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.