April 2, 2000: If We Will: Honoring the Earth

Worship Leaders: Rev. Nina D. Grey, Rev. David Arksey

Worship Associates: Bobbi Lammers-Campbell, Susan Grubb

This month includes many celebrations and special events. April 16 is our Talent Auction, April 23 is Easter. Thus this year we choose this early April Sunday for our church celebration of Earth Day. Come join us in celebrating our seventh principle, the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part. Affirm our covenantal relationship with the earth that sustains us. As singer Molly Scott would say, "let us honor the earth and each other." This worship service is followed by a related First Forum on "Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative," sponsored by our Social Justice Council.

11:30: First Forum: Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative
The newest UUA Study/Action Issue is on the theme of Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative. Come learn about and discuss this study/action issue (see copy in this newsletter). This First Forum, sponsored by the Social Justice Council, follows a worship service celebrating Earth Sunday.

12:00: Talent Show/Luncheon Fundraiser, Senior High Coming of Age, Hull Chapel

2:00: Problems in Technology and Ethics, Chris Moore Parlor, pre-registration required

April 9, 2000: We're on Our Way

Worship Leader: Rev. Nina D. Grey

Worship Associate: Rosemary Snow

We are nearing the holy days of spring in the Jewish and Christian Calendars, Passover and Easter. In both the story of the Hebrew tribes, the liberation from Egypt and subsequent journey in the desert and the Christian story of the temptations and the passion, there are trials on the way to promise and hope. What did these experiences have in common? How do they relate to our journeys today?

11:30: First Forum: Ecojustice in Chicagoland
What is ecojustice? How can we make Hyde Park a more just and sustainable community? Join Eve Emshwiller and Carol Hepokoski for a discussion about the Interreligious Sustainability Project, a regionwide network of people concerned about the environment, justice and faith. Eve and Carol are part of the Project's newly forming Hyde Park Circle.

2:00: Mid-South Hunger Walk (registration at 1 pm), Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, 930 E. 50th St.

2:00: Problems in Technology and Ethics, Chris Moore Parlor, pre-registration required

3:00: Lui Collins Concert for Children, their Friends & Family, Sanctuary

7:00: How Can I Help? Chris Moore Parlor, pre-registration required

April 16, 2000: Church and the Spiritual Quest

New Member Ingathering

Worship Leader: Anthony David

Worship Associate: Rev. Nina Grey

What part does religion and the church have to play in our quest for spirituality and spiritual experience? David Elkins, author of Beyond Religion: A Personal Program for Building a Spiritual Life Outside the Walls of Traditional Religion, argues that "a spiritual revolution is quietly taking place in our society. Millions of Americans have left traditional religion to pursue alternative paths to spiritual development. They are realizing that they can be spiritual without being religious and that they can nurture their souls without going to church or temple." But, contrary to Elkins, Mr. David argues that the divorce of spirituality from religion is premature. The marriage can be saved, he asserts, by taking a closer look at the meaning of church.

Anthony David is a first-year student at Meadville/Lombard Theological School. His goal is to become a UU parish minister. Together with his wife Laura and daughter Sophia, Anthony comes to Chicago from College Station, TX, where he taught philosophy at Blinn College for eight years.

11:45: Talent Auction & Lunch, Hull Chapel

11:30: Kids' Auction & Lunch, Hang Out Room

2:00: Problems in Technology and Ethics, Chris Moore Parlor, pre-registration required

7:00: How Can I Help? Chris Moore Parlor, pre-registration required

April 23, 2000: Easter Sunday: What Might the Religious Promises Be?

Bring a Flower or Greens with Stems for "Flowering the Chalice"

Worship Leaders: Rev. Nina Grey, Rev. Beth Williams

Worship Associate: Finley Campbell

Today we glory in the rising of new life. Already leaves and flowers abound, our step is lighter. Today we join in a unique celebration of life's potential and beauty in a (special) ceremony of "Flowering the Chalice." Ivan Lappin is making a special large chalice for our service. Bring a flower with a stem, or greens with stems, for this community intergenerational ritual. With this ritual we will create a beautiful symbol of spring by weaving flowers and greens onto the large chalice that Ivan creates. (In June, we will have our traditional Flower Communion, which affirms the dignity and worth of each person and the beauty of unity and community).

If we are able, we sense the promise and hope of new life. Nature seems reliably to be fulfilling its promise. Are there other promises for us, in the stories of this season?

The first half of the service, including "Flowering the Chalice," will be intergenerational. The young people will then enjoy an Easter Party and Easter Egg Hunt.

10:30: Kids' Easter Party, 10:30 am, Garden Room

11:30: Easter Egg Hunt, 11:30 am, various locations around church property

April 30, 2000: "You Shall Be Like a Watered Garden"

A Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Sunday

Worship Leader: Rev. Nina Grey

Worship Associate: To be announced

The UUSC encourages congregations to remember the justice work of the Service Committee, at home and abroad, in a Membership Sunday. Today we learn more about the work of the UUSC and how we can support it. The UUSC has asked Rev. Nina Grey to prepare materials for next fall's Guest at Your Table worship packet. We will create a service using some of the possible materials.

1:00: Philosophy & Religion in the West, Chris Moore Parlor

2:00: Problems in Technology and Ethics, VOV Gallery, pre-registration required

7:00: How Can I Help? Chris Moore Parlor, pre-registration required