This Week at TUC-for the week of May 11-17
Hello Members and Friends of Third Unitarian Church

This Sunday's Events: May 11th
9:30am -10:00  "Readers and Listeners" in the Green Room

10am Forum "TUC's Future: A Vision, a Plan and a Leadership Team" Board of Trustees and Board Candidates Questions about TUC 2015 and who will be our leaders? The church board will discuss the TUC 2015 strategic plan and introduce three new board candidates. Don't miss this chance to inquire about the vision for the TUC's future and to meet the leaders who will guide us in our work toward that vision! The plan and the candidates will be voted upon at the forum time to introduce trustee candidates and to talk in general about what's happening around the church preparatory to the annual meeting. 

11am Service
 "Composing Motherhood"
The Reverend Covell, convening
The joys and challenge of balancing artistic creativity with raising a family is our focus this Mother's Day!  Our Director of Music Donald Neale and colleagues will perform a selection of music from the composer (and mother) Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel (1805-1847).  Brian will note how she overcame familial pressure in favor of subservience to become an artist rivaling her supportive younger brother Felix.  Please bring your favorite pictures of Mom for display this morning-you'll have a chance to comment on what made her unique!

Music Program
TBA

Religious Education   For children 3-14 years, Religious Education classes begin at 11AM with a 10-minute participation in the service followed by one-hour classes for each of three age groups (7-9, 10-11, 12-14) in the R.E. classroom area, ending at 12:10.   

Coming of Age curriculum Sunday: Finish credos with mentor's help.  

Starting at 10AM, children can gather at the TenSpot, a place to just be UU kids together!  Bring a game, a CD to listen to or just hang out with everyone as we enjoy drinks and treats until the start of the Service at 11.   

Other TUC Notices
The Fiesta Luncheon Sunday, June 1, 12 pm. Funds raised benefit the Nicaraguan Medical and Honduran Health Exchange. Tickets are $6 per person and $15 per family -  on sale at the Social Action Committee Table every Sunday until the luncheon.    

Church rummage sale June 7 and 8.  It's time to clean out your closets and give people in our neighborhood some bargains. Place your donated items in the Sanctuary balcony. Contact Karen Alanis or Deb Donovan if you need assistance.   

TUC Donut Day, Saturday, May 31. Volunteer to help TUC make donuts at the Oak Park Farmers Market. Contact James Kane to reserve your favorite job and time.  

TUC Back to School Block Party scheduled for Saturday, August 23^rd. See Lorie Ranker, chair again of this great event, to volunteer your services.
   
Member Bulletin Board
Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, noon to 5 pm, fair trade vendors will be selling their products in shops and galleries at the Oak Park Art Walk on Harrison Street in Oak Park. On the same two days the second annual Green Fest will be at Navy Pier where 150 vendors will have eco-friendly products. Nationally known speakers, such as Amy Goodman of Air America, will be there.

Chicago Fair Trade Day is Wednesday,  May 14. Fair trade products from around the world will be on display at Daley Plaza. TUC is a member of Chicago Fair Trade. Mary Lou Shadle is TUC contact for all these events. 

Soup kitchen volunteer help is needed by the Sisters at the Fraternite Notre Dame. Open Monday through Thursday at 401 N., Central.  Call Sister Marie of the Gospel at 773-484-9083. TUC contact: Mary Lou Shadle 

Silent Auction parties still left! See the many opportunities listed in the Attachments below. 

Covenant Circles discussion groups. Contact Estelle at 708-386-7197,  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . See Attachments below for more information. General Discussion Covenant Circle meeting on June 8th will be on, "What role does spirituality play in our lives"?  

Summer performance opportunity for children of different races. The Rodgers and Hart musical, Babes in Arms, will be produced with a multiracial cast by Wunder Studios in Park Ridge on August 2^nd. Unlike the movie and stage productions over the years, the original 1930s play has a strong moral message on race relations and the resolution of a racial conflict. Michael Barrette, a regular visitor to TUC is director of Wunder Studios Performing Arts Conservatory in Park Ridge. He welcomes inquiries and encourages auditions, especially of African American children. 

Auditions are open to children (minimum age is 5) and adults. The class meets Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7pm beginning May 14. The cost of the class is $240. Visit wunderstudios.com or call 847/685-2030. Wunder Studios is easily reached by car, CTA or Metra train. Car pools are also available. TUC contact is Brian Covell.    

**Policy on posting on the Member Bulletin Board - Posting requires:
1. A TUC member sponsor who is saying that
2. This is something I am supportive of or attending
3. That is related to TUC's purposes and interests, and
4. I am a resource if there are questions (name will be placed with item).
Email your items of interest to David Boulanger no later than the Wednesday of that week's email. Please keep your items short and concise and put "This Week" in the subject line. 

Attachments
Silent Auction parties still left. Contact the host directly.

288 create a crockery mosaic with Helen Slivinski, 1 place left @ $15 

A-271 play reading & chili at Kathy Jeans’, 3:00 sat. July 12 - 2 places left @ $10   

G-274 dinner of snacks and poetry at Kathy Allen's, Sat. May 10, 6:30 pm - Many places left @$10

S-278 Knitting for beginners with Julie Von Hippel; 1 place left @ $10

G-262 Grant park music and potluck with the Kransdorfs, Jun 21, 6:15 picnic, 7:30 concert; many places left @ $10

232 Kids' dance party 8 places left @ $20/family

G-208 cookie party places with Mary Delbecq for 3 families @ $25/family

H-44 night of disco at TUC with Walter Plumer- many places left @ $20

H-112 apple tasting at Donovan Kanes', Oct. 19, 1:30 pm - many places left @$20

G-114 open garden; corn roast at Boulangers', Sunday Aug. 17, 4:00 - 7:00, -7 places left @ $10

J-162 Chinese dinner with the Chews, 1 place left @ $20

J-39 woods walk; picnic in Palos with Sue Lodgen, Sat, May 24, leave 11am; - 1 place left @ $20

NEW: Saturday, Oct. 11, 6PM, Ruth Tregay and Barbara Thompson will serve pizza and show Free Speech TV at Barbara's classic bungalow in Berwyn. Limit 10 people. Fixed price $20. Call one of the hostesses.  

Covenant Circles
General Covenant Circle (afternoon)
The Sunday afternoon circle meets on the second Sunday of each month. Come discuss, listen, and explore the topics of the day at the Sunday afternoon Covenant Circle here at Third Unitarian Church. We offer a convenient time and location: right after coffee hour in the Green Room. We are a group-led circle, and offer each member the opportunity to inspire and lead sessions if they wish. We offer each member a safe space where they can be heard and where they can explore their thoughts. Best of all, we welcome you to join us! 

Currently in the circle:
Douglass Davidoff
Kathy Foulke
Tim Grover
Mary Lou Shadle
BeBe Simon
Julie Von Hippel
Elizabeth Zemke

General Covenant Circle (evening)
General Discussion Covenant Circle meeting on June 8th will be "What role does spirituality play in our lives"? The group meets every second Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at home of Betty DiPasquale. In the successive months, we will be discussing aging, faith, what gives us hope, what keeps us going, etc. Betty will facilitate all the meetings, but the willing members of the group will take turns leading the discussion portion of the meeting.  

Currently in the circle:
Betty Harris
Dorothy Wilz
Suzanne Davis
Velna Kolodziej
Betty DiPaquale
lene Thornton 

The Spirituality Covenant Circle
The decisions about the group's format are still open. Marie is the convener and has obtained two books for the group's perusal and consideration. These are The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality and a beginner's book about Buddhism. A regular meeting time and date has not been finalized. 

Currently in the circle:
Karen Alanis
Bob Simpson
Kate Hlava
Deb Donovan
Sandi Wiatr
Marie Mahoney

Yoga Covenant Circle
Next meetings are Saturdays: April 5, 19, 26, May 3, 17 and June 7. All meetings are at 10am at TUC.

Sessions:
* Yoga instructor is Melinda Ashford and beginners are welcome.
* To be held every other Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Third Unitarian Church.
* Mats are provided and there is a fee of $4 per participate every session to offset costs.
* All are invited to participate, from the church or the greater community.
* The format will be as follows: A brief check-in, yoga, meditation,and discussion.
* Very brief check-in for each participant precedes the yoga segment.
* Half hour discussion segment after yoga practice is optional
* All topics are welcome.
* Members of another covenant circle are welcome
* The group can grow bigger than the other covenant circles, and new groups will be formed as needed.

Yoga Practice:
* 45-60 minutes of the session will be dedicated to yoga practice and meditation.
* Participants are encouraged to check in with the instructor and make requests if they are experiencing any problems or uncertainty with the poses.
* Participants are encouraged to bring in music or make suggestions for the group.
* Missing a session won't be a problem and practice at home between sessions is strongly encouraged.

Currently in the circle:
Kathy Osler
Anita McChriston
Craig Hunter
Mina Riddle
Estelle Carol
Deb Donovan
James Kane
Karen Alanis