Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, June 27 at 11 am (instead of 11:15 am)
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General Assembly Worship
Join the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. This powerful, communal worship experience will stream on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 11 am CST. Members of the public are welcome to view the service.
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There will be a UCE coffee hour at 12:15 pm. There will also be a General Assembly coffee hour, for attendees. That link will be available 30 minutes before the start at 12:15 pm, through the GA portal.
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"Getting Unstuck and Remaining Nimble"
From Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Senior Minister
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We need one another to be flexible and dexterous in times of crisis and change. We need one another as we respond with resilience, make decisions, and adapt in the struggle for collective liberation. We need one another in transformation through joy and sorrow. We need one another when we are stuck.
I got stuck, literally, the other day and I needed help. I was gluing acrylic tips to my dog’s nails… perhaps, that sentence needs a little context...
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Staff Profile: Jessica Meis |
Our communications coordinator feels valued here. And no wonder. Jessica Meis has so many skills that help us fulfill our mission — whether it’s publicizing and assisting at our pledge drive, creating a graphic for our Christmas Eve service, or putting together our newsletter. She adds your notices to our calendar and the orders of service, and can post notices to social media for you.
Jessica lived her early formative years in Texas. A graduate of Cornell College (Mount Vernon, Iowa), she completed a Bachelor of Special Studies in Art History...
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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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Deepening UU Identity: ALL AGES UCE History Tour |
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Deepening UU Identity - June 30 at 6:30-8 pm at UCE (In-Person) – Ever wonder what's up in the balcony? Did you even know we had a balcony? What's it like to stand in the pulpit or peek behind the chancel? Do you even know what the chancel is or how it got there? Come to church for a tour of the building you thought you knew. Learn about the history of our congregation, what the church was like when we first moved in. Join in a scavenger hunt of hidden passageways and lost artifacts. This is an event for all ages and whole families. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask. Those who are not vaccinated are required to wear a mask.
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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 in July at 5:30 - 7:30 pm. More details below.
Donations for RefugeeOne need to be dropped off by July 9th. More info below.
Upcoming Worship Planning Playdate is July 10 at 9:30 am. More info below.
Application Deadline for 2021-2022 Shared Plate Program Nominations is July 31.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Friday, June 25
Saturday, June 26
Sunday, June 27
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom - Email Renee Hoff for details.
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Virtual Non-Fiction Book Group at 2 pm via Zoom. Click here to join.
- Youth/Emerging YA Picnic and Campfire at 6 pm on the South Lawn.
Monday, June 28
Wednesday, June 30
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Virtual Yoga at 9:30 am via 8x8. Click here to join.
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All Church Zoom gathering at 5:30 pm - Look for the link in next week's Wednesday e-mail.
- Deepening Our UU Identity: All Ages UCE History Tour at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
Thursday, July 1
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Virtual Meditation at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Andrea DeMers for the link.
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COVID Vaccination Opportunity at Ebenezer AME Church |
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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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Congregational Connections |
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Proximity Partner Gathering by the Lake Sunday, June 27, 4pm. |
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The South Evanston Proximity partners will get together by the lake, Sunday, June 27 at 4 pm. The rain date is July 11, same time and place. We will be on the lawn, just north of the Lee Street Beach bathrooms.
BYOC! Bring your own chair or blanket, any snacks or drinks for yourself if you want. Note: Food is not the focus. And all you other Proximity Partners from other areas will be warmly welcomed too! Contact Marcy Hicks or Shirley Adams for more info.
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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
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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Worship Planning Play Date - July 10 |
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Our next Worship Planning Play Date will be live and IN PERSON! On Saturday, July 10th from 9:30 am to noon. If you are interested in creating and participating in worship, join us in the UCE sanctuary to plan the worship services September through November. We will also review elements of worship and train (or re-train) worship associates, as well as ‘metaphorage’ for words, music, visuals and ritual elements to weave into Sunday morning services. Please register if you are interested or contact Rev. Eileen with questions.
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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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This Summer with Faith Formation! |
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This week, we explore our theme of Play in the At Play segment of our Soulful Home packet. Watch a short video here and check out the whole packet here.
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CANCELLED due to weather: Summer Solstice Picnic and Campfire – TONIGHT, June 25, 6-8:30 pm on the South Lawn.
High School Youth, Recent Grads, Current College Students - June 27, 6-8 pm - Sign up here for a gathering on the lawn to picnic, have some s'mores, play some games, and have some fun! Bring a picnic/snack, chair/blanket, and any cool toys the group can play with together on the lawn.
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The UCE Nonfiction Book Group will meet at 2 pm this Sunday, June 27th to discuss Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History by Kurt Andersen.
The author argues that America needs to change its political economy from one in which big business gets whatever it wants and the rich get richer at the expense of most Americans to one that works for the majority and for the long run.
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On 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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Evanston Pride Events on June 26th |
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Evanston Pride is hosting a day of PRIDE events on June 26th. We are one of the stationary lawn floats as part of the Evanston Pride Youth Car Parade scheduled for 1:00 pm! Take a drive by the Ridge side of UCE on June 26th and celebrate being you!
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June 26 and July 3 are the Drop Off Days for Much Needed Toothpaste, Dishwashing Liquid, and Sponges |
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Interfaith Action of Evanston operates a monthly Produce Mobile, year-round, providing free groceries and toiletries to around 250 families.
For the July 13th Produce Mobile, they are in need of the following items:
- Toothpaste
- Dishwashing liquid
- Sponges
Please limit your generosity to the items requested.
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Want to climb back on a bike with a group of friends? |
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Monday, June 28, 10am, The Green Team invites you to take a slow easy bike ride starting from Blue Star Memorial Woods parking lot on Lake Ave. in Glenview. Wear your helmet. We can ride to the far end of the Skokie Lagoons on paved trails, an approximately 30 minute ride. After a brief rest, we will return to the start and perhaps seek refreshment nearby.
Walkers: There is an additional option to meet us at 10 am and walk the route in the opposite direction on the dirt path - avoiding the bikers. This is a wooded shaded walk along a creek.
Email Shirley Adams for info. Note: The Green Team will not meet in July due to the holiday weekend. Next meeting is the first Saturday, August 7 at 1pm.
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Volunteer Opportunities to Assist Refugees through
RefugeeOne or FORA
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Who are able to act as interpreters for refugees. The most common languages are Arabic, Farsi, Kiswahili, Burmese, Rohingya, and French. If you are able to assist, please contact Shubira Bocko, at sbocko@refugeeone.org.
- Refugee One is holding a drive for new gym shoes and backpacks for kids as part of their Back-to-School effort. The Immigrant Solidarity Team is organizing a donation effort to help these families get ready for school in the fall.
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The deadline for all shoe donations is July 9th as all the shoes will be delivered the next day to the RefugeeOne. Email Jeanne Kerl and deliver them to her house (address in REALM) or she may be able to pick them up, if you can't.
Please indicate on this form what you are willing to purchase so we can keep track.
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Help RefugeeOne collect backpacks with school supplies for kids for the fall term. Follow the link below for a list of what the backpacks should contain. If you can donate a few backpacks please contact Lee Bannor or Michelle Novak and we will arrange pick-ups or you can drop them off at UCE, Mondays, Wednesday, or Fridays between 9 am - Noon. Please get your backpacks or items dropped off or picked up by July 9th.
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To tutor students during weekend reflection seminars for 20 selected students under the guidance of The Telling Room experts. These seminars will be conducted on twelve Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm in the fall of 2021, and then twelve more Saturdays again in the spring of 2022. They need EIGHT local facilitators to help lead these seminars -- volunteers who can come each of the 24 Saturday mornings (with one or two missed Saturdays allowed, at most) at their FORA learning center at 6421 N. California Ave., Chicago. If you are not an expert writer or storyteller, do not worry! There will be a mandatory three day training provided by The Telling Room via Zoom on June 28, 29 and 30th, 2021. If you are interested, please contact Mike O'Connor at michael@refugeefora.org.
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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