More on services at Services/Forums.
More on forums at Forums and Past Forum Topics and Speakers.
September 2010 Schedule of Services and Forums
Sunday, September 5
“Who Needs Labor Day?” the Reverend Covell, preaching.
You probably could’ve guessed this, but recent studies have shown that less than 25 percent of Americans under the age of 65 can trace Labor Day’s roots to labor and union movements of the 19th and early 20th And so—if it’s just an extension of summer vacation, unconnected to any larger meaning in the minds of most of us, is Labor Day worth celebrating any more? Brian will argue not only that it is, but that’s it’s consistent with UU understandings of fair employment the dignity of work. And as she did last year, Laurel Lambert-Schmidt will lead us in songs related to the labor and peace movements.
10am Forum
"CORE, the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators, the alternative to prior leadership within the Chicago Teacher's Union"
Debby Pope, a teacher from Gage Park High School and a long-term union activist, speaking
Debby will survey the current situation faced by CTU, which includes over 1000 layoffs and demands for contract concessions. Among the specific issues she will discuss are: status of CPS-CTU bargaining; allocation of the $106 million from the federal jobs bill; possibilities for declaration of a TIF surplus and redirection of monies to CPS; discussion of current CTU campaigns including aldermanic outreach; prospects for an elected school board; opportunities for union/community collaboration. Ron Chew will facilitate.
Debby Pope, a teacher from Gage Park High School and a long-term union activist, speaking
Debby will survey the current situation faced by CTU, which includes over 1000 layoffs and demands for contract concessions. Among the specific issues she will discuss are: status of CPS-CTU bargaining; allocation of the $106 million from the federal jobs bill; possibilities for declaration of a TIF surplus and redirection of monies to CPS; discussion of current CTU campaigns including aldermanic outreach; prospects for an elected school board; opportunities for union/community collaboration. Ron Chew will facilitate.
Sunday, September 12
“Stepping Stones, Old and New,”
the Reverend Covell, preaching.
If pressed, you might be able to recite some of the UU "Principles and Purposes" posted in our Concourse. Decades ago, the influential UU theologian James Luther Adams thought the "Principles" needed definition, and wrote an essay listing the "five smooth stones," or bedrock beliefs, of liberal religion. As a generation of UU ministers have done before him, Brian will consider and re-interpret the "stones" for our use at Third Church. Don't know much about UU theology? This sermon could be for you!
10am Forum
"Current Status of Affordable Housing" Hannah Willage, Stephanie Hooker, and Gloria Evans from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, speaking
Since 1980, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) has had a clear mission: "We organize and advocate to prevent and end homelessness because we believe housing is a human right in a just society." CCH leads strategic campaigns, community outreach, and public policy initiatives that target the lack of affordable housing in metropolitan Chicago and Illinois. It also presses for access to jobs, training, and public schools. Its policy specialists, public interest attorneys, and community organizers work with people hurt by homelessness - mothers with children, unaccompanied youth, ex-offenders, prostitution survivors, and low wage workers. Sweet Home Chicago is a related affordable housing campaign, led by a coalition of nine community organizations and three labor unions, which advocates that a share of Chicago's tax increment financing (TIF) funds be dedicated to affordable housing. This housing would be created for average residents of the city who pay their tax dollars into the TIFs and deserve the benefits. (TIF dollars are property tax dollars that the city uses to develop certain neighborhoods. They can be used to build affordable housing, including the rehab of foreclosed houses and multi-unit buildings. By 2008, there was nearly $1.3 billion built up in Chicago's TIF accounts.) Stephanie Hooker lives at Deborah's Place, a supportive housing program for low-income women. A leader with CCH for four years, she was honored during the 2009 Annual Meeting for extensive public speaking about the need to include affordable housing in the state's capital budget. She has taken groups around Springfield to educate legislators about homelessness, and has met with Chicago aldermen. She formerly worked at the Chicago Hilton, and is proud to report that her daughter is now a successful attorney. Hannah Willage is a community organizer with CCH. She has been a community organizer for over seven years, for four years with Jane Addams Senior Caucus and for three years with CCH. In addition to organizing the speakers bureau, Hannah works with community teams at more than ten institutions to help people advocate to prevent and end homelessness. ext 239 www.chicagohomeless.org Ron Chew will facilitate.
Sunday, September 19
“Thieves Like Us,”
the Reverend Covell, preaching.
Critics have said for decades that marketplace ideals have taken over the contemporary church. In its quest for members and 'relevance,' mainstream American religion now sees parishioners as customers whose whims must be fed, not as souls whose characters requiring shaping. Comfort, not challenge, is the overriding ideal, or so it would seem. UCC minister G. Jeffrey MacDonald's new book, Thieves in the Temple: The Christian Church and the Selling of the American Soul informs Brian's message this morning. If the Reverend MacDonald's message applies to UU's-and Brian thinks it does-where do we go from here? Come this morning to find out!
10am Forum
"Barak Obama and the Real World of Power" Paul Street, speaking
Sunday, September 26
“No Place Like Home”
Ms. Jennifer Thompson preaching.
Meadville-Lombard seminarian Jennifer Thomson is a former professor of English Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a lay leader at the UU Church of Mukwonago, Wisconsin. She'll share her path to ministry, and her ideas on how congregations can nurture and support its congregants despite a diversity of beliefs. After the ceremony, the Membership Committee hosts an all-church picnic in the backyard play area. Be with us this morning to celebrate the bonds of fellowship as summer turns to fall.
10am Forum
TARGET "Prison Reduction"
Prison reduction means reducing the population of prisons. It is about more than saving taxpayer money: it's about bringing more justice to our justice system. Ron Chew will coordinate.
Prison reduction means reducing the population of prisons. It is about more than saving taxpayer money: it's about bringing more justice to our justice system. Ron Chew will coordinate.
