Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole

Sunday Service January 28th at 10:30am

Spiritual Journey

Member Lina Hilko will share her experience of meaning and mystery along her spiritual journey. Rev. Eileen co-leads the service. The UCE choir, soloists, and brass players, led by Music Director, Vickie Hellyer, and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin, will fill our sanctuary with song.

Children and youth will go to their Faith Formation programs after joys and sorrows.

Shared Offering with CRS

Join the Services Livestream

Faith Formation Hour this Sunday

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 9:15-11:45am
Chalice Children (pre/k) in room 9 – The children will explore the theme of “Our Beautiful Earth” by learning about wind.
Heads, Hearts, and Hands (1st-6th) in room 8 – The young people will begin looking at racism and oppression in The Gift of Equity, Equality, and Justice
Youth Group (7th-12th) in room 13 –the youth will explore The Culture of Privilege.

Families can explore our new theme, The Gift of Liberating Love, 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!

See our “living” calendar of programs and events here.

Parents can register their children/youth for the Faith Formation Program here.

Barbara Young, A Celebration of Life

This Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 2 pm, we will celebrate the life of our much beloved Barbara Young.

Click here for her obituary.

Two Margarets (Shaklee & Talmage) are organizing hospitality. If it would please you to take on a small role or bring a favorite food to honor Barbara, log in HERE to make your selection. If you want to opt out of the technology, email Margaret Shaklee with your offer to help.

The service will be live streamed on YouTube, use this link.

Greetings from Kathy Underwood

To New Beginnings!

Another year has rung in, and UCE is buzzing with activity. Have you felt the warm energy lately? Despite the Arctic cold recently, people have been showing up for worship, faith formation, conversations, committees, and special events. It is such a joy!

Our young people returned to their Faith Formation programs on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, and have been exploring his legacy. Our Chalice Children group (pre/k) read the story Martin’s Big Words and created their own “big words” murals (see the pictures below).

Our hats are off to Andy Schlickman, Marilyn Wroblewski, Sheila Holder, Carol Nielsen, Michelle Novak, Karen Courtright, Christine Peters, Jeanne Kerl, Ellie Feddersen, Steve Serikaku, Jane Bannor, Lee Bannor, Jane Kenamore, Donna Feldman, Kristin Lems, Chris Crosh, and Lynn Kendall who volunteer with our Refugee/Asylum Seeking Family Working Group of our Immigrant Solidarity Team. And to Vickie Doebele and Ruth Orme-Johnson, who support this group from behind the scenes.

Thank you for journeying with Sayeda, Akram, and Asra, who arrived in Chicago from Afghanistan in 2021 and recently received approval of their asylum status. They have generously donated to our Serendipity Auction an evening that will include them guiding attendees through the Muslim holiday of Eid. If you would like to celebrate Eid with a traditional Afghan dinner on April 14, there is one spot remaining. Click here to attend.

Sayeda and the children continue their journey of settling into Chicago. Thank you, Andy, Marilyn, Sheila, Carol, Michelle, Karen, Christine, Jeanne, Ellie, Steve, Jane, Lee, Jane, Donna, Lynn, Kristin, Chris, Vickie, and Ruth for extending the care of community to them.

This Week's Events & Links

Friday, January 26th:

Youth Game Night, 7-9pm,

in Rm 3

Playreading, The Good Doctor, 7-9:30pm, Sanctuary

Saturday, Jan 27th:

Virtual Pilates, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom

Beginner Tai Chi, 9:45-10:45am, Rm 3

Intermediate Tai Chi, 11am - 12pm, Rm 3

Barbara Young Memorial, 2-4pm, Sanctuary & Cafe

UNO Party, 6-8pm, Rm 3

Sunday, Jan 28th:

Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9am in-person Rm 6 and via Zoom Link.

Worship Service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary & on YouTube

Download UCE Zoom Backgrounds

Sunday, Jan 28th continued:

Pagan Collective, 12:30-1:30pm, Rm 5

Generous Conversations, 12:30-2pm, Rm 3

Non-Fiction Book Club, 2pm via Zoom

Monday, Jan 29th:

Addictions and Recovery, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, Jan 30th:

No events planned.

Wednesday, Jan 31st:

Yoga, 9:30-10:30am, via 8x8

Please be aware we have an all Staff Meeting every Wed from 11-12:30pm

Thursday Feb 1st:

Meditation Group, 5:30-7pm, via Zoom

Check out the UCE Calendar for more events!

Congregational News

Room Request Form

PLEASE NOTE: Newsletter submissions should be sent to Newsletter@ucevanston.org by noon on Wednesday.

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

Calling all UNO players!

The UCE annual UNO tournament is coming up on Saturday, January 27, from 6-8 p.m. There are still spots available for $5 per person in this family-friendly, easy-to-play competition. If you're ready to reverse, draw four, and "UNO" your friends a family, contact Alice Swan, aeswan at yahoo dot com, to reserve a spot and find out who will win the trophy this year!

Sign ups are open for the February Friendship Meals! The online sign up sheet (click here to access) contains meal details so you can browse the choices and select the one that works best for you.

Fri, Feb 9th 6:30pm in-home chicken curry potluck dinner
Sat, Feb 10th 1pm split-the-bill restaurant outing
Sat, Feb 10th 6pm in-home appetizer and dessert potluck
Fri, Feb 16th 6:30pm in-home “flexitarian” potluck dinner
Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chicken dinner
Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chili dinner
Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chicken enchilada dinner
Sun, Feb 18th 5pm in-home vegetarian potluck dinner

Please contact Lina Hiko ASAP if you would enjoy hosting, have questions, or are interested in future hosting. Text or a call Lina at 312-399-1848 or email LHilko at aol dot com.

Bring your family and friends to the UCE Pagan Collective’s Imbolc celebration on Sunday, January 28, 2024, in Room 5, from 12:30-1:30 pm. In celebration of Imbolc, we will be gathering for a brief ritual, candle making, and of course snacks.

The UCE Pagan Collective is a newly formed (or reformed with a new name for some of you) group of UCE members and friends with various theological beliefs who join together to focus on creating ritual around the cycle of the seasons. Please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org if you would like to join this group.

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.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with the UCE Board of Trustees

Let the Good Times Roll by joining the Board members for a festive night of music and food from the Big Easy. We will enjoy music from Mojo49 which will transport us to the French Quarter. Drinks will include a sparkling punch that will get us into the spirit. Dinner will include a colorful Mardi Gras salad, shrimp or veggie etouffee, and cake and ice cream to fill our souls. Please join us as we head south for a warm night of fun, food and fellowship! Many of you have already purchased tickets during our Serendipity Fundraiser in November, a few tickets are still available. Childcare provided.

Friday, February 2, 2024 from 6:00-9:00 pm at UCE. Tickets are $60, click here to buy your tickets.

Join us for SOUPER Bowls Sunday - February 11th!

Buy a beautiful handmade bowl and we’ll fill it with delicious hot soup or chili, and you get to take it home! Meals are accompanied by fruit, cheese, cookies and fresh baked bread from Dave the Bread Guy. Cost is $6/bowl with a $18 maximum per family. Additional donations accepted!

An established event here at UCE, Empty Bowls ties into nationwide grassroots tradition fighting food insecurity. In collaboration with local artists who generously contribute their work, we’ll raise funds to help local food pantries who are experiencing record high demand right now. These include the Hillside Panty, Producemobile and Connections for the Homeless. Sign up here to set up, clean up or cook for this event. If you have bowls to recycle, we’re happy to accept them by February 4th.

Please drop them off in the office or with Rev. Susan.

We look forward to seeing you! - the UCE Food & Shelter Team

WRITING MEMOIR GROUP

If you enjoy writing and sharing your work in a safe and non-judgmental venue, even if you are just beginning, come to our group and try it out.

We’ve been writing together for 8 years after listening to Natalie Goldberg’s CDs called WRITING MEMOIR. We began at UCE and now we are returning on FEBRUARY 24 and every 4th Saturday of the month after that from one to four in room 2.

Our group has gone through many changes over the years, and presently there are six of us but we look forward to welcoming more. If you might be interested, email Johna Van Dyke. Johnavandyke at gmail dot com.

Save the Date: April 19th

The MidAmerica Region is coming together - both online and at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 of 2024 for a multiplatform Regional Assembly!

The Keynote address will be given by the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. There will be workshops, the Annual Business Meeting of the MidAmerica Region, and opportunities to meet many UU Leaders from across our faith tradition.

For those who are in person, there will even be opportunities to tour this historic church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. But most importantly, it is a time for us to come together as Unitarian Universalists from across the MidAmerica Region. Please join us, online and in-person for our first-ever multi-platform MidAmerica Regional Assembly!

Lifespan Faith Formation

Young Adult Game Night – January 26 at 7pm, Rm 3

Bring a snack and/or game to share! Bonus points if it connects to our theme of Liberating Love or Winter.

Hope to see you there!

Social Justice & Action

Calling All Evanston Tenant Advocates!

Your presence and voice are essential. The City of Evanston's Housing and Community Development Committee will hold a meeting on Monday, January 29^th at 6:30pm at the Morton Civic Center, Council Chambers (Room 2800) to begin a special series focused on issues relevant to every renter in Evanston. The committee will discuss bold proposals to strengthen the Evanston Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance, including passing a "just cause" ordinance to provide tenants with resources and transparency when displaced from their homes through no fault of their own.

Tenants: Share YOUR story. Do you rent in Evanston and want to share your experience with non-renewal, eviction, or other challenges renting? Share your story here anonymously or include your name. Your story has power to help us advocate for more protections for Evanston renters!

Advocates: If you support renter's rights, we need YOU to attend this special meeting. Your presence shows the strength of our coalition. Let your voice be heard by signing up for public comment here. Contact Director of Fair Housing, Dominic Voz at dominic@open-communities.org or Fair Housing Associate, Adelaide del Angel at adelangel@open-communities.org to learn more or to share your story.

Learning Together: An Interfaith Approach to the War in Gaza

February 17 & 18 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Tickets Available on Eventbrite for $20 (plus fees of about $3)

Tickets at the door are $25 (with no fees)

Discount Code for Sponsors: INTERFAITH

Discounted tickets are $5 (plus fees of about $2)

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.

You only need to attend one training and it will be held via Zoom.

January 29, 2024, from 3:30-4:30 pm. Register here by January 28th

The training is one hour and presented by the Milwaukee Voter Project. For more information, please contact Laura Kushner with the Milwaukee Voter Project at laurakushnerx2 at gmail.com or Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

We Are All Inn - Finally!

Tuesday, February 13, 3pm-6pm

1566 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

Join us in celebrating the successful purchase of the Margarita Inn and a new era for Connections for the Homeless! This event will include tours of the Margarita Inn and a short program at 4:30pm featuring the voices of residents, staff, elected officials, and community members.

The Margarita Inn is a hotel-based shelter that is ideal to prepare folks for long-term housing solutions.

UCE Book Clubs

UCE Non-Fiction Book Group

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond.

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, the 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.

2/25/2024: South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon Line to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry.

UCE Fiction Book Group

North Woods by Daniel Mason.

A sweeping novel about a single house in the woods of New England, told through the lives of those who inhabit it across the centuries.

Following the cycles of history, nature, and even language, North Woods shows the myriad, magical ways in which we’re connected to our environment, to history, and to one another.

A moving tale of memory and fate from the Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of The Piano Tuner and The Winter Soldier.

Zoom discussion, Friday, February 16th at 7pm, using our recurring

ZOOM link.

Upcoming Title:

3/15/24: Paul Harding This Other Eden