A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole
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The UCE building and grounds are available on a limited basis to small gatherings. Please read UCE's Reopening Guidelines before contacting staff about availability. We will continue to offer ways to connect virtually.
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The virtual worship service will be at 11:15 am
This Sunday, November 29
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"Still Waiting" - Rev. Karen Gustafson
As affiliates of a faith tradition that holds its Christian roots lightly, Unitarian Universalist often shine the light of reason upon the traditions of our forebears and find new meaning.
“Advent,” Wikipedia tells us, “is a season of the liturgical year observed in most Christian denominations as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.”
Regardless of your views on the theology and history of Christmas, there is much we might consider about the value and meaning of expectant waiting. This year there is much that holds us in wait. “Stillness” is our monthly theme. How might this time of waiting be informed by stillness?
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We encourage you to submit your joys and sorrows ahead of time to this online form. We will read aloud in the service, those that are submitted by 11 am on Sunday. If you are unable to access the google form for some reason, you may send an email to Rev. Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@ucevanston.org, however, it is easier for us to keep track through the google form. We continue to celebrate and mourn together through this important ritual and appreciate your understanding as we explore the various ways to hold what is on your hearts.
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Other Gatherings this Sunday |
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Forum Discussion at 10 am via Zoom
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Virtual Coffee Hour immediately following Worship Service
+13126266799,,94356542944#,,,,,,0#,,690720# US (Chicago)
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Important News and Upcoming Events |
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All Church Zoom gatherings continue on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Look for the link in our Wednesday e-mails. If you need online Zoom support before the All Church gathering begins, join us at 5:20 pm.
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From Kathy Underwood, Director of Lifespan Religious Education |
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We have been exploring our purpose and mission during this interim ministry period with Rev. Karen’s grace and guidance. Before we closed our doors last March, a group of us met to share our hopes and dreams for the children's religious education program as we look towards calling a new minister. We had many insights and ideas! Now, as we consider the future of the program post-pandemic, we need your input more than ever.
Rev. Karen, Rev. Eileen, and I want to hear what is on your heart and mind, as we consider different models of family faith formation centered around the questions:
- “What is the role of a faith community in your life and your child(ren)’s lives?”
- “How can we create together a truly multi-generational faith community which is mutually supportive and thriving?”
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UCE Building Use & Scheduling |
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With the rising of COVID-19 cases in the Chicagoland area, we highly encourage groups to meet virtually. UCE's building is available for small group meetings (10 or less people) or individual appointments on request. All meeting requests must be sent to Jessica Meis, Communications Coordinator at admin@ucevanston.org. Please note your request is not finalized until you have received an email confirmation from the office and you see your event on the UCE Calendar.
Please note that staff hours are mostly worked remotely from their homes. Ministers and staff are happy to meet with you by appointment over the phone or Zoom. Click here for ministers and staff contact information. At this time, the office is not open for drop-in visits. If you have a scheduled in-person meeting or appointment, please review UCE's Covid Guidelines. We ask that all who enter the building sign in and out on the clipboard at the door, wear a mask at all times, refrain from bringing food or drink (water is allowed), and follow the directions of staff on duty.
Thank you for keeping our UCE community safe during this time. We look forward to having you all back in the building when it is safe to do so.
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Update on the Anti-Oppression Efforts |
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UCE’s call to dismantle white supremacy, be inclusive, be antiracists, and be accountable continues and we need your assistance!
Representatives from the Board of Trustees, the ministerial team, and REAL are in the midst of interviewing outside consultants to partner with UCE as we form our Anti-Oppression Task Force. Here is the list of the organizations being reviewed:
- Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
- Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism
- Crossroads of Chicago
- Evanston/Northshore YWCA
- Transforming Hearts Collective
Our first conversation was with the Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis on November 24, 2020. Please contact Rev. Susan if you would like to review a recording of the conversation and provide input.
Our next conversation will be with Crossroads of Chicago on December 10, 2020, at 7:00 pm. Please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org by December 6, 2020, for the Zoom link.
Thank you for being engaged with this important work!
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Ministerial Search Committee Message |
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Thank you to everyone who attended the Search Committee’s presentation of our findings from the cottage meetings, focus groups, and survey data and who participated in our Q&A after the presentation. Your feedback and questions are important to us and to the process of finding a new settled minister. For those of you weren’t able to join us on Sunday, November 22, you can view a recording of the presentation on YouTube and/or download a pdf of the slide show.
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Update from the Board of Trustees |
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Want to know what the Board has been doing in November and December?
- Reviewing our policies and Bylaws
- Reviewing our shared structural relationship with the Integrated Stewardship Council
- Meeting to find a consultant for an equity audit
- Putting together a UU Principle-themed basket for the Serendipity Auction
- Reading and discussing Widening the Circle of Concern
- Reviewing and updating our Board Job Descriptions to share with the congregation and Nominating and Recruiting
- Supporting Rev. Karen in her interim work...
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An Invitation to an Interim Virtual Event
Sustaining Member Engagement at UCE
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A Workshop to consider: Succession planning, inviting participation and engaging the Mission of UCE
Saturday, December 5, 1-3:30 pm
In November of 2019 Rev. Karen and the Transition Team hosted gatherings of UCE Volunteer leaders to begin to consider how the various groups and committees at UCE organize to fulfill a variety of needs and functions. We began to consider such things as the life cycle of a group - how they start, what they do, how they end or continue. We had begun to unpack these issues and had scheduled a follow-up for January which was postponed due to snow. The rescheduled date came on the very Saturday that UCE closed the building and all efforts became focused on how to become virtual church. Now that your part in the Ministerial Search Process has become less demanding, we are ready to resume our interim work in earnest. Please join us for one of these workshops where we will look again at how to sustain participation in the continuing life of UCE
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Rainbow Alliance Dinner and Game Night |
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Come virtually join the Rainbow Alliance on Dec 18 at 7pm. We will all eat dinner together and chat - we want to know your New Year's resolutions! After dinner we will all play virtual Scattergories. Email Lizzy (eapowers1019@gmail.com) or Jordan (jordan.strueber@gmail.com) to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
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Serendipity Auction Items Still Available |
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The Serendipity Auction has come but not quite gone! There are still a few items available for a "Buy-It-Now" purchase! Great deals can be had on a chiropractic session, some cool carved elephants, a patent leather clutch, and a detailed home inspection. There are also still some seats available for some shouldn't-be-missed upcoming virtual events: Kristin Lems' folk concert, a karaoke night (!), Jim Strickler's latest Civil War talk, and two sessions of adaptive pilates that are tailored to your needs. |
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Hats Off to Woody Haynes! |
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Woody Haynes wears many hats at UCE. You may find him 25 feet above ground changing sanctuary light bulbs on scaffolding and assisting on projects for Buildings and Grounds, on which team Woody serves. You may remember Woody in the bikes department at Rummage Sale where he takes great pride in assessing condition, doing tune-ups and pricing bikes.
Woody spends many hours practicing and singing in the choir and is guitarist for in-church and virtual services. He is the choir librarian following Harry Hirsch's many years of service. For several years Woody helped lead Sing Thing with his buddy John LaPlante. During these COVID times Woody performs virtual choir songs. Through magical means, no matter how many pages the original sheet music is, Woody manages to turn them into 2-page documents that singers can tape to their screens as they record themselves for Virtual Choir Videos. Woody Haynes is always cheerful, always committed, and always ready with a pun. Woody recently suffered injuries from a bike accident, but he continues to stay connected and attend choir rehearsals virtually. Thank you, Woody for your devotion and cheerful self. Speedy recovery to you!
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Help Build Community Connection - Set up your Realm Account Today! |
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UCE's new membership database has launched! Don't forget to set up your account, so you can start taking advantage of this awesome system. Login to see your giving history, update your contact information, and access the updated and more secure directory! Group leaders can take attendance and keep track of who is participating in their group. Realm has so much more to offer, so join us online and check it out! Contact Adam if you need more help setting up your account at agough@ucevanston.org.
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What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education |
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We still have a few spots open – and we could certainly use more animals! Those who sign up will have an opportunity to pick up a costume at UCE on Dec. 13 at 2:30p or Dec. 19 from 4:30-6p - or to be creative and make one from things at home. Sign up here for a part. An email will be sent in early December with further instructions to those who sign up. Feel free to email Kathy at kunderwood@ucevanston.org with any questions.
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Welcome to our December theme of Stillness! |
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If you missed the Welcome and Intro to RE, check it out here, or you can read about it here.
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Pre/K Kids and Families - POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – Decembers’s materials are available here. The password is YouGotThis2020 (case sensitive.) This UU-based program is to be used all month long. Do whatever fits your family’s schedule.
1st-5th Grades – Holiday Zoom on Thursday, December 10 at 4 pm – wear your ugly sweater, Santa hats and holiday bling! Look for Zoom info in the RE Weekly Update.
Popcorn Theology Online for 6th-8th Grades – December 13 at 1 pm - Look for Zoom info in the RE Weekly Update.
High School Youth - Youth Group 4-5 pm - look for an email with details!
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UCE Forum - Sunday, December 6th at 10 am
Celebrating 100 Years of the Vote for American Women: Multi-media presentation in images and songs
Leader: Kristin Lems
It’s still the centennial year of American women’s suffrage! Let’s meet and honor some of the members of the long lasting movement for women’s rights, and talk about what having the vote does, and could, mean. This 20 minute presentation will be followed by some open-ended discussion themes. Kristin Lems has been a long time troubadora for women’s rights, especially for the Equal Rights amendment, and has prepared and presented this historical tribute several times during the centennial year. Music included!
Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 924 4957 5721; Passcode: 489150; One tap mobile +13126266799,,92449575721#,,,,,,0#,,489150# US (Chicago)
Christ for UU’s
Continues Tuesdays, Dec. 8, 15; 7:30-8:45 PM,
Facilitated by UCE member Amy Pooley.
The upcoming session will discuss Chapters 5 and 6.
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The Fiction Book Group meets next on Friday, December 18 at 7 pm via Zoom. Link will be available closer to the date.
Our selection this month is Jenny Erpenbeck's, Go, Went, Gone. Centered on the crisis of African refugees in Berlin, Go, Went, Gone is a scathing indictment of Western policy toward the European refugee crisis, but also a moving portrait of compassion and transformation.
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The nonfiction book group will meet on December 27th at 2 p.m. via Zoom to discuss Rebecca Solnit's book entitled Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities. In this book Solnit celebrates the accomplishments of grassroots activists and says that those activists often fail to recognize the power of their activity. She encourages us to be hopeful as we stand up and participate in the work to bring about needed changes in the world.
The book is available in public libraries in various formats as well as from booksellers and on Kindle. Everyone is welcome to attend. Zoom link will be available closer to the date.
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We're looking for virtual worship participants |
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Would you like to share your talents and gifts in a worship service? We are looking for people of all ages to pre-record service elements such as:
- Songs
- Dances
- Readings
- Stories
- Our covenant
- Lighting the chalice
The process involves video recording yourself and uploading the file to a shared google folder. Instructions will be provided. You might be asked to read a particular story or sing a song that fits the theme of the service. Or, you might offer a song, story or poem you’d like to share, which we can use when and where it fits.
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Social Jutice & Volunteer Opportunities |
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All are Invited - Green Team meets December 5 - Join us! |
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Guests, first-timers and those who haven’t joined us in a while are all welcome. Agenda items will include: City of Evanston CARP Coordination, Community Solar, EJE (Environmental Justice Evanston) & CEJA (Clean Energy Jobs Act) updates and more!
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This year's Mitten Tree is an amazing testament to the love and generosity within our UCE community. We committed to filling 229 of 229 gift requests this year supporting neighbors receiving services at 3 organizations with more than 60 UCE households participating. THANK YOU! While we didn't get to marvel at the mountain of boxes together, your caring messages to ensure items arrived safely, volunteered time to wrap, and willingness to shuttle have been a beautiful demonstration of how we live our shared values. We will be making the last trip to Sarah's Place before they fully furnish for opening this weekend, and Rice Center is thrilled to be directly receiving shipments. Please ensure all gifts for Connections arrive to Bridget by 12/10 or reach out to bridget.wild@gmail.com to make alternative arrangements. To learn more about the organizations receiving gifts this year, visit the UCE website.
The gift of giving is contagious and uncontainable. Your voluminous deliveries have brought joy to curious FedEx carriers asking about "Mitten Tree" in the recipient line. They've inspired random acts of kindness. They've bubbled over into inspiring notes to recipients and shared humanity in a time that can be isolating and hard to connect. We hope what you gave brought you joy and want you to know it was multiplied. Thank you, thank you and congratulations
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Rainbow Alliance Meets on January 7 - All are Invited! |
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Prison Industrial Complex 101: Virtual Training |
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Saturday, January 16, 2021, 10:00am - 11:30pm CST and
Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:00am - 11:30pm CST
It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of the racial and economic injustice in our society. This is an opportunity to learn and reflect on what we can do to change it. This workshop is intended to educate participants and inspire action. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Examine the prison industrial complex root: its reach, impact and our ability to transform it.
- Connect Unitarian Universalist (UU) values to the work to divest from prisons and police and invest in building new systems of safety, healing, and accountability.
- Build connections with organizations engaged in prisoner solidarity and restorative justice.
- Learn about the UU Prison Ministry and how your congregation or community can support our work.
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List of Amazon-Alternative Online Shopping |
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Are you online shopping this year for the holidays or just more frequently because of the COVID-19 pandemic? If you are looking for alternative online marketplaces from Amazon, check out this list of Fair Trade, ecologically sustainable, or BIPOC-owned businesses that offer online shopping. How we spend our money, can be an act of justice. See where your money can go to make a positive impact on the Earth and in these communities. |
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Try on one of these ideas and find a fit – Serving Connections for the Homeless in the Season of Giving |
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As the winter holiday season approaches, have you wondered how you and your family could tangibly help other community members? Do you find yourself torn between feeding the hungry or advocating to build affordable housing in Evanston?
UCE has started a partnership with Connections for the Homeless and their housing advocacy group, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing. You can work with UCE friends to do some task from a wide range of service work from making lunches, collecting specific clothing, working at Hilda’s place or working on a myriad of housing advocacy projects including advocacy work with our local and state governments. Whether your passion is food, housing, children's issues, legal justice reform, mental health, or equity, there is a role for you in this project...
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Interested in knowing more about UCE? Scroll down for info on ongoing programs and useful information. Can't find your answers here? Click the button below to learn more on our website. |
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How to get in touch with UCE's Ministers |
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UCE ministers are available throughout the week by appointment. If you are in need of pastoral care or someone to talk to, please reach out to them by email.
We are here for you.
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Our next Intro to UU and Journey Toward Membership classes will be announced soon.
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Opportunities For Community Connection |
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UCE Addictions and Recovery
For more information about the group, click here.
Grief Support Group
Every other Monday at 6:30 pm (next meeting is December 14)
UCE Men's Group
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7 pm via conference call.
For more information, click here.
Retired (but never retiring!) Women
Monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 5pm.
For information, contact Margie Rogasner.
Caregiver Support Group
Tuesdays at 7 pm via Zoom.
Udumbara Zen Sangha
Tuesday Evenings and Saturday Mornings
For more information, click here.
Learn Spanish Group
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm (Meetings are on a break during the holidays. Group will resume on January 6, 2021)
For more information, click here.
Women's Spiritual Group
Every other Wednesday (next meeting is December 16)
Email Amy Grabowski at if you are interested in joining.
Buddhist Meditation
Greenwood Investment Club
People interested in learning about personal investing by doing
3rd Thursday this month at 7:30 pm (next meeting is TBA)
Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is December 5)
For more information, click here.
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
Sundays at 9:30 am via Zoom
Staff are available to help with setting up virtual meetings and getting the word out to the congregation. For more information on how to set up a digital meeting, click the button below. Email Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org to add your event to UCE's calendar and to submit an article about your virtual meeting to the newsletter.
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Your Financial Support is So Appreciated! |
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Please help us ensure your contribution is credited appropriately by indicating on the memo line of your check if it is for 19/20 Pledge, 20/21 Pledge, Shared Offering or a Donation.
If you are texting to give, please send a text message to 312-584-9160 with the amount you would like to contribute and the one word code for where you would like it to go (e.g., 50 OFFERING). Valid codes are OFFERING (Shared Offering), PLEDGE (Pledge Payment), CAP (Capital Campaign), SOUPKIT (Soup Kitchen), or MUSIC (music fund). If you do not include a code after your donation amount, the system will automatically select DEFAULT and the church office will contact you to determine how to direct your gift. To learn more, click here. If you experience any issues or would like a one-on-one session to go over Text-to-Give, contact Adam at agough@ucevanston.org.
During these times when UCE staff are working from home we are trying to make trips to the church and our accounting tasks manageable for our Staff Accountant, Vickie Doebele. We respectfully request when you make a shared offering donation please do not ask for 100% to go to the organization. This truly would be helpful. We appreciate your understanding.
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Virtual Meeting Planning Tips |
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Do you need help setting up a virtual event? Have you been hosting a virtual event and want to make the planning and publicity process easier? UCE ministers and staff are here to help! There are several ways you can host an online event for free. If a free meeting won't work for your meeting, consider these steps:
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Email the details of your meeting to admin@ucevanston.org so staff can help you set up and publicize your virtual event. Virtual UCE events can be advertised in the weekly newsletter, on the UCE calendar, on the UCE Facebook groups, and sometimes on the UCE homepage.
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Work with staff on deciding who would be best to host the meeting. Do you or a member of your group have their own Zoom account? Is someone in your group willing and able to purchase an account? In these times of social distancing, it may be worthwhile to purchase an account for a year and use it for any personal or UCE-related events. Will a minister or staff member attend your meeting? Staff will put you in touch with that staff member to see if they can host your meeting with their Zoom account. If not, we can use another staff member’s Zoom account.
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Once the Zoom link is created, consider whether you want to set up a registration for the virtual event. Is there a limit on how many you would like to participate? Do you want a list of participants so you can email them the link before the event?
Don't forget all UCE virtual events can be added to the UCE calendar. If you are interested in having your virtual events featured on the calendar, please contact the office at 847-864-1330 or email admin@ucevanston.org. If you want
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Offer to Provide Technical Support |
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Physical separation is leading many of us to find new ways of forming and maintaining virtual connections through the internet. The UCE staff and Board of Trustees wants to make sure that no one is isolated because they lack access to technology or technical skills.
If you would like assistance please reach out to:
We will be happy to work with you to make sure that you get the most out of your membership experience using the latest tools.
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Beware scam e-mails and texts from those
posing as UCE ministers, Staff, or Board Members
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Please do not respond to the e-mail or text scam that is going out with Rev. Eileen's, Sandra's, or Jessica Tomell-Presto's names. UCE ministers, Staff, and Board Members will never ask you for money in an e-mail or for you to send gift cards to anyone. Check the e-mail address and phone number it is coming from. If it is not familiar, it is a scam. Most of you have gotten wise to these scams. They will keep coming nonetheless. Thank you to those who let us know they received this scam.
This is someone who is using Eileen's, Sandra's, or Jessica's name with a generated email address and phone number. They haven't hacked their personal accounts. The e-mail addresses Eileen will send messages from will be either ewiviott@hotmail.com or ewiviott@ucevanston.org. The address Sandra will send messages from is srobinson@ucevanston.org. The address Jessica willIf you are unsure about the number texting you, please call the office.
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The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on December 17 at 7 pm. Please email the office at admin@ucevanston.org if you would like to attend.
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These are closed groups that allow members to post directly to each other. If you have an event you want members to know about, or have a cause you hope to bring attention to, in addition to the newsletter and order of service, you can post to the Facebook Group. Click the links below or search for the groups by name when you are on Facebook and ask to join.
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