Safe Congregations Policy

More to come…

Interim Board of Trustees

• Marva Williams, Chair
• Dave Maly, Chair Elect
• Jeff Siegel, Treasurer
• Mark Sneathen, Secretary
• Curtis Smith, Council Chair
• Lizzie Kepler, Trustee
• Mary O’Leary, Trustee

Committee Chairs

Building and Grounds Committee
Interim Chair: Curtis Smith

Committee on Ministries (COM)
Chair: Andrea Refairn

Endowment Committee
Dan Ashley, Larry Lefferts, Mark Sneathen

Finance Committee
Chair: Tom Denio

Hospitality Committee
Chair: Pat Zukosky

Lifespan Faith Development Council
Chair: Alyssa Joy Stowe

Membership Committee
Chairs: Laura McKee and Melissa Staas

Music Committee
Chair: Nanna Cross

Nominating Committee
Chair: Liz Krumweide

Religious Services Committee
Chair: August Staas

Social Justice Council
Chairs: Curtis Smith and David Groves

WIDE Committee
Chairs: Atena Danner and Ian McFadden

In the Summer of 2008, the Second Unitarian community experienced a change to the way families with children start their Sunday morning which also changed the order of worship for everyone in the community.  Our children now go directly to their own Sunday faith development programming rather than joining the adults for the first part of worship in the sanctuary.  These changes were made based on where the community is at this time and means that we are currently in a transition period to the next generation of multigenerational worship and community (to read more about the reasons for this change, read Rev. Jennifer O’Quill’s article in the December, 2008 Anvil).

Second Unitarian has long been committed to creating a vibrant multigenerational community and that value remains strong as evidenced by the almost eighty people who responded to the multigenerational community survey in December, 2008 and the members, including two former Second Unitarian Directors of Religious Education/Faith Development, who have come forward to help shepherd our community through this time of change and work on creative ideas for ways to include people of all ages into our various ministries.  We are excited to share the raw results of the survey with you online and in hard copy at the “What’s Happening” table in the Palmer Room as well as our interpretation of the results and what we plan to implement over the next few months and beyond.

As we reviewed the results of the survey, a few themes came to the surface:

1.    People want everyone in the church to have a meaningful worship experience and this doesn’t necessarily mean that all ages need to be in the same room in order to make this happen.
2.    Most people want young people to worship in the sanctuary sometimes, but rarely for the full hour.  There was a positive response to several of the ideas about ways to incorporate families and older children into regular worship services.
3.    In general, the positive energy generated by the children is missed during the service and there is excitement for the creation of the “next generation” of multigenerational worship.
4.    The demographics of our church have changed dramatically over the past five years.  We no longer have a middle school or high school group on Sunday mornings and the half of our children are four or younger.  There are only sixteen children over the age of seven and one teenager.  This means that most of the families are not at a point where their children are able to participate in all ages worship nor is there a strong desire by those families to have their infants and toddlers with them in the service.  There are a few families with older children and other congregants without children who really miss having the children in the sanctuary every Sunday.
5.    There is a strong desire to nurture the few older children in ways that are meaningful to them spiritually and help them explore their own beliefs and what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.  Because of our current demographics, this will most likely mean more one on one mentoring and participating at an earlier age in Sunday worship services.
6.    Regarding whether or not the community wants to worship with young people, the results are varied but most of the responses fell in the middle.  Most adults would like to worship with young people sometimes, but not all of the time.  Some people never want children in worship and some want children in worship every Sunday.
7.    It is difficult to successfully offer full hour multigenerational worship services, but important to do this well about four times a year.

So where do we go from here?  Starting in March, 2009 a family will be invited to light the chalice and share a chalice lighting reading at the start of the service.  We are also exploring ways for children to be involved with playing and singing music with our many gifted musicians.  In addition, we will be eliciting feedback from our older children to find out how they want to participate in worship and what they find most meaningful.  In addition we are planning a multigenerational worship workshop for later this spring that will be open to the whole community.  We feel it is important to be clear about our vision and goals for the times when we do worship together with our young people.  Devising meaningful all ages worship is challenging but also can be extremely rewarding so we want to be intentional about the planning for next year and beyond.

A group of members have been meeting with Gabrielle Parra, Director of Faith Development, and will continue to serve as advisors and implementers of the many good ideas that have been and will continue to be generated.  Continue to send your feedback to faithdev_2u@att.net or call 773-549-0260 x12.

Blessings,

Gabrielle Parra, Director of Faith Development

Second Unitarian lives out its values in the world by being a caring community.

Please let the Pastoral Care Ministry know if you:

• are having or adopting a child
• are sick or injured
• are grieving the loss of a loved one
• would like someone to talk with in a time of joy or loneliness or spiritual questioning

Ministry members are available to listen when people need to talk with someone. They coordinate meals for members experiencing life changes such as a new child, and arrange rides to church for those who need transportation. The ministry needs volunteers for meals and rides. Please contact secondunitarian@att.net or 773-549-0260 x11 if you are able to help or if you need help.

Additionally, if you are struggling with a job loss or are underemployed please contact secondunitarian@att.net .  We have a group for support and accountability which meets on Mondays from 9-11a.m. at church.  Also, please review the various financial resources that may be available to you in the Community and Government Resource Guide.

We always welcome new volunteers to join our team of cooks for The Night Ministry bus.  Volunteers meet at church between 5 and 5:30pm to cook. The staff will meet you at the church at 7pm to talk about the goals of the Youth Outreach Team, youth homelessness, and the plan for the evening. Together, you’ll head over to the distribution point (near the corner of Belmont and Halsted just a few blocks from the church).  We then head to the distribution spot and serve the meal until a little after 10:30pm. Coming for just part of that time is fine.

We’re confident that you’ll enjoy time spent in the company of your fellow church members and the satisfaction of helping our most vulnerable neighbors. Contact secondunitarian@att.net to let us know in advance when you are available.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What’s Cooking?

Volunteering for the Night Ministry Youth Outreach Team

November, 2008 Anvil Newsletter Article by Tim and Jane

In weekly e-mails and orders of service, you’ve probably noticed requests for volunteers to help cook and serve dinner for the Night Ministry’s Youth Outreach Team. Especially now that we’ve had some experience with the program, we want to tell the congregation more about our involvement with it. And, while a terrific group of people has already come forward to volunteer, we want you to consider lending your time and talents to serving our neighbors.

Second Unitarian has long supported the Night Ministry, which emphasizes, among other efforts, outreach to and services for homeless youth in Lakeview.  While a fairly small percentage of all young people identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, nearly half of homeless youth are GLBT.  Unfortunately, many of them flee situations where they are bullied by their classmates, scorned by their religious communities, and rejected or abused by their families.  Seeking a more tolerant community and a network of friendship and social support, many of them arrive in Lakeview homeless. Even if they find a supportive community, their age and homelessness leave them vulnerable in many, many ways.  Among its other services to these homeless youth, the Night Ministry enlists neighborhood groups to supply and serve dinner twice a week from its Youth Outreach van. This is the program we have chosen to support, and we have committed to finding volunteers for a couple of dinners in each of the next several months.

Once I became a member of Second Unitarian, I found myself in a situation that may be familiar to many of you. I shared the congregation’s commitment to social justice, but it was difficult actually to demonstrate that commitment while meeting all of my other obligations. Although I was eager take on a project, it’s difficult to do that when workloads fluctuate from month-to-month.

This Night Ministry project is perfect because it’s really very simple. If you can commit to one of the scheduled nights, one of us will contact you about one week before that night to figure out what the group will cook and serve. Although there’s no set menu, we should provide 4-5 gallons of soup, approximately 200 simple sandwiches, and some basic items like crackers, pretzels, cookies, candy, or fruit. Volunteers have generously supplied food items. If that poses a difficulty for you, please don’t let it prevent you from volunteering. Let us know what, if anything, you can bring, and we’ll work it out with you.

We’re confident that you’ll enjoy time spent in the company of your fellow church members and the satisfaction of helping our most vulnerable neighbors.  Please e-mail secondunitarian@att.net or call 773-549-0260 x11 if you are able to volunteer.

Last Updated Dec 1, 2009 - LT

Last Updated Dec. 4, 2009

Registration Form

To express your interest in signing up for a small group, fill out this registration form anytime and you will be contacted when new groups are forming.

__ YES! I want to be a part of a small group. I can commit to meet weekly for 8 weeks and follow the ground rules of my small group.

Name:_________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip:__________________________________________________________

Phone:_______________________________Email:____________________________

In order to place you in a group that will be as positive an experience as possible, please respond to the following questions:

1. Do you have any allergies (food or environmental)? If yes, please list:

_____________________________________________________________________

2. Do you have any accessibility concerns that need to be addressed in order to meet at another member’s home? If yes, please list:

_____________________________________________________________________

3. Please list in order of preference meeting times that are most convenient for you

(1=first choice)  Please list more than one choice:

Covenant Groups

Monday 7:00 pm-9:00 pm _____

Tuesday 7:00 pm-9:00 pm _____

Wednesday 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm _____

Thursday 7:00 pm-9:00 pm _____

Sunday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm ______

Going Deeper Groups ( for those who have been in a Covenant Group OR who are members)

4. Do you have space and willingness to host 8-10 people in your home?

5. Are you currently involved in any other groups or activities at Second Unitarian Church? Please list.

____________________________________________________________________________

Thank you very much for your interest!

Return this form via mail or e-mail (cut and paste into an e-mail) to :

Second Unitarian Church of Chicago

656 W. Barry, Chicago, Illinois, 60657

773-549-0260×11, secondunitarian@att.net

Last Updated Nov. 23, 2009 - LT

What is Small Group Ministry?

• A way to deepen our spirituality through a shared practice of listening and caring.
• A way to be engaged, included, and heard in a safe, nurturing environment.
• A way to connect with a diverse group of people.
• A way to deepen our connections with the congregation.
• A way to organize and practice service to the larger community.

Who can join a Small Group?

Anyone who can commit to participating in the 8 weekly sessions, attend gatherings consistently, and follow their group’s ground rules can join a small group. We try to create groups of about 10 people. When we assign people to groups, we will make every effort to help with accessibility. Please indicate your needs on the registration form before we make group assignments.

At times, members may join existing groups. We will make additions to small groups, if they have openings, after the initial 8 week sessions. New groups will also form in April and September.

Why have ground rules?

At their core, the groups’ common ground rules are intended to create a comfortable and relaxed environment where everyone feels safe sharing and listening deeply. These ground rules ensure that all members know what to expect, and that the group can meet everyone’s needs equally, with no one person dominating the gathering. In addition, the ground rules remind all Small Group members of their part in the larger church community, encouraging service projects and a willingness to welcome new members to the group.

What goes on during a typical small group meeting?

Our Small Groups follow a general format that consists of fellowship, chalice lighting and reading, check-in (a chance to share joys, sorrows, and challenges with each other), quiet meditation, topic discussion, and a closing ritual. The group facilitator guides the amount of time participants spend on each item to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate, listen, and share.

Who chooses the topics and content?

All of the Small Groups start with eight initial sessions. Covenant Groups are open to anyone and will focus on weekly discussion topics from the UUA. Going Deeper groups are for people who have already been in a Covenant group or who are members of the church. Going Deeper groups will focus on a topic of the facilitator’s choosing. At the close of the first 8 weeks, each group will decide whether they want to continue to meet. Individuals may also choose to stop participating after the 8 weeks or move to a different group. Groups that continue will meet 1-2 times per month and participate in an intentional process of spiritual reflection and life path formation.

Registration Form

]]> http://www.secondunitarian.org/small-group-ministry-faq/feed/ http://www.secondunitarian.org/small-group-ministry/ http://www.secondunitarian.org/small-group-ministry/#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:46:46 +0000 admin http://www.secondunitarian.org/small-group-ministry/ Small Group Ministry is designed to build relationships by sharing in meaningful ways with one another. The groups foster connection and caring and provide an opportunity for spiritual development and service. Small Group Ministry is open to anyone who wishes to participate and who can honor the time commitment. The groups are facilitated by church members.

⇒ Check out our Small Group Ministry Frequently Asked Questions.

⇒ Sign Up for a Small Group - Registration Form

Format

The groups include time for fellowship, group check-in and sharing, quiet meditation and a discussion. The initial topics highlight the primary values expressed in our church covenant.

Our covenant calls us to behave in certain ways. How do we become more authentic, generous, honest, faithful, loving, spiritually awake, justice seeking , community building people?

Time Commitment

Regular attendance is necessary to participate. Small groups will meet weekly for eight weeks, for two hours each week.   We have two different types of small groups.  Using a discussion guide, the “starter”  or Covenant groups will explore the values in our covenant and how to apply those ideals to our lives.   Covenant groups are ideal for anyone who is new to church or who has not been in small group in the past year.  For people who are members or who have been in small group ministry within the past year, we are creating “Going Deeper” groups.  These groups will spend four weeks exploring the theology of Unitarian Universalism and then another four weeks with a focus that the facilitator chooses.

For all the different groups, each member can choose to continue with the same group or enter a different group that better fits their schedule and needs or simply step out of small group ministry once the intial eight weeks is completed.

Groups that commit to continuing will meet once or twice a month for another six to nine months, remaining open to new members over the course of the year. Groups that continue will agree upon the curriculum or discussion topics that speak to the needs of their members.

Expectations

Each member will share responsibility for the group (food, readings, reminder calls, transportation) so as to share accountability for the success of the group. Members will be respectful of one another and listen with care to others. Groups will encourage their members to share their gifts and as a group they will choose a service project that benefits the larger church community. It is through our service that we live out the values in our covenant.

Schedule

Small groups will start in September, January and April for their initial eight weeks. The number of groups will be determined by interest and leadership availability.

2U Covenant

(focus of the 8 week Covenant groups)

We covenant to build a community that challenges us to grow and empowers us to honor the truth within ourselves.

We will be generous with our gifts and honest in our communication, holding faithful to a love that embraces both diversity and conflict.

Called by our living tradition, we will nurture spirituality within a vision of the eternal, living out our inner convictions through struggles for justice and acts of compassion.

Contact:secondunitarian@att.net

I PROMISE TO…

1.       Treat each person as important and special;

2.       Be fair and kind in all I do;

3.       Accept others and learn from each of our spiritual beliefs;

4.       Search for what is true and right;

5.       Consider other people’s ideas and work together to decide what to do;

6.       Build a fair and peaceful world;

7.       Care for the earth. 

OUR INDIVUAL BELIEFS AND PROMISES COME FROM…

Mystery and wonder;

People who make the world a better place;

World religions;

The Jewish and Christian religions;

Science and using our minds;

The Earth and nature.

Don’t miss the beautiful mural of the promises and sources that our children made that hangs in the entrance to the church!

Permission is granted to reproduce with acknowledgement given to Second Unitarian Church of Chicago. 

Updated May 21, 2008-KHS