Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, July 25 at 11:15 am
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Goodness and Mercy
by Rev. Allison Farnum
In a dominant culture that fetishizes crime and punishment while remaining apathetic to the failures of the penal system, our Unitarian Universalist theologies remind us that we can rely on deeper truths of goodness and mercy that still hold each of us accountable in and to the interdependent web of life.
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"Playing with Planning"
From Kathy Underwood,
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
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With August just around the corner, plans are underway for this fall and our hopeful return to the building on Sunday mornings. Rev. Eileen, Rev. Susan, and I have been sharing with many of you our excitement with the new format for worship and faith formation this year. During our interim period with Rev. Karen, it became apparent that the congregation wanted a more multigenerational community, where all ages are involved in the full life of the congregation. When I interviewed to be your next Director of Religious Education, this was one desire that was emphasized. It had already been something I was exploring professionally too, and so I was eager to give it more serious consideration when I was hired. And then the pandemic arrived. |
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Senior Minister Time Away - July 18-31 |
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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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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"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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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. |
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This Week's Events & Links |
Sunday, July 25
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom - Email Renee Hoff for details.
Monday, July 26
Tuesday, July 27
Wednesday, July 28
Thursday, July 29
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Virtual Meditation at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Andrea DeMers for the link.
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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 28 |
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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 four storytellers from Northwestern University around a campfire. And of course, we’ll have s’mores! (Feel free to bring your own if you prefer).
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 - Resume in August |
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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 resume in August twice a month. The gathering on August 11th, and 2nd Wednesdays of the month going forward, will be led by Rev. Eileen. Fourth Wednesdays of the month, beginning with August 25th, will be led by Rev. Susan.
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COVID Vaccination Resources |
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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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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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This Summer with Faith Formation! |
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Welcome to our Soulful Home packet this week! Our focus is on the segment “The Extra Mile”. 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 four storytellers from Northwestern University around a campfire. And of course, we’ll have s’mores! (Feel free to bring your own if you prefer).
- 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.
General Assembly Chat – July 27 at 7 pm via Zoom. Those who attended General Assembly are gathering to share what they learned and how we can incorporate those learnings at UCE.
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UCE Nonfiction Book Group |
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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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Don't Miss this REAL Event Racial Equity Learning Moment! |
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Did you miss the compelling Ware lecture at this year’s General Assembly? Do you want to meet Desmond Meade via video? Join REAL for a 30-minute viewing of Desmond Meade talking about the fight for voting rights and his personal story as a citizen returning from prison who has been disenfranchised for years -- and what he did about it. You may have some insights and questions yourself! We welcome all to this REAL meeting on Wednesday, July 28th, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
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Attention Chalice House Supporters! |
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You’re invited to "Barrington Gives Back - A Concert & Cookout for a Cause” sponsored by St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Barrington. As you will recall, St. Michael’s is a generous supporter of Chalice House, and this fundraising event is one way that they raise money for their extensive outreach program.
Friday, July 30, 5pm to 8pm
Fox River Forest Preserve, Shelter A
2 Food trucks or bring your own picnic
Band: Way Past Curfew -- a mix of professional musicians and St. Michael’s members
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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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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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