From Rev. David: As you may have read in December’s newsletter, “The Shared Pulpit” is a seven-session workshop to help lay people gain experience writing and preaching a full-length sermon for their congregation. Participants learn about theory and theology of preaching, practice writing and speaking with authenticity, and gradually build toward composing quality 20-minute sermons. … Continued
The Board of Trustees has granted Rev. Teri and Rev. David a sabbatical to be taken this spring, from March until mid-August. This leave is in accordance with their contract of one month of sabbatical per year of service. The members of the Sabbatical Committee hope you will join us in warmly wishing our Senior … Continued
Visit the new exhibit, Prayer, by artist James Webb – through December 31. About the exhibit:Prayer is an ongoing project, remade around the world since its first presentation in [artist James Webb’s] home city of Cape Town in 2000. The Chicago version is the 10th and largest to date, as well as the first in North America. … Continued
At First U, we give away our offering twice a month to agencies in the community who are working for the greater good. We select four recipient organizations who receive roughly six offerings each. Members nominate eligible organizations, and the congregation votes to select four recipients at our Annual Meeting in May. This year, we received … Continued
We give away our Sunday offering twice a month to agencies in the community who are working for the greater good. We select four recipient organizations who receive roughly six offerings each. All members and friends are invited to nominate potential recipient organizations. At the annual meeting in May, all members vote to select the recipients … Continued
Annually, we like to share these ideas with you. For some of you, this may be new! For others, it will be a reminder. Know that we want to be helpful—whenever you face a spiritual crisis, or think you might benefit from a chat or advice, or simply need a listening ear. We believe, as … Continued
Yearning for a new way will not produce it. Only ending the old way can do that. –Richard Rohr Every winter, I buy an Amaryllis bulb. I like to watch it grow over the long, dark, and cold days of January and February. With each bit it grows, I know that I’m that much closer … Continued
We are delighted to introduce our new membership coordinator, Myles Brady Davis – Please give him a warm welcome! The first two months of Myles’s time with us will be focused on making connections: meeting with members currently involved in welcoming, past participants in the membership committee, and UU membership professionals at other area churches. He’ll also … Continued
Our March worship will explore the theme of balance. We’ll wonder together, “What does it mean to be a people of balance?” Our lives are often busy and demanding; we may first think of balance as a state of calm and rest. Yet, moving to a balance of justice requires upsetting the status quo, and … Continued
I have just been working on my sermon for January 7, after spending some time working on the Soul Matters packet for the Soul Matters discussion group that just started. I notice that the theme for December is Hope, and for January it is Intention. I realize that intersection is a pretty good description of … Continued
