NEWSLETTER
May 6, 2013
1828 Old Naperville Road
Naperville, IL 60563
Office: 630-505-9408, ext. 701
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm
We are on the Web!
www.DuPageUUChurch.org
The Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Church Office: 630-505-9408 Home Office: 630-544-5379 Email: [email protected]
Steve Cooper, Director of Religious Education
Office: 630-505-9408, ext. 703 Home: 630-906-0140 Email: [email protected]
SERVICE INFORMATION
MAY 12
Trusting Women @ 9:30am & 11:15am
Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
Trusting women to be good moral decision makers is not common in our world, not even in our nation. More
often we have to remind men, as did Abigail Adams, to "Remember the Ladies." As setters of ethical agendas,
our congregation and Association have supported women as decision makers. What does this mean in our
community, our world, and our families? Is trust the best mothers' day gift we can give? There will be a
special collection this morning to support the rape counseling work being done by the YWCA.
MAY 19
Religious Education Sunday @ 9:30am & 11:15am
Steve Cooper, Director of Religious Education
Re[LOVE]ution (n): 1. A movement/idea/revolution starting with YOU and spreading everywhere. 2. A chain reaction; spreading
love around our community.
(v): Taking action and making a difference; changing the way we treat each other.
The Youth Ensemble will be providing music and children from each grade level will participate in the service.
MAY 26
One service only at 10:00am What Happened Here? Honoring Our Past.
Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
In our last full service in the current sanctuary, we take time to acknowledge the life transitions that have been
honored here: memorial services, weddings, coming of age, child dedications. There will be candles lit during
this service for the events in your life that happened here. Bring photographs if you wish. We will create a
beautiful display of our life in this sanctuary.
Beginning with this service, all will be at 10:00 until September 8.
JUNE 2
One service at 10:00am Opening the Doors
Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher and Kelley Trombly-Freytag
This will be our first service in our new sanctuary. It will follow the history of this congregation, beginning by our
going through the Founder's Room (this congregation's first sanctuary) into the current sanctuary. We will have
a short service in the current sanctuary, then pick up our hymnals, walk them to the new sanctuary, and place
them in the racks on the new chairs. The choir will sing in both the old and new spaces. Our chalice will be lit in
the current sanctuary, and the light carried into the new one where our new chalice will be lit. Please note,
because there is only one service for this consecration of the new space, we will be crowded. Be sure that you
leave the chairs for those who cannot stand. You will be able to use the stairs or the elevator to move from the
Founder's Room to the current sanctuary, and from there to the new space. Two wheel chairs will be available
for those who need them. When we leave the current sanctuary, we will each receive a flower to put into vases
for the new space. Please bring a flower with you for each family member. Extras will be available should you
forget.
VIEW FROM THE EDGE OF THE PRAIRIE
On May 5 at the end of the service I spoke of a new program for spiritual
growth. It is to start each month with a theme. The theme will be one or two
words that are part of the vocabulary of religious concern. This month, the
word is "trust." Each month I will fashion a service out of that word/concept.
In the next newsletter will appear readings from the service. There you can
then read them on your own, using them for your own explorations. Starting
in October, there will be a time in the current sanctuary (which will then be
the "Children's Hall") after each theme service for a discussion. You may bring
your coffee and cookies there. A print out of the service will be available.
The discussion can go wherever the participants wish to take it. Chalice
groups are invited to use the theme of the month in their meetings. The "Spirit
of Life After 60" group which meets on the third Thursday of the month will be
doing that next year. (There are still openings in this group, and you are
invited to come and try it out, provided you are "mature" enough!)
The purpose of this program is both individual and congregational growth.
One of the purposes of a religious institution is to provide materials for us to
grow individually and also for the congregation to deepen in its religious
understandings. The first set of readings, from this past Sunday's service, starts
in this newsletter. Included are the poem First Lesson by Phillip Booth and
quotes from A. Powell Davies about trust, faith, and hope.
I hope to see you all at the service on June 2 which will be our first event in
our new sanctuary. We will ask you to enter our current sanctuary via the
Founder's Room, which was this congregation's first sanctuary. You will
receive one of the hymnals as you enter the current sanctuary. There we will
light our chalice, hear from the choir and some words of farewell to this room
as our Sunday meeting space. Then we will take the hymnals and walk to the
new Sanctuary. We will be led from the old to the new by a child carrying
the light from the chalice we lit. This will be used to light the new chalice in
our new Sanctuary. There the choir will again sing for us, we will participate in
a congregational reading about opening a new space that we have
planned and made happen. I will say few words about what this means why we built this space, and the possibilities it can provide for us. We will
close by singing Fire of Commitment and proceeding to Kreves Hall for
special refreshments. If all that is not enough, we will also keep the tradition
of this Sunday being Flower Communion Sunday. We will do it differently, but
don't forget to bring a bloom for each member of your family. There will be
child care for the youngest in the nursery, but all other children will be part of
the total congregation this day.
In the evening of June 2, 7-9pm, there will be a reception to honor those
who led us in the capital campaign and served on the task forces to design
our building and see it through its construction. I hope you will plan to attend
this evening event to recognize the exceptional work done by your fellow
members to provide us with our magnificent new space, a space for our
personal growth and that allows us to open the doors to all who want to
come inside. See you there - Emmy Lou
READINGS FOR MAY ON THE THEME OF TRUST
First Lesson
Lie back daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A deadman's float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.
-Phillip Booth
From Rev. A. Powell Davies
Faith is not a thing of contemplation only, but of our experience on the
earth. There is no way of knowing how much of meaning there is in life
unless we trust the meaning that we find. All too many people want to
argue themselves into a meaningful religion. It cannot be done. We live
ourselves into religion, and thinking is only a part of living. A deepening of
spiritual awareness is never casual. It must be sought. It must be looked for
in experience. Truth never reveals itself as a ultimate principle to those who
do not serve it as a rule of life…
Religion must be lived to be understood; we must follow where its
precepts lead us, if we are to find it as a deepening experience. But, it can
be followed – today as at any time – from its humblest starting point in
choosing truth and righteousness, through all its rising levels of attainment,
until it comes to be at last a radiant confidence.
There is hope, born like our own souls, from the fathomless mystery. This
hope may sometimes flicker, but it never dies. It is the kindly light that leads
the wanderer through a wilderness. When there is nothing else, there is this.
And the fearful soul, beset with doubts, wandering and faltering, can still
follow this light. It did not come from nowhere. No light does. It is the gift….
to every honest pilgrim who, having left behind the faiths that failed, sets
forth anew, not knowing where the path may lead.
(A Powell Davies, Without Apology. Collected Meditations on Liberal
Religion. Ed by Forrest Church, Skinner House Books, UUS, Boston, MA 1998)
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Our youth religious education classes are nearing the end of the school
year. It’s at this time that everyone gets real busy and sometimes gets
disconnected from what is going on at church. Below is an overview of
dates from now through the summer so that you have all the information
in one place. Print out or clip out this page and stick it on your fridge so
that at a glance you know what’s going on for youth at the church on a
given Sunday through next fall.
May 12: Last day of school year session religious education. Classes will
be preparing for RE Sunday.
May 19: RE Sunday, service for all ages. Come and show your gratitude
towards the teachers that taught throughout the year. We’ll honor our
graduating seniors and celebrate our religious education program and
the people involved (young and old.)
May 26: Memorial Day weekend, one service only at 10:00. Structured
activities will be offered for youth.
June 2: This will be our first service in the New Sanctuary.
June 9: Annual Meeting of the Congregation. Pancake breakfast
before the meeting. Childcare offered during the meeting.
June 16: Summer Religious Education begins (one service at 10:00.) Two
classes will be offered during the summer. For the younger youth, up to
3rd grade, we are offering Picture Book U.U.; each week’s lesson illustrates
Unitarian Universalist identities and values. A curriculum called Popcorn
Theology will be offered for older youth, 4th grade and older, which
consists of watching portions of movies and then discussing the
theological and ethical issues of the clip.
August 18: Last day of Summer Religious Education.
August 25: Summer service for all ages at 10:00.
September 1: Labor Day weekend, one service at 10:00. Structured
activities for youth.
September 8: Ingathering service for all ages (two services 9:30 & 11:15)
September 14: Saturday night campfire and gathering to kick-off the
new year of religious education.
September 15: First day of religious education for the new school year.
See you next Sunday
Steve Cooper
Youth Religious Education Calendar
May 12: Last day of RE classes
May 19: RE Sunday, Service For All Ages
May 26: One service offered at 10:00; structured activities for youth
THE MONKEY HAS ARRIVED WITH THE
CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY!
Our search committee needs information about our
congregation to present to possible candidates for
our new minister. The major way that you can help in
this process is to fill out the Congregational Survey.
The more of us who fill out the survey, the better our
search results will be. Please take our Congregational Survey by
clicking on this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VT269JY
The answers are anonymous, so answer freely, but please answer!
You will need about an hour to finish the survey, and we wish to
have them completed by the end of Sunday, May 12, 2013.
Super Heroes Sited at Church. An
assortment of members, non-members, DUUGooders, youth, children, board members,
and even a visitor from Hinsdale UU Church,
showed up on Saturday, April 20th, to spruce
up the church. Windows were washed,
dusting, vacuuming, and kitchen cleaning
happened, and the basement was cleared
of mud and mess left by torrential rain earlier in the week. George
Peck and his work crew tackled the regular monthly maintenance
tasks and repairs. Wood flooring for the new sanctuary was
delivered and a dozen men were dispatched to haul it in. And then
we had pizza. We thank the volunteers who gave up their Saturday
morning to help out: Sally Vargo, Paul Vargo, Tom
Chockley, Babs Chockley, Mara Southorn, Richard
Southorn, Pat Clancy, Elsie Mills, Jean McCollum,
the entire Achterhoff family: Blake, Valerie, Dylan,
Lennon, and Grayson, Rick Worley and Roberta
Peterson, with daughter Amy, Jessica D'Amico,
Jack Pace, Karen Hutt, Ruth Schoenfeld, Kris
Shulman, Peter Shulman, Al Drake, Carolyn Drake,
Steve Connet, Bill Dawe, Drew Bolda, Paul Sellnow,
Ken Koresch, John Tatro, George Peck, Bob Bahrey, Dave Gorman,
Jeff Teppema, Jeremy Leone, Ali Hansen, Pat Carson, Cindy
Wunderlich, Bob Wunderlich, and Dave Jelliff.
QUACKTOID
Make your yard a bird oasis. Start by providing the five basics: clean
water, plants with flowers for nectar and insects (songbirds feed
insects to their young), fruit-bearing plants to provide fuel for
migration and winter, layers of plants for cover and thermal
protection, and nesting habitat and materials. Native plants are
key—their architecture, flowers, fruits, and scents are ideal for
restoring the communities and relationships birds depend on. Yards
that mimic surrounding natural plant communities not only attract
more kinds of birds, they could help reverse the loss of urban
biodiversity, according to new research.
Click here for more information about our Green Sanctuary.
~ NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE ~
MONDAY, May 20, 2013 @ 9:00AM
Items should be e-mailed to
[email protected].
Sunday Morning Forums - Founders Room @ 9:30am
May 12
What is happening in Reproductive Choice today? Is there Justice? This
forum is an update from last year's forum. Clips from UUA videos on our
current study/action issue, voted on at the General Assembly in Phoenix
last June will be aired and discussed. Bring your questions!
Presented by DUUC’s Reproductive Justice Group
May 19
Transgender Issues. Join speakers from Equality Illinois and learn about
transgender/trans identity. Hosted by the LGBTQI Group at DUUC (Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex)
HONORING OUR LOSSES
On Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 – 9:00pm there will be gathering in the
Founder’s Room at our church where we may honor our losses. If you
would like to participate, please bring a photograph to display. You
may also say a few words about your loved one. The gathering, with
an Opening and Closing, will be facilitated by Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher
and Edna Groves.
Coats Left Going to Goodwill
5 coats are still remaining on coat rack & will be taken to
Goodwill after May 12th services.
1. Hooded black zippered sweatshirt (with green Field
Museum bag on hanger holding picture from Ruth Elliot)
2. Purple & black Lucent windbreaker
3. Black leather Liz Claiborne jacked petite medium
4. Beige Columbia jacket XL
5. Gray/green Free County windbreaker, man's medium
A/V TEAM EXPANDING
Do you like to help out but not necessarily in
a public way? Do you like a challenge where
learning is possible with each activity? Would
you like to play an important role in the
delivery of Sunday morning services?
With the exciting transition to our new
building and sanctuary, the A/V Team is gearing up to expand our
members. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO JOIN US. It's that simple.
We'll begin training (which is mostly on-the-job) this Summer. Please get
in touch with Curt Johnson to join the team: [email protected] or
630-660-3063.
DUUC Book Club's May selection is There are No
Children Here, by Alex Kotlowitz. Please join us for
the book discussion on Sunday, May 19th, 12:45 p.m.
Contact Joan Spindler with questions.
ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF DUUC are
cordially invited to attend the Sanctuary
Celebration Reception to honor and show our
appreciation to the members of the Building
Project Team and Capital Campaign Steering
Committee. This dessert reception will be held
on June 2nd from 7:00-9:00 p.m. capping a
wonderful day of celebrating the dedication of
our new Sanctuary. Childcare will be available for children under six
years old. Please contact to Toni Morgan at [email protected] or
630-551-3623 if you will need childcare and please include the number
of children and their ages.
The Winter Womanspirit Conference will be held here at DUUC
next Feb 7-9. Author of "The Secret Life of Bees" and "The dance of the
Dissident Daughter" Sue Monk Kidd will be the speaker. Conference
title is "Wisdom for the Journey. Ms Kidd combines writing and
spirituality into an artistic and feminist perspective. There will be
workshops and other activities as part of the conference. To volunteer
to help or for more information, call Denise Tracy 847-608-8282.
Muffins and Fruit Potluck on June 2nd
We've all been looking forward to this day come and join your DUUC family as we
celebrate our first Sunday in the new
Sanctuary. If you can, bring some fruit or
muffins or bread to share - Fellowship will provide bagels and juice.
Questions, call Joan Doyle at 630-303-1422.
DUUC Pancake Breakfast
Come and join us for our Annual Pancake
Breakfast just before the Annual Meeting on
Sunday, June 9th. We want to serve you
breakfast - we also need some volunteers to
help serve you breakfast! Set up, kitchen help,
clean up, there's room for everyone! If you can help, sign up in Kreves
Hall or email Joan Doyle at [email protected]. Looking
forward to seeing you there!
JUST VIEWS: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 7:20 pm: On the Edge: Family
Homelessness in America
We’ll watch “On the Edge”, an acclaimed documentary by activist/writer/
speaker Diane Nilan and NIU media professor/filmmaker Laura Vazquez, about
the struggles of seven women trying to escape homelessness in small towns and
resort communities across America. “On the Edge” takes viewers deep into the
nomadic lives of these impoverished women and children. Viewers also gain
insights into the systemic and personal causes of homelessness and ways
individuals strive to overcome it. For more information, go to http://
www.hearus.us/.
Joining us for the screening and discussion will be Diane Nilan, author of the
book “Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness” and
Founder/President of HEAR US Inc. Nilan has run emergency shelters in Joliet and
Aurora and worked to pass legislation to guarantee homeless students
educational rights. Nilan and Vazquez have also completed short films about
homeless children and youth. Join us to discuss causes and means to eliminate
poverty and homelessness, and learn about the work of HEAR US nationally, and
of Naperville Cares and local service organizations. Knowledge creates power
to make things better!
Please contact Stephanie Downs Hughes at [email protected] or
630/420-4233 with any questions.
VOLUNTEERS
are needed for set-up and clean-up
for the Sanctuary Celebration Reception. Many hands
make for light work so please contact Mary Hamill at
[email protected] or 630-983-7892.
DUU-Gooders - MAY
Throughout May, DUU-Gooders are collecting items for the
Lisle Township Food Pantry. Needed this month are: juice,
heat and eat meals such as Spaghetti O’s, canned fruits
and vegetables, cereal, laundry detergent and bleach.
Please place your donations in the
box located in the church
entryway. Lisle Township includes
the area bordered by Warrenville
Road on the north, Woodward Avenue on the east,
87th Street on the south and Washington Street on the
west. The Pantry is staffed by volunteers whose goal is
that no residents go hungry. They offer a 27-Day
Emergency Food Disbursement and operate the
Perishable Pantry, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday for their clients.
Agenda for Tuesday May 14th
DUUC Board Meeting
Highlights of the agenda for the Tuesday May 14th
DUUC Board Meeting include:
· Approve Budget for presentation at Annual
Meeting
· Finalize agenda for June Annual Meeting
· Select bank for mortgage loan as construction
loan phases out
· Review and approve sister church relationship with Transylvanian
Unitarian church
· Update on new member mentor role
All are welcome. If you have any questions, contact Robert Skrocki at
[email protected].
PACE PARTY FRIDAY MAY 24
At the end of May, long-time DUUC
members Jack and Ginny Pace are
moving to Bloomington, Illinois, to be
closer to their grandchildren. Join us
Friday May 24 to celebrate their time
with DUUC and to give them a fabulous
send-off. Drinks and appetizers starting at 6:00 PM at DUUC. Please
RSVP to Karen Hutt at [email protected].
Lend a Hand. We some repair jobs around the
church that we’d like to finish before people scatter
for the summer. George has a small, dedicated crew
but needs a few more hands. If you can use simple
household tools, please come and help. Saturday
May 18th 9:00AM to Noon. Please let us know you are
coming so George can plan the jobs for the day. Contact Rose
Riccio at the church office or send an email to
[email protected].
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tues. May 7
Wed. May 8
Thurs. May 9
Fri. May 10
Sat. May 11
Sun. May 12
Tues. May 14
Wed. May 15
Thurs. May 16
Fri. May 17
Sat. May 18
Sun. May 19
Mon. May 20
Crafting & Conversation, 7:00pm
Honoring our Losses, 7:00pm
Committee on Ministry, 7:15pm
Humanist Group, 7:30pm
Visitor Relations Committee, 7:30pm
Reproductive Justice, 7:00pm
Sign Language Class for parents & children, 7:00pm
Men’s Group, 7:30pm
Sunday Services Committee, 7:30pm
Sign Language Class for teens & adults, 8:00pm
Just Views Film & Discussion, 7:20pm
Steward meeting, 8:30am
Genealogy, 10:00am
Young Adults Group, 6:00pm
Sunday Services, 9:30am & 11:15am
Forum, 9:30am
YUUth Ensemble Rehearsal, 10:45am
New Member Recognition
Bookshop/Library Committee, 1:00pm
Board Meeting, 7:00pm
Crafting & Conversation, 7:00pm
LGBTQ Welcoming Group, 7:00pm
Youth RE Committee, 7:00pm
Bridge Team, 7:00pm
Spirit of Life after 60, 7:00pm
FIRE, 7:00pm
Work Session, 9:00am
Scouting meeting, 10:00am
Search Committee, 1:00pm
Sunday Services, 9:30am & 11:15am
Forum, 9:30am
Book Club, 12:45pm
Public Ministry Committee special meeting, 12:45pm
Budget Review, 1:00pm
Jr. High OWL, 1:00pm
RE Sunday
Choir Rehearsal, 7:00pm
Newsletter Deadline @ 9:00am
UUWA Brown Bag Lunch, noon
Budget Review, 7:00pm
Slate of Candidates for the June 2013 election
Presented by the Nominating & Leadership Development Committee: Kaiya Iverson (chair), Elsie Mills
(Vice-Chair), Sarah Baldwin, Lynell Reschke, Scott Trombly-Freytag and Membership Director Rose
Riccio (advisory)
Committee on Ministries (COM) - Member
The committee focuses on the shared ministry of the congregation—how we take care
of ourselves and of each other. It serves in a consulting and advisory capacity to the
minister and provides a channel for congregational concerns relating to the minister,
gives input to the board and minister to set annual goals, and monitors programs of
the church to determine effectiveness.
Note that in addition to 3 elected members, 1 member is appointed by the minister
and another by the board.
Nominee for COM: Pending
Public Ministry Committee (PMC) - Member
The committee provides education and support for public ministry, including the study
of social justice issues. Written statements intended to express the position of DUUC on
matters of public concern require study and congregational dialogue before a
congregational vote. The Committee on Public Ministry coordinates such activities on
behalf of the sponsor.
Nominees for PMC: Paul Sellnow & Pending
Paul joined DUUC six years ago. He has been chairman of the Forum Committee and
the Membership Committee, and is a board member of the local AHA chapter
(Humanists of West Suburban Chicagoland). Paul contributes baritone solos to the
services when he gets a chance, and he is currently mid-way through a three year
course of study at The Humanist Institute.
Nominating & Leadership Development Committee (NLDC) – Member
The committee evaluates and develops leadership abilities of church members to
provide quality nominations for elected church officers and committee positions. In
addition, the committee selects members for scholarship to the Central Midwest
District Leadership School.
Nominees for NLDC Committee: Sue Gately & John Tatro
Sue Gately has I have been a member of DUUC since 2000. She has served on a
variety of Committees and served as chair of some: Membership Committee, Chair;
Social Action Comm; Sunday Service Comm., Co Chair; Green Sanctuary Comm;
Bridge Communities, Chair and Mentor; Public Ministry Comm; Pastoral Ministry,
Associate. She has taught Youth Religious, she supports PADs and DUUGooders, and
she is involved with Elder Circle.
John has attended DUUC for over 10 years. He started attending when looking for a
spiritual home and is proud of DUUC's inclusiveness. He has been active in the RE
program as a 3rd/4th grade teacher, a TAG mentor, and most recently as an OWL
instructor. He also sings in the choir and has enjoyed other UU activities including service
auction dinners and attending MUUSA last year.
Endowment Fund Committee – Member
The committee manages, promotes and invests the Endowment Fund, the purpose of which
is to serve as the principal vehicle for the receipt and investment of special gifts to the
Church.
Nominee: Steve Tiwald
Steve Tiwald has been member of DUUC for 26 years. Steve has served in several
leadership roles, including on the board and co-chairing the capital funds drive for the
Kreves Hall addition. Steve was the person who initiated the DUUC Endowment Fund
back in 1992, based on what he learned about such arrangements at his previous UU
church in Omaha, Nebraska. He then served two terms as committee chairperson.
1828 Old Naperville Road
Naperville, IL 60563
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