Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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In-Person & Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, June 5th at 10:15 am
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The Blessing and Beauty of Community
We celebrate the annual tradition of the flower communion, a cherished and uniquely Unitarian Universalist ritual, created by Unitarian Minister and founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia, Nobert Capek (1870-1942), to lift up joy in the midst of despair. Please bring flowers, whether from your garden or purchased, to add to our collective bouquet. Together we will express gratitude for the resilience we bring to one another.
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Following this Sunday's worship service, please join us for the All-Church Annual Picnic on the Lawn.
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After the service, we will enjoy the return of our annual church picnic. We’ll grill hot dogs, burgers, and veggie burgers. You are asked to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert. Hopefully the weather will permit us to enjoy the South lawn.
Following the picnic, around 12:30 pm, we’ll dedicate our ramp to Alma Woods who was instrumental to getting the ramp in place and serving on our Accessibility and Inclusion Team.
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Invitation to Second Baptist's
Pentecost Sunrise Service THIS SUNDAY
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Minister Sharon Weeks and Minister Ina Cagle of Second Baptist attended our Ice Cream Social on May 29th. They personally invited us to attend Second Baptist's Pentecost Sunrise Service this Sunday at 6:00 am at Centennial Park, between Church Street and Clark Street near the lakefront.
Contact Elaine Siegel through REALM to coordinate attending with other UCE members.
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From Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director |
Greetings Everyone,
We are in the final lap of our 2021/22 fiscal year. We are poised to have a successful year-end. Pledge statements will go out this week. If you have not yet completed your pledge payments for this year, please do so. This will enable us to meet projections for year-end. We have exceeded rummage sale and rental projections and are well on our way to a healthy financial recovery and start to the new fiscal year on July 1. Your generosity has kept UCE thriving. Not only is your financial support crucial, but your time and talents. Each of you bring something to this congregation that is valued and worthy. Thank you...
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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 ditance 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.
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2022-2023 UCE Calendaring Event |
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.
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Hats Off to the REAL Planning Group! |
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Our hats are off to Gail Smith, Martha Holman, Cheryl Mounts, and Becky Crawford for the marvelous ice cream social they organized for our Faith Formation Hour last Sunday! The owners of YoFresh Yogurt Café, Drs. Larry Murphy and Jean Murphy, provided a tasty assortment of yogurt while Nick Connell with nixballoons created amazing balloon animals.
Gail, Martha, Cheryl, and Becky comprise the leadership team of our Racial Equity Action and Leadership (REAL) Team. This year, they have consistently provided monthly programming, largely focused on dismantling the characteristics of white supremacy culture. They are maintaining community connections and organizing participation in YWCA Evanston/North Shore events. They hosted folks at UCE for Stand Against Racism in April and are supporting a team for the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate coming up on June 19th (see details below). They are deepening our interfaith relationships, having invited Second Baptist Church to our ice cream social and encouraging us to attend Second Baptist’s Pentecost Sunrise Service this Sunday (see details above)
Thank you, Martha, Gail, Cheryl, and Becky for all you do to fight racism, engage in racial healing, and guide our community toward becoming an anti-racist congregation!
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Our apologies for inadvertently leaving Johna Van Dyke, Jinny Niemann, Kay Gibbs-Novy, Lisa Solomon, and Joan Taylor off the list of thanks for the Rummage Sale leads. Please read Sandra Robinson's article above for more details on the important ways she contributed.
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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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June 11 - Congregational Calendaring Event at 10:30 am - Noon. More info below.
June 19 - Ricky Byrdson Race Against Hate. More info and Registration link below.
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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.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, June 4
Sunday, June 5
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am in Room 6 and via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
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Worship Service at 10:15 am - Sanctuary & Youtube. Click here to join.
- All-Church Annual Picnic following the service on the South Lawn (If inclement weather, back of the sanctuary).
Monday, June 6
Tuesday, June 7
Wednesday, June 8
Thursday, June 9
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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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Community Launch Event for Evanston's
Interfaith Reparations Effort - June 13
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Save the Date – June 19 Musical Friends of Alicia Concert! |
In response to Alicia Hempfling’s diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis and in celebration of the music that is central to her life, there will be a concert in the Sanctuary on Sunday, June 19, at 3 pm. Among our musical guests will be the Rogers Park Community Singers led by Charles Hayes (including UCE Choir members), Blues singer Katherine Davis, the Musical Offering Blues Band, Gregory Shifrin, Jenn Weisgarver, Steve Courtright, and a special appearance by one of UCE’s favorite soloists. There will be some jazz, Rock 'n' Roll, and other kinds of music as well. We will also honor Fathers Day and the Juneteenth holiday. Everyone will be masked.
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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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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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Unitarian Universalists Association 2022 General Assembly |
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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.
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!
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What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
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Faith Formation Hour this Sunday - Picnic on the Lawn
- Bring a side dish to share if you can. Burgers, hotdogs, veggie options provided! Cornhole, bubbles, music, and more!
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!
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Geocaching at Emily Oaks – June 12 at Noon – bring a sandwich for a short picnic before we try our geocaching skills. Register here.
- Water Games and/or Sidewalk Chalk Games – July 10 at noon
- Penny Park Picnic – August 7 at Noon
- Wednesdays on the Lawn returns on Wednesday evenings! Mark your calendars for the following dates: June 22, July 6, 20, August 3, 17
Summer Camp Time!
Family camps:
For Middle/high school youth:
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Marwood (Midwest Unitarian Universalist Youth Camp) – primarily for youth entering 7th grade with the expectation that they attend in high school. More info here.
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.
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Geocaching at Emily Oaks - June 12 at Noon |
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Join us for an afternoon of fun!
Those who wish to bring a sandwich for a picnic and play on the playground before geocaching will meet at Emily Oaks at noon. Those who wish to go geocaching should arrive around 12:30 pm.
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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.
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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.
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UCE UUtheVote 2022: Reclaim Our Vote in Florida! |
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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 660 post cards! Thanks to all! Pick up YOUR postcards in the back of the sanctuary this Sunday, June 5, or contact Carolyn Laughlin through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org.
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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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The UCE Afghani family: Please Support Them! |
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We wanted to give you a quick update about the Afghan family that the Refugee Family volunteers have been helping. We are proud to tell you that we have raised $6000 with another $2000 to go to reach our $8000 fundraising goal.
The baby of the family just turned one and there is much to celebrate as she is a joy, toddling around and babbling away. The young man in the family (nephew of the mother) loves to practice soccer at the Weber Center in Skokie and is also in chess club at his school.
Note: If you have a child who is around 10 years old and they’d be willing to practice soccer or do another fun activity with the boy—please reach out Jeanne Kerl through Realm or at admin@ucevanston.org and we can arrange an outing...
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Join the UCE Team in the Race Against Hate on June 19 |
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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...
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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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