Sunday Service March 30, 2025 at 10:30am 

Soulful Home Packet



Families can explore our new theme of Trust together at home here

UPDATE FROM REV. SUSAN FRANCES

Dear Friends, 

Thank you for the warm welcome back after my three-month sabbatical. The photo is of me at Chandragiri Hills in Nepal. I’ve been back almost 3 weeks and ask for your continued patience as I catch up with individuals and teams. You have been busy while I was away! 

If you are new to UCE, welcome! 79 visitors filled out a visitor form while I was away, which means we had more folks than that visited us for the first time in the past three months. The new folks I have met since my return have shared with me about how welcome they have felt. Whether you are a new visitor or a long-time member, please continue to greet folks you do not recognize on Sunday morning and help each other get connected with our programs and teams.

The increase in visitors is, I think, largely due to the constant and chaotic communications coming from our federal government. So many of us are looking for a place where we can be our authentic selves, renew our faith in humanity, and take action within the context of shared values. Coming together for worship, for our Meeting our Interfaith Neighbors classes, and to be part of our support groups and our affinity groups are ways to nourish our spirits and meet folks who share our values and a vision for a future that at least tries to leave no one behind. If you aren’t yet feeling connected in the way you had hoped (regardless of how long you have been attending UCE), please email me at sfrances@ucevanston.org and let’s talk. 

One way we come together to nourish our spirits is to join together in living our values out in the world. Please join me at one of these upcoming events: 

• Friday, April 4, from 12:00-1:30 pm at UCE in Room 3 for the ACLU livestream watch party. We will be viewing the livestream of the annual Bill of Rights Luncheon of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU-IL). The program will feature keynote speaker Sherrilyn Ifill on the fight for a new American democracy. Bring your own lunch with you. If you want to get involved in UCE’s engagement with preserving and advancing American democracy, please fill out this form with our Catalyst for Democracy Team  

• Saturday, April 5, starting at 12:00 pm at the Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, for a protest rally. We will be joining the many organizations that are demonstrating across the U.S. The rally here in Chicago is called “Hands Off! Rally to Rise Up and Fight Back to Stop Trump and Musk's Power Grab.” You are invited to meet me by 11:50 am outside the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, and we’ll walk over to the Daley Plaza together. I’ll be wearing a bright yellow "Side with Love" stole. 

• Saturday, April 12, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm at UCE in the sanctuary for UCE Justice Revival: Cultivating Hope.

• Led by our consultants from the YWCA Equity Institute and members of our Anti-Oppression Task Force, we will gather for community learning and feedback on the tools and systems the Task Force has put into place over the past four years as the Task Force winds down and gathers final input before submitting its report to the Board. Our anti-oppression work does not end when the Task Force ends. The Revival will ask each of us to make a commitment to being involved in our congregation’s ongoing anti-oppression work. I hope to see you there!  

Register Here for the UCE Justice Revival! 

I am grateful for being part of this community. I appreciate now more than ever the importance our faith community places on balancing rest and rejuvenation with social action and civic engagement.  

Yours in faith, 

Rev. Susan

Continuing the Conversation

Join the UCE Board of Trustees to continue building on congregational conversations held over this past year. How can we increase accessibility and connections to build a wider sense of "us"? Join the board at one of these four events. All are welcome (you do not need to register on Realm to attend but registration is encouraged)

•  Sunday, March 30th, noon - 1:15pm at UCE
•  Friday, April 11th, from 6:30 - 7:45pm at UCE
• Tuesday, April 22nd 7 - 8:15pm on Zoom

• Refreshments will be provided at both in-person sessions.

Register HERE

Our hats are off to the members of the Recently Retired (But Never Retiring) Women’s Circle. Thank you for inviting visitors and new members to join you. Thank you for creating an atmosphere in which members enjoy bringing their daughters and out-of-town company as guests. Thank you for caring for each other outside of your monthly meals together and regularly collecting funds to make a charitable donation in order to care for those outside of UCE.

Special thank you to Margie Rogasner for coordinating this Women’s Circle and to Carol Nielsen who regularly handles kitchen duty after their luncheon or dinner. 

Photo of Alice, Margie, Karen, Lydia, Marcy, Brenda, Carol, Lisa, and Deb pictured at March 25, 2025 dinner.

• NEW way to submit Newsletter requests! Please use our new Google Form found HERE to submit your articles and images.

• 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!

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 Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network Illinois (UUANI) whose mission is to build power among UU congregations in Illinois to accountably advocate with those who have been historically marginalized.

Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors

April 1st at 7pm

We begin our exploration of Islam at UCE and Zoom, with our guests, Asif Masood and Dawood Ali.

We will then visit the Muslim Community Center on Saturday, April 5th at 6-8pm.

We will share reflections on April 15 at 7p at UCE.

You can register here to be included on future emails.

Donation Dates: Sun April 27 – Mon April 28

Setup Dates: Sun April 27 – Thurs 5/1

Want to learn more? 

• Visit the rummage sale info table after Sunday services through the end of April. Come learn more about the sale, get your questions answered, and sign up to volunteer. You can also pick up popular rummage-sale materials.  
• Go online and sign up to volunteer or view/print the Donation Tip Sheet.
• Check out the Rummage Sale FAQ page for answers to the most commonly asked questions.

UCE’s rummage sale is a fun, community building event that you won’t want to miss! Join us!

And, as always, you can reach us at rummage@ucevanston.org. 

We love hearing from you!

You are invited to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and UCE. Our 90-minute Journey Toward Membership class will give you an overview of UU history and values, what is means to be part of a covenantal faith tradition, and the rewards and responsibilities of becoming a member of UCE.

If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Here are the remaining class dates (you only need to take the class once):

Virtual, Thurs. Apr. 3, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm. To register and get Zoom link, click here.

In-person, Sun. Apr. 6, 2025, 9:00-10:20 am, Room 12, child care provided.

To register, click here.

Collective & Creative Ideation for a Better World! Cultivating Hope: a Justice Revival

One way to resist the chaos of the current moment is to participate in UCE’s Justice Revival on April 12th from 9:30-12:30 pm. Hosted by the Anti-Oppression Task Force this event will uplift, encourage, and equip us in our ongoing journey of anti-oppression work. 

• Coffee and Welcome in the Sanctuary at 9:30 am
• Childcare available 9:15 am - 12:45 pm
• Music and singing!
• Discussion facilitated by experts from the YWCA Equity Institute 
• More singing!
• Tips, tools, and resources to support us in our work for justice, equity, and inclusion
• Hope, energy and commitment as we head home
• Register now!

The Anti-Oppression Task Force has been meeting for more than four years to determine ways in which our congregation can answer the call to be more inclusive, equitable, and diverse, and to accountably realize justice and liberation in our congregation and beyond. Links to learn more about the Anti-Oppression Task Force: History of AOTF, Work of the Anti-Oppression Task Force, and Status of AOTF Projects.

Please join in this collective effort as we gather to create a better world. See you April 12th!

Soup Kitchen Needs Your Help!

Wednesday, April 16th



There are multiple ways to get involved—whether by bringing food, preparing meals, or serving. Time commitments vary, and we’d love to have you join us!

➡️ Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/mrDaZEb

Important: Be sure to click "SHOW MORE SPOTS" on the sign-up page to view all available opportunities. Some spots may not be visible at first.

If you have any trouble accessing the link or have questions, please reach out to:

Ellie Feddersen – elliefeddersen at gmail. dot com

Thank you for your support!

DO SOMETHING with the Catalyst Team!

How You Can Get Involved:

Feeling overwhelmed by the current political climate and wondering, “What can I actually DO?” UCE’s Catalyst Team is here to help!

We offer two ways to take action:

• Speak Out at the Federal Level – Protest, demonstrate, and raise your voice against harmful policies.
• Advocate at the State Level – Influence Illinois legislation on immigration, the environment, and criminal justice by connecting with your state representatives—through writing and in-person advocacy.

Choose one or both—each track offers clear, short-term actions so you can make an impact and feel empowered.

🔥 Ready to DO SOMETHING?

➡️ Sign up here to share your interests.

📍 Or visit the Catalyst Team at our table in the back of the sanctuary during Kinship Hour.

Together, we can make a difference!

Catalyst Team: Shirley Adams, Jane Bannor, Mary Dudek, Brian Nielsen, Mary Ellen McGoey

UCE Endowment Grant Supports Community Air Quality Monitoring

A UCE Endowment Grant is funding a project to help Evanston residents in areas with poor air quality monitor the air in and around their homes.

Join the Evanston Environmental Justice Conversation Series (EEJCS) on April 5, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Loder Hall, Garrett/Northwestern campus (2121 Sheridan Rd, Evanston). Scan the QR code on the poster for updates.

EEJCS is a biannual forum amplifying the voices of environmental justice advocates and fostering dialogue between community members, leaders, and organizations. This spring, Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th Ward, Chicago) will discuss equitable environmental advocacy and municipal-community partnerships, followed by a panel of Evanston youth and adult leaders.

The event will also feature an update on Evanston’s Environmental Advocacy Investigation (EEAI) and the Community Air Quality Monitoring Kickoff & Training. Attendees can learn to use new air quality monitors—available for checkout at Evanston Public Library—purchased through the UCE Endowment Grant.

🎶 Don’t Miss the MO Blues Band Dance Party – TONIGHT!🎶

Live blues, dancing, and celebration with Alicia Hempfling and the MO Blues Band!

This high-energy event is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss out!

What to Expect:

🎸 Soulful, electrifying music from a band with 10 years of experience bringing the blues to life

Complimentary snacks & beverages, including wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options

All ages welcome – bring the whole family! Childcare available

A night of pure fun and dancing you won’t forget!

Friday, March 28 | 6:00 – 8:30 PM

$8 in advance | $10 at the door – Get your tickets NOW!

Purchase your tickets here!

Don’t wait—secure your spot and get ready to dance the night away!

Link to purchase tickets is here

 April 4th at 6 PM

We’re hoping to set up phase one of the playscape on the south lawn by spreading mulch and placing some equipment out now that the weather is warming up.

More details coming!

Heads up! Our May Family Friday is now on May 9 (instead of May 2) due to the rummage sale. Mark your calendars!

Spring Peeps Show!

We had so much fun last year creating Peeps displays for Easter,

we’re doing it again!

Look for the display at the program tables on April 6 and 13

for inspiration and supplies.

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is April 18, 7-9pm



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.

 Adult Game Night

Got a game that’s not exactly kid-friendly? Or just want a night of fun with other adults? This is your chance to laugh, compete, and unwind with games made for the 18+ crowd!

• BYOB & bring a snack to share
• Play your favorite games (the ones best saved for grown-ups!)
• Need childcare? Register HERE by April 6
• Friday, April 12 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM

Passover Seder

Friday, April 18, 2025 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

UCE Sanctuary

1330 Ridge Ave, Evanston

All ages are invited to participate in a family-friendly Passover Seder to experience aspects of this Jewish celebration, taste the foods, sing the songs, hear the stories and prayers, and search for the afikomen. You need not be Jewish to participate.

Feel free to bring a side dish to share that doesn’t contain yeast (such as bread/rolls) or pork. 

Please register with the number of people that will be joining us from your family so we can prepare.

Register at https://onrealm.org/ucevanston/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=YjMxY2ZhOTEtZjM3Ny00ZTI0LWIyNWYtYjJhYTAxNjczMjNi

Picnics in the Park resumes in April!

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.

Save the Date!

UCE Campout 2025 – June 6-8

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park Campground

Reserve your site here.

Or stay at the nearby Illinois Beach Hotel!

More details to come!

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, April 18th, 7-8pm using our Recurring Zoom link

The fiction book group is reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Pecola Breedlove longs for blue eyes so her world as a Black girl will open up with the privileges of her white counterparts.

Future reads:

May 16: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. In 18th century Ghana, half-sisters are born into different villages and different fortunes, following the lives of their families through eight generations of the American Black experience.

June 20: Bear by Julia Phillips. Sisters living in the wilds of Washington State respond differently when a bear adopts their encampment.

Stay tuned for the next UCE Nonfiction Book Group book!

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330