COVID Protocol: Our Covid-19 protocols have been adjusted, we are now in Green. Masking is recommended. Please visit our website here for more details.

Don’t tell anyone, but… / Rev. Dawn Cooley

January Theme: Finding Our Center

Live Stream Worship at 10am / Recorded Viewing Available at Noon

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday’s chalice table flowers are given by the Flower Committee in loving memory of Mary Marling and Carrie Bankes.

OFFERING : UU Advocacy Network of Illinois

Unity Temple Gives. Each week we give our Sunday collection to an organization that aligns with our values. This Sunday’s collection will benefit the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois. UUANI supports Unitarian Universalists coming together to work for justice, beloved community, and a healthy planet – putting our deepest values into effective action. Learn more here.



You may donate by placing cash or check in one of the circulating baskets during the service, sending a check to the Unity Temple office (875 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301) with (name of organization) on the memo line, by texting 73256 with the message UTUUC $____ (dollar sign followed by your donation amount) and select “Offering,” by using the camera on your phone to scan the QR code on the screen during the Offertory or you can give at the UTUUC website. Whatever modality you choose, may what you give bring you joy.

Sunday Worship Service

In-person and online options for worship are now offered. COVID Protocol: Our Covid-19 protocols have been adjusted, we are now in Green. Please visit our website here for more details.You can access the live stream on YouTube at 10am here.

Community Hour Following the Sunday morning service join us at Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House.

Chalice Table Reservations We welcome floral arrangements or other decorations such as objects from nature or spiritual symbols to be included on our Chalice Table during worship on Sunday mornings. Please refrain from political/campaign related objects as they will be removed. To reserve a date, please fill out this form. Thank you for contributing to our worship experience. For assistance contact flowers@unitytemple.org.

Youth Bake, Art & Literature Sale! Come shop or make a cash donation at our sale this Sunday, January 22 during coffee hour. The sale will support our 9th grade Coming of Age class charity project in collaboration with Housing Forward. Please show your support of our youth and their chosen mission to raise the funds to provide 40 lunches for individuals and families waiting for housing and residing in Housing Forward’s Interim Housing program in Oak Park. 

Please join us for our bi-monthly Meet&Greet gathering! New and established congregants alike are invited to attend. We meet on the 1st Sunday of each month at Gale House from 11:30-12:30pm and the 3rd Thursday of each month at the UTUUC Community Center from 6:30-7:30pm. Questions Contact tlewis@unitytemple.org.  Hope to see you on Sunday, February 5 at 11:30 in Gale House!

The Developmental Minister Search is beginning! Four members of the board of trustees - Matt Bruce, Aimee Conrad, Ed McDevitt and Sandy Meyer - are the search team. The team is currently creating a congregational profile application for prospective candidates to review. The team will receive names and records of applicants in mid-March, with matching between congregations and ministers occurring at the end of March. While the timeline is tight, it is important to remember that the candidate pool is a small, curated group of ministers who have specialized skills. The board has received feedback from congregants during this year's Engagement Fair, and at the All-Congregational Retreat, and the search team continues to welcome input. Feel free to reach out to the search team with questions or comments. We can be reached at dmsearch@unitytemple.org.

The Annual Fund Drive Reached 90% of Our Goal As of January 19, 2023 we have a pledge total of $837,637 towards the goal of $924,500. Our goal during this Season of Renewal is to ensure that our beloved community remains resilient, strong, and connected. We know from previous challenges that goals are reached when we work together and have an adaptable community with outstanding leadership.

The Auction is Fast Approaching! The 2023 UTUUC Auction bidding begins Sunday, February 12 at 8am! You will get a chance to preview the offerings on Wednesday, February 8 – watch for an email about this closer to the date.



There are a number of dinners – ethnic, American-style, family friendly, etc. – being offered that will be fun & tasty. There are numerous events & tours that will appeal to the nature lover, families, architecture buffs, music & wine lovers, and people who just like to get together with people!

We also have a variety of dinners deliveries & food specialty items that will appeal to all. We can’t forget about services being offered by our talented members & friends – grant writing, sewing are just a few examples. And there will specialty items that you cannot live without! Did someone say “Vacation Homes”???? Yes, we have a great selection of these being offered by our generous donors. 

There’s still time to donate. Because we can never have enough food & fun with friends & future friends.

See one of our auction team members during coffee hour to make your donation!

Men's Retreat 2023

Mark your calendars for the weekend of January 27–29, 2023 at the Cabrini Center. Our theme this year will be Turning Points of Our Lives. Contact mensretreat@unitytemple.org.

Winter Pathway to Membership Schedule

Our membership classes will resume in January. Participants learn about the congregation’s history and how we work today. It is a wonderful way to get to know a small group of people and decide how you can become part of our collective future. Groups meet at our community center located at 1019 South Blvd on Sundays from 1:30-3:30pm. Childcare is available upon request. In addition, on-line accommodations can be made. The winter schedule is February 12 & 19, and March 12 & 19. To register contact tlewis@unitytemple.org.

The 2023 Annual Women's Retreat will take place from February 17–19, 2023 at the Carmelite Spiritual Center. This year's theme is Emerging Together. Our keynote speaker will be, our very own Rev. Dawn Cooley. This will be a very spiritual and uplifting weekend with break out sessions, music, dance, crafts and food.  

Registration is open and can be found here. You can also log onto Realm and go to Events and will see the event listed as the Featured Event.

Congregational Life Table Reservation Would you like to reserve a table to promote congregational happenings during Community Hour in Unity House? Hosting a table is a great way to make sure congregants know how to participate in events, activities, and service opportunities. To reserve space contact tlewis@unitytemple.org.

Lost & Found Come and claim your left behinds during coffee hour on Sunday, January 29 in the west wing of Unity House. There are numerous items left behind at Unity Temple, our Community Center and Gale House. Take a look to find what you didn’t know you left behind. Items not retrieved will be donated.

The Chicago Area UU Council will be holding its in-person and online winter conference on Saturday, January 28 from 9am-2pm at Countryside Church UU in Palatine. The conference keynote presentation is titled Finding Our Center – A journey to the central values the Article II Study Commission have presented for our consideration.

All UUs are invited to an important day of learning, sharing, and fellowship. Speakers will talk about the work of the Article II Study Commission, the vision and rationale behind the proposed Article II changes, and how to encourage thoughtful and informed discussion within our own congregations. Attendees of the CAUUC Winter Conference can expect a rich and rewarding experience, regardless of their level of knowledge coming into the event. We offer a special welcome to any interested UU high school students who would like to join and bring their own curiosity and perspectives to the larger discussion. Details and registration can be found here.

Tuesday Evening Mindful Reflection Community 

meets virtually and in person in Unity House at Unity Temple. Meeting opens at 7pm EST for camaraderie, the program starts promptly at 7:20pm. 

Vaccinations are encouraged, masks are optional. We will follow our usual format with 20 minutes of Mindful Reflection followed by a dharma talk and discussion. Questions email 

mindful@unitytemple.org. Join Zoom meeting here.

Daily Mindful Reflection Community 30 minute meeting, 7 days a week! Starts at 8:25am and ends at 9am every day, seven days a week. This will be different from our regular Tuesday night meeting. The daily meditation will include opening words, 20 minutes of mindful reflection, and closing words. All are welcome! You are welcome to attend regularly or sporadically. 

Time: Every Day (including weekends) at 08:30am Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting here. ID: 373 008 242  / Passcode: 4IFrYx. One tap mobile:+13126266799,,373008242#,,,,*940220#1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 373 008 242 / Passcode: 940220

Movies with Meaning offers the congregation an example of each month’s ministry theme through the familiar, friendly and popular medium of cinema sharing the experience in community. For our January theme Finding Our Center, Movies with Meaning is showing Puzzle a movie which shows how making one small change can lead to unexpected adventure.  Click here to view the official movie trailer. Join us Friday night, January 20, gathering at 6:30pm with movie at 7 at the Unity Temple Community Center, 1019 South Boulevard. All are welcome at this gratis event! For more information, contact adultre@unitytemple.org.

Volunteers & Meals Needed On January 4, Housing Forward re-opened an emergency winter overnight shelter for up to 15 individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The shelter is located in the former rectory building of St. Catherine / Lucy, 38 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park. Volunteers are needed to work with staff to greet clients, help serve meals, site security overnight and clean-up the next morning. There are 3 shifts:

• Evening – 6:30-10:30p (3 volunteers)
• Overnight – 10:30p-5:00a (2 volunteers)
• Morning – 5:00a-7:00a (2 volunteers)  

If interested in volunteering at the shelter or providing a meal for shelter guests, please sign up here. Questions? Please contact cjackson@housingforward.org.

Join the Community of Congregations for our Annual Gathering on February 2, 6:30pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., Oak Park. We will be highlighting the work of the Interfaith Green Network. RSVP by January 30 to oprfcoc@gmail.com to participate in the meal.

UUANI Action of the Week Each week our Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of IL (UUANI) offers a call to action. Sign-up to receive these simple and impactful actions direct to your in-box here.

Clean Buildings Ordinance Check out this op-ed in the Chicago Tribune, from one of our community partners, Rev. Brian Sauder of Faith in Place, urging the City Council to pass a pollution-free clean buildings ordinance. If you’re a Chicago resident, please urge your alderperson to prioritize public health, utility affordability, and clean energy jobs with a clean buildings ordinance today! Sign the petition here and call your alder using this script today. Questions? Contact: ecojustice@unitytemple.org.

The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale’s Racial Equity Team invites us to their church (17 W. Maple St, Hinsdale, IL 60521), on Sunday, February 12, Noon for a discussion of the essays shared in the book, Stories of Race in Elmhurst, co-edited by Unity Temple member, Jim Parks. Authors of essays in the book will attend to contribute to the discussion, including several Unity Temple members. Learn more here.

Sunday Collection Recipients Thanks to all who nominated organizations and all who participated in the voting process to select UTUUC’s Sunday collection recipients for 2023. Here is the list of selected recipients for 2023. Questions?  Contact: SundayCollections@unitytemple.org.

Faith in Action Newsletter

To learn more about living our mission through our Faith in Action Network, check out the latest newsletter here.  You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter here. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen, Assistant Minister for Faith in Action cvahey@unitytemple.org.

UTUUC Board orientation was this past Saturday. The board, including our three new members, spent the day learning about difference governance models, board responsibilities, and what makes an effective board meeting. It was a jam-packed and thought-provoking day. The board thanks Reverend Cooley for her leadership in this work. Board orientation part two, in February, will focus on congregational finances.

Through Our Differences, We Are One :: The beloved community includes people of all political parties. Here at Unity Temple we call people to live out our faith but this does not mean we share the same political or partisan perspective. May we remind one another to honor our own life experience in the development of our unique perspective while honoring that of others. The core of being a religious liberal is remaining open to and respectful of a pluralism of theological positions and political stances. As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large while also knowing that endorsements or support of particular candidates cannot be part of our congregational process. 

Planned Giving offers a variety of meaningful ways to support our congregation through charitable gifts and can be made by anybody – young and old, working or retired. These gifts are made today, but they support the future needs of your congregation and Unitarian Universalism. You can obtain more information about planned gifts by contacting the Planned Giving Team at 

plannedgiving@unitytemple.org