Summer 2016
Unitarian Church of Hinsdale
17 W. Maple
Hinsdale, IL 60521
www.hinsdaleunitarian.org
630-323-2885
Sunday Services begin at 10:30
a.m.; Starting June 12, Summer
Services begin at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare and education services
are available, with play groups
during the summer.
Minister
Pam Rumancik
[email protected]
Director of Programs
Pam Fodor
[email protected]
Director of Operations
Linda Liberacki
[email protected]
Board of Trustees
Liz Reyes, President
Emily Crement, Vice-President
Steve Trout, Treasurer
Mike Pabian, Secretary
Trustees at Large
Monica Acosta
Susan Mooney
Patrick Provenzale
Editors of The Touchstone
Kim Ryan
[email protected]
Linda Karlen
[email protected]
Dwell in Possibility: Nurturing Body & Soul
A
Rev. Pam Rumancik
hhhh…Summer.
As a child, it was
a time for lazing
in the grass, bike riding,
and treasured trips to
the beach. Although a
remnant of our agrarian
past, it felt right to have
a part of our lives that
wasn’t so structured and
full of doing.
I’m not sure most of
today’s kids get to enjoy this
feeling – but I hope so! As adults
we are encouraged to be doing all
the time. Working, accomplishing,
learning… doing.
Just do it! Idle hands are the devil’s
workshop. Don’t be lazy!
I often feel the hot breath of
accomplishment on the back of my
neck and imagine others must as
well. But as someone really smart
said – we are human beings, not
human doings. Our first principle
honors the worth and dignity of
every single person – not of every
person’s accomplishments.
How can we remember that simply
being alive is an amazing gift?
How can we find the time to not
only plant, fertilize and water the
roses, but to actually smell and
appreciate them?
We’re heading into summer, and
I invite you to make intentional
space, each day, to honor and
celebrate the gift you are to this
world. Celebrate your imagination
by finding shapes in clouds and
falling asleep in the sun. Celebrate
your compassion by making the
time to connect with a neighbor.
Celebrate your senses by watching
a hazy sunset or
examining the different
shades of green in your
neighborhood on a
long rambling walk.
Make time this season
to be, to let your body
refuel, your energy
rebound.
This past church year
has been a whirlwind
of doing. We’ve spent
energy investigating, lobbying,
fundraising, consciousness-raising,
witnessing, sharing, visiting,
worshipping, welcoming. Phew!
As we move toward next year, let’s
take time to breathe in the beauty
of this congregation and appreciate
our myriad sights, sounds, flavors,
and experiences. Let us revel in
the wonder of now – even as our
minds think about the promise
of tomorrow. Let us feed one
another’s spirit and nurture souls –
with conversation, with attention,
with presence, honoring the gift
that each and every one of us is.
If we wish to set a shining example
of Beloved Community, we must
pay attention to how we keep
intentional balance between doing
and being. We must be purposeful
in nurturing both body and soul.
Take some time this summer to
practice self-care and to imagine
what that might look like year
round.
And when September rolls around,
let’s hold a space for dreaming and
resting right next to the space we
make for working our tails off.
I believe it’s possible – all we need
is to ‘just do it’!
The Touchstone 1
•
Getting Involved: Becoming a Leader
W
Pam Fodor, Director of Programs
hat a fantastic year it has
been! So many amazing
things have happened
this year, and it is important to
recognize our Circle Coordinators.
These dedicated volunteers have
helped bring new and exciting
programs and activities to UCH.
The Circle Coordinators met
several times this year to clarify
the CC roles and to approve
procedures and guidelines
to accompany a board policy
on Policy Governance. These
procedures now include term
limits for each CC. We decided
that each circle coordinator
should serve a two-year term
with the opportunity to serve one
additional two-year term. With
these new guidelines in place,
here are the term dates of the
current Circle leadership:
Current Circle
Coordinators and
Term Dates
Worship:
Kathy Salzano
Fall 2012 – Spring 2016
Stewardship:
Ron Solberg
Fall 2015 – Spring 2017
Social Responsibility:
Dave Lloyd
Fall 2014-Spring 2016
Home and Gardens:
Judy Jeske
Fall 2014-Spring 2016
Communications:
Paula Sejut-Dvorak
Fall 2015-Spring 2017
Growth and Learning:
Jessica Friess
Fall 2015 – Spring 2017
Community:
Deborah Stillman
Fall 2012-Spring 2016
We welcome the following new
Circle Coordinators:
2016-2018 Circle
Coordinators and
Term Dates
Worship:
Linda Rio-Reichmann
Fall 2016-Spring 2018
Social Responsibility:
Dave Lloyd (continuing)
Fall 2016-Spring 2018
Home and Gardens:
Diane Barnes
Fall 2016-Spring 2018
Community:
Mary Getty
Fall 2016-Spring 2018
Of course, the circle coordinators
cannot do their jobs without the
support of the committee chairs,
and the committee chairs cannot
do their jobs without committee
members. We need to thank ALL
the volunteers that participate
in the life and the work of our
church. As you read about all the
programs and the good works
that have been done this year,
you will be proud of who we
are and amazed at all we have
accomplished.
We are a vibrant community
serving our church and our
community. I am blessed to be a
part of this family and to be able
to serve it as a staff member.
•
Communications at UCH
Paula Sejut-Dvorak
A
ll of us play many
different roles at UCH,
and I am no exception. I
am a mother of two boys in RE,
married to the chair of the “coffee
committee” (which, by the way,
is a great committee for people
who hate meetings-contact Tim @
[email protected]!), and
can usually be found organizing,
working at or enjoying many
fundraising and social events
at church! However, one of my
most important roles is as Circle
Coordinator for Communications
at UCH.
What does the communications
circle coordinator do? In short, I
facilitate communication among
members of our congregation,
between church leadership
and members, between
our denomination and the
congregation, and between the
greater community and UCH.
In this role, I would like to
encourage people to become
involved in the communications
circle. We need individuals who
enjoy working on websites, social
media and good old-fashioned
print. We can use editors to look
over content, writers to create
content and technical people
to keep our website and social
media sites up and running. If
you are interested in one of these
areas, please contact me at
[email protected].
•
Summer Service Time Change June 12, 2016
Services are set to begin at 9:30 a.m. during warmer months.
Beginning Sunday, June 12, the Sunday services will begin at
9:30 a.m. to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures.
We will continue to worship together during the summer
months – just a little more casually. So don your khakis and
join us for fellowship and fun.
The Touchstone 2
Spotlight On...Our Members
Karen McDowell
John Cooperrider
A
nyone seeking an outlet
for creativity can find
it at UCH. For John
Cooperrider, creativity has
involved singing tenor in the
choir, hamming it up with
Playreaders, sharing ideas
with the fund-raising committee,
conferring with Rev. Rumancik
on the Committee on Shared
Ministry, and designing visual
enhancements for a variety of
events.
John moved here from Kent,
Ohio, in 1998 to pursue a new
employment
opportunity.
While
driving
through
Hinsdale,
he noticed
UCH’s
rainbow
decal, which
drew him
back to check
out a service. Although that was
when our summer gatherings
were quite informal and often
sparsely attended, he returned,
learned we had a choir, and
stayed. Lucky for us!
John is a graphic designer who
just can’t have enough fun
at work, it seems. You surely
have seen his amazing work.
Most recently he created the
stewardship house pledge tote
board (now completed – yea!).
He also designed the marquee
to highlight the Afternoon of
Merriment and the banners that
transformed the sanctuary into
a lively, magical venue for that
event. Previous works include
the Holiday Harvest reminderdates sign, the Ed and Ellie
Cosmic Inquiry Diner decor,
the search-for-a-new-minister
silhouette, New Year’s Eve razzle
dazzle, Rev. Pam’s installation
festoons, Evening of Mystery
embellishments, the Comingof-Age rainbow, and Fair Trade
and Standing on the Side of Love
banners.
When listed in total, John’s
creative output is astounding!
He donates time (often sleepless
nights) to producing and
installing these creations, with
only occasional reimbursement
for materials. We thank him for
adding transformative pizzazz
to our events, and for all he
contributes to our community.
Joe Saintcross
Y
ou know Joe Saintcross –
the ever-smiling tenor who
often wears shorts – ?! If
you haven’t seen him as much
lately, it’s probably because
he often camps out in the RE
building with the high
school youth group.
He’s been their advisor
for seven years and finds
it the most rewarding
of anything else he has
done at UCH. And that
is sizeable.
Joe came to UCH
twenty-two years ago
and joined the choir.
He paired with Melinda Perrin
to co-found Prairyerth and has
continued his attachment to that
Native American-centered group.
He has been a stalwart in the
play readers group, as host and
actor. Additionally, he has served
on the UCH Board of Trustees
for five years and has taught
various levels of RE, working into
mentoring and eventually leading
the senior group.
As group leader, Joe heads
discussions on issues of interest
to UCH’s young adults. Some
materials are provided by the
UUA but others are developed by
him as he takes the pulse of the
group and injects both uplifting
and controversial subjects. The
group has gone through the
books The Happiness Project and
Asshole – A Theory – how’s that for
some wide-ranging UU topics!
The group presents one youth
service each year, which is
thoughtfully planned and
demonstrates our young
folks’ attitudes, interests,
beliefs, and messages. Big
events for the senior group are
Midwest Northern Area Youth
Conferences, lovingly referred
to as “cons,” which get rotated
among area churches and involve
sleep-over lock-ins and many
activities. Last year the group
completed several months of
creative planning and hosted
such a conference.
Senior youth group has also done
service trips the past
few years during the
early summer. They
have volunteered at
Bravehearts Equestrian
Center in Harvard,
Illinois, a therapeutic
center for the disabled,
and worked extensively
in the forest preserves
of Lake County, doing
cleaning and restoration. Last
year they participated in a nondenominational youth gathering
in Boston called TIDE, which
stands for Teenage Identity and
Diversity Education.
Funds for youth group activities
this year have come from plant
and coffee sales, car washes,
the annual Chili Cook-off and
a pancake breakfast. Of course,
guidance for this group and their
gathering and planning takes
patience, wisdom, humor, and
lots of time. For all that and much
more, we are grateful to have Joe
at UCH.
•
The Touchstone 3
Thoughts from the Director of Religious Ed
O
ur Religious Education
year has come to a
close. This
year was such a
success! I know
that the children
and teachers alike
have learned about
themselves and
their Unitarian
Universalist beliefs.
During the summer
months, we will
not be having
individual RE
classes. Children who come to
church with their families for
the summer services will have
a play group. Still, that doesn’t
mean families have to stop
thinking about and living our UU
principles!
Here is an idea to keep
“church” in your heart!
The children who have
participated in the Age of Reason
class have each made a necklace
of rainbow beads. These beads
can be used to to bridge church
and home. If your child has not
been in the rainbow class, you
can make up your own “rainbow
basket” by collecting two objects
of each color of the rainbow.
You can use pom pom balls, or
marbles, or colored pencils or
strips of paper. Be creative!
The idea is to use colored beads
(or other colored objects) which
represent the principles as a
focusing tool for your child to
examine his or her relationship
to self and to others. Your
child is beginning the spiritual
disciplines of discernment,
of balancing self-care with
the boundaries of the world,
of self-interest with growing
compassion for others, of selfawareness with how individual
Pam Fodor
actions impact others and the
world at large.
As a ritual, sometime
during each day –
maybe at dinner time
or at bed time – you
and your children
can use the following
guide to examine a
principle and how
it has played out
during the day. I
suggest only choosing
one principle each
day, for instance,
Monday-Red, Tuesday – Yellow,
etc. Going through all 7 every
day might be a bit much, but
always remain open to allowing
another principle color if there is
something pressing that day.
make any amends? How could I
have handled it differently?
Orange
The child moves to ORANGE,
holds one ORANGE bead in each
hand, and says the principle to
him or herself… Offer fair and
kind treatment to everyone.
After reviewing what the
principle says, the child asks
questions which are inwardly
focused, then outwardly focused.
Inwardly focused – and focused
on ONE of the two ORANGE
beads.
Have fun with it! Happy
Summer!
Red
The child begins with Red, holds
one red bead in each hand, and
says the principle to him or
herself… Respect the importance
and value of every person. After
reviewing what the principle
says, the child asks questions
which are inwardly focused, then
outwardly focused.
Inwardly focused – and focused
on ONE of the two RED beads.
‘Was I treated with respect today?
If not, do I need to do something
to stand up for myself? Were my
ideas valued today? How can I
say what I mean?
Age of Reason Rainbow Necklaces
Did people deal with me fairly
today? Was I treated kindly?
Outwardly focused – and focused
on THE OTHER of the two RED
beads.
Outwardly focused – and focused
on THE OTHER of the two
ORANGE beads.
‘Did I do a good job of being
respectful to other people today?’
(or this week, or lately). Was
there any action I took that hurt
someone’s feelings? Do I need to
Did I make decisions and take
actions that were fair and kind?
Did I remember to think before
I acted?
Continued on next page
The Touchstone 4
Religious Education
Continued from previous page
Yellow
The child then contemplates
YELLOW, holds one YELLOW
bead in each hand, and says the
principle to him or herself…Yes
to spiritual growth and learning
together. After reviewing what
the principle says, the child asks
questions which are inwardly
focused, then outwardly focused.
Inwardly focused – and focused
on ONE of the two YELLOW
beads.
How did I do paying attention to
little things all around me? Did I
take time to notice the wonders
of nature or appreciate another
person? Was I open?
Outwardly focused – and focused
on THE OTHER of the two
YELLOW beads.
Did I share something positive
of myself and my spirit with
another person?
Green
The child proceeds to GREEN,
holds one GREEN bead in each
hand, and says the principle
to him or herself… Grow by
exploring ideas and finding
your truth. After reviewing what
the principle says, the child asks
questions wwhich are inwardly
focused, then outwardly focused.
Inwardly focused –
and focused on ONE
of the two GREEN
beads.
Was I a seeker today?
Did anyone offer me
some new learning?
Did ‘truth’ change for
me today?
Outwardly focused –
and focused on THE
OTHER of the two
GREEN beads.
Did I offer to share my ideas and
to hear those of a friend? Did I
help someone grow?
Blue
The child moves next to BLUE,
holds one BLUE bead in each
hand, and says the principle
to him or herself… Believe in
our IDEALS and voice your
vote. After reviewing what the
principle says, the child asks
questions which
are inwardly
focused, then
outwardly focused.
Inwardly focused
– and focused on
ONE of the two
BLUE beads.
peace for all. After reviewing
what the principle says, the
child asks questions which
are inwardly focused, then
outwardly focused.
Inwardly focused – and focused
on ONE of the two INDIGO
beads.
How did I do today on taking
care of myself? Did I insist on
being treated justly? Did I enjoy
a freedom today? What was
peaceful?
Have fun
with it!
Happy
Summer!
Did anything
happen today that
I thought was ideal? Did I use my
voice to express appreciation?
Outwardly focused – and focused
on THE OTHER of the two BLUE
beads.
Did anything happen today that
was NOT ideal? What could
I have done to improve the
situation? Did I use my voice?
Indigo
The child then considers
INDIGO, holds one INDIGO
bead in each hand, and says the
principle to him or herself…
Insist on justice, freedom and
Outwardly focused – and
focused on THE OTHER of
the two INDIGO beads.
How did I do today on
taking care of the needs
of another person? Did I
insist on being someone
being treated justly? Did
share a freedom with a
friend today? What was peaceful?
Violet
The child finishes with VIOLET
holding one VIOLET bead in
each hand, and says the principle
to him or herself…Value our
responsibility in the web of
life. After reviewing what the
principle says, the child asks
questions which are inwardly
focused, then outwardly focused.
Inwardly focused – and focused
on ONE of the two VIOLET
beads.
I am responsible for MY part in
the web, did I remember that
today? Was I affected by someone
else’s careless actions toward
the web?
Outwardly focused – and
focused on THE OTHER of the
two VIOLET beads. Did I honor
the earth today? Did I leave
someplace a little bit better than I
found it? Did I do my part?
•
At left: Beautiful Bridging Ceremony
decor designed and installed by
John Cooperrider.
The Touchstone 5
O
Our Growing Congregation
ur congregation welcomed
SEVENTEEN new
members this year. We
would like to introduce you to a
few of our new families (in their
own words)...
THE SEIPLE FAMILY... Susi,
John, Kate (8) and Kevin (6):
John is a high school psychology
teacher, likes golf and loves
Susi’s cooking. Susi is a former
administrative assistant, sells
on Ebay, and loves when John
orders Mexican take-out. Kate
loves singing. Kevin is obsessed
with trains, and we all enjoy
veggie gardening, Door County
and one-day family adventures.
We’d been thinking of finding a
church for years (John grew up
Lutheran, Susi was Catholic).
“I found the UCH website and
thought it seemed like a good fit.
After a year of saying, ‘Maybe
we should see what it’s like,’ but
never ‘fitting it in,’ we visited
for the first time on November 1,
2015. We had just gone through
a lot of turmoil in the previous
few months and needed to
reevaluate and bring some peace
to our hearts. After our first few
visits, we knew we wanted to be
part of this warm and thoughtprovoking community. It feels
as if we’ve been Unitarians all of
our lives and just didn’t know
there was a name for it. Glad to
be home!”
THE MAZZEI FAMILY... John,
Abby, Mia and Jack: “We were
married in September 2008. Mia
joined us in June of 2009 and
Jack came along in June of 2010.
Our favorite time is time spent
together, and we prefer it to be
outside. We love working in
our yard and on our little house
when we have the chance. We
like to get away to the woods to
camp and hike. We are looking
forward to the community that
UCH offers our family.”
THE SUTHERLAND
SIGURDSON FAMILY... Laura
Sutherland, Steven Sigurdson,
and Walter: Laura and Steve
met through family in Chicago
and have been married for 6
years. Laura grew up in a UU
Fellowship in her hometown of
Athens, Ohio. After working in
college admissions and financial
aid in Boston for several years,
she went back to school for her
social work degree and currently
works at Aging Care Connections
J
oin us on Sunday, June 5th at
12:00 noon to install our banner
in front of Church.
Led by the Black Lives Matter
Initiative group, we’ve spent the
year learning about the historic
causes, the ongoing government
policies and
the numerous
laws that have
contributed to
the immense
disparity in
opportunity
for Black and
Brown people.
We are ready, as a thoughtful
and committed faith community,
to put our faith on display and
install a banner declaring Black
Lives Matter on our church
property.
in La Grange. Steve grew up in
the La Grange area, and after
graduating from Juilliard, he
began a 20-year career as a
concert cellist. He is currently a
private teacher of cello and bass
in the western suburbs. They
both enjoy spending a lot of time
with their 2-year-old, Walter,
who loves space, Legos, and
digging in the garden.
Please be sure to introduce
yourselves and welcome all of
our new members.
•
of conversation that have not
existed before. They will cause
people of good will to wonder
why a church might post this
banner. They will invite the
curious into deeper, possibly lifechanging, conversations.
We are at a
particular moment
in history when
what we do can
have an effect
on the course
of history.
Our Unitarian
Universalist faith
calls us to stand up for those
who have been systematically
disadvantaged by color or race.
We know that
not everyone will
understand or agree
with us. But really –
that’s the point.
We know that not everyone
will understand or agree with
us. But really – that’s the point.
Acts of public witness will not
change the world on their own.
However, with grace and luck,
they will open up points
Invite your friends and
tell them about the work
we have done here. http://
www.hinsdaleunitarian.org/
new/?page_id=2304] Let’s have
a big crowd on the lawn to say
to the world – The Unitarian
Church of Hinsdale cares about
justice and is making a difference
in the world!
•
The Touchstone 6
Social Action Committee Year in Review
F
irst, I’d like to thank all
donors for supporting our
Special Collections effort
this year and in times past. The
Social Action Committee wanted
to make this church feel more like
part of the community, and I think
we’ve done a great job giving
generously to local and global
charities. We are very fortunate
to have a congregation that has a
sharing personality and believes
in helping those less fortunate
without any strings attached.
This year, we
decided to provide
more transparency
by listing the
charities and the
amounts given in
The Touchstone.
Initially, there were
some who felt that
revealing donation
amounts would hurt
both the church and
Special Collections
because some might see the
donations as money that should
go to the church. We’ve found
out that those shadow monsters
are not part of our church and
have received little, if any,
criticism about the distinction.
The generosity of our members
and their ability to understand
the nuances between pledging
Kim Ryan
and charitable donations is clear.
This year, our highest donation
went to UUSC ($1022), but each
monthly donation was over $500.
For the spring months, the
donations were as follows:
March –
UUSC: $1,022
April –
Midwest Shelter for
Homeless Vets: $797
May –
Jane Addams Sr. Caucus: $524
In addition, we’ve joined the
UU Prison Ministry and hosted,
with great success, the Prison
Industrial Complex 101 at our
church. This included sponsoring
a Sunday with Chris Crass and
the PIC group hosting one of our
services.
Last, but far from least, we’ve
been very active with UUANI,
Tracy Olson-Pottoff being a
major figure in organizing
the One 2 One program, with
promoting MLK day (Faith In
Action Day), and in
supporting lobby
days in Springfield
in partnership
with Community
Renewal Society.
We look forward to
what will be in the
next Church year.
Be aware and be
involved!
•
Over the summer, there will be
at least one collection for PADS,
and this leads me to how SAC
has grown this year and how
excited I am for the future! Last
summer we not only collected
for PADS but volunteered to help
with an overnight shelter. There
was overwhelming support for
this project of two weekends.
Follow News & Notes
to volunteer again
this summer.
We’ve also welcomed
the Black Lives Matter
Initiative within our
church and worked
on understanding
the consequences for
all due to systemic
racism in our society.
The UCH Mission
The Unitarian Church of
Hinsdale is a welcoming,
caring community celebrating
Unitarian Universalist values.
We Share
creative, expressive worship,
vibrant religious education,
and a commitment to a
just world.
We Inspire
spiritual exploration, personal
growth, appreciation of
diversity, and courageous,
compassionate action.
PIC 101 instructors, Megan Shelby and Erin Rumsi
The Touchstone 7
The Case for Covenant Groups
A
By Jessica Friess and Rev. Pam Rumancik
fter months of preparation,
training and visioning,
Covenant Groups began in
March and have continued to meet
through May. As the Small Group
Ministry team meets this summer
to organize our efforts for a bigger
program in September, here’s
some FAQ and answers to get you
started.
I’m new. Is this right for me?
One of the main goals of SGM is
to have an inclusive group ready
for new people to join! Each
group always has an extra chair
to remind us we are open to new
members or friends of UCH.
What if I’m too busy with other
UCH commitments?
I’d never tell you to pull yourself
away from the powerful
work here that is calling you.
However, you should sign up
for SGM. If you put any weight
in current congregational
recommendations, lay leadership
should be in SGM first, and
build out into social justice,
membership, board and other
commitments. Within your
Covenant Group, you may find
just the person you need to fill
your committee or share your UU
interests.
What if I don’t like talking
about deep things with people I
don’t know?
In SGM you control the pieces of
your life that you want to reveal,
and you can always decline to
speak. Because there is no cross
talk, no one will ask you for
more information, so you don’t
have to feel obligated to answer
something you don’t want to.
What if I’m uncomfortable
listening to other people talk
about themselves?
It can be challenging to listen
to someone describe something
painful because you can’t help
them; or to hear someone brag
and to feel judgment welling
up. However, there are several
reasons being a captive listener is
good for you.
First, it’s good practice for life.
Listening with restraint is a skill
that can be practiced and learned
in a Covenant Group and will
serve you at home or work or
many other areas of life.
Second, often each reaction you
have to a speaker is a reflection
of your own self and experiences,
and you can entirely miss the
point or intention of the speaker.
If we only listen and can’t argue
back or speak our judgment, we
can internalize what is being
said and our own reaction to
it, and use that insight to grow
personally.
Third, these groups are never
meant to replace professional
help such as therapy or
medication. People are invited
to share experiences from their
lives, but part of the covenant
states that participants will
consider the emotional safety
of the rest of the group before
sharing. If the topics bring up
catastrophic feelings/past events,
participants are encouraged to
speak privately with a group
leader and/or Rev. Pam to get
outside help.
What if I’m already a good
listener?
Great! We need you to come be
a good role model for those of
us learning. Also, you may learn
something new from someone
else, and maybe even make a
new friend!
What if I have my group of
friends at UCH and don’t need
to meet more people?
It’s great that you have a safe
place here at UCH! You can
help create a safe place for other
people that don’t have that yet.
There’s no expectation that you
need to become best friends with
your group, but we can all create
an inclusive environment.
What if it’s too hard to not
interact with people while they
are talking?
If you’re the kind of person that
interrupts others, or talks the
most during social gatherings,
this is good practice for you to
listen without thinking about
how you are going to respond.
If you’re someone that likes to
give advice, the same is true.
It will be uncomfortable to feel
like you could help someone but
your hands are tied by silence.
Given some time, you’ll see there
is a beauty in listening without
the pressure of responding or
trying to fix someone. You will
respect that others are on their
own journeys, and they have the
power to help themselves.
Please contact Jessica Friess
to sign up at jessicab8@gmail.
com
•
The Touchstone 8
UCH’s Pokémon Club
I
Jill Jackson
n April 2015, I had the pleasure
of attending Thandeka’s inspiring
workshop, “The Heart of Our Liberal
Faith: Love Beyond Belief.” During this
two day workshop, she challenged us
to come up with new ideas to bring us
closer together and to deepen our bonds
by identifying unique and untapped
opportunities for building community.
That’s where my idea for the UCH
Pokémon Club was born.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a
crazy, addicting collectible card game.
Currently, there are nearly 800 different
types of Pokémon or “pocket monsters.”
Pokémon come in all shapes, color, and
sizes and each has individual strengths
and weaknesses. Some are tiny, cute,
and adorable like Pikachu, Jirachi, and
Spritzee, while others are ginormous,
menacing, and scary like Raquazza,
Kyogre, and Yveltal. Trainers (i.e.,
players) build a 60-card deck consisting
of Pokémon, trainer, and energy cards
and use them during head-to-head
battles with another Trainer to capture
(i.e., knock out) his or her opponent’s
Pokémon cards.
In February 2015, my kids fell in love
with Pokémon hook, line, and sinker! The
thing about Pokémon is that it inherently
needs community for it to be fun! The
Pokémon card game is amazing as it
teaches kids math (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and probability),
economics, strategy, negotiation,
cooperation, responsibility, analytical
reasoning, and verbal skills.
The UCH Pokémon Club meets on the
third Sunday of the month from 12:002:00 in Joshi. It has run throughout the
2015-2016 church year. We have about 20
kids that range in age from kindergarten
all the way to the big kids in youth group.
The group is nearly equally divided
between boys and girls.
It’s a great community builder because
kids (and adults too!) have become
friends outside of just knowing the kids
in their class. You really get to know
someone when you sit together sharing a
common interest for two hours! Plus,
every month a handful of kids
who aren’t members of our
church joins us for Pokémon
club. Wonderful and unlikely
friendships have formed.
Many kids come knowing how
to play, but the majority of
the kids are clueless in the
beginning. Kids sort cards, trade,
build decks, battle, bring figurines,
read book and comics, and draw—
whatever they want to do. Once someone
came in a Pikachu costume!
As a bonus, Hot Sauce Games in
downtown Westmont has given me
coupons to hand out to anyone who
attends. The coupons are redeemable for
a free Pokémon booster pack ($4 value) at
the store.
Anyone at any skill level is invited to
come and join in the fun! We teach the
kids whatever they want to learn about
Pokémon when they’re ready. We have
cards and decks to share. Kids can jump
in anywhere in the process and have a
good time. No one is left out or gets left
behind.
Borrowing the words from the famous
Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum, “I choose
you!” to come join our UCH Pokémon
Club (or, as many have quipped, our
UCH Pokémon ministry)!
•
Jill Jackson
[email protected]
The Touchstone 9
Caring Circle
I
Deborah Stillman, Coordinator
n our ongoing efforts to provide support to our church community
in times of need, transition and celebration, our Caring Circle is
listed here. Our ability to provide support is made possible not
only by the many volunteers who offer their time, but also by the
information that is provided to us by our members so that we may
reach out to those in need.
UCH Circle Coordinators
Community Circle
Mary Getty
[email protected]
Communication Circle
Paula Sejut-Dvorak
[email protected]
The Caring Circle provides support and coordinates assistance such as
phone calls, cards, visits, and email. We are able to provide assistance
that may include simple errands, rides, meals, and small chores.
Growth and Learning Circle
Jessica Friess
[email protected]
WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE CARING CIRCLE CAPTAINS.
PLEASE CALL DEBORAH STILLMAN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
KNOWING A BIT MORE ABOUT THE RESPONSBILITIES.
Stewardship Circle
Ron Solberg
[email protected]
Caring Circle Captains
AREA 1
AREA 6
Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills,
Burr Ridge
Deborah Stillman –
(630) 908-7508
Nancy Keane – (708) 352-0454
Westchester, Brookfield,
Lyons, River Forest, Riverside,
Chicago, Hillside,
North Riverside, Oak Park,
Berwyn
Nancy Kranz – (708) 603-2932
AREA 2
Willowbrook, Darien, Westmont
Susan Mooney – (630) 963-1860
Catherine Goering –
(630) 325-0310
AREA 3
Indian Head Park, Western
Springs, Willow Springs
Susan Hebble – (708) 784-1688
AREA 5
Elmhurst, Villa Park, Roselle,
Arlington Heights, Bensenville,
Des Plaines
Lynn Brackett – (630) 279-5851
Mary Getty – (630) 833-3082
Karen Hays – (630) 209-9340
AREA 5
Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wheaton,
Lisle, Oak Brook, Oak Brook
Terrace
Debbi Daniel-Wayman –
(630) 495-8761
AREA 7
LaGrange Park, LaGrange,
Countryside, Hodgkins,
Burbank
Nancy Weill – (708) 352-9128
Sara Takash – (312) 282-2517
AREA 8
Downers Grove
Cathy Zimmerman –
(630) 810-0561
Jill Jackson – (312) 231-9870
AREA 9
Aurora, Woodridge,
Bolingbrook, Lemont,
Lockport, Plainfield,
Romeoville, Naperville,
Shorewood, Cresthill
Paula Sejut-Dvorak —
(815) 210-1909
Pam Fodor — (630) 795-0295
Social Responsibility Circle
Dave Lloyd
[email protected]
Worship Circle
Linda Rio-Reichmann
[email protected]
Home and Garden Circle
Diane Barnes
[email protected]
Touchstone Submissions
Linda Karlen, Kim Ryan
T
he Touchstone newsletter will
be available on a quarterly
basis (Fall, Winter, Spring
and Summer). The deadline for
the next issue is August 1, 2016.
Please submit articles and meeting
dates for Fall 2016 to Linda Karlen
at:
[email protected].
Remember to keep your article
under 500 words or it will be
edited for length.
Communications/Posting Policy
If any member objects to the
posting of his or her name,
image, actions or voice on the
Church’s website, Twitter or
Facebook pages, or in Churchprepared press releases, please
contact Linda Liberacki (office@
hinsdaleunitarian.org).
•
The Touchstone 10