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In-Person & Virtual Worship Service

this Sunday, May 21st at 10:30 am

Faith Formation Hour this Sunday!

• Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10am-11:45am

• Chalice Children (pre/k), in room 9, will end the year by exploring Caring for Trees, Earth, & Each Other.

• Heads, Hearts, and Hands (1st-6th), in room 8, will end the year with Celebrating With Creativity.

• Youth Group, in room 13 will end their year with Celebrating Our Year Creatively.

Families can explore our theme, Creativity, at home at their own pace with the Soulful Home packet.

Rev. Eileen Wiviott is currently on a scheduled sabbatical until Sunday, May 28th. In her absence, please contact:

• Rev. Elizabeth Harding (eharding@ucevanston.org), Sabbatical Minister covering pastoral care: Wednesdays, 11:00am-4:30 pm, Thursdays, 10:30am-2:00pm, or by appointment.
• Rev. Allison Farnum (afarnum@ucevanston.org), Sabbatical Minister covering worship and staffing: Tuesdays, 10:30am-3:30pm, or by appointment.
• Rev. Susan Frances (sfrances@ucevanston.org), Assistant Minister for Congregational Life: Thursdays, 10:30am-3:30 pm, or by appointment.

Do Not Get Scammed: Rev. Eileen will not be sending or receiving emails or text messages during her sabbatical.

Peter Mayer Concert

TONIGHT, May 19 - 7–10pm in the Sanctuary

Minnesota's Peter Mayer has been singing and songwriting full-time for over 20 years, performing in venues across the United States and beyond. He writes songs for a small planet--songs that celebrate life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. Peter wrote and produced Blue Boat Home which is in the UU teal hymnal. Peter Mayer performed days before we closed for the pandemic. He played to a full house and it was a memorable experience.



Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through Eventbrite by following this link. Tickets will be available at the door for $35.

Blessings for our Children (and their parents) who were Dedicated on Sunday, May 14

Robert Bates-Jefferys (Ellen and David Bates-Jefferys) 

Genevieve Julia Esterling (Megan Roberts Esterling and Carter Esterling) 

Finneus Maxwell Francolino (Sydney and Matt Francolino) 

Lyra DiFelice Francolino (Sydney and Matt Francolino) 

Milo James Gieschen (Monica Lani and Matthew Gieschen) 

Cort Koa Goodrich (Josh Goodrich and Lora LaPratt) 

Henry George Olson (Gena Rieger Olson and Bret Olson) 

Henry Maxwell Orme-Johnson (Ruth Orme-Johnson and Amy Pooley) 

Clementine Jennifer Underwood (Kyle and Michelle Underwood) 

Hats off to...

It's been such a pleasure to work with Diane Markel, Ann McCallister, Jinny Niemann, Christine Peters, Mathew Snowdon, Sean Talmage, and Becky Taveirne on the Pastoral Care Team and with Karen Courtright, Dana Deane, Lynn Kendall, and Peggy Boccard, who coordinate the Caring Team in providing meals and rides. Each email is met with curiosity, willingness, and support for the members of UCE. 

Ellie Feddersen, co-chair of the Pastoral Care Team, manages a full meeting with grace and support for each member of the committee. So many folks I talked with over the three months expressed their appreciation for folks reaching out, phone calls, and visits. It's been a wonderful experience knowing these folks are aware of what's going on at UCE and the needs of its members. 

Hats off to you all! ~ Rev. Elizabeth

New Sanctuary Chairs Testing Outcome & FAQ

Thanks to the 106 people who tried out the chairs we were testing and provided us with feedback. The winner is the Lumin chair (white one with the orange cushion). Please keep in mind we will not be using those colors, those were only sample chairs. However this is not the end of the story. We listened to some of you who had further concerns and questions. Here are our answers and actions.

Wood Chairs

There were questions raised about why there weren't any wood chairs in our group. During our extensive research we found wood chairs, however the majority of them were too expensive or too heavy (30+ lbs). We are trying to stay close to 12 pounds because we move our chairs so much. There is one chair style that is a more feasible weight (16-18 lbs). And it falls within our price range. So we’ve decided to bring that option back to ask your opinion, so you can see how you like it from the aesthetics, weight and comfort point of view.

Another Chair Testing Opportunity

We will be asking your opinion in a comparison of a wooden chair style to the Lumin style. We will be ordering each chair style with arms & without. Each will have upholstery/cushion on the seat and back. This will probably be in late June.

Why Do We Need New Chairs?

TAI CHI

This is a gentle reminder that there will be no Tai Chi classes in the entire month of May. Classes will resume Saturday, June 3rd, at the usual times.

2023 Annual Congregational Meeting

THIS SUNDAY - May 21, 2023 at 12pm in The Sanctuary.

If you are a member of UCE, you will receive a Zoom link in your email, so you can vote at the meeting. If you are not a voting member of UCE, you may watch the meeting live on YouTube by clicking the button below.

Retired ( but never Retiring!) Women: Tuesday, May 23, for potluck and discussion, from 5.00 - 6:45pm, in the back of the Sanctuary.

Many retirees want to write their/their family’s history to pass down. To help with that, a “fellow” UCE-r and wonderful published author, Lynn Sloan, will be with us. For more information please contact Margie Rogasner via Realm or through admin@ucevanston.org.

Join UCE at the

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian on May 25

Join us for a special event at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201, on May 25, 2023. From 4:00-5:00 pm, Josee Starr, the museum’s Director of Operations, will present on the Indigenous Peoples History of Chicagoland, followed by a question-and-answer session. Free with suggested donation of $10.

Join UCE member Beth McDonald at the museum at 3:30 pm to explore the museum before the presentation. The entry fee to the museum is separate from the donation for the presentation. [Tribal Citizens: FREE with ID; Students (with ID) & Seniors (60 & up): $6.00; Adults (18-59): $8.00; Youth (3-17): $6.00; Children Under 3: Free]

Sponsored by the UCE Native Communities Solidarity Team. If you have questions about the event, please contact Sallie Eggers or Beth McDonald through the Realm Membership Directory or Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Endowment Grant Application Deadline Approaching!

The first of three application periods for Endowment grants for the 2023-2024 church year is open, and our first application deadline is May 31. There is a lot new this year as a result of recommendations from the Endowment Task Force, but the key ideas behind how applications are evaluated remain similar to the past. To find out what's new and how to apply, please click below!

Board of Trustees Discusses

Endowment Allocation Category

Prior to the April meeting, Trustees were asked to complete a survey in advance of a Board discussion about the allocation of Endowment funds for Congregational Support. The survey surfaced trustees' thinking about the degree of appropriateness for activities funded by Congregational Support grants, and what circumstances might be considered when considering a grant or a repeat request for a grant.

The Board discussed types of requests as to whether they were very, somewhat or not appropriate.

Join the Fun on Sunday, June 4! 

Annual Picnic Volunteers Needed

The Congregational Connections Team is looking for a few good folks to help with setting up and overseeing fun games for children and adults at the UCE annual picnic on Sunday, June 4, 2023.

If you’ve always wanted to take a turn with our parachute, if you’re a yo-yo pro, call Bingo, or you just want a chance to enjoy some games and get to know other congregational members, please volunteer to help for a half hour during the picnic. There will be a sign up sheet at the back of the sanctuary after the service on Sunday, May 14th (Check out the yo-yos and the paddle balls, too!) or email Janice Milanovich.

If you are available to assist with set-up or clean-up in the kitchen, please click into SignUP.com at https://signup.com/go/BmTojmU and sign up for the "Annual Picnic Set Up" or "Annual Picnic Clean Up" spots.

Most importantly, plan now for what you will bring to the potluck picnic. Meat/meatless protein on the charcoal BBQ and buns will be provided. You bring the rest!

100th Anniversary of Flower Communion

The Flower Communion service was created by Norbert Capek (1870-1942), who founded the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. He introduced this special service to that church on June 4, 1923.

In honor of celebrating this 100^th anniversary on the exact day, June 4, 2023, we will be filling our sanctuary with flowers of all kinds. This year, in addition to bringing a cut flower to share during the Flower Communion, please also bring:

• Paper flowers to put on the walls
• Knit, stitched, croqueted flowers to place on the altar
• Craft made flowers of any kind to place along the altar and chancel
• Potted flowers to place on the tables for our annual picnic

Email photos of flowers that are meaningful to you to Rev. Eileen at ewiviott@ucevanston.org by May 30, 2023. 

If you have questions or ideas for this celebration, please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Spots Available for 2 Serendipity Auction Group Events

Square Dancing (June 9)

GUUrls’ Night Out (June 16)

Missed the chance to bid on these two group events from the UCE Serendipity Auction? There are still spots available, while they last. Put on your best “Wild West” outfit for a fun-filled, square-dancing event for age 8 years to ‘ageless’ on Friday, June 9 from 7:00-9:00 pm at $15/person and $30/family.

Join the annual GUUrls’* Night Out Party for delicious dinner, delightful desserts, wonderful wine and convivial conversation on Friday, June 16 at 6:30 pm at $45/person. Don’t miss this UCE tradition designed to honor the positive aspects of the feminine. Join us if you wish to spend an evening living up this side of you (*GUUrls=female, transgender, femme, womxn, non-binary).

To reserve your spot, email us at: auction@ucevanston.org.

 It's Prom Night Again!

Revive that Anticipation! Dress Up or Down. 

Roll in Stag or Drag. 

Make a Corsage for yourself or someone else. 

Show your Love. 

Request a Favorite Song: Old or New. Fast or Slow. 



Be Yourself Prom Night on Saturday June 17!

Music from 7pm til 10pm at UCE. 

Rainbow Alliance invites its Members and Allies to come Celebrate your Fabulousness! RSVP Here. To RSVP, look for the spot at 7:00 pm titled "Attend the Prom". And if you can volunteer to help with other tasks that evening, please sign up for those too.

2023 UUA General Assembly

The 2023 UUA General Assembly will be held in Pittsburgh, PA from June 21 – 25 online and in-person. 

Registration is now open. Click here for details.

The Denominational Affairs Team is asking you to consider being a Delegate to this General Assembly. Delegates will be considering changes to the UUA Bylaws, Article 2, that address racism, non-human life, and the inclusivity of the democratic process in our Principles, Purposes, and Sources. Delegates can attend in-person and virtually.

If you are interested, please contact Peggy Boccard via REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org.

We will continue to provide information via the Newsletter. 

Looking ahead in Faith Formation...

Parents’ Circle – June 4 at 9:30am in room 13.

We’ll share our thoughts on what we’d like to see and do next year to help parents in raising UU kids and youth.

Summer Schedule – June 11, 18, July 9, 16, 23, August 6, 20, 27

Our program, Wisdom Tales & Wild Games, for ages preschool through 8th grades, will meet in room 3 this summer so we can enjoy the South Lawn on nice days. Helpers are needed too - sign up here!

(Grand)Parents of Trans Individuals – June 18 in room 2

You can see a working calendar here that includes multi-age events. As in life, things change, so you can refer to this calendar throughout the year for updates or read them in the newsletter.

Want to know more about Faith Formation this year? Read our brochure here.

Chalice Sparx July 7-9, 2023 We are a multigenerational community that is intentionally welcoming for LGBTQ+ families, and families who have a member who is trans* or non-binary make up a sizeable portion of the families who have attended over the years. We have nurtured several trans kids in their journey toward adulthood and offer a time out of time and a place out of place experience for Unitarian Universalist families to connect and support one another.

Camp Marwood July 16-22, 2023 - Marwood is designed to be a 4-year experience for youth aged 12-15 (rising 7th graders - rising 10th graders) and the majority of campers choose to attend for all four of the summers they are eligible. Therefore, a potential camper’s best chance to “get in” is the summer before 7th grade. Some years, we have spots for rising 8th or 9th graders.

UCE Fiction Book Group 

I Will Die in a Foreign Land by Kalani Pickhart

The Fiction book group will meet TONIGHT - Friday, May 19, 2023 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

The story follows the experiences of four characters working behind the scenes of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, also known as the Revolution of Dignity. Ukrainian citizens defended their democracy against a President who resisted aligning with European democratic allies and instead forced the country toward Russia, resulting ultimately in the Russo-Ukrainian War. I Will Die in a Foreign Land is an ambitious, moving, intimate portrait of human perseverance and empathy. 

UCE Non-Fiction Book Group: 

Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist by Frans de Waal

The nonfiction book group will meet THIS SUNDAY, May 21, 2023 at 2.15 p.m. via Zoom.

In this book world-renowned primatologist Frans de Waal draws on his long career of investigating chimpanzees and bonobos to argue that biology does not automatically support the traditional gender roles in human societies. Different is a fresh and thought-provoking approach to the long-running debate about the balance between nature and nurture and where sex and gender roles fit in. The pages of Different are packed with great stories, fascinating data, and thought-provoking ideas.

YoFresh Cafe comes to UCE!

REAL (Racial Equity Action Leadership Team) is hosting a fun event with games for kids of all ages and make-your-own yogurt cups or sundaes brought to us by Dr. Larry and Dr. Jean Murphy of YoFresh Cafe here in Evanston. We will be outside on the south lawn or in the sanctuary depending on the weather. Come and enjoy fellowship and fun from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on Sunday, May 28th.

Activate Our UCE Community!

Does your social justice team need to spread the work quickly about an event, a rally, a protest? Do you know of an urgent need for folks to show up, and make their voices heard?

Consider tapping the UCE Local Response Network (LRN)! The LRN is a UCE network of folks ready to take action. Groups or individuals share alerts with the LRN coordinators who send the message out to a list of over 80 (and growing) UCE members interested in engaging in local social justice events. You can reach “action oriented” folks who then have the option of joining in.

Alert requests are reviewed using this criteria:

• Grounding: Does the event/action reflect the deeply held values and interests of our UCE congregation?
• Accountability: Are we acting in relationships of solidarity with those most impacted, particularly those most marginalized? [also: do we know and trust who is suggesting this action?]
• Fit: Does it match our capacity to act effectively, and does it strategically build our capacity? [i.e. does it make sense for us to do this based on UCE’s current energy and focus?]
• Opportunity: Is there an opportunity to actually achieve meaningful results?
• Engagement: How does the opportunity require us to be engaged [i.e. from our computer at home or in relationship out in the community]?



Send your LRN alert submissions to admin@ucevanston.org with “LRN Alert” in the subject line. You’ll get a response within 24 hours from the LRN coordinators. Questions? Contact Carolyn Laughlin (REALM Membership Directory or admin@ucevanston.org).

Thank you for activating our UCE community in urgent, immediate, purposeful work!

Join the UCE Team in the Race Against Hate

Now in its 24rd year, the Race Against Hate will be held on Fathers’ Day, June 18, 2023, at 7:30 am in Long Field, Evanston, and UCE will again be a part of it! 

Some of us run, some walk, some roll! Please join us for the Race Against Hate by joining the UCE Racial Equity Team 2023. (The YWCA has generously offered UCE 2 free registrations. So, the first 2 people to register using the code unitarian23, will be able to register for free!) If you can’t be with us in the Race, but want to join in spirit, support the team through your donation. Click this link to get to our Team page where you can register or sponsor the UCE Racial Equity Team or one of its members. 

Dana Deane is coordinating the UCE Racial Equity Team 2023. Please let her know if you have any questions at Dddeane847@gmail.com .

What’s Next for the Anti-Oppression Task Force?

The Anti-Oppression Task Force (AOTF) has wrapped up its work with consultants from the YWCA Equity Institute, but UCE’s anti-oppression work has only begun; and you can help!

The three aims the Anti-Oppression Task Forces (AOTF) pinpointed for its work are:

1. expanding the Congregation’s ownership of the anti-racism, anti-oppression work,

2. increasing power sharing at UCE, and

3. encouraging radical inclusion and hospitality,



Using the information gathered from the congregational surveys, our consultants from the YWCA provided our Congregation with a list of recommendations for fulfilling each of these aims. Over the course of the next three weeks, we will be sharing the top three priorities for each aim.

To Expand Ownership of the Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression Work, our three priorities are to:

1. Provide training in the use of the Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA) tool and support all groups in making that part of their decision-making and program planning.

Determine how groups will be accountable for sharing their use of the tool.

2. Gather and share data about all current AR/AO efforts at UCE. Identify ways

people can participate in each that are meaningful AND manageable in time

commitment.

3. Continue Solidarity Circles: Conversations on Race across congregations,

making sure REIA questions are addressed as new folks join.

Please be a part of fulfilling this aim and expanding ownership of this vital work. Please contact Melanie Kitchner via the Realm Membership Directory or Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org to indicate your interest.

Get Invited to an Abortion Access Team House Meeting

The UCE Abortion Access Team is working with several UCE members to host informational and fundraising meetings to benefit the Chicago Abortion Fund, which provides support for people facing barriers to accessing abortion care. House meetings are scheduled from May 16 through June 25. If you have not yet been invited to attend a meeting but would like to hear more, please reach out to Jean Butzen or Jon Siegel through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org and ask to be included in another upcoming event!!

Giving House Continues...

For the month of May, we are accepting donations of canned meat & fish in the Giving House.

The Giving House is a small wooden "house" that is located in the front lobby. We are partnering with C&W Market & Ice Cream to distribute free foods to those in need.