Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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Living Into Our Commitments
We will discuss ways in which living into our commitments is an invitation and a sacred task. It is an invitation to be a people committed to repairing harm and restoring covenant. When we live into our commitments as a sacred task, we are transformed by the work we do into the beloved community’s likeness.
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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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Forum Discussion Group: 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. – Room 6 & Zoom. Click here to join.
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Small Groups discussing Widening the Circle of Concern: 8th Chapter Innovations and Risk-Taking - Come share ways to innovate and take risks as we live into our UU values. For our discussion in March, you are encouraged to read the chapter on Innovations and Risk-Taking so you are prepared for the conversation. You do not need to have participated in previous conversations to join this one! More info here. – Sanctuary, Room 12, & Zoom. Click here to join on Zoom.
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Junior and Senior High Youth Group – Planning Youth-led Worship Service – Room 13
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Head, Heart and Hands (1st-6th) – Room 3
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Pre-K – Room 9
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Nursery (ages 0-3) – Room 11
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Have you heard the buzz about a reparations vote at our May meeting? At UCE’s annual meeting members will have a chance to vote on a resolution supporting reparations at the national and local level. Please join us on THIS Sunday, March 20th at 1:15 on Zoom for a short presentation followed by open discussion. It will last an hour.
Come discuss reparation efforts at the federal and local levels, and how UCE can support these programs, and make further inroads against racism and promote racial healing. We welcome your feedback on the planned motion for our May congregational meeting.
Note: there will be additional opportunities to share in the discussion on reparations in April and early May.
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Our Ends: Where Are We Going?
From Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Senior Minister
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Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? I was delighted to share this past Sunday, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout’s composition of this hymn, which draws from the title of the painting by Paul Gaugin. The ‘where are we going’ part is my focus this week, and the purpose of UCE’s Ends Statements, which we have been working on re-creating this year.
As a refresher, our Ends are the guiding statements that articulate in greater detail the direction of our Mission. Our Ends are statements crafted by the congregation through facilitated conversations with the Board of Trustees and the Senior Minister to help us set a vision for where we are going and who we want to be as a congregation in the next five years. These statements guide and direct the work of shared ministry throughout the congregation.
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Mother's Day Child Dedications at UCE |
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If you have a child or children you would like to be dedicated to our UCE community on Mother's Day (regardless of the child's age), please contact Rev. Eileen at ewiviott@ucevanston.org.
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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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Pledge Drive: Almost There! |
We Need the Final Pledges—We are over 90 percent of the way to our goal of $610,000! With the help of those who have not yet pledged, we expect to get there very soon. If you haven’t yet pledged, can you do so right now? Every pledge matters—your pledge matters. The online process takes less than two minutes. Please click here.
Ask a Support Team Member to Fill Out Your Form—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. If you want, this person can fill out your form for you—you just tell them the amount of your pledge and method of payment. They can do the rest.
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Hats Off to all of you who have submitted your pledge! |
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Our Hats are off to the 239 households (as of the time of this writing) who have submitted your pledge forms and to the dedicated support team that has helped answer questions and make it easier for you to do so. It is overwhelming how many of you were able to increase your pledge or give more than was asked of you. Thank you for getting us closer to our goal! Some of you let us know that things have been difficult for you or that you are moving away or that there are circumstances that prevent you from giving what you wish you could. Thank you for affirming your membership and sharing your love of UCE regardless. Whatever amount you were able to give or whether you were able to give at all, we are grateful for the dedication expressed by each one of you affirming your commitment to UCE. Ours is truly a collective endeavor, and we can only thrive together as we strive to make the world whole. With love and appreciation to each participant of the pledge drive. And if you haven't turned in your pledge form yet, please do so as soon as you can! |
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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.
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 Earth Day Celebration is Friday, April 22 at 7 pm at UCE.
UUA MidAmerica Regional Assembly is on April 30. More info below.
Emma's Revolution Concert is Saturday, April 30 at 7 pm at UCE.
Our annual Rummage Sale returns on May 20-21! More info coming soon.
UUA General Assembly is June 22-26 in Portland, OR and online. More info below.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Friday, March 18
Saturday, March 19
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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.
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BLUU Havens Chicago Gathering at 1 pm on Zoom. More info below.
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Immigrant Solidarity Team at 4 pm via Zoom. Email Lee Bannor to join.
Sunday, March 20
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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.
- Kinship Time at 11:15-11:35 am - back of the sanctuary
- Faith Formation Hour this Sunday:
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Forum Discussion Group – Room 6 & Zoom. Click here to join.
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Small Groups discussing Widening the Circle of Concern – Sanctuary, Room 12, & Zoom. Click here to join on Zoom.
- More activities above.
Monday, March 21
Tuesday, March 22
Wednesday, March 23
Thursday, March 24
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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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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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In-Person Zoom Training - April 3 during Faith Formation Hour |
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Do you want to learn more about using Zoom? Join Adam Gough on April 3 during Faith Formation Hour (11:35-12:30) for some helpful tips and tricks. Adam will share ways to use closed captioning and other exciting features of Zoom. Bring any and all questions to this learning session. |
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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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UCE has many beautiful gardens surrounding our church building. And several of our members have been leaders in tending and growing a vegetable garden to feed the hungry. As a result, we’ve formed a new Garden Team to maintain the beauty, health and sustainability of our gardens. Learn more here!
We are planning Gardening Days where we’ll need help with digging, weeding, mulching and planting. Whole families can be involved. We want to have fun while we do this together. Additionally, we’ll need specially focused help at certain times for trimming or digging bigger areas. Are you interested? If yes, please email Janelle Brittain, Chair of the Garden Team.
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Endowment Funding 2022-2023 |
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It’s that time. UCE committee and group leaders and UCE community organization members should begin work on Endowment Fund applications for FY 2022-23, beginning July 1. The first deadline for proposals is May 31 when applications for the next fiscal year will be reviewed and recommended to the Board of Trustees for funding.
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Read instructions and fill out an application.
- Purposes for use of endowment funds are listed in application instructions.
- Funds should be spent within the fiscal year awarded unless the application includes a specified timeline.
- One contact person should be named in the application. That contact person has the responsibility of communicating with their committee members about the application
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If considering a grant which benefits a community organization, read the qualifications and additional instructions.
Applications submitted during April and early May will receive a preliminary review by the Endowment Committee. This ensures that the application is filled out completely and correctly and questions from the committee are answered. Be creative. The Endowment Fund is a resource and a means to fulfill UCE’s Whole Mission. Questions: Contact Trustees Margaret Schatz, chair; Tom Hempfling; and Bill Hartgering.
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13 States Participate in Regional Assembly.
Can You Name Them?
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The MidAmerica Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association includes nearly 200 UU congregations and lIke UUA, provides numerous services and support to UU congregations. These services include relationship building, leadership development, faith formation, cultural competence, and support for dismantling systemic white supremacy culture, as well as coaching in stewardship and conflict transformation.
Regional Assembly is MidAmerica’s annual gathering and will happen virtually on April 30. The keynote speaker is CB Beal - if you have participated in the Beloved Conversations program in the last few years, you know CB! In addition to the keynote, we will hold worship, the Annual Business Meeting, and there will also be time for break out rooms for connection and conversation. See the links below for easy registration and the application for UCE Leadership Scholarships to help with registration fee.
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Looking to connect with other UCE members attending Regional Assembly? Send an email to a member of the Denominational Affairs Committee: Shirley Adams, Lee Bannor, Peggy Boccard, Melanie Kitchner, Cheryl Mounts, Betty Walker or Carla Williams. |
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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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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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What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
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Faith Formation Hour this Sunday at 11:35 am…
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Nursery care is available for ages 0-4 in room 11 from 10 am-12:30 pm
- Heads, Hearts, and Hands (K-6th) in room 3
- 7th-12th Grade Youth Group in room 13
We continue our new monthly theme, Renewing Faith! Families can explore this in their own timeframe in the Soulful Home packet.
...and beyond!
March 22 at 7 pm on Zoom: Conversation with Dr. Elías Ortega. More info below.
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.
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.
Earth Day Justice Fair – April 24 during Faith Formation Hour
We’ll be making lunch bags for Connections for the Homeless using earth-friendly sandwich bags. There will also be many family-friendly activities facilitated by the Green Team.
Listening Circles in May – Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood want to hear from you! As we near the end of this experimental church year, we want to hear what your experience with faith formation hour has been for you and how we can make it better for next year. Please join us for one of these gatherings:
May 1 at 11:35 am at UCE
May 4 at 7 pm on Zoom
May 10 at 7 pm on Zoom
May 14 at 10 am at UCE
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Conversation with Dr. Elías Ortega - March 22 |
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Tuesday, March 22nd at 7pm as part of our Adult Faith Formation, Dr. Elías Ortega, Meadville Lombard Theological School President, will host a conversation about the importance of theological education and ministerial formation to the health and thriving of our Unitarian Universalist movement.
Dr. Elías Ortega serves as President of Meadville Lombard Theological School in 2019. He received his M.Div. and Ph.D. (Religion and Society, Magna Cum Laude) from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Meadville Lombard, Dr. Ortega served as Associate Professor of Social Theory and Religious Ethics at Drew University Theological School.
Dr. Ortega served the larger Unitarian Universalist movement as a member of the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change, which created the Widening the Circle of Concern report. In recent years, his denominational service included a term in the Religious Education Credentialing Committee (2016-2018). From 2015 to 2017, he served as a mentor in UUA’s Growing Racial Justice initiative, and during that same period was the Co-Chair of the UU Legislative Ministry of New Jersey’s Dismantling Racism Group.
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UCE Book Groups- February |
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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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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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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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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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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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