Ornament Sunday is here!

December 3rd during Kinship Time

all are invited to make holiday ornaments for the UCE tree and to take home. Holiday snacks and treats are welcomed too! Just leave them in the kitchen. If you’d like to host a craft or share a craft idea, email Kathy Underwood.

Would you like your child dedicated on Christmas Eve morning? Since Christmas Eve is a Sunday, we will have our usual 10:30 service and would like to offer the opportunity for families to have their children of any age dedicated to the UCE community that morning. Please contact Rev. Eileen as soon as possible if you would like to participate.

UCE will host the overnight emergency shelter in partnership with Interfaith Action of Evanston from the evening of Sunday, December 3 until early Sunday morning December 24th. Guests will be in rooms 2 and 3 from 9pm to 7am each night during that period of time and cots will stay in place during the day so rooms 2 & 3 will not be available in December.

This is an important ministry of care and justice that UCE is grateful to be a part of. If you would like to volunteer with this program, you can do so through Interfaith Actions sign ups. Contact them at ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org.

Last Week!

Mitten Tree gift sign-up is up and running. Gifts are due back at UCE for sorting and wrapping by SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, so don’t delay in signing up! Don’t want to shop? You can donate money and the mitten tree elves will shop for you–you may Zelle or Venmo Sheila Holder, skholder8@gmail.com or 224-235-1621, or write a check to UCE with Mitten Tree in the memo, click VOLUNTEER HERE.

This longstanding tradition is a beautiful snapshot of our community’s shared values and a privilege to help organize.

Read on below about where your gifts will go this year. AND, MAY WHAT YOU GIVE BRING YOU JOY!

Buy UCE Chairs!

Bring a piece of UCE history to your home. You can buy UCE Sanctuary chairs and take them home same-day!

It's just $30/chair.

We take checks or cash.

Look for us at Kinship time.

Note: Chairs are sold "as is,"

and self-selected at time of purchase.

Staying Healthy

During this winter holiday season when many of us are gathering again with friends and family, please remember those who are immunocompromised or who have pre-existing conditions. Here are things you can do to keep our entire community healthy from COVID-19 and in general:



• Get vaccinated or boosted
• Stay home if you don't feel well
• Test yourself for COVID-19 if you aren't sure what you have
• Wear a mask if you've been exposed or are on the mend
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds

Wishing you happy and healthy winter holidays!

We always have much to celebrate at UCE, and on December 10 we’ll have a double celebration! Join us after worship as we celebrate two major renovations in the lower level:

· A toilet-paper cutting ceremony of our two renovated bathrooms that are bright, fresh, and more accessible and inclusive, funded by the Capital Campaign and transformed through the efforts of Sandra Robinson and Michael Skilton.

· A crepe-paper cutting ceremony of the renovated nursery, transformed into a children’s wonderland by the vision of Gillian Lawrence and through the efforts of Gillian, Robb Geiger, and Dan Lawrence.

Come celebrate!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION OPENS IN DECEMBER!

General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. Please join us online Wednesday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23, 2024 for this 4-day immersive experience where we participate in inspirational worship services and informative workshops, reconvene with friends and colleagues, and explore our virtual exhibit hall. GA is an unforgettable experience for the thousands of UUs who participate. You’ll leave with renewed energy and innovative ideas to share with UCE and community-at-large!

Registration opens in December, just about a week away! To see all about this coming GA and access the Registration page go to:

Christmas Pageant – December 17 during worship. All ages are invited to participate in this annual tradition of re-enacting the birth of Jesus from our UU viewpoint. Costumes provided or bring your own. Plenty of parts to choose from: people and animals! There are non-speaking and speaking parts. Sign up here to claim your favorite!

The Evanston Interfaith Clergy and Leaders will be presenting on their coordinated campaign and the interfaith support for reparations in Evanston on Friday, December 1^st in the afternoon.

To learn more and to register, visit First Repair.

Refugee In My Own Home:

A Unitarian Universalist Vigil for Gaza

Sunday, December 3rd, 2023

6:00 PM to 7:15 PM Eastern

Zoom provided upon RSVP

This vigil, open to all, is to honor the spiritual work toward ending the violence. We are calling for a permanent ceasefire and end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, a release of all hostages/prisoners, humanitarian aid, and an accountability process that is not rooted in revenge. We deeply honor the worth and dignity of all Palestinians and all Israelis. We aim to be present with one another and deepen our attention to the crises in Gaza as Unitarian Universalists. We are mindful of the deep and complex roots in the minds and hearts of Westerners. The intention of this first vigil is to re-root ourselves in our feelings. 

Join us as we grieve, rage, learn, and find solace together. The vigil will be held for 45 minutes, with a 30 minute facilitated breakout session for those who wish to connect more intentionally.

RSVP Required for Zoom: druumm.org/events

View our previous vigil at youtube.com/@DRUUMM



Hosted by concerned Unitarian Universalist ministers, religious professionals, lay leaders, the Church of the Larger Fellowship, DRUUMM and more. Vigil officiants include Alice Ashrawi, Rev. Mitra Rahnema, Rev. Annie Gonzalez, Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, Rev. Summer Albayati, Devin Dadah, Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Rev. Sana Saeed, Rev. DL Helfer, Rev. Sarah Skochko, and more.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is hosting a special community conversation on December 7th bringing together leaders working on the ground in Black and Brown communities to discuss current tensions and how to build the solidarity we need to create a society that cares for everyone.

December 7, 2023 | 12pm

 Live from University Church Chicago

on ICIRR’s Facebook and YouTube  

This landmark event is recommended to you by our Immigrant Solidarity Team and our Racial Equity Action and Leadership Team. Please use the button below to RSVP.