Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole

Here’s what’s coming up in our congregational life—opportunities to connect, learn, and participate in the weeks ahead

Sunday Service

August 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

Activating Transformation

What does it mean to make Love a force for transformation in a world shaped by punishment, isolation, and injustice? Drawing on the work of the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois, this service explores how acts of compassion become acts of resistance. Together, we will reflect on our UU values, the practice of solidarity with incarcerated people, and the ways that courageous love can transform both individual lives and the systems we inhabit. Rev. Allison Farnum and Keith Talley with the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI) lead our worship service with worship associate Janelle Brittain and pianist Gregory Shifrin.

Join the Services Livestream

UUPMI

Service of Remembrance – Aug 30 - 9:00am

The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group will hold its annual Service of Remembrance on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. on the south lawn. Led by Rev. Susan and support group members, the ceremony will honor deceased loved ones from our congregation and personal lives. We will read aloud the names of those who died in the past year and invite attendees to honor other loved ones, regardless of when they died. All are welcome.

Children/Youth Faith Formation

This Sunday…

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

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10:15am - 12pm.

Phineas and Ferb Phartsy Fun

We’ll watch the episode, Dry Another Day, and create oil and water paintings.

Outside Fun after Worship this Sunday!

Do you like to dig in the dirt?

Join us as we weed the garden to some music

and enjoy a treat afterwards.

Pizza and Prepping Party - August 28 at 6:30 pm

Help us get rooms ready to start off

the new church year!

We’ll be testing markers, pencils,

glue sticks, stocking supplies,

and doing some light cleaning - and enjoying some pizza too!

Please indicate your pizza topping preference:

pepperoni, veggie, cheese, or sausage.

Staff Spotlight

Staff Spotlight on Mark Westcott by Susan Comstock

Meet Mark Westcott, UUCE’s new Staff Accountant. Our wonderful Vickie Doebele is taking her well-deserved (second!) retirement, and we are so pleased to have someone as qualified as Mark on board to take her place.

And what an interesting road Mark has taken to get to us.

After an entrepreneurial career in various businesses (including as a floor trader back in the open pit days), Mark volunteered at Curt’s Café in the kitchen. When they needed assistance with their account books, Mark drew on his CPA background and stepped up to help. That led him to a whole new career in nonprofit accounting. One of his clients is Northminster Presbyterian Church in Northwest Evanston—also a Realm user, and a very similar sized church to UUCE. When he saw our posting, he felt it was a great fit—he lives nearby, enjoys church accounting, and saw opportunities to help us increase our efficiency.

UUCE keeps excellent financial records, but they have been paper based. Mark hopes that, over time, several of our processes can be moved to be electronic. One of the areas Mark has spotted where we can quickly improve efficiency is to do more payments electronically, not only to save time but because it’s more environmentally friendly. Here’s an interesting stat—the carbon footprint of a check over its lifecycle is an estimated 38 times the carbon footprint of an ACH payment!

Mark jokes that he enjoys counting: not just counting numbers for work, but strokes in his golf game, reps at the gym, beats on his bass guitar (more on that later) and steps while hiking and backpacking. His next big hiking trip is in October to “slot” canyons in southern Utah—beautiful curving narrow, canyons formed over eons through soft sedimentary rock—sometimes not more than a person or two wide. Other favorite places Mark has visited include the Grand Canyon, Half Dome at Yosemite, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (he’s climbed it!).

First impressions of UUCE? As a neighborhood resident, Mark already knew we have a stunning building. But as he has gotten to know us, he is also impressed by our open-mindedness about how religion is practiced. Self-described as spiritual but not religious, he appreciates our willingness to embrace different practices.

And the band Mark is bassist for? “No Regrets”, specializing in rock from the 1970’s, ‘80’s, and ‘90’s. Hmmm—wouldn’t that be fun to have them at a UUCE party??

Welcome, Mark! We are so glad to have you aboard!

Our hats are off to Aidan Caravana for sharing his slackline with us on Sunday. Aidan spent time figuring out how to set-up the slackline in the South Lawn. Arriving early on Sunday morning, he set-up the slackline and the accompanying top line, so we could end our service by walking out to the South Lawn to try walking on it. Aidan patiently gave instructions after the service and again when the children joined us at noon at the end of their faith formation classes. Over 60 people walked the slackline with Aidan by their side spotting them. We’re grateful for Aidan’s willingness, to not only share his slackline equipment, but to hold the space for so many of us to have our own slackline experience. Thank you, Aidan, for helping us practice being present.

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This Week's Events & Links

Friday, August 28th:

Pizza and Prepping Party, 6:15-8pm, Rooms 5, 8, 9, 10 and 13
Movie Night, 7-9:30pm, Room 3

Saturday, August 29th:

Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom

Sunday, August 30th:

Service of Remembrance, 9-10:15am, South Lawn
Worship Service, 10:30-11:30am, Sanctuary
Kinship Time, 11:30am-12:30pm, Back of the Sanctuary
Etchen Covenant Group, 12-2pm, Room 2
Membership Team Meeting, 12:30-2pm, Room 5

Monday, August 31st:

Nominating Committee Gathering, 5:30-6:30pm, South Lawn or Sanctuary Cafe
UUCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, September 1st:

Membership Team Meeting, 12:30-1:30, Room 2
Executive Committee Meeting, 5-5:45pm, via Zoom
Leadership Development Team Meeting, 6-7:30pm, via Zoom
Caregiver Support Group, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom
First Women's Circle, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Wednesday, September 2nd:

Yoga, 9:30-10:30am, via Google Meet
Music Team, 4-5pm, via Zoom
Endowment Fund Committee, 4:30-6:30, Room 6 and Zoom
Congregational Connections Team, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Thursday, September 3rd:

Evanston Near South Proximity Group, 1-2pm, via Zoom
Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
Beacons of Light, 6-6:30pm, Dempster and Ridge
Choir Rehearsal, 7-8:45pm, Room 3

Check out the UUCE Calendar for more events!

Rev. Eileen Wiviott is on sabbatical July - August 2026.

Congregational Connections

Be a part of our growing community!

Join our mission “to nurture a vibrant and inclusive community that engages

and anchors all ages in our UU faith”.

We’re looking for 15 adults who can help 5-6 times this year in our faith formation program for young people and youth.

Email Kathy Underwood for more details.

Movie Night at UUCE

Looking for a fun evening of fellowship, laughter, and adventure? Join us for Movie Night as we watch Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok! This will be hosted at UUCE on Friday, August 28th, in Room 6, show time starts at 7:15 PM, rated PG-13 with a run time of 2 hours and 10 minutes.

This exciting and entertaining film follows Thor, the mighty God of Thunder, as he finds himself stranded far from home and racing against time to save his people and protect Asgard from destruction.

Feel free to bring your friends and any snacks you wish to share!

Welcome to the 2026–2027 Choir Season!

Thursday, September 3, 7:00–8:30 p.m. Room 3

Whether you’re already singing with the choir or just thinking about joining, you’re invited to our Choir Season Party & Rehearsal!

Come meet current and prospective choristers, learn about the upcoming season, get schedules and choir information, ask questions, enjoy some snacks, do a bit of singing — and have some fun!

Questions? Contact Vickie Hellyer at vhellyer@ucevanston.org. If you’d like to join off-site, contact Vickie for the Zoom information.

Let's Dance Together!

Mark your calendars for a joyful evening of connection at our UUCE Community Dance Party — Friday, September 4th, 6:30–8:30pm. We'll gather on the South Lawn or move things into the Sanctuary if the skies don't cooperate.

No perfect steps required, just a willingness to move, laugh, and share space with friends old and new. We'll have a fun, upbeat playlist to keep us moving, and a shared table of snacks to keep us fueled and mingling in between songs.

Please bring a snack to share — and your dancing feet!

All ages welcome. Come as you are, and come ready to connect.

Rainbow Alliance Sketchbook Hang - 9/11 from 5-7pm!

Join the Rainbow Alliance for a laid back evening hang at Sketchbook Brewery, located at 4901 Main St, Skokie. Come anytime between 5-7pm. We'll be at the tables outside unless the weather takes us in. Bring your own food or buy food from the Yellow Duck Truck. Look for the rainbow flag. Everyone is warmly welcome and we look forward to seeing you there! Contact Alison Brill on Realm with any questions.

Save the date for mini golf on 10/24 at 4pm at Skokie Sports Park!

Attend a Journey Toward Membership Class

We will be welcoming new members during the worship service on September 27th. If you are interested in joining at that time, please make sure to register for one of the upcoming Journey Toward Membership classes. You only have to attend the class once.

Our Journey Toward Membership class is a 90-minute class that explores our UU identity, what it means to be part of a covenantal faith tradition, and the rewards and responsibilities of membership. To register, please click the link on the date and time that works for you:

If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

The UUCE Fiction Book Group is reading Whistler, by Ann Patchett

Daphne Fuller accidentally encounters Eddie, a man who was briefly her stepfather when she was ten. The two rekindle their friendship, looking back over the choices they made and choices made for them, and working forward ultimately toward Eddie’s end of life. And yes, there is a horse named Whistler.

Meeting Friday, September 18 at 7p.m. by ZOOM

We will also nominate books for the fall 2026 quarter.

The Nonfiction Book Group will meet Sunday, September 27th at 2 p.m. using our recurring Zoom link. to discuss The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource by Chris Hayes.

In this book cable news host Chris Hayes explains why new technologies make it ever harder for us to concentrate. The central metaphor of the book compares Odysseus lashing himself to the mast of a boat to modern attempts at resisting screen notifications and the infinite scroll of the information age.

Looking ahead, on October 25th we'll discuss Shakespeare: The World as Stage by Bill Bryson.

Spiritual Retreat

Light Shining Thru the Chaos

For UUCE Members

$15 fee

Sat. October 3

9:00 – 2:00

You may wonder, what exactly is a Spiritual Retreat? Well, for one, it’s a Soul nourishing experience---a time to put responsibilities and concerns aside and nurture yourself. CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED.

You will experience guided and walking meditations, gentle, relaxing and energizing movements, a sound bath, a silent meal. There will be time to listen deeply, to share and reflect and to set intentions for bringing some of these practices into your life.

Retreat Registration

Lifespan Faith Formation

Family Ministry Team is having FFUUN!

We’ve grown from connecting families to connecting across

the generations, so we are renaming our group to

Faith Formation UU Network, or FFUUN!

Join us on Zoom September 13, 7-8p as

we continue making connections happen!

Picnics in the Park September 6 at noon

Family-Friendly Friendship Meals

The next family-friendly event coming up:

Backyard Chillin' and Grillin' Barbeque on 08/29 for children 6 and up - sign up here

UUCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

The Young Adult Group at UUCE is a group for young adults (18-35) interested in exploring spiritual deepening in community. We meet on every 3rd Friday from 7-9pm in Room 3 to discuss monthly Soul Matters themes, check in with each other, eat snacks, and play games.

Contact Kiley Korey (kileyekorey at gmail dot com), Kevin Barrow (kbarrow13 at gmail dot com), or Kathy Underwood (kunderwood@ucevanston.org) with any questions.

Our Community Partnerships

Our Shared Offering Program

Our Shared Offering Program is one of the ways that we live into our mission statement "for a world made whole." Each Sunday, the funds collected during our worship service either via text donations or in the collection bowls (and not otherwise designated for something else) are shared equally between our operating budget and the current Shared Offering Program recipient.

This Sunday's offering will be shared with UUPMI, which works to equip UU's in Illinois to transform institutions, partnering with and supporting people harmed by the prison industrial complex.

LOOKING FOR A LIMITED VOLUNTEER JOB? SNAPGap Needs You!

IAE needs volunteers to help with the monthly SNAPGap distributions at Evanston Vineyard. In 2-3 hour shifts on the last Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening each month, volunteers unpack, sort, bag and distribute donations of personal hygiene and household cleaning items that are not covered under SNAP benefits.

Interested? Please use this link to sign up or contact Mary Beth Roth through the UUCE directory.

SOUP KITCHEN Needs Your help!

Wednesday September 16th

There are multiple ways to get involved - whether by bringing food, preparing meals or serving. Time commitments vary, and we’d love to have you join us.

If you can help Sign up here

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to click on “SEE MORE SPOTS” on the sign-up page to view all available opportunities. Some spots may not be visible at first.

If you have trouble opening the link or have questions, please contact

Ellie Feddersen elliefeddersen at gmail dot com

Michigan VOTES!

Michigan votes in the mid-terms, and we want voters who share UU values to come out in droves!

Indivisible Evanston is sending half a million postcards to Michigan (and North Carolina) on Oct. 21, and you can be part of this impactful work.

Pick up a pack of 25 postcards at the program table any Sunday through September. Not at service? Reach out to Carolyn Laughlin in REALM.

SAVE THE DATE!

Interfaith Action of Evanston’s Annual Fundraising Dinner honoring

Vision Keepers

from our community

Sunday, October 25, 2026

5:30 pm

Hilton Orrington Hotel, Evanston

Proceeds from the Vision Keepers Dinner support Interfaith Action’s programs: winter overnight shelter and warming center, Hospitality Center for the Homeless, soup kitchens, and SNAPGap.

Dana Deane will be honored this year as UUCE's Vision Keeper!

Information on tickets and registration to come.