Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole

Sunday Service April 14th at 10:30am

Rooted to the Earth, Rooted to Each Other

We celebrate our interdependence with the earth, where we are rooted and from which we are nourished with an earth blessing. You are encouraged to bring a small container of soil (from your garden, yard, or potted plant). We will also welcome new members during our service, and you are invited to stay for the New Member Reception during Kinship. Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan lead this service. Our music leaders are Kristen Durning, Kiley Korey, Ben Boutell, Jon Siegel, and Gregory Shifrin.

Children and youth will go to their faith formation programs after joys and sorrows.

Shared Offering - Interfaith Action

Join the Services Livestream

Faith Formation Hour this Sunday

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10:15a-11:45am

Chalice Children (pre/k) in room 9 will explore Storytelling .
Heads, Hearts, and Hands (1^st-6^th) in room 8 will explore our new monthly theme of Interdependence by considering the importance of small and unseen life in our ecosystem in Web of Creatures.
Youth Group (7^th-12^th) in room 13 will continue planning their worship service for April 28.

Families can explore our new theme, The Gift of Interdependence, at home and on their own timeframe with the Soulful Home packet. Send pictures to Kathy Underwood of your family as you explore the many ideas here!

See our “living” calendar of programs and events here.

Parents can register their children/youth for the Faith Formation Program here.

UCE FAMILY CHOIR Spring 2024

Families and children are invited to sing with the UCE choir in the May 19th service. The song is: “Build Me a World.” Watch a video of the song HERE.

Join us for 2 short rehearsals before service and/or practice independently using the recording and resources provided.

Sunday, April 14th, 10-10:20 am (room 3)
Sunday, May 5th, 10-10:20 am (room 3)

Warm-up and rehearse with the Adult Choir under Vicky’s direction on

Sunday, May 19th:

9:30 am Rehearse and sound-check
10:30 am Perform in Service

Email Norell Liddell for more information: NorellLiddell at gmail dot com.

Child Dedication

Members of UCE are invited to dedicate their child(ren) in a ceremony on May 12th, Mother's Day. Children of any age can be dedicated. If you wish to have your child(ren) dedicated, contact Rev. Eileen by April 21st.

Greetings from your Executive Operations Director

The “Path of Totality” eclipse viewing was once again an amazing experience. The beauty of nature and our universe never ceases to amaze me. I had the opportunity to experience the eclipse with my 97-year-old mom, brother, son, daughter-in-law and friends. What impressed me was the feeling of unity, connectedness and wonder shared by the Southern Illinois community as thousands landed there over the weekend. Garden of the Gods and Shawnee National Forest are sites to behold. If you have an opportunity to visit, do so. I’m hiking there in June with friends as I end my journey at UCE. I encourage you to explore the petroglyphs, rock formations made by glaciers, woods, waterfalls, and wildlife.

These have been satisfying months working part-time toward my retirement. I’ve been busy sorting through files, moving papers to archives, sharing electronic files and photos. It’s been a walk down memory lane for sure. I have photos of every rummage sale, night of the arts, pageant, and hundreds of photos of beloved members and friends. All good things must come to an end. I’m ending this journey with grace, gratitude, and love for what I have experienced, accomplished, and leave behind. I will remember many moments here, many people who have gone before and are here now.

This Week's Events & Links

Friday, April 12th

No events scheduled.

Saturday, Apr 13th:

Chicago Area UU Council Spring Conference, 9am -2pm, multiple rooms.

Virtual Pilates, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom

UCE Prison Ministry Team via Zoom

Sunday, Apr 14th:

Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9am in-person Rm 6 and via Zoom Link.

Family Choir Rehearsal, 9:50am, Rm 3

Worship Service at 10:30am Sanctuary & on YouTube

New Member Reception, 11:30am-12:30pm, Sanctuary Cafe

Mistakes & Miracles Book Group, 12:30-1:30pm, Rm 2

Celebrate Eid with a Traditional Afghan Dinner, 5-7pm, Sanctuary

Download UCE Zoom Backgrounds

Monday, April 15th:

Food with Spirit Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom

Addictions and Recovery, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, Apr 16th:

Peg Heads, 6:30-9:30pm, in Rm 3

Cargiver Support Group, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom

First Women's Circle, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Wednesday, Apr 17th:

Yoga, 9:30-10:30am, via NEW ONLINE LINK

Please be aware we have an all Staff Meeting every Wed from 11-12:30pm

Casual Choir, 6:30-8pm, Rm 6

Social Justice Council, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom

Thursday Apr 18th:

Evanston Near South Proximity Group, 1-2pm, via Zoom

Meditation Group, 5:30-7pm, via Zoom

Rainbow Alliance, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom

Choir Rehearsal, 7-9pm, Rm 3

Check out the UCE Calendar for more events!

Congregational News

If you're viewing the newsletter in your email inbox, click on "View entire message" at the bottom of the email to read the full newsletter!

Room Request Form

PLEASE NOTE: Newsletter submissions should be sent to Newsletter@ucevanston.org by noon on Wednesday.

Congregational Connections

Beltane Intergenerational Maypole Dance

Join the UCE Pagan Collective for a Beltane Maypole Dance on

Saturday, April 27, 2024

10:30-11:30 am Maypole Dance

11:30 am - 1:30 pm Community Potluck

We'll be on the UCE South Lawn or in the sanctuary if the weather is inclement.

RSVP here - so we have enough Maypole ribbons.

For more information, contact Taryn Nelson Seawright at tarynnelsonseawright at gmail dot com.

3 Weeks to UCE's 2024 Rummage Sale!

Now is the time to sign up to volunteer, gather donations and spread the word! It's a great way to make new friends and get rid of stuff! Read on for details.

RUMMAGE SALE - CHILDREN'S DEPT HELPER NEEDED!

Want to be part of this important FUNdraiser? We need 1-2 people to help organize the children's department in the rummage sale! Gillian Lawrence is now co-leading the entire sale, so we need a couple of people to take her place in organizing the children’s department.

Set-up times are flexible between 4/28-5/2, and the sale is 5/3-5/4. Veteran organizers will assist you on these tasks:

1. Finalize pricing lists

2. Request supplies

3. Coordinate volunteers for set up and sale days

4. Oversee the setup of the sale

If you can help out in this way to make the sale a success, please reach out to Gillian or Kathy Underwood, asap!

What is the UUA General Assembly and Why Are We Voting on Article 2?

Join members of the Denominational Affairs team, the last session on the proposed revisions to Article 2 will focus on Pluralism and Freedom of Belief and will be held in-person at UCE on Sunday, May 5th from 12:00-1:30 pm in room 2. Read more about our UU values and these sessions here.

Click the image below to watch a video on the GA.

UCE is hosting the Chicago Area UU Council (CAUUC) Conference on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The conference theme is: Welcoming Congregation Renewal: The Work of Welcome is Never Done. You are invited to attend the conference from 9:00am - 2:00 pm! Click the image above, for full details.

UCE will be forming a Welcoming Congregation Renewal Task Force following the conference. The Task Force will have members of Rainbow Alliance and the congregation at large. If you are not able to attend the conference, but would like to join this Task Force, please email Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Soup Kitchen is Back !

Once again, UCE will host a soup kitchen on APRIL 24th, to allow Beth Emet to celebrate Passover. There is only one soup kitchen this spring. We will be hosting 2 soup kitchens in the fall.

We need donations of food and help preparing and serving food. We are very grateful for your participation.

Please click HERE to sign up*

*You may have to create an account with this platform to be able to sign up.

Our hats are off to the members and friends of UCE who are coordinating a ceasefire resolution to be voted on at our annual meeting in May, and providing opportunities for discussion and feedback on the resolution at four town halls: Gail Smith, Mary Dudek, Martha Holman, Kristin Lems, Joyce Lofstrom, Michelle Novak, Mary Beth Roth, Steve Serikaku, Michael Skilton, Tom Ticknor, Sarah Vanderwicken, and Kristen White. We are also grateful to the congregation for responding to the call for Gaza relief efforts. As a congregation we have raised $11,100 between the offering collection on March 31st and the remainder of that week! These funds will be divided between four organizations providing relief efforts (listed in the article below). If you still wish to give, please do so directly to one (or all) of the four organizations. Thank you, team, for all you are doing to organize these efforts to raise funds for desperately needed aid, to voice our values, and hold a process that allows for multiple perspectives.

Stay Engaged with Israel and Palestine

UCE Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Resolution and Humanitarian Aid Effort

This Saturday, April 13, at 4:00 p.m., there will be a Town Hall meeting on Zoom about the UCE Ceasefire Resolution.

Please take a few minutes to read the Resolution at this link and check out the resources and articles at this link. The informal Gaza task force is asking the Board of Trustees to include the Resolution for a vote at the May 19 annual meeting. The final Town Hall meetings will be held on Monday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m. at UCE.

We welcome direct donations to one or more of the four designated organizations below. Visit the table at the back of the sanctuary if you would like to be acknowledged as a donor on the peace dove poster.

• Doctors without Borders [doctorswithoutborders.org],

• MedGlobal [medglobal.org],

• Middle East Children's Alliance [mecaforpeace.org],

• World Central Kitchen [wck.org]

As the Unitarian Universalist Association stated in February, “There are crystallizing moments in the course of history when, in spite of the differences that exist among us, our common reverence for life demands that we speak with moral courage and clarity on the side of love.” Only through a permanent and total ceasefire will it be possible to provide life-saving aid to address the starvation and lack of medical assistance that children and families in Gaza are facing. We are called to align our actions with our UU values, and we hope that you will join us to learn more about the resolution and share your thoughts with us.

Lifespan Faith Formation

TransParentsy – April 21 at 12:30pm

Parents and grandparents of trans individuals are invited to share their joys and sorrows in a safe space. If you need childcare, please contact Kathy Underwood by April 14.

UCE Passover Seder – April 26 at 5:30pm

All ages are invited to participate in a family-friendly Passover Seder to experience aspects of this Jewish celebration, taste the foods, sing the songs, hear the stories and prayers, and search for the afikomen.

Feel free to bring a side dish to share that doesn't contain yeast (such as bread/rolls) or pork. Beef brisket, matzah, boiled eggs, and flourless cake will be served too.

Please register HERE with the number of people that will be joining us from your family so we can prepare.

Social Justice

WALK/ROLL THE REDLINE*

Support Open Communities—A Fair Housing Agency

Saturday April 27th, 2024

Evanston’s Twiggs Park, 2:00-4:30 PM

Questions? Contact Mary Beth Roth in the REALM Membership Directory

*REDLINING WAS A HISTORICAL PRACTICE where officials drew maps in red around neighborhoods of color and denied housing investment there. Although it has been illegal since 1968, this discriminatory practice caused segregation and disinvestment in Evanston’s 5th ward.

WALK OR ROLL THE HISTORICAL REDLINED ROUTE through Evanston's fifth ward to learn the impact discriminatory housing policies had and how they show up in harmful new ways. The route will celebrate black Evanstonian contributions, provide opportunities to support black-owned businesses, and demonstrate ways to take action for housing justice today.

TO DONATE AND/OR REGISTER TO WALK/ROLL WITH UCE’S TEAM, use the QR code above or access the UCE team page HERE.

Registration is $35.00 per participant.

UCE Is Defending Democracy!

Be proud UCE members and friends!

Over the last five weeks, you have committed to write and mail 3,140 postcards for primary elections. That's an average of 628 postcards per week, or an average of 8 postcards per member!

Keep it up! Our goal is to Get Out the Vote (GOTV) in precincts where voters, many of them BIPOC, have been discouraged from recording their votes!

Wisconsin Voter Registration Training

Get trained to register voters in Wisconsin. Required training is via Zoom and lasts about one hour. There are two more upcoming training session:

Thursday, April 25 from 7:00-8:00 pm
Tuesday, April 30 from 1:30-2:30 pm

To register, email Laura Kushner with the Milwaukee Voter Project at laurakushnerx2 at gmail dot com. You only need to attend one. The trainings are one hour, on zoom, and presented by the Milwaukee Voter Project. If you have questions, please contact Shirley Adams at shirley at comeoutdancing dot com.

Share Your Input!

Make your voice heard! Fill out the survey to give your input into future Evanston plans regarding zoning and affordable housing. CLICK HERE!

Urbana Champaign Reproductive Justice is organizing a week-long series of events on reproductive justice, April 19-28. These events are accessible online and include:

A Sunday service at the UU Church of Urbana-Champaign
A teach-in on self-managed abortion 101 led by Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights
A symposium on the legal landscape of abortion access involving many experts including the ACLU, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and Elevated Access, among others
Heart-to-Heart Abortion Conversations, an event led by Unitarian-Universalist Church of Indianapolis. For more information click here: https://www.ucrj.org/

MOTHER’S DAY CARDS TO

IMPRISONED MOTHERS

Next Sunday, April 21st, the UCE prison ministry invites everyone to join us at the back of the sanctuary after our service to write Mother’s Day cards to mothers incarcerated in Illinois prisons and jails.

As of 2021, 80% of women in Illinois jails and prisons were mothers. For the past several years, UCE congregants have sent Mother’s Day cards to imprisoned mothers through the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI). Even though Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12, the prison mail system requires that the cards be sent several weeks in advance.

This is a small act of kindness, but it carries a great deal of meaning for the recipients, most of whom rarely get to see or communicate with their children.

Please join us on the 21st. Cards will be provided.

Rev. Jason Lydon to deliver Minns Lecture on Prison Abolition

Join local minister Rev. Jason Lydon, from the Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, for a series on Abolition Theologies: Praying for Liberation. This Minn Lectures series runs April 18, 21, 25, and May 9th. To RSVP to attend, click here.

CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR FULL DETAILS!

EARTH DAY & CLIMATE ACTION

The Green Team (which includes all of you who care about the Earth!) welcomes your presence in Raymond Park on Sunday afternoon, April 21 at 4pm.

All are invited to join faith communities from around Evanston for an interfaith Earth Day Eve for “Prayer for the Planet” from 4-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 21st, in Raymond Park, Evanston.

Local clergy, including Rev. Susan, will be leading the program with a “Prayer for the Planet” and themed music at the beginning and conclusion of the event.

In case of rain, the gathering will be at St Luke's Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave, Evanston.

Celebrate Earth Day 2024 with others who share your values and concerns.

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars for a trip to Springfield to advocate for the 2024 Climate Action Lobby Day on Thursday, May 9th.

Travel with environmentalists from UCE, UUANI, Faith in Place, and other local groups supporting legislation during this session. Ride the bus that picks up at UCE the morning of May 9th.

Contact Shirley Adams, shirley at comeoutdancing dot com, with questions.

UCE Book Clubs

Our Hidden Conversations about Race and Identity.

You’re invited to participate in a REAL Team virtual event.

Tuesday, April 23rd, 7:00 – 8:30pm CDT, via Zoom Link:

After years of research, Michelle Norris brings many answers to what Americans think about race and identity. The results are replete with stories, pictures, and essays that reveal joy, pain, and much more. Most of the information was provided by white respondents. As the author says, “Our Hidden Conversations reminds us that even during times of great division, honesty, grace, and a willing ear can provide a bridge toward empathy and maybe even understanding”. Join us and be a part of this amazing discussion.

UCE Non-Fiction Book Group

In April we will meet to discuss They Called Us Exceptional: And Other Lies That Raised Us by Prachi Gupta.

In this memoir, an Indian American daughter reveals how the model minority myth fractured her family. She and her brother lived under intense pressure to belong in America, but their belonging was predicated on a myth that Asian Americans and Indian Americans in particular have perfected a model middle class life, a tight knit, ambitious family that is immune to hardship.

Zoom discussion on Sunday, April 28th at 2pm, using our recurring ZOOM link.

UCE Fiction Book Group

UCE’s Fiction Book Group is reading This Other Eden by Paul Harding

From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Tinkers, a novel inspired by the true story of Malaga Island, an isolated island off the coast of Maine that became one of the first racially integrated towns in the Northeast.

In 1792, formerly enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife, Patience, discover an island where they can make a life together. Over a century later, the Honeys’ descendants and a diverse group of neighbors are desperately poor, isolated, and often hungry, but nevertheless protected from the hostility awaiting them on the mainland. However, in 1912, eugenics-thinking progressives of the day decide to forcibly evacuate the island, institutionalize its residents, and develop the island as a vacation destination.

This Other Eden is a testament to the struggle to preserve human dignity in the face of intolerance and injustice.

Friday, April 19, at 7-8pm, using our recurring ZOOM link.