Sunday Service

August 31, 2025 at 10:30 am 

8/31/25 Service of Remembrance

9:00 a.m on the South Lawn

The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group will host the annual Service of Remembrance on Sunday, 8/31/25, at 9:00 a.m. This service honors the loved ones we’ve lost for any reason, whether within our church family or in our personal lives. Rev. Eileen and members of the group will lead the brief ceremony.

At this service, we will read aloud the names of those who we've lost over the last 12 months. In addition, 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. (In the event of rain, the service will move inside, to the rear of the sanctuary.) The community is invited to join us.

Send in your photos of water

September 7th is our Ingathering service where we traditionally gather water from our summer adventures near and far. You are invited to bring a vial of water with you to that service and also to send in a photo of water by September 2nd to Rev. Eileen for inclusion on the screen. You can upload them directly to this Google folder or email ewiviott@ucevanston.org.

After the worship service we will be having our Ingathering potluck during Kinship Time. Bring a dish to share. We have a new ingredient checklist for you to complete when you drop your items off in the kitchen. Do not bring serving utensils and make sure you bring a dish that you won't be sad about losing if it is misplaced or broken. We are in need of 6 volunteers for clean-up and set-up. If you are available to come early to help set-up tables on the South Lawn or to stay until the very end to help clean-up, please click here into the Sunday morning SignUp.com schedule [insert link, https://signup.com/go/mpKYMmu, go to Sun Sep 7, and select the Ingathering Potluck Set-up or Ingathering Potluck Clean-up role. If you have any questions about volunteering or the potluck, please email Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Parents’ Meet & Greet – September 7 on the Lawn

Parents are invited to gather after the all-ages worship to meet other parents and let kids enjoy the playscape. 

THIS SUNDAY: Children and youth will remain in the worship service.”

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 – 10:15a-12:15p 

Thanks to Kiley Korey, Taylor Hobart, Grey Wiviott and Janice Milanovich for helping with Artsy Fun this summer!

Be sure to check out the new Soulful Home packet on our summer’s theme of Freedom. 

  You can see what’s coming up on our evolving calendar here.

Literary Bridges Info Session

Join us on August 31st at 2 pm for the Literary Bridges InfoZoom, an opportunity to learn how you can take part in building meaningful connections through shared reading with an incarcerated partner. Together, we’ll walk through what the project involves and how you can be part of this transformative ministry. For more information, contact Keith Talley, UUPMI's Prisoner Solidarity Specialist, at talleykeith76@gmail.com

AI Town Hall: Listening for What Matters Most

TUESDAY, September 9, 7 pm | Zoom

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping our world in ways that are both exciting and unsettling—and we know it raises important questions for our congregation. Join Dr. Emma on Tuesday, September 9 on Zoom. (Formerly scheduled for 9/3…apologies for any confusion.)

There won’t be a formal presentation; this is a chance to listen deeply to one another, surface hopes and concerns, and help shape the direction of upcoming workshops on AI. Whether you’re curious, cautious, overwhelmed, or inspired, your perspective is welcome.

All are invited. 

RSVP on Realm: 9/9 Zoom 

Registration Time is Here!

Please register your child(ren) and/or youth for the nursery or faith formation programs here.

Faith Formation programs begin September 14!

Volunteers are still needed to help create a fun and safe program. 

Come to the Meet & Greet (see below) to learn more or see Kathy Underwood.

The UCE Board of Trustees held our annual Board Retreat on August 22 and 23. We celebrated our new Board President, Hoa Voscott. Other Board members for the 2025-26 Congregation year include Vice President Kera Beskin, President Emerita Elaine Siegel, Peggy Boccard, Ally Hunter, Sally Parsons, Forrest Marie Peters Linsell, Melanie Kitchner, and Michael Drennan. Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Rev. Susan Frances, and Dr. Emma Farrell joined us. It was a thoughtful and convivial event, planning the coming year.

Our Hats are off to Robb Geiger and Michael Drennan for helping Adam Gough change the light bulbs in the sanctuary over the past two weeks. Adam, Robb, and Michael took turns climbing to the top of the scaffolding to replace light fixtures and light bulbs and spotting each other. We appreciate Dana Deane, Tom Hempfling, Andy Fisher, and Woody Haynes for offering their support. And, we wouldn’t have been able to change the light bulbs over the chancel without Michael Skilton, Josh Goodrich, Lora LaPratt, Jeff Donoghue, and Andy Donakowski assisting Robb with taking down the risers at the beginning of this project. Thank you for your commitment to caring for our sanctuary!

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Friday, August 29th:

• NO EVENTS

Saturday, August 30th:

• Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom

Sunday, August 31st:

• Service of Remembrance, 9-10am, South Lawn
• Worship Service, 10:30-11:30am, Sanctuary
• Kinship Time, 11:30-12:30pm, Back of the Sanctuary
• Young Adult Group Soulful Sunday, 12:15-1pm, Room 12
• Parent's Covenant Group, 4-6pm, Offsite

Monday, September 1st/LABOR DAY UCE CLOSED

• Food With Spirit Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• UCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45pm, via Zoom
• Bernstein Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom
• Durkin Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom
• Monday Night Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, September 2nd:

• Offsite Soup Kitchen Brainstorm, 11-12:15pm, Room 6
• Caregiver Support Group, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom
• First Women's Circle, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Wednesday, September 3rd:

• Yoga Online, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom
• Staff Retreat, 10am-3:30pm, Room 3
• Membership Team, 3:30-4:30pm, Room 2
• Executive Committee Meeting, 3:15pm, via Zoom
• Endowment Fund Committee Meeting, 4:30-6:30pm, Room 6 and Zoom
• Congregational Connections Team, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Thursday, September 4th:

• Evanston Near South Proximity Group, 1-2pm, via Zoom
• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Soloists Rehearsal, 6-6:50pm, Sanctuary
• Choir Rehearsal, 7-8:45pm, Room 3
• Beacons of Light Gathering, 7-7:30pm, Dempster and Ridge, Chicago and Main, and Central and Lincolnwood

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 a pledge or something else) are shared equally between our operating budget and the current Shared Offering Recipient.

This Sunday's offering will be shared with the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI), whose mission is to build power among UU congregations in Illinois to accountably advocate with those who have been historically marginalized. UUANI provides leadership training, builds congregational capacity, and organizes statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with our partners. Their Actions of the Week provide a way for UUs to seek to bend the arc toward justice..

Come be a Beacon of Light!

The gatherings at the corner of Dempster & Ridge every Thursday from 7:00-7:30 pm continue through September.

Inspired by Beacons of Light, bring a colorful sign with a positive message visioning a future shaped by love and justice (sign inspiration here)or include The Beacon’s QR code to spread the light even further. You may join the Beacons of Light WhatsApp group by filling out their form.

Whether we’re three people or 100, we continue to provide a source of hope and solidarity for the participants, those driving by, and our neighbors. All are welcome!

JOIN UCE’S TEAM! Walk and/or Donate to Support Open Communities, a Fair Housing Agency and UCE Community Partner.

*REDLINING WAS A HISTORICAL PRACTICE in which officials drew lines on maps in red around neighborhoods of color and denied equitable access to credit there.

WALK OR ROLL THE HISTORICALLY REDLINED ROUTE

Participants will walk or roll (eg. wheel chair, bike) a 1-mile route along the western border of Evanston’s historically redlined neighborhood. Information along the path and at the resource fair in the Evanston Ecology Center parking lot (2024 McCormick Blvd) will explore our past and imagine ways to create an abundant, inclusive housing future.

FOR QUESTIONS, TO DONATE and/or TO REGISTER TO WALK WITH UCE’S TEAM

1. Access the UCE team page: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/team/unitarian-church-of-evanston-uce OR

2. Visit the Program Table on Sunday August 24th, 31st, Sept 7 (checks & cash accepted) OR

3. Contact Mary Beth:mbc dot roth at comcast dot net

Registration is $40.00/participant. FREE to the first 6 members to sign up directly with Mary Beth.

SOUP KITCHEN Needs Your help!

September 24th and October 1st

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

Since many of our usual volunteers will be in Alabama on the Legacy tour on September 24th we are especially in need of contributions on that day.

If you can help Please click on the link below to sign up.

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(s) or have questions, please contact

Ellie Feddersen: elliefeddersen at gmail dot com

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is Friday, September 19th



The Young Adult Group at UCE 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 at ucevanston dot org) with any questions.

 Invitation to Attend UCE New Member Class

Are you a new or long-time visitor? Are you interested in committing to our UCE community as a member? Are you not sure, but would like some more information? Our Journey Toward Membership class covers UU history and values, what is means to be part of a covenantal faith tradition, and the rewards and responsibilities of being a member of UCE.

Join Rev. Susan and the Membership Team at one of the following Journey Toward Membership classes:

• Sunday, September 7, 2025, 9:00-10:20 am, Room 12, child care available. Register here 
• Thursday, September 11, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom. Register here 
• Sunday, September 14, 2025, 9:00-10:20 am, Room 12, child care available. Register here 
• Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom. Register here 
• Saturday, September 20, 2025, 1:00-2:30 pm, Room 12, no child care provided. Register here  

You only need to attend one of the 90-minute classes. Please click on the “Register Here” link to register.

Then, save the date for being part of the worship service on October 12, 2025, when we will welcome new members.

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

We’re forming a UCE jazz combo!

The goal of this group will be to occasionally play for church services and community fundraisers, to blend good music with fellowship, and to bring a little extra joy and spirit to our community. Rehearsals will be scheduled based on availability and will be low-pressure and enjoyable. Whether you're a seasoned musician or someone who just enjoys playing and wants to be part of a fun, supportive group, we’d love to have you join us!

Here's a list of instruments/musicians we'd be hoping could participate in the group:

Piano/keyboard

Bass (upright or electric)

Drums

Wind instruments

Guitar

Vocalists

Interested in joining, or finding out more about this group? Please contact Kevin Barrow at kbarrow13 at gmail dot com

Picnics in the Park, September 7

Weather-permitting, families of all ages (not just littles!) are invited to meet up at 

Penny Park after worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

The REAL Team is sponsoring a trip to the brand new National Public Housing Museum, located in the Little Italy neighborhood on Chicago’s near westside community, on Sunday Sept. 7^th directly after the church service. Up to 15 people can sign up to travel to Taylor Street, where we will first have lunch at the Peanut Trattoria Italian restaurant, and then go across the street to tour the National Public Housing Museum. Museum entrance is free, however, to tour the historic apartments costs $25.00 per person. We have scheduled apartment tours for 2:30 for up to 15 people.

To sign up for the tour or to get more information, please contact jeanbutzen at gmail dot com. For more information about the museum, go to:

National Public Housing Museum. For museum reviews go here.

Greening our Futures at UCE

If the Environment is your jam, join us before service on Sept. 14 and meet others with your passion. We are juggling several events/actions and one of them is bound to appeal to you. We plan a brief monthly meeting on the second Sunday with a focus on action. Bring your coffee/tea to room 2, at 9:30am Sunday Sept. 14. In person only this time. Questions? Contact Shirley Adams or Rev. Susan.

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, September 19th, 7-8pm using our Recurring Zoom link

Our next read is by Fiona McFarlane, The Sun Walks Down.

Set in colonial Australia, we follow the fate of 6-year-old Denny Wallace, lost in a dust storm, and the many folks of his community who search for him. As they scour the desert and mountains for the lost child, the residents of Fairly―newlyweds, farmers, mothers, Indigenous trackers, cameleers, children, artists, schoolteachers, widows, maids, policemen―confront their relationships, both with one another and with the land­scape they inhabit.

In September we’ll also choose new books for the fall.

The Nonfiction book group will meet online at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28 using our recurring Zoom link.

Join our discussion of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson. The renowned astrophysicist uses clear everyday language to express complicated scientific concepts and adds humor to entertain readers.

On October 26th we’ll discuss One Day Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This by Omar el Akkad.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330