The Unichord
Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin June, 1999
Month of Sundays
6
Some Final Thoughts on Sunscreen and Other Matters
This the last service of the "regular" church year is devoted to issues of meaning--of trying to make sense of our world. Service led by the Rev. Dan Brosier
13
Flower Communion and All Church Picnic
We will hold our annual flower communion and all-church picnic at the Hanifls. The day begins with a short service during which we hold a flower communion. All those attending the service are asked to bring a live plant/flower to place in communion which at the end of the service will be taken home by another church member to plant and nurture throughout the summer.
Following the service we will have a picnic, games, swimming, fishing and general fun. The Hanifls have again generously offered to supply the meat. Everyone else is asked to bring either a salad, dessert or vegetable dish to share, and a beverage. Also bring any gear you need to play-swim suits, fishing poles, bait, softball equipment, etc. See the enclosed map for directions to the Hanifls.
27
What Can We Do About Our Violence?
Our guest speaker will be Joe Rosenfeld, PhD., former Executive Director of the Renz Addiction Counseling Center in Elgin, currently a consultant and a therapist in private practice. He will offer his perspective on the nature of violence, possible causes and alternatives. Service presented by the Sunday Services Committee.
Markings
Another church year coming to a close. June 13th is the last of our weekly services until next September. On June 27 we begin our summer schedule with services every other week through August 22. Our weekly services begin again on September 12 with an intergenerational ingathering service.
At the end of each church year I tend to look back on the preceding nine months and appreciate what we have done as a community. A lot has happened that I was aware of , and I am sure there was a lot I wasn't. As I look back at the past year these are some of the highlights I recognize:
- The steps taken to develop more effective leadership which included a leadership workshop sponsored by the Committee On The Ministry last August.
- The raising of the storage barn thanks to Jim Porter and a number of other Saturday morning carpenters.
- The significant progress in landscaping around the church thanks to the passions of those on the landscape committee.
- The volunteer efforts of Jackie Van De Warker as administrator who has made a huge difference this past year.
- The resumption of the growth in membership after a two year plateau.
- The creation of an endowment fund thanks largely to the efforts of Carl Deitrick and Jim Hermann.
- The revitalization of the Publicity Committee under the leadership of Phil Becker.
- The continued efforts and organization by the Hospitality and Membership Committee, co-chaired by Linda Porter and Shirley Wolin, to help people transition into our community.
- The worship series on sexual orientation and gender identity with accompanying luncheon discussions coordinated by the Welcoming Congregation Committee through which we took seriously the call to examine these issues as a community.
- The revisions made to the by-laws to encourage inclusiveness.
What is not listed above is all the "soul work" done by the community--all the reaching out to one another, all the moments of greater awareness, the risks taken towards greater intimacy, the struggles and reconciliation, and the faithfulness to each other. This and our UU principles are the heart of our community. It is the heart of what I seek in the ministry. It is an ongoing process. It keeps us spiritually alive as individuals and as a community.
Our journey continues.
Note About Summer Services
During the summer months instead of holding worship services each week as we do from September to June, we will meet approximately every other week. The summer service schedule is as follows: June 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22. The summer services are coordinated by the Sunday services committee and their is childcare available.
Wheel of Life
We are saddened by the news of the death of Patty Schug's father.
July-August Newsletter
This summer we will be producing a July-August newsletter rather than two separate ones. Please think ahead and get your submissions in by the June 21 deadline.
Remaining An Active Member
As we have begun the annual process of reviewing the membership list we want to remind people that according to our By-Laws a person must have made a contribution of record of at least $50.00 in the last 12 months to retain their active membership and voting rights. If you have not made such a contribution and want to retain your active membership please do so. If you are unsure of your status contact Alice Macy and she can check the records.
Book Group
You are warmly invited to join the members of the Book Group at any of their upcoming meetings, which begin at 7:00p.m.
- Friday, June 4, Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner, at the home of Henny DuBois.
- Friday, July 16, Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden, at the home of Barbara Sugden.
- Friday, August 27, The Midwives, by Chris Bohjalian, at the home of Alice Macy.
June 6th - Pantry Sunday
Remember June 6th is Pantry Sunday. Deposit your donations for the Interfaith Pantry of non-perishable food items, paper goods, toiletries and infant needs in the basket/area provided along the west wall in the multi-purpose room. Please direct any questions to Henny DuBois.
What is a Circle Supper????
A Circle Supper is a way to meet and break bread with members
of the Church community that you might not otherwise meet. Traditionally
in the Winter months we, as a Congregation, have had 3 or 4 dinners.
The way people make this happen is by signing up as a host and
participant; the organizing person (Henny this past year) then
assigns each entity (a single person or a couple) a number. She
then lays out the numbers with one of the numbers being assigned
as the "Host" for the month.
Your Programs and Activities Committee has decided to offer a Summer time opportunity to have a Circle Supper. Please look for the sign up sheets. Once we have all the signees, numbers will be assigned and hosts and participants will be designated.
The Circle Supper will happen in June (the suggested date is Saturday
June 19). PLEASE SIGN UP.
Birthdays
02 Scott MacDuff
06 Roger Baldwin
Margaret Lund
09 Colleen Connelly
10 Mollie Kiesewetter
11 Corey Feutz
13 Gordon James
Andrew Pratt
14 Todd Underwood
15 Leilagh Boyle
16 Laura Masonick
18 Elizabeth Webster
25 Keith Wall
26 Michael Rodda
Annual Rummage Sale
June 10, 11 & 12
Put this on your calendar and begin collecting any "treasures" you are willing to recycle through the church. It is best if you can hold off bringing them until the week of June 7th, but if you have to bring them sooner put them on the third floor with all the other stuff.
For anyone who contributes electronic or computer equipment that is worth more than $10, the Church will arrange to have the equipment auctioned for top dollar value on eBay.com. We will arrange packaging/shipping and the profit will go to the Rummage Sale. For more information, contact Jim Hermann.
Knowledge Day Potluck 1999
A potluck dinner will be held at the church at 6:00pm, Monday, June 21, in celebration of the fundamental value of learning and education in making good conditions possible, and in celebration of a certain community of people throughout the world in their use of knowledge as a basis for their actions and beliefs. To make possible the holding of this experimental event for world community at this church, this potluck is being sponsored by the Social Justice Committee. This is the third seasonal Life Improvement dinner, in celebration of our cultural community-international, national, inter-religious, interracial, and interpolitical, respecting differences but celebrating the considerable core of common values which makes peace and cooperation possible. For more information one may contact Robert Jones.
Earth Wisdom Labyrinth
The earth Wisdom Labyrinth is open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours. Groups wishing to walk the labyrinth are asked to avoid Sunday mornings. If a group is interested in using the building as well, contact the church office for rental information.
Saving Energy
We are trying to reduce our electric bill by keeping our demand low during peak hours (9AM-6PM, Monday-Friday), please do not turn on the sanctuary lights during these times. If you need light push the second button from the top to turn on the florescent lights.
Wish List
- Heavy duty gasoline powered weed wacker;
- Donation of prairie plant (Linda Porter can provide sp???????.
Kudos
- Paulus' & Hanfls - care of landscapes and working the grounds;
- Elyse Wall - outgoing RE Chair;
- Joyce Becker - outgoing Board Member;
- Mary Sheldon, Michael & Jason - Welcoming committee discussion in Jr/Sr High classes;
- Margo Cusimano - for all her work with the bell groups;
- Barnbells & Unichords - for wonderful music;
- Free Spirits - for wonderful dancing;
- Paula Zeugner - for keeping the kitchen clean.
Religious Education Department
June 1999
Here we are again, looking at the last few weeks of the church year. It still has a way of sneaking up on me! Before looking ahead, I would like to mention a few events that have happened since I last wrote.
First, our YRUU group planned and coordinated the Sunday Service on April 25th. The discussion was entitled "A Day In the Life of…:. Each student gave a brief description of their life at this moment and how being a UU influences them. The shared reflection was great - both the comments and questions from the congregation as well as the thoughtful replies. I would like to thank them and their leaders for all of their work. And thanks to everyone who attended and supported their efforts!
Second, Mary Shelden coordinated a panel discussion for the 6th - 12th grades about the Welcoming congregation process and issues concerning gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people on May 2nd.
And on the 16th, the Preschool and K-12 classes went to Randall Oaks. The petting zoo was open, the weather was beautiful, and everyone had fun.
Looking ahead now, all RE students and teachers will be giving their feedback on curricula, teachers, and the program in general. The Religious Education Council and I will use these evaluation in preparing for next dfall. As always, please feel free to give us your comments.
Summer services will begin on June 27th. Although we do not have formal religious education classes, we will be providing structured activities for all youth from preschool through high school. The nursery will also be available if it is needed. If you would like to help out in any way, please see me.
Hope to see you this summer! Kathy
Unitarian Universalist Summer Camps
If you are interested in reasonably priced vacations with other UUs, consider participating in one of the following camps:
Lake Geneva Summer Assembly (Lake Geneva, WI) July 4 - 10. For adults and children. LGSA is a gathering of UUs who come from many places to live in community for a week of celebration. Per person fees for room and board vary depending on accommodations. They range from $166 to $365. Children have reduced rates. Contact Paul and Anita Jencks at 630-971-1680.
Bayside Camp (Lake Geneva, WI) July 18 -24. For adults and children. Per person fees for room and board around $270-adult, $190-child 7 - 12, and $135- child 3 - 6. Activities include: swimming, fishing, rowing, canoeing, arts & crafts, reading, napping, hiking, golf, star gazing, sailing and parasailing. Contact: Jeanine Calabria (317) 924-4421.
AMUUSE (Adult Midwest UU Singles Enrichment) For UU adults-18 and over.
Three separate sessions:
June 14 - 20 Saugatuck, MI on the shore of Lake Michigan
July 11 - 17 Lake Geneva, WI
August 9 - 15 Saugatuck, MI
AMUUSE camps offer you the opportunity to truly connect with a small group of campers with similar interests in a week-long group interaction on various topics and a wide range of social, craft, and recreational activities. $350 per person. Contact Sharon Spencer. www.amuuse.uua.org.
New Summer Camp for UU Adults 21 and older. Saugatuck, MI June 20 - 25. Week-long fun-filled summer adventures with opportunities for fun, fellowship, personal growth and spiritual enrichment.
Contact Joan & Jon Lager at 630-778-9165
Bully Pulpit - June
When I sit down and begin to write my monthly article for the Unichord, I try to look ahead in time. What topic will be of interest to most people when they receive their newsletter in a couple of weeks? I have a strong urge to look back at the month of May and comment on the events of the past month.
I would like to express how proud I am, and we all should be, about the results of the Pledge Drive and the Annual Meeting. The Annual Report of the Pledge Committee put the emphasis where it belongs: we received 15 new pledges and increased the number of total pledges from 78 to 88, losing 5 members to other pursuits. Good things come to those that wait - we received two of these pledges after May 1. Special thanks should go to Chuck Jeffries, Chair, and the other members of Pledge Committee.
The Finance Committee did such a good job preparing the budget that, not only did they balance the budget with a more realistic projection of pledge income, but also almost no one wanted to discuss the major changes (except me [wink] ). However, the 1999-2000 Budget will stand out as a turning point for the Church with better financial predictions, more benefits for staff members, and provisions for new expenses of a larger Church. Alice Macy and Jim Porter, Co-Chairs, and the members of the Finance Committee deserve a big hug and our thanks.
It seems like everyone was involved in the changes to the By-Laws and the committee members did their homework. The Social Justice Committee, Welcoming Congregation Committee, Committee on the Ministry, Board of Trustees, and Minister all deserve credit. They drafted solid proposals and created the environment that allowed the changes to be easily approved. The only sticky wicket was the proxy issue that I had drafted (of course). With the help of the Congregation, we made it right and the final result was much better than the draft. With so many people involved, I hesitate to mention names. Certainly, Roberta Nauman, Betsy Olson, Mary Shelden, and Ron Williams should be recognized for their contributions.
The Nominating Committee had more work than in past years. They rose to the challenge. This is proof that four former Co-Presidents can accomplish anything. The elected members of the Religious Education Council, Board of Trustees, and the Endowment Committee will produce strong leadership for the Church. Thanks to Jim Burnidge, Tim Davis, Betsy Olson, and Jim Porter.
All that, and we were done before 2:00 pm, maybe even 1:40 pm. Which was it, Chris Davis? A lot of credit goes to a good Secretary. A Secretary is not a kind of typist, not the clerk who files the papers, but the Officer in charge of official reports.
Now to the future... June brings us to the close of another year of regular weekly services. The Summer Solstice marks the beginning of the time when Universalists would work in the fields and Unitarians would take a Sabbatical from teaching. Let us use these long days to spend time with nature and think about things that matter. Let us rejuvenate our religious spirit, our sense of justice, and our dedication to human dignity.
Let's have a wonderful summer,
Jim Hermann
