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The Spiritual Pole of Relative Inaccessibility

Rev. Roger Bertschausen

March Theme: Paying Attention

Live stream link can be found here.

Sunday's flowers are given by Judy Gaietto-Grace in honor of two wonderful men in her life, her husband, Terry, and her son, Aaron. 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.

Bidding Ends Sunday at 6PM! Don't Miss Out! Bid Early, Bid Often. Bid Here!

Connect with the Auction Team during coffee hour, go to utauction.org or reach out to us at auction@unitytemple.org. There are many fabulous items this year including:



• Dinners
• Events
• Services
• Vacation Homes
• Tours
• Specialty Items

The years 2020-2023 were challenging at Unity Temple. The congregation navigated a ministerial transition in the midst of global pandemic. If you have lingering big feelings from these years–like anger, resentment, or grief–working on these feelings may be important to the congregation's as well as your own well-being. To help anyone who has lingering big feelings from these years, the Relational Health Team and Rev. Roger are offering an opportunity to check in on your feelings. The session on Sunday, March 15 from 1–3pm will center on individual reflection and opportunities to share as participants wish– using a small group talking circle format. The session is not about rehashing or litigating issues from recent years at Unity Temple; rather, it's about self-reflection.

Questions? Contact Rev. Roger rbertschausen@unitytemple.org.

UTUUC Collection 

Counters Needed–Can We Count on YOU? Each Sunday, a small, dedicated corps of our members takes a little time immediately following the second service, to count the funds collected in the baskets passed during the service. The funds collected help support our Justice Community Partners and our operations. Counters work in teams of two each Sunday to collect the baskets following the first service and then count and deposit the cash at our bank and drop checks in the slot at the UTUUC Community Center's door. Each counter is typically asked to count one Sunday a month. A routine background check is required for all volunteers who handle money. If you are interested in this important volunteer opportunity, or have any questions, please contact 

finance@unitytemple.org. 

Spring Flowers Needed! During March, the Flower Committee will be selling flowers for the annual Easter display on April 5. Each potted plant (daffodils, pink tulips and purple hyacinths) costs $10. Plants purchased can be picked up after the second service on April 5. Plants not picked up by April 12 will be donated to community members. Thanks for your help!

You are welcome on 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. 

Pathway to Membership Our next session will be Sunday, March 15 from 12:30–4pm. The Pathway to Membership class provides an opportunity to learn about our mission, programs, operations, volunteer opportunities and more. Questions? Please reach out to Val Ridenour at membership@unitytemple.org. 

Defending Trans Lives and Democracy "There is no way to save democracy without standing up for trans rights," Imara Jones says, "it literally is an impossibility." Join Rev. Emily Gage and Lynn Griffith for a facilitated exploration and discussion on trans rights, trans lives, and the politics around it all. The goal is to deepen our understanding of the issues, equip ourselves for the battles happening now, and understand what is at stake. We'll be using Imara Jones' Ware Lecture of 2025 as our guide. Jones is an expert in the intersection of anti-trans politics, religion, and anti-authoritarianism. Workshop takes place on Sunday, March 22, from 1-3pm at 1019 South Boulevard. Registration encouraged but not required at lifelonglearning@unitytemple.org. Jones' lecture can be found at 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. 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.

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.

Fourth Sunday Virtual Prison Docuseries Sponsored by the UU Prison Ministry of IL and the Prison Ministry of Unity Temple. Each month you are invited to watch on your own time a selected documentary, centered on criminal justice and prison issues, and then join a virtual group via Zoom for discussion from 3 to 4:30pm on the fourth Sunday of the month. The March Film is In Their Hands, a documentary created by Chicago filmmaker Dan Protess. Formerly available on PBS & Apple, it can now be rented for $4.99 from Amazon Prime. Join the Zoom discussion on Sunday, March 22, at 3pm, led by Deborah Niemann. Email: prisonministry@unitytemple.org to obtain the Zoom link.

Do you consider yourself part of the LGBTQIA+ UTUUC community? If so, please join us on the evening of Thursday March 19 from 7 to 8:30PM for our monthly Rainbow Connections meeting. The topic this month is Paying Attention. (Allies are welcome, on occasion, by invitation only.) We will be meeting in person at 1019 South Blvd, Oak Park as well as on Zoom. Questions? rainbow@unitytemple.org. Zoom link here.

Blood Drive On Saturday, March 21,the LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice team is sponsoring their biannual blood drive. It was started to commemorate the discriminatory guidelines for giving blood that were changed in May of 2023 allowing gay men to donate. Please sign up here and simply scan the QR code to donate blood. Help us reach our goal of 40 donors! The blood drive will be held at our Community Center located at 1019 South Blvd., Oak Park. Questions contact Terry Kinsey at LGBTQGenderorgReproductive@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.

Let’s Raise A Garden: A Seed Starting & Garden Planning Workshop Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 10am–noon at the Gale House, 124 N. Kenilworth Avenue. Bring your spirit, creativity, and garden gloves for a hands-on, hands-in-the-soil morning inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Plant, Baby, Plant" movement, which asks us to focus on meaningful, regenerative actions to care for the Earth alongside more traditional activism. The morning will be led by longtime UTUUC member Sharon Storbeck and hosted by the Unity Temple Ecojustice Team. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to ensure we provide the right amount of supplies by emailing ecojustice@unitytemple.org.

Immigration Justice The greatest need for our immigrant neighbors right now is accompaniment. This means working with a team to assist an immigrant family living on their own OR accompanying them to court for their asylum appearances. Spanish language skills are appreciated but not absolutely necessary. If this is something you’d be interested in please let us know and we’ll put you in touch with the right people! Reach out to immigrationjustice@unitytemple.org.

Help Expand Voting Access Join us in Unity House during both coffee hours to prepare letters with important voter ID information for voters in Arizona. This is an easy task with minimal writing—we’ll be sending materials from VoteRiders, a nonpartisan organization protecting the freedom to vote. Each letter requires a first-class stamp, so please bring stamps if you participate.

Want to do more? VoteRiders also needs volunteers to help voters obtain IDs in communities including Houston, Columbus (GA), Pittsburgh, Orlando, Charlotte, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. Virtual training information here. You can also volunteer for the Voter ID helpline here. Questions: votelove@unitytemple.org.

Harpe Diem to Play at the March 22 Service Harpe Diem began playing together in 2001 under the direction of Lisa Boggess , a professional harpist in the Western Chicago suburbs. Members include Linda Fisher, Gail Johnson and Sue Wohld. They have performed at various venues, including art galleries, area churches, weddings and charitable events. They play a variety of music including religious, taize, celtic, classical and contemporary. They are excited to play at our worship service on March 22.  

Vocal Scholarship Competition March 14 On Saturday, March 14 the music program of the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation will hold its annual vocal music scholarship competition. Winners will be awarded 750.00 to be applied toward private voice lessons or educational opportunities to support their vocal study. We will proudly showcase the winners during an upcoming worship service. 

The scholarship competition and other UTUUC programs benefits greatly from the proceeds of the Spring Music Festival. Please continue to support this all-congregation event in order to continue this outstanding opportunity for local high school age musicians.  

Sunday March 8th was our fourth grade chalice ceremony, celebrating our amazing fourth graders and all of who they are. 

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.

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.