Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, January 30th at 10:15 am
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Resilience and Perseverance Wherever We Engage
Our Covenant of Engagement, which is the set of promises we aspire to fulfill together in Beloved Community concludes with the hope that we will, ”practice resilience and perseverance wherever we engage.” Staying connected across physical distance and social isolation is challenging. Returning to one another again and again to reconcile and repair when we break our covenants is hard work. How do we fulfill the promise of resilience and perseverance even when our reserves are low? Rev. Eileen Wiviott leads the service with Worship Associate, Marianne Griebler.
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Faith Formation Hour & Other Events Following Kinship Time |
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Imbolc Ritual - Join Taryn Seawright on Zoom for a virtual ritual and discussion celebrating Imbolc ("In the belly"), a Celtic Pagan celebration of hope for Spring. Please bring a new candle to light. Click here to join.
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Meditation and Mindfulness - Ellie Feddersen and Diane Markel will lead this program. Click here to join.
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Prayer for UUs with Rev. Eileen - Click here to join.
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Tai Chi with Renee Gatsis - Tai Chi is a moving meditation, ideally suited for those of us who cannot sit still, but may want to on occasion and those of us who want a spiritual practice that coalesces mind, body and spirit. Playing tai chi, one one feels truly connected to themselves and the universe. Learn about tai chi’s rich history and many health benefits. Click here to join.
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From Rev. Susan Frances and the
Committee on Shared Ministry
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Dear Friends,
Some of you have already been collaborating with the Committee on Shared Ministry. For others, you may not even know that we have a Committee on Shared Ministry or know they exist, but not know their mission and purpose. In the spirit of shared ministry, we (Carla Williams, the chair of this Committee, and Rev. Susan Frances) have prepared this deeply meaningful (a/k/a highly contrived, yet immensely informative) note for you.
Carla: Are you ready for examples?
Susan: Maybe a definition first.
Carla: Okay. Shared Ministry refers to shared endeavor. Living the mission of this church is a shared endeavor, a shared ministry. That means, each of us, whether ordained minister, staff, or lay leader, newcomer or long-term member, has a part to play and important contributions to make.
It means creating a welcoming environment that supports participation in our ministry, ensuring there's a clear way of offering feedback and communicating with ministers and each other, and clarifying expectations for how we participate in the endeavor to support our mission. Are you ready for examples now?
Susan: Yes, I’m ready.
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Mentimeter from Sunday, January 23 Worship Service |
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A quick poll in last Sunday's service about how we live our values in the world revealed these results. As I stated last week, there are many ways beyond these broad categories in which we live out what it means to be a Unitarian Universalists in our work, free time, spending, and our relationships. What surprises you? If you weren't able to participate in the live poll, what would you add? Let's keep thinking about, talking about, and practicing living our values with intention. |
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Worship & Faith Formation returns to the building February 13th! |
Dear Beloved Community,
Thank you for your support and understanding of the decision to return to virtual worship services for the past month. I know in this recent surge, many of you, despite being fully vaccinated and very careful, have contracted Covid-19. My heart is with you, imagining how challenging it has been to manage school closures, increased work pressures, ongoing symptoms and fatigue. The separation and isolation we’ve experienced makes all of this more painful and we are eager to return to in person connection as soon as we can…
In listening to the congregation and in conversation with staff and leaders, the Covid Task Force and I feel it is time to return to our sanctuary. Though case numbers are still high, they are falling sharply, as is the infection rate. At this stage of the pandemic, it is clear Covid-19 is a reality we need to manage while continuing to live as fully as we can. We will continue to wear masks indoors (we recommend N95, KN95, or KF94 if available), practice social distancing, and offer livestreaming for our services so that folks who are more comfortable participating from home, may do so.
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Hats Off Margaret Schatz! |
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Our hats are off this week to Margaret Schatz who serves as the Chair of the Endowment Committee. Our Endowment Fund is a significant resource that supports our mission, contributes to creative projects both internal and external, and enables us to grow collaborative community partnerships. Margaret manages with grace and aplomb the complex details, team organization, and myriad expectations that naturally accompany the vetting and distributing of gifts. She models personal accountability and transparency as the Endowment Task Force looks at the policies and procedures concerning the fund. Thank you, Margaret, for your leadership. |
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UCE Building Availability -
The UCE Office will have reduced office hours for the month of January. If you have a need to access the building during what would be normal office hours (10 am - 5 pm Tue-Fri), we encourage you to make an appointment with a staff member or call the office. Ministers and staff are still available via email.
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.
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Wednesday Zoom Gatherings Continue on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 5:30 pm via Zoom.
The Alternative Relationship and Family Structure Inclusivity Forum is February 2 at 6-8 pm. More info below.
Google Drive Training on February 8 at 2 pm. More info below.
The next Intro to Unitarian Universalism class is February 27. More info below.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, January 29
Sunday, January 30
Monday, January 31
Tuesday, February 1
Wednesday, February 2
Thursday, February 3
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Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
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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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Article II Study Commission Requests YOUR Input
by April 30, 2022
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The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has commissioned a study of Article II of the UUA Bylaws. Article II is comprised of our Principles and Purposes and is the foundation for the work of our Unitarian Universalist (UU) movement. It encompasses the covenant to which all of our UU congregations and UU covenanted communities pledge themselves when they become members of our UUA.
The Article II Study Commission welcomes input from individual Unitarian Universalists to inform the reimagining of Article II of the UUA Bylaws. The Commission has identified four areas of inquiry: Shared Values, Inspirations, Purpose, and Covenant. Click the “Article II Individual Survey” button below to answer questions in each of these areas. Toward the end of the survey, there are questions to collect demographic information. Lastly, you will have an opportunity to share any other input you'd like as well as ask any follow-up questions you have for the Commission.
We encourage you to click on the “Article II Materials” button below to engage with some of the many events, workshops, small groups, classes, and materials offered by the Commission before you take the survey to allow yourself time and space to think deeply about the questions before completing the survey. This survey will remain open until April 30, 2022.
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Endowment Fund - Looking Back and Looking Forward |
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January is the perfect month for looking back and looking forward. Although it's the beginning of the calendar year, January is the middle of our church fiscal year, FY21/22.
Looking back over the first half of the fiscal year, the UCE Board of Trustees approved fourteen grant applications. These grants fulfill the total Endowment Fund distribution of $87,729 for FY21/22.
Follow the link below for more about these approved grant applications and what's ahead for FY22/23.
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What do yUU Believe? A credo class
for youth and adults together on Zoom
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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.
- February 1st 7pm - 8:30pm
- February 8th 7pm - 8:30pm
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Pathway to Membership Classes |
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Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalist history? Introduction to Unitarian Universalism is a single session class that will be offered in-person on Sunday, February 27 at 2-3:30 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 virtually on Wednesdays, February 2 and 9 at 6:30-8 pm and in-person on Tuesdays, March 1 and 8 at 6:30-8 pm.
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Google Drive Training - February 8 at 2 pm |
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Join Adam Gough and Jessica Meis for an intro to Google Drive! We'll work together on some basic skills on how to use Google Drive successfully to communicate and share files with your group. Come learn more about Google docs, sheets, slides, and more! |
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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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REAL Team History Program |
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The REAL History team presents episodes of the series Amend from Netflix, continues 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.
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Alternative Relationship and Family Structure Inclusivity Forum - February 2, 2022 from 6-8 pm |
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The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) is hosting an Inclusivity Forum focusing on the experiences of UUs in alternative relationships and family structures, including ethnically non-monogamous relationships, polyamorous relationships with or without children, families where parents are no longer romantic partners but continue to co-parent, platonic families, and others who do relationships and family a bit differently. The discussion will focus on how UU groups and congregations can become more inclusive.
This is a free event. Registration required. Facilitators will share materials with registrants in advance. The CUC's Responsibility Covenant will be used to promote safety for all in attendance by helping those with relative privilege to keep personal discomfort in check without projecting. A caucus group will be available for those in alternative relationships and families should they prefer to discuss together.
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Help keep people facing homelessness warm |
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The Rainbow Alliance has teamed up with the Giving House to collect winter hats, gloves, and hand warmers for Connections for the Homeless. Connections serves people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity on the north shore of Chicago. The hats and gloves should be for men. Hand warmers are very much appreciated as well.
Because we will be returning to in person services on February 13th:
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Buy your item/s and bring them to the lobby on either Feb 13, 20, or 27.
- Place your items in the Giving House structure that sits in the lobby. (If you don't see it, please ask someone at the desk and they will help you locate it.)
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
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Faith Formation Hour this Sunday...
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Imbolc Ritual - Join Taryn Seawright on Zoom for a virtual ritual and discussion celebrating Imbolc ("In the belly"), a Celtic Pagan celebration of hope for Spring. Please bring a new candle to light.
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Meditation and Mindfulness – Ellie Feddersen and Diane Markel will lead this program. Join in here.
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Prayer for UUs with Rev. Eileen - Join here.
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Tai Chi with Renee Gatsis - Join here.
...and beyond!
February 6: New date for sledding at Lovelace Park at 1 pm if there is snow. All ages are invited! An email will go out that Sunday at 11:45 am with an update to those who register here, and will be posted on the UCE Facebook pages.
Youth Group Walk and Cocoa – 11:30 am – meet at the Ecology Center for a short walk and enjoy some hot cocoa!
February 13 – We return to in-person worship and faith formation!
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Forum Discussion - February 6 |
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WHAT MAKES A GOOD UCE LEADER? - Sally Parsons, Cathy Deamant and Janice Milanovich from Nominating & Recruiting join us February 6 to explore
- the qualities of a good leader,
- how UCE elected leaders help the church fulfill its mission and be more inclusive, and
- paths to leadership and available resources.
Young adults and parents are especially encouraged to join us.
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UCE Book Groups- February |
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The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading Bina: A Novel in Warnings by Anakana Schofield. Meeting on Friday, February 18, 7-8:30 pm on Zoom.
Bina is a woman who’s had enough and isn’t afraid to say so. “I’m here to warn you, not reassure you,” she announces at the book’s outset. In a series of taut, urgent missives she attempts to set the record of her life straight, and in doing so, to be useful to others. Yet being useful is what landed her in jail. Empathy is her Achilles’ heel. Bina is a spirited woman who persists to spite the injustice that floods her world.
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Join the Nonfiction Book Group via Zoom at 2 pm on Sunday, February 27th to discuss Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard.
The world's leading forest ecologist blends science with memoir as she shares the wisdom of a life of listening to the forest. The book is available in libraries in print, eBooks and eAudiobooks. 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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