This service from July 31, 2016 was presented by members of the UTUUC Reproductive Justice Committee along with Dr. Cassing Hammond. Dr. Hammond, who delivers the sermon, practices General Obstetrics and Gynecology and also directs the Section and Fellowship in Family Planning & Contraception at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine where he is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In 2002, Dr. Hammond launched Northwestern’s Fellowship in Family Planning & Contraception - one of more than 30 fellowship programs throughout the United States and Canada that train physician scientists in complex abortion and contraception care and research. An ardent proponent of reproductive justice, Dr. Hammond chaired the board of directors of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), the nation’s largest professional association of abortion providers. He is one of fifteen founding members of the Society of Family Planning and currently a member of the board of directors of Physicians for Reproductive Health (PRH), the nation’s largest physician-led reproductive rights organization. In 2005 he received NAF’s C. Lalor Burdick Award, given to “Unsung Heroes” of abortion rights. He has also received special recognition for community service from both PRH, Personal PAC Illinois and the Illinois House of Representatives. Dr. Hammond's current research focuses on how contraceptives modify transmission of HIV virus. Cassing and his husband, Scott Fehlan, became members of the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation in 2011.
Following Dr. Hammond's remarks, the letters of real women expressing their thoughts and feelings around reproduction and abortion are read anonymously by members of the Reproductive Justice Committee. They are Beth Dowell, Jan Johnston, Shirley Lundin, Merritt Kanan and Jen Packhauser. Duane Dowell gives the UU perspective and history on reproductive rights.
The theme for July is how to take a path of growth. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered on July 24, 2016 by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage. "As I hear news that feels to me so overwhelming that it makes it hard to know how to keep going, I wonder about how we keep holding onto hope. And then, I think of Pat Summit, in sheer determination and finding some sort of faith out of despair: 'Right foot, left foot, breathe, repeat.' That’s how we keep going."
Guest musician for this service was Isabella Andries, a senior at Trinity High School who is currently an active member of the UTUUC Youth Group.
The theme for July is how to take a path of growth. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Rev. Colleen Vahey on July 17, 2016. In September 2015, Colleen joined the Unity Temple staff as our part-time Faith in Action Coordinator. She is an ordained UU minister who, over the past twenty-five years, has served as a hospital chaplain, a religious educator, a college lecturer and assistant minister. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Colleen has also lived in Australia, Switzerland, France, and Czech Republic. Colleen and her partner enjoy time with their three children and three animal companions. Her spiritual practices include prayer, walking and spending time in nature.
In this sermon, Rev. Vahey explores renewing our spiritual grounding as we engage in the struggle for justice and compassion.
The theme for July is how to take a path of growth. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
This service was presented on July 10, 2014 by the Unity Temple Mental Health Awareness Team (MyHAT). Members of the team who offered their reflections here are, in order, LeeLee Ward, Aaron Grace, and John Tandarich. The Co-Chairs of MyHAT are Bonnie Jordan and Janet Holden. Other members of the MyHAT Planning Team are Joan Greene, Joan Vanderbeck, Alice Ocrey, Beth Fisher, Lurana Brown and Kimberly Knake. MyHAT's mission is to welcome people living with mental illness and those who care about them, creating a community of acknowledgement, acceptance and understanding. We do this through education, co-sponsoring activities with the local affiliate of the National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI), and being present at coffee hour once a month. One of our major initiatives is our Anti Stigma Campaign/ By signing our Interest List at coffee hour or by contacting us, you will periodically receive information about mental illness that has appeared in the media. It is educational and timely as well as being a barometer of how mental health is being presented to the public. We ask, if you can, to respond to the creators of the stories/broadcasts, either in a positive or negative way as appropriate, to support or correct the information that is being put out by the media. The team can be contacted at myhat@unitytemple.org.
The theme for July is how to take a path of growth. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by UTUUC member Christine Steyer on July 3, 2016. Soprano Christine Steyer was a recent winner of six national awards, including The American Prize in Art Song and The Johnny Mercer Award. Christine received critical acclaim for her operatic portrayals of the Marschallin from Der Rosenkavalier, the title role in Madama Butterfly and Violetta in La Traviata. She has performed roles with Lyric Opera of Chicago in Street Scene, Sweeney Todd, Cunning Little Vixen and Manon Lescaut. Her recent concert engagements include the Poulenc Gloria, the Brahms Requiem and Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s 9th, Rossini’s Petite Mass and Mendelssohn’s Cantata 42. A frequent recitalist, Christine sang concerts of Russian and American music with pianist Philip Morehead. Christine Steyer is the artistic director of Bellissima Opera and is currently heading The Transcendence Triptych project – an operatic celebration of individuals who transcended the racial divide.
Christine's sermon is preceded by a reading given by Sybil Madison-Boyd and a reflection by Rich Pokorny. Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg tells about the final of the 3 operas in the Transcendence Triptych which is one created by students. Paul Geiger presents additional information about The Transcendence Triptych project.
The theme for July is how to take a path of growth. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.