Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
|
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday
Make sure to move your clocks forward 1 hr Saturday night so you aren't late to Sunday service or events!
|
|
Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, March 14 at 11:15 am
|
|
|
|
For Better; for Worse
Part of commitment is to hang in during both the good times and the hard times. How do we honor our commitments when we are in conflict? How do we mend and re-mend the bonds of community? Challenging people to live into our UU values.
|
|
|
|
From Sandra Robinson,
Executive Operations Director
|
As I write this update to you today, I honor the one-year anniversary of our church closure due to the pandemic. This year has been one of hardship, yet we have found ways to continue our work, our mission, and to be together in the very best ways possible. For all of you, our staff, leaders, volunteers and congregation, I am grateful. We carry on in love and in care for one another and the work that we do... |
|
|
|
Hats Off to Mike Takada and Chris Allender! |
Mike and Chris give of their time, talent and treasure in many ways that support the life and community building of our congregation. As an example, they generously donated a Japanese dinner as one of the auction items during our first virtual auction. Because we were using new software for our first virtual auction, several couples didn’t realize they were only bidding for one dinner instead of two. Mike and Chris graciously prepared those second dinners, which meant UCE raised more money from the auction and the couples got to enjoy their dinners together.
Both Mike and Chris have served for several years as leaders of the high school youth group. Chris recently stepped down from that role to serve as Secretary for the Board of Trustees and Mike continues to volunteer with the youth group as lead advisor, building connection and providing mentorship. Mike has also served on the Board and was Board Chair. Thanks to Mike and Chris for sharing so generously your many gifts.
|
|
UCE Needs Your 2021-2022 Pledge Today! |
The last day of the pledge drive is Sunday, March 14. If you’ve already sent in your pledge, THANK YOU. We are so grateful for your generosity. (And don’t forget, when you pledge you’re automatically entered into the celebration party raffle on March 13!) If you haven’t pledged yet, please fill out your pledge form now! You will not receive a pledge packet in the mail; your pledge packet has been emailed to you.
To find yours, please search for UCE and 2021-22 PLEDGE DRIVE.
You’ll also want to check out all the resources on the Pledge Drive page, including a FAQ, tips on completing the Google form, how to set up automatic payments, and more. We can’t finalize our budget for the coming year without your financial commitment. Every pledge matters and every dollar makes UCE’s mission possible. Check out this Tree Graphic to see how every dollar you give will fund UCE's critical program areas. Thank you for your generosity … and may what you give bring you joy! Questions? Jessica Meis is ready to help you at admin@ucevanston.org or (847) 864-1330.
|
|
|
Join Us! Celebrate the Conclusion of Our Pledge Drive |
Celebrate the conclusion of our pledge drive on TOMORROW Saturday, March 13th with a fun “evening in” cabaret. Pre-parties – a great chance to chat with old friends and make new ones - begin at 6:30 pm. Make sure to tell your UCE friends that you will be there and invite them to join you. The main event gets underway at 7:00 pm and will showcase the New Rhythm Arts Center... |
|
|
 |
UCE Building Availability - The UCE building and grounds are available on a limited basis to small gatherings. Please read UCE's Reopening Guidelines before contacting staff about availability.
Chalice Lighters Needed - Looking for chalice lighters for Sunday service! 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.
|
Submit your Pledge Form by March 13 at 7:30 pm to be entered into the celebration raffle! More info here.
The next 8th Principle Town Hall is Sunday, March 21 at 1:15 pm via Zoom. More info below.
Rainbow Alliance's Virtual March Madness Jackbox Game party is Friday, March 26 at 7 pm! More info and registration link below.
UCE's First Pop-Up Parking Lot Sale is Saturday, May 22. More info below.
|
|
|
|
This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, March 13
Sunday, March 14
-
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom - Email Renee Hoff for details.
-
Reflections with the Board at 10 am via Zoom. Click here to join. More info below.
Monday, March 15
-
Evanston Interfaith Vigil at 7 pm via Zoom or Facebook Live. Click here to join Zoom. Click here to join Facebook Live. More info below.
-
Addictions and Recovery Group at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here to join.
-
Suffering & Meaning Class at 7 pm via Zoom. Registration required. More info below.
Tuesday, March 16
Wednesday, March 17
-
Virtual Yoga at 9:30 am via 8x8. Click here to join.
-
All Church Zoom gathering at 5:30 pm - Look for the link in Wednesday emails.
-
Learn Spanish Group at 6:30 pm via 8x8. Click here to join.
Thursday, March 18
-
Buddhist Meditation at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Andrea DeMers for the link.
-
Board of Trustees at 7 pm via Zoom. Email the office if you would like to join.
|
|
|
|
It has been a year since Covid-19 impacted our community in a tragic way. We closed our doors on March 12th, held our first virtual service on March 15th, and we lost beloved UCE member, John LaPlante, on March 21st. At the time, it seemed unfathomable that we would still be gathering virtually for a full year. Throughout the year, the overwhelming sentiment has been gratitude for the virtual services. I have only recently started to hear questions about when we will return to the building... |
|
Congregational Connections |
|
March Reflections with the Board - This Sunday
It is our goal as the Board of Trustees to maintain connections with you. To that end, we are hosting a program entitled, “Reflections with the Board.” We host these sessions via zoom once a month (the second Sunday of the month) at 10am before the service. Our next session will be held on March 14th at 10am. For this session, the Board would like to spend some time talking with you about Widening the Circle of Concern. This month we will return to Chapter Three, Congregations and Communities...
|
|
Announcing our First
Virtual Coffee Tables this Sunday
during Coffee Hour!
Remember when you used to walk around the tables during coffee hour and a group or two would have information about what they are doing and how you can participate? Well, now you can join a specific breakout room during coffee hour to do the same! If you are curious about what the Immigrant Solidarity Team or Prison Ministry Team are during or how you can get involved with them, please join coffee hour after the service on March 14th and these two teams will each be hosting a separate breakout room. We look forward to connecting with you!
|
|
All are invited to the Interfaith Vigil - March 15 |
|
Come and Learn about the 8th Principle! |
|
Learn about the 8th Principle at the next 8th Principle Town Hall gathering on Sunday, March 21 at 1:15 pm. ALL ARE INVITED!
We will have additional congregation-wide gatherings on April 4 and April 11. If none of these dates fits into your schedule, Team 8th is considering adding either a Monday or Friday evening presentation later in April. Email Sally Parsons (psally944@gmail.com) by April 1 stating your preference. You may also plan to have your covenant group or small group discuss the 8th Prinicple when you meet in March or April.
Q&A from previous Town Hall meetings: Are the 7 Principles mutable?
|
|
You're invited to Game Night!
Rainbow Alliance's next event is a Virtual March Madness Jackbox Game party! All ages (and people) are welcome! Join us on March 26 at 7pm to play some Jackbox games. Wear your favorite sports team apparel (you get extra points if you've got LGBTQ+ apparel). Register at the link below to get the Zoom link.
|
|
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) Online Worship
Join Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism's (BLUU) online worship services - Black Sacred Space in their entirely - by and for Black people, with the words and voices of Black folks across the diaspora. We hope that Black UUs and Black folks who share our values will join us! First Thursdays at 8pm (CST), and 3rd Sundays at 3pm (CST)!
|
|
UUA "Breaking Covenant" Workshop April 10
Every congregation has experienced destructive behavior that has caused upset, tumult, and conflict, from microaggressions to outright aggression, and other forms of inappropriate behavior. In the process, covenant is broken, even when the covenant might not be explicitly stated. The impact of the behavior can baffle leaders, and congregations often don’t know how to repair, restore or renew their community. It is therefore important that every congregation recognize that the holy space between each of us is everyone's responsibility to grow and maintain and when it's broken between any people it's broken between us all. We need to have policies and procedures in place to deal with destructive behavior...
|
|
Save the Date - "UU Justice Revival: Taking a Collective Breath"
Sunday, April 25th @ 10 am CT
As spring waits on the horizon, can we breathe? Stop holding tightly to all that has happened and exhale, together, into a world once more beginning to offer possibilities? We can breathe as vaccines become available. We can breathe as we once again gather together, small groups at first and then ever growing circles. We can breathe into a new administration, breaths of accountability, breaths of attention, and breaths of hope that the first 100 days are met with plans for a more just 100 days to follow. We have work to do to create a just world where everyone can find their breath but we gather to celebrate all the work that has brought us this far and to sustain one another, hand in hand, we move together into the greening world. It is time to breathe. Let us take a collective breath together.
Since UCE is a part of this worship service, this will be in place of the regular UCE worship service at 11:15 on 4/25.
|
|
Save the Date and Save Your Rummage!
We are planning a unique and festive day in our parking lot to replace the annual rummage sale normally held inside the church.
Save Saturday, May 22 or Saturday, May 29th (rain date) for the first UCE POP-UP PARKING LOT SALE. Individuals, groups, and committees will be able to organize their own tables. There is a lot of enthusiasm around these plans. Staff and others have already expressed interest in having a table. So, we expect this to be the outdoor event of the year! We will, of course, require masks and abide by social distancing guidelines...
|
|
VirtUUal Faith Formation and Ways to Connect |
Welcome as we continue our theme of Commitment!
|
|
Family Fun Outdoors - March 21 at 11 am - 12:30 pm – we will meet at North Park Village Nature Center (5801 N Pulaski Rd. Chicago) for a short hike. Families are welcome to stay longer. There is a nature center there, but it might not be open.
Taking Flight Sex Ed Program for 7th-9th Youth – Sunday at 1 pm. Youth must be registered to attend. See the email with Zoom info.
Pre/K Kids and Families - POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – March’s materials are available here. The password is YouGotThis2020 (case sensitive.) This UU-based program is to be used all month long. Do whatever fits your family’s schedule.
High School Youth – Outdoor gathering either Saturday or Sunday. Look for an email with details.
Looking Ahead...
Popcorn Theology Online for 6th-8th Grade Youth - March 21 at 1 pm after the nature hike!
|
|
Current and Upcoming Adult Religious Education |
|
Suffering and Meaning in a Process Relational Perspective - Mondays, March 15, 22 at 7-8 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle. Pain hurts more when it feels meaningless, so we are powerfully motivated to find some meaning in our suffering.
|
|
Neo-Paganism History, Theology, and Ritual - Tuesdays, March 16, 23, 30 at 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Rev. Susan Frances and Taryn Seawright. In this three-part series, Taryn and Rev. Susan will explore the history, theology, and ritual of Neo-Paganism.
|
|
UCE Forum Discussion - Sunday, March 21 at 10 am |
Join us for Forum on March 21 at 10 am. We will host UCE member, Shawn Iles who is the new Assistant Director at Interfaith Action. Sean has responsibility for the Overnight Emergency Shelter, the Producemobile, and the newly opened afternoon warming shelter. UCE has been a long-time partner with Interfaith Action of Evanston, and many have helped with the Overnight Shelter and the Walk for Warmth. UCE has also been also been one of four churches sponsoring the “Let My People Go” port-a-potties sites. You can read up about Interfaith Action here.
|
|
Deepening Our UU Identity - Register Today! |
What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? Without a common creed or theology, what unites us and grounds us? Contrary to the common misunderstanding of our inclusivity, that we are the ones who "can believe whatever we want," Unitarian Universalism is a chosen faith that asks a great deal of those who commit to its aspirations and covenants. In this four-part series, we will explore the religious roots... |
|
|
UCE Fiction Reading Group will meet this month on Friday, March 19 at 7 pm via Zoom to discuss Kindred by Octavia E. Butler.
Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned to save him.
|
|
The nonfiction book group will meet on Sunday, March 28th at 2 pm via Zoom to discuss What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha. In this inspiring story, Pediatrician Dr. Mona tells how she and a team of others discovered lead in Flint, Michigan's tap water and fought the government to expose the truth.
Everyone is welcome to join us. A Zoom link to the meeting will be posted in the March 26th newsletter.
|
|
Warm Clothing Drive for Connections for the Homeless |
A huge ‘Thank You” is in order to the many UCE members and friends who donated warm clothing of all kinds for clients of Connections.
We collected, sorted and delivered new underwear and socks (164 pairs of socks!); 40 coats and jackets (many of them new); 43 hats; 20 scarves and 20 pairs of gloves; 10 pairs of boots and shoes; 30 sweaters, hoodies and sweatshirts; over 50 long sleeved shirts; 3 backpacks and 7 pairs of long pants. In addition, there were several miscellaneous items and everything was either new or clean and ready-to-wear...
|
|
Virtual Screening and Discussion of Stateville Calling
|
All are invited for a virtual screening and discussion of Stateville Calling, an Emmy-nominated documentary exploring parole reform and the struggle of aging inmates in Illinois on Saturday, March 13 at 10 am.
Panel discussion following the film with:
-
Bill Ryan, prison reformer and activist
-
Oscar “Smiley” Parham, now a free man
-
Rev. Allison Farnum, Exec. Director, Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois
-
Jeanne Bishop, author of “Change of Heart: Justice, Mercy and Making Peace with My Sister’s Killer"
Sponsored by: Unitarian Church of Hinsdale Racial Equity Team & Prison Ministry, in cooperation with Stateville Calling producer Truth & Documentary.
|
|
I Bet You Thought “MARCH MADNESS” Meant Basketball |
Good guess, but in our UCE world, it means a final power push to provide 12 more days of bagged lunches for the folks served by Evanston’s Connections for the Homeless. So far, we’ve scored over 1,000 fresh meals delivered and with 300 more we have a slam-dunk to finish up the season.
For everyone who has been contributing to this effort since last October, Bravo! - and a great big Thank You! This is a very satisfying project that can be done by volunteers who want to help, but need to avoid close contact with the public. It can be done by one person, or you can get together with a partner to share the tasks (and fun - put on the music while you make sandwiches). Dribbling while you dance is optional.
|
|
|
|
Online UUA Anti-Racism Training |
Do you wish to deepen your understanding of how race and ethnicity play out in our institutions and our daily lives? Are you ready to take a leading role to nurture a multicultural future in the face of opposing cultural currents?
You Are Invited to Participate in Jubilee Three Anti-Racism Training: Learning Together About Systemic Racism. This Training consists of three sessions taking place over one weekend: March 19-21.
|
|
Rainbow Alliance Meets on April 7 |
All are Invited!
Rainbow Alliance's next planning meeting will be held on April 7, 2020 at 7:00 pm. If you are interested in joining, you can find the Zoom link on Rainbow Alliance's group page in Realm.
|
|
|
US Citizenship Act of 2021 Needs Support |
The "US Citizenship Act of 2021" has been sent to Congress. This bill will create a roadmap to citizenship for undocumented individuals, keep families together, embrace diversity, promote immigrant and refugee integration, grow our economy, and protect workers from exploitation. It will also prioritize smart border controls and address the root causes of migration.
Show your support for this bill! Please contact your federal representatives and ask them to vote yes to pass this act.
|
|
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
