This podcast from August 26, 2018 begins with an introduction to the UTUUC Water Communion ceremony included during each Homecoming Sunday which kicks off the new church year. The introduction is shared by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor, who is returning from a four-month sabbatical, and Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage. Rev. Taylor follows that with a brief reflection for this worship for all ages.
The theme for August is what it means to be a people of story. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections.
Reflections in this podcast from worship on August 19, 2018 were given by congregation members and Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor who participated in the Beloved Conversations program. In order, they are Marsha Borders, Ann Cooke, Jennifer Evans, Elizabeth Freeland, John Freeland and Rev. Alan Taylor.
Beloved Conversations is an experiential curriculum that provides a space to re-form/fuse the brokenness of racism into new patterns of thought and behavior ushering in social and spiritual healing. New ways of being are learned through the actions of conversation and probing dialogue. Participation in this course requires an extensive time commitment, a degree of openness, willingness to engage in deeply personal conversations, and a level of comfort with potentially difficult interactions. For more information, contact Rev. Emily Gage at egage@unitytemple.org.
The theme for August is what it means to be a people of story. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections.
Reflections delivered on August 12, 2018 by Rev. Scott Aaseng and Rev. Karen Mooney, Elise Miedlar and Frankie Tilbrook. The world is in need of our many hands doing the work of justice. But what is it that we are building as we work? Leaders of three UU justice organizations in Illinois will share their perspectives: Rev. Karen Mooney, Director of the UU Prison Ministry of IL (UUPMI), Rev. Scott Aaseng, Executive Director of the UU Advocacy Network of IL (UUANI), and Elise Miedlar, Coordinator and Frankie Tilbrook, Leader of Youth and Young Adult (YaYA) Justice.
UUPMI equips UUs in Illinois to transform institutions and support people harmed by the prison industrial complex. For more information, contact Rev. Karen Mooney at uupmi.info@gmail.com or uupmi.org.
UUANI builds community and power among UU congregations in Illinois to put our UU values into effective action for justice, beloved community and a healthy planet. For more information, contact Rev. Scott Aaseng at uuani@uuani.org.
YaYA Justice is an up and coming UU social justice group focused on connecting young people ranging in age from their teens well into their twenties. We work to give young people opportunities to get involved in all kinds of activism out of the necessity for youth and young adult focused action when change is plentiful and generational divides are at their largest. For more information, contact Elise Miedlar and Frankie Tilbrook at yayajustice@uuani.org.
The theme for August is what it means to be a people of story. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield on August 5, 2018. We look for voyages - great journeys that give meaning to our lives. But meaning is made in relationship. Sometimes with snakes.
Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield is the Program Director for the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation (ISEIF), helping to originate and manage the grants function since 2013. She brings to ISEIF her background in grassroots environmental education around Illinois and wide network of relationships in the field, which were established in her prior position for 14 years as founder and Executive Director of Faith in Place. Prior to that she worked as a transactional attorney, specializing in corporate and tax law. She also manages a small consulting practice, 2 Point 0 Studio, on the side, on the website for which she occasionally blogs. Her graduate education includes a J.D. from the University of Illinois, a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary and a Masters of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School. She is also ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister. Clare can be contacted at c.butterfield@iseif.org or 312-239-6752.
The theme for August is what it means to be a people of story. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.