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Friday April 13 7:00pm Making a Killing
Saturday April 14
9:00am UU Orientation
Wine Pairings Dinner - offsite
Sunday April 15
9:00am Choir
9:15am Coffee with Questions
10:30am Coming of Age
10:45am Timothy Hayes
4:00pm Choir Festival
6:00pm Youth Group
Monday April 16
7:30pm Mindfulness
Wednesday April 18
7:00pm Board Meeting
7:30pm Odyssey
Thursday April 19
1:30pm Mindfulness
7:00pm McHenry County Pride
Friday April 20
7:00pm Women's Circle
Saturday April 21
6:00pm Pledge Dinner
All Committee Meetings are open and you are welcome to attend.
Our Board Members:
Carrie MacDonald - President
[email protected]
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Kaz Kazlusky - Treasurer
[email protected]
Mike Stough - Secretary
[email protected]
Rebecca Heisler- Trustee
Patrick Kerin- Trustee
Carol Alfus- At Large
Office Hours:
Monday 10-2
Wednesday 10-2
Thursday 10-2
Friday 10-2
Others by appointment
Click
here for Website Calendar Link
Click Here to see the latest Board Minutes
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The Happenings this morning had three dates that were incorrect (the services and the Green Sanctuary movie). Here is a correct version.
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 Who Blooms The Flower? or What is my Role in Emergence?
Sunday, April 15, 2018,
10:45 am
Dr. Timothy Hayes
How is life calling you to emerge into deeper or greater living? What form of new being and becoming are you being invited to lean into? Much of our culture teaches us to close ourselves off, and "defend and protect", yet the only way to emerge is "be open", to allow change. Identifying our role and responsibility in Emergence is important so that we don't oppose the real agent for change.
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 Flower Communion on Earth Day
Sunday, April 22, 2018,
10:45 am
Religious Education
We invite you and your family to join us for a traditional Unitarian Universalist service, the Flower Communion. We will learn about Norbert Capek who started this celebration of individual beauty and gifts. Please bring flowers to share.
As an Earth Day celebration, the Green Sanctuary committee invites you to assist in raking and cleaning up of the church grounds after the service. An order for pleasant weather has been put in to Mother Earth. If you have a favorite rake, please bring it to church.
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We Are Tree of Life! 
We have now received pledges of
$107,590! We are looking for $140,000 and your time and talents, though. If you have not returned your pledge card or contacted the office with your pledge, do it now! You can follow the progress on the big thermometer outside the sanctuary doors. You do not have to be a member to pledge. If you are committed to the success of Tree of Life, we invite you to join in. See Judy Stettner to get a pledge card and have any of your questions answered.
And now for the fun stuff! To celebrate your commitment to Tree of Life, we invite you to a
No Charge Gala Dinner with entertainment by Carrie MacDonald and Forrest Ransburg. Dinner
Saturday, April 21 6:30pm (doors open at 6:00pm) will be catered by 3 Chefs (
Plated Salad ~
Sweet Leaf - mixed greens, fresh strawberries, pecans, grape tomatoes, Gorgonzola with a roasted garlic cherry vinaigrette and
Dinner: Lemon basil chicken breast, Stuffed portabella mushrooms with roasted vegetables topped with shaved Parmesan, Sautéed sugar snap peas with roasted pepper, Signature Garlic Mashed potatoes). We would love to offer a dessert bar to finish off the meal, so if you want to contribute a dessert, please bring it that night. To help our caterers plan, we want your RSVP.
Please let Sue Kazlusky know if you are coming, chicken or portabella mushroom, if you need child care, and if you can bring a dessert. [email protected]
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It's Sunday, Let's Go to Church! 
Spirit Play
(ages pre-K through 3rd grade) will be hearing the story of our Flower Communion. Our butterfly project is underway, come visit our classroom after the service to see how they're EMERGING!
World Religions
(4th grade through 8th) concludes their study of Islam. Ask your students about Islamic contributions to Western civilization! To supplement learning, you might consider watching one of these movies together:
Coming Of Age
students are working on a project. No peeking!
Youth Group
(High school) will continue meeting Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00 as scheduled. We are looking for members who can join Mariela in advising the youth group during these meetings. If this is something that appeals to you, please contact Janet Burns
[email protected]
Please note the following change to the RE Calendar:
The last day of RE will be May 6th. Please join us in worship on Sunday, May 13th to celebrate Mother's Day together.
An activity group for LGBTQ teens meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month, 7-9PM, in the
downstairs youth room. The time of the meeting coincides with the meeting of McHenry PTI (Parents of Transgender Individuals).
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UU ORIENTATION 
Date: Saturday April ,14th 9am-12pm
As Unitarian Universalists we believe that learning is a never ending process. Whether you are new to the Church or have been coming a while we want to offer you the opportunity to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and more about how the congregation works.Childcare is available upon request.
To register, send an email to
[email protected]
. Or call Marc Stettner at
256-665-2655.
Or sign up at the visitor information table in the front lobby area.
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Women's Group
April 20 7:00pm
Women's Circle Game Night
Join us for an evening of laughter and rambunctious fun!
Bring a snack and game of your choice to share, beverages and designated drivers are encouraged!
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Women's Book Club
Friday, April 27 7:00pm
Our next gathering will be on Friday April 27th, 2018 at Judy Whitaker's house (8660 Belfield Rd, Crystal Lake). We are reading and discussing a work of historical fiction/romance called The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (2011, Ballantine Books, hardcover is 314 pages). Description: "A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley." The local libraries have regular print, large print, eBook, and audio book copies available. It retails for around $12 if you want to purchase a copy. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, Therese Hart, via email ([email protected]) or in the Women's Circle group on Facebook.
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The Rummage Sale is Coming! 
The Queen declares NO TAGS THIS YEAR!!!
You do not need to put size tags on the clothing you donate. Please still label electronics for their working order. Start going through through those closets! The Rummage Queen and the annual rummage sale is just around the corner and the more things we have to sell, the more we make. Signup to help has begun and we need lots more help. We need you to bring your donations on Sunday, April 29th.
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Tree of Life Choir will be joining voices with 6 other area UU choirs on
Sunday, April 15th, 4:00pm at Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin and we would love for you to see you there. A freewill offering will benefit the Community Crisis Center. UU of Elgin is located at 39W830 Highland Ave, Elgin.
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 Social Justice Notes
Tonight, Friday, April 13, 7pm join us here at Tree of Life for a screening of Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA. We will offer a short discussion. To learn more and watch the trailer https://treeoflifeuu.org/2018/04/09/movie-night-gun-violence/
The Social Justice Team would like to invite you to join in an
all church read to discuss "Goddess of Anarchy: The life and Times of Lucy Parsons, American Radical" by Jacqueline Jones. A multi ethnic class warrior and Haymarket widow, Lucy was one of the most prominent black women in America in her time. We will meet right after church service on
April 22, 2018 to share our thoughts on this Goddess of Anarchy. Books can be obtained from your local library . Please contact Sue Rekenthaler at
[email protected] for more information.
Compassion for Campers season is just around the corner. Please keep your eyes open for the sign up sheet to provide a lunch and our bin for donating supplies. This is our 7th season of providing fellowship and a meal to our homeless neighbors. It is truly love in action. We also are looking for one more volunteer to assist Sue Rekenthaler each Monday with set up. Contact Sue Rekenthaler if you can help
[email protected]
To sign your group up to provide a lunch contact Judy Mullen [email protected]
Our
new television with electronic announcements has been received with much excitement (they are doing a great job letting renters know what we are all about). We have also heard concerns about
energy use. The office is currently running the television on a 24 hour cycle because setting a simple timer will not work. Much more complicated equipment will be needed to have it go off and then back to the slide show automatically. Because the television is LED it is very energy efficient. We have also changed all the light bulbs in the social area (the sanctuary is next) to LED to help offset energy use. We have a goal of being able to set timers for the televisions but this is a work in progress and we ask for your patience.
Save the dates: We have two great UU Musicians coming to Tree of Life.
Roy Zimmerman (satirical political songs) Friday, May 25th and
Jim Scott (songs for the earth and justice) Saturday, June 2nd. Tickets will be $20 or pay what you can.
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'Chasing Coral': Documentary Vividly Chronicles A Growing Threat To Oceans
Friday April 27, 2018, 7:00pm
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MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
-- Cultivating Awareness
New offering: Sundays after service 12:20 - 12:35 downstairs
Bringing awareness to what we are doing. We focus on the here and now and we find a lot of stress just naturally disappears. With less stress, our well-being improves and our thinking has more clarity. As you go about your life, consider offering yourself such a gift. You might also like to join us for one of our group practices. During practice, we explore various exercises to find the ones which best suit individual preferences. Our new schedule now adds a 15 minute practice on Sundays from 12:20. Monday evening 7:30 - 8:30 and Thursday afternoon 1:30 - 2:30. For questions, contact M.E. (Emi) Tanabe:
[email protected] (815) 337-9895
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CHALICE CIRCLES - growing community
Growing in our "devotion to each other" is a promise that we offer each week in our statement of purpose. Using the Soul Matters curriculum, we nurture this with the Chalice Circle program where we engage in learning to listen - to each other and ourselves. Everyone is welcome to join. We currently have circles that meet 2nd Sunday 9am, 2nd Wed. 10:30am, and 3rd Sunday 6:30 pm. Please, click here for more detailed information.
http://treeoflifeuu.org/2017/03/16/growing-community-connecting-more-deeply/
There are Circle flyers and curriculum packets available in the fellowship room. Contact M. E. Tanabe,
[email protected]
815 337 9895 or Janet Burns,
[email protected]
847 542 7678
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Community Care Committee
Lots of JOY to share!
Tom Tipton and Laurie Barnes enjoyed Zena McFadden and Randy Jasper's 10th wedding anniversary celebration.
Irene Raven thanked George and Judy Sowinski for a fabulous Polish dinner party which was sold at the service auction.
Paula Yensen and Mike Bissett felt grateful for the opportunity to serve in Guatemala and returned home very thankful for all we have.
Bob Jackson expressed a feeling of great ministry from this congregation as he and Simon Kuhl (our oldest and youngest members) were present for Sunday's service.
Many members enjoyed the spacious Social Room. Irene Raven thanked the volunteers who took down the wall: Patrick Kerin, Heather and Sam Madaus, Nick Ciccotosto, Randy Meyer, Mike Bissett and Paula Yensen.
RUN, PETER, RUN! Wishing fleet feet to Peter Tinkler as he runs the Boston Marathon on Monday!
Congratulations to the multi-musically talented Beth Hoover who has earned the 2018 General Manager of the Year award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras for her work with The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest.
Carolyn Walkup is moving to St. Paul, MN May 4 to be near her daughter and two little grandsons. Meanwhile she will donate half of the proceeds from a garage sale April 19-21 to the church. Her address is:1354 Floresta Vista, Crystal Lake, and the sale will be from 9 a.m. to5 p.m. all three days. She will miss all of her friends at Tree of Life and invites them to visit any time they are in the Twin Cities. Her new address is 1061 Montreal Ave., Apt. 217, St. Paul, MN 55116.
Please remember the following people:
Condolences to
Carol and Nick Ciccotosto as they grieve the loss of Carol's brother (February) and brother-in-law last week.
Dan Larsen who is recovering from a partial hip replacement. Dan is recuperating at Fair Oaks, 471 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake IL 60014.
Bob Tirk who keeps up the good fight and Ann who is supporting him.
Speedy recovery to our favorite ballroom dancer, Sue McCowin, as she recuperates from an April 9th knee replacement surgery.
Joys and Concerns shared during the service will be printed in the Happenings and Bulletin unless there is a request made to the office or community care committee to withhold.
Happy birthday to
Owen Burns (4/14),
Sarah Fields(4/16), and
Beth Hoover (4/17)!
Happy 40th Anniversary to
Ray and Amy Beth (4/22)!
Please note that this committee can be reached at [email protected] If you have a need for pastoral care, Rev. Catherine Erwin in available for you. (815) 236-4091 or
[email protected]
If you are looking for a ride to church, please contact Pat Costigan, our Transportation Coordinator, who is matching people in need of rides with others who are willing to provide them.
Drivers to and from Sunday services needed! Do you drive through Crystal Lake on your way to services in Sunday? Let Pat Costigan know. We try to keep the commitment to once per month and can be creative! Please email:
[email protected]
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Coffee with Questions
Topic: God, Faith, Belief, and Thomas Aquinas--a second question, a definition and 2 more references. Just one final reference--honest: Joseph Gredt, "Elementa Philosophiae Aristotelico-Thomisticae" (Barcelona: Herder, 1953) Volume 2
Leader: Bob Coleman
Time: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 9:15 AM
Location: Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation
5603 West Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: (815) 322-2464
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a popular and influential teacher at the University of Paris
What did he think about God?
A second question: Was his thinking "apophatic"? ("'The Case for God", Glossary, 369,"'speechless',wordless, silent")
References:
Wikipedia "Five Ways (Aquinas)"
Karen Armstrong, "The Case for God" pp 142-6
More References:
Thomas Aquinas, "Summa Theologiae":Part 1, Question 2, Article 3
Thomas Aquinas,"Summa Contra Gentiles" ("On the Truth of the Catholic Faith"), Book 1:God
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 Register for General Assembly 2018 June 20-24, Kansas City, MO
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend. General Assembly (GA) offers hundreds of programming choices over the five days of GA. Carrie MacDonald (board president) and Judy Stettner (office administrator) are already registered to go and they would love to have you join them. To learn more about General Assembly and to register go to https://www.uua.org/ga .
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Contacts
Judy Stettner
Office Administrator
Janet Burns
Religious Education Chairperson
Forrest Ransburg
Director of Music
Carrie MacDonald
Board President
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