Sunday, August 17, 2008   Rev. Jennifer Owen-O’Quill preaches, “Testimony As Spiritual Practice: Sharing Stories,” and the 2U Band plays for worship. There is one service at 10:30 A.M.

Please make special note that we officially welcome and install Katie Norris as intern minister for the 2008-09 year during this Sunday’s service.  Plan to to come and offer your own personal welcome to Katie and her family after the service.

Retiree Potluck Lunch is this Thursday, August 14 from noon-2pm.  Bring a dish to share and enjoy the food and fellowship.

Young Adults are having a Backyard Barbecue this Friday, August 15 from 7:30-10:30pm. It is potluck so email secondunitarian@att.net  if you can come and tell us what you plan to bring.

The 2U Choir is back in session! Rehearsals this year will be on Thursday nights at 7PM beginning August 28th.  All enthusiastic singers are welcome to join the choir.  Come to our first rehearsal to learn more about this fun way to serve and be involved at 2U!  Music director, Blake Adams, can be reached by email at music_2U@att.net .

Membership 101 orientation class will be held the third Sunday of every month in the coming church year.    Sunday, September 21 will be the next opportunity.  We meet from 12:30 - 2:30pm in the Loft.  Please join us for a light lunch and a discussion of Unitarian Universalism.  This class is a great way to meet other folks at church and is also a requirement for anyone wanting to become a member of Second Unitarian.  If possible, read the Sources of Our Faith   sermon series beforehand and come with your questions.  Please contact Lisa Todd if you plan on attending at secondunitarian@att.net .

Faith Development Family Meeting, Loft (air conditioned) on Sunday August 24  11:45 AM-12:30 PM   The Summer Minister of Faith Development Rev. Rudra Dundzila will lead a meeting that welcomes back our Director of Faith Development Gabrielle Parra back from maternity leave and introduce our ministerial intern Katie Norris. Two topics will follow: 1. How did the summer programming go?  2. Where are we headed this fall?  Childcare will be provided. Refreshments will be served.  We hope that all of our families will attend.

WIDE Community is the new name of the 2U initiative formerly known as ‘Anti-Bias’. We chose this name as a way to describe the goals and work of our ministry in a way that everyone can understand and appreciate.  W.I.D.E. is an acronym for:*Welcoming    *Inclusive    *Diverse      *Equitable

Looking forward, WIDE is excited about our plans for the future!  We had an excellent meeting on August 9th and are working on some exciting plans!  Look for our coffee hour hosts in the near future, and the upcoming Parenting in Multiracial Families discussion group.  Also, come experience our growing online fellowship at The WIDE Community.  Sign up and join in - you can have your own blog, share pictures and talk with others about diversity in our community (NOTE: Signing up for the online group does not require you to commit to committee work).  Blessed be!

The July collection plate was split with the Howard Area Community Center . We were able to share $659.40.  The money raised at 2U will go towards their Special Assistance Fund to help people with small one-time expenses.  Located in Rogers Park, HACC provides comprehensive social and educational services to low and moderate-income neighbors. Many of the clients at HACC survive on less than $8,000 per year.

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice will hold its Summer Quarter Meeting this Sunday, August 17, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 70 Sycamore Dr., Park Forest. The program, between 2 and 3 p.m., will feature a panel addressing the subject “War With Iran: Not Inevitable”, which will be followed by a discussion with the audience. This program is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice Peace Task Force.   The program will be followed by a UUSJ Board of Directors meeting, which is open to all. For driving directions or for a pick up from a Metra stop near Park Forest write to uusj@sbcglobal.net or phone 773-643-8061 at least two days in advance.

Jane Addams Senior Caucus

During the month of August we will be sharing our collection plate cash with the Jane Addams Senior Caucus.  Jane Addams Senior Caucus is the largest grassroots organization for older adults in Chicago.  JASC creates opportunities to train older adults to organize themselves and their communities, to take responsibility for solving problems in our communities and to renew the interest of older adults in public life.  JASC continues to expand its role as an organization dedicated to organizing seniors into a powerful group of civic leaders able to advocate for the welfare of seniors. 

Older adults are a vital resource to their communities - but problems like the lack of quality in-home care forces seniors to be isolated in institutions or to be relocated far from their communities late in their lives. JASC continues to move forward with its efforts of developing relationships between diverse sets of seniors, creating

a place where seniors’ values can be heard, giving seniors an opportunity to participate in public life, and establishing a culture, where public and private decision-makers are accountable to the people affected by their actions.   If you have any questions about the Jane Addams Senior Caucus, please feel free to call their office at 773-404-6429.