Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole | |
Sunday Service December 24th at 10:30am | |
|
The Blessing of Every Child
This Christmas Eve morning, at 10:30am, we celebrate the mystery, miracle, and blessing of every life. We will dedicate children to our beloved community and open our hearts to the splendor and possibility each of us brings to the altar of humanity. Chester Beck and Kristen Durning offer their vocal gifts, Shirley Adams is our Worship Associate, and Rev. Eileen is the worship leader.
Children and youth will remain in worship.
| | |
|
TWO SERVICES ON 12/24:
-
10:30 am Service - we dedicate children to our Beloved Community and dedicate ourselves as a community to their care and spiritual well-being.
-
7:00 pm Service - our Candlelight Service, with annual tradition of lessons, and carols, and a Shared Offering with UCE Pastoral Care Fund
| | |
|
Faith Formation Hour this Sunday
-
Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10:15a-11:45am
-
Chalice Children, Heads, Hearts, and Hands, and Youth Group will resume on January 14th. Families can join worship services celebrating the mystery and magic of the holiday season.
Families can explore our new theme, The Gift of Mystery, 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!
Parents can register their children/youth for the Faith Formation Program here.
| | |
|
Click on the image below,
to view our UCE Staff Holiday Card Slideshow!
| |
|
Our hats are off to Steven Eason, Liz Kennedy-Eason, Robb Geiger, and Adam Gough for helping to clear out the old chairs and bring in the new! We know we will enjoy the new chairs for many years to come. Enjoy this video by Steven Eason of the whole process, CLICK HERE!
And thank you to the amazing chairs team - Janelle Brittain, Kristin Larsen, Carla Wiliams, Johna VanDyke, and Sandra Robinson - for bringing our beautiful new chairs to UCE, for ensuring the historic original chairs found as many good and loving homes as possible, and for gathering as much feedback as possible.
| | |
PLEASE NOTE: the next Newsletter is JANUARY 5th | |
|
UCE continues to host the overnight emergency shelter in partnership with Interfaith Action of Evanston, from 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, as Interfaith Action of Evanston organizes and staffs. To volunteer while the shelter is at UCE, CLICK HERE!
| | | |
This Week's Events & Links | |
|
Friday, December 22nd:
Saturday, December 23rd:
- Virtual pilates, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom
Sunday, December 24th:
-
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9am in-person Rm 6 and via Zoom Link.
- Child Dedication Worship Service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary & on YouTube
- Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary & on YouTube
| |  |
|
Monday, December 25th:
- MERRY CHRISTMAS, to all that celebrate!
UCE office is closed December 23 through January 1, 2024
Friday, December 29th:
- Next Newsletter: Jan 5th.
Sunday, December 31st:
- The Creator's Workshop Service, 10:30am in the Sanctuary & on YouTube
Tuesday January 2nd:
10a-4pm
| | |
|
Sandra Robinson, on behalf of the Integrated Stewardship Council, asks that you watch for your pledge statement which should have arrived Friday via email. Pledge statements help us keep you up to date on your pledge balance and your payment ensures that we can successfully keep our projected income on target for the fiscal year. Thank you.
We also ask that you nominate two members-at-large to serve on the ISC. These would be members who have an interest in financial aspects of UCE and are available to meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month.
We are also seeking a replacement ISC Secretary to replace Susan Carlton, effective July 1, the beginning of our new fiscal year. Please email Sandra, if you are interested or know of others who may be.
| | | |
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 | |
2024 UUA General Assembly Is Entirely Online! | |
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 is open! To see all about this coming GA and access the registration page go to:
| | | |
|
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.
| | | |
Mark your 2024 Calendars, with these January Events: | |
|
Young Adult Nature Walk – January 6 at 11am – we’ll meet at North Park Village Nature Center for a little hike and some hot cocoa.
Family Friday Game Night on January 19 at 6:30-8:30pm All ages are invited to an evening of games and snacks. Bring your favorite game and a snack to share. Drop in at any time.
Parent’s Perk – January 21 at 9:30am – Parents of young people of all ages gather before worship monthly. This month we’ll share thoughts and ideas on what we want to do or change in our families in the new year. We can try to be accountable to each other in the year ahead!
| | | |
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. The date is Sunday January 7, 2023, from 12:00-1:00pm. The training will be in-person and by zoom.
| |
|
Our trainer is Laura Kushner, an Evanston activist, who works with the Milwaukee Voter Project. From February through October, you will be offered lots of clear opportunities for reaching out to voters in Wisconsin - both in person or by phone. You do not have to be a Wisconsin citizen to help register voters. This training will give you options for future engagement.
We will provide snacks to get you through a fast paced hour and give you answers to all your questions. Register ahead so we can welcome you and make the training efficient. Contact Carolyn Laughlin through the Realm Membership Directory or at admin@ucevanston.org if you have any questions.
| |
Write a letter to Someone Incarcerated this Holiday Season | |
|
Prison life, particularly during the holidays, is isolating, acutely lonely, and deeply depressing, especially for folks who have lost touch with family or loved ones. You could make a significant difference in someone's life this holiday season. THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by the card writing table on Ornament Sunday. We had a list of 35 UUs who are locked up in jail or prison in Illinois and we were able to send each of them 2 holiday cards!
Become a prison pen pal—sending letters, cards, and e-messages to someone in prison. Studies show that an incarcerated person with connections to the outside world (such as a pen pal), will be 6 times less likely to reoffend within their first year of release. Please contact Rev. Allison Farnum, Director of UU Prison Ministry of Illinois, at uupmi.info@gmail.com to learn more.
| | |
Blood Drive in January!
UCE will host a blood drive January 13th from 10am - 4pm. The drive has been organized by the Evanston Running Club, and other area athletic groups.
Please register HERE, ahead of time,
if you wish to donate.
| | | |
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ MORE: | |
|
UCE Non-Fiction Book Group
Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond.
In this landmark book, 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, this compassionate 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.
| | |
|
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
| | |
|
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
| | | | |
