Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole
In-Person & Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, June 12th at 10:15 am
It's Okay to Say Gay

In our service today, as LGBTQIA+ youth are attacked and dehumanized in Florida, South Carolina, Texas, and other states, we hope to remind you all that to be gay, or trans, or nonbinary, or however you identify, and especially to talk about it, is not shameful or wrong—but beautiful. 
No Faith Formation Hour this Sunday and for the remainder of the summer. Please stay tuned for what Faith Formation will bring in the Fall!
"an infinite succession of presents"
From Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Senior Minister
“…May we realize that, whatever we can do, great or small, the efforts of all of us are needed to do thy work in this world.”  
~Rev. Dr. Norbert Capek, from the Flower Communion 
 
It was heart filling to have our flower communion on Sunday, followed by the return of our annual picnic, and the dedication of our ramp to Alma Woods. It felt good to see and smell the flowers, enjoy the sunshine on our South lawn amidst the beauty of our spiritual playscape. There were bubbles and beanbag toss, and the joy of being together. For those of you who joined the service on-line, we missed your physical presence but hope you felt the connection and love of community, nonetheless.  
Rising Covid Cases and UCE
Covid cases have been rising and Cook County is once again in the high community risk level according to CovidActNow.org. We may be getting past this current peak, however, we will continue to require masking throughout the building on Sundays, other than when eating or drinking. Please maintain distance from one another when you are taking sips of beverages or bites of food, and then return your mask to cover your nose and mouth. For small groups, masking is strongly encouraged, though we understand that in some small groups meeting in the building on days other than Sunday, you may be comfortable removing your masks if everyone is in agreement.   
 
Please monitor your health closely and if you have had exposure, experience symptoms, or test positive for Covid please follow your healthcare provider's guidance or visit the CDC website to determine when it would be safe to return to church activities.
2022-2023 UCE Calendaring Event
TOMORROW, June 11th, from 10:30 to Noon, in Room 6 & on Zoom

Board members, event/team leaders, committee/program chairs, and interested members, bring your date books and your dreams about meaningful and engaging events for the coming church year. We'll map out the calendar together.
Hats Off to last week's Picnic Volunteers!
Our hats are off this week to the marvelous team of volunteers who made our first picnic in three years a true joy. It was a beautiful day with bubbles, bean bag toss, and burgers! Thank you to Kathy Talmage for running the kitchen and for shopping with Rev. Eileen for all the burgers, buns and dogs. Thanks to our grillers David Wiviott, David Bates Jefferys and Bob Mesle on standby. David Bates Jefferys, with the help of Marion, also set up all the tables. Thanks to Meredith Haydon, Sheila Holder, Melanie Kitchner, Shawn, Madeleine and Nathaniel Iles, Maggie Wison, Carol Johnson, Jeanne Kerl, and Susan Comstock for all your help in and around the kitchen on Sunday. And special thanks to Woody Haynes and Robb Geiger for spending hours putting the new tables and chairs together for the playscape. They look great and we know it wasn't easy! It truly takes a village to pull off a picnic and we are so grateful for all of your help.
Congregational News
UCE Building Availability -
The UCE Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am-5pm

Please review UCE's current COVID Guidelines before considering to meet in person. If your group would like to meet in-person at UCE, please fill out a Room & Publicity Request Form.

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.
Save the Date
June 19 - Ricky Byrdson Race Against Hate. More info and Registration link below.
June 22-26 is the UUA General Assembly online or in-person in Portland, OR. More info below.

The Sunday, June 26 worship service will be at 11:30 am CST. Instead of UCE's service, we will join the UUA General Assembly service. You may join the livestream from home or the UCE Sanctuary.
This Week's Events & Links
Saturday, June 11
  • Virtual Pilates at 9:30 am on Zoom. Email Janelle Brittain to join.
  • No Tai Chi this Saturday.
  • UCE Calendaring Event at 10:30 am to Noon in Rm 6 or Zoom. Click here to join.

Sunday, June 12
  • Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am in Room 6 and via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
  • Worship Service at 10:15 am - Sanctuary & Youtube. Click here to join.
  • Kinship Time in the back of the sanctuary following the worship service.
  • Geocaching at Emily Oaks Nature Center at Noon-2 pm.

Monday, June 13

Tuesday, June 14

Wednesday, June 15
  • Yoga at 9:30 am on 8x8. Click here to join.
  • Rummage Sale Volunteers Wrap-up Party at 6 pm in the Sanctuary.

Thursday, June 16
  • Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
  • Board of Trustees Meeting at 7 pm on Zoom. Email the Office for the link.
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!
Congregational Connections
Community Launch Event for Evanston's
Interfaith Reparations Effort - June 13
Rummage Sale Volunteers Potluck/Wrap
When: Wednesday, June 15, 6 pm.
Where: Cafe Area, UCE Sanctuary
What: Potluck dinner: Please bring a main dish, salad, side or dessert to share

No sorting, pricing or cashiering. Come to have fun and share feedback about this year’s sale and ideas for making next year's event even better. Sales figures for each department including presale and daily amounts will be available.
Endowment Fund Applications
Ten proposals for Endowment funding were submitted to the Endowment Committee by the May 31st deadline. Thank you to UCE’s committees, teams and staff for all the effort put into their preparation. The applications are:

  1. Buildings & Grounds - $15,000 - Integrated Stewardship Committee 
  2. Connections for the Homeless Youth Programs Aftercare - $40,000 - FAST, UCE Prison Ministry Team
  3. Denominational Affairs Scholarships - $8,825 - Denominational Affairs
  4. Family Focus After School and Summer Program Scholarships - $6,750 - REAL
  5. READI for Re-entry - $7,500 - REAL, Prison Ministry Team
  6. Solidarity Circles Grants - $4,000 - UCE UU Prison Ministry of IL Team
  7. Soup Kitchen - $1,450 - FAST/Soup Kitchen
  8. Support for Afghan Refugee Family - $5,950 - Immigrant Solidarity Team/Refugee Team
  9. UCE Garden Rejuvenation and Maintenance - $1,380 - UCE Garden Team
  10. Worship Arts/Support of Choir Section Leaders - $9,000 - Worship Arts Team

The applications are available to read Applications - Pending.

The Endowment Committee will review the proposals at the June 13th meeting and make recommendations for funding to the Board of Trustees. The Board will make final decisions on funding in June.
Save the Date – June 19 Musical Friends of Alicia Concert!
Join us next Sunday, June 19 at 3 PM, for the Musical Friends of Alicia concert in the Sanctuary. Performers will include the Rogers Park Community Singers led by Charles Hayes (with UCE Choir members), Gregory Shifrin, Jenn Wisegarver, and Steve Courtright; Blues and jazz singer Katherine Davis, the Musical Offering Blues Band, and a special guest soloist. We’ll also honor Fathers Day and the Juneteenth holiday-- donations will be accepted for Renaissance Social Services, one of our shared-plate offering recipients. Everyone will be masked.   
Save the Date - Next Worship Planning Playdate
Our next Worship Planning Playdate is coming up July 30th from 10 am - Noon in Room 3. All are welcome if you are interested in helping to shape the upcoming worship services. Let us know if you are interested in joining by registering below.
UCE Shared Offering Program Accepting
Nominations for 2022-23
The Shared Offering Program is now accepting nominations for the 2022-23 congregational year. Nomination forms are due June 30, 2022.

Each year, the Shared Offering Program donates to 13 organizations that have a social justice focus supporting UCE’s mission and our vision for a world made whole. Do you support an organization addressing Climate Justice, Food or Housing Insecurity, Health or Education Disparities, Indigenous Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, Oppression, Peace, Racism, Refugees/Immigrants, Violence, or Voting Rights? If so, nominate them for the Shared Offering Program!

If you have questions, please reach out to Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.
Unitarian Universalists Association 2022 General Assembly
Registration is still open for the 2022 General Assembly. Whether you wish to attend in-person or virtually UCE has made funds available for registration, travel, accommodations and food. Contact Shirley Adams or Peggy Boccard for information on how to apply for funds.
 
This year’s program is jam-packed with exciting speakers like Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. He is the author of five straight #1 New York Times bestsellers, including How to Be an Antiracist and the National Book Award-winning Stamped From The Beginning: A Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. In 2020, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. 
 
GA offers a variety of worship choices throughout the meeting. These include spiritual practices, Sunday morning worship, and Youth and Young Adult worship. The Service of the Living Tradition honors fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders, remember those who died, recognize those who have completed active service, and welcome those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year. 
 
And there is always music to lift your spirits and fill your heart. Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout is the choir director for the GA this year. You can expect and participate in wonderful musical experiences. Take the time to register and join your friends at the UUA 2022 General Assembly!
Regional Assembly '22 - Half Empty, Half Full or Refillable?
At this year’s MidAmerican Regional Assembly, held virtually on April 30, CB Beal shared a number of insightful and inspirational concepts. The idiom for their talk was the glass half empty-half full idea, and that our individual perspective determines how we see what is frequently assumed to be a dichotomy. CB posed a different idea; that there is opportunity for things to change if we change our perspective – if we see the glass as REFILLABLE! For UUs this offers the opportunity for community expansion. To reject a first response of NO and embrace the chaos and creativity that comes with YES. To paraphrase Margaret Wheatly, we can’t be creative without being confused. 
Lifespan Faith Formation
What's Happening in Faith Formation?
Faith Ministry Event this Sunday - Geocaching at Emily Oaks - 12-2 pm!
Bring a sandwich for a short picnic before we try our geocaching skills at 12:30 pm. Register today here.

Nursery care (ages 0-3) during worship in Room 11 from 10 am - 11:30 am.
 
And families can explore our new theme of Celebrating Blessings in their own timeframe in the Soulful Home packet.  

The Family Ministry Team is making summer plans! 
  • Water Games and/or Sidewalk Chalk Games – July 10 at noon 
  • Penny Park Picnic – August 7 at Noon
  • Wednesdays on the Lawn returns! Mark your calendars for the following dates:
  • June 22 - Celebrate the Summer Solstice – 5:30 for picnicking, 6:30 program 
  • July 6 – Rain Garden Wonders and Scavenger Hunt – 5:30 for picnicking, 6:30 program 
  • July 20 – Indoor/Outdoor Games – bring a family favorite – 5:30 for picnicking, 6:30 program 
  • August 3 – Dance Party - 5:30 for picnicking, 6:30 program 
  • August 17 – Back-to-School Bonfire – 6:30-8p 
  • August 31 – Movie on the Lawn - 6:30 for picnicking, 7:15-ish showtime 

More Summer Fun - Concert Meetups!
Join a group of UUs at Evanston-area outdoor free concerts. We are arranging a point person for each of the following concerts, and ways of identifying them, such as a flag or balloon. Meet any time after 6p. Concerts start at 7p. 
  • June 28 at Baker Park (SE Evanston, Keeney & Forrest) – Marcy Hicks is the point person 
  • July 12 at Canal Shores Golf Course (NE Evanston 1030 Central St.) - Norell Lidell is the point person
  • July 26 at Larimer Park (Near UCE, Crain & Oak) - Marcy Hicks is the point person 
  • August 9 at Mason Park (Near ETHS, Church & Florence)  
 
Youth Opportunity!  
Save the Date! Sowing Seeds, a UU Youth justice focused, in-person, immersive workshop - August 3-6 to build community, dig into the local Pittsburgh social movement scene and explore what seeds we’re called to plant and nurture in the world. This is a collaborative project between the UU College of Social Justice and the Unitarian Universalist Association. The cost to attend this workshop is free and travel will be reimbursed thanks to the generous funding from UUCSJ. Learn more here. 
UCE Book Groups

UCE Fiction Book Group is reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Join us on Friday, June 17 at 7 pm by ZOOM to discuss this novel.

A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest, Emilio Sandoz, a man of deep faith who leads a scientific mission to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life.
The nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom at 10 am on Sunday, June 26th to discuss Mark Bittman's book Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal. 

Best-selling food authority Mark Bittman offers a panoramic view of human history from hunting and gathering food to GMOs and ultra-processed foods. His compelling analysis explains what is currently wrong and how we can start to make it better.  

Note the change in the time of our June meeting. We will meet at 10 am via Zoom before the UUA General Assembly worship service broadcast at UCE at 11:30 am.
Social Justice & Action
Pride 2022 Local Events
This summer, celebrate Pride with the LGBTQIA+ communities in Evanston and Chicago! Evanston Pride is hosting a Candle Lighting and Remembrance Ceremony on June 12th and a Community Picnic on July 30th. Or attend one of the many Chicago Pride events: Pride Fest on June 18th & 19th; Pride in the Park on June 25th & 26th; and the Pride Parade on June 26th. 

UCE celebrates you exactly as you are! Happy Pride!
UCE UUtheVote 2022: Reclaim Our Vote in Florida!
UCE is partnering with Reclaim Our Vote (ROV), a non-partisan organization which targets potential voters in states experiencing aggressive voter suppression. ROV sends Black, southern, largely rural folks vital information on how to register, ways to vote early, and poll locations.  
 
Reclaim Our Vote gets results! Of 79,000 voters contacted for Georgia's June primary: 73% voted, almost 1/3 were first time primary voters, and almost all of them voted early/absentee, avoiding the long lines on Election Day! This is critical for November! 
 
Last Sunday UCE members, eager to work for electoral fairness, picked up 540 post cards! Thanks to all! Pick up YOUR postcards in the back of the sanctuary this Sunday, June 12, or contact Carolyn Laughlin through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org. 
Poor People's Campaign June 18th
Moral March on Washington DC
The Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly marches through Washington, DC, on June 18, 2022, because any nation that ignores nearly half of its citizens is in a moral, economic, and political crisis. There were 140 million people who were poor or one emergency away from economic ruin in the United States before the pandemic. Since March 2020, while hundreds of thousands of people have died, millions are on the edge of hunger and eviction, and still without health care or living wages. 

If you would like to travel to and from DC with others, UCE is a rally point for a bus departure on June 17th. Tickets are $220/seat and available here. For more information contact Michael Skilton through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org.
Join the UCE Team in the Race Against Hate on June 19
The Race Against Hate will be held on June 19, and UCE will again be a part of it. Some of us run, some walk, some roll! However you roll, please be a part of our Race Against Hate by joining the UCE REAL Team 2022. If you can’t be with us in the Race, but want to join in spirit, support the team through your donation. Dana Deane is coordinating the UCE REAL Team 2022. Please contact Dana through REALM or at ucerealteam@gmail.com if you have any questions.

In 1999, Ricky Byrdsong was murdered by a self-proclaimed white supremacist. Byrdsong was a Skokie resident and the first African-American coach of the Northwestern University men’s basketball team. He was also the father of 3 young children, 2 of whom were with him near their home when he was shot... 
Sign Petition to Support Local Housing Program
Please consider signing a petition to support the purchase of the Margarita Inn by Connections for the Homeless in order to operate their Bridge Housing program. Throughout the pandemic, Connections heroically stepped up to provide shelter for more than 300 people experiencing homelessness. Since 2020, 184 homeless individuals have been served at the Margarita Inn, including men, women, and children. Currently, 86% are Evanston residents. We believe all our neighbors deserve a safe, stable place to call home. The services provided by Connections for the Homeless at the Margarita Inn create the path to stable housing and a brighter future.
This July - Help UCE with Plastic Free EcoChallenge
You are invited to join in a little friendly competition in the "Plastic Free EcoChallenge 2022" for the month of July. Join the UCE team. Visit this link to explore the EcoChallenge concept and then join the UCE team by clicking on TEAMS and typing in Unitarian Church of Evanston Green Team. 

Each action you take during July earns our team points. You can do as much or as little as you are comfortable with. Young people can join on their own and update their dashboard, just like older adults. This competition is a game that educates and challenges us. Our Green Team will check our team's progress during the month of July to see how we are performing in comparison to other faith communities in and around the Northshore.

This EcoChallenge is sponsored by the Coalition of North American Aquariums and Zoos. Have fun and clean up our oceans!
Save the Date - Interfaith Action of Evanston's
Vision Keeper's Dinner
Sunday, September 18 at 5:30 pm
DoubleTree, Versailles Room
Tickets: $75

Join the IAE Board in honoring members of our faith communities who exemplify the IAE vision of interfaith social action and dialogue. Tickets include a donation to support IAE's direct services to homeless and hungry people in Evanston.
UCE Resources
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330