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Out of the Shadows | Rev. Roger Bertschausen

Rev. Roger's sermon Out of the Shadows will focus on suicide awareness and prevention. Suicide impacts so many families and communities in the United States. Too often, stigma keeps suicide awareness and prevention in the shadows. Talking more openly about suicide leads to better awareness and more prevention. Members of our Spiritual Care Team will be available during and after the service to provide a listening presence to anyone who desires it.

March Theme: Paying Attention

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday's flowers are in remembrance of Roy Lundin, who died a year ago today. With love from his family. To reserve flowers for the Chalice Table email flowers@unitytemple.org.

OFFERING : Pink Haven Coalition

Each week, Unity Temple splits the offering evenly. One half supports the programs and mission of our congregation. This week, the other half goes to the Pink Haven Coalition. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations (including the UUA and UU Service Committee), queer associations, and individual justice-lovers. In response to the increasingly hostile legislative environment in the United States, Pink Haven Coalition creates networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are. Pink Haven knows that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. They - and we - proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Haven’s work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. See pinkhaven.org.  

You may donate by placing cash or check in one of the circulating baskets during the service OR:

• by sending a check to the Unity Temple office (875 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301) with org name on memo line, 
• by texting 73256 with the message UTUUC and select “Offering,” 
• by using the camera on your phone to scan the QR code on the screen during the Offertory. 
• You can also give at the UTUUC website. 

Sunday Worship Services 9am and 10:45am

Each week we offer two worship services; 9am and 10:45am. The 9am service will be live-streamed and available as a recording afterwards. The 10:45am service will not be live-streamed or recorded. You can access the live stream on YouTube at 9am here.

Community Hour

Join us after service at Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House.

Unity Temple Justice Network

Passionate about Democracy? Immigration? Eco Justice? Prison Ministry? LGBTQ+ and Reproductive issues? Whatever you care about, search our Justice calendar to find what’s happening at Unity Temple that fits your interests and your schedule.

No Kings Rally Saturday | March 28 Put your UU values into the public square and join other Unity Temple members for the upcoming No Kings Rally.

• Rev. Roger will lead a group to the Chicago Rally leaving from 1019 South Boulevard at 12 noon. For more information ask for "Chicago Rally Info" at resist@unitytemple.org.
• Rev. Emily will lead the Oak Park group. For more information ask for "Oak Park Rally info" at resist@unitytemple.org.
• Unity Temple Front Lawn will be a gathering place for UTUUC members with mobility issues, uncomfortable in large crowds and for families with infants or young children. This isn’t open to the general public. It won’t be publicized as a rally gathering point. Bring a lawn chair and we will sit together cheering the other protesters onward.
• For general information go to: resist@unitytemple.org.
• To find a Rally closest to you go here.

Fighting Hunger One Step At a Time Register today to walk with the UT hunger team and invite others to support you. Or donate to help our team raise $1,500 to fight hunger. We are starting early to allow team members sufficient time to reach out to friends and neighbors. Participating in the walk is a great opportunity to show up for others while enjoying a family-friendly congregational activity. Learn more here. To donate or register go here. Questions? Please visit the CROP WALK table during coffee hour or contact Marsha Borders at cropwalk@unitytemple.org. Hope to see you this Sunday!

Ecojustice Team Meeting Join the Ecojustice team via Zoom on Wednesday, April 8. Topics will include the Gale House Garden, Earth Month, and other ways we will build on this year's focus of nurturing our community's spirit through our relationship with nature and our planet. RSVP for the Zoom link by contacting Ecojustice@unitytemple.org.

Clinic Escorts Needed Our partner agency Illinois Choice Action Team (ICAT) seeks reproductive/abortion care clinic escorts to join their team. Chicagoland escorting is an ongoing need due to the anti-choice protesters continued harassment of folks seeking safe, legal healthcare. If you have questions or would like to be connected to ICAT for training, please email 

LGBTQ+GenderReproductive@unitytemple.org.

UUANI Empowers UUs Across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice. We provide leadership training, build congregational capacity and organize statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with our partners. Our Actions of the Week make it easy for UUs to make a difference. Together, we seek to bend the arc toward justice. Learn more and get news here.

You are welcome this Friday, March 27 at 7pm for a special program in the sanctuary, When the World Breaks Our Heart: Lighting the Way Together offered by the Spiritual Care Team. We will gather to hold both heartbreak and hope. Join us for a reflective service of music, readings and a candlelight ritual as we remember that even in uncertain times, we walk in solidarity. 

Grief Support Group If you have experienced the death of a loved one or friend and would like to share and process that grief within a safe, confidential supportive setting, you are welcome to join us. We will meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm at Gale House. Our next meeting will be April 8. This is drop in group and you are welcome to attend for as along as the group is helpful to you. Questions? griefsupport@unitytemple.org

Join Us for a Potluck Passover Seder on Saturday April 11 from 5–7pm at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. We are looking forward to sharing a meal and celebrating together. All ages welcome! We will read the story of Passover together, share symbolic foods and have a meal. The ritual foods include wine, grape juice, charoset, matzo, oranges, eggs, horseradish, parsley and roasted bones. The Passover traditions include eating only unleavened breads (matzah) and non-dairy items. We welcome other favorite dishes to add to our celebratory meal. Please list ingredients on any homemade items. To attend, please sign up here.

UTUUC Vegetarian Potluck Join us for a spring UTUUC Vegetarian Potluck on Saturday, April 4 at 5:30pm at the Unity Temple Community Center. We'll combine great food and fellowship. Bring a strictly vegetarian or vegan dish to share for at least six servings. RSVP to vegdinner@unitytemple.org.

The 55orBetter Craft Group will meet on Thursday, April 2 from 10–11:30am at 1019 South Blvd. Bring your own project to work on. It's a great time to be with others while doing your own work. Our next Social will be on Tuesday, April 14 from 10–11:30am also at 1019 South Blvd. Jeanette Mancusi will share her favorite kitchen and home gadget must haves.  Feel free to bring along your favorite/s! We’d love to have you join us for any of our events!

Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm

The annual UTUUC Spring Music Festival showcases the outstanding talent of members and friends of the congregation. Anchored by the Unity Temple Players (our house band), this not-to-be-missed event includes professionals as well as the very best amateur talent of our musical family. Proceeds benefit the UTUUC General Operating Fund which supports programs such as the Vocal Music Scholarship Competition. View one of last year's performances here.

$20 in advance; $25 at the door; $5 children 13 and under. Questions? Contact springmusic@unitytemple.org.

You can purchase tickets online here and in person after both services starting March 29.

2025-2026 RE Registration

Each year, we ask our families to register and re-register their children for our religious education programming. It ensures we have the most up to date information about our young people, helps us with planning, and gives us an ongoing communication loop. Along with information, we ask for a registration fee of $100 per child. These fees help support all elements of our program. Scholarships are granted by request to Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org. Please register your child/children for Religious Education on our website using this link.

Classroom Support

Join us in supporting our very dedicated volunteer class leaders on Sunday mornings! No preparation, just presence! Your involvement makes a big difference for the safety of our classes and the experience for our community. This is a direct way for you to engage with our young people. You can sign up here for a Sunday service that works best for your schedule. If you have any questions, email  

recommittee@unitytemple.org.

Last Sunday, our Activity for All Ages brought the community together through a meaningful Hands for Justice hand-painting project. People of all ages participated, adding their handprints as a shared expression of our collective commitment to justice. It was a joyful and engaging experience, reminding us that working toward a more just world is something we can do—creatively and collaboratively—across generations.

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. 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 8:30am Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting here.

Tuesday Evening Mindful Reflection Community We meet virtually and in person at the UTUUC Community Center. Meeting opens at 7pm CT for camaraderie. The program starts promptly at 7:20pm and ends at 9pm. If the front door is locked please ring the doorbell and if it's after 7:20pm please walk around to the back door and knock. We will follow our usual format with an ingathering, 20 minutes of Mindful Reflection followed by a dharma talk and discussion.We always end by 9pm. Questions email mindful@unitytemple.org. 

Join the Zoom meeting here.

Thanks to your Big Hearts and Bold Bids this year's auction reached our goal of $30,000! An incredible 159 donors and buyers came together to contribute and purchase 560 seats, tickets, items, getaways, and more. Now we get to enjoy the best part! You'll soon receive details on connecting with the folks who purchased your unique experiences—and how they can reach you in return. Thanks again for helping March come in like a lion with all this energy and generosity, so we can head out like a lamb and enjoy the warmth of this wonderful community.  

UTUUC Office Hours Staff are present at 1019 South Blvd from 9am–3pm, Tuesday through Thursday. Otherwise, staff can be reached via email and appointments made for other days/times. Please note, staff in-office hours do not affect congregant access for events.

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.

Joys & Sorrows Sharing If you’d like to have a joy or sorrow sharing during the worship service, email the Spiritual Care Team at spiritualcare@unitytemple.org.

Guidelines for submissions to the eBeacon newsletter can be found here.

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. Table Guidelines can be found here. To reserve space contact 

vridenour@unitytemple.org.

We Celebrate Our Differences :: The beloved community includes people with diverse life experiences. Here at Unity Temple we call people to live out the values of our faith: interdependence, pluralism, justice, equity, generosity and transformation. 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

Land Acknowledgement of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation, read here.