The Ubuntu Community

Oh how the times have changed...

2009-01-20T23:32:00.003-06:00

So it's been awhile since the last blog update. Sorry to keep you all waiting. We all want to apologize to the old Ubuntu members who are all over the country and the world because we're sure they want to hear about the goings on of this years community and feel out of touch with their old home. So, we're happy to announce a revitalization of the blog! Just some updates on what's been going on.
We moved.
The best couch didn't make it.
Africa is alive?
We have a large community.
We are a smelly hippy commune bent on radical love and the like.
Falafel is our food of choice.
Cheap rum and Old Style the drink of choice.
Simple living, community, spirituality, justice.......what?
Mexican dudes work in our backyard.
We had a phallic gourd. We ate it.
Un payaso me vendó la madre de vos pero ella se fue con todo mi plata y el perro también. Qué lástima.
That's pretty much it.

Farewell dear Cassie

2008-02-15T10:18:00.002-06:00

Just this Tuesday the community said farewell to Cassie who is now pursuing great adventures with her study abroad program in New Zealand. You are already so missed!

Updates and upcoming events:

Keep your eyes out for Documentary Nights and House Mass!

Take advantage of A Season of Nonviolence!

2007-12-27T18:17:00.000-06:00

I would just like to take this time on behalf of the Ubuntu Community to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Let us all hope, pray, and work actively for a peaceful and loving world in the new year. Blessings on your family and friends. Peace.

We also would like to give thanks for the safe return of two of our community, Katia and Mackenzie!! It's so nice to have them back and we're all very excited to live with them this semester.

We also want to wish Cassie good luck as she prepares to leave in February for a semester in New Zealand. Have fun, good luck, and be safe!

Want to Live in UBUNTU?!?

2007-11-07T21:03:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone from the Ubuntu Community. We are planning to have two informational/discernment sessions on November 12th and 13th for potential community members for the 2008-2009 school year. If you are interested please come to one of the sessions which will be at the Ubuntu house on the corner of Rosemont and Winthrop Aves at 9:30pm both nights. If you are unable to make either night but still are interested or if you have any questions please feel free to email the community at ubuntu.community@gmail.com. Thanks, we hope to see you there and bring your friends.

Fair Trade House Party

2007-10-16T09:47:00.000-06:00

OCT. 16, 2007
9pm viewing of Black Gold, award winning documentary highlighting the importance of Fair Trade.

Prize will be given for the best Fair Trade treat!

Look forward to seeing everyone!

Open House a Great Success

2007-09-23T14:53:00.001-06:00

Thanks to everyone who came to our open house today. It was a great way to start this community-with family, friends, song, prayer, laughter, stories, and of course way too much food. If you couldn't make it please know you are invited in the future. We are all so grateful for all you wonderful people that make this community so great!

Thanks!!!

House Warming and Blessing Open House

2007-09-10T21:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

You are invited to our House blessing and Open house on
September 23rd
10am - 2pm
Please feel free to bring something to share for brunch.
We look forward to seeing you!

colbert report: freegan

2007-06-29T00:32:00.000-06:00

I you all might enjoy this, esp. Lydia and Katia...if the link doesn't work go to the Colbert Report website and look for the thing on "freegans"
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=89056&ml_collection=&ml_gateway=&ml_gateway_id=&ml_comedian=&ml_runtime=&ml_context=show&ml_origin_url=/shows/the_colbert_report/videos/most_recent/index.jhtml&ml_playlist=&lnk=&is_large=true

2007-06-05T17:12:00.000-06:00

Hannah Glatz>>>>>>>>
Year:Junior
Major: International Studies
Minor: Peace Studies
Summer Plans: living and working in Chicago trying to recover financially from her semester abroad in Rome; also plans to spend some time in the 'burbs with her family and is especially excited to chill with her nephews and her goddaughter
Something More: enjoys any and everything water-related, especially the beach. Most importantly, she's totally pumped to be living in community and can't wait to see where the next year is going to take her! Carpe diem!

2007-06-05T17:05:00.000-06:00

<<<<Julie Bodnar
Year: Senior
Majors/Minors: Political Science, International Studies, Latin American Studies
Summer Plans: working as a day camp counselor for Parks and Rec dept. of South Bend and spending quality time with the family.
Something More: Likes Latin America, Liberation Theology, peace, activism, social justice, fair trade, non-violence, t-shirts, piano, puzzles, coloring, fire, thunderstorms, conversations, people in general

2007-06-05T17:03:00.001-06:00

Patrick Reynolds>>>>>>
Major: International Studies
Minors: Spanish, Latin American Studies, Political Science, Theology
Summer Plans: Working for EVOKE at Loyola Univ. Chicago, chaperoneing a high school mission trip to Peru for three weeks, and exploring the beautiful city of Chicago
Something More: Play guitar, love adventuring in the outdoors, kayaking, hiking, camping, hammocks, mangos, snuggling, movies, NPR, and wind

2007-06-05T16:57:00.001-06:00

Lydia Wylie-Kellermann>>>>>>
Majors: Theology and Women's Studies
Minors: Sociology and Peace Studies
Year: Senior
Summer: hanging out at home in Detroit, MI doing lots of gardening and neighborhood work
Something More: Grew up in a Catholic Worker Community, vegitarian, procrastinates via crafting, can be bribed with sweets

2007-06-05T16:49:00.000-06:00

<<<<<Katia Buyanova
Year: Senior
Major: Theology
Minor: Finance
Summer Plans: In Minnesota working on an organic farm
Something More: likes biking, education, social justice, organic farming, liberation theology, equality, Food Not Bombs

2007-06-05T16:37:00.000-06:00

Eddie Vogel>>>>>>>>
Years: 21
Major: Economics
Minor: Philosophy
Summer Plans: In Chiang Mai, Thailand working for the the Church of Christ of Thailand AIDS Ministry. It should be a good time.
Something More: From Lansing, Michigan. Youngest of 4 brothers. Loves soccer.

2007-06-05T16:30:00.000-06:00

<<<Mackenzie Shreve
Major: Theology
Minor: Business something...
Year: Junior
Summer Plans: Hanging out at home reading and trying to learn Hindi; leaving for a semester in Delhi in July
Something more: Loves basketball, walking when I really should drive, and laughing.

2007-06-05T16:25:00.001-06:00

Cassie Younger>>>>>>>>
Year: junior
Majors: in Political Science and Environmental Studies
Summer plans: hanging out in the Chi, working at Lake Side Cafe, and interning at the Illinois League of Conservation Voters
Something more:
She loves green roofs, astronomy, and swamp canoe races.

2007-06-05T16:09:00.001-06:00

<<<Laura Sienas
Major: Biology
Minors: Economics, Neuroscience
Year: Senior
Summer Plans: Working at Camp Gray in Reedsburg, WI. It's a Catholic summer camp for kids, I'm working with 2-8 graders.
Something more:
From Downers Grove, IL
Love Porch Sitting
I really enjoy playing on the swings

El Ratone Arriba

2007-05-23T22:30:00.000-06:00

The Rat question has been asked. We are awaiting an answer. Good luck in the meantime. Don't feed it; it's a filthy dirty varmin.

Take care, and god speed.

Woo!

2007-04-26T07:16:00.001-06:00

We get the house today :)

Anti-Torture Vigil

2007-03-29T15:37:00.000-06:00

Hello!
Patrick, I received your letter today! Thanks, I love the article. I will pass on the letter to everyone else tonight at the anti-torture vigil. Ubuntu is doing an hour of the vigil. Pretty exciting stuff. To keep everyone up to date, we made dinner last night at Julie's house. Basically we just talked more about subletting. Also, we thought we should get gardening, composting and recycling started before people leave for the summer. We also planned our hour for the anti-torture vigil. We are using peace prayers from 12 different religions. We didn't plan our next meeting, any thoughts? Anything we should be talking about? Hope all is well!

-Laura

Ubuntu in the News

2007-03-29T10:39:00.000-06:00

Someone just shared this article from BBC news with me. It appears we were not the first ones to realize what a fantastic concept Ubuntu is. Enjoy...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5388182.stm

Meeting Notes

2007-03-04T11:08:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone-

So we finally got a chance to meet this week and check in. Here is what we talked about:

-Subletting: Currently we have a few people, we look like we are almost done

-Commitments talk: We first went around and said what commitments we have for next year. We then talked about what we thought the community commitments should be. We thought a required dinner once a week would be good. Other nights dinner could be made for those who could be there. To decide a night for dinner, we are going to meet right before we pick classes and see which day works best. We will need the tentative schedule from people abroad before that. We also thought we should have a short meeting once a week so that dinner wouldn't have to be all business and more community time. We figured one night late would work for that. Other than that, we talked about optional commitments throughout the week, maybe making the commitment to go to one out of the 3 if you can't make all, but it's not a big deal if you have a crazy week and can't go to these. Possible options were: spirituality night, book club, Friday hospitality events (once a month invite people over), invite outside people to dinner, cleaning hour (where we all clean together). We also talked about having a large events calender with things we are involved in so others can join :)

-Moderators: We will send a description of the people we are thinking of to all so that we can comment more (who was doing this?)

-Alcohol issue: We went around and all shared our thoughts. We basically all agreed that we should be respectful of all the people in the house. We should also continue this conversation, especially at the beginning of the semester.

-Our next meeting will be Monday, March 19 at 9:30 in Rambler. Please add your thoughts before then. We think we are going to talk about simple living next time, but if there is any issue you would like to discuss on the 19th please let us know.

Hope you all have a wonderful spring break!

2007-03-01T13:27:00.000-06:00

Tonight...8:30 pm...meet at the library entrance!

Meeting!

2007-02-24T14:14:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone-
So I was thinking that we should try to meet before Spring Break. Our next meeting is going to be Thursday March 1st- 9pm my house again.
Please comment on your thoughts before then.

Also, there is a new Center for the Human Rights of Children at Loyola. They are having some cool seminars this semester that I thought we might want to check out.

March 14 "Making the City Child Friendly" (2-4 25 E Pearson Rm. 204)
April 2 "The Right of Homeless Children to Healthy Lives" (LSC)
April 25 "Children Facing War and Political Violence" (LSC)

peace, Laura

2007-02-16T18:21:00.000-06:00

Mackenzie, Patrick, Hannah and Eddie....we miss you terribly and wish we could have hung out with you last night. Here are the notes from last night’s meeting. We haven’t made any final decisions because, of course, we still want everyone’s input that wasn’t there. This is what the 5 of us came up with…

■ Internet: We could get dial-up and only hook it up to one computer so that internet would be there in those procrastinating….it’s 3 am and the library is closed and I still have to do research….moments, but it wouldn’t be something that would distract us from the community. But, it’s possible that we still may be able to pick up a wireless signal for free in which case, we should have this discussion next year about how that would fit into simple living and community.

■Facilitator: We all agreed with the comments on the blog. We all think having a facilitator would be beneficial. We think this relationship should be a sort of open-door policy with no set commitments, but a person who is serious about the community and willing to make the commitment to it. What we want from this person is the chance to occasionally talk to someone outside of the community one on one about our experience, someone who would join us for dinner every now and then and someone who would be willing to facilitate a conversation within the group if needed in a difficult situation. This person’s personality will shape the role as well (for example, whether the person is more interested in prayer or group dynamics would make a big difference). Also, we don’t like the term facilitator, we are going to call it a community mentor instead. Except, we’re trying to find a cool word for mentor (maybe from the Bantu languages….where other great words come from, such as safari and mambo and of course ubuntu)

■ NEXT MEETING: We never decided when it will be so I’m just going to throw out a suggestion and see if people are free, but if you have a better time just post it. How about the Thursday before spring break at 9pm? Does anyone have an opinion where we should meet? We will be discussing:

- the issue of alcohol

- getting out the word about our community this semester (a possible event or an article in the Phoenix)

- community commitments next year (this is important to figure out before we all make other commitments)

Please comment on these topics so we know where everyone stands going into the meeting.

Notes from the tiny little notecards...

2007-02-07T18:26:00.000-06:00

Hi friends,
Well we had a meeting last night which was accompanied with wonderful cookies made by Julie. We talked mostly about planning an Agenda on things to talk about for this semester. Also, we talked a lot about subletting. We decided to make an application for all those interested that would be due March 1st, and then the people living there this summer can get back to all those interested by March 15. Here are the items for this semester's discussion:
-How much involvement from University Ministry in our community
-Community Facilitator, is it necessary and who?
-Sub letters (contract draft we will review next meeting)
-Roommates below us? (Lydia and Laura are working on figuring out who it is...possibly sharing Internet?)
-What specific commitments will we need to make to the community (ex. prayer, dinner, meetings)
-Book Club (possibly a campus wide event?)
-Gardening (would need to start this summer)
-What aspects of the community would start in the summer
-Bank account for community will be opened at beginning of next semester (hopefully get a good bonus)
-Should we get the word out this semester?
-Dean Brackley (on campus, might see together?)
-Dan Berrigan (possibly extra talk to Ubuntu)
-Simple Living guidelines
-Dishwashers vs. hand washing, which is better?
-alcohol policy for community and issues with that
-creative activities we can do as a community
-Internet
-Banner with Community name

We then picked a few topics that we thought needed to be addressed sooner and we will be talking about them at our next meeting, Thurs Feb 15 at 9pm-ish at Laura's. Hannah, Patrick and Eddie, if you could give your comments on these issues before then we thought that could be helpful.
Things to comment on:
-University Ministry Involvement
-Community Facilitator (we will need to ask soon)
-Sub letters (all interested email Julie or Cassie ASAP!)
-Roommates below us
-Internet (especially so we can tell summer sub letters)

Thanks for reading this crazy long post. We miss all of you abroad. also look for a short email from me too. thanks!
-laura

Art?

2007-02-03T23:28:00.000-06:00

Hey Guys-
So I was checking our email and Lydia emailed us about this really cool class called Activism Through Art. They are looking for groups to create art projects for, and I was thinking it would be really cool if they could make something for our house (or even maybe help paint the upstairs or something). Anyways, there is a mandatory meeting for anyone who would like the class' help, it's this tuesday feb 6 at 7pm. i have class and i was wondering if anyone else can go. email the teacher at ttresse@luc.edu and let her know that we are coming and what our organization is all about. comment if you can go. thanks!
peace,
laura

Thank You

2007-02-01T10:56:00.000-06:00

Thank you all so much for the card. It came to me right when I needed it most. I just got home from a long day at praxis to find it laying on my desk. You are all with me here and I think and talk about you all a lot. Thanks again!

PR

2007-01-27T16:12:00.000-06:00

so, I created a nifty little calendar of people's schedules AND... the way it is now the only possibilities for meeting times are Sunday from 1 to 5 and Tuesday after 9:30 so considering we dont even have everyones schedules yet (we're missing Lydia and Katia) I dont think its a good sign....if you could rethink the schedules you gave me and double check to see if you have ANY other free time....it would be greatly appreciated.
julie

2007-01-25T16:10:00.000-06:00

so...ideally I will get to see all of you (except Hannah, Eddie and Patrick...sad) at our meeting next week, but we never decided on a day and time. Can we all comment and post when we're free?

julie

2007-01-24T08:55:00.000-06:00

I'm giving the sermon at Hemenway UMC in Evanston this Sunday at 11am if any body is interested: take the purple line to "Main," turn left, walk down Chicago for a block and it'll be across the street from a thrift store (if you reach Wild Oats, you're about 1/2 a block too far).
ms

Updates for those we miss so much!

2007-01-23T12:10:00.000-06:00

Hello all,
So I have officially learned how to do this thing. Fabulous. Laura asked me if I would give an update on the meeting and then I forgot my notes....so I will do my best from memory and then perhaps add more later.

First of all, yesterday I SIGNED THE LEASE! It's officially ours! Now we just have to pay the first month's rent before May 1st. We will have to figure out how to do that. They said we could get in about 4 days early which would be really nice. So...yay for us!

At the meeting we brainstormed topics/decisions that we need to make before next year. From what I remember the main issues were...
1. Room mate situation
2. Simple Living decisions
- how we buy, what we buy, with what. tv, dishwasher, etc.
3. House meeting time committments

Those are the main issues that I remember.
1. We drew names for first semester and then decided for second semester we would rearrange and get a chance to live with someone else. (but Julie calls Katia for when she gets back from El Salvadora).
- Hannah and Laura
- Julie and Cassie
- Lydia
2. No decisions made just some possibilities brought up. Might have a tv for movies, but not focal point of rooms. Possibility of buying oragnic. Maybe have a shared bank account with a debit card that we share. use dishwasher?
3. Decided to brainstorm creative stuff to do and then decide what the commitments are later.

Then we all watched Grey's Anatomy and are brownies.

Ok, so that is a very rough outline of what we talked about. We would love to hear your thoughts. And those here, what am i missing?

Love to you all!

Travelers onward!

2007-01-09T16:00:00.000-06:00

Well, tomorrow Eddie, Hannah, and I are headed out into the world. I can only speak for myself when I say I take you all with me in my heart. I hope all goes well and those subletters come a runnin.

Adios!

PR

Interesting Story

2007-01-03T09:08:00.000-06:00

Hello friends,

I hope your New Year's festivities went well. I just wanted to share this really funny story with you all. So other night my good friend Paul and I went to our friends house, the Ismatullah's. They are Afghan refugees who came over after the start of the war. Paul and I have become friends of the family and kinda mentors for three of the boys. Anyway, all 9 of the kids celebrate their birthday on Jan. 1st. So, they invited us to their riproaring party. They got us all dressed up in the traditional festive garments and we ate amazing Afghan food. Then we were thinking we be taking off, but then the mother of the family was like, No, now it's time for dancing. So, Paul and I happily joined in and most of the time it was just us dancing around their living room, looking like idiots, while the kids laughed and were too embarrassed to dance. It was awesome.
I hope you are all doing well. I've been thinking a lot about you all. I leave 1 week from today!!! ahhh!

Peace,

PR

Check out the sweet pics:

2007-01-01T02:20:00.000-06:00

2007 and beyond!
I just wanna say you guys are big reason why this year (and years past and more to come) is (are) going to be amazing! I always think it's funny that changing one number seems so significant when numbers in time are constantly changing. It's good to have a focal point though, right? A time to intentionally reflect and resolve. I'm excited and so thankful that our c0mmunity will provide that intentional 'focal point,' if you will, more than once a year. By the way...any resolutions?
mrs

Happy Birthday, Laura!

2006-12-26T09:24:00.000-06:00

This note is especially for all you "I don't use facebook because I hate the system of oppresive, alienating technology" people. It's Laura's birthday, and she's a day younger than Jesus! (minus a couple thousand years)

Happy Birthday!

2006-12-25T00:07:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!
Thanks again to Lydia for her awesome Christmas present to the community, Reconciliation: The Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu. I've only just started it (and I know you all will eventually get to read it), but I thought I'd share some things that caught my eye for one reason or another:

"A self-sufficient human being is subhuman. I have gifts you do not have, so, consequently, I am unique--you have gifts that I do not have, so you are unique. God has made us so that we each need each other. We are made for a delicate network of interdependence. We see it on a macro level. Not even the most powerful nations in the world can be self-sufficient." -Desmond Tutu, "God's Dream" (1992)

in a discussion of being interdependent, the role of an individual, and God's love, this came up:
"God's love is what gives us our worth...So we are liberated from the desire to achieve, to impress. We are children of divine love and nothing can change that fundamental fact about us." -Tutu

thoughts?
ms

Hey all

2006-12-21T20:29:00.000-06:00

So...I'm pretty bored lately.
Could you all post some awesome stories or something entertaining for me to read? That'd be pretty sweet.

-pr

Looks like a Christmas Card to me...

2006-12-19T18:08:00.000-06:00

hey guys-

here's the picture we took. enjoy and merry christmas!

peace,

Laura

Meeting this Friday

2006-12-14T09:15:00.000-06:00

Don't forget that we are meeting as a community this Friday at 3pm, in CFSU. Get excited because this may be the only time we will have everyone together at once. Bring thoughts, concerns, stories, pictures from El Salvador, whatever...

Lydia and I are meeting with the realtor this Friday morning at 10am. We can take forms in then or you can fax them. You are all welcome to come with us too!

Good luck on finals!

PR

Excited?

2006-12-07T21:44:00.000-06:00

Um...Who's excited?

More pics

2006-12-06T23:41:00.000-06:00

Backyard
The "Green Room"
Trees down the side of the house
Garage

Tour of the House!

2006-12-06T21:15:00.000-06:00

Back Porch

Creepy closet/pantry
Hallway
Bedroom
Front entry, bedroom on the right, looking at front room
In the kitchen looking up at the attic/prayer space?
Kitchen cabinets galore!
Upstairs, Please note the skylights and the stainedglass
Looking into the prayer room
Looking down at the kitchen from above
Front inclosed porch area
Woodburning fireplace
Bathroom one with a shower w/seat
Bedroom
Kitchen

Welcome

2006-12-06T21:03:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the Ubuntu Community Blog!!!!

Start posting!