Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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In-Person & Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, August 21st at 10:15 am
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Social Transformation Through the Arts
We continue our series exploring the power of the arts to transform us personally, spiritually, and to empower social movements for change. We focus on street art, graffiti, art of the marginalized and the reclaiming and beautifying of things cast aside. Betty Walker and Rev. Eileen Wiviott are the worship leaders and our guest musician is cellist, Eric Powers.
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Please join us after the service this Sunday for
Kinship Time in the back of the Sanctuary!
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Ingathering, Water Communion Service, and Potluck Picnic - September 11 |
All are welcome to join this special worship service at 10:30 am and stay for a potluck picnic on the lawn. Bring a bit of water to symbolize blessings from the summer and a dish to share as we reconnect for a new church year!
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On September 11th, Ingathering Sunday, we are holding a timed evacuation drill. This is a standard safety practice that will hopefully increase our awareness and ability to respond to any number of reasons we may need to exit the building quickly. Hopefully, we’ll learn some procedural do’s and don’ts, and build our muscle and mental memory about where and how to exit the building safely and quickly if needed. On that day, after we conclude our water communion, we will have the children head to the lower level with their adult leaders, then we will all practice calmly leaving the building to meet in front of the Black Lives Matter sign. We’ll take a quick congregational photo and then enjoy our picnic. The purpose of this drill is to increase safety without increasing anxiety or fear. If you have any questions or concerns ahead of the 11th, please reach out to me.
Rev. Eileen
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From Kathy Underwood, Director of Lifespan Faith Formation |
The Nest
In my column last month, I posed the question, which came first - the chicken or the egg? I used this as an analogy for my primary focus at this time of the year – determining whether to find volunteers first and form a program for our young people based on that, or to form the program and then find the volunteers.
And so now we get to work building our nest for this year. There’s so much to do to get ready for the arrival of our young people, and so much to look forward to! Let’s start with the people…
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Faith Formation begins September 18! Register your children and youth today!
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We’re gearing up for a fun year in faith formation for all ages! Please register all young people 0-18 years old in your family here so we can plan accordingly.
Based on parent feedback, our schedule this fall for children will be in 3 or 4-week blocks, and for middle and high school youth, it will be twice monthly on average. You can see a working calendar here that includes multi-age events. As in life, things change, so you can refer to this calendar throughout the year for updates or read them in the newsletter.
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Support our Young People! |
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You can make a difference in just a few Sundays!
Be a support person in faith formation by volunteering for one of these blocks. Groups begin ~11am-noon:
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September 18, 25 and October 2 – choose either Preschool or Elementary ages
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October 16, 23, and 30 - choose either Preschool or Elementary ages
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November 13, 20, 27 - choose either Preschool or Elementary ages (November 13 and 27 only)
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September 18, October 2 and 16, November 6 and 27 – youth group
Need more info? Come to the Orientation on August 27 at 10am to learn more about the year or click here.
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Hats Off to Gillian Lawrence & Rev. Susan Frances! |
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Hats Off to Gillian Lawrence and Rev. Susan Frances on the outstanding job they did on the lobby bulletin boards. Typically, we do not include staff in Hats Off, but in this case this twosome created such a positive change in our lobby and wing that it could not go unmentioned.
We have received many comments on how well organized the information is, how attractive the layout is, and what a good job these boards do to express what we are about in a visually appealing way.
Thank you to Gillian and Susan for your keen ability to put words into visual form and create beautiful space in our lobby and wing.
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Welcome David!
Our New Office Administrator
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Originally from London, David emigrated to America seven years ago where he furthered his art career working with Redmoon Theatre and other galleries across the US. In his spare time, he is an avid Snooker player and plays guitar in a local band. Back in England, David was involved with Help for Heroes - a charity for British soldiers - and the Blue Lamp Foundation which helps injured emergency servicemen and women.
As UCE’s Office Administrator, he is your go-to for updating the calendar, adding items to the newsletter and the orders of service, or publicizing your events. If you don’t know where to start, he is in the office Monday through Friday to provide support. David is available to lend his creative marketing experience to groups that want to promote their events in and outside of UCE.
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UCE Building Availability -
The UCE Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10.30am-4.30pm
If you have music to share in worship, we would love to add your to our list. We are looking for either live or recorded performances for Sunday mornings to enhance our worship. Reach out to Rev. Eileen or Vickie Hellyer.
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Ingathering, Water Communion Service, and Potluck Picnic - September 11
Transgender Inclusion in Congregations begins Wednesday, October 5. More info below.
Register for REAL Team Book Discussion of Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler. See below.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, August 20
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Immigrant Solidarity Team via Zoom. Email Lee Bannor for more information.
Sunday, August 21
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am in Room 6 & via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
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All-Ages Worship Service at 10:15 am - Sanctuary & Youtube. Click here to join.
- Kinship Time after the service in the back of the sanctuary.
Monday, August 22
- Carlton Covenant Group via Zoom at 7 pm
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Addictions and Recovery Group at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here to join.
Tuesday, August 23
- Hope Covenant Group at 7 pm on Zoom.
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Wednesday, August 24
Thursday, August 25
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Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
- Committee on Shared Ministry at 8 pm via Zoom.
Friday, August 26
- Independents Covenant Group via Zoom at 3 pm
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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!
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The Endowment Committee is happy to announce that grants to six applicants for the church year 2022-2023 were approved by the Board of Trustees at the June meeting. Here is the LINK to our Endowment webpage with the list of new grants.
Building & Grounds: $15,000 for repairs and improvements expenses expected over the course of this year
Worship Arts: $7,000 for Choir Section Leaders expense (with the remaining cost of that program coming from the Music Fund
Garden Team: $1,380 for plants, tools and mulch to support various UCE gardens and the Cahill vegetable garden (which supports food pantries)
Immigrant Solidarity (Refugee Support Team): $5,950 for rent and other expenses for 4 months for an Afghan refugee family in great need of support
REAL/Prison Ministry: $7,500 for READI For Re-Entry, a program to support Chicago-area incarcerated men reentering society. Our grant will be used to pay interns serving as peer-to-peer mentors.
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New Sunday Schedule beginning in September |
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After gathering feedback from the congregation and considering options, the staff, ministers, and lay leaders have responded with some adjustments to the Sunday morning schedule. These changes will begin on Sunday, September 4, 2022. We hope this will be a positive change and relatively easy to acclimate to. Here are the highlights:
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The Worship Service for all ages will shift to 10:30 am rather than 10:15 am. Nursery care provided.
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Starting September 18th, children and youth faith formation time will be from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.
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Adult faith formation time will be before the Worship Service, from 9:30 – 10:30 am. This will be a time for groups such as cancer support, new member classes, pre-service choir rehearsal, and possibly Forum to meet. Nursery care will be provided.
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A full hour of Kinship Time after the Worship Service will be from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, when we can enjoy each other’s company. We will continue to have all ages potlucks, social justice activities, and treasured traditions like Ornament Sunday each month. Nursery care until 12:00 pm.
As with most things in the pandemic, we are leaning into new ways of being, finding our way forward, and embracing experimentation. We hope you will lean with us with open minds and hearts, and continue to provide us with feedback with love and in covenant. We also hope you will say yes to volunteering in the ways that you can. We will especially ask you to consider saying yes to leading faith formation for children and youth and to join in our shared endeavor of radical hospitality and welcoming. If you have questions, concerns, or want to volunteer, please contact Rev. Eileen, Rev. Susan, or Kathy Underwood, our Director of Lifespan Faith Formation.
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Congregational Connections |
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The Anti-Oppression Task Force Needs You! |
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What has been your experience of oppression and equity at UCE? The Anti-Oppression Task Force would like to know. They have worked with the YWCA Equity Institute to create a survey. We hope that the survey results can be used to help make UCE a place of radical welcome. Click here to participate in this 15 min survey. Members of the Anti-Oppression Task Force will be available during kinship hour to answer questions and provide paper copies of the survey for those who prefer the paper and pen format. Feel free to send a message to uceantioppressionsurvey@gmail.com with questions or if you would like a paper survey mailed to you. If you have already completed the survey, stop by the table Sunday to get an “I Completed the Equity Survey!” sticker to wear.
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Congregational Care & Support Team (CCST) |
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UCE builds Beloved Community and offers care to one another in several ways.
The Congregational Care and Support Team, or CCST, is the umbrella for the following teams:
· Caring Team - Meals: Members who bring meals to your home in difficult times
· Pastoral Care Team: Works with the Ministers to provide spiritual and emotional support for the congregation
· Memorial Reception Team: Coordinates receptions following member memorial services
· Caring Team - Rides: Coordinates rides for members to church and for medical appointments
The CCST is led by an Intake Coordinator, currently Ellie Feddersen. She forwards requests for care to the appropriate sub-team.
We are a caring community. If you or a fellow member needs support with meals, rides or emotional/spiritual issues, please don’t hesitate to contact Ellie by filling in the form (preferrable) or emailing her.
To volunteer on one of the CCST teams, click here to Offer Care.
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2022-2023 Choir Season Party |
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You are cordially invited to our Welcome to the 2022-2023 Choir Season Party
(for those presently singing and those who are still thinking about it)
On Thursday, September 1, from 7-8:30 pm in Room 3, we’ll be celebrating the start of this year’s choir season! Whether you are presently singing with the choir or are interested in the possibility of joining us, you are all invited to attend! There’ll be info about this upcoming choir season, answers to any choir-related questions you may have, schedules, information sheets, a chance to get to know UCE and prospective choristers. So come along for some snacks and nibbles to take home, a bit o’ singing, and a lot o’ FUN!
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Sunday, August 28th at 9am
The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group will host the annual Service of Remembrance on Sunday, 8/28/22, at 9:00 a.m. This service honors the loved ones we’ve lost for any reason, whether from our church or in our personal lives. Rev. Eileen and members of the group will lead the brief ceremony.
Anyone who wishes to honor the memory of a loved one, regardless of when they died, is invited to attend. The service will take place outside on the south lawn of the church.
Masks are required. (In the event of rain, the service will move inside, to the rear of the sanctuary.)
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Judith Ramey Celebration of Life |
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Saturday, September 10 at 2 pm, we will celebrate the life of our much beloved Judith Ramey. Two Margarets (Shaklee & Talmage) are organizing hospitality. If it would please you to take on a small role or bring a favorite food to honor Judith (or Harry), log in HERE, make your selection and click SignUP!
If you want to opt out of the technology, email Margaret Shaklee with your offer to help.
Many thanks!
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New Beginner Tai Chi Class |
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Tai Chi at UCE is one year old this September and will welcome new beginners on Saturday, September 10, from 9:45-10:45 in Room 3, for an ongoing class.
UCE member Renee Gatsis teaches the class and has played Tai Chi for 40 years and taught it for over 20. She credits Tai Chi in large part for her equanimity and good health.
Students will learn a Sun-style tai chi form adapted and popularized by Dr. Paul Lam (https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/about-dr-paul-lam/). This meditation in motion is a gentle exercise with graceful, flowing movement per-formed at a slow tempo. The Sun style is a simple, upright form ideal for people of all ages, from teens to elders.
Regular Tai Chi practice yields many benefits including, but not limited to: improved concentration, relaxation, balance, flexibility, fitness, immunity, pain relief and quality of life.
Interested? What to learn more? Please register for the first class!
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What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
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This Sunday…
- All ages are invited to remain in the worship service. Nursery care (ages 0-3) is available during worship in room 11 from 10:15-11:30a
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Make some “graffiti” art after the worship service too!
And looking ahead…
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Wednesdays on the Lawn – our last one!
August 31 – Movie on the Lawn - 6:30 for picnicking, 7:15-ish showtime.
If you have a suggestion for a movie, email Kathy with your ideas!
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Forum Discussion Group – we are meeting via Zoom on August 22 at 7p to choose topics for the start of the year. Register here for Zoom info.
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Families can explore our theme of Celebrating Blessings in their own timeframe in the Soulful Home packet.
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Portraits of Contemporary Indigenous Communities:
Artist Talk and Educational Program Featuring Starla Thompson and Joseph Kayne
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Friday, September 2nd at 7pm
On Friday, September 2nd at 7:00 pm, join us in the UCE lobby for a special and important event. Photographer, Joseph Kayne, will be present to discuss his artwork along with Indigenous Educator and enrolled member of the Forest Band of Potawatomi, Starla Thompson.
Starla will share with us about land acknowledgments, building accountable relationships, centering Indigenous voices, and understanding the history of our land. Originally from Chicago and residing in northern Wisconsin, she will speak with us about how we, the congregants of the Unitarian Church of Evanston, might engage in relationship building with local Indigenous communities and become true allies and partners. In addition to being an Indigenous Consultant for organizations throughout the Great Lakes, she is currently a Research Fellow with the University of Chicago.
Joseph uses a rare antique process called Wet Plate Collodion Tintype to photograph Indigenous people, many of whom choose to sit in their native dress. He will discuss his creative process and how, as a non-native, his work has called him to be of service and accountable to Indigenous communities and the people with whom he has formed relationships.
These conversations are an important first step in what we hope will be a long journey of genuine and accountable relationship building.
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Book Discussion: Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler
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The Real Team is sponsoring a book discussion of Kindred, written by Octavia E. Butler. The book discussion will be held via ZOOM and facilitated by UCE member Jean Butzen. Participants will meet twice and prior to the first session will have access to online materials available through a Google docs folder which contains background information for the book, author, and the topic of slavery. Here are the meeting dates for the book group:
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Monday, September 19th: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Zoom, Session #1: Introductions to the participants, the author, the book, and to several Google doc materials being made available to participants for the book and the topic. Then we will break for a few weeks for participants to read the book, however, feel free to start reading the book right away. Some people need to read Ms. Butler’s books a little more slowly, to absorb the material.
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Monday, October 17th: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Session #2: Inter-active discussion of the book Kindred, facilitated by Jean Butzen.
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Transgender Inclusion in Congregations |
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Transgender Inclusion in Congregations is a 6-part series created by the Transforming Hearts Collective, featuring instructors Rev. Mykal Slack & Zr. Alex Kapitan and presented by Rev. Eileen, Christine Peters, and Carla Williams. This course is for anyone (ages 12 and up) who wants to contribute to building Beloved Community and help UCE become fully inclusive and actively affirming.
Over six sessions we will deeply explore the intersection of trans identity, spirituality and faith community in order to gain grounding, context and skills to transform ourselves and our congregation. The course meets people where they are and will move us toward welcoming, relationship-building, and skills-building. Each session will include a webinar video, individual and group reflection, and discussion on topics ranging from what does Beloved Community really mean; the ways trans folks have been and remain marginalized; and ways our congregation can more fully celebrate and nurture the spirits of all people.
Wednesdays October 5th – November 9th from 7-8:30 pm on Zoom. For your benefit and the benefit of all participants, the expectation is that you attend all sessions. However, we understand that schedules can be challenging and unexpected conflicts occur. Please register for this event so we can plan and send you required materials.
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Beloved Conversations Registration Open Through August 26 |
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The Beloved Conversations in-person curriculum has evolved to be a three-part online curriculum divided into the Within Phase, the Among Phase, and the Beyond Phase. If you took the original in-person curriculum, the new online Beloved Conversations: Within is a restyled individual curriculum that will bring you something new. If Beloved Conversations is new to you, it is a program that “focuses on the internal work that each of us needs to do as we engage in deeper personal understanding, explorations of race and racism, extracting our souls and spirits from white supremacy culture, and work for racial justice.”
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UCE 2022 Vision Keeper is Toni Rey |
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Join us in celebrating Toni Rey as our 2022 Vision Keeper at the Interfaith Action of Evanston (IAE) Vision Keepers Dinner, when Evanston faith communities honor those who exemplify the IAE vision of interfaith social action and dialogue.
Date: Sunday, September 18, 5:30 pm
Location: Double Tree, 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Tickets: $75.00 per person. Please make checks payable to Interfaith Action of Evanston. Ticket price includes a donation to support IAE's direct services to people experiencing homelessness and food scarcity in Evanston.
To register to attend: Contact Sheila Holder through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org. Or, you may leave a check in the envelope in the FAST inbox in the office, making sure to mark on the front of the envelope your name and if you want a veggie meal. All checks must be received by Sheila by September 4, 2022.
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Faith in Place Green Team Summit September 11-14 |
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Whether or not you are on the UCE Green Team, if you have an interest in advancing the conversation about climate change, you are invited to join in the 2022 Green Team Summit!
Rev. Susan is one of the interfaith presenters for the September 12th session titled Interwoven: Exploring Environmental Justice with Faith Leaders. Dr. Katharine Hayhoe is the keynote speaker to open the summit on September 11th.
Date: September 11-14, 2022
Location: Zoom
No admission fee
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Knowing Your Rights for Reproductive Justice |
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Illinois is a state with strong legislative protections for people who are pregnant, including providing legal access to abortion care. The ACLU of Illinois provides information about Illinois laws and protections and knowing your rights to abortion access. Our Unitarian Universalist faith supports Reproductive Justice and affirms that our bodies are sacred, that we are each endowed with the twin gifts of agency and conscience, and that each of us should have the power to decide what does and doesn’t happen to our bodies at every moment of our lives because consent and self-determination are holy.
Here are some of the many ways to live into our UU values and support Reproductive Justice:
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Sack Lunches at Connections for the Homeless
Pick up Sites Still Needed
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Connections for the Homeless has an urgent need for sack lunches to be provided at its three pick-up locations. Food insecurity is ever present in our community and making lunches is one way we can help!
Please note the different delivery instructions for different locations. If you have any questions about how to sign up on the Connections calendar, please contact Sheila Holder through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org. Sheila also has packets of mayo and mustard to include in your prepared lunches.
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If shopping for a gift request for the Mitten Tree brings you joy, imagine how meaningful it can be to connect with community partners, organize requests, get to know a host of wrappers, and see a list of hundreds of gifts fulfilled.
Please email Bridget Wild at bridget.wild@gmail.com if you would like to co-captain this year's efforts or if there is an organization near and dear to your heart and our shared values that you would like us to partner with this year.
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UCE UUtheVote 2022: The Time is Now, the Outcome is Critical |
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Make a Difference Opportunities!
Post Carding
Reclaim Our Vote writes only to people of color who are generally not contacted by Democratic party operatives. They are traditionally the forgotten voters, particularly in rural communities.
ROV gets results!
In Petersburg Va in 2021 CFCG contacted black voters without phones with handwritten postcards, emphasizing issues in the community and encouraging them to vote. Voter turnout was 43% - great numbers for folks who don’t usually vote!
In Onslow, NC in 2019, 23% of purged voters who received a postcard letting them know they were no longer on the voting rolls re-registered. Once folks re-register they likely vote!
Pick up your post card pack at the back of the sanctuary Sunday, or contact Carolyn Laughlin (REALM or admin@ucevanston.org)
Support Democracy With a Trip to Milwaukee: Wisconsin voters will make critical decisions, impacting the entire country, this November. Folks sharing our UU values are working hard to register every voter aligned with us. Several DMV offices in Milwaukee are fabulous places to support these voters. Contact Greg Grabowski (REALM or admin@ucevanston.org) for simple, quick training and more info.
Keep Your Eye on the Illinois Supreme Court
Finally, Share YOUR Work With Us!
All UCE member and friend work to get out the vote counts towards our our 40,000 Points of Love goal! Share your update with Greg Grabowski (REALM or admin@ucevanston.org)
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Sign Petition to Support Local Housing Program |
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Please consider signing a petition to support the purchase of the Margarita Inn by Connections for the Homeless in order to operate their Bridge Housing program. Throughout the pandemic, Connections heroically stepped up to provide shelter for more than 300 people experiencing homelessness. Since 2020, 184 homeless individuals have been served at the Margarita Inn, including men, women, and children. Currently, 86% are Evanston residents. We believe all our neighbors deserve a safe, stable place to call home. The services provided by Connections for the Homeless at the Margarita Inn create the path to stable housing and a brighter future.
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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