Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist – Palatine, IL
Worship on Sundays at 10 am. Join us in person or online
For our 2025-26 church year, CCUU will be served by two co-ministers – Rev Pam Rumancik and Rev Karen Mooney. Each will facilitate specific ministries,
Remember those essays we had to write when we got back to school after summer break? Usually unimaginatively titled “what I did on my summer
There are only so many ways to say our world is messed up and I’m running out adjectives. War with Iran is simply one more
Ah summer – butterflies and beetles, bandstands and beaches; a time to be outside enjoying the sun’s warmth after the chilly rains of spring. It’s
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall downinto the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,… Tell me, what is it
Special Membership Orientation Session: May 4 @ 11:45am New Member Welcome Sunday: June 8 @ 10:00am If you are one of the many wonderful folks
For our 2025-26 church year, which begins July 1, CCUU will be served by two co-ministers – Rev. Pam Rumancik and Rev. Karen Mooney. Each
Chicks and Bunnies and Eggs – Oh My – It’s spring! I’m watching spring bursting out all around – in budding trees and daffodils and
As you may have heard at the Town Hall meeting last Sunday, one of the money saving strategies next year is a slight restructuring of
I know June 1st seems a million miles away – but it’s spring and will be here in a blink. The Buffalo Grove Pride parade
In Dec. 2022, a young man from Guatemala arrived at Chalice House. He was referred to us by the Heartland Alliance (now Heartland Human Care Services.) He instantly captivated the entire team with his infectious smile, warm laugh, and joyful enthusiasm. While at Chalice House, he learned to play saxophone, painted, studied English, exercised at the park district facilities, and made many friends. As soon as he received his work permit, he secured a job at a nearby restaurant where he learned to cook and prep. He was a treasured employee for his work ethic and personality, but he moved on to a skilled job at a local manufacturing company where he continues to work today. He is currently living in an apartment in Palatine with a room-mate.
The first family hosted at Chalice House is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The father was a principal at a high school. He and his wife feared for their safety and fled the country with a toddler, leaving older children behind with a grandmother.
After living and working in Brazil for a year or two, gangs threatened them and they traveled 6000 miles north to the U.S. border, crossing the infamous Darien Gap with their then 4-year-old daughter and making their way through Mexico. When they crossed the border, they claimed asylum. They were detained and separated from one other. They were referred to Chalice House partner Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants (ICDI) by a supportive non-profit agency who learned of their situation. ICDI who was able to secure their release and arrange their transfer to Chalice House where they were reunited.
The parents found good, stable jobs as soon as they received their work permits, and they were able to move into their own apartment in Palatine, where they still live.
The young girl is a spitfire, full of energy and love. Mentors helped her how to learn how to ride a bike and spent hours teaching her to read and playing games. She is in elementary school in Palatine. She loves music, drawing, and basketball. Her favorite subject in school is lunch and she says she is very good at it.
