Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, July 18 at 11:15 am
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What's in a Name? Or the Journey to Find Self
by Rev. Karen Mooney
When my given name became associated with the misuse of white privilege I clamored to find a way to express solidarity and distance myself from a name turned into a symbol that I found repugnant. Shakesphere says in Romeo and Juliet "O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet;" Does a name have meaning in our world? Who is free to change names and why, or why not.
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From Rev. Susan Frances,
Assistant Minister for Congregational Life
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Dear Friends,
The new church year is upon us and I am grateful to be beginning the year with my new title of Assistant Minister for Congregational Life. I have spent the last few weeks making time to rest and rejuvenate, knowing that as we transition back to being in-person there will be lots to create and recreate. Worship and many of our team meetings will be designed to be a multi-platform experience (in-person and online), hospitality teams will have new as well as familiar roles, and we will be returning to a building with several renovated spaces made possible by the funding of our capital campaign. There will also be familiar faces and traditions to reembrace.
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Hats Off to Dale Griffin! |
Dale Griffin has been a champion for social justice for many years through organizing and direct service. This past year, he helped secure a grant from the Endowment Committee to strengthen our partnership with Connections for the Homeless. This was a collaboration between the Prison Ministry and FAST teams. Dale has guided solidarity circle membership for our Prison Ministry Team as well as for the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois. His organizational and relational skills have allowed these prison ministries to grow and flourish. He has also held more one-on-one conversations than just about anyone else at UCE. Many members have found their place in the social justice work of our congregation because of Dale.
Plus, he generously shares his musical talents in Sunday morning services and at special events. Thank you, Dale, for living our UU values within, among, and beyond our walls!
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Application Deadline Extended to July 31st for the
2021-2022 Shared Plate Program
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The Social Justice Council invites you to submit nominees for the 2021-2022 Shared Plate Program. Each year, UCE’s Shared Plate Program donates half of the Sunday offering received to 13 organizations in support of their social justice efforts. The deadline for submitting a Nomination Form is July 31, 2021.
Organizations may be nominated by a UCE member or staff. For 2021-2022, in light of the reality of our present crises, in order to be eligible for the Shared Plate Program an organization must address systemic racism and/or the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people of color and the poor.
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Senior Minister's Time Away - July 18-31 |
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Rev. Eileen will be away from July 18 – 31 and not immediately accessible. For issues that need her attention, which can wait until she returns, please be patient. If you need immediate pastoral care, please contact Rev. Susan Frances sfrances@ucevanston.org. For issues related to the building and/or operations, please contact Sandra Robinson srobinson@ucevanston.org.
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Chalice Lighters Needed - If you would like to light the UCE chalice OR record you and your family lighting a chalice at home to be used in the Sunday service, please send an email to Rev. Eileen.
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Wednesdays on the Lawn are every Wednesday evening in July from 5:30-7:30 pm.
REAL Team meets on Wednesday, July 28 at 7 pm via Zoom.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Friday, July 16
Saturday, July 17
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Immigrant Solidarity Team at 4 pm via Zoom. Email Lee Bannor to join.
Sunday, July 18
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom - Email Renee Hoff for details.
Monday, July 19
Tuesday, July 20
Wednesday, July 21
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Virtual Yoga at 9:30 am via 8x8. Click here to join.
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Wednesday on the Lawn at 5:30-7:30 pm. More info below.
Thursday, July 22
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Virtual Meditation at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Andrea DeMers for the link.
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"When We Return, We Will All Be Newcomers"
~ Nathan Kirkpatrick
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Welcome to Multigenerational Sundays at UCE!
Beginning September 12th All Ages Worship at 10:15 followed by All Ages Faith Formation at 11:30. Activities will be offered in dual formats (in-person and on-line) as much as possible. Please watch this video for more information and look to the website and future newsletters for more details.
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Congregational Connections |
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Looking for a few good poets to help create a collective community poem for the August 15th service. Please send to ewiviott@ucevanston.org by August 10th, 15 words or less to complete this sentence:
"Peace comes when..."
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Share your Interests & Skills on Realm |
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Did you know that you can share your unique skills and interests with UCE leadership through your Realm profile? UCE ministers, staff, and leaders can use this info to help connect you to volunteer opportunities, leadership roles within our community, and even new groups that may fit your interest. Login to your profile today and let us know your special talents so we can help you be better engaged at UCE. |
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Wednesdays on the Lawn - Continues this Wednesday, July 21 |
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5 Star Gatherings: Food, Faith, Family, Fun, Fellowship! Join the Faith Formation Force EACH Wednesday in July from 5:30-7:30 pm for these ALL AGES in-person gatherings outside at UCE.
5:30 – 6:15 gather on the church lawn for a picnic. Picnic is flexible timing or optional.
6:15 - 6:30 opening song and chalice lighting
6:30 – 7:15 fiercely faithful family friendly activity
7:15 – 7:30 closing circle and song
Our next gathering will feature a labyrinth walk. We’ll also make herbal scent bags. And we’ll have some singing too!
Bring your own picnic (food, beverages, chairs, blankets and mask). Masks are required when not eating or drinking. Join in music, worship and learning for people of all ages. Tell your friends and neighbors. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.
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Wednesday 5:30 Zoom Gatherings - on hold for July |
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Please join us for Wednesdays on the Lawn in July from 5:30-7:30 (see more details above). Our weekly Zoom All-Church gatherings will be on hold for this month.
Regular attenders and staff are talking about what will happen after that. We may shift to twice a month - the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays for example, with Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan alternating the facilitation or, if the group wants to continue meeting every week, congregants can take the lead on the alternating weeks. If you have strong feelings about the Wednesday evening Zoom gatherings, please let us know what you'd like to see happen with this important connection for many through the pandemic. Email Rev. Eileen at ewiviott@ucevanston.org.
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COVID Vaccination Resources |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Ebenezer AME Church - Ebenezer AME Church in Evanston is partnering with the Illinois Department of Public Health to host a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on July 17 and August 7. You can pre-register at the link below or Walk-ins will be welcome at 12:45 pm on the clinic dates. Ages 12+ are welcome.
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Covid-19 Vaccinations for Homebound Residents - The City of Chicago is working to integrate mobile home health care vaccination services to reach home-bound individuals who are unable to go to the City’s COVID-19 vaccination sites to get the vaccine. To be eligible for this program you must live in the City of Chicago and be a senior OR a person with a disability who requires in-home assistance, have to use adaptive equipment (like a ventilator, crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, etc.) or accessible transportation to leave home, and leaving home is not an option for you because doing so requires considerable and taxing effort. If any of these apply to you, you may sign up for an in-home vaccination using this link.
Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People from the CDC - Click here, for guidance and recommendations for fully vaccinated people, including: How fully vaccinated people can safely visit with each other and guidelines for wearing masks.
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Celebration of Life for Michael Wynne |
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Janelle Brittain is inviting the UCE congregation to the Celebration of Life Memorial of her beloved husband Michael Wynne on July 17th at 3:00 pm at her home. If you’d like the details, please email her at janellebri@aol.com. |
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Evanston Pride Celebration Continues |
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Saturday July 17th, 4pm-7pm, Ingraham Park (Simpson & Asbury) Parking available
Evanston Pride is hosting a Pride Picnic. The first 50 attendees get rainbow kites with tails. Weather permitting, we’ll flood the sky with kites after Drag Queen Storytime. There will be a dance party and MUCH MORE!! All are invited!
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Registration for Beloved Conversations
Open through August 31
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The REAL Team highly recommends that anyone who has not taken the online version of Beloved Conversations sign up for "Beloved Conversations: Within". The Beloved Conversations in-person curriculum has evolved to be a three-part online curriculum divided into the Within Phase, the Among Phase, and the Beyond Phase. If you took the original in-person curriculum, the new online Beloved Conversations: Within is a restyled individual curriculum that will bring you something new. If you have not taken any form of Beloved Conversations, now is a good time to take the Within Phase curriculum, because the next phase, Beloved Conversations: Among, is a congregation wide curriculum that the REAL Team is exploring.
UCE has scholarships available for the Beloved Conversations: Within registration fee. Please contact Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.
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Thank you from the Immigrant Solidarity Team |
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The Immigrant Solidarity Team is grateful for each person who donated a pair of shoes, a backpack, or school supplies to our recent donation drive for the kids served by Refugee One. We delivered 6 backpacks, school supplies, over 20 pairs of shoes and some additional money to Refugee One on Saturday, July 9th. Your generosity is keenly appreciated! We're sure that the kids and their families thank you as well. |
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Green Team Meeting on August 7 |
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The environment is vast and there are many issues to learn about and act upon. Do you have ideas about a discussion topic for Forum or guest speakers you would love to hear from in the coming year? The next Green Team meeting is August 7, 2021, from 1-2 pm and you are invited.
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This Summer with Faith Formation! |
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Welcome back to our Soulful Home packet this week! Our focus is on the segment “On the Porch”, where parents get to focus on themselves and parenthood. Watch this short video or you can still check out the whole packet here.
Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!
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Wednesdays on the Lawn!
Our next gathering will feature a labyrinth walk. We’ll also make herbal scent bags. And we’ll have some singing too!
- 5:30 – 6:15 gather on the church lawn for a picnic. Picnic is flexible timing or optional.
- 6:15 - 6:30 opening song and chalice lighting
- 6:30 – 7:15 fiercely faithful family friendly activity
- 7:15 – 7:30 closing circle and song
Bring your own picnic (food, beverages, chairs, blankets, and mask). Masks are required when not eating or drinking. Join in music, worship and learning for people of all ages. Tell your friends and neighbors. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.
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Today, July 16 at 7:30 pm on Zoom, the UCE Fiction Book Group will discuss Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys.
This is the 2020 Pulitzer choice for Fiction and truly in keeping with Pulitzer’s mission, as The Nickel Boys dramatizes another strand of American life. Black boys Elwood Curtis and Turner are unfairly consigned to a juvenile detention center in Florida, the Nickel Academy. Optimist Curtis and pessimist Turner navigate the perilous life of being “Nickel Boys." Based on the real story for a “reform school” that neither reformed nor schooled thousands of American children for 111 years. A hard but ultimately redemptive reading.
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The nonfiction book group won't be meeting in July or August to discuss books but we look forward to selecting books for the coming year at our Zoom meeting at 2 pm on August 22nd.
We're hoping that everyone who has a nonfiction book they recommend and, perhaps, would like to discuss with others at UCE, will add the title to this google document. We're hoping that this document will encourage UCErs to share their love of books by recommending titles. The nonfiction book group will consider all titles added to this google doc and we hope that many people who submit titles will join us at the August 22nd meeting and then continue with us throughout the church year.
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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