Our Community
Who's Who
- Church Staff
The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale relies on the dedicated efforts of several individuals to present strong and engaging services each Sunday
- Church Board
In addition to the church staff, the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale is governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors. The board consists of a congregational President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, as well as eight Board Members-At-Large. Each board member is elected to up to two consecutive two-year terms.
Music
Chris Garofalo - Music Director
The music program at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale has a rich history of professional guest musicians including: Jonita Lattimore, Soprano; Goran Ivanovic, Guitar; Carolyn May, Flute; Michelle Lekas, Violin, Mark Lekas, Cello, Roger Birkeland, Saxophone; Lisa Menninger, Soprano; and Henry Pleas, Tenor. The current monthly music schedule music schedule is published in the church newsletter The Touchstone.
Celebration Singers
The Celebration Singers are a friendly group of adults who enjoy the musical challenges offered them by Director Julia Beckman, who founded the choir in 1974. She continues to consider it a privilege to lead them. One of the many benefits of singing for Unitarian services is the freedom to choose a wonderful variety of music, both secular and religious - folk songs, spirituals, great classical and contemporary works, with an occasional trip into the world of jazz. This variety is challenging, rewarding, and fun. Julia believes that humor and laughter improve vocal quality -- and keep volunteers showing up early on Sunday mornings! If you can carry a tune and enjoy singing, give the group a try! Voices needed in every section.
Rehearsals are on Sundays at 9:30am in Room 10 of the RE building, and performances are approximately once a month at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services.
Call Julia Beckman, 630-985-4688, or email her at beckman110@comcast.net, for details.
Choristers
All children in 2nd through 6th grade and enrolled in the Religious Education program may join the Choristers, our children's choir. This group meets at 11:00am most Sundays. Their rehearsals are a wonderful combination of singing, movement, and storytelling. Participants make beautiful music, build friendships and have lots of fun!
Chalice Circles are a growing segment of our adult programs. Chalice Circles are small groups that meet with the purpose of building community and providing opportunities for friendship, deeper spiritual exploration, and the search for meaning. Some groups share only a common availability for meetings and determine their explorations after forming, while others might explore a particular topic, such as Healthy Lifestyles.
Other classes, organized as interest arises, revolve around topics such as environmental living, world religions, parenting, journaling, and value exploration. Check the calendar for listings of current offerings. Program for the 2008-2009 year coming soon!
Green Sanctuary
Green Sanctuary is our church's environmental program. We have challenged ourselves to adopt environmentally sound practices at our church home, to work in our own homes to make a positive impact on the earth, and to advocate environmental action in the wider community. In our church and religious education buildings we recycle, use green cleaning products, buy recycled goods, save energy, and cut waste. In our homes, our families have pledged to take "high-impact" actions that include buying organic and locally sourced foods, changing light bulbs, saving gas, and finding more ways to recycle. We are working in the community, too. Our members are setting up recycling and energy-saving programs at work and school, lobbying legislators for green legislation, and working on habitat restoration projects. Our members come from over 30 communities in western Chicagoland, and in 2008-2009 we will be working in those communities to promote the Cool Cities program, under which towns and villages pledge to cut carbon emissions.
The Seventh Principle of Unitarian Universalism is respect for the interconnected web of nature. Green Sanctuary is a program sponsored by the UU Association's Ministry for Earth to carry that respect into action. The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale is following the guidelines of the program in order to be certified as a Green Sanctuary. See our church calendar for more information about upcoming events.
Visit the Green Sanctuary pages here.
Facility Rental
Please contact the church office if you are interested in renting our facilities for a function such as a wedding, child dedication, memorial service, special gathering, or on-going program. Our rental fees depend upon event, facilities to be rented, and length of rental time. For detailed information, go to our weddings page, contact us at 630-323-2885 or email us at office@hinsdaleunitarian.org.