Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, March 7 at 11:15 am
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The 8th Principle
Our congregation is on an ongoing journey of shaping our welcoming community through our anti-racism and anti-oppression work. One part of this journey involves the proposed 8th Principle, which reads: “We … covenant to affirm and promote: Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and in our institutions.”
This week we will touch upon the concepts encompassed within the 8th Principle. Together, we can actively engage in accountable anti-oppression and anti-racism work as we build Beloved Community.
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From Kathy Underwood,
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
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What’s faith got to do with it?
Since my arrival at UCE, I have been engaging many of you in conversation about your thoughts on what the term “religious education” means to you and the congregation. For most, it is the teaching of Unitarian Universalism to children. And yet it is so much more! How so, you may be asking?
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Our hats are off to Jon Siegel for the many ways he contributes to the life of UCE. Jon’s contributions to the choir include recording choir pieces when we were in the sanctuary, providing A/V support for Zoom rehearsals, recording bass parts for his section mates for virtual choir pieces and of course, singing in the choir as a bass for many years. You'll find him singing in many virtual choir pieces including a piece coming up for the Pledge Drive celebration. In addition to his many musical gifts, he is a resident expert in the field of neurobiology and audio physiology, providing invaluable insights to the Accessibility and Inclusion team, especially related to hearing access in our sanctuary. Many thanks, Jon, for helping UCE sound so good!
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Every Pledge Matters...Especially YOURS! |
The 2021-22 UCE pledge drive is officially underway! If you haven’t already, please look for your pledge packet in your email inbox. There are three easy ways to pledge; please use the one that’s most convenient for you. If you have already pledged, you should have received a confirmation email from Jessica Meis. If you have submitted a pledge, but have not received a confirmation, email admin@ucevanston.org ASAP.
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. One of our goals is 100% participation this year from all our members and pledging friends. Your pledge is an essential part of bringing UCE’s mission to life and light in this world!
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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.
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Pledge Drive Virtual Celebration - March 13 at 7 pm. More info below.
Submit your Pledge Form by March 13 at 7:30 pm to be entered into the celebration raffle! More info here.
Next Board of Trustees Meeting is March 18 at 7 pm via Zoom. Email admin@ucevanston.org if you would like to join.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, March 6
Sunday, March 7
Monday, March 8
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Addictions and Recovery Group at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here to join.
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Suffering & Meaning Class at 7 pm via Zoom. Registration required. More info below.
Tuesday, March 9
Wednesday, March 10
Thursday, March 11
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Buddhist Meditation at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Andrea DeMers for the link.
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From the Board of Trustees - Board Goals Update |
As mentioned a couple months ago, the Board developed its goals for the church year at our annual retreat in July of 2020. We monitor our progress on a monthly basis. In case you want to check on how we are doing, here is a condensed list of the goals and which Board members are in charge of monitoring each one. You can get a short report from any of the Board members, or if you want to discuss any related issues, we always welcome opportunities to talk about UCE. |
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Obituary of Liliana Stevoff |
Yesterday, we shared of the passing of Liliana Stevoff, a long-time friend of UCE. She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by many of our congregants. A memorial will be held in Connecticut on March 13th. Here is a link to her obituary.
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Congregational Connections |
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Learn More about Realm!
Join one of the upcoming Realm Lunch and Learn sessions to learn more about using Realm: March 7 at 1:15 pm after coffee hour. Hosted by Adam Gough, Jessica Meis, and Rev. Susan Frances, come see how to update your profile and privacy settings, access the directory, see your financial donations, and more!
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Next Denominational Affairs Meeting
Are you curious about this year's virtual General Assembly or other association activities? Join a lively planning session on the second Tuesday of each month at 11 am as the Denominational Affairs team organizes our participation in the larger world of UUA.
You are welcome anytime. Next meeting is Tuesday, March 9 at 11am via Zoom. For questions email Shirley Adams or Carla Williams.
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8th Principle Adoption Process |
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Learn about the 8th Principle at the next 8th Principle Town Hall gathering on
Wednesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm. ALL ARE INVITED!
We will have additional congregation-wide gatherings on March 21, 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: Can we change the wording?
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Mark your calendars! Pledge Drive Celebration - March 13
Join us on Saturday, March 13th for a fun “evening in” to celebrate the end of the pledge drive. Pre-parties – a great chance to chat with old friends and make new ones - begin at 6:30 pm. The main event gets underway at 7:00 pm and will showcase the New Rhythm Arts Center.
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Announcing our First
Virtual Coffee Tables on March 14th
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!
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All are invited to the Interfaith Vigil - March 15 |
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VirtUUal Faith Formation and Ways to Connect |
Welcome as we continue our theme of Commitment!
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Taking Flight Sex Ed Program for 7th-9th Youth – Sunday at 1 pm. Youth must be registered to attend. Look for the email that went out with the link.
High School Youth – Virtually on Sunday at 4 pm. Look for an email with details.
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.
Family Fun Outdoors - March 21 at 11 am - 12:30 pm – we will meet for a short hike at a local park or forest preserve. More details to come!
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UCE Forum Discussion - Sunday, March 7 at 10 am |
The Forum's Future
Leaders: Carol & Brian Nielsen and Kathy Underwood
This discussion will provide an opportunity for Forum participants to consider the future of the Forum, evaluate this past year’s program, and discuss plans for going forward. A survey to evaluate this year’s program to date can be found below. Please complete the survey by March 15. The survey loads slowly so please be patient.
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Current and Upcoming Adult Religious Education |
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Breathe: A Letter to My Sons by Imani Perry – March 9 at 7 pm via Zoom As a part of our denomination’s work and effort to examine white fragility and supremacy, this book was chosen as the Common Read. Congregations all over the country are reading and discussing this book to help understand these complex systems and relationships that support racism and oppression. Facilitated by Kathy Underwood.
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Suffering and Meaning in a Process Relational Perspective - Mondays, March 8, 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.
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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.
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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... |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Legislative Advocacy Training - March 6 |
Join Jobi Cates, the Director of Restore Justice, on March 6th from 10:00 - 11:30 am for a Legislative Advocacy Training online workshop. Think about big picture orientation followed by tips for strategic organizing and advocacy.
Jobi brings nearly thirty years of legislative advocacy experience in Illinois. The training is hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois and Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois, and we are eager for Unitarian Universalists to benefit from this wisdom and experience!
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Now that the snow is melting and spring is on its way, join the UCE Green Team as we plan Spring activities. We meet each first Saturday at 1 pm so our next meeting is March 6 at 1 pm via Zoom. Bring any ideas you have about Earth Day celebrations and local and national efforts to create a more sustainable earth.
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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.
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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.
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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