Help Keep the Heat On: A Drive to Replace Our Boiler System

The ancient boiler needs replacement. It has done its job of keeping generations of church members warm for Sunday services and other events, but is extremely inefficient. The Property Committee and the Green UUs are spearheading a drive to raise the funds for replacement as the result of a challenge by two very generous members.

Why Now?

If the congregation can raise half the cost for replacement, Tom and Jean Gillespie will match the other half with a targeted donation. This is an item on the Property Committee Wish List. We would like to install a new system at the close of the heating season, in Spring 2014. So let's take up this challenge and meet the Gillespie's offer halfway.

How to Contribute

Please send your donations to the church office, Attention: “Boiler Fund.” Please be sure to address the check to “UUCUC” and to write "Boiler Fund" in the memo line. If you have questions, just ask Jerry Carden, chair of the Property Committee, whose e-mail is provided below in bold. We will provide you with a special letter recognizing your donation for any tax records you need.

Some Parameters:

1) It is important that this be considered an above and beyond donation that you give because of your interest in and enthusiasm for this particular project. We want to make sure this extra fund drive in no way impacts your church pledge.
2) This drive by the Boiler Elves will end on Tuesday, December 31 st .

A Centennial Birthday Gift to our Church

2014 is the centennial year of our stone church building. The prior brick church was torn down in 1913, and the new cornerstone laid on November 30 th of that same year. The church that we inhabit now was completed and dedicated in September of 1914. It was built on the foundation of the original Universalist church built in 1871. The current boiler system, itself over 50 years old, is hugely inefficient. We’ve had continued issues with its operation over the last few years. We would like to replace it before it becomes an emergency. This project is also part of the new overall church strategic initiative just adopted. It helps meet the Green UUs goals of becoming more energy efficient, which in turn helps us toward our recognition by the UUA as a green sanctuary, and should also significantly reduce our energy bills and current carbon
footprint.

The final bids are still being crafted, but we are guessing that we will need to raise between $12,000 and $14,000 to cover half the cost of a new system. The more we raise, the more enhancements we can include in the overall system. Some donors may be able to pitch in $500 or $1,000, but even smaller increments will help.

For additional information, contact Jerry Carden at jcarden@illinois.edu. 

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,
The Boiler Elves

This drive is being brought to you by the Property Committee: Jerry Carden, Tom Gillespie, Jerry & Fran Hunt, Andy Robinson, Dave & Anne Sharpe, Charlie Wisseman, Steve Troyer, Jared Lofrano, and Ralph Dady. And by the Green UUs: Andy Robinson, Emily Laugesen, Barbara Jauhola, and Gail Hueting.

Shared Offerings for 2014

At its December meeting, the Social Action Committee paired each of the Shared Offering selections (made in November) with a particular month. You will be hearing more about our January Shared Offering, Wesley Food Pantry, in the next Uniter. Half of the cash collection and designated checks on each Sunday will go to that organization for the month. 

Here are all of the Shared Offerings for 2014 with their respective month:

·         January: Wesley Food Pantry

·         February: Education Justice Project/Prison Justice Project

·         March: Channing-Murray Foundation/Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

·         April: Champaign County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

·         May: Children’s Advocacy Center of Champaign County

·         June: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

·         July: Union of Concerned Scientists

·         August: Rape Advocacy, Counseling, and Education Services (RACES)

·         September: C-U Immigration Forum

·         October: Canaan Development Foundation— Men’s & Women’s SAFE House

·         November: Urbana High School SPLASH Program

·         December: UU Partner Church Program

Meet Our New Membership Coordinator

Church Friends and Members,

Please welcome Samuel Shore as our new Membership Coordinator. He will officially join our staff on January 1^st, 2014. 

The purpose of his position is to integrate visitors, friends, and new members into church life and deepen the connections of ongoing members to each other and the church. To those ends, you’ll find Sam at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays and during events, meetings, and other office hours he’ll announce.

Sam Shore comes to us with a background in involving volunteers in activities and in using social media to mobilize volunteers. Sam has been the Coordinator for the Foundation Beyond Belief International Light the Night project, which has raised money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 2012, when they raised $430,000 – the largest amount ever raised by a first year non-corporate team and the fourth largest amount raised by any team in the nation in that year. In addition, Sam spent two years as the Social Media Director for the Illini Secular Student Alliance, both during his time at the University of Illinois and after he graduated in 2011 with a B.A. in History. He was recognized multiple times by the Alliance and the Center for Inquiry for outstanding achievements in the areas of service work, diversity initiatives, and internet outreach as part of the Alliance’s leadership team. Sam has also been active in politics and is currently helping to found a Champaign County Young Democrats chapter.

The Membership Coordinator Search Committee would like to thank all who assisted our search to find this talented addition to our church staff. 

With appreciation,  

Millie Davis, Chair Membership Coordinator Search Committee, and Members Cindy Loui, Elaine Gehrmann, Tanja Hodges, Peggy Patten, and Axel Gehrmann.

Uniter Holiday Deadline and Publication

Due to Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, the next Uniter will be published on Monday, December 23^rd, not Wednesday the 25^th. This means the deadline to submit for this edition of The Uniter has been moved two days earlier, to Tuesday, December 17^th, not Thursday the 19^th.  

Share a Holiday Story this Christmas Eve

At our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, to be held at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on December 24^th, we will have an opportunity to share meaningful holiday memories and traditions. Families or individuals who would like to participate by sharing a short personal story, reflection, or anecdote (300 to ­400 words) should contact Axel (minister@uucuc.org) by this coming Sunday, December 15^th.

Christmas Eve Hospitality and Assistance Needed

If you are attending either the 5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, we could use your help. All are invited to share a plate of cookies or other treats for our collective hospitality after each service on

December 24^th. Bring your plate of cookies to the kitchen and remember to bring your plate home at the end of the evening.

We also need volunteers to help with welcoming, ushering, and clean up after each service’s hospitality hour. If you can assist with these tasks, contact Peggy Patten at m-patten@sbcglobal.net. Thank you!