principles and the symbols of Kwanzaa, as well as food and music, to celebrate the traditions that we all honor. If this idea excites you, please talk to Grace Williams or Polly McCoo.
By Ellen LaRue The Social Justice Council met on Nov. 10. The Racial Justice Task Force and the 9-11 Study Action Group are going strong. Their reports are elsewhere in the newsletter. A third task force of the Council was the Environmental Task Force. It is inactive, needing leadership. First Unitarians contributed items to the Midwest Workers Association Halloween Party, held at St. Thomas Apostle School. Several also helped out with the party. First Unitarian participation in the food collection for Thanksgiving was planned, but ended up being cancelled. At least two First Unitarians helped out with the distribution of the Thanksgiving food. We will participate in collecting items for the Christmas distribution. At the First Forum on Nov. 20, an intrepid group hashed out wording and ideas in the Draft Statement of Conscience on Global Warming. Two sections of the SOC remain to be worked on. A special meeting will be scheduled to do that. For the First Forum on Dec. 18, a spokesperson from Midwest Workers Association will tell us about their work. Two social justice related activities are coming up in early December. First the Fair Trade Fair will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, and after church on Dec. 4. The fair will raise funds for our church and at the same time assure a fair price to the workers who make the items. Cindy Pardo, who is organizing the event, will need helpers, baked goods, and customers. Then the benefit for the Lisa Fittko Memorial Internship will be held at our church, Saturday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 5 PM. The benefit is to raise funds for an internship in social justice work for a young person. Although the Internship Committee is doing the work, the Social Justice Council is co-sponsoring the event. Lisa Fittko was a remarkable person, whose life many of us might find inspiring. You will find a book about her anti-fascist activities as a young woman during the WWII era, and a flyer about this benefit, at the SJC table. During the event, a couple of hosts, or stewards, from our congregation will be needed to welcome attendees and help them find their way through our labyrinth. Even in the terrible days of 2005 people continue to struggle for relief, compassion, community, interdependence, and justice. May we take spiritual nourishment from our year-end festivals of Hanukah, Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanza. May the holiday time allow us a few hours of reflection and assessment so we will be ready for 2006 and beyond. Unity Party Put the Unity Party on your calendar for January 21 (snow date January 28)! As in previous years, we will have dancing in the sanctuary, a potluck dinner of favorite ethnic foods in Hull Chapel, and mask-making for youth of all ages! Tickets will go on sale in January. If you are willing to help make masks ahead of time, contact Grace
Williams. If you are willing to help on the day of the party, contact
Bobbi Campbell. Elvira Pellitteri will be asking what kind of
food you will be bringing. The Emancipation Proclamation Pageant By Finley Campbell There is a tentative plan to combine aspects of the pageant with our Young Adult Soulful Sundown Services on January 15, 2006, usually kicking off at 6 pm. If that does not work out, then the Pageant would be presented back to its original date of Sunday, January 8, 2006, after church service beginning about 1:30 pm. We need actors, singers, poetry readers, audience participants, dancers, marchers, chanters. We need also to alert our resident Ensemble that the pageant is coming. There will be a presentation of the new script for all interested people on Monday, December 5th at 7 pm, chez the Campbells. Contact Finley Campbell if you are interested in participating. Christmas Day Dinner Allan Lindrup and Anne Holcomb will host their annual Christmas Day “Interfaith Planned Potluck Dinner, a Movie and more” at their home. They invite singles, couples and single parents with children from Chicago area UU churches, Meadville Lombard Theological School, and other places. Space is limited. Contact Allan at uusj@att.net no later than Dec. 20.
By Allan Lindrup At the late October meeting of the Racial Justice Task Force (RJTF) we opened by discussing issues of the decline in affordable housing in Hyde Park and South Kenwood and what it might mean for the racial diversity of the community, as well as its implications for economic and other diversity. This discussion was prompted by a recent First Forum, led by Winston Kennedy, on the implications of Hyde Park's changing real estate dynamics. Those present agreed to meet with the Hyde Park Cluster of Interfaith Open Communities, which has been addressing aspects of this issue, to discuss co-sponsoring a community forum on the many aspects and impacts of the decline of affordable housing in Hyde Park. We noted the racism involved in a recent rally against liberal immigration, held in Arlington Heights. Groups such as The Minutemen have been supplementing the U.S. Border Patrol with their own patrols, which include anti-immigrant violence. A future First Forum on the subject may be forthcoming, One goal for this year was to seek a General Assembly Resolution to establish a commemorative date to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation. At this meeting we reaffirmed seeking that goal, which was put into question by our discovery that Illinois already had a date (the third Saturday in June) to commemorate the end of slavery. At the request of the UU Campus Ministry, which would like to involve more UU young adults in both the production and seeing of the Emancipation Proclamation drama, by booking it as a Soulful Sundown Worship Service, plus advertise it to UU young adults throughout northern Illinois, the RJTF agreed to work to hold the Emancipation Proclamation drama on Sunday evening, January 15, 2006, rather than the early afternoon time slot previously planned. Based on contacts from Alex Wolf on our behalf, DOC films has agreed to host a series of films addressing issues of racism, once our task force has suggested a list of films and DOC has checked on their availability. We heard a report on this year's Nature of Racism course, which deals with the religious response to racism over time. Another report highlighted the work of the Justice Coaliton of Greater Chicago, which has gotten a Police Accountability Ordinance introduced and is now lining up teams to lobby the various Aldermen. The effort was given a boost when several individuals testified before the Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States about their experiences with torture and other coercive tactics utilized by Chicago Police to obtain confessions. This will put more international pressure on Chicago to reform its police practices and become more accountable for police conduct. Our combined November-December task force meeting will be held on Friday evening December 2. It will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and consist of a combination of business meeting and pot-luck Holiday Party. It will be held in the Resource Room at church. All are welcome.
By Joanne Kent Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism Committee members Frieda Stillerman, Finley Campbell, and Joanne Kent met recently to plan our "Dialogue Circle" project for the 2006 period. These dialogue circles will consist of small numbers of friends and members of First U discussing frankly and openly, and in a safe, structured environment, personal and existential issues of race within our congregation. Such questions as the nature of racial identity, the impact of racism on whites, and the question of ethnic self-hate, etc. will be addressed. The Dialogue Circles will be led by Finley Campbell and Frieda Stillerman beginning Friday, January 13, 2006 from 7-9 p.m. They will meet 2 Fridays in January, February and March, 2006 for the first series of sessions. The second series will meet again for 2 Fridays in April, May and June, 2006. For more information, contact Frieda Stillerman. Nature of Racism Course By Finley Campbell A summary of some of the ideas I presented at our November session: In the late 17th and early 18th century, the racist justification of slavery shifted from the heatheness or non-Christian nature of Native Americans and Africans to their lack of civilizational skills. This occurred when more and more of them were converting to Christianity. A new rationale had to be tested out. The anti-racist movement countered with a program to "civilize" the new Christians and those Indians and Africans who were still "heathen." This process led to the rise of a large free African presence in many areas of the North. Mennonites and anti-slavery Quakers took the lead in this process. However, there was a school of racist thought which argued that no matter how civilized Indians and Africans became, they were not trustworthy: at any moment, their dark nature might burst forth. The compromise position was segregation of African free men and English Indians, for example, while allowing them general freedom within the colonial society. Models of the civilizational approach to anti-racism were Phyllis Wheatley, the poet; Benjamin Banneker, the scientist and technologist; and Prince Hall, the founder of the African strand in Free Masonry. In all cases, white anti-racists took the lead in giving them their skills. With the emergence of the international, multiracial Rights of Man Movement, the power of the anti-racist civilizers increased, leading eventually to the participation of Africans, slave and free, in the US American Revolution on the side of George Washington. A political-economic result was the abolition of slavery in New England, Pennsylvania, and by 1837, New York. Abolition might have spread south except for the discovery of the cotton gin which made US grown cotton profitable as a slave labor commodity. So a new rationale for slavery had to emerge, generated by Thomas Jefferson: that perhaps becoming Christian or civilized was not enough: perhaps there was an inherent inferiority among Africans and Indians and Bi-racial blacks and reds which could not be changed. In our next session, we will discuss the rise of the first period of pseudo-scientific racism and the scientific response to it (1800 - 1865). In addition, we decided that it was time for that and other sessions to be opened to the Hyde Park Community given the importance of the information being presented. Some nine people attended this last session. The next session will be on December 11th, following the First Forum, in Chris Moore Parlor. All are welcome. A proposed future topic for discussion: Are the Harry Potter movies neo-racist in their treatment of racial minorities? Anyone interested in this subject, contact Finley C. Campbell, co-chair, of the Racial Justice Task Force. A Correction Corrections on the CLARC report in the November newsletter. I have been informed that there were people of color in the pulpit for March, April, and May. However, there were none in the pulpit for June, July, August, and September, but we did have worship associates of color for those months. CLARC, which has an on-going church service monitoring project, will be working with the Worship and Music Committee in a cooperative manner to ensure that our preaching activity as well as our services in general reflect our joint commitment to diversity.
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