The Unichord

  Great news for prairie lovers! The Board of Trustees has given their approval to begin work on a prairie restoration on the church grounds. The work will be done by the Dundee Office of Applied Ecological Services (AES) out of Brodhead, Wisconsin. AES has been instrumental in the restoration of a number of prairies in the Chicago area including the Chicago Botanic Garden Prairie and the prairie at Prairie Crossing. They are dedicated to using methods which will enhance, not destroy, the ecology of a prairie site. We are happy they will be helping us move forward on this exciting project. If scheduling and other technicalities can be worked out in time we hope to start the prairie this Fall; if not it will begin next Spring at the latest. The funds for this work have been donated by members of the congregation.

  From the Minister…

These words are from Kathleen McTique, a Unitarian Universalist minister in New Haven, CT.

"On route 17 near where I live, a small, hand-lettered sign appeared about a year ago, just where the shoulder of the curving road slopes steeply down to a lovely blue reservoir. Accompanied by a fluttering shrine of ribbons and artificial flowers, the sign reads simply, "We miss you, Katie". I never make that drive without noticing the sign.

I don’t know who Katie was or anything at all about her, except that she died in an accident at that spot and that she was loved. I don’t know who left the sign, or who periodically replenishes the ribbons and flowers and worries about whether or not the sign can still be seen.

But in all it's anonymity, Katie’s shrine is a gift to me that goes beyond the obvious caution to drive carefully and beware the unexpected hazard. It goes beyond the stark reminder of mortality and the knowledge, abruptly in my face each time I pass the spot, that every moment holds the potential for sudden and devastating loss. The sign has become a religious message to me, a mantra framed in the poignant language of someone else’s pain, calling me back to the most essential lesson of every religious tradition I know: Pay Attention!

Below all the creeds and commandments, below the varied traditions and practices and beliefs out of which we’ve built our religions, it seems to me that the whole point can be condensed into those two words: Pay Attention! How else can we begin to listen for the voice of God in our lives, or struggle toward what it might mean to love our neighbor as ourselves? How else can we value our own fragile lives, and stretch ourselves into the gift of each day. How else can we be truly religious people?" 

At our opening service of this church year, those in attendance were asked to think of one thing they could give to the church this year that would help make us the type of community they want to be part of. Below are some of those gifts.

• I will invite a friend to church.
• A painting for the church.
• To give my time and energy to becoming a part of this church community.
• Smiling.
• Food for the hungry
• I will donate books.
• Help with the auction.
• One Saturday a month of vacuuming sanctuary.
• Tend to the labyrinth.
• Help with special activities.
• Help in the nursery.
• Participate more.
• I will give a fresh perspective on things and conduct myself with respect to all.
• Music.
• Quietness.
• Be active in the Social Justice committee.
• Be here and be with people.
• Positive energy.
• Help with religious education.
• Make music with the bell choir.
• Trust.
• My love and friendship.
• Diversity, understanding alternatives.
• Time and energy.
• I will give the gift of able and enthusiastic aesthetics pool coordination.
• Frame and donate a piece of art work of my own.
• Curiosity.
• Attend an educational group.
• I will offer the best leadership I can to my committee team.
• I will help my children (and others') clean up after themselves
• Greet people warmly, honestly and with love.

And more…..

A great many people have been touched by the programs Gene Roddenberry created or inspired. Into his science fiction he wove themes focused on morality, justice, and the human struggle. On this day we will explore the religious views expressed in his work. This service led by the Rev. Dan Brosier.

According to the Judaic calendar the New Year approaches. It is time to pause, examine our sins, and seek forgiveness. It is time to do what has to be done to bring us back into right relationship. This service led by the Rev. Dan Brosier.

Given the Judeo-Christian attitudes towards the feminine, it would be surprising to discover a female personification of the divine in the bible. But She is hidden (and not so hidden) in those ancient texts. We will explore ;more about her and what this metaphor might mean in our present day lives. This service led by intern minister Jacquie Meli.

29 - Monsters

This is the time of year when ghosts and monsters roam the earth. They are here for very good reasons. We created them and they have something to tell us. This service led by the Rev. Dan Brosier.

ALL SERVICES BEGIN AT 10:45 A.M.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THEN 

  Dinners

Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 4 to join adult members and friends of UUCE for a dinner out at a local ethnic restaurant. Watch for more details in the Sunday announcements and the next Unichord, or see Andrea Schmidlin, Kathy Underwood, or Alice Macy.

  All those fairly new to our church community are invited to attend a newcomers’ luncheon on October 22 following the service. Come share food, conversation, learn about the church and have your questions answered. Sign up on the designated sheet in the first floor lobby. Experienced members interested in participating should contact Jim Hermann. Experienced members will be invited according to the number of newcomers.

On Saturday October 21, from 9 to 4 the quilting group will meet at the church to continue work on this year's raffle quilt. Everyone is invited regardless of experience and skills. Come join us for handiwork, conversation and food. For more information contact Frieda Anderson.

  Kudos

• Jim Hermann for fixing the church’s notebook computer and creating two computers for church offices.
• Jim and Linda Porter for the donation of the Cub Cadet riding lawn mower
• Donations to the Prairie Fund: Alice Macy, Diana March and Norm Wilkinson

Pantry Sundays are starting again in October. As in the past, bring your donations of non-perishable food items, paper goods, toiletries or infant needs on our Pantry Sunday, October 1^st, for the Inter-Faith pantry. These items can also be brought on other Sundays during the month and deposited in the basket located on the east wall in the multi-purpose room If you wish to make a cash donation to the Pantry instead of donating purchased items, containers for these donations will be by the collection baskets in the entrance areas on Pantry Sunday. (Henny DuBois)

The Aesthetics Committee is trying something new this year: we will become the Aesthetics POOL..

A Pool of participants will be developed, and the group will achieve its goals on a project-by-project basis. Joining the Pool means that you can work on as many or as few aesthetics projects as you like. Membership does NOT mean that you must attend every meeting. This plan's goal is to simultaneously a) give a wide variety of people a chance to participate while b) avoiding committee burnout.

Joining the Aesthetics Pool, then, means you can expect the following:

• An opportunity to help arrive at our list of projects for the year,
• Helping on short, specific decorating projects (coming up with an idea, making or obtaining the decorations, attending the decorating party, taking down the decorations),
• Optional deeper involvement in carefully choosing more permanent church fixtures,
• Polling the church (distribute and collect surveys; tally and communicate the results)
• Continually thinking of ways to beautify our space while maintaining a policy of inclusion this time.

  The Pool idea is for one year only. At the end of the year we will assess how we like it and decide whether to continue in this vein. All who are interested in joining the Aesthetics Pool are warmly invited to contact Donna Askins, Lifeguard.

Over the years a number of people have made financial contributions to the church through gifts of stock or shares of a mutual fund. This can be done two ways. If the contributor has the stock certificate in hand they sign it over to the church and give it to an appropriate person like the minister or treasurer. If the stock or shares of a mutual fund are held by some holding company or brokerage firm, the contributor needs to instruct that firm to forward the shares to Prudential Securities (DTC number 0030) and place it in the church account (ATY-961331-18). The amount of the donation will be the value of the shares on the day they were signed received by the church or the church’s account at Prudential Securities.

If you have any questions, please contact the minister.

The first three weeks of the new church year have gone well. So far 39 children and youth have registered for our program, and eight of these are new students!

We have also filled all of our teaching spots. A big "Thanks" to the following people for helping out this semester:

• Maureen & Jim Navadomski- Nursery
• Dave & Donna Brooks- Nursery
• Chris Davis & Charles Landauer- Preschool
• Katherine Lucas & Betsy Thrasher- K-2^nd
• Dana Ginn & Norm Wilkinson- 3^rd-5^th
• Todd Underwood, Tim Davis & Joe Masonick- 6^th-8^th
• Scott MacDuff, Liz King, Doug Pratt, Roberta Nauman- YRUU

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of a few general rules:

• Please eat only in the multipurpose room before and after classes
• Use supplies for the classes only
• Take your belongings with you

Thanks for making my job a little easier and more pleasant!

Halloween Spook-tacular! The RE Council is sponsoring this intergenerational happening on Friday, October 27^th at 6pm. Costumes appreciated, but not necessary. Chili, snacks, games, bonfire and more!

Kathy Underwood
Director of Religious Education

You are warmly invited to join the members of the Book Group at any of their upcoming meetings, which begin at 7:00 P.M.

November 17 I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb. At the home of Dotty Carringi.

The church has an extra riding lawnmower. It is a simplicity 3108, 11.5 hp which has seen a number of years of service. It works well although it has its quirks. The lawnmower will go to the highest bidder. The bidding will begin September 24 and close on October 8. For more information about the mower contact Jim Porter, or Dan Brosier

As I report on the business of the Board, I would like to say that this "business" is an important part of the ministry of the church. I was reminded of this at our Board Retreat, held September 15th at Laurie Kiesewetter's home. The main purpose of the retreat was to develop a Board Covenant. The process of creating this covenant was a very positive experience for me, and I trust for the rest of the Board as well. This document will serve as the foundation for how Board members conduct themselves, both during Board meetings and in other church related functions. The creation of a covenant is a very important step for the Board, and one I believe will increase the Board's effectiveness in contributing to the ministry of the church.

The newsletter policy has been finalized and approved by the Board. Please look on the kiosk if you'd like to see the newsletter policy. Thanks to all of the people who worked hard to create this policy. At it's September meeting, the Board appointed co-editors for the newsletter. Todd Underwood and Alice Macy have agreed to serve in this capacity. Any questions or comments about the newsletter should be addressed to Todd or Alice.

Also, the Board has created a process by which anyone can bring items for discussion to the Board. We will set aside time following the completion of our regular agenda to discuss issues brought to us by church members. If you have an item you would like to discuss with the Board, please contact me or Laurie Kiesewetter prior to the Board meeting so that we will have some knowledge concerning the topic and the likely length of the discussion. The Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month, beginning at 7:00 PM. We typically complete our regular agenda by 9:00. The next Board meeting will be October 17th.

Andrea Schmidlin, Board Co-President 

CROP Walk will be held on Sunday, October 15. We have pledge sheets and information available in foyer. CROP walk is a fundraising effort to help end hunger in the world and in our local church area. We need people to be participant walkers and people to pledge a donation to a walker, SO, everyone in the church has the chance and ability to help out. You may also purchase CROP Walk T-shirts, caps, and tote bags. Stop by the CROP Walk table to see an example. For more information please see Scott MacDuff. Thank you for your support.

November, 2000 - Present Unichord Newsletters (PDF):

• Latest Issue
• December, 2001
• November, 2001
• October, 2001
• September, 2001
• July-August, 2001
• June, 2001
• May, 2001
• April, 2001
• March, 2001
• February, 2001
• January, 2001
• December, 2000
• November, 2000

April, 1999 - October, 2000 Unichord Newsletters (HTML):

• October, 2000
• September, 2000
• July-August, 2000
• June, 2000
• May, 2000
• April, 2000 (missing)
• March, 2000
• February, 2000
• January, 2000
• December, 1999
• November, 1999
• October, 1999
• September, 1999
• July-August, 1999
• June, 1999
• May, 1999 (missing)
• April, 1999

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