Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole
In-Person and Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, December 19th at 10:15 am
The Story of Christmas, 
our annual participatory pageant

An annual UCE tradition, the Christmas Pageant is a time of joy and celebration where all ages can be a part of the Christmas story. This service is led by Kathy Underwood, our Director of Lifespan Faith Formation. You can participate in the pageant from home via Zoom too! You can be a shining star by finding something shiny to hold up, or turning on your phone’s flashlight, or simply holding up your twinkle-star hands. The Zoom will be shown on the screen in the sanctuary so those in person can see you too! Join the Zoom here.
Please join us for this Sunday’s Faith Formation Hour
(11:35-12:30): Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression
Please join us for one of these activities:
  • Forum Discussion Group – Rm 6 & Zoom. Click here to join.
  • Small Groups discussing Widening the Circle of Concern Chapter 4 – Sanctuary & Zoom. Click here to join.
  • Middle & High School Youth Group – ARAO Conversation – Rm 13
  • Head, Heart, and Hands (1st-6th Grade) – Rm 3
  • PreK – Rm 9
  • Nursery – Rm 11
Important Info for this Sunday's Service
Please plan to arrive for worship at UCE no earlier than 9:45 am so Ministers & Staff can adequately prepare for the worship service in the Sanctuary.
In Anticipation of Christmas Eve
We are looking forward to Christmas Eve service at 7pm in person this year and, of course, livestreamed from our YouTube channel. Since we re-opened our doors in September, the Sunday morning worship service attendance has been well under our capacity limit. Our guidelines are currently for a maximum of 150 in the sanctuary and our average Sunday attendance has been about 85. However, we anticipate Christmas Eve may be a more heavily attended service and with the current surge in COVID cases in our area, we want to reiterate our community expectations for the care and safety of everyone. 

Please only attend in person if you are as vaccinated as you can be (with boosters if possible), asymptomatic, and have had no known exposure in the past 10 days. If you have been through an airport or at large public events in the last 10 days, you may want to take a rapid test before coming to the service on the 24th. If you are at all concerned or uncomfortable, we hope that you will participate with your family from home. Children under 5 and those who are not able to be vaccinated are welcome if healthy and asymptomatic. Everyone will, of course, be masked. Once the capacity of 150 is reached in the sanctuary, there will be space for 30 to view the livestream in room 3. 
From Rev. Susan Frances,
Assistant Minister for Congregational Life
Dear Friends, 
 
As the longest night of the year approaches, I have been spending more time with a cup of tea and a notepad being introspective. Some of the wonderful gifts during this dark time of year are nature’s examples of slowing down and settling in, which I find to be an invitation for spending some time reflecting on where I am, where I have been, and where I am going. This year I find myself thinking mainly about what connections I would like to make in the new year and what I would like to learn this year. 

I have been voted onto the Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU-IL) and will start a three-year term on January 1, 2022. I am humbled by the caliber of the other Board members and am looking forward to learning from and collaborating with them to continue to make Illinois a state where women have access to all types of health care, where trans students have a legal ally to assist them with negotiating safe space in their schools, and where police accountability and voting rights are considered vital to civic life. I am hopeful this connection will provide possibilities to enhance our community’s already deep commitment to social justice. 
Join an Ends Conversation!
Everyone with a stake in the future of the UCE congregation – where we are going and how we want to be in the world – is invited to participate in open-hearted and spirited conversations about our End Statements. You can sign up for one or more of these conversations here: 
  
  • January 2nd (Sunday) as part of Faith Formation Hour, 11:30 am-12:30 pm in-person 
  • January 5th (Wednesday) from 5:30-6:30 pm on Zoom 

PLEASE NOTE: If you have previously registered, but need to sign up for more than one time, please go through and update your registration. The settings have changed and you may now register for more than one conversation.
Mark you Calendar: December Holiday Events at UCE!
Has there been a child born in your family this year? Please send in the names and photos of your children, grand children, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friend's children for a special blessing this Christmas Eve. Names and photos need to be received by December 20th to be included. Send them to Rev. Eileen at ewiviott@ucevanston.org.
Hats Off to Bridget Wild & Mitten Tree Volunteers!
Our hats are off to Bridget Wild and the many Mitten Tree volunteers for making our holiday giving a joy for all ages. Bridget put in countless hours (well, they number at least 70) coordinating the gift lists with the organizations, working with staff to manage the drop offs, wrapping, and delivery of presents. She found fun and creative ways to include young children and attended to the wish lists with tenderness and care. Bridget works full time, has three young children, and found the time to lead this massive volunteer effort. Mitten Tree is a legacy of generosity and love during the holidays that we are so grateful you are carrying on. Here's a snap shot of what Mitten Tree did this year: there were 415 items purchased for 126 individuals; 46 families or individuals purchased gifts and 7 donated funds; 30 people helped with wrapping and delivery. Our giving partners this year were Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, The Rice Child & Family Center, Connections for the Homeless, Interfaith Action Hospitality Center, and the Ghufran Bakir family. Thank you to all the Mitten Tree volunteers and leaders!
Congregational News
UCE Building Availability - If your group would like to meet in-person at UCE, please fill out a Room & Publicity Request Form.

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.

UCE is hosting the Overnight Shelter through December 18. Rooms 2 & 3 will not be available for group meetings during the period. Learn about volunteering with Interfaith Action of Evanston below.
Save the Date
Wednesday Zoom Gatherings Continue on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 5:30 pm via Zoom.

Upcoming ENDS Statements Conversations:
  • January 2nd (Sunday) as part of Faith Formation Hour, 11:30-12:30 in person 
  • January 5th (Wednesday) from 5:30 – 6:30 on Zoom 
More info above! Register here.

The UCE Christmas Eve Service is on Friday, December 24 at 7 pm.

There will be no faith formation hour after the Sunday All Ages Worship Service on December 26.

The Next Worship Planning Playdate is Saturday, January 8 at 9 am - Noon. More info below.
The Church Office will be closed during the day on December 24th and between December 27th -31st. Please email staff with your questions and concerns. In the event of a pastoral emergency, you may contact Rev. Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@ucevanston.org.
This Week's Events & Links
Friday, December 17

Saturday, December 18
  • Virtual Pilates at 9:30 am on Zoom. Email Janelle Brittain to join.
  • Tai Chi at 9:45 & 11 am in the Sanctuary.
  • Immigrant Solidarity Team at 4 pm on Zoom. Email Lee Bannor for the link.
Sunday, December 19
  • Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am in Room 6 and via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
  • Worship Service at 10:15 am in the sanctuary and via Youtube. Nursery/PreK care available for 1-4 year olds. Click here to watch.
  • Click here to join the pageant on Zoom.
  • Kinship Time at 11:15-11:35 am - back of the Sanctuary
  • Faith Formation Hour: Art for All Ages at 11:35 am-12:30 pm.
  • Forum in Rm 6 & Zoom - Click here to join.
  • Widening the Circle of Concern Conversations in the Sanctuary & Zoom - Click here to join
  • Nonfiction Book Group at 2 pm via Zoom. Click here to join.

Monday, December 20

Tuesday, December 21

Wednesday, December 22
  • Virtual Yoga at 9:30 am via 8x8. Click here to join.
  • Wednesday All Church Gathering at 5:30 pm on Zoom. More info in the Wednesday email.

Thursday, December 23
  • Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
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
Widening the Circle of Concern
Reading for THIS SUNDAY Faith Formation Hour
December 19th 11:30-12:30 
 
Come learn how hospitality imbues every aspect of congregational life. Congregants are encouraged to participate in small group discussions of the Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change, Widening the Circle of Concern. This report is a guiding document for UCE’s Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work. 
 
For our discussion in December, you are encouraged to read the chapter on Hospitality and Inclusion before December 19th so you are prepared for the conversation. You do not need to have participated in previous conversations to join this one! These conversations will be taking place in-person as well as on Zoom. If you hold a marginalized identity and would want an identity-based caucus space to discuss Widening the Circle of Concern, please contact Rev. Eileen Wiviott or Rev. Susan Frances by December 12th so we can arrange that space. 
Living our values in the World
UCE member, Ellen Bates Jefferys co-authored research published in Science Magazine on the effectiveness of masking in Bangladesh to prevent the spread of COVID. Here is a link to the study. Ellen shared that the “broad mandate was to study the efficacy of community-level adaptation of masks to reduce COVID transmission. However, sub-analysis revealed that quality surgical masks were notably superior to cloth masks.” Thank you, Ellen, for your work in the world and for sharing it with our faith community. 
 
If you are looking for information about types of masks and how to make sure you’re wearing them correctly and safely, here is information from the CDC. And here is one list of verified surgical masks. 
Yule Winter Solstice Ritual - December 21 - 7:30
All are invited to join UCE and Second Unitarian’s Covenant of Earth and Sky in celebrating the Winter Solstice. We will celebrate the longest night and shortest day with candles, live music, and a story by Starhawk. We are entering the Waxing time of year and will honor Gaia as Mother Night as she comforts the new Yule child at dawn. Please join us in person or via Zoom as you feel comfortable. 
Want to Try Pilates?
Join Janelle Brittain for Free Zoom Pilates every Saturday from 9:30-10:15 AM in your own home. It is called Adaptive Pilates because she provides a variety of options for the movements depending on your abilities, aches, pains or injuries. She seeks to make it workable and fun for every level and every age. All you need is a mat or a carpet. And if you are shy, you can keep your camera off. Just email Janelle to receive the Zoom link at janellebri@aol.com.
Want to learn more about Youtube?
Do you have questions about streaming UCE services on Youtube? Are you having trouble commenting on the livestream? Come learn some tips and tricks on how to get the most out of our online streaming platform. All skill levels are welcome to attend. The workshop will be on Tuesday, December 21 at 1 pm on Zoom.
Next Worship Planning Playdate - Jan 8
Our next Worship Planning Playdate is coming up Saturday, January 8th from 9 am – noon in the sanctuary at UCE. All are welcome if you are interested in helping to shape the upcoming worship services.  
A Conversation about Long Term Care with
Evanston Ombudsman, Candice Mitchell
January 9 at 1 pm - Multi-platform (at UCE and on Zoom)

Candice Mitchell will speak to UCE members and friends about choosing a facility, how to age in place, and navigating the financial implications and possibilities of long term care.
Save the Date - Upcoming Classes for Deeper Engagement
Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalist history? Introduction to Unitarian Universalism is a single session class that will be offered virtually on Sunday, January 16 at 1:00-2:30 pm and in-person on Sunday, January 23 at 2:30-4:00 pm.  
 
Would you like to enhance how you express your personal theology? What do yUU Believe? is a 4-part class that will be offered on Tuesdays, January 18, 25, February 1, and 8 at 7:00-8:30 pm.  
 
Would you like to learn more about becoming a member of UCE? Journey Toward Membership is a 2-part class that will be offered in-person on Tuesdays, February 1 and 8 at 6:30-8:00 pm and virtually on Wednesdays, February 2 and 9 at 6:30-8:00 pm.  
Seeking Future Leaders
The Nominating and Recruitment Committee (N&R) is beginning to identify potential candidates for future positions, such as the Board of Trustees, Endowment Committee, and our own N&R Committee.   
 
Please help us! We may not know what skills and experience you have that would make you a perfect fit for one of the positions. You may know someone who would step up if asked. We especially want to encourage folks who have not previously served on these committees to consider this opportunity to support the church. 
 
Please fill out this Google form if you would like to nominate someone or volunteer yourself. Also feel free to reach out to Janice Milanovich (through Realm). See the website for more information. 
Social Justice & Action
REAL Team History Program
The REAL History team will present 4 episodes of the series Amend from Netflix, on four Wednesdays from January 12 through February 2. Amend tells the story of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. From its origins in the heart and mind of Frederick Douglass to the political wrangling needed to get ratification to the attempts to nullify it over the years and the struggle to make this country live up to its stated ideals. This series tells unfinished story of this life-changing, controversial addition to the Constitution. The REAL team will show episodes 1, 2, 3, and 6 - - the ones that involve race and ethnicity.  
Lifespan Faith Formation
What's Happening in Faith Formation?
Christmas Pageant is Here!
  • You can participate from home or at UCE. For those at home, you can dress up as an animal or angel, or be a star by finding something shiny, or turn on your phone flashlight, or simply hold up your twinkle star hands. The Zoom will be shown on the screen at UCE! Join the Zoom here. 
  • For those in person, you can choose to either pick up your costume in the café area before worship, or during the pageant as you are cued. All costumes should be returned at the end of worship. 

Faith Formation Hour this week
  • Nursery care (0-3) is available in room 11 from 10 am-12:30 pm. 
  • Faith Formation Hour begins at 11:35 am as follows: 
  • Pre/K in room 9 
  • Heads, Hearts, and Hands (1st-6th) in room 3 
  • Middle and High School Youth in room 13 
  • Forum in room 6 and on Zoom – exploring ways to connect with others during the holidays, a pandemic, and winter months. Click here to join.
  • Widening the Circle – Anti-racism/oppression discussion in the sanctuary and on Zoom. Click here to join.

Please give us your feedback on your experiences in Faith Formation Hour here.

Announcing a new program next month! What Do yUU Believe? A credo class for youth and adults together. How do you talk about what you believe and how does what you believe show up in the way you live your life? How do you articulate what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist? In these four sessions, designed for youth and adults (age 12 and up) Kathy Underwood and Rev. Eileen Wiviott will accompany you on the journey toward understanding and articulating your beliefs and how they align with our UU faith. Register here.
  • January 18th (in person at UCE) 7pm - 8:30pm 
  • January 25th (on Zoom) 7pm - 8:30pm 
  • February 1st (on Zoom) 7pm - 8:30pm 
  • February 8th (in person at UCE) 7pm - 8:30pm 

Registration for Faith Formation continues! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines. Please complete the form here for all young people, 0-18 years old. 
Forum Discussion - This Sunday, Dec 19
The Best Gift: Your time and interest in another person. We will discuss how to emphasize personal connections during the holidays, the pandemic, and the cold of winter. Let's warm ourselves around the fire of human connection and explore ways to connect to each other virtually and in person to grow our faith community. Led by Dale Griffin, Carolyn Laughlin and Rev. Scott Aaseng. This forum is hybrid: join the group meeting in room 6 downstairs or by a zoom link below.
UCE Book Groups
The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet on TODAY Friday, December 17 at 7 pm on Zoom.

Naomi Klein in This Changes Everything talks about the many ways we avoid engaging with the impending climate crisis — or acknowledge then look away again — thus making us complicit in inevitable apocalypse through our inaction. So give the children the stage to figure out how to move forward. Mining a book of Bible stories for children for metaphors and narratives of climate apocalypse. Years ago, William Golding's Lord of the Flies engaged children to help us see what the world is coming to politically. So renown environmentalist Lydia Millet lets the children puzzle out the climate crisis.
The nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom at 2 pm on Sunday, December 19th to discuss The Darkness Divine: A Loving Challenge to my Faith by UU minister Kristen L. Harper.

The author addresses how a culture of white supremacy is reinforced in damaging but unexamined ways in our faith communities and invites readers to de-center whiteness and stretch their understanding and imagination to radically transform perceptions of blackness. Everyone is welcome to join us.
UCE Resources
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330