A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
The UCE building and grounds are available on a limited basis to small gatherings. Please read UCE's Reopening Guidelines before contacting staff about availability. We will continue to offer ways to connect virtually.
The Sunday virtual service will be at 11:15 am
“Our Tower of Babel” –  Rev. Chip Roush
How some other interpretations of the biblical "Tower of Babel" story might guide us in these interesting times.

The Rev. Chip Roush serves the First Unitarian Church of South Bend. He is the co-author (with Leslie Takahashi and Leon Spencer) of "The Arc of the Universe is Long: Unitarian Universalists, Anti-Racism, and the Journey from Calgary." He has chaired the General Assembly Planning Committee, and participated in the UUA Moderator Search Committee. He is a "Beloved Conversations" Retreat Leader, and the Chair of the LGBTQ Center Board in South Bend. He uses he/they pronouns.

We encourage you to submit your joys and sorrows ahead of time to this online form . We will read aloud in the service, those that are submitted by 11 a.m. on Sunday. If you are unable to access the google form for some reason, you may send an email to Rev. Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@ucevanston.org , however, it is easier for us to keep track through the google form. We continue to celebrate and mourn together through this important ritual and appreciate your understanding as we explore the various ways to hold what is on your hearts.

This Sunday's shared offering recipient is the Deborah's Place ( Click here to learn more ). Your offering can be given through Text-to-Give, online , or mailed to the office with "Shared Offering" in the memo line.
Other Virtual Gatherings this Sunday
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom
Email Renee Hoff at  rdhoff99@yahoo.com  for details.
Virtual Coffee Hour
To join the virtual coffee hour by phone dial +13126266799,,94356542944#,,,,0#,,690720#
Please note this is a new link and dial in number. Links from emails sent in previous weeks will not work for this Sunday's virtual coffee hour.
Important News and Upcoming Events
All Church Zoom gatherings continue on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Look for the link in our Wednesday e-mails. If you need online Zoom support before the All Church gathering begins, join us at 5:20 pm.
#StopHateForProfit
From Jessica Meis, Communications Coordinator
Many of us in the modern age use social media in some way. Whether we are on the platforms to share life updates with our friends and family, promote our favorite business or a cause we believe in, or just to scroll through the many articles about recent events, social media has become a part of the good and the bad of society. Social media has been the platform for many social justice movements for years, but recently it has also become a source of hate and misinformation. 

Kevin Roose, a technology columnist with the New York Times, described in a recent podcast how Facebook has been used to undermine the Black Lives Matter Movement . Donald Trump has also used social media to promote acts of violence in response to the George Floyd protests . Although the same racially-charged and violent message was shared on both platforms, Facebook and Twitter took two very different approaches. While Twitter marked the tweet as going against their policies , Facebook did nothing and continues to hold that position in spite of outside pressure from civil rights organizations . This is not the first time Facebook has stood by while hate speech has continued to fill their platform. Although officially “banned” in March 2019, white supremacist and white nationalists continue to operate on Facebook with no repercussions . 

In light of these events, UCE ministers and staff have decided to participate in the #StopHateForProfit campaign and pause all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram (also owned by Facebook). This campaign was organized by civil rights organizations including NAACP, Color of Change, Anti-Defamation League, and Sleeping Giants as a response to Facebook's inaction to the spread of racism and hate on their platform in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests across the US. We join these organizations in wanting Facebook to tackle hate speech and misinformation head on instead of continually hiding behind the guise of free speech....
Hello from UCE's New Board President, Jessica Tomell-Presto!
July marks the beginning of a new fiscal year at UCE. For the Board of Trustees, this new fiscal year means that we are seeing a changing over of members. Although she is moving out of her role as Board President, we are grateful that Martha Holman will be remaining on the Board for one more year. I would like to thank Martha for her incredible skill in leading us, often through difficult situations, and for the countless number of hours that she dedicated to UCE as Board President.   
 
I would also like to thank our two out-going Board members, Heike Eghardt and Jane Bannor, for their dedication to the Board and for sharing their time, talents, passion, and insights. For many of us, the work of the Board is often in addition to the many other things that we are doing for UCE—social justice work, hospitality, other committee work. Not to mention that this is in addition to all the other things that we do in the outside world and for our jobs, families, and friends. The Board is extremely lucky to have had the presence of Jane and Heike who navigate all these responsibilities so well. 
Help out with UCE's Mitten Tree
I want you to think about mittens. WHAT!! That’s horrible! It is 5000 degrees outside; I can feel the back sweet just thinking about moving; and you want me to think about – MITTENS? Breath. Yes mittens, because mittens mean something more than warmth, especially here at UCE, they stand for comfort, solidarity, the inexplicable sense of wonder that comes when faced with a field of white … they stand for care.

For the last 20 (ish) years one of the seasonal events here at UCE has been a mitten tree. From its humbler beginnings when mittens and scarves were collected the Mitten tree has grown into a project that includes the distribution of gifts to a number of agencies and organizations around our community. Today we are asking if you would stand as a participant in taking this work of caring into the world. After many years of diligent, creative service Carol Nielsen is stepping down as the leader of this project and we need people to participate and fill her shoes.

If you are interested in helping out please let Carol ( carolnielsen2100@gmail.com ) or Rev. Karen Mooney ( kmooney@ucevanston.com ) know. We are organizing a zoom call to start the conversation. We have a meeting scheduled Thursday, July 30 th  from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m . Click here to attend the Zoom Meeting!
Your financial support is so appreciated!
Please help us ensure your contribution is credited appropriately by indicating on the memo line of your check if it is for 19/20 Pledge, 20/21 Pledge, Shared Offering or a Donation. 
If you are texting to give, please s end a text message to  312-584-9160  with the amount you would like to contribute and  the one word code  for where you would like it to go (e.g., 50 OFFERING ). Valid codes are OFFERING (Shared Offering),   PLEDGE  (Pledge Payment),  CAP  (Capital Campaign), or MUSIC (music fund). If you do not include a code after your donation amount, the system will automatically select PLEDGE. To learn more,  click here . If you experience any issues or would like a one-on-one session to go over Text-to-Give, contact Adam at  agough@ucevanston.org .

During these times when UCE staff are working from home we are trying to make trips to the church and our accounting tasks manageable for our Staff Accountant, Vickie Doebele. We respectfully request when you make a shared offering donation please do not ask for 100% to go to the organization. This truly would be helpful. We appreciate your understanding. 
Ann Peterson's Virtual Memorial Service
Ann Peterson's virtual memorial service will take place on Saturday, July 25 at 11 am . The service will be YouTube Livestreamed as our Sunday services are, and we will have a Zoom reception following with a link provided during the service. Save the links to the buttons below to attend these virtual events.
Submit Nominations for Shared Plate Recipients
As you know, half the money collected weekly in our now virtual "collection plate" goes to support an organization that helps UCE meet its social justice mission. These funds often are enough to make a significant difference for the organization. The Social Justice Council (SJC) will again be choosing recipients for that collection. We will choose one recipient per month, plus one for the "fifth Sundays." As in the past, we will select from nominations made by congregants and staff. Nominations must be received by July 31 . 

This year, in light of the reality of our present crises, in order to be eligible for Shared Plate an organization must “address systemic racism and/or the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people of color and the poor.” As in the past two years, nominations must include evidence that the organization meets at least some of the criteria that the SJC will consider in deciding among nominated organizations.  Click here for a description of the criteria and the process. Nomination forms are now available. Please let us know where this money should go!  
Brain Health & Wellness Virtual Series in August
The Pastoral Care Committee invites all to take part in their new Brain Health and Wellness Series: Aging, Memory, and Care in partnership with the Great Lakes Clinic Trials. This 4-part series will begin August 1 and held via Zoom, featuring various speakers each week. You do not have to attend each part of the series, but all are encouraged to attend. Please register to participate so we can send you a Zoom link. Click the buttons below for the schedule of speakers and topics and the registration link.
You're Invited to Susan Frances' Online Ordination
If you have trouble accessing in the image, click here to go to the virtual ordination.
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education
Summer Opportunities for Adults
Life Planning Series - Wednesday - July 29 at 7pm
More details below.

White Fragility book group - Tuesdays - July 28, and August 4 at 7pm  
Sponsored by the REAL team. Join us as we discuss  White Fragility - Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism  by Robin DiAngelo using the UUA discussion guide. Registration is now closed.

Book Discussion - Saturday, August 1st, 10-11:30 am   
What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City  by Mona Hanna-Attisha is about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Please RSVP to Clare Tallon Ruen at  water@greenerevanston.org  for a link to connect to the meeting. 

The Science of Well-Being - continues at 7 pm Tuesday evenings for those enrolled. 
Life Planning Series - Wednesdays in July
Wednesday, July 29—Ethical Wills/Spiritual Memories—Part II
This seminar will help us ferret out and tell the parts of our story that reflect what has been most precious and of most enduring value in our life to pass it on to the people you love most. Just as a legal will specifies what we want to happen with our material possessions, an ethical will puts in writing how we hope the concerns of our souls will be handled – our values, beliefs, stories and traditions we hope will endure. In these two sessions you will be invited to think about the spiritual matters you want to preserve, and to reflect, write and share responses to thought provoking questions.

See more details at the button below. Click here to join the Zoom sessions. If you have trouble connecting, please reach out to Kathy Underwood at kunderwood@ucevanston.org.
Summer Opportunities for Youth and Family
For Families, Children, and Youth
How is your  Summer Bucket List Challenge   going? We are about 5 weeks into the challenge already! Remember to share on social media what you and/or your family are/is doing with the hashtag  #UCEBucketList  so we can see your beautiful faces and efforts! If you’re shy about sharing on social media, then send me a quick email at  kunderwood@ucevanston.org  
For Young People and Families
Be a UCE Pen Pal ! We have about 20 older members who would love to correspond with younger folks this summer, and only 6 young people to do so at this moment. Email Kathy if interested at kunderwood@ucevanston.org . 

Soulful Home: Compassion - Tons of Activities, stories, music, and more to explore on our theme this summer! Click here for ways to connect as a family to our faith!
For Middle School Youth
CommUUnity Creek Online Middle School Adventure - Aug 3-7 The Central East Region is creating CommUUnity Creek, an Online Middle School (for youth who graduated from 6, 7 or 8th grades this spring and are entering 7, 8 or 9th grades this fall) Adventure. We’re working with a team of adult and High School guides to create a week packed full of social connections and opportunities to stretch and grow. Our plans are still in the works but things we’re thinking about. . .
  • Fun and Funny challenges to build confidence, learn new things and share skills within their own comfort level
  • “Cabin” Meetings with the same small group all week, lead by Camp Guides
  • Daily interactive themes to get us thinking about the world and our UU values
  • Social stuff like games, open mics, virtual campfire, etc

For High School Youth
Gathering on the Lawn – August 30, 1-2:30 pm  All high school youth are invited for an end-of-summer gathering on the lawn at UCE! More details to come!
Parent and Family Resources


Feel free to add new resources that you find! Together, we can nurture the next generations and create an anti-racist society.
Want to take your leadership skills to the next level
with a team of other UCE members?
We have our first registrant for the MidWest Leadership School (MWLS) for 2020! Our region is planning an excellent curriculum and is packaging it into an online opportunity spread over 4 Saturdays starting this fall. They suggest we put together a team of attendees to enhance and strengthen the lessons learned. The training is useful for those who want to become more skilled at leadership roles in the congregation or in the community. The cost may be covered entirely by a grant from the Endowment committee. There is only an adult school this year (18 and over). Check out more details here.
 
Contact Kathy Underwood or Shirley Adams if you want to know more about how this opportunity might work for you this year. 
Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Social Justice on the Lawn
Sponsored by UUtheVote - Sunday, July 26, 5-7pm

Welcome everyone to creating community outdoors! We have lots of justice work ahead. And much to celebrate. This gathering will help sustain us on the journey. We will have postcard packets, Black Lives Matter signs, Dances of Universal Peace and Spiritual Sustenance for the Activist. We will adhere to social distancing guidelines .  

Bring: a chair, mask, insect repellent, water bottle.
Note: There are no bathrooms available. 

Don't forget to sign up for a time slot on the link below. See you there!
REAL Team Open Meeting
Have you been part of the REAL Team in the past? Have you always wondered what the REAL Team is about and what we’re up to? Are you feeling like it’s time to get involved with racial justice? You’re in luck! We would like to invite you to join us on July 27 for a re-imagining of how we can more fully integrate racial justice into UCE and the world. We need you! Bring your energy and enthusiasm to our open meeting where we can let you know how you can get involved. Mark your calendars for Monday, July 27 at 7:00pm . Zoom link will be sent out the day of the meeting. Use the button below to register for the meeting, so we can better plan our time together and send you the link.
Interfaith Action of Evanston Needs Volunteers for the ProduceMobile
Interfaith Action of Evanston is in need of volunteers to staff the ProduceMobile on Tuesday, July 28 with more dates in August and September! Volunteers distribute 7,500 lbs of produce to our food insecure neighbors, as well as, prepacked boxes of dairy products and frozen food. Volunteers can sign up to pack produce, haul filled produce boxes to nearby distribution stations, and/or direct drivers in and out of the Drive-Up station.
REAL Team Food and Supplies Drive
We are so grateful for UCE’s generous donations that have been pouring in! Our recipient group has responded numerous times that they are so thankful for how our congregation is responding to their dire needs. (We are keeping their identity under wraps at this point to protect them, as they have been targeted with looting and death threats).

Want to help?   
The REAL Team has been asked to coordinate some much-needed supplies for some of our community partners who have been most impacted by the pandemic followed by civil unrest. Here is an Amazon list which includes the items that were asked for and especially needed. Please check the list and donate as much as you feel comfortable. We need multiples of many items. There are several ways you can help:
  • Using the link above, you can order from Amazon and have your supplies delivered directly to our drop off location (when you check out, the delivery address should say, “Becky Crawford’s Gift Registry”) We have volunteers lined up to drive donations to the needed locations.
  • You can purchase from Amazon or elsewhere, and deliver to the Crawford-Cloonan household directly (email for address). 
  • If you'd like to donate financially, you can send a check directly to UCE with "south side" in the memo line. Cash donations can be dropped off in an envelope to my house.
Any questions, contact Becky Crawford. Thank you for your support!
Take action today!
There are so many ways you can participate in social action, from showing up, signing on, donating, or committing yourself to learn more.

Learn : 

Act:
  • Write a letter to the editor of the Louisville, Ky., newspaper on behalf of Breonna Taylor. It has been more than four months since three plainclothes police officers shot and killed Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, in her own home. Breonna was shot at least eight times, and then left without medical attention that could have saved her life. To date, only one officer has been fired from his job, and none of the officers have been charged with her murder. By writing a letter to Louisville Courier Journal Editor Richard A. Green demanding more investigative reporting on Mayor Greg Fischer, the Louisville Metro Police Department, and Breonna's murder, you will be taking action and demanding accountability.
  • Tell the Senate: Pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act aka the John Lewis Act. In December of 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect the rights of American citizens and their participation in our democracy. Following John Lewis’ death, Ime started this petition to keep his legacy top of mind. Join Ime in getting the attention of Senate leaders. Sign the petition now.
  • Ensure the integrity of the data being released on the Covid-19 virus by hospitals, which have now been ordered to bypass the CDC and report the data to HHS, effectively allowing the Trump administration to skew, alter, withhold, and lie about the cases and deaths, and provide false guidelines regarding the pandemic!

Donate:

Social action continues! Check out the UCE Homepage for more ways you can support our communities. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Karen Mooney at  kmooney@ucevanston.org . Thank you all for continuing to live UCE's mission!
Save Evanston's Elm Trees - From the Green Team

Evanston's Elm Trees need your help. Although the City of Evanston typically pays for the injections of all elm trees, funding this year is short. Please donate today to protect our magnificent Elm Trees in parks and on public lands!
Welcome to Our Community
Interested in knowing more about UCE? Scroll down for info on ongoing programs and useful information. Can't find your answers here? Click the button below to learn more on our website.
How to get in touch with UCE's Ministers
UCE ministers are available throughout the week by appointment. If you are in need of pastoral care or someone to talk to, please reach out to them by email.
We are here for you.
Rev. Eileen Wiviott - ewiviott@ucevanston.org
Rev. Karen Gustafson - kgustafson@ucevanston.org
Rev. Karen Mooney - kmooney@ucevanston.org
Pathways to Membership
Our next set of membership classes will be coming soon for August or September. If you would like to take part in an upcoming class, p lease email Adam Gough at   agough@ucevanston.org. We're excited to welcome our new members that have recently joined! Click here for more information about membership classes .
Offer to Provide Technical Support
Physical separation is leading many of us to find new ways of forming and maintaining virtual connections through the internet. The UCE staff and Board of Trustees wants to make sure that no one is isolated because they lack access to technology or technical skills.

If you would like assistance please reach out to: 

We will be happy to work with you to make sure that you get the most out of your membership experience using the latest tools.
Opportunities For Virtual Connection
Learn Spanish Group
Mondays at 7 pm
For more information, click here.

UCE Men's Group
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7 pm via conference call.
For more information, click here.

Caregiver Support Group
Tuesdays at 7 pm via Zoom.
E-mail Renee Hoff at  rdhoff99@yahoo.com  or Joyce Lofstrom at  joycelofstrom@gmail.com  for details.

Udumbara Zen Sangha
Tuesday Evenings and Saturday Mornings
For more information email udumbara@udumbarazen.org .

Wednesdays at 9:30 am   (Virtual 8x8 Meeting)
For more information, click here.

Buddhist Meditation 
E-mail Andrea DeMers at ademers99@gmail.com for the link.

UCE Addictions and Recovery
Form more information about the group, click here.

Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is Aug 1)
For more information, click here.

Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
Sundays at 9:30 am via Zoom
E-mail Renee Hoff at  rdhoff99@yahoo.com  for details.

Staff are available to help with setting up virtual meetings and getting the word out to the congregation. For more information on how to set up a digital meeting, click the button below. Email Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org to add your event to UCE's calendar and to submit an article about your virtual meeting to the newsletter.
Beware scam e-mails and texts from those
posing as UCE ministers and Staff
Please do not respond to the e-mail or text scam that is going out with Rev. Eileen's or Sandra's names. UCE ministers and Staff will never ask you for money in an e-mail or for you to send gift cards to anyone. Check the e-mail address and phone number it is coming from. If it is not Eileen's or another minister's, it is a scam. Most of you have gotten wise to these scams. They will keep coming nonetheless. Thank you to those who let us know they received this scam.

This is someone who is using Eileen's or Sandra's name with a generated email address and phone number. They haven't hacked their personal accounts. The e-mail addresses Eileen will send messages from will be either  ewiviott@hotmail.com  or  ewiviott@ucevanston.org . The address Sandra will send messages from is srobinson@ucevanston.org. If you are unsure about the number texting you, please call the office.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on August 20 at 7:00 pm.

Questions for the board? Email BOT@ucevanston.org.
UCE Facebook Groups
Did you know that, in addition to the  UCE Facebook Page , there are three UCE groups that members can join - the  UCE Member to Member Group , the  UCE Children and Youth Religious Education Group , and the  UCE Social Action Group ?  

These are closed groups that allow members to post directly to each other. If you have an event you want members to know about, or have a cause you hope to bring attention to, in addition to the newsletter and order of service, you can post to the Facebook Group. Click the links below or search for the groups by name when you are on Facebook and ask to join.
Quick Links