Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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In-Person & Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, March 13th at 10:15 am
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What do yUU believe?
Our faith is a shared endeavor of meaning making, and a communal practice of living according to the meaning we make. Participants in our recent intergenerational class, What Do yUU Believe, share their thoughts on some of their core beliefs and how those beliefs inform their lives. This service is led by Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood, our Director of Lifespan Faith Formation with contributions from: Bob Mesle, Luke Montzka, Dan Solomon, and Chris Yoo.
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Faith Formation Hour for All Ages (11:35 am-12:30 pm) Following Kinship Time in the back of the sanctuary (11:15-11:35 am) |
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"Music Meets Art: Bring Your Inner Kindergartner!" - Room 5
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Storyteller Workshop with our guest storyteller, Olivia Behr - Room 3 & on Zoom. Click here to join.
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Nursery (0-3 years) - Room 11
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From Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director |
Greetings,
First and foremost, as Staff Lead of the Integrated Stewardship Council, I appeal to you if you have not yet turned in your pledge for 2022-23 please do so today. Our pledge drive chairs and planning team are working hard to help us reach our projected goal. We are asking you to get your pledges in this Sunday. Your time, talent and treasures are so valued as we all work together to do the work at UCE and in the world that matters greatly.
Two important events are coming up that I want to make sure get on your radar. We will hold a Rummage Sale at UCE on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21st. We will provide for the congregation a list of items we will be accepting. The sale will be held in the Sanctuary, Room 2 and 3 with a Café in the lobby. Since we are not using the lower level it means we need to thoughtfully determine what we sell. The Rummage Sale Planning Team is using spreadsheets of former sales to determine highest selling items. Our donation requests will be based on that information.
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Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
responds to the war in Ukraine
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The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee responds to the war in Ukraine and demands an end to the bloodshed. Follow the link below to their response and for ways to help the Ukrainian people. |
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The Final Days As the pledge drive enters its final five days, it is going strong: As of last Saturday, we had received two-thirds of our goal of $610,000, and pledges have been reaching the office throughout the week.
But to meet this goal and to give the Board time to finalize the budget for next year, we need to get every pledge in by this coming Sunday, March 13.
If you haven’t yet pledged, can you do so right now? Your pledge matters. The online process takes less than two minutes. Please click here.
Pledge Help and Info—For help completing your pledge forms, please leave a phone message at 847-864-1330, Ext. 111, or email pledgeinfo@ucevanston.org. A member of our Support Team will contact you.
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Hats Off to Becky Crawford! |
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Our hats are off to Becky Crawford! Becky bravely volunteered to learn the new livestreaming system and, after spending many hours shadowing our A/V Tech, Adam Gough, she smoothly navigated running the livestreamed Sunday morning worship service for the first time this past week. It was a job well done! We hope to have more folks let Adam know if they would like to join Becky as one of our volunteer A/V Tech substitutes.
Becky also leads some of our regular anti-racism work with the Racial Equity Action and Leadership (REAL) Team. She serves on the REAL Team Planning Group, which plans and facilitates the monthly REAL Team meetings that are currently focused on how to identify and address the characteristics of white supremacy culture.
Thanks for bringing your can-do spirit to UCE, Becky!
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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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Wednesday Zoom Gatherings Continue on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 5:30 pm via Zoom.
Submit your pledge form by March 13! More info above.
BLUU Havens Chicago meets next on Saturday, March 19. More info below!
The Next Worship Planning Playdate is Saturday, April 9. More info below.
The Rosemary Zwick Afternoon of the Arts is Saturday, April 9 at 3-5 pm. More info below.
UCE Rummage Sale returns in May so save your items! More info below.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, March 12
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Virtual Pilates at 9:30 am on Zoom. Email Janelle Brittain to join.
- Tai Chi at 9:45 am & 11 am at Room 3 at UCE.
Sunday, March 13
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SUBMIT YOUR 2022-2023 UCE PLEDGE BY TODAY!
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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 Livestream. Click here to join.
- Kinship Time at 11:15-11:35 am - back of the sanctuary
- Faith Formation Hour this Sunday:
- Art - Room 5
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Storyteller Workshop - Room 3 & Zoom. Click here to join.
- Nursery (0-3 years) - Room 11
Monday, March 14
Tuesday, March 15
Wednesday, March 16
Thursday, March 17
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Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
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Board of Trustees at 7 pm via Zoom. Email the Office to join.
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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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Mark your Calendars! Lots of Fun Coming Up in April |
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- The Next Worship Planning Playdate - Saturday, April 9 at 9 am - Noon
- Rosemary Zwick Afternoon of the Arts - Saturday, April 9 at 3-5 pm
- UCE Earth Day Celebration - Friday, April 22 at 7 pm
- Emma's Revolution Concert - Saturday, April 30 at 7 pm
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Save your items...UCE's rummage sale returns in May! |
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Save your items. . . UCE's rummage sale returns in May. We are not sure just yet exactly what the event will look like, but the team is meeting to finalize plans, choose chairs and decide on the date.
As you clean, clear and organize heading toward spring, keep UCE in your work. We will provide more specifics in the days ahead. Several are wondering if the sale will take place. The answer is YES. Save your goods.
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Next Realm Training Session - March 15 |
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Join Adam Gough and Jessica Meis for a Realm Training on Tuesday, March 15 at 2-3 pm on Zoom. We'll go over how to communicate with your groups and each other in Realm. We'll also explain how to manage and find new groups, so you can learn how to update the "groups" section of your profile. This is a great session for group leaders and those that want to learn more about Realm!
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BLUU Havens Chicago March Gathering - March 19 |
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SATURDAY, MARCH 19TH 1:00-2:30 on Zoom
Join at 12:30 for Socializing or Just Hanging Out & Listening to Music! We welcome you to join us for our March Black Lives of Unitarian
Universalism BLUU Havens Chicago Gathering. This will be a Black Only Sacred Space. To request a zoom link please email: BLUUHavenChicago@gmail.com.
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Widening the Circle of Concern
Reading for March 20, 2022 Faith Formation Hour
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March 20th 11:30-12:30
Come share ways to innovate and take risks as we live into our UU values. Congregants are encouraged to participate in small group discussions of the Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change, Widening the Circle of Concern. This report is a guiding document for UCE’s Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work.
For our discussion in March, you are encouraged to read the chapter on Innovations and Risk-Taking before March 20th so you are prepared for the conversation. You do not need to have participated in previous conversations to join this one!
These conversations will be taking place in-person and via Zoom. If you hold a marginalized identity and would want an identity-based caucus space to discuss Widening the Circle of Concern, please contact Rev. Eileen Wiviott or Rev. Susan Frances by March 13th, so we can arrange that space.
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Upcoming Worship Planning Playdate - April 9 |
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Our next Worship Planning Playdate is coming up April 9th from 9 am - Noon in the UCE Sanctuary. All are welcome if you are interested in helping to shape the upcoming worship services. Registration is not required to attend but will help us in planning.
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The Rosemary Zwick Night Afternoon of the Arts
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Reviving a tradition started by artist and UCE member Rosemary Zwick, The Rosemary Zwick Night
Afternoon of the Arts will be Saturday, April 9 from 3:00-5:00 pm. The sanctuary will be filled with people of all ages enjoying a variety of art projects.
If you’re interested in hosting an art station or helping in other ways, contact Karena Nelson at karenaknelson@gmail.com….Don’t worry if you don’t know the project you’d offer--we can help with that!
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Come to General Assembly 2022!! |
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Friends, now is your opportunity to join thousands of other UUs at the annual General Assembly! The steps are easy. For information about GA, go here. At that GA website you’ll find links to everything you’d want to know. But for what you need right now:
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2) Sign up for Housing. If you’d like to take advantage of the special offers assigned to UUA GA participants, go to the sign-up page to select your hotel and room.
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Call for UCE Delegates to the UUA General Assembly |
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Now is your opportunity to join thousands of UUs, both in-person or virtually, at the 2022 UUA General Assembly (GA). UCE is looking for members interested in serving as delegates. Whether attending in-person or virtually your participation supports your personal development and our congregation’s growth and development, which in turn supports our mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole.
Delegates are asked to commitment to the following:
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Study: https://www.uua.org/ga/congregations/delegates
- Read and review the proposed issues for the assembly
- Attend Preparing for General Assembly workshop(s) about planned issues to discuss and understand the congregation’s response/concerns
- Attend plenary sessions (business meetings) at assembly and vote as appropriate
- Contribute to a consolidated report back to the Board and congregation after the assembly (major vote results, new resolutions, significant theme messages)
Funds Available for Delegates and Non-Delegates Attending General Assembly
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UUA Study of our Principles and Sources Seeks Your Input |
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The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has commissioned a study of Article II of the UUA Bylaws. Article II is comprised of our Principles and Purposes and is the foundation for the work of our Unitarian Universalist (UU) movement. It encompasses the covenant to which all of our UU congregations and UU covenanted communities pledge themselves when they become members of our UUA. |
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Margarita Inn Neighborhood Meeting |
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Date: Sunday, March 13
Time: 4-5:30 pm
Location: St. Mark's Episcopal Church - 1509 Ridge Ave.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Margarita European Inn, 1566 Oak Ave., has been used to serve families and individuals in need. Connections for the Homeless, the organization operating the facility, has expressed a desire to make this arrangement permanent. Please join 4th Ward Councilmember Jonathan Nieuwsma, Connections for the Homeless, and City staff at a community meeting to share your feedback and ask questions
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Combatting Anti-Trans Legislation 101 Webinar
next Tuesday, March 15 at 7 pm
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Last year’s spring legislative season was the worst on record for anti-trans bills, with more than 100 proposed in state legislatures; nine states ended up passing bills. This year is even worse: approximately 150 anti-trans bills are currently moving through state legislatures, seeking to criminalize life-saving health care, legislate bathrooms, block trans youth from playing sports, and more.
In June, the UUA General Assembly passed an Action of Immediate Witness that calls on UUs to work to block and repeal these bills and laws and support trans, nonbinary, and intersex members of our congregations and communities in concrete ways. UCE has already made this commitment, and this webinar will resource us in new ways!
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UU Ministry of Earth - March Events |
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Congregational Climate Convergence: March 22 @ 12-3:30 pm CT
Calling all congregational lay leaders and religious professionals passionate about climate justice! Join Side With Love, Green Sanctuary 2030, and UU Ministry for Earth for a day of community nourishment, resource sharing and skill-building to support your local eco ministries! Register here.
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Ecology as Scripture: March 23 @ 11-2 CT
For Ministers, Seminarians, Religious Educators & Lay Leaders Connect science to spiritual practice and peace education. This workshop is an exploration of climate change and how connecting the climate crisis to religious beliefs, teachings, and practices can inspire local and global actions. Register here.
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Taproot: A National UU BIPOC Space |
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The work of spiritual community is complicated in the 21st century. From busy schedules to the ever-pressing tension brought on by systemic injustice, the need for faithful leadership that is grounded and resilient is imperative. This is all the more true for leaders within our congregations who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC). BIPoC Leaders rooted in Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to take part in a monthly virtual gathering as we explore these pillars in creating means by which to ground ourselves in resilient communities of care:
- Rest & Renewal
- Analysis Building
- Leadership Development
Dates: April 14, and May 12, 2022.
Time: 7 PM CT
This space is explicitly for people identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC).
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What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
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Last Sunday, our elementary ages created a new covenant and tested it out with the Spaghetti Challenge! They were tasked with building the tallest structure using 20 pieces of spaghetti, 3 feet of tape, and one marshmallow, all while following their covenant. The true covenant test though, comes as we continue to gather together this year!
We continue our new monthly theme, Renewing Faith! Families can explore this in their own timeframe in the Soulful Home packet.
Faith Formation Hour this Sunday…
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Storytelling Workshop with our guest storyteller, Olivia Behr, in room 3 and on Zoom. Click here to join.
- Art in Room 5: “Music Meets Art: Bring Your Inner Kindergartner!”
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Nursery care is available for ages 0-3 from 10 am-12:30pm
...and beyond!
The Family Ministry Team has a few things in the works, such as geocaching, making bagged lunches for the homeless. Stay tuned for details soon!
Youth Group Gathering at Busse Woods - Saturday, April 23, 2022
3:00 pm -7:30 pm (Times are still tentative). Come with your peers and spend an afternoon with UU teens from Elgin, Geneva, Hinsdale, Naperville and Palatine.
March 29 at 7 pm on Zoom: "What are Prisons For?" with Dr. Caleb Smith, Professor of English and American Studies at Yale. He is an expert on the cultural history of discipline and punishment in the United States. Register here.
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Adult Forum Discussion - March 20 |
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Celebrating Women's History Month with Kristin Lems, Jane Addams and Ida B. Wells: We will learn about the connections between Jane Addams and Ida B. Wells in this presentation by Kristin Lems. Join us on zoom or in room 6 after service.
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Registration Open for this summer's
Chalice Sparx Family Camp & Retreat for UU Families
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Registration for this summer’s Chalice Sparx Family Camp & Retreat for Unitarian Universalist families is now open. Join us July 8-10 in Cassopolis, Michigan for an amazing all-ages experience at lovely Camp Friedenswald in southwestern Michigan -- only 90 miles from Chicago. As an intentional UU covenanted community, we are especially welcoming to Trans children, youth and their families.
We are a non-profit organization run by Unitarian Universalist religious educators, ministers, and lay persons from all over the Midwest.
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UCE Book Groups- February |
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The nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom at 2 pm on Sunday, March 27th to discuss The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto by NY Times opinion columnist Charles M. Blow.
The central question of the book is "What could and should Black people do to acquire and maintain the economic and political power — for the many, not just for the few — that the Great Migration failed to secure?” Join us to consider the author's answer to the question.
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UCE Fiction Book Group will be discussing The Anomaly by Herve LeTellier, translated by Adriana Hunter on Friday, March 18 at 7-8:30 pm on Zoom.
A "best thriller of the year” in the “Twilight” mode, says The New York Times. The central conceit involves 243 people whose plane mysteriously appears four months after it already landed, and the appearance of 243 identical copies raises some interesting issues, including some science fiction tropes. But the plot simply supports a bunch of fascinating characters taking a new look at who they have become. An ingenious, timely variation on the doppelgänger theme.
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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