Telling the Truth – For a study group, I was asked to write a paper on “Truth.” I thought that might be simple, but many books and magazine articles later, I found it to be a subject with more than one answer. In this service, I will present my findings and ways we might approach “The Truth” in the political arena.

Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher is Minister Emerita from DuPage UU church. For over 30 ears she labored in the vineyards of UU churches as a teacher, Member of the Board, DRE, and Minister. In retirement, she has moved to Chicago to be nearer to her two granddaughters whose parents wouldn’t consider living anywhere else. Before becoming a minister, Emmy Lou was an artist with a degree from the University of Michigan and teaching credentials from Carthage College in Kenosha. She has run art galleries, done restoration work in old Detroit mansions, illustrated ads and created logos, worked the ropes for a tree trimmer and cutter, and taught art to people from age 5 through 80.

Person ≠ Mental Health Obstacle – People living with mental health obstacles are but one group who desire the visibility of the individual. We live in a society that is fascinated with labels. One could imagine that labeling is a way of our culture that aims to provide a comfort zone for the unknown. Nevertheless, many individuals want family, church, work, and society-at-large to see them beyond such labels.

     Jon Gilbert Martinez is a recent graduate with a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He is originally from Deep South Texas along the US/Mexico border and a multi-generational Tejano and Chicano. His home church is First Congregational Church of Evanston a part of the United Church of Christ where Gilbert is a member in discernment on track for ordination. Currently, he serves as the Community Pastoral Care Minister at San Lucas UCC in Humboldt Park. He also serves on the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network Board of Directors. Gilbert lives in Chicago with his husband, infant son, two nieces, sister, and several fur-children.

Every Long Journey – Curiosity is a gift but to act on it requires courage. Empathy is a skill and to learn it enables us to move from a place of shame to a place of compassion and courage.  Come listen to voices of curiosity, empathy, and courage in the songs we will sing, in the meditative music of crystal tone bowls, and in the words of Rev. Linda’s sermon.

Rev. Linda Slabon, LCSW, served the UU Fellowship of DeKalb for 26 years along with her spouse, Dr. Toni Tollerud, who served as Music Director. Now retired, Linda is a Minister Emerita, a DeKalb County Board member, and Clinical Social Worker.  She sees clients in her private practice and completes the laundry at home promptly.

A retired professor from Northern Illinois University, Toni does state-wide seminars on supervision and trauma, and gardens with a passion. Grandma Toni and Bionic Nana Linda (with her new titanium hips) love to sing with their three year old grand-daughter, Amelia.

Cultivating Joy – How do we cultivate joy as a spiritual practice of restoration and resistance? Visiting Minister The Rev. Darrick Jackson is the Director of Education of the UU Ministers Association and an Affiliated Community Minister with Second Unitarian Church. He is one of the authors in the book “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry.” Darrick is active in DRUUMM (the UU ministry for people of color). He is also the treasurer and Workshop Leader for Healing Moments (a ministry for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s).