Sunday Service February 2, 2025 at 10:30am 

UCE shares its loose plate offering in February with the Community Renewal Society, an organization of over 70 member churches in the Chicago area who have been working together for civil rights and social justice for over 130 years. CRS pushes for needed social changes by participating in public demonstrations, social justice training and lobbying state legislators and others. CRS determines what specific issues to work on by participation from its churches and their members, CRS staff and by working with other organizations.

Members of UCE can work with CRS issue committees, join public policy workshops and meet and work with others on specific policies. On Martin Luther King Day, and at the CRS Annual Meeting in October, CRS members join to celebrate our accomplishments and determine public policy goals for the coming year. UCE members also can attend regular meetings of UCE’s Legislative Action Team on the second Tuesday of each month, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Social Action Project

February 7th, come anytime between 6:30-8:30pm but make sure you have enough time to do the project.

Our project is for a local animal shelter, C.A.R.E.

We’ll be making scratch pads for cats and tug toys for dogs.

You can donate old t-shirts in the labelled bin by the Giving House in the lobby.

Or bring them on 2/7, as well as adult-sized scissors, and a snack to share.

Childcare for Sunday Morning Choir Rehearsals!

Beginning February 9 at 8:45am in room 11

Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors

Our next meeting is February 4th at 7pm in Room 3.

We’ll begin exploring the Baháʼí faith with our guest, George Davis.

We will visit the Baháʼí House of Worship on February 11 at 5:30pm.

Details will be emailed out to those registered. You can register here to be included on future emails.

You can register here to be included on future emails.

UPDATES FROM DR. EMMA FARRELL

Especially recently, overwhelm seems to be the name of the game. With so many crises unfolding at once—both globally and in our personal lives—it can feel impossible to keep up. Sociologist Jennifer Walter recently posted about this phenomenon, calling it the "shock doctrine." She describes how this strategy is intentionally used to disorient and overload people into disengagement, making it harder for us to stay present and active in our communities. It’s true—we can't follow every issue all the time, and we certainly can’t expect ourselves to carry the weight of it all alone. That’s why we must lean on each other, sharing the cognitive and emotional load...

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

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Dave Woods Celebration of Life

On Saturday, February 1st at 1 pm, we will celebrate the life of our much beloved Dave Woods. 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 Dave click HERE, make your selection and click SignUP!

If you want to opt out of the technology, email Margaret Shaklee (mshaklee4417 at gmail dot com) with your offer to help.

The service will also be streamed live HERE.

Many thanks!

SOUPer Sunday & Pledge Drive Kickoff Event on February 9th -

WE NEED YOU! 

Sign up to set up, clean up, bring food or cook for this event at SignUp.com to Help. And BRING YOUR APPETITE as we gather in GRATITUDE to help raise funds for three local pantries and kickoff the 2025 Pledge Drive. Your pledge supports our Operating Budget which supports our work as a congregation to live our values and mission. Together we strive to make the world whole. 

In addition to a delicious selection of homemade soup lunch for $10.00 per person ($20 maximum per family) attendees may choose a beautiful handmade bowl from which to eat it, ranging in price from $10-$40 each. Meals are accompanied by fruit, cheese, cookies and fresh baked bread donated & served by David the Bread Guy. If you have handmade bowls to contribute/recycle, they may be dropped off in the UCE office or call Maggie Weiss for pick up: 847-571-1385. 

Let’s gather to create community and experience MORE soup and salad, and MORE Love, Peace, Justice, and Hope! We look forward to seeing you!   

 The UCE Food & Shelter Team and Pledge Drive Team

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with the UCE Board of Trustees

Let the Good Times Roll during a vibrant night of celebration, hosted by the UCE Board of Trustees! Join us for an evening filled with lively music and savory delights inspired by the spirit of New Orleans. Be serenaded by the upbeat tunes of Mojo49 that will transport you to the lively streets of the French Quarter. Sip on a delightful sparkling punch and savor a delicious Mardi Gras salad, shrimp or veggie étouffée, and a sweet finale of cake and ice cream. Let the good times roll as we come together for a memorable gathering of fun, food, and camaraderie! Childcare will be provided for your convenience. Friday February 7th, 6-9pm, get your ticket for $60 by clicking here. 

Contact the Serendipity Fundraising Team at auction@ucevanston.org with any questions.

Get ready!!!! Plans are already underway for the 2025 Rummage Sale. As winter winds down and spring cleaning approaches, please set aside items for donating to this year’s sale--and encourage friends and neighbors to do the same!



Key dates to mark on your calendar:

• 2025 Sale Dates: Fri 5/2/25 – Sat 5/3/25
• 2025 Donation Dates: Sun 4/27/25 – Mon 4/28/25
• 2025 Setup Dates: Sun 4/27/25 – Thurs 5/1/25

What items are being accepted?

• We will soon publish the 2025 Donation Tip Sheet.

Questions, comments or suggestions?

• Email rummage@ucevanston.org with questions, comments or suggestions.

Beginning in mid-March, the rummage sale planning committee will sponsor an informational table on Sundays at the back of the sanctuary. Likewise, we will post announcements to this newsletter.

Thank you for your past support of the sale. We look forward to your participation once again!

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is February 21st, 7-9pm



The Young Adult Group at UCE is a group for young adults (18-35) interested in exploring spiritual deepening in community. We meet on every 3rd Friday from 7-9pm in Room 3 to discuss monthly Soul Matters themes, check in with each other, eat snacks, and play games.

Contact Kiley Korey (kileyekorey at gmail dot com), Kevin Barrow (kbarrow13 at gmail dot com) or Kathy Underwood (kunderwood at ucevanston dot org) with any questions.

You are invited to a conversation about Envision Evanston

Where: Lake Street Church, 607 Lake Street, Evanston, IL 60201

When: Sunday Feb. 2nd at 11:45 a.m. in the Church Parlor

Program: A conversation about the Envision Evanston plans: A chance to ask questions, think about how affordable housing is an issue for your faith community and become more informed so that you might engage with your Council member.

Panel Participants:

Sue Loellbach, Manager of Advocacy at Joining Forces (a division of Connections for the Homeless)

Jonathan Nieuwsma, 4th Ward Alderman

Jillian Westerfield, Lake Street Church Associate Minister

Hosted by: Lake Street Church Peace & Justice Committee

For more information click on the lick below: Envision Evanston Document Center

Questions?/ RSVP – Wynn Graham, 847.757.8596

Our Shared Offering Program is one of the ways that we live into our mission statement "for a world made whole." Each Sunday, the funds collected during our worship service either via text donations or in the collection bowls (and not otherwise designated for a pledge or something else) are shared equally between our operating budget and the current Shared Offering Recipient.

The current Shared Offering Recipient is the Community Renewal Society, which is a faith-based, community organizing and public policy organization that works with congregations in and around Chicago to address issues of racism and poverty.

Applications for Community Partners Grants Due TODAY January 31

Applications for the Endowment Fund Community Partners Grants are due January 31, 2025. Applications must be submitted by a team or group within UCE. If you are involved with an organization which has at least a three-year relationship with UCE, please talk with someone on a social justice team about applying. For information about who to contact or if you have questions, please be in touch with Sandy Danforth, Social Justice Council Community Partners Grants Coordinator, at danforthsc@mac.com.

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is 2/21 by ZOOM, 7-8pm

using our Recurring Zoom link

February 21st:  Geraldine Brooks, Horse 

Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism. Spanning a century and a half, the story begins with an enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal who forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. 

ONGOING EVENTS:

(Click on the images to read more)

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330