Sunday Service March 9, 2025 at 10:30am 

Remember Daylight Savings Time Begins, set your clocks forward

Soulful Home Packet



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

UPDATES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Written by Kera Beskin

Friends, the world feels foreboding. I work as a policy manager at a CountyCare, a Medicaid health plan. Medicaid is the government health insurance program for low income families, pregnant people, and people with disabilities. 20% of Illinois residents are on Medicaid. It is the largest funder of nursing homes and substance abuse treatment. Medicaid often provides life saving care. Professionally, I’m tasked with tracking what changes to Medicaid are coming and I am deeply worried about the future of this government program.

Join the Board of Trustees 

to explore BIG QUESTIONS 

for UCE

Join members of the Board of Trustees on Sunday, March 30th at noon in Room 3 for a 75-minute discussion about some big questions:

* What changes do we need to make so UCE is more accessible?

* How we can foster connections that go beyond our comfort zones at UCE and in the larger community? 

There are four scheduled opportunities to engage in these questions:

• Two sessions on Zoom – Saturday, March 22nd 10–11:15 am and April 22nd 7-8:15pm
• Two sessions in person at UCE – Sunday, March 30th noon-1:15pm and Friday, April 11th 6:30-7:45pm. Refreshments will be provided at both in-person sessions.

Register HERE

Our hats are off to the amazing Worship Planning Team, which includes 25 UCE members, though not everyone attends every meeting. Worship planning is an inclusive, creative, and collaborative process. We have fun, learn together, and thoughtfully design worship that engages our hearts, minds, and bodies in spiritual transformation. It is good to not have to do this alone! Thank you for everyone who attends the meetings to dream and plan and those who serve as worship associates on Sunday mornings. You help lift our collective spirits to keep us moving forward throughout the weeks.

Seed Planting is TONIGHT!

March 7th, 6:30-8pm

We’ll be learning about planting seeds to take home and watch grow.

Bring a snack to share.

Planning for End of Life - Better Now Than Never

This series of three programs is for adults of all ages to help prepare for the end of life. We don’t know when our time on earth will end, so why not do what we can now to make it easier for our loved ones?

Our final session facilitated by Alison Issen will be March 19th at 7pm: Harvesting the Wisdom of Your Life: Creating an Ethical Will

Register HERE

• 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!

Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors

March 13th at 7pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

We’ll continue our exploration of the Episcopal faith with Fr. Greg Millikin.

We will then meet at UCE on March 18 at 7pm

You can register here to be included on future emails.

Budget Town Halls

We will have two opportunities for the congregation to learn and ask questions about our proposed 2025/2026 annual operating budget: March 9th after worship (12pm) in room 3; and March 12th at 7pm on Zoom.

Help Prepare Care Packages for the Chicago Abortion Fund on Sun, March 16th

Join us Sunday, March 16 at noon in Room 3 at UCE to help put together care packages for patients coming to Chicago for abortion services. We’ll pack the supplies, write brief notes to the recipients, and make sure these patients have some supplies to pamper themselves after leaving the clinic.

Members of the church Abortion Action Team have contacted the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) to find out what’s needed, bought and ordered everything, and are organizing the after-church work party. Won’t you help us complete the project?

CAF is one of the major providers in Illinois of health care to out-of-state patients, who have nowhere else to turn, since their states have outlawed abortion. Last year CAF provided grants of $3,600 on average to more than 375 grantees, so they could travel to Chicago to receive services. It’s help line answered more than 16,000 calls.

If you’d like to come and help us put together the care packages, register HERE. And please also let us know if you’d like to help contribute to future work parties.

Planning is ramping up for the 2025 Rummage Sale. We have filled most of the department co-lead positions, as well as leadership spots in setup, cleanup and feeding our volunteers. A BIG thank you to all who have stepped into these roles. There is just one opening that remains in our housewares department. If you’d like to join in on the fun, rewarding work that goes into co-leading a department, contact rummage@ucevanston.org.

Please continue to watch the weekly newsletter for important announcements (spoiler alert: there will be a big one next week!)  And, once again, mark your calendars with these key dates:

• Sale Dates: Fri May 2 - Sat May 3
• Donation Dates: Sun April 27 – Mon April 28
• Setup Dates: Sun April 27 – Thurs 5/1

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

In-person, Sun. Mar. 16, 2025, 9:00-10:20 am, Room 12, child care provided. To register, click here.

Virtual, Wed. Mar. 26, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm. To register and get Zoom link, click here.

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.

Pie Potluck – March 16 during Kinship Time!

In honor of our respect for science, we’ll honor Pi Day with a Pie Potluck.

Bring any pie or round food to share while enjoying some Pi Day fun!

Rhythm for Congregations Masterclass:

A workshop after worship on March 23rd



Whether you are a choir member or a non-chorister who simply who loves making music, join us for an energetic, fully participatory workshop designed to help choirs, and congregations better understand rhythm in the mind, body, and spirit. With Matt’s guidance, we’ll explore the theories and practices of West African, South Indian and European perspectives on rhythm. This is as much rhythm training as you can possibly fit into a 90-minute master class!

Matt Meyer, who’ll be our worship leader that Sunday, is a traveling musician and worship leader for UU congregations. He has a degree in hand drumming from Berklee College of Music, where he focused his studies on Cuban and Brazilian music. He's the drummer in the Sanctuary Boston worship band and has performed with a wide range of musicians and bands, including Ysaye Barnwell (of Sweet Honey in the Rock), Pete Seeger, Emma’s Revolution, Peter Mayer, Jim Scott, Nick Page, The Halalisa Singers, Samba Tremeterra, and Bloco de Afrobrazil.

*It's helpful to have at least some background in music, but anyone who's ever played an instrument at all or sung in any choir, will do fine.

A Chance to Dance!

From the UCE auction, you get the chance to take three beginner dance lessons at UCE. The lessons will help you enjoy partner dancing to a range of music. You can learn or improve your skills at leading and at responding. The classes are scheduled on Thursdays at 2pm: March 15th and 22nd. 

Pay for the lessons by using this link to buy through the auction website. Yes, you can invite friends too. The classes are for beginner but improvers can use the time and the instructor to learn new patterns too.



And Serendipitously, the UCE auction is offering you a Friday evening of dancing to live music on March 28th! Buy those tickets at the website and put on some dancing shoes! ~ Shirley Adams

MO Blues Band Dance Party!

Dive into a mesmerizing evening brimming with rhythm and soul, showcasing the incredible Alicia Hempfling and the MO Blues Band at this special celebration! With an impressive ten-year history of enchanting music enthusiasts, this event is set to be truly memorable. Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, including wine, beer and non-alcoholic beer. It's an all-ages event, perfect for families, and childcare services are also available. 6-8:30pm Friday, March 28th, $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

Link to purchase tickets is here

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is March 14th, 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 (except for this month) 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 – April 12, 7-10p

Do you have a game that isn’t appropriate to play with kids? 

Or just want to play games with others 18+?

Here’s your chance to have some fun! 

BYOB and a snack to share. Register here by April 6 for childcare.

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!

Get Ready! UUA's General Assembly 2025 is Around the Corner

The 64th UUA General Assembly will be a multi-platform event June 18 - 22 with the main stage at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. If you've never attended GA, make this the year! This five-day event is full of opportunities to share space with other UUs, as we gather to worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy decisions for the Association through a democratic process. Check out program highlights.

Early bird registration pricing is available until March 31. Multiplatform and Single-day In-person registration options are available. Take advantage of UUA's $100 discount for first time attendees. Or tap into the UCE Endowment Grant for GA scholarships or the UUA's financial support opportunities. Visit the UUA website for more GA information.

A number of UCE members are attending in-person. If you are interested in attending in-person or virtually, or want to serve as a UCE delegate, let us know via the GA sign-up form. Or contact a member of the Denominational Affairs Team: Peggy Boccard, Melanie Kitchner, Cheryl Mounts, Carla Williams. Our contact info is in Realm.

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, March 21 by ZOOM, 7-8pm

using our Recurring Zoom link

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar. A newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, embarks on a remarkable search for a family secret.

UCE Nonfiction Book Group

The group will meet on Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 23rd using our recurring ZOOM link.

We will discuss The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society by Joseph Stiglitz. In this book, the Nobel prize winner dissects America’s current economic system and the political ideology that created it. He writes of how ‘free’ and unfettered markets have led to a series of crises: the financial crisis, the opioid crisis, and the crisis of inequality and how a small portion of the population has amassed considerable wealth while wages for most people have stagnated. He says that we need to make changes to accomplish our American ideal of an economic and political system that delivers well-being, opportunity, and meaningful freedoms for all.



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.



The current Shared Offering Recipient is the ​Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois, whose mission is to equip UU's in Illinois to ​transform institutions; partnering with and supporting people harmed by the prison industrial complex.

Upcoming Opportunities for Democracy in Action!

For those wanting a broad collective response, consider these opportunities:

Friday, March 7th: Join a grassroots group of students, professors, scientists, and concerned citizens, some of who have been directly affected by cuts to Federal funding, along with Indivisible Chicago, as they rally at Federal Plaza to Stand Up for Science. Noon kickoff.

Saturday, March 8th: March, rally, and raise your voice for justice, equity, and liberation for women at Chicago's Rally & March for International Women's Day. Kicks off at 11AM in Daley Plaza.

Welcome the Stranger



UCE’s Immigration Solidarity Team participates with the immigration/ Refugee group of Interfaith Action Evanston. That group has prepared Welcome the Stranger information explaining to people of faith what they can do to help immigrants they may encounter.

It consists of a background sheet with information about immigrants, suggestions on how to help immigrants, and a QR code that can be shared with immigrants which connects them to Spanish-language resources in Evanston for food, and in the Chicago area for clothes, housing, legal aid, and a primer on their rights dealing with immigration officials. All resources are also available in English and some in other languages as well. This information will be available on REALM and also on the church bulletin board.

Greetings Friends,

Interfaith Action’s SNAPGap is collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste to be distributed at the March 11 Produce Mobile. Any type of toothbrush or toothpaste is welcome. You may purchase items online at at this link. Or drop off locally bought items at First United Methodist Church, 516 Church Street, Evanston. The church office is open from 10am-2pm, Monday through Friday.

Thank you for your participation! These necessities help individuals and families who are struggling to pay the rent, put food on the table, maintain their health, and live in dignity. Your participation and generosity are greatly appreciated by all. 

Finally, you may have heard news about upcoming transitions regarding the Produce Mobile. Please know that the program will continue as always through May. In the meantime, the Interfaith Action Board is researching and deliberating its options for the future. Thanks for your patience.

Warm regards,

SNAPGap Team

Questions? Text or call IAE delegate, Toni Rey

UCE’s Community Partners, Open Communities, NAACP /Evanston, and Connections for the Homeless, are partnering with other community organizations to invite renters to learn about their increased protections and discuss ways we can continue to improve the landlord tenant ordinance. Evanston Renters Coming Together Thursday, March 13, 2025 6:00-7:30pm @ YWCA Evanston/North Shore, 1215 Church Street Free parking, childcare, light snacks, Spanish translation, and ADA accessibility. Please register in advance using the flyer below.

We want to DO Something!

Many of us are looking for ways to resist the current administration's efforts to dismantle our democracy. One idea: consider signing up with the Side with Love Action Center Weekly Action Updates: https://sidewithlove.org/actioncenter

Each week, there are a range of specific actions in several different areas of concern. Visit the Democracy in Action table after service to connect and plan.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

(Click on the images to read more)

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330