Are you looking for Beloved Community?

Do you find joy in welcoming others?

Do you enjoy good conversation with other open-minded people?

Check out the programs of the KINSHIP Ministry

The mission of the Kinship Ministry is to ensure Countryside Church grows and has increasing impact on religious and social life in the northwest suburbs by developing an atmosphere that is inclusive, welcoming, connecting, compassionate, and respectful.

Kinship Ministry is every member of the congregation.

• We are the Hospitality Teams and the Membership Committee.
• We host social events and parties.
• We lead groups that deepen friendships, explore meaningful topics, and teach compassionate communication.

We welcome your warmth, your strength, your sorrows, your tenderness of care and of speech.

Social Events

We welcome everyone – church members, friends, and community members – to our social events. These events give us opportunities to share food and fellowship. They are coordinated by ad-hoc teams of church members. To be part of a team for one of these social events, contact the Kinship Coordinators.

• Monthly Potlucks: In 2018-19, we will be holding potluck lunches (almost) monthly to encourage fellowship and community. Sign up here to be part of a set-up or clean-up team; set-up teams can determine a theme for the potluck if desired. Two of the potlucks already have themes:
  • Ingathering: the Sunday after Labor Day, when we celebrate our coming back together after many of us scatter for the summer.
  • ChocolateFest: a chocolate potluck held during coffee/fellowship hours on the Sunday nearest Valentine’s Day (Feb 10, 2019).
• Passover Seder: April 2019

Kinship Ministry Groups & Programs

• Intro to CCUU: a brief orientation to Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist (CCUU) and to Unitarian Universalism; held the 1st Sunday of each month following the worship services
• Path to Belonging Classes: held 2-3 times each year for those wishing to learn more about Countryside Church UU and the meaning of membership. Sign up near the greeter window or by email to Membership@ccuu.org. Our 2018-19 schedule:
  • Sept 30 & October 7, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
  • February 10 & 17, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
  • June 2 & 9, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
• Circle Suppers: a series of potluck dinners (4 in the fall-winter and 4 in the spring) held in one another’s homes, an easy way to dine, chat, and laugh with new and long-time Countrysiders. Sign up in September for the fall-winter series and in January for the spring series.
• Soul Connections – our small group ministry program.
• Feminine Divine Women’s Group comes together the last Saturday of the month to discuss women’s issues and to honor the feminine divine. We read and discuss books with a feminine divine or feminine historical theme.
• Transitions: a forum for mature adults to explore life transitions with a supportive community during daytime hours. We meet monthly for a program and potluck lunch, and there are a couple of interest groups that have formed from the larger group, like Memoir Makers and a Great Books discussion group.
• 40-50 Somethings: one of our most recently formed groups – for those who have aged out of the 20-30 Somethings group and are not yet ready for Transitions.

 Hospitality Teams

Our Sunday hospitality teams greet, usher, provide audio-visual assistance, and host coffee hours. Hospitality Teams are the friendly, welcoming face to our community! By participating on a team, you get to know other church members as well as offer warm welcome to visitors. Teams are scheduled for first, second, third, fourth, or fifth Sundays. To join a team, contact Kinship Ministry coordinators or the church office, or sign up online for a particular Sunday role.

To find out where your passions and interests can work with others to find growth and fulfillment and to create our beloved community, contact the Kinship Ministry Coordinators, Kinship@ccuu.org.