BEACON Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

July/August 2010
FROM REV. ALAN TAYLOR SUMMER SERVICES
9:30 AM ONLY
C hange, at some point, enters all our lives. But our
changes do not ultimately define us. Instead, we
are shaped by how we respond to the changes.
Sunday, July 4
Revolutionary Religion
Rev. Alan Taylor
Having too many children in our program is a good Offering: People's Church of Chicago Homeless Ministry
problem to have. But it is a bad problem when families
Sunday, July 11
come to Unity Temple, discover that our classes are
Mohamed Webb and the Legacy of Islam in America
filled to capacity at the 9:30 a.m. service, and sadly
Dilara Sayeed
leave our community because the 11:15 a.m. service is
Offering: Oak Park Coalition of Truth and Justice
simply too late for their children's naps or other
activities. Our first service has nearly three times the Sunday, July 18
number of children as our second service, and the Meeting the Incomprehensible
imbalance is due to the current demands on families. Duane Dowell
Offering: Disabled American Veterans
When the idea emerged among our congregation's Sunday, July 25
leadership to change the time of our worship services, Doubt and Faith: A Powerful Combination
my initial response was, "We can't do that! We have Amy Clark-Williams
always held services at 9:30 and 11:15 (at least during Offering: Cluster Tutoring Program
my tenure here)!" My secondary response was fear:
"Making such a big change could adversely affect Sunday, August 1
attendance! No one likes to change!" My third response Faith-based Faith
was simply personal: "I don't want to have to get up a Toni Maddi
half hour earlier every week—it is hard enough to be Offering: Lawyers Committee for Better Housing
prepared for worship by 9:30!" Sunday, August 8
The End Game: The Name or The Flame
One long-time leader pointed out that the service times Jared Nourse
changed in the late 1990s, when the congregation went Offering: PCC Wellness Center
to two services, and that they certainly aren't written in Sunday, August 15
stone. Members of my staff pointed out that by not This Is Water: Thoughts about
changing we will serve fewer people, and institutions Living a Compassionate Life
that thrive are those that can adapt to the changing Rev. Alan Taylor
needs of their communities; those that cannot or will Offering: Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
not change for the sake of serving the larger mission
will inevitably wilt and decline. And several people Sunday, August 22
pointed out that an earlier service time means more Revelation Is Never Sealed
time in the rest of the day. Rev. Alan Taylor
Offering: Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
More than 220 members of our community responded to Sunday, August 29
the survey regarding the idea of moving our service Rev. Emily Gage
times to 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. After reading the positive Offering: Micah's Porch
responses, it was clear, though I still had to process
through my own resistance. Now, I am fully ready for Flower Communion All Summer Long: Bring blooms from
the change. your gardens for the vase on our summer service altar.
Continued on page 3
2 • The Beacon
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Membership Opportunities 2 From Duane Dowell, President
Board of Trustees 2 president@unitytemple.org
Community Minister 3
Worship times to change this Fall 4
Music Program News
Religious Education News
5
6
2010 Annual Fund Drive Update 7 •
Adult Religious Enrichment 8 our Minister of Faith Development. It was a joyous
Chalice Circles 9 celebration; we ended the meeting on a high note.
From the Archives 10
July and August Events Not To Miss 11
MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Are YOU New? Welcome!
Introduction to Unitarian Universalism
This course is the prerequisite for Pathway to
Membership sessions, and is for all who would like to
learn more about Unitarian Universalism philosophy,
history and theology. For more information, and
to register for this class, e-mail Sue Stock at
membership@unitytemple,org or call 708-445-0306.
Instructor: Rev. Taylor. Date & Time: Sunday, July
4th, 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Location: Unity House.
No charge.
In August, the class will be offered on Sunday, August
15, 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Pathway to Membership
This two-session class is for those who have already
taken Introduction to Unitarian Universalism. It
focuses on our congregation and its programs.
Participants will have opportunities to discuss their
personal attitudes and beliefs about religion and
spirituality and to share these with others in the class.
For more information, and/or to put your name on the
list for a class, contact Rob Bellmar at 708-763-0260
or rbellmar@gmail.com.
Next class dates are Saturdays, July 31 and August 7,
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Unity House
Cost: $20.
September classes will be held on Sundays,
September 19 and 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For free childcare during any of these classes,
contact childcare@unitytemple.org at least one week in
advance.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
I n case you missed the Annual Meeting on June 6,
here is what we did:
With 100% affirmation, we called Rev. Emily Gage as
• We passed a budget for our next year of church
operations.
• We elected Jean Borrelli, Jay Peterson, Diane Scott,
and Ian Morrison to our Board of Trustees
• We elected a Nominating Committee consisting of
Steve Allscheid, Jules Eckersley and Lisa Ripley to
join Ellen Wehrle and Betsy Davis, who had been
appointed by the President.
We also received reports from the Administrative
Team and the Board of Trustees. The Pursuit Team and
Diversity Task Force gave us an update on the progress
of their work.
In other business, we passed a by-law revision that
will reduce the Board of Trustees from twelve members
to nine in accordance with the recommendations of the
policy governance model. We defeated a by-law revision
that would have placed the confirmation of the members
of the management committees in the hands of the
administrative team. That confirmation will remain
under the Board of Trustees. We then passed a by-law
revision that directs the Administrative team to
designate the chairperson of each program, manage-
ment and ad hoc committee after consultation with and
input from current committee members.
Finally, we were unable to pass a constitutional
ammendment to allow more flexibility in the scheduling
of the annual meeting (it now must be held on a Sunday
in June) to avoid conflict with A Day in Our Village,
graduations, etc. This is because a constitutional
ammendment requires passage by a majority of voting
members of the congregation, not just a majority of
those attending the meeting. We will re-visit that issue
at another time.
At our meeting on June 8, the Board of Trustees
voted to authorize the Pursuit Team to enter into
negotions with consultants who will help us move to the
next phase of finding space for our growing congrega-
tion and restoring our marvelous architectural landmark
building.
And that's all the news there is to tell. Stay tuned
and talk with your members of the board.

Rev. Taylor, cont. from page 1
Most here favor the change or are neutral about it, the
primary exception being some members of the choir who
travel long distances to participate. And I should also
acknowledge the teenagers who want to sleep in to
11 a.m. in the morning! I am aware that for some of us,
and this includes me, making this change is a stretch.
Marty Swisher, our choir director, will begin choir
rehearsal only 15 minutes prior to this past year, so as
to alleviate the burden on the choir. As for the
teenagers among us, I won't ask you to go to bed any
earlier, only to drag yourselves out of bed a half hour
earlier, for next year promises to be another wonderful
year for our youth programs.
May the summer provide you rest and renewal. May you
creatively adapt to the changes in your lives. And for
those of you who take summers away, I look forward to
seeing you in September at 9 or 10:45 a.m.
Warmly,
Thank You to Our Pathway to
Membership Facilitators
The Membership Committee wishes to recognize the ef-
forts of these members who facilitated our Pathway
classes this year: Carrie Bankes, Barbara Boockmeier,
Janeen Bowersmith, Cathy Busking, Anne Devaud, Duane
Dowell, George Hay, Shirley Lundin, Mary Ellen Munley,
Jay Petersen, Ellen Wehrle, Amy Clark-Williams. We
appreciate this significant contribution. Thank you!
Need a Ride to the Airport?
Your $30.00 fare benefits Unity Temple ($20 to UT, $10 to
the driver). Call Russ lorraine: 708-488-1770, Duane
Dowell: 708/890-1148, John Frye: 708-456-5266, Tom Hall:
708/848-6588, Lisa Gariota (O'Hare only): 773-594-1426.
July/August 2010 • 3
FROM THE COMMUNITY MINISTER
From Rev. Clare Butterfield
Community Minister
Clare@faithinplace.org
M oving the Faith in Place offices downtown hasn’t
just changed the level of our activity. It’s changed
our perspective on the world. This may not be altogether
a good thing. There were virtues about each of our
previous locations. The two leaky offices we first
occupied when we went independent have made us
appreciate the relative luxury in each subsequent
location. Those of us who’ve been around the whole
time won’t forget that.
And there was a lot to be said about being physically
connected to a neighborhood. Working in East Garfield
telegraphed something about our intentions toward
people that our current digs do not.
At time of writing a big storm is passing through
downtown, and from the 9th floor of an office building
that is always an interesting thing. The other day we
got to witness the Blackhawks hoopla. It went within a
few feet of us, and 2 million people took up quite a lot
of room. It was one of those rare Chicago events when
the aftermath looks positively post-apocalyptic until the
Streets and Sanitation guys get out with the big
equipment. By rush hour it looked like normal—maybe a
little cleaner than usual. It was good to see the whole
process, so that we were reminded how well our city
sometimes works.
Spending so much time in this luxurious stretch of
the city makes me keenly aware of how fortunate we are
here. Millenium Park is one of the few remaining free
city concert venue in the United States, and it is simply
wonderful to listen to music there while happily
munching on a sandwich. Most people in the world do
not live like this. Chicago is a very clean city, and by
and large it is also a very safe city (except, and notably
except, for certain parts of it). Most of us in the metro
area are allowed to pursue our daily lives without fear of
war, scarcity, environmental destruction, kidnapping,
drug violence, fights between warlords, or scarcity—the
kinds of things that most of our brothers and sisters
contend with in the world.
We don’t mind having made it this far as an
organization. We can still have days when we spend the
whole day on tech support, but that’s better than bullets
through the windows. Perhaps it is the very luxury of
this place that allows us to ask the questions we ask,
instead of asking where our next meal might be coming
from. In that case, we have an obligation to consider
that question very carefully.
4 • The Beacon

be a change they would be willing to make. In an open-

WORSHIP AT 9:00 & 10:45 AM ended question concerning challenges being created or
STARTING S EPTEMBER 12 TH alleviated by the change, about 30% said challenges
would neither be created or alleviated. The majority of
the remaining respondents said that they would enjoy
T hanks to the 221 people who filled out the survey
concerning the current and proposed times for
worship services at UTUUC! It was a well-distributed
having extra time on Sunday mornings after worship
services. A few specifically mentioned that the second
service time would be more appealing than the current
group: 43% of respondents currently attend the 9:30
11:15 time.
service, 39.4% attend the 11:15, and 19% vary their
We did ask what service respondents would attend,
attendance. (Or sometimes attend both, especially if
given the options of 9 and 10:45 a.m. Those varying
singing in the choir.)
their attendance and attending the 11:15 service stated
Our initial impetus, and continued main motivation,
that they would, respectively, continue to vary, and
for launching this survey was due to a great imbalance
attend the 10:45. Of those who attend the current 9:30
in our religious education classes. For example, we have
service, 84.6% said they would attend the 9 service and
as many as 20 kindergarteners and first graders in an
19.8% would switch to the 10:45 service. In the
early service class, and fewer than five at the late
additional feedback, some had not yet made up their
service. Such imbalances make it difficult for teachers or
mind. Elsewhere in the survey, and in conversation,
students to have a safe, productive, community-building
families have indicated their willingness to consider
and fun time. Our facilities at this time give us no room
switching.
for expansion or splitting of groups. Pre-survey feedback
The Administrative Team, after sorting through this
and behavior has shown that the late service time is
data, and in conversation with the Board, the staff, the
simply too late for many families to attend services on
Children and Youth Religious Education Committee and
Sunday.
the Worship Committee, has concluded that changing
As we reflected on proposing shifting the worship
the worship service times to 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. would
times to half an hour earlier, we realized that there
be beneficial to our congregation. Further, the Minister
could be other benefits. It could allow for more time
of Faith Development will be working with families to
and a smoother transition between services and the
ensure a greater balance in our classrooms. We will put
start of public tours, and allow for small rites of passage
this in place for the fall, and see how it goes. We all
before tours. It could also allow for afternoon
recognize that it will require some adjustment for
gatherings to start earlier in the day.
everyone, and appreciate all of your feedback and your
As part of the survey, we asked parents (and other
willingness in continuing to make Unity Temple
interested adults) if they had any concerns about class
Unitarian Universalist Congregation a welcoming place
size or participation on Sunday mornings. Many
for all ages.
comments reflected our stated concerns for the survey.
One comment (repeated many times) was: “The 11:15
classes are so small it doesn’t seem like the same kids
are getting the same experience of community—and the
9:30 RE classes are so big it seems a bit unmanageable
at times.” Another: “The late service class size makes it
extremely difficult to find enough parent volunteers for
teaching and assisting.” And: “I wouldn’t mind going to
the later service if I knew there was a good group of
young kids that my daughter could play with.” Taizé at Unity Temple
We appreciated the candid feedback provided, and Please join us again for Taizé Service in the Unity
found that 53.8% of the respondents felt that changing Temple Sanctuary, on Fridays, July 23 and August 27
the worship times to 9 and 10:45 a.m. would have no at 7 p.m. These services will offer a time for
discernable effect, 23.1% felt it would make it easier to meditation, reflection, and renewal through music,
fit worship into their schedule, and 13.7% felt it would brief words, and silence. Come sing, light a candle,
make it more difficult to fit worship into their schedule. and nurture your spirit during this non-traditional
14.2% of respondents made further comments, many of worship experience—and bring a friend. The services
which expressed small challenges, but willingness to will conclude before 8 p.m. For more information,
change, as well as concerns with coming even earlier contact Marty Swisher, Music Director, at
due to choir obligations. Thus, the majority felt it would music@unitytemple.org.

MUSIC
From the Music Director
Marty Swisher
music@unitytemple.org
T hank you for another supportive season of music
making at Unity Temple. Choir members have
volunteered hundreds of hours to enhancing the quality of
worship here, and for this I am sincerely grateful. Soloists,
ensembles (instrumental as well as vocal) have emerged
from the congregation to offer spiritual enrichment.
Professional musicians have been invited to also take part
in our services offering yet another form of artistic
expression. With the constant support of the members of
this congregation we have been able to supply a rich
musical component to our services. Thank you all for your
contributions musically, financially and spiritually. It is so
gratifying to receive comments of appreciation as well as
suggestions on how we can further develop this aspect of
our worship.
Taizé continues through July and August on fourth
Fridays. Team Taizé is always interested in adding to its
ranks with instrumentalists and singers that can read our
simple scores and commit to a full rehearsal before
services. Our attendance continues to grow at a steady
rate and we are enthusiastic as we see the number of non-
congregants grow each month. Betsy Davis and Alice
Muciek have led the set up and organizational aspect of
the services. We have much to thank you for. In addition,
thanks to the ever-growing team of musicians. You have
made this a special experience for many.
If you haven’t experienced this contemplative offering,
please consider joining us. Although the summer offers
more light, the singing, the beautiful instrumentalists and
the worship lead by ministers Clare Butterfield and Emily
Gage offers an opportunity to set aside (often much
needed) time for reflection and prayer.
A special thank you should be extended to the Unity
Temple Singers. Our ensemble has benefited this year by
the addition of Ray Holdsworth, Maria Dahman and the
ever talented Peter Storms. Thank you Audrey, Doug and
Janet Cole, Judy Compton, Maria Dahman, Jenny
Earlandson, Ray Holdsworth, Mark Robinson, Terri Schultz
and Peter Storms. More musical adventures will be in store
for the coming year.
Peter Storms, our organist and keyboard specialist,
encourages instrumentalists in the congregation to
collaborate with his musical offerings. Please contact
Peter at pjstorms@gmail.com if you would like to play
along with him during services or be featured as a soloist.
Come dream a dream with me…. So you think our
musical program at UT is good? Well, I have come to know
that this is a place where dreams can be not only born but
realized. The musical vision for our congregation can
July/August 2010 • 5
include so many more people and embrace many more
talents. I dream of drumming circles, bell choirs,
intergenerational ensembles (both instrumental and vocal),
a theatrical work that is produced in a concentrated period
of time with our high schoolers, middle schoolers taking
the leads, I see a Gilbert and Sullivan, Trail by Jury in our
sanctuary, I see sitars and djembe in groups and a gospel
choir. Come dream this dream with me. Let me know your
interests and how we can make some of these dreams come
true if it supports your needs.
Have a great summer. I will have much to report after I
attend the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network
Conference of where I serve as clinician and planning
conference member. I hope to bring back more ideas and
repertoire that will bring even more life to our offerings.
Summer Greeters
The Membership Committee does not prepare a
schedule of greeters for the summer services. Instead,
we attempt to cover with those members of our
committee who are present. This offers an opportu-
nity for others to join us in practicing our "warmth in
welcoming" skills. Often our attendance at summer
services includes many newcomers—some tourists,
but, also, many families who are using the summer
weeks to check out local churches. If you would like
to join this important group who assist in creating our
culture of welcoming at UTUUC, find the Membership
Committee representative at the Welcome Table, who
will offer a few words of encouragement and hand you
some orders of service, or contact Tom Hall, 708-848-
6588 or sunnytom@sbcglobal.net. Another awesome
greeter will be launched! Thank you, in advance, for
your help.
Thank You to our Greeters:
Susan Kerwin, Jeff Hoffman, Jill Olson-Harren, Michael
Ewing, Marge Gaino, Glenn Brewer, Gary Wilson, Beth
Graham, Gary Woll, Judy Woll, Marilyn Myles, Karla
Pineda, Margaret Klemundt, Anne Devaud, Marge
Entemann, Steve Manning, Jim Walwark, Jane Wood,
John Wood, Amy Clark-Williams, Kate Porter,Collette
Clark, Lisa Gariota, Frank Pospisil, Naoto Hasegawa,
and Maria Murzyn.
Substitute roster includes: Cynthia Adamson, Vera
Dowell, Duane Dowell, Sally Lemke, Greg Risberg, Ken
Hooker, Joe Schulenberg, Nancy Darnall, Mary Gerut,
George Hay, Michael Hoag, Judy Loevy, Alice Muciek,
Sharad and James Sullivan, and members of our high
school youth group.
6 • The Beacon
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
From Rev. Emily Gage
Minister of Faith Development
egage@unitytemple.org
I have a number of favorite sentences: “Cubs win!” “I
have some good news.” “Our hymn this morning is 1030
in the Teal Hymnal.” These are three just off the top of my
head, and I like these mostly because of what they mean.
Another favorite sentence I love not only for what it
means but for the language itself: “In this refulgent
summer, it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life.”
“In this refulgent summer, it has been a luxury to
draw the breath of life” is the first sentence of Ralph
Waldo Emerson’s Divinity School Address, delivered to the
Harvard Divinity School senior class in July of 1838. It was
one of those sermons that changed the course of our
religious history, in which Emerson outlined some of the
tenets of Transcendentalism, which called for people to
rely on their intuition as a source for spiritual truth. (Very
briefly put.) But truthfully, for me, it is this first sentence
that always lingers with me.
It is this time of year when the abundance of life is
so clearly around us, when we are—at least to my eye—
seemingly surrounded by miracle after miracle of nature.
Things are definitely refulgent. There are moments when I
stop and remember that it is a luxury to draw the breath of
life. Emerson writes further in the sermon: “The grass
grows, the buds burst, the meadow spotted with fire and
gold in the tint of flowers. The air is full of birds, and
sweet with the breath of pine, the balm-of-Gilead, and the
new hay. Night brings no gloom to the heart with its
welcome shade. Through the transparent darkness the stars
pour their almost spiritual rays.” Just the words alone
make my heart sing, even as I find it all around me.
At Unity Temple, we have a different rhythm during
the summer. For the most part, we just have one worship
service on a Sunday. We have a multi-age religious
education program for the young people who are here. We
tend to have fewer committee meetings, but more retreats.
We continue with Taize and some of our Faith development
opportunities, like Choose to Bless the world, and a new
film discussion series. It’s a time to see and experience
things differently, a good time to try something new. You
may take some time to be away from activities here and/or
you may take the time to delve more deeply here.
Whatever you do, wherever you go, know that you are
a beloved part of our Unity Temple community. You are
always welcome here.
And whatever happens this summer, may you find
beauty and wonder in it. Perhaps you will hear this
sentence echoing: “In this refulgent summer, it has been a
luxury to draw the breath of life.” May it be so in your
mind and heart.
This Summer, Travel to Exotic Destinations
...Right Here at Unity Temple!
Summer Religious Education Programming for
Children and Youth
Sundays through September 5 we have religious
education programming for our young ones from 3 years
old to grade 3. Under the able supervision of Summer
RE coordinator Amy Clark-Williams, some of our
teenagers will be teaching our children in multiage
groups using the Culture Camp curriculum. It’s a series
of stand-alone Sunday activities and lessons that delve
into countries around the world, with the object of
building understanding and living UU principles. It will
be lively and fun! We will have regular nursery care, and
the remainder of those who are here on a Sunday
morning will be divided into two groups—those who
have not yet entered kindergarten and younger, and
those who have graduated from kindergarten and up.
It’s a wonderful, welcoming and connection building
way to spend your Sunday morning. This will be at 9:30
a.m. on Sundays through September 5. Hope to see
you there to travel around the world together!
READY! SET! REGISTER!
Thanks to the many, many people who have already
registered their children for the 2010-11 Religious
Education Programming for Children and Youth! If your
child was registered during 2009-10, then you received
a registration in the mail. If you haven’t received one,
you can fill out a registration form at the Faith
Development table in the foyer at Unity Temple or you
can download it online. Please return to Rev. Emily
Gage. Also online is the 2010-11 Events For All Ages
calendar. Thanks for helping us plan!
Called...and Answered...
Thank you all so much for the great gift of calling me as
your Minister of Faith Development on June 6, 2010. I
can't possibly tell you how grateful and happy I am. It's
been a wonderful two years, and I look forward to many
more with each of you.
As is customary for called ministers and congrega-
tions, we'll be having an installation on November
7th (a Sunday) at 5 p.m. It will be a celebration of our
ministry together and a formal recognition of our
mutual covenant. (With good music, good worship and
good food!) There will be more details forthcoming, but
please mark your calendars now. I'm hoping you can be
there. With great appreciation and joy, Emily
REGULAR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
resume on September 12 th. They will be at
the new times: 9 and 10:45 a.m.!!

UPDATE ON THE 2010-11 ANNUAL
FUND DRIVE: THANK YOU!
T hank you to the 305 families who submitted
financial commitments to support UTUUC during the
2010-11 congregational year. These commitments total
$588,449, reflecting an incredibly generous 11%
increase over last year. Thanks to you, this was the most
successful Annual Fund Drive in our history!
In fact, through your generosity, we were able to
exceed the projected income upon which the Board of
Trustees based the budget that was approved by the
Congregation at the annual meeting. The Board and the
Administrative Team are considering how best to adjust
the budget in light of this.
At UTUUC, one of our core principles is to live your
values. The Development Team is particularly proud to
be able to say that the members of this congregation
also give their values. Thank you!
Commitment forms can be downloaded from the
Annual Fund Drive web page at
http://www.unitytemple.org/AnnualFundDrive.htm.
Questions? Email AFD@unitytemple.orgor call Ian
Morrison at 708-218-2728 or David Wilke at 708-848-
6225 ext 100. Thank you!
Summer Travel?
If you are planning on traveling this summer, please
consider using Goodshop to book all of your travel
needs. You can make airline, hotel or renal car reser-
vations using all the popular travel sites such as
Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz and many more. Just go
to www.goodshop.com and enter Unity Temple Uni-
tarian Universalist Congregation in the charity box.
Unity Temple will earn a percentage of your purchase!
The Purple Sages (Senior Women)
Will be meeting on July 28 and August 25 from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Book Discussion
Room on the 2nd floor of the Oak Park Library. Bring
a brown bag lunch! For more information, call 708-
705-1428!
July/August 2010 • 7
UNITY TEMPLE
RESTORATION FOUNDATION
Break the Box 2010:
City Farm :: Garden in a City
Friday, July 16, 2 pm
Break::the::Box is all about innovation, and City Farm is
just that. Some of Chicago's finest restaurants get their
produce from this oasis-like, sustainable vegetable farm
bordering the remains of Cabrini-Green. What was once
a bleak vacant lot has been transformed into a rich,
fertile landscape, using innovative "reduce/re-use/
recycle techniques." Our exclusive tour will take place at
the height of the growing season—you will be able to
take home some delicious, fresh summer vegetables of
your own. Group size is limited and reservations are
required. Cost: $15 UTRF members/$20 non-members. To
purchase advance tickets, visit www.utrf.org and click
on Event, or contact Jessamyn Miller at 708-383-8873 or
jmiller@utrf.org.
Prairie School Adventures: Summer Camps for Kids in
Grades 2 to 6 – Sign Up Now!
Printmaking Magic: July 19-23, 9 am to 12 pm
With the colors, textures, and light of Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Unity Temple as inspiration, students will
explore the magical methods of printing monotypes.
Campers will be encouraged to “see differently,” using
their visual experience and a variety of techniques to
produce multi-colored, one-of-a-kind works of art. At
the end of the week, each student will take home a
portfolio of prints. Level: Beginner. Instructor: David
Jansheski. Cost: $185. Get a special $5 family discount
for every sibling and/or relative you register.
Art Glass, Nature & Wright: July 26-30, 9 am-12 pm
Frank Lloyd Wright is nearly as famous for his art glass
designs as he is for his buildings. Over 100 years ago,
he designed simple and elegant art glass for Unity
Temple. Campers will explore the art glass at Unity
Temple and other Oak Park landmarks, learn how art
glass is made, and take part in a restoration demonstra-
tion led by an art glass expert. With nature as
inspiration, campers will create their own art glass
window designs in translucent Mylar—and expand their
knowledge of architecture, geometry, art and history.
Level: Beginner. Instructor: Jessamyn Miller, M.S. in
Historic Preservation, School of the Art Institute of
Chicago. Cost: $165. Get a special $5 family discount for
every sibling and/or relative you register.
To register for Prairie School Adventures, contact
Jessamyn Miller at 708-383-8873 or jmiller@utrf.org.
8 • The Beacon
ADULT RELIGIOUS ENRICHMENT
Summer Film Discussion Series
July 15:"Shadowlands"
In a sermon a few months ago, Rev. Taylor mentioned a
film that had significantly influenced
him. "Shadowlands" tells the story of CS Lewis, author
of the Narnia books - The Lion, The Witch, and the
Wardrobe. Known as Jack, he teaches at an Oxford Col-
lege but leads a passionless life. An American fan, Joy
Gresham, arrives to meet him for tea in Oxford. It is the
beginning of a love affair. Tragically Joy becomes termi-
nally unwell and their lives become complicated. In this
1993 version of the film, Anthony Hopkins portrays C.S.
Lewis with Debra Winger as Joy Gresham. Join us for the
second film in the summer film series, on Thursday, July
15, at Unity Temple.
August 19: Film TBD (with audience input!)
Films will screen at 6 pm with the discussion following
at 8 p.m. Those who have previously seen the film are
very welcome to come exclusively for the discussion.
Youth accompanied by a parent or guardian are wel-
come. Come to the back door and ring the bell. Ques-
tions... call Scott Talbot Lewis at 708-445-1466.
Career Transition Outreach
Yes, we will continue our regular group meetings on
Mondays 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. throughout the summer.
Monday Momentum at Unity Temple features Diane Wil-
son, LCPC, and other congregation co-facilitators help-
ing those facing job loss and career uncertainty. This
outreach supports participants in managing the men-
tal game of job transition through goal setting
and accountability. Author of Back in Control,
Wilson is a coach, counselor, and neurofeedback special-
ist. Facilitator Diane Wilson: wilson2005@aol.com. No
registration or fees.
Caregiver Support Group
The Caregivers Support Group here at Unity Temple is
held every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the
West balcony of Unity House. This is a drop-in group and
no pre-registration is required, come as the spirit
moves. This group is open to anyone affected by the
caregiver role and will only take 60-90 minutes of your
time once a month. Facilitator: Susan Anderson
ander@uic.edu No registration or fees.
Claim Your Power:
Choose to Bless the World
Each of us has within us a storehouse of treas-
ure:interests, skills and talents that are often latent and
unused. This three session seminar helps to identify
these qualities and probes to determine if we are living
our deeply held values. Working together, we help each
other name our unique gifts and passions and discover
what keeps us from living our dreams. This program,
developed at Unity Temple UU Congregation in 2005 by
the Gifts Ministry Team, will be offered again during the
summer. This will be led by Shirley Lundin and Scott
Talbot Lewis on Sunday July 25 from 12 to 2:30; Tues-
day July 27 from 7 to 9:30 pm and Sunday August 1
from 12 to 2:30. Please RSVP to
slundin654@sbcglobal.net.
Articulating Your UU Faith
Do you wonder sometimes about how to express your
faith to others? How do you talk about what you be-
lieve? These questions and more will be pondered and
even possibly answered at the Articulating Your UU
Faith class in the fall, facilitated by Rev. Emily Gage. Set
your calendars now for the four-session class: Thurs-
days, September 30, October 7, October 21, October
28 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Minimum of ten participants. To
register, e-mail adultre@unitytemple.org.
No 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse in July and
August
We return September 18 with featured artist Marty
Swisher, songstress extraordinaire, as she performs out-
side her usual role as UT Music Director. If you caught
her lively, engaging solo at the UT Music Fest, you know
you won’t want to miss this performance! As usual,
Open Mic begins at 8 pm; Marty is on at 9 pm.
Also upcoming:
• October 16: poet Robin Chapman from Madison, Wis-
consin
• November 20: musician, poet & artist John Amen
from North Carolina

CHALICE CIRCLES
What Abides
Opening Words/Reading
On a recent trip to Alaska, I saw Sawyer Glacier and
Mendenhall Glacier. Not surprisingly, both are receding.
We read or hear every day about the effects of climate
change. We experience the gradual or rapid disappear-
ance of something every day, week, month, year,
decade. Much of religious and spiritual wisdom concerns
how we respond to the constant changes we experience
in and around us. Some of these changes are distressing
to us. Some seem wonderful to us. We may feel neutral
about other changes.
At sea I saw two seals, apparently stranded on a small
chunk of ice, and I wondered whether they would
survive.
While I was observing the glaciers I was also aware of
the incredible beauty surrounding me. I was aware of
the special quality of the light. I noticed the shape and
characteristics of the ice. I thought about how the ice
that appears blue is not really blue. The glacier ice
absorbs all colors except blue. So we see only the color
that has not been absorbed.
The blue is not really there, yet it appears to be there
when we look at the glaciers.
When the glaciers are gone, what will be left? We don't
know exactly, or know for certain.
I only know that often I do not see what is there.
Sometimes I see what is not there. And what I see or do
not or cannot see often is connected to what I believe.
I believe that something abides in the light, in the
water, in the ice, in others, in me. When all else appears
to have vanished, including me, something abides.
When I am in touch with that calm abiding, I am more
fully present to act, to honor what is, to love.
It is sometimes hard for me to remember this, especially
when I see images of the deadly oil that is suffocating
the Gulf of Mexico. Much has already been lost and
much more will be lost. Many more living beings will die
because of that oil. Yet even after the worst has
happened, the unimaginable, I believe that something
will abide, something beyond my capacity to see or
imagine.
July/August 2010 • 9
Focus/Discussion:
Faith can be approached as a question of what we
believe. What do you believe abides when things
change or disappear? How does your awareness of
what abides empower you in your life?
Closing words:
“There is no justice in love, no proportion in it, and
there need not be, because in any specific instance it
is only a glimpse or parable of an embracing,
incomprehensible reality. It makes no sense at all
because it is the eternal breaking in on the temporal.
So how could it subordinate itself to cause or
consequence?”
-Marilynne Robinson, Gilead
Suggested Chalice Circle Topic and Reading for July/
August 2010 provided by Karen Lee Osborne.
Join a Chalice Circle
Chalice Circles Welcome New Members
There are currently 15 Chalice Circles with many
possible schedules and times for meeting. Chalice
Circles create openings for trust, friendship, honesty,
growth and reflection. They are a spiritual practice. We
welcome adults of all ages. Be known as you are, join a
group today. For information about joining a Chalice
Circle contact Marge Entemann at mee2@pobox.com
or 708-445-8544.
The group from the SW suburbs—Westchester to
Downers Grove to Lisle—meets Friday nights and is
looking for new members.
Unity Temple Gives...
The generosity of our congregation is making a
difference in people’s lives. Every Sunday our
collection plate offerings are donated to a worthy
charitable organization in support of our mission and
values. During the month of May 2010, your weekly
collection basket donations contributed the following
amounts to these organizations:
Faith in Place: $744.18
Crop Walk: $1763.49
Disabled Veterans: $486.10
Maywood Fine Arts Association: $1035.49
Thank you for your generosity!
10 • The Beacon
FROM THE ARCHIVES…
Frank Lloyd Wright on Unity Temple
From Ron Moline
I n browsing through archival documents recently, I ran
across the following excerpt (somewhat edited) from
Frank Lloyd Wright’s autobiography, in which he describes
the creation of Unity Temple. Given our obligatory
preoccupation with the building, these days, I found his
words inspiring and refreshing. I hope you will as well:
“Human sensibilities are the strings of the instrument
upon which the true artist plays. The sense of inner
rhythm, deep planted in human sensibility lives far above
other considerations in art....therefore, why not avoid
symbols as such...Then why the steeple of the little white
church? Why point to heaven? A misleading symbol,
perhaps. A perversion of sentiment. Sentimentality. Why
not, then, build a temple, not to God in that way, more
sentimental than sense—but build a temple to man,
appropriate to his uses, as a meeting place in which to
study man himself for his God’s sake. A modern meeting
house and a good time place.
“Build a beautiful room proportional to this purpose.
Make it beautiful in this simple sense. A natural building
for natural man. What should such a building be like? [The
building committee] said they could imagine no such
thing. ‘That is what you came to me for,’ I ventured. ‘I can
imagine it all, and will help you to create it.’
“The Room, it began that night.
“Enter the realm of architectural ideas. The first idea—
to keep a noble Room in mind, and let the Room shape the
whole edifice... Let the room inside be the architectural
outside.
“What shape? Well, the answer lay in what material.
There was only one material to use, as the church funds
were $45,000 to church 400 people. Concrete was cheap.
Concrete alone could do it. But even concrete as it was in
those days meant wood forms and some other material
than concrete for outside facing. They were in the habit of
covering concrete with brick or stone, plastering and
furring the inside of the walls.
“...Then, how to cover the separate features and
concrete masses as well as the sacrosanct space from the
extremes of weather. What roof? What had concrete to
offer as a cover shelter? The slab, of course. The reinforced
slab. Nothing else, if the building was to be a thor-
oughbred, meaning built in character and of one material.
“Too monumental, all this? Too forthright for my
committee, I feared. Would a statement so positive as that
final slab over the whole seem irreligious to them?
Profane, in their eyes? Why? The slab was direct. It would
be nobly simple.
“,,,Then, the temple itself still in mind, began to take
shape. The site was noisy by the Lake Street car tracks.
Therefore it seemed best to keep the building closed on
the three front sides and enter it from a court at the
center of the lot.
“Unity Temple itself, with the thoughts in mind I have
just expressed, arrived easily enough; but there was a
secular side to Universalist activities, entertainments,
Sunday School, feasts, etc. To embody these latter with the
temple would spoil the simplicity of the Room—the noble
Room in the service of man for the worship of God. So
finally, I put the space used as Unity House a long free
space to the rear of the lot, as a separate building, to be
subdivided by moveable screens on occasions. It thus
became a separate building but harmonious with the
Temple, the entrance to both to be the connecting link
between them.
“...The room itself—size determined by comfortable
seats with leg room for four hundred people—was built
with four interior free-standing posts to carry the overhead
structure. These concrete posts were hollow and became
free standing ducts to insure economic and uniform
distribution of heat.... The center ceiling between the four
posts became skylight, daylight sifting through between
the intersections of concrete beams, filtering through
amber glass ceiling-lights. Thus the light would, rain or
shine, have the warm of sunlight.
“...The model is soon made. All right, let the
committee come now. They do come, all curious. Some
confounded, taking the “show me” attitude. At this
moment the creative architect is distinctly at a disadvan-
tage as compared with his obsequious brother of the
“styles.” His brother can show the pattern book of styles,
speak glibly of St. Marks at Venice, [etc.]... But the
architect with the ideal of an organic architecture at stake
can talk only principles and sense. His only appeal must be
made to the independent thought and judgment of his
client.
“But we try and we use all our resources, we two—
[Mr. Roberts] and myself—and win a third member of the
committee at our first meeting. Including the pastor, there
are now only four left in doubt. One of the four is openly
hostile, Mr. Skillin. Dr. Johonnot, the pastor himself, is
impressed but cautious very, and tactful. He has a glimpse
of a new world….
 July/August 2010 • 11

July and August 2010

Events Not To Miss Board of Trustees
board@unitytemple.org
Worship Services Every Sunday, 9:30 a.m. only
Duane Dowell President
Margaret Ewing Secretary
July 4 Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Glenn Brewer Treasurer
10:45, Unity House West
Jean Borrelli
Betsy Davis
July 5 Office Closed
Nina Gegenheimer
Ian Morrison
July 15 Summer Film Discussion Series:
Jay Peterson
"Shadowlands"
David Ripley
6 p.m., West Balcony
Diane Scott
Jennifer Walters
July 23 Taize Service
Polly Walwark
7 p.m., Sanctuary

July 25 Choose to Bless the World Our Staff

12 p.m., Gale House For all calls, please dial 708-848-6225
and then your party’s extension:
July 31 & Pathway to Membership
August 7 9 a.m., Unity House Rev. Alan C. Taylor, Minister
x101 minister@unitytemple.org
August 15 Intro to Unitarian Universalism Rev. Emily Gage,
10:45, Unity House West Minister of Faith Development
x103 egage@unitytemple.org
August 19 Summer Film Discussion Series Rich Meyer, Membership Director
6 p.m., West Balcony x102 rmeyer@unitytemple.org
David Wilke, Director of Administration
August 27 Taizé Service x100 dwilke@unitytemple.org
7 p.m., Sanctuary Martha Swisher, Music Director
music@unitytemple.org
Heather Godbout Youth Coordinator
X107 indigo1370@aol.com
Visit Our Calendar Online! Meridian Herman, Rental Manager
You can find all Congregation events and
x108 rentals@unitytemple.org
activities listed on our web calendar at
Sule Kivanc-Ancieta, Nursery Coordinator
www.unitytemple.org/calendar. You can find real-
David Osorio, Sexton
time listings of all the events occurring at Unity Tem-
Margaret Reeder, Preschool Coordinator
ple, and also schedule rooms for Congregation events
Rito Salinas, Sexton
and activities right from the page. Select Add Event
Peter Storms, Accompanist
at the top of the calendar and complete the web
Jennifer Flynn, Publications Assistant
form. You will receive an email when your event as
X105 jflynn@unitytemple.org
been confirmed.
Tracy Zurawski, Bookkeeper
x104 bookkeeper@unitytemple.org
BEACON Newsletter Submissions
Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, Community Minister
Submissions for the September 2010 Beacon
clare@faithinplace.org
Newsletter are due at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August
24. Please email submissions to
newsletter@unitytemple.org.
Be a Beacon-folding Hero!
Come and help us distribute our beautiful Beacon to
the masses! Our next Beacon folding party will happen www.unitytemple.org
on Friday, August 27th at 9:15 a.m. Thank you!
 Unity Temple Nonprofit
Organization
Unitarian Universalist Congregation US POSTAGE
875 Lake Street PAID
Oak Park, IL 60301
Oak Park, IL 60301 Permit No. 305
708/848-6225

Change service requested

www.unitytemple.org

SUMMER SERVICES NEW SERVICE

9:30 AM ONLY
JULY 4—SEPTEMBER 5
TIMES
See complete schedule on Page 1. BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 12
WORSHIP SERVICES WILL BEGIN
SUMMER RELIGIOUS AT 9:00 & 10:45 AM
EDUCATION PROGRAM
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
AGES 3 THROUGH 3RD GRADE
HELD AT BOTH SERVICES.
See Page 7 for more information.