Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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In-Person & Virtual Worship Service from the UUA
General Assembly this Sunday, June 26th at 11:30 am
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2022 UUA General Assembly Live Streamed Sunday Worship Service
Join us at 11:30 am for the largest annual gathering of UUs worshiping together. Rev. Gretchen Haley, Senior Minister of the Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church in Fort Collins, CO, will lead the Sunday Worship service, along with worship team members Rev. Sean Neil-Barron, Shari Halliday-Quan, and the GA Choir. We will live stream the service from the sanctuary at 11:30 am.
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Please join us at 11 am before the service for
Kinship Time in back of the sanctuary!
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Ministers' Response to U.S. Supreme Court Opinion
in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health
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This morning the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health effectively overturning Roe vs. Wade, which, in 1973, established the right to an abortion as a privacy right guaranteed by federal constitutional law. Now, each state will be able to regulate abortion laws without any federal oversight ensuring the human right to self-determination.
Illinois has strong laws protecting a pregnant person’s rights to access all healthcare options. Here are ways to support access to these resources:
Beloveds, you are not alone with your sorrow and anger. Reach out to either one of us if you want to talk, cry, or rage.
~ Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan
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"On the Cusp"
From Kathy Underwood, Director of Lifespan Faith Formation
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In case you haven’t heard, since my last article Todd and I have officially become grandparents. We welcomed Clementine Jennifer Underwood (CJ for short) on May 25. Mom Michelle is struggling a bit but is slowly adjusting to the many unusual sounds of a newborn.
And I am carefully balancing on the cusp between being a supportive mother-in-law and an over-bearing one. I keep offering to help in any way I can no matter how small and have only been asked once to stay with the baby so Michelle could sleep. I know they need to find a new rhythm to their family life though, and so I continue to offer my help and wait to be asked.
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Pride 2022 Upcoming Local Events |
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This summer, celebrate Pride with the LGBTQIA+ communities in Evanston and Chicago! Evanston Pride is hosting a Community Picnic on July 30th. Or attend one of the many Chicago Pride events; Pride in the Park on June 25th & 26th; and the Pride Parade on June 26th.
UCE celebrates you exactly as you are! Happy Pride!
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UCE Shared Offering Program Accepting
Nominations for 2022-23
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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!
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UCE Building Availability -
The UCE Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am-5pm
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.
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This July - Help UCE with Plastic Free EcoChallenge. More info below under "Social Justice & Action."
The Next Worship Planning Playdate is July 30th from 10 am - Noon in Room 3. More info and registration link below.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, June 25
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Virtual Pilates at 9:30 am on Zoom. Email Janelle Brittain to join.
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Tai Chi at 9:45 am and 11 am in Room 3.
Sunday, June 26
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
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Nonfiction Book Group at 10 am on Zoom. Click here to join.
- Kinship Time at 11 am in the back of the sanctuary before the service.
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UUA General Assembly Worship Service at 11:30 am - Sanctuary & Youtube. Click here to join.
Monday, June 27
Tuesday, June 28
- Retired Women's Group at 12:30 pm for a potluck lunch in the back of the sanctuary.
- Tuesday Free Concert at 7 pm at Baker Park, SE Evanston.
Wednesday, June 29
Thursday, June 30
- Shared Offering Program Nominations are due!
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Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
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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!
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Congregational Connections |
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New Sanctuary Hearing Loop |
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The Capital Campaign Implementation Committee is pleased to announce that our Sanctuary Loop will be complete on Monday, June 27.
Jon Siegel will make an announcement at the Sunday July 3rd Worship Service and will be available at the table where we currently provide the hearing devices to instruct users how to use their hearing aids with the new system.
The loop system allows the user of a T-coil enabled hearing aid to essentially plug in to the signal directly from the microphone(s) that feed into the sound system. It’s better than a simple amplifier because it takes advantage of all the signal processing that the hearing aid does, matching the needs of each person, determined by the audiologist who adjusts the hearing aid. Room noise and reverberation are greatly reduced.
If you have a t-coil hearing aid, read your instructions on how to set it to interact with a t-coil loop system. Instructions will be available on July 3rd as well. Questions, email Sandra Robinson at srobinson@ucevanston.org.
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Fair Trade Cart Closing for the Summer |
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The Fair Trade Cart wants to thank everyone for your patronage these past months and announce that we will be closed for the summer beginning on Sunday, July 17. Stock up on coffee and chocolate and find the perfect summer accessories and gifts before we disappear until September!
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Save the Date - Next Worship Planning Playdate |
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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.
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What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
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Change in Time for Worship Service This Sunday -
Kinship and Live Streamed Worship from General Assembly!
- 11 am – Kinship Time – the nursery will be open, so caregivers can enjoy socializing
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11:30 am – “The Deal on Those Days” - Worship from General Assembly in Portland, OR – come to UCE to watch together, or watch from home here
- Nursery care (ages 0-3) during worship in room 11 from 10 am-1 pm
And families can explore our new theme of Celebrating Blessings in their own timeframe in the Soulful Home packet.
And Looking Ahead...
The Family Ministry Team is making summer plans!
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Water Games and/or Sidewalk Chalk Games – July 10 at noon
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Penny Park Picnic – August 7 at Noon
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Wednesdays on the Lawn returns! Mark your calendars for the following dates:
- 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.
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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)
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The nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom at 10 am THIS 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.
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The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading Grey Bees by Ukrianian novelist Andrey Kurkov, translated by Boris Dralyuk. Join us for the book discussion on Friday, July 15 at 7pm by ZOOM.
Sergey Sergeyich, a beekeeper, and his friend Pashka are the last residents of a small village in the grey zone between Ukraine and Russia during the 2014 war. The two curmudgeons spar with good nature through the winter, then Sergey decides that when spring comes, his bees will need meadows to source pollen, so he must pack them up and travel through Ukraine west to more peaceful climes. In his travels, Sergey encounters combatants and civilians on both sides of the battle lines and must armor himself in his strong moral compass in order to maintain equilibrium. Kurkov is hailed variously as “a post-soviet Kafka,” “a kind of Ukrainian Kurt Vonnegut ,” “carrying top notes of Beckett and Pinter,” “a modern-day Odysseus.”
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Urgent Need for Sack Lunches at Connections
for the Homeless Pick up Sites
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Connections for the Homeless has an urgent need for sack lunches to be provided at its three pick-up locations. Food insecurity is ever present in our community and making lunches is one way we can help!
Please note the different delivery instructions for different locations. If you have any questions about how to sign up on the Connections calendar, please contact Sheila Holder through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org. Sheila also has packets of mayo and mustard to include in your prepared lunches.
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Vote in IL Primary Election on June 28 |
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June 28th is the Illinois Primary Election. It is the last date to get your mail-in ballot postmarked. You may also vote in-person at your polling place from 6:00 am - 7:00 pm.
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Sign Petition to Support Local Housing Program |
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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.
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This July - Help UCE with Plastic Free EcoChallenge |
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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!
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Save the Date - Interfaith Action of Evanston's
Vision Keeper's Dinner
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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.
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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