Here’s what’s coming up in our congregational life—opportunities to connect, learn, and participate in the weeks ahead

Sunday Service

March 29, 2026 at 10:30 am 

Easter Sunday Potluck Brunch

Bring a dish to share for our Easter kinship time brunch on Sunday, April 5th - an egg or french toast casserole, fruit, bread, cheese or whatever else you like!

Children and youth will go to their faith formation groups after joys and sorrows.

This Sunday…

 Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10:15a-1p. 

Chalice Children (Pre/k/1) in room 9 – The children will explore the theme of hope by hearing the story, The Little House, and making cardboard structures.

Heads, Hearts, and Hands (2nd-5th) in room 8 – The young people be exploring the Christian observance of Palm Sunday and learning about this week’s Holy Troublemaker, Herb Montgomery.

Youth Group (6th-9th) in room 10 – The youth will be finalizing their April 12 worship service with the young adult group.

Faith Formation Registration

Please register your young person, ages 1-18 here.

Family-Friendly Seder

April 3, 5:30p

Join us as we experience the stories, food,

and songs of Passover. 

Kids will search for the afikomen too.

For more info and to register here

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

by Dr. Emma Farrell, Ministerial Intern

Dear Beloved Community,

I have some joyful news to share.

Both the Unitarian Church of Evanston and Unity Temple have voted to ordain me, and I am deeply honored and moved by this shared affirmation. My ordination will take place at Unity Temple on June 13 at 2:30pm, with refreshments to follow. All are warmly invited; RSVP here. It would mean so much to celebrate this moment with you.

I also have another piece of news. I have been invited to serve as the full-time minister at Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist starting next church year, and I have said yes.

As I think about my last few months with you all, I find myself reflecting on all that I am carrying with me from this community. You have shaped me in ways I will continue unfolding for years to come. You all have demonstrated what radical welcome can look like and how it grows and strengthens the community. I've also seen you show the courage to keep asking hard questions and naming hard truths, even when it would be easier not to.

And I have seen at UCE, again and again, the real power of accountable, interconnected beloved community.

The last few weeks, I’ve also been spending time facilitating AI workshops for the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association. Together, we’ve been exploring the ethical questions that come with emerging technologies and how we move through a rapidly changing world with care and mindfulness. What strikes me is how much this work echoes the deeper currents of our tradition. We are discerning together, bringing our different perspectives, experiences, and values into conversation and asking what it means to act with integrity in the face of uncertainty.

In many ways, this moment is both new and familiar. The tools may be different, but the questions are not: How do we respond to change? How do we navigate imbalances of power? What does it mean to be a people of conscience in a world that so often falls short of our deepest values?

These are questions I have learned to live more fully into because of you. My last service with you will be June 7. Even as I step toward what is next, I feel the weight and the gift of what it will mean to say goodbye. I will carry you with me - your wisdom, your warmth, your willingness to show up for one another and for the wider world. Thank you for being part of my formation, and for being a community that continues to meet this moment with courage and love.

With deep gratitude,

Emma

Our hats are off to Susan Talmage and Jim Dibble who were election judges at the polling places located at UCE during the primary election on March 17th. We appreciate their civic service and their knowledge of the building as they assisted their fellow election judges in setting up and making the day go smoothly, especially because Jim kept the coffee machine producing all day.

We’re grateful to Erlene Howard, Margie Rogasner, Marcy Hicks, Cynthia Dvorak, and Eleanor Boyer who each took a two-hour shift at the Welcome Center in the lobby to greet voters and direct them to rooms 2 and 3 where three different precincts were set up for their polling places.

It takes many pieces to keep our right to vote intact. We’re thankful to everyone in our community who engaged in the primary process!

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Friday, March 27th:

• NO EVENTS

Saturday, March 28th:

• Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom

Sunday, March 29th:

• Chris Isley Cancer Support Group, 9-10:15am, Room 6 & Zoom
• Worship Service, 11:00am, Sanctuary
• New Member Reception/Kinship Time, 12:30-1:30pm, Back of the Sanctuary
• Care Package Preparation, 12-2pm, Room 3
• Parents Covenant Group Planning Meeting, 12:15-1pm, Room 12
• Social Change Now Common Read, 2-3:30pm, via Zoom

Monday, March 30th:

• Beginner Tai Chi, 6-7pm, Room 3
• UCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45am, via Zoom
• Intermediate Tai Chi, 7:15-8:15pm, Room 3

Tuesday, March 31st:

• NO EVENTS

Wednesday, April 1st:

• Yoga Online, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom
• Soup Kitchen, 4-7pm, Sanctuary
• Executive Committee Meeting, 4-4:45pm, via Zoom
• Endowment Fund Committee Meeting, 4:30-6:30pm, Room 6 and Zoom

Thursday, April 2nd:

• Evanston Near South Proximity Group, 1-2pm, via Zoom
• Beacons of Light, 5-5:30pm, Dempster and Ridge
• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Choir Rehearsal, 7-9pm, Rooms 3 and 6

Charlie Pekarek's memorial will be Saturday, April 25th at 11 am. Stay tuned for more information soon.

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading "The Playground," by Richard Powers. On the island of Makatea in French Polynesia in the (near?) future, four disparate people meet to develop the technology-riddled future of our civilization, launching into the world’s largest ocean -- the last uncivilized place on earth -- floating autonomous cities. But first they must win the support of the island’s people, who can see the ramifications for human history that the inventors cannot or will not see.

Meeting Friday, April 17, at 7pm by ZOOM

Future reads: May 15 "The Antidote" by Karen Russell, June 19 "Vigil" by George Saunders

The Nonfiction book group will not meet in March or April.



We urge our readers to participate in UCE’s programming of the UUA Common Read book Social Change Now by Deepa Iyer.

See the article below about small group discussions of this year’s Common Read in March and April. Four sets of 2 discussions will be offered on different days of the week and at different times of the day. A joint meeting of the four groups will take place on May 9th.

the UUA Common Read: Social Change Now by Deepa Iyer

This three-session program will engage with the UU Common Read of Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection by Deepa Iyer. This workbook-style book delves into a "social change ecosystem." You are invited to explore how to be more authentic, connected, and effective as we pursue transformative justice together.

The first two sessions will be in a small group. The third session will bring the four small groups together in a multi-platform setting (in-person and on zoom) on May 9 from 2:00-3:30 pm.



Click here to register for the Tuesday Group. This small group will meet in-person on March 17 and April 21 from 6:30-8:00 pm with co-facilitators Shirley Adams and Mags Johnston. 

Click here to register for the Wednesday Group. This small group will meet in-person on March 25 and April 8 from 7:00-8:30 pm with co-facilitators Lee Solock and Alison Issen. 

Click here to register for the Thursday Group. This small group will meet in-person on March 19 and April 16 from 1:30-3:00 pm with co-facilitators Sue Larson and Jackie Seaman. 

Click here to register for the Sunday Group. This small group will meet on zoom on March 29 and April 19 from 2:00-3:30 pm with co-facilitators Rev. Susan Frances and Elaine Siegel. 



You may buy a copy of the book at the Catalyst for Democracy’s Program Table in the café area after the service this Sunday, order the book at InSpirit Bookstore, or let Rev. Susan Frances know that you need a donated copy.

How to Apply for an Endowment Grant

Join us for a short Zoom call to learn more about how to apply for an Endowment Grant.

When: Saturday, April 11th at 12:00 pm

Where: on Zoom

Register: Email Shirley Adams (her address is in Realm) and she'll send you the link

Shirley Adams and Jeanne Kerl will share some information about the process, types of grants, and deadlines. Then, we'll answer any questions that you may have. Maybe you're just curious? Join us.

If you can't make the meeting, reach out via email to Shirley or Jeanne with your questions.

Only 4 WEEKS until the RUMMAGE SALE!

We need lots of helping hands to make the sale successful and fun. Here are some ways to get involved:

• Sign up online to volunteer to set up, work the sale, clean up, donate baked goods and/or help feed volunteer workers. 
• Organize your donations, using the Donation Tip Sheet as your guide.
• Spread the word by inviting friends & neighbors to DONATE and SHOP! Pass out a few flyers, and share the Donation Tip Sheet.

Visit the Rummage Sale web page or email rummage@ucevanston.org with any questions or comments.

 Abolition – Are You Ready?

Abolition: a holistic approach to systemic social change that includes, but is not limited to: 

• the abolition of slavery; 
• replacing systems and cultures of violence, coercion and control with transformative justice and relational practices; 
• dismantling the prison-industrial complex as we now know it. 

Are you ready? Can you commit to:

• Replacing the theologies of retributive justice and violence?
• Connecting the many threads of our UCE social justice work in support of abolition?
• Transforming ourselves and society through learning and action?

If you’re not sure or need more information, join the UU Network Team and delegates to the 2026 UUA General Assembly in conversation about Abolition – what it is, why we are talking about it, what we are doing now, and what more we can do. We need you to be a part of this important conversation. Consider serving as a UCE delegate to General Assembly. Contact UUNT via Realm and watch for future articles on Abolition. 

UCE is Going Camping!

UCE is going camping May 29-31! Please click on this link to reserve a campsite. The top of the form includes links to reserve a site directly with ExploreMore IL, as well as a link to a table where you can see where other UCE campsites will be. If you have any questions or need help with reserving your site, email Grey Wiviott (greyleewivs at gmail dot com). Happy Camping!

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is Friday, April 17th



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@ucevanston.org) with any questions.

Breaking the Chain: Transforming the Legacy of Enslavement to Justice and Liberation for All

How did we get here—and what is ours to do now?

Join UCE REAL, the Prison Ministry and Reparations Teams, Living Legacy Pilgrimage participants, and local advocates for a four-part, multi-platform learning and conversation series exploring the systems that connect enslavement, incarceration, and reparative justice.

Together, we will examine:

• the historical roots linking slavery and mass incarceration
• the economic forces that sustain systems of injustice
• the role faith communities can play in accountability, repair, and transformation
• how reparations work is unfolding in Evanston and beyond

• April 22 – The Economics of Maintaining Systems of Injustice
• June 24 – How Faith Communities Can Help Break the Chain
• August 26 – Reparations: In Evanston and Beyond

3rd Annual Easter Peeps Show – April 5

Show your creativity, humor, and/or spirit this Easter

by creating a diorama using marshmallow peeps!

Peeps are available to take on the table in the lower level.

And if you’re into Peeps and art, be sure to check out the

Racine Art Museum’s annual Peeps Show!

AI Workshop: Skills for Everyday and Congregational Life

Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 pm

Room 3 & Zoom

This will be our final session in this series facilitated by Dr. Emma Farrell

Click HERE to register

MEETING MORE INTERFAITH NEIGHBORS

We continue this series as we explore the Sikh faith 

On April 8 at 7p at UCE and on Zoom

with our guest Shiva Singh Khalsa.



We will then visit the Sikh Religious Society Palatine Gurdwara (1280 Winnetka St., Palatine) on April 11 from 11a-1p.



Our final session will be on Tuesday, April 21 at 7-8:30pm to reflect on our experiences.

Register here to get reminders.

Our Shared Offering Program

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 Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI). They work to equip UU's in Illinois to ​transform institutions, partnering with and supporting people harmed by the prison industrial complex.

Help Prepare Care Packages for the Chicago Abortion Fund on Sunday March 29



Join us Sunday, March 29 at noon in Room 3 at UCE to help put together care packages for women coming to Chicago for abortion services. We’ll pack the supplies, write brief notes to the recipients, and make sure these young women have some supplies to pamper themselves after leaving the clinic.

Earlier work parties have been a great success. Members of the church Abortion Action Team contacted the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) to find out what’s needed and ordered it. Volunteers helped pack the items and box them up for delivery to the clinic, and then wrote notes of encouragement to those receiving the care packages. Won’t you help us complete this project for a third time?

CAF is the largest funder of abortion services in the country. One in four of the patients travelling out-of-state for care because they have nowhere else to turn, come to Illinois. Last year the CAF help line answered more than 20,000 calls. The group provided both needed services and helped defray travel costs for those whose home states have outlawed abortions.

Please join us after services on March 29, and help us put together the care packages. Also let us know if you’d like to help contribute to future work parties or to make a donation toward future gift bags.

Wednesday SOUP KITCHEN April 1st

The Spring Wednesday Soup Kitchen at UCE will be only one day this year on APRIL 1st.

We help Beth Emet by covering their soup kitchen during Passover.

Regular volunteers and new folks alike are needed. We would love to have you participate either by bringing food, food preparation, serving food or clean up.

The time commitments vary depending on what task you pick.

You can sign up by clicking HERE

If you have trouble opening the link or have questions, please contact

Ellie Feddersen elliefeddersen at gmail dot com, 847-452-3142

LOVE RESISTS

On March 28th, rise up, take to the streets, and say it loud: no thrones, no crowns, no kings. Join us!



Join us in Evanston! Rally and March, 10:30 pm to 12:00 pm, Dawes Park (Sheridan Road and Lake Avenue). Meet up with Mary Dudek and others from our Catalyst for Democracy Team at 10:15 am at the south end of the lagoon.

Join us in Chicago! Rally and March, 1:30 - 4:30 pm, Butler Field/Grant Park (East Jackson Drive and South Columbus Drive). Meet up with Steve Serikaku and others from our Catalyst for Democracy Team at 1:15 pm at the south lion in front of the Art Institute.

Getting Ready: If you would like to connect with a travel buddy for attending one or both of these rallies, please connect with Sarah Vanderwicken at the Catalyst for Democracy Team’s Program Table this Sunday, where you can also purchase a Side with Love t-shirt.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Now that winter is over, it’s time to start making summer plans. Consider including MUUSA in yours this year.

MUUSA is an intergenerational Unitarian Universalist camp held at its new location in Ripon, Wisconsin, bringing together people from across the Midwest. The program includes workshops and activities for adults, along with daytime programming for children.

For more information, visit MUUSA.org.

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330