Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet

The UNIFIRE
August, 2017

Church Direction Meeting UUCJ Potlucks are

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
General Assembly 2
UU Moment 3
Committee Corner 4
UUCJ Groups5
Important Information 6-7
August 26th 9am 3pm
We will be discussing the
2017/18 Fiscal Year, Religious
Education, Calendaring and a
presentation by Long Range
Planning. This is not a
leadership meeting and all
members and friends of the
church are invited and encour-
aged to attend and participate.
happening again!
Sunday, September 10th.
11:30am in the Sanctuary.
Water Communion Potluck
Join us by bringing a dish to
pass and your own table ser-
vice. For this Water Commun-
ion we will also have some out-
side activities for the kids as
well.

GOOD READS : Turning Point: Essays on a New Unitarian Universalism, edited by Fredric Mui

Outlining a bold vision for the future of Unitarian Universalism, 20 leaders issue a clarion call for change. In inspiring, fresh
essays, they implore us to collectively liberate ourselves from patterns that prevent us from becoming a robust faith for a
new age. This essential new collection outlines a liberal faith for the twenty-first century and inspires trust that Unitarian
Universalism can deepen and grow once again.

THANK YOU BUILDING AND

GROUNDS. The signs look great!
August 6th Tim Boyd 7th Sandy Costa
August 13th The Rev Elizabeth Harding 7tth - Margaret Juraco
August 20thThe Rev Denise Tracy 8thPeggy Teeter
August 27thBev Feldt
10th -Lois Pedersen
12th-Max Gorcowski
22nd-Ben Trouvais
September 3rd A Beloved Conservation 25th-Hannah Droogan
September 10thBev Feldt 28th-Melanie Sprengel
September 17th The Rev Denise Tracy
29th-Knoah Droogan
September 24thThe Rev Nicole Kirk
The UNIFIRE
General Assembly Wrap-Up
Eric Huffer, MidAmerica Region Board President Perhaps through technology such as Zoom?
Congregations would like assistance from the Region in
how to engage in interfaith work.
A request for more webinars on topics that congregations
can plug in to.
A call for continued support for leadership development,
social justice networks, and state advocacy groups.

I would like to thank those of you that

participated in this years ingathering, and
shared your thoughts with us. The board
is always looking for opportunities to
make connections across our Region, and
to learn how we might help you connect
with the rest of the Region. One of the
Another General Assembly has come and gone, and like ways that we do this, is by calling a num-
those before it, we were able to experience the joy of ber of congregations in the Fall to have
gathering with thousands of our fellow Unitarian Universal- conversations and gather information. If
ists, catch up with old friends, and get energized for the someone from the board reaches out to
work ahead of us. Much of that work was laid out for us by your congregation this Fall, I urge you to
our interim Co-Presidents, who shared with us their have a conversation with them. I believe
thoughts on their short terms, their hopes of where we that both the MidAmerica Region, and
might go, and the work we must engage in to address a
your congregation will be the richer for
culture of white supremacy. it.
For the first time in the history of our denomination, we ______________________________
elected a female president of the UUA, Rev. Susan Freder-
ick Gray. I look forward to seeing where her leadership Next Month's Touchstone Theme is
and vision will help us go.As always at General Assembly, Beauty
we held a MidAmerica Region Ingathering the first day, be-
fore the opening session. GA attendees from MidAmerica
heard reports from members of the board, including infor-
mation about the boards new mission statement,
Creating synergy across the MidAmerica Region through
stewardship, storytelling, and social justice engagement.
We then broke into small groups to talk about the boards
mission, and how the attendees think the board might best
fulfill this mission. The groups then regathered and shared
their thoughts with the board members present. Here are
some of the highlights of what we heard:

We in the Region dont know our own stories. Congrega-

tions are looking for suggestions of what can be done to
share stories more broadly.
There needs to be more clarity regarding the roles of the
board and Regional staff.
Could there be more opportunities provided for congrega-
tions to check in across our geographically large Region?

Page 2
The UNIFIRE
A UU Moment
by Dorothy Brown-Brumbaugh
On a Monday night in July the social justice
committee was on fire! It was The fire of
commitment to the idea that we, our
congregation here, could make a real dif-
ference in our community. Money was
needed. A lot of money. We didnt see
the $20 in our social justice budget and
think: we cant do this! Soon one person
said, I can pledge a little, and someone else
said, I can, too, and before long we saw
that together we might meet the need.
And if you all can help, a little, we can
But let me explainits about the Spanish
Center, a major provider of educational
and social services for Spanish speaking
and other immigrants in our community.
The work of the Spanish center is especial-
ly important at this time for undocument-
ed persons, who are in jeopardy because
of our federal governments harsh regula-
tions and a crackdown by ICE
(Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Because of our budget situation in Spring-
field, the Spanish Center has not received
state money for a long time. People are
working without paychecks, and hiring law-
yers is almost impossible with the agencys
uncertain financial future.
In response, the Spanish Center has start-
ed a 1 year 100 Pledge 100 campaign to
raise funds that will keep the center run-
ning at full capacity. That is, 100 busi-
nesses to pledge $100/month for one year.
Page 3
This financial campaign is aimed toward
businesses! But why not our church?
Heres the UU connection:
I took Spanish as a Second Language
there, and our congregation has a history
of helping there. We gave split the plate
collections, collected food for their pan-
try, and donated garage sale items.
As UUs we look to our seven principles
for guidance in our lives. They are guid-
ing principles for what we believe. They
are guiding principles for our actions in
the world.
We dont quote #6 much: The goal of
world community with peace, liberty, and
justice for all. But there it is, folks:
peace, liberty, and justice. For all. Lets
put our money where our mouth is.
Lets support the Spanish Centers 100
Pledge 100 campaign. Thats $10 a
month by 10 peopleor $5 a month by
20 people! You get the idea. Are you in?
Whos going to help us meet that aspira-
tion?
After the service, people answered the call
with pledges and cash. We have 4 pledges
of $10/month ($480) and cash donations of
$400 (totaling $880). The Endowment
Committee has promised to match $600
(bringing our total to $1480). We have sur-
passed our goal of $1200 for the 100
Pledge 100 Campaign, but that doesnt
mean we have to cut off participation. The
need is still great. Any additional contribu-
tions will be forwarded to the Spanish Center
with the following months pledge payment.
The UNIFIRE
Committee Corner
CONGREGATIONAL CARE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Congregational Care group is always ready
RE Planning meetings are in the Dickens
to lend a hand during tough times. Please let us
Room on the third Saturday of every month
know if some one is sick and would like a visit or
from 12:30 to 2:30pm. All are welcome for
a card. Let us know if a meal or transportation to
idea sharing - bring your lunch! Well be look-
a doctor's appointment is needed. If, something
ing for teachers and committee people this
else pops up and you or someone you know
fallplease consider if this is something you
could use support or a friendly ear, this is the
could help with. Our future is with our chil-
place to find it. Charlotte Droogan
dren. R.E. returns from hiatus on Sunday,
630-739-0420 ( always leave a message )
September 17th. This summer has flown by
fast!
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
The UUCJ Endowment Committee would like to Save the date: RE is putting together plans
share an update of recent allocations and congre- to attend a POWWOW being held in Naper-
gational support that were used to make invest- ville on Saturday, September 23. We're look-
ments in our local community. The Endowment ing forward to another fun-filled year in
Fund matched contributions to Angel's Place up RE. To receive updates, please "like" us on
to $1500. The congregation donated $2800 for a Facebook ~ UUCJ Religious Education -
total of $4300! Currently, the Endowment Fund is Tending the Flame. See you soon!
offering to match financial gifts to the Spanish FRIDAY NITE FUN CLUB AND
Center up to $600. Please contact Dorothy Brown POTLUCK DINNER
Brumbaugh to pledge or donate to this worthy AUGUST 18, 2017 6-9:30PM
cause. A total of $775 has been given to the En- Back to school family fun nite! We are going to
dowment Fund in memory of Linda Kremsner to play some fun games for the kids and the adults
date. We thank you for your continued generosity. together, like charades and Pictionary. We will
have a potluck dinner first to give us energy for
fun and frivolity!!So please bring a dish to share.
HOSPITALITY
We continue to provide after worship beverages. _______________________________________
Helping hands are always appreciated. To volun- Have some news about your committee?
teer please see Susan Sternickle.
Submit it to the office by August 25th to be
MUSIC & WORSHIP included in the next Unifire!
Have you ever looked through the hymnals ____________________________________
grey, teal or redand wondered what a certain
song sounded like? Or sung a song from our
hymnals at another church, conference or con-
vention and would like to have us sing it here at
UUCJ? Heres your change to let your voice be
heardin more ways than one!
If youd like to join us for Sunday 9am rehearsals
on August 27th, September 3r and 10th, well
learn them as a choir. Then the September 10th
service will be Sing a New Song where well in-
troduce the top choices to the congregation. Thanks to all of the hard work from the
committees. The rooms are looking good!
Page 4

UUCJ Groups
ADULT DISCUSSION
Active since the mid-1980s, this group gathers
on Sunday from 9am to 10:15am. Discussions
revolve around books, videos, articles from pe-
riodicals, etc. Leadership is shared. For more
information please see Warren Thom or Paul
Brumbaugh.
CLARA BARTON GUILD
The Clara Barton Guild Planning Group held a
meeting on Thursday, August 10th at 10am in
the Dickens room for a planning session. The
group will continue to prepare for a Worship
Service in the fall (November 5th). The next
meeting is September 14th at noon.
FIRST THURSDAY FILMS
Our next film will be on September 7th. Keep
watching the ScUUp for more information as it
becomes available.
LIFE ISSUES SUPPORT GROUP
We will be taking the months of July and Au-
gust off. The next meeting will be
September 28th at 7pm.
RED TENT
Red Tent is a discussion group for women of
our congregation. We focus on topics that are
important in women's lives. Any questions,
please contact Sue Thom at lilyskt@gmail.com
TREIBH NA TINTEAN
Treibh na Tintean is Gaelic for Clan of the
Hearth. It indicates that we are a family within
a familya small part of the larger Pagan com-
munity, and for some of us, an important part of
being Unitarian Universalist. This circle is orga-
nized and managed by a group of Elders.
Your Tribe is celebrating a full moon on Sep-
tember 6th at 7:00pm Everyone is welcome to
join us for ritual and for a drum circle to follow.
Come and drum around the fire! Please re-
member to dress for the weather!
SUPPORTING BLACK LIVES MATTER
2017 August Supporting Black Lives Matter Racial/
Justice Meeting Notes
August, 2017
It has been 2 months since we last met because of the death
of Marty Brumbaugh. Dorothy & Paul thank all of you for
your support.
There was much chattering among us before Sue quieted us
by reading The Country of Trees by Mary Oliver. Much
was shared at check-ins and blended right into business.
We hope to purchase a Black Lives Matter flag to hang on
one of the flagpoles. Jeannie will take care of ordering it
after we have gained support from the Board. Several of us
will attend board 8/17 to support the idea. Dorothy will ask
to have the issue put on the agenda.
Most of us will be attending the NAACP banquet Saturday.
We plan to sit at different tables instead of in a UUCJ block.
We donated 4 tickets for use by NAACP youth to attend.
We will lead worship on Sept. 3, Labor Day weekend.
Charlotte had suggested showing the video of a Beloved
Conversation (among Leon Spencer, Bill Sinkford, Sofia
Betancourt) which occurred at General Assembly: General
Session II, Reflections: Co-Presidents Panel Discussion.
Our conclusion is that we could make it work, but it is 35
minutes of listening, and we have talked to people a lot. Its
time for some interaction. We will meet Monday at 12:00,
bring lunches, and plan.
Before we adjourned, Dorothy shared 2 books: Walter
Mosley, Walkin the Dog, a work of fiction; and Michael Eric
Dyson, Tears We Cannot Stop, A Sermon for White Ameri-
ca. Both books remind her of an interview with a black
woman who said, just to live is resistance. Walkin the Dog
is a wonderfully told story of a black man told by a black
man. Tears was life-changing, presenting new ways of view-
ing the world (not through white eyes), especially regarding
the actions of Colin Kaepernick and the trial(s) of O.J. Simp-
son.
We continued to carry on conversations of social commen-
tary!
Submitted by Dorothy Brown Brumbaugh
Present: Paul Brumbaugh, Allen Church, Charlotte
Droogan, Rebecca Hosford, Richard Kennedy, Jeannie Ow-
en, Gary Salois, Susan Thom, Debra Westhaver Church.
Page 5

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
New Look to the Unifire
The Unifire has been updated a little. One item of
importance is that there is now a page dedicated
to our committees and another page dedicated to
our Groups. We are asking that each affiliate sub-
mit a short (or otherwise) paragraph each month
to help keep everyone at UUCJ current with
whats going on and be able to jump in and volun-
teer. We have a lot of great things happening
and everything is better with friends.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?
This year the Religious Education Kids worked on
the theme of Happiness Through Helping Oth-
ers.
The Juniors gathered personal care items and do-
nated them, the younger kids learned many ways
to help others and live our principles.
Jointly they decided to work on Recycling as a
way to help our community both inside and out of
our four walls. The large yellow and green dump-
ster in the front lot is a part of this programit cur-
rently accepts paper and cardboard and the RE
folks are looking forward to when its being emp-
tied often enough that a larger dumpster can be
obtained.
Having it right out on Jefferson Street also encour-
ages the community to drop off paper and card-
board which helps our plant. Since this is a fund-
raiser project, the RE program receives a small
amount of money per pound of recycled paper/
cardboard which will be used to benefit the RE
program and its outreach. Please support our kids
and their efforts to better our world. Remember
paper and cardboard only! Thank you!
August, 2017
Diversity is a Blessing,
Not an Obstacle
by Thomas of I Am UU on August 7, 2017 in Meditations
In some traditions, they want everyone to be similar.
Some even prescribe dress and daily activities. Many
ask you to believe the same things about the world, so
you can all have the same mind and soul and all go to
the same afterlife. Not all traditions, but many and most
of those that populate American Churches.
Unitarian Universalism is different. We welcome your
faith, your rituals, your voice of concern, of doubt, and
even of dissent. We know that we are all going to end up
together at the end of the universe, and we understand
that our experiences give us each a different insight. We
are thrilled to have people or all ages, all cultural back-
grounds, and all levels of talent and skill. We accept you
as you are, encourage you to be your personal best, and
use what you bring to better the community.
Our diversity is not a failing; recognizing our differences
means allowing us each to offer our individual strength.
There is nothing wrong with admitting that while we are
one species, there are divisions in language, culture, art,
and thinking, and those differences make humanity more
interesting and resilient.
A good team always requires mixing people with differ-
ent skills and talents. A typical American Football team
needs people who are large for blocking and hitting, a
couple of people who can throw accurately over a long
distance, and runners who can out maneuver the de-
fenders and catch the ball. Likewise, a congregation
needs people with diverse skills; people who can plan a
worship service, people who can manage the upkeep on
the building, and people who can teach RE. Diversity
means each person can be good at a few things and
count on others to help carry the rest.
Welcoming diversity is not a weakness, much less a fail-
ing. Welcoming people for who they are, who they know
themselves to be, is what it means to be a Unitarian
Universalist.
Page 6

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
HOW TO PAY YOUR PLEDGE
There are many ways to pay your pledge at
UUCJ. We continue to try to make it as easy as
possible. Below is a list of some of these ways
and there is no particular priority. If you have sug-
gestions as to another method not listed, please
let the office know and well be glad to look in to
it! :
Put a check in the collection plate on Sunday.
Mail a check to the church.
Put cash in an envelope with your name on it
in the collection plate.
Have your bank send a check directly to the
church, on your schedule (weekly, monthly,
etc.)
Bring in a credit card and we can swipe it.
Call in a credit card number and we can
charge it.
Try our new Vanco system. On our website
there is a tab named MORE. Click on that
and there is a drop-down that has a sub-tab
DONATION. When you click on that it will
take you to an on-line donation form. You can
set up an account, make a donation/purchase
for Mystery Dinner tickets, or set up a repeat-
ing donation. If you set it up as an ACH
(Automated Clearing House) with your check-
ing account, there are no fees incurred. IF
you set it up differently there is a small fee in-
curred, however in response to people who
wanted to be able to cover that fee to benefit
the church, you can elect to pay that additional
amount.
We hope these help you. If you have any ques-
tions, please let a member of the Board know and
we will get you an answer. As always, thank you
for your ongoing support of the mission, work and
wisdom of UUCJ.
CHALICE LIGHTERS
What are Chalice Lighters? Chalice Lighters are
members and friends of UU congregations who
have stepped up to make donations to support
Chalice Lighter Grants.
Chalice Lighter Grants may be given to churches
in need. Chalice Lighter grants are funded by
small donations from Unitarian Universalists
August, 2017
across our large MidAmerica Region of the UUA,
pooled together to help congregations with specific
growth projects.
Chalice Lighter funds can be used to start a new
congregation, acquire a meeting space, secure a
minister, religious educator, or other professional
staff, or provide for an outreach or public relations
program.
There are several ways you can participate in the
Chalice Lighter program, with four suggested levels
of donation. These are amounts that would be do-
nated three times each year (Fall, Winter & Spring
Calls) upon receipt of the Call Letter.
$20 Believer
$50 Builder
$100 Benefactor
$250 Beacon
There are several ways you can donate:
Mail a check
Donate online per call or
Annually
If youd prefer, for tax purposes, to make one dona-
tion per year (please send the $60 minimum dona-
tion or any greater amount to be divided among the
next three Calls) you can send in your check now,
and we will hold the funds and divide them equally
across the three Calls. If you want to make an an-
nual donation, please be sure to note Annual in
the memo field of your check.
Again, please know that we and the congregations
who have and will receive Chalice Lighter Grants
are deeply grateful for your generosity!
Sincerely,
The MidAmerica Region
Chalice Lighter Committee
For more information please go to:
https://midamericauua.org/programs/chalice-
lighters.
Page 7
 UUCJ Board of Trustees
President: Denise Curry2019
Vice President: Jesse Rodriquez-Hammond2019
Board Secretary: Cathy Coss2018
Trustee: Scott Marshall2019
Trustee: Mark Daimid2018
Trustee: Jean Batson Turner2020
Trustee: Laurie Garland2020

UUCJ Office Administrator

Susan Russotti
Universalists Unitarian
Church of Joliet UUCJ Lay Community Minister
Address: Charlotte Droogan

3401 W. Jefferson St. UUCJ Church Musician

Angela Salvaggione
Joliet, IL 60431
UUCJ Treasurer
PH: 815-744-9020 Margaret Juraco
Uujoliet.org
Email: uucjoffice@att.net

CHURCH CALENDAR
The UUCJ church calendar is online and gets updated weekly by our
Office Administrator.

The calendar can be viewed via our website at www.uucjoliet.org

Simply go to the website, click on Upcoming Events. Its fun, easy and
informative. You can move forward and back month by month with a
click of your mouse. You can even click on any given event for addition-
al information about that event. Please let the office know as soon as
possible if your event or meeting changes as others may be hoping for
availability.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Have some news to include in the weekly announcement sheet? Please have it emailed to
delivered to the Church Office by noon on Tuesday each week so that it can be included.
Thanks to everyone for their support of our congregation and our good works.