Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole

Sunday Service January 21st at 10:30am

The Liberation of Bodily Autonomy

On the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade we explore the integral nature of bodily autonomy and reproductive choice to every body’s liberation. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Melanie Kitchner as Worship Associate and input from Gretchen Brewster. Kera Beskin is our musical guest and hymn leader.

Children will go to their Faith Formation programs after joys and sorrows.

Shared Offering with CRS

Join the Services Livestream

Faith Formation Hour this Sunday

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10:15-11:45am
Chalice Children (pre/k) in room 9 – The children will explore the theme of “We’re different, we’re the same” in Martin’s Big Words.
Heads, Hearts, and Hands (1st-6th) in room 8 – The young people will begin looking at racism and oppression in The Gift of Diversity.
Youth Group (7th-12th) in room 13 – the youth will meet next Sunday, January 28.

Families can explore our new theme, The Gift of Liberating Love, 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.

Greetings from Rev. Susan

Dear Friends,

You are invited to join me and Mickey for the Virtual Livestream of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU-IL) Lunch from 12:00-1:30 pm on March 1, 2024!

Mickey and I are sponsoring a virtual table this year. Actor Busy Philipps, who was born in Oak Park, will provide the keynote remarks at the event.

If you would like to attend online, please REGISTER HERE by February 7th, and I will provide the ACLU-IL with your name and email address.

The ACLU-IL will email you directly with the link for the livestream. If you are interested in attending in-person, you may find more information here.

This past Monday, I attended the Community Renewal Society’s 2024 Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Faith in Action Assembly. The civil rights at the core of Dr. King’s work continue to be in jeopardy. In this election year, our commitment to civil rights for everyone in this country must remain at the core of our work to preserve our democracy.

On the anniversary of the now overturned Roe v. Wade court case, the landmark case decided by the US Supreme Court on January 22, 1973, making access to abortion legal under federal law, we tip our hats to Gretchen Brewster, Carol Johnson, Dana Deane, Judy Holman, Carol Emory, Kiley Korey, and Brian Meister for their organizing and hands-on assistance with the Evanston Pro-Choice Rally and March this past October.

Thank you, Gretchen, Carol, Dana, Judy, Carol, Kiley, and Brian for promoting awareness of pro-choice options and Reproductive Justice within our community!

This Week's Events & Links

Friday, January 19th:

Family Game Night, 6-8pm, Rm 6

Fiction Book Group, 7-8:30pm via Zoom

Generosity Conversations, 7-8:30pm, Rm 3

Saturday, Jan 20th:

Worship Planning Mtg, 9:30-11am, Rm 12

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

Beginner Tai Chi, 9:45-10:45am, Rm 3

Intermediate Tai Chi, 11am - 12pm, Rm 3

Generosity Conversations, 12:30-2pm, Rm 3
Immigrant Solidarity Team, 4-5pm, via Zoom

Sunday, Jan 21st:

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

Parent's Perk, 9:30-10:30am, Rm 13

Worship Service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary & on YouTube

Download UCE Zoom Backgrounds

Sunday, Jan 21 continued:

The Joy of General Assembly, 11:45-12:30pm, Rm 6 and Zoom

TransParentsy Group, 12:30-2pm, Rm 2

Monday, Jan 22nd:

Addictions and Recovery, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, Jan 23rd:

Retired Women's Group, 5-7pm, Sanctuary Cafe

There is no Jan 23rd REAL Team meeting.

Wednesday, Jan 24th:

Yoga, 9:30-10:30am, via 8x8

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

Thursday January 25th:

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

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

Committee on Shared Ministry, 8-9pm via Zoom

Check out the UCE Calendar for more events!

Congregational News

Room Request Form

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

Notes From Our December Board Meeting

Although giving close stewardship and care to all the many moving parts in our thriving community is central to our Board responsibility, there’s so much generative discussion that goes beyond the “operational” nuts and bolts at our meetings! In December, for example, we also had a thoughtful discussion that centered on living the values that we collectively worked on as a congregation… remember the service with all our post-it’s? It boiled down to what most people were searching for was relational transformation, not only relationships with each other within our community, but also to be in community with those beyond our walls. We talked about how we can help each other to strengthen our response and fortitude in this time of horrifying international crisis and existential threats to our democracy, again, ways to be relationally transformative.

We also discussed the Beloved Community Equity Impact Assessment,

adapted by the UCE Anti-Oppression Task Force. We talked about how we will be intentional in incorporating this living document in our discussions, deliberations, planning, and events, asking who might be negatively impacted, who may experience an adverse event, and whose voice is missing.

We learned that our Accessibility and Inclusion Team has lost members and it needs to be reconstituted. This conversation also led to our call to delve deeper than just the recitation of the Land and Labor Acknowledgement that we state each Sunday, and promoting concrete actions that we can take in accordance with those beliefs.

These were just bits and yes, there’s work at these meetings, but there is also a good deal of laughter, camaraderie, and most especially, the balm that only comes from working together in shared ministry.

Come check us out! For a link to join the next meeting (3rd Thursdays at 7PM), email admin@ucevanston.org.

Calling All to Supplement our Snow Removal Service on Sunday Mornings

We are a community of care and part of that care includes making sure snow is removed from the ramp and sidewalks before the service on Sunday mornings. Our snow removal service will handle this when we have more than 2 inches of snow, but often the wind blows or another less-than-2-inches of snow falls.

The shovel and salt are in the vestibule between the parking lot and the lobby. No need to sign-up. The parking lot doors open at 8:45 am. If you attend on a Sunday when there’s a little bit of snow, please feel free to shovel what you can along the ramp and the sidewalk. If you'd like to be a regular volunteer called upon for this, please contact Adam Gough at agough@ucevanston.org.

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!

Congregational Connections

Calling all UNO players!

The UCE annual UNO tournament is coming up on Saturday, January 27, from 6-8 p.m. There are still spots available for $5 per person in this family-friendly, easy-to-play competition. If you're ready to reverse, draw four, and "UNO" your friends a family, contact Alice Swan, aeswan at yahoo dot com, to reserve a spot and find out who will win the trophy this year!

Retired (But Never Retiring) Women:

Come for a wonderful potluck and a vibrant discussion, in the back of the sanctuary Tuesday, Jan 23th, from 5-7pm.

Especially with the unparalleled cold keeping us inside, and with the political season upon us and since we don't go to work, we will be discussing -- just what do you do at home to relax and, hopefully, calm down?

For more information, please contact Margie Rogasner.

Sign ups are open for the February Friendship Meals! The online sign up sheet (click here to access) contains meal details so you can browse the choices and select the one that works best for you.

Fri, Feb 9th 6:30pm in-home chicken curry potluck dinner
Sat, Feb 10th 1pm split-the-bill restaurant outing
Sat, Feb 10th 6pm in-home appetizer and dessert potluck
Fri, Feb 16th 6:30pm in-home “flexitarian” potluck dinner
Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chicken dinner
Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chili dinner
Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chicken enchilada dinner
Sun, Feb 18th 5pm in-home vegetarian potluck dinner

Please contact Lina Hiko ASAP if you would enjoy hosting, have questions, or are interested in future hosting. Text or a call Lina at 312-399-1848 or email LHilko at aol dot com.

Bring your family and friends to the UCE Pagan Collective’s Imbolc celebration on Sunday, January 28, 2024, in Room 5, from 12:30-1:30 pm. In celebration of Imbolc, we will be gathering for a brief ritual, candle making, and of course snacks.

The UCE Pagan Collective is a newly formed (or reformed with a new name for some of you) group of UCE members and friends with various theological beliefs who join together to focus on creating ritual around the cycle of the seasons. Please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org if you would like to join this group.

Final Proposed Revision to Article II

The final version of the proposed revision to Article II of the UUA Bylaws is now available! The deadline for submitting an amendment is 11:59 p.m. ET on February 1, 2024.

All qualified amendments will be considered at 2024 General Assembly. Click below to learn more, and to sign up for future newsletters directly from the UUA GA.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with the UCE Board of Trustees

Let the Good Times Roll by joining the Board members for a festive night of music and food from the Big Easy. We will enjoy music from Mojo49 which will transport us to the French Quarter. Drinks will include a sparkling punch that will get us into the spirit. Dinner will include a colorful Mardi Gras salad, shrimp or veggie etouffee, and cake and ice cream to fill our souls. Please join us as we head south for a warm night of fun, food and fellowship! Many of you have already purchased tickets during our Serendipity Fundraiser in November, a few tickets are still available. Childcare provided.

Friday, February 2, 2024 from 6:00-9:00 pm at UCE. Tickets are $60, click here to buy your tickets.

Lifespan Faith Formation

Family Friday Game Night on January 19 at 6:00-8:00pm, Rm 6. All ages are invited to an evening of fun and games! We’ll have pizza at 6p and start the games at 6:30p. Drop in at any time. Feel free to bring a snack, dessert, or game to share.

Parent’s Perk – January 21 at 9:30am, Rm 13 – Parents of young people of all ages gather before worship monthly. This month we’ll share thoughts on what we want for our kids and families at UCE and ways to make them happen. Fill in the rest of this sentence to get your thoughts going: “When I picture my child/youth as an adult, I see…and I want them to be…” Let’s talk about how we can support each other in this endeavor! Childcare available in room 11.

TransParentsy – January 21 at 12:30-2pm, Rm 2

Join other parents and grandparents of transgender/non-binary children, youth, and adults for sharing and caring.

Young Adult Game Night – January 26 at 7pm, Rm 3

Bring a snack and/or game to share! Bonus points if it connects to our theme of Liberating Love or winter.

Social Justice & Action

Staying Engaged with Israel and Gaza

After the horrific attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas, Israel continues attacks on Gaza. On January 9, 2024, state and local elected officials from across the country issued an open letter to President Biden urging the Biden administration to continue with the pressing and immediate need for a negotiated end to the violence as the only way forward to release Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners, deliver aid, stop bombing, and save lives.

You are invited to join Jewish Fast for Gaza for a Tu B'Shevat for Solidarity

Sunday, January 21st at 4:30pm

At Grace Church of Logan Square,

3325 W. Wrightwood Avenue, Chicago.

Tu B'shevat is the Jewish holiday known as the "birthday of the trees.” Please join us as we commemorate this sacred occasion by celebrating Indigenous struggles to protect people, land and water in Gaza, Atlanta, and around the world. Our gathering will feature music, speakers, stories, youth-centered art making and a call to action.

People of all faith traditions and ages are encouraged to attend. If you have questions, please contact Gail Smith through the Realm Membership Directory or at admin@ucevanston.org.

Due to safety concerns, please do not repost on social media. Invitations to people you know through email or word of mouth are encouraged.

Please click the images below to learn more and

to register for these interfaith events.

Anniversary of Roe v Wade

January 22nd is the anniversary of the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which made access to abortion care legal throughout the United States pursuant to federal law. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, 2022, changed the legal landscape by returning regulation of abortion access to state law.

In Illinois, abortion remains available and legal. Illinois has strong legislative protections for people who are pregnant. Know your rights to abortion access in Illinois.

In the wake of the Dobbs decision, Illinois passed the Patient and Provider Protection Act in January 2023 to provide further protections for health care providers and patients from legal action, as well as expanded insurance coverage. In light of the legislative protections Illinois affords, Illinois has seen an increase in people traveling to IL for reproductive health care in a post-Roe world.

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.

If you would like to be on our Abortion Access Team’s email list for ongoing information about supporting access or if you are in need of support for your own or a loved one’s care around a miscarriage, abortion, or other reproductive healthcare experience, please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

NO REAL Team Meeting in January!

In lieu of the January 23rd REAL Team meeting, we are encouraging everyone to participate in the UUtheVote Training for voter registration on either January 24th, 26th, or 29th. See details below...

Do you want to make an impact on the 2024 election?

One way you can make an impact is by making sure that voters in Wisconsin are registered to vote. Join UUtheVote at UCE for a voter registration training hour.

There are three training dates available. You only need to attend one. All trainings will be held via Zoom. Please register for one of the trainings to receive the Zoom link:

January 24, 2024, from 7:00-8:00 pm. Register here by January 23rd

January 26, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 pm. Register here by January 25th

January 29, 2024, from 3:30-4:30 pm. Register here by January 28th

The training is one hour and presented by the Milwaukee Voter Project. For more information, please contact Laura Kushner with the Milwaukee Voter Project at laurakushnerx2 at gmail.com or Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

UCE Book Clubs

UCE Non-Fiction Book Group

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond.

Acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow.

Elegantly written and fiercely argued, the book gives us new ways of thinking about a morally urgent problem. It also helps us imagine solutions.

Zoom discussion Sunday, January 28th at 2 p.m.

using our recurring Zoom link.

2/25/2024: South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon Line to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry.

UCE Fiction Book Group

Summer by Edith Wharton.

A warm read in deep winter. Something exceptional for Edith Wharton, a story of class struggle NOT set in Old New York. Charity Royall was born to a poor family on the Mountain in New England and is “rescued” by a wealthy lawyer who takes her in as his ward. Her new community never lets her forget her humble origins and Charity comes to rebel against the stifling dullness of Royall’s hometown. Enter Lucius Harney, a romantic interest with proper social credentials and Charity is attracted to both his good looks and his credentials for winning her acceptance in society. But it is not easy winning status in Old New England, just as it is in Wharton’s New York.

Zoom discussion, Friday, January 19th at 7pm, using our recurring

ZOOM link.

Upcoming Titles:

2/16/24: Daniel Mason, North Woods

3/15/24: Paul Harding This Other Eden

In Memory

Barbara Young Celebration of Life

Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 2 pm, we will celebrate the life of our much beloved Barbara Young.

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 Barbara, log in HERE to make your selection. If you want to opt out of the technology, email Margaret Shaklee with your offer to help.

The service will be live streamed on YouTube, use this link.