To better serve Chicago area Unitarian Universalists and others who want to learn about the products and activities of Unitarian Universalist Social Concerns, an affiliate of the Chicago Area Unitarian Universalist Council, the organization established a World Wide Web site in late January, 1999. The site may be accessed at http://members.tripod.com/UUSocialConcerns. In addition to offering some basic information about the organization, the site offers columns from the organization’s most recent newsletter, information on videos for sale, information on upcoming workshops, forums, and other events and action alerts. One may also download the script for the drama "A Homecoming" or the earlier script for that drama, along with resources for a dramatic worship service, though those two products may only be downloaded in good form through Internet Explorer, whereas the rest of the site is equally accessible through all browsers.
UU Social Concern's Environmental Task Force has organized a forum, "Reduce Kids' Eco-risks," on Sunday, March 14, 4:30-6:30 pm, at Unity Temple, UU, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. Featured speakers are Icy Cade-Bell, M.D., University of Chicago Hospitals, and Kelly Humphrey, Safer Pesticides Project.
The Task Force also has sent out an Action Alert about the EPA's revision of standard for auto pollution and gasoline-content standards relating to clean air. You are urged to write to EPA Administrator Carol Browner about the standards. A sample letter and more information is available from the Web Site.
Plan Now for Summer with UUs
The annual Lake Geneva Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly will be held July 4-10 at George Williams College Educational Center, Williams Bay, WI.
The theme for the week is "The Life Beautiful: Crafting Your Soul." The theme speaker for 1999 is the Rev. Ed Searl, minister of the Hinsdale Unitarian Church, who has a special interest in promoting the practical spirituality of Natural Religion of Unitarian Universalism. In addition to Searl's morning presentation, every day will offer a rich selection of workshops and activities for people of all ages.
The Summer Assembly brings together UUs from several Midwest states and is a great place to broaden your UU circle. For information, contact LGSAUU, Inc., 4506 Cornell Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515-2617 (email: lgsa@uua.org).
Annual Gathering of Midwestern UUs Set for Peoria
With a theme of "Both Sides Now: Working through the Light and the Shadow," the Annual Assembly of the Central Midwest District will meet in Peoria April 16-18. The theme speaker is Dr. Lori Russell-Chapin, of Bradley University in Peoria, who has done much work in Jungian psychology.
In addition to the theme presentation, the program will feature worship services, workshops on subjects of interest to churches, and social events. Brochures are available in the Church Office.
Third Annual CMWD Interweave Conference
Living, Loving, Connecting in Faith is the theme of the 1999 Interweave conference to be held Saturday, March 20, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Urbana, IL. The day-long conference features a keynote address by Sean Parker Dennison, ministerial student at Starr King School for the Ministry and a plenary address by Keith Kron, Director, UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns. Six workshops are offered, ranging from spiritual practice, internalized oppression, and bisexuality to how to become a Welcoming Congregation. For registration information, see brochures in church office or contact Bette Sikes, 773/624-5808.
First-ever UUA-sponsored Conference on Giving
More than 25 Unitarian Universalists will share their stories of responsible stewardship at the first-ever UUA-sponsored conference on giving: From the Myth of Scarcity to the Reality of Abundance. It is scheduled for Thursday, June 24 in Salt Lake City, 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., prior to the opening of General Assembly. Underwritten in part with funds from our Association’s capital campaign, Handing on the Future, the conference cost to the participant is just $50. Lunch and resource materials are included.
Congregations are encouraged to send teams of 2-4 Lay leaders who are concerned with fundraising and other stewardship issues. Among the workshop topics are models of large, midsize and small society stewardship success; congregational money management systems; endowments; whole family/whole church stewardship; the theology of money; raising money for justice work; and one called An Examined Life for individuals who want to reflect on their own giving and how to put their UU values into practice.
A packet with program agenda and registration information will be mailed to each congregation at the end of February. Please watch for it, plan to attend and encourage others to come with you! In the interim, contact me with any questions (mmiles@uua.org)
Annual MSUU Sermon Award
Ministerial Sisterhood Unitarian Universalist is sponsoring a sermon award. The sermon topic is a Unitarian Universalist woman or women furthering the vision of women within the UU movement. It is open to any UU—lay or clergy, male, female, or intersex. The winner will receive $250 and is invited to preach the sermon at the MSUU worship service at the 1999 General Assembly in Salt Lake City. The Revs. Liz Benjamin, Lucy Ijams, Gail Seavey, Karin Tanenholtz and 1998 Award Winner Margo Ewers are judges. To enter you must have preached the sermon to a congregation between April 15, 1998 and April 12, 1999. Submit four copies of the sermon with a cover sheet which includes your name, regular and e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and the date and place of delivery. The manuscript itself should contain no references which might reveal your identity to the judges. It should be cross-referenced to the cover sheet by title only. Please send your entry by April 15, 1999 to:
The Rev. Lucy Ijams
MSUU Sermon Award
P.O. Box 2343
Meriden, CT 06450