Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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In-Person and Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, December 5th at 10:15 am
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A Light in the Darkness: Opening to Joy in Relationship
As the longest night approaches, people of many faith traditions celebrate light in the darkness. Unitarian Universalism, draws wisdom from many sources and we strive to appreciate with respect, the many cultures and traditions that contribute to humanity’s search for meaning. This Sunday, we celebrate Chalica, the Unitarian Universalist celebration of our principles and this year we will celebrate all eight! Finding meaning and joy in our principles, we share our inner light with one another.
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Please join us for this Sunday’s Faith Formation Hour (11:35-12:30): Art for All Ages |
Please join us for one of these activities:
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Important Info for this Sunday's Service |
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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. |
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From Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director |
Greetings everyone,
As the holidays fast approach, I hope you and your family are well and navigating the many challenges we face each day. There has been much loss in our congregation, family and friends. May we all find peace and strength in the midst of change and heartbreak.
Your staff continues to brings the best possible service to you, our members and friends. We are in the midst currently of planning the 2022/23 Pledge Drive. Jim Strickler and Raphael Fernandez are this year’s co-chairs. We have met as a team and are continuing to add members to the team to get this important effort launched in February...
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Join an Ends Conversation! |
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- This Saturday, December 4th at Noon on Zoom.
- 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.
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Mark you Calendar: December Holiday Events at UCE! |
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Our hats are off to Toni Rey this week for being a faithful leader in the Evanston Interfaith effort to provide a warm, safe, and clean place to sleep for those without a home. Toni has been a champion of the Emergency Overnight Shelter for years and is a big part of the reason UCE is able to host for three weeks each winter. Along with the efforts of Liz and Steven Eason, who have extra cleaning duties during those three weeks, Toni comes to church many evenings to open the doors for shelter staff and volunteers. She also made sure all the cots and supplies arrived ahead of our guests. Toni does what needs to be done and, as our delegate to Interfaith Action of Evanston, she is a strong advocate for and participant in all their efforts. Thank you, Toni, for helping UCE live our values and affirming and promoting the inherent worth and dignity of every person. |
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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 hosts the Overnight Shelter on November 28-December 18. Rooms 2 & 3 will not be available for group meetings during the period. Learn about volunteering with Interfaith Action of Evanston below.
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Wednesday Zoom Gatherings Continue on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 5:30 pm via Zoom.
Upcoming ENDS Statements Conversations:
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December 4th (Saturday) from 12-1pm on Zoom
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January 2nd (Sunday) as part of Faith Formation Hour, 11:30-12:30 in person
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January 5th (Wednesday) from 5:30 – 6:30 on Zoom
Music Sunday is Sunday, December 12. Join us during Faith Formation Hour for Storytelling & Caroling.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, December 4
- Jerry Adler Memorial at 11 am in the Sanctuary.
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Ends Statements Conversation at Noon via Zoom. Click here to join.
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Green Team meets at 1 pm via Zoom. Click here to join.
- John Urbikas Memorial at 3 pm in the Sanctuary.
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Sunday, December 5
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am in Room 6 and via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
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Worship Service at 10:15 am in the sanctuary and via Youtube. Nursery/PreK care available for 1-4 year olds. Click here to join.
- 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.
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Forum Discussion - Rm 6 & on Zoom. Click here to join.
- Ornament Sunday - Sanctuary
Monday, December 6
Tuesday, December 7
Wednesday, December 8
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Virtual Yoga at 9:30 am via 8x8. Click here to join.
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Wednesay Zoom Gathering at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Look for the Wed. email with more info.
Thursday, December 9
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Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
- Choir Rehearsal at 7 pm in Rm 6, Sanctuary & on Zoom.
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Special Board of Trustees Meeting - December 15 |
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The Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to consider the Endowment applications which were submitted this fall. The meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 pm on December 15. Applicants should receive a note from the Board and Endowment Committee regarding the time, if you wish to make a brief statement to the Board.
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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!
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Congregational Connections |
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Report on November 18 BOT Meeting |
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At our regular November meeting, we devoted considerable attention to Board priorities regarding the pending annual pledge drive and the 22/23 UCE budget. We realized that this will be a challenging year, financially.
We developed a balanced budget this year despite the loss over the last couple years of significant rental income and the loss of our largest pledge, due to changes in their circumstances. This happened with important increases in pledges and to a nonrecurring $72,000 federal PPP grant.
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Happy Everything! Mitten Tree is BACK with some “fleece linings” of lessons learned and skills gained courtesy of our mostly contactless efforts last year.
This winter holiday tradition of gift giving is a wonderful way to connect with organizations and neighbors outside the walls of UCE.
Beginning this weekend, you will have the opportunity to sign up (HERE) to fulfill gift requests. This year we are leaning into our SHARED MINISTRY all around. There will be opportunities for everyone to lend a hand and fill a mitten that speaks to them.
This longstanding tradition is an overwhelmingly 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!
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Want to learn more about Youtube? |
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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 Friday, December 17 at 1 pm on Zoom. More details and Zoom link coming soon
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Just a few items are left in the catalog, including a few seats at some great and affordable virtual entertainment--Jim Strickler's Civil War Reparations talk, Kristin Lems' concert, a Virtual Karaoke night, Ben Butler a Play by Richard Strand, and an Evening Square Dance. Take a look here. All are now set as "Buy It Now", so items are first come, first served. If you are not registered, use your email in the church directory to do so or email us at auction@ucevanston.org for help. And if you haven't collected your boodle yet, please come during church office hours, Tues-Fri from 10 am-5 pm to pick up your items.
Thoughts about how to make the auction better, or interested in being a volunteer for next year? We would love to hear from you at auction@ucevanston.org.
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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.
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Widening the Circle of Concern
Reading for December 19 Faith Formation Hour
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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.
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Volunteer with the Overnight Shelter |
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Cold weather is here now and the Overnight Emergency Shelter providing a warm space to sleep, needs volunteers. The link below will take you to a Google doc where you can choose the times you want to help our homeless neighbors. In order to protect the safety of our guests, staff, and volunteers, all staff and volunteers must show evidence of being vaccinated against Covid, wear a mask and maintain a safe distance. Please bring a copy of your vaccination card the first time you come to the center to volunteer.
This year 9 congregations are hosting. You can volunteer at any congregation and please note that UCE is hosting from Nov 28 - Dec 18. There are always staff on-site to give you support and direction. For more information you can call or text Toni Rey.
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Donate to Evanston's Reparations Fund! |
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At our Interfaith Reparations workshop we learned about an exciting opportunity to support Evanston’s Reparations program. A group of UCE members has pledged up to $11,000 to match any contributions made to the Evanston Community Foundation’s Reparations Fund. Contributions to the fund will be doubled. To find out more, you can visit the group’s website at Evanstonforever.org...
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What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
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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:
- All ages are invited to join in Ornament Sunday in the sanctuary. Make ornaments for the UCE tree or for home!
- Forum – The Green Team will share ideas for an eco-friendly holiday season in room 6.
Chalica starts December 6! Learn about this UU holiday with this booklet that your family can use.
Christmas Pageant - December 19 during All-Ages worship – Another traditional favorite! Sign up here to guarantee your role and costume!
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.
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Forum on the First Sunday: Dec. 5, our topics are Sustainable Celebrations and Green Gifting. Bring your ideas for making the holidays a bit more Green! Robb Geigor will share some ideas from 10,000 Villages. Shirley will share some ideas from Faith in Place. Then let's exchange ideas about making the holidays sustainable and eco-friendly and creative! We meet in room 6 downstairs after service and also on zoom. |
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Join for some holiday charity, carols, and cocoa on Friday, December 6 at 6-7:30 pm.
- Assembling care boxes for Connections for the Homeless – 6-6:45 pm in Sanctuary
- Tree lighting and caroling – 6:45-7:30 pm on the front lawn by the bench.
Feel free to join for all or part of this event. Cocoa will be served outside only. Please dress accordingly and wear your mask!
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The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet on 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.
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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.
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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