Sunday Service

June 8, 2025 at 10:30am 

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 – 10:15a-12:15p



All Ages Pride Worship! Wear your pride glam, bring your flag, and show your love for all!



Summer Program begins June 15! Join us for some Artsy Summer fun during faith formation hour! Each week will be a different art form: painting, fiber art, music, dance, and sensory. All ages are invited! 

Families can check out the new Soulful Home packet on our May’s theme of Imagination. 

  You can see what’s coming up on our evolving calendar here.

UPDATE FROM REV. EILEEN WIVIOTT

Growing Through Triumph and Struggle

As we come to another liturgical year, when things slow down a little (but definitely don't stop!) it's a time to reflect on the many joys we've shared over the past twelve months. I've been asked often in clergy gatherings, "What's keeping you going? What feeds your spirit?" My garden always springs to mind. My deep purple irises finally all snapped open this week. I was hoping to have them for flower communion, but they were two days late. 

This week’s hats off goes to the devoted, hard-working, talented, and generous choristers who comprise the UCE Choir! These amazing people worked hard to learn, and work up to performance level, 44 choir pieces, in a variety of styles and languages (sometimes, due to changes in our world, needing to switch songs with very little notice) and sang in 19 services. They’ve done a wonderful job! 

Thank you to all 71 wonderful choristers who have participated in the UCE Choir program this year. Your singing, spirit, and energy greatly enhanced our services and touched our souls! Thank you all!

• To submit Newsletter requests Please use our Google Form found HERE to submit your articles and images. The deadline is Noon on Wednesdays.

• 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!

Friday, June 6th:

• UCE OFFICES CLOSED for Solar Panels Connection to Power Grid

Saturday, June 7th:

• Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Beginner Tai Chi, 9:45-10:45am, Room 6
• Intermediate Tai Chi, 11-12pm, Room 6

Sunday, June 8th:

• Chris Isely Cancer Support Group, 9am-10:15am, in-person Rm 6 and via Zoom
• Sunday Service, 10:30am - 11:30 am, Sanctuary
• Kinship Time, 11:30-12:30pm, Back of Sanctuary
• Young Adult Soulful Sunday, 12-1pm, Room 12
• Interfaith Family Pride Fest, 2-5pm, Raymond Park

Monday, June 9th:

• UCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45pm, via Zoom
• Family Ministry Team, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, June 10th:

• Denominational Affairs, 11-12pm, via Zoom
• Women's Circle of Friends Covenant Group, 1-2:30pm, via Zoom
• Emissions Reduction Task Force, 2:30-3:30, via Zoom
• UCE Delegates Session, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Wednesday, June 11th:

• Yoga Online, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Carol Young Ceremony, 3-5pm, Sanctuary
• Grief Group, 5-6:30pm, Room 3
• Integrated Stewardship Council Meeting, 6-7:30pm, via Zoom
• Social Justice Council, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom
• THAT Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Thursday, June 12th:

• Evanston Near South Proximity Group, 1-2pm, via Zoom
• Creating Posters for Change, 5-6:30pm, Rooms 3 and 5
• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Beacon of Light Gathering, 7-7:30pm, Dempster and Ridge
• Board of Trustees, 7-9pm, Room 6

Our Shared Offering Program is one of the ways that we live into our mission statement "for a world made whole." Each Sunday, the funds collected during our worship service either via text donations or in the collection bowls (and not otherwise designated for a pledge or something else) are shared equally between our operating budget and the current Shared Offering Recipient.

This Sunday's offering will be shared with the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU.  BLUU is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; providing support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.

Come be a Beacon of Light!

Inspired by the Beacons of Light movement shared in Rev Eileen's May 11th sermon, we're joining a growing chorus of resistance, hope, and solidarity right here in Evanston.

Starting Thursday, June 5, and continuing every Thursday from 7:00-7:30 PM through at least the end of August, the interfaith clergy invite the community to gather in solidarity at one of these locations in Evanston (there will be people gathering at all 3 locations each Thursday):

• Dempster & Ridge
• Chicago & Main
• Central & Central Park



All are welcome. Bring a colorful sign with a positive message of solidarity and hope (sign inspiration here), or include The Beacon’s QR code to spread the light even further.

Bring your voice, your guitar, your ukulele—let’s sing, witness, and imagine together a world shaped by love and justice. Whether we’re three people or 100, we are part of something bigger. Come be a light!

Posters of Change – Thursday, June 12, 5:30–6:30 PM

Help us create colorful, uplifting posters to use at local rallies, marches, and community gatherings throughout the summer.

This is a great chance to express your values through art—and make signs that can be used during Thursday evening Beacons of Light events or other public witness opportunities.

All supplies provided. Just bring your creativity and a spirit of hope!

Topher Carrington, Jim Dibble, and Aaron Testard are staffing our UCE Table at this year's Evanston Interfaith Family Pride Fest. Stop by Raymond Park between 2-5 pm for an afternoon of celebration and fun! To volunteer for various roles throughout the Pride Fest, click this link

Evanston Interfaith Clergy Showing of No Other Lands

No Kings Day Rallies June 14

Mark your calendars to join UUs across the country in the planned “No Kings” rallies on Saturday, June 14, 2025. These demonstrations are a counterpoint to the Trump Administration’s military parade planned for the same day in Washington, DC. Show up at these local rallies to voice your support for democracy:

*Fountain Square, 1601 Sherman Ave., Evanston, 10:00-11:30 am. Rev. Eileen is a speaker.

*Daily Plaza, 50 W. Washington, Chicago, 12:00-1:30 pm. Attend with Rev. Eileen following the Evanston rally.

Race Against Hate: Sunday, June 15, 2025

Some of us run, some walk, some roll! However you roll, be part of the YWCA Race Against Hate by joining the UCE Racial Equity Team. Every Father’s Day, the YWCA hosts a race to honor Ricky Byrdsong, who was murdered by a white supremacist in front of his children while walking near their Skokie home. Proceeds from the event support the Evanston/North Shore YWCA's racial equity programming. More information about Ricky Byrdsong and the Race is here.

Be sure to join the UCE Racial Equity Team when you register.

If you can’t be with us in the Race, but want to join in spirit, support the team by using the above link to donate to one of our racers or the UCE Racial Equity Team.

Dana Deane is coordinating the UCE Racial Equity Team 2025. Please let her know if you have any questions. Dddeane847 at gmail dot com.

Prison Ministry Pen Pal Orientation - June 11, 12-2pm on Zoom

Join the Prison Ministry Pen Pals! The UCE Prison Ministry Team invites you to consider becoming a pen pal to someone in prison. UU Prison Ministry of Illinois has 37 UU pen pals in Illinois waiting to be matched with someone on the outside. Attending the Orientation does not commit you to being a pen pal. Come learn about what being a pen pal entails. Register here for the Zoom link.

This is an easy form of volunteering that can be very rewarding, as UCE member Lina Hilko noted in a recent Joys and Sorrows: “I want to share my joy in a new relationship with my UUPMI pen pal. It is a joy to find so much commonality with a person whose life is very different from mine. Every letter brings me sunshine."

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is Friday, June 20th



The Young Adult Group at UCE is a group for young adults (18-35) interested in exploring spiritual deepening in community. We meet on every 3rd Friday from 7-9pm in Room 3 to discuss monthly Soul Matters themes, check in with each other, eat snacks, and play games.

Contact Kiley Korey (kileyekorey at gmail dot com), Kevin Barrow (kbarrow13 at gmail dot com) or Kathy Underwood (kunderwood at ucevanston dot org) with any questions.

Alabama Living Legacy Pilgrimage

Join Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan on September 24-28, 2025, for a Living Legacy tour through Alabama curated by the Living Legacy Project [LLP). We choose this tour because LLP was founded by UUs. During the course of the tour, we will be provided with details about our Unitarian Universalist connection with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. Folks who have indicated an interest were emailed earlier this week. If you would like to participate and did not receive an email about the tour, please email Rev. Susan. July 24, 2025 is the deadline to complete the two-step registration process:

1. Pre-register with the Living Legacy Project, who is the tour guide.
2. Register and make a non-refundable deposit of $600 with Educational Travel Adventures, who handles the transportation, lodging and meal logistics.

What Questions Do You Have About AI?

This summer, Dr. Farrell will offer a 3-part sermon series on AI - a topic that's increasingly shaping our lives. While they don't claim to be an expert, they are learning alongside many of us and hope to explore AI through the lens of our shared values.

To help shape the series, Dr. Farrell is inviting your input:

What questions, concerns, or curiosities do you have about AI?

Click here to share your thoughts through a brief form. Your responses will help guide the themes and direction of the sermons.

Shared Offering Program Nominations Open

Nominations for the 2025-2026 Shared Offering Program are now being accepted by the Social Justice Council until July 26, 2025. If you have any questions about this Program, please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Sign Up Is Open for Summer Friendship Meals

Signups are open for Summer Friendship Meals! The online sign up sheet  (click here) contains meal details; browse the choices and select the one that works. Get sign-up help at the back of the sanctuary after worship on June 1st and 8th. Or contact Lina Hilko (LHilko at aol dot com) or Margaret Koreman

(Margaret.Koreman at gmail dot com). Summer session meals are:

• Wed, July 9th 6PM all-ages, BYO everything Millennium Park Concert
• Thur, July 10th 6PM in-home vegetarian Mexican potluck
• Thur, July 10th 6PM in-home, all-ages Greek potluck
• Fri, July 11th 6PM in-home, all-ages agrodolce chicken potluck
• Sat, July 12th 5:30PM in-home summer grill potluck
• Sat, July 19th 4PM in-home taco bar potluck
• Sat, July 26th 6PM split-the-bill restaurant dinner
• Sun, Aug 3rd 12:30PM in-home potluck lunch
• Sat, Aug 16th 4PM in-home, all-ages Italian dinner
• Sun, Aug 24th 4:30PM in-home, all-ages corn roast and bonfire

Join us for any part of the UCE Campout 2025 – This Weekend!

Feel free to come for a campfire or any part of the day on Saturday for hiking, swimming, biking, or the potluck at 5p.

Check out the short document with details here.

Picnics in the Park - next gathering will be June 15th!

Weather-permitting, families of all ages (not just littles!) are invited to meet up at 

Penny Park after worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

Come to Gardening Day, Saturday June 21st



The Garden Team has already been busy this Spring planting the East Rain Garden. Now that June is here, it is time to work on other gardens doing trimming (for those who love to snip and chop) and weeding (for those who like to get their hands in Mother Earth). And we are preparing to re-create the South Rain Garden. We will be digging through that garden to loosen the dirt and get rid of any remaining weeds…all in preparation for planting flowers, grasses and evergreens later. We’ll meet at the south lawn. Join anytime between 10:00-2:00. Snacks will be provided, but bring your own water. Your Garden Team Co-Chairs, Janelle and Neil, will be there to greet you.

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, June 20th, 7-8pm using our Recurring Zoom link

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading Bear by Julia Phillips

Sisters living in the wilds of Washington State respond differently when a bear adopts their encampment. A story about the bonds of sisterhood and the mysteries of the animals that live among us—and within us—"Bear" is a propulsive, mythical, richly imagined novel from one of the most acclaimed young writers in America.

We’ll also choose new books for summer reading.

The next meeting of the UCE Nonfiction Book Group will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday June 29th, on Zoom using our recurring Zoom link.

We will discuss The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We Can Take It Back by Madiba K. Dennie.

Originalism holds that if it’s not in the Constitution as the Founders wrote it, then it’s irrelevant. Dennie advocates for “inclusive constitutionalism”, arguing that the law evolves and is not frozen in time and inalterable.

On July 27th our group will discuss Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.

• Everyone is welcome to join us.

Beach Day? 

The Family Ministry Team needs your input to choose a date for a beach day at 

Lighthouse Beach this summer. Participate in the Doodle Poll to let us know your preferred dates.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Imara Jones is the UUA 2025 Ware Lecturer

Imara Jones, an award-winning journalist and trans rights activist, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s General Assembly, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s annual gathering in June. Imara is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning political journalist who is an advocate for social justice and equality across a variety of media outlets. She is the founder of TransLash Media, described on her official website as “a cross-platform journalism, personal storytelling and narrative project, which produces content to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the US.” TransLash Media tells the stories of trans and gender-nonconforming people through articles, podcasts, films, and zines.

The 2025 Ware Lecture will be delivered at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Whether attending the lecture at the Baltimore Convention Center, streaming it live, or watching a video on-demand after the event, the lecture will be available to all who register for GA 2025.

MUUSA 2025 – July 6–12 at Trout Lodge

Join fellow Unitarian Universalists for a week of community, reflection, and fun at the Midwest UU Summer Assembly (MUUSA), held July 6–12, 2025, at Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri. This intergenerational retreat offers age-specific programs for children, youth, and adults, along with workshops, worship, and recreational activities in a beautiful lakeside setting. This year’s theme speaker is Rev. Sunshine Wolfe. Scholarships are available to help make camp accessible to all. For more information and to register, visit muusa.org.

UUA QUUest Camps:

Immerse Youth in UU Values & Earth Justice at UUA QUUest Camps!

This summer, Camp Blue Boat (Idaho) and QUUest Mountain West (Wyoming) will provide transformative week-long experiences for UU middle and high school youth. In partnership with the UU College of Social Justice, we’re integrating justice work, including environmental stewardship, into daily camp life. From worship under the stars to hands-on activities that connect spiritual practice and Earth care, youth will spend the week immersed in what it means to live their UU values in harmony with the planet. Registration is now open for current 5th-12th graders. Learn more and support this vital ministry at uua.org/pwrcamp.

Join us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/520586461667097

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330