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This Week at NSUC

* These events are open to all! Join us!

^ To learn more about participating in these groups/activities, contact Jonathan Schlesinger at 847-235-1955.

Saturday, May 27

10:30 AM - Touchstones Discussion Group (Zoom/Bletzer)*

Sunday, May 28

10 AM - Religious Education: Children and youth will hike at Ryerson Woods during the service. There is no onsite RE lesson.^

10 AM - In-person and virtual Worship Service: Strange Natures. Rev. Lucas, preaching.*

10 AM - Worship Live Stream*

     Meeting ID: 885 9903 5913

Click here for the Order of Service

11 AM - Fellowship Hour*

11:30 AM - Green Team Meeting (Bletzer)*

7 PM - Sunday Night Men's Group (Zoom)^

Monday, May 29

Memorial Day

10:30 AM - Loving Kindness Meditation (Zoom)*

Tuesday, May 30

7 PM - Annual Meeting Town Hall (Zoom)*

Thursday, June 1

7 PM - Parents & Guardians Support Group (Zoom)^

7:30 PM - Choir Rehearsal^

Friday, June 2

7 PM - Friday Night Men's Group (Zoom)^

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First Words - Rev. Lucas

Upcoming Worship Services

May 28: Strange Natures. In honor of International Biodiversity Day, this sermon will explore the strange and holy parts of creation. What does it have to tell us about acts, behaviors, and lives deemed "unnatural?" Note: Religious education families will meet at Ryerson at 10 AM for their annual field trip. No RE will be provided onsite. Rev. Lucas, preaching.

June 4: Flower Communion Centennial. Bring a flower to exchange. We will celebrate 100 years Unitarian Universalist congregations partaking in flower communion. The sermon will explore the proposed changes to the UUA Principles. Rev. Lucas, preaching.

June 11: Four Thousand Weeks. The average human lifespan is absurdly, insultingly brief. Assuming you live to be eighty, you have just over four thousand weeks. How should we spend our time? Join us for service in person. Coffee hour will be "to go" to accommodate our online Annual Meeting. Rev. Lucas, preaching.

June 18: The Story Behind Tattoos. Markings are done in nearly every culture. This sermon discusses the surprising poignancy of body art through lived story and experience. Rev. Lucas, preaching.

To submit an item for consideration in future publications, click here.

We kindly ask that all submissions for next week's newsletter be made by next Tuesday. Thank you for your help.

A Message from Oslo Brewster, Congregational Administrator

Dear NSUC:

Many of you know that I've been experiencing an upswing of chronic health issues during the past year. With no small amount of sadness, I've let Rev. Lucas know that I've decided to resign from NSUC, with the hope that this will allow me to better focus on healing.

I can't begin to express how much I've learned from all of you over the past two years, and how much I've enjoyed working with and for this very special congregation. I'll be around on a part-time basis for the next few weeks to assist with the transition to a new administrator. Many thanks for all that you've done to make my time here joyful, productive, and gratifying.

Warmly,

Oslo

Oslo Brewster's Farewell Celebration on June 4

Oslo Brewster has done a wonderful job as a congregational administrator over the past two years. Join us as we say farewell and wish them the best on their next endeavors. We will celebrate Oslo after the service on June 4. If you would like to contribute to Oslo's send-off gift, please bring cash the day off or a check made out to them.

Affirmation & Bridging Service Recording

Did you miss last Sunday's service? You can watch an unedited recording here.

Annual Meeting on June 11: What You Need to Know

The 2023 Annual Meeting will begin on Sunday, June 11 at 12 PM. The Waiting Room will open at 11:30 AM. All members who signed the book on or before March 15, 2023 are eligible to attend and vote. Those who signed the book after March 15 are eligible to attend as non-voters. This is a list of NSUC members who currently meet all of the requirements put forth by the bylaws to participate in the 2023 Annual Meeting. If you believe you should be on this list and have been erroneously left off, please contact Oslo (churchadmin@nsuc.org) by Monday, May 29.

From the NSUC Caring Team: Meal train for the Safyans

Paul is the full-time caregiver for Linda, who lives with dementia. The unrelenting nature of the task makes getting a periodic break a huge help for Paul as they navigate their path together. Paul would greatly appreciate meals on Thursdays, so he might schedule errands on Thursday afternoon or just get away for a brief period. If you have a little time to visit with Linda and Paul, that would be fantastic as well. And if a day other than Thursday works better for you, please contact Paul and work that out. His phone number is (224) 565-5044. Here is a link to the online mealtrain.com site where you can sign up.

https://mealtrain.com/9v884k

Thanks for your support!

Glenn Mills, NSUC Caring Team

This Month's Share the Plate Partner is the Woods & Wetlands Group of Sierra Club-Illinois

The Woods & Wetlands Group oversees or supports several local advocacy campaigns that empower citizens to participate in the environmental policymaking process. Among these are working to preserve the quality of life and natural resources of Lake County, educating the public about pollutant-laden runoff, lobbying public officials, and working to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics in our area.

Thank you for giving generously to our Share the Plate Partners.

Touchstones meets this Saturday, May 27 at 10:30 AM

Join us in person or on Zoom for our final Touchstones meeting of the church year. This month's theme is reconciliation. Please click here for this month's readings. All are welcome!

Annual Meeting Town Hall this Tuesday, May 30 at 7 PM on Zoom.

If you have any questions about the proposed budget or agenda items for the Annual Meeting, please plan to join this conversation with the NSUC Board. Click here to join this Zoom meeting.

Donate This Week

Help Rummage Go Big in 2023

Photo submission from Jennifer Currier, who captured this exceptionally big shoe donation at a recent NSUC Rummage Sale. 

We are expanding the sale this year to include:

• gently used clothing for all ages
• jewelry and accessories
• shoes
• linens
• housewares (no plasticware)
• hardware/tools
• small appliances
• home décor
• small furniture
• lawn and garden
• toys/games
• children’s books/media
• sporting goods (including bicycles; no home exercise equipment)

Donations will be accepted after service this Sunday and will continue through June 15. For donation dates and times, to volunteer, or for additional information, please visit nsucrummage.org.

Your donations will make a big difference! All net proceeds from the sale will go to these local nonprofits: Coalition Legal, Deerfield Free Store, the Harbour, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Reading Power, and RefugeeONE. 

Seeking Worship Leaders This Summer

Are you interested in preaching or leading a service this summer? Would you be interested in learning more about what this entails? Reach out to Rev. Lucas to start a conversation!

LGBTQ+ Affinity Group Forming

Are you a member who identifies as LGBTQ+ and would be interested in meeting with others at NSUC for fellowship and community? If so, please contact Rev. Lucas to express interest. We are working on creating a group.

NSUC Members Facebook Group

Did you know that we have a private NSUC members group on Facebook? This is a great space to share personal news and information about local happenings that may be of interest to others in our community. All members in good standing are welcome to join: click here.

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Opportunity

If you have always wanted to work on a Habitat site, there is an opportunity this July to work with others on the Second Annual Interfaith Build Event!

This event is open to all Faiths and Religions in the Lake County Community to come together to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter for a family in our community. You can sign up to work any day during the week of July 18 – July 22. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Becky Frese at 847-623-1038.

Seeking Green Thumbs

Jonathan Schlesinger and NSUC's newest member, Kevin Conley, are interested in connecting with others who might be interested in getting together in June for a potluck, some light gardening/landscaping around the church, and possibly, a plant exchange. Please contact Jonathan if you are interested.

Dear NSUC RE Family, 

Please click here for the 2023-2024 Religious Education Student Registration Form!

Please register by May 28! It helps us develop class groupings and determine how many teachers are needed.

Thank you for helping us move beyond our one-room schoolhouse approach!

This Sunday, 5/28: We're going on a field trip! Please meet at the Ryerson Woods Welcome Center at 10 AM for our annual spring hike! We will explore this Illinois Nature Preserve, say hello to the farm animals, and have a snack together at the end of our field trip. Please dress for the weather. A water bottle is recommended. Depending on crowd size and age distribution, we may break up into two groups.

The Ryerson Woods is located at 21950 North Riverwoods Road in Riverwoods.

Parents: Are you looking for a break? Rev. Lucas and I are reopening our Heart & Hand offering: Parent's Night Out on Saturday, June 10. Rev. Lucas and I have planned an evening with games, baking, and a movie. Time: 5 - 8 PM. Cost: $25/child donation to NSUC. Please email me if you are interested! RSVP by June 7.

Parents: Let's meet virtually at 7 PM on June 4 to talk about summer RE. Click here to join us.

Here's what else you need to know today:

• Next Sunday, June 4: PRIDE - TBD. Let me know if your family will head to the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade afterward.

Other upcoming programs:

• June 11: As this is the day of Annual Meeting, our lesson will focus on our 5th principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
• June 18: Summer RE begins!

Save the date for these events:

• June 4: June/July Parent Meeting (Zoom)
• June 7 (8:15 PM): Tending the Flame Book Discussion (Chapter 4) on Zoom

See you soon!

Jonathan Schlesinger

Congregational Life & Education Coordinator

Parents and Guardians Check-in: Thursdays at 7 PM

This weekly gathering gives parents a chance to connect, encourage and support one another in raising kids with our UU values. Please contact Jonathan for details.

The Zaeske Family Celebrate 10 years with NSUC from Afar

From Evanston to Elmhurst, Mt. Prospect to Mt. Pleasant, seekers of truth and meaning come from near and far to be a part of our church community. Sometimes far is truly far away. This week we meet Cathy Zaeske, NSUC member and resident of Switzerland.

My name is Cathy, my husband is Adam and we have two teenage sons, Jack and Tyler.  We have been "members" of NSUC for 10 years now. I use quotation marks because we've been living in Europe for nearly 8 of those years. Despite the distance, NSUC has remained in our hearts and minds. The best thing that came out of COVID for us was the live services on YouTube!  When we moved to Gurnee many years ago, both my husband and I were looking for a church/religion that was different from our childhood experiences. We tried out many different spiritual homes but it was only at NSUC that we felt fulfilled. It felt good in my soul every time I heard that bell chime and I heard the words grounded in love, guided by reason, committed to spiritual growth, striving for justice. The teachings, the music, the friendly and welcoming atmosphere all spoke to my husband and I, and we were excited to have our boys be a part of it, too. While our journey has happily taken us to England and then Switzerland, one of my only regrets is the loss of our favorite church and its messages in our lives. I still read the newsletter every week and we make every effort to attend a service during our trips back home to visit family. And I still get that warm sensation of being in the exact right place every single time.

The other day I had the opportunity to hear the Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, candidate for the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), speak at the Unitarian Church of Evanston. What struck me was Rev. Betancourt's enthusiasm around growing our faith, nurturing our professional staff (current and future, ministers and all), and continuing our rise out of the pandemic. She stressed the need for professional leaders and lay leaders to have the support and training needed to offer trauma informed care and to lead congregations in this era of technology and tension, a time when our liberal religion and ethic of love is being searched for and found. 

In the proposed revisions of Article II it states, "Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love." When asked about the language of love in the proposed revision, Rev. Betancourt said that our actions must be "recognizable as love to another member of the community." In her book All About Love, bell hooks states, "Love is an act of will, both an intention and an action." These are the words that came to my mind as I listened to Rev. Betancourt speak about the future our religion. And this gave me hope. As a delegate for NSUC, I will be honored to vote for Rev. Betancourt.

To learn more about Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt and to sign-up to go to one of her future campaign talks (offered on May 20, June 3 and June 4 - though they are far from us, you can sign-up to attend on Zoom), go to her website: sofiabetancourt.com.

Best Regards,

Christie Hagy 

Board President

Upcoming Board Meetings

All meetings are held on Zoom and begin at 6:30 PM. Please note the new start time. Meetings are open to members.

There is *no* meeting on June 21 - date to be changed to accommodate Staff and Board Members who are attending General Assembly in Pittsburgh that week.

Rev. Lucas Office Hours



Do you want to chat with Rev. Lucas? We've created a form to help you schedule your meeting. 

Dropping by NSUC?

Give us a call.

We ask that all members and friends make an appointment with the church office before coming to the church. Please email Oslo or call 847-235-1957.

Copy Machine Update

This is a friendly reminder that you should contact Oslo if you need to make copies for an NSUC group or program. We ask that you provide one week's notice to coordinate your copy job.

From the UUA President: Why Change Our UU Principles?

Click here to learn more. You can also learn more about the changes to the 7 Principles by viewing the video below.

Interested in Hosting a Potluck?

Please use this form to discuss your vision with NSUC staff and Coffee Team Leaders.

BLUU Resources

North Shore Unitarian Church supports Black Lives Matter. For information and resources about Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism, please click here: blacklivesuu.org.

Loving Kindness Meditation

Mondays, 10:30 AM - 12 PM

NSUC hosts a Loving Kindness Meditation Group. The group is led by a Zen priest. All are welcome. Please see the calendar for the link.

Staff Office Hours & Contacts

Click here for hours and contacts for our staff.