Sunday Service

May 4, 2025 at 10:30am 

UPDATE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Annual Meeting on May 18th

A very important date is quickly approaching. The UCE Annual Meeting will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday, May 18th immediately following the service. All those who have been members for at least 90 days are invited – encouraged – to attend. We need 20% of voting members to be present or online to create the required quorum.

Many important issues will be on the agenda: voting for new Board members, and new members of the Endowment and Nominating Committees. We will also adopt our annual budget, receive and review annual reports of the officers, professional staff and committees, and any other business requiring a congregational vote.

Tables will be set up along the back wall of the sanctuary where you will sign-in and receive your voting card. Those who cannot attend the meeting in person may do so online, via Zoom. You will receive an email with the various documents to be reviewed. Once a quorum is reached, the meeting will begin.

Your Board of Trustees will provide lunch so we won’t be distracted by hunger pains!! Please put this important meeting on your calendar so you may exercise your right to vote.

Here is the Youtube link for the Annual Meeting: https://youtube.com/live/eSwBTeDnLFM

Our hats are off to the many people who have made our faith formation programs run smoothly and created spaces to build relationships during the year. Many of these awesome people were gracious and jumped in to help at the last minute, too. For our children and youth, kudos to Julia Adams, Lee Bannor, Mary Bell, Aidan Caravana, KT Di Giovanni, Wendy Drake, Ann Gadzikowski, Elizabeth Harding, Linda Herried, Sue Larson, Gillian Lawrence, Norell Liddell, Kendall Matias, Brian Meister, Janice Milanovich, Christine Peters, Joe Romeo, Margaret Shaklee, Carla Williwmas, Grey Wiviott, Karen Wylie. And for our adult programs this year, hats off to Dan Solomon, Bob Mesle, Alison Issen, and to staff Rev. Eileen, Rev. Susan, and Adam Gough. It truly takes a village!

• 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 Sunrise Movement, whose mission is to provide access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy.

The Rummage Sale has arrived!

Be sure to shop the sale

and invite a friend (share the flyer.)

Good selection of quality items at great prices!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors

May 6 at 7pm in Room 3 and on Zoom

We will begin our exploration of the

African Methodist Episcopal faith with 

our guest from Ebenezer AME, Pastor Deborah Scott.

You can register here to be included on future emails.

What Does Your Social Justice Work Look Like?

There are many ways to engage in social justice. The Anti Oppression Task Force knows that many UCE members work with outside groups on anti-racism and anti-oppression issues. Whether it’s a food bank, soup kitchen, immigrant support, writing letters to incarcerated people, registering voters, or participating in phone banks.

This work also includes your willingness to drive a neighbor to a doctor's appointment, or help someone cross a busy street. Anything you do that makes this world a better place for someone else is an act of social justice. Regardless of what you do……….. WE WANT TO KNOW.

The Social Justice Questionnaire is waiting to receive your information about what you’re doing and with what groups or organizations. For others who want to know more about available social justice activities and what you can do, just respond to this five minute survey. The information you provide will be available to other UCE members who want to make a difference and are looking for ways to get involved with the community.

Over the next few Sundays members of the Anti-Oppression Task Force will be greeting you in the cafe area during kinship time in the sanctuary and in the lobby to help you complete the survey. Click on this link or, if you prefer, you can use the QR code above to access the survey and complete it at home.

Be an advocate for our UU values! Help us get more of our members out into the community helping others and building relationships.

 Flower Communion and Annual Picnic – June 1st

The first Sunday in June is when UCE traditionally celebrates the annual flower communion ceremony originated by Norbert Capek over 100 years ago in Prague All attendees are encourage to bring a flower (or a few) from your garden, the store, or plucked from a field, to exchange with one another in one of our most beloved rituals. Following the service, we'll enjoy a picnic on the lawn (weather permitting). Meat and veggie alternatives are provided and you are asked to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share.

Rise For Democracy

The Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) is offering an excellent Rise for Democracy Training series online. The goal of the training series is to bring people together, grow & strengthen their local networks, and get ready to mobilize to demand democracy in this new challenging environment.

The Rise for Democracy training is for people who love our country and understand the threat of autocracy before us, and want to do something about it. If you're moderate politically, a pro-democracy conservative, or progressive - this is your place! You are welcome and important here.

UCE members have attended the first 4 sessions and encourage you to join the final two sessions:

Thu. May 8 • De-escalation and related advanced skills

Thu. May 15 • Advanced strategic organizing skills II

Itching to DO Something?

Read the weekly actions offered by SIDE WITH LOVE in their action center.

Here is one of their recent suggestions, following up on MAY DAY Rallies:

"We are making progress in turning public opinion against the federal assault on our liberty...and it’s time to redouble those efforts. Massive protests have helped fuel resistance, but don’t throw those signs in your closet after a march! Consider planting them in a window or on your lawn. Street chalk, buttons, and stickers are among the many other ways to let others see the anti-fascist majority is gaining power. Choose one new thing this week you can do to build our momentum."

Submitted by your Catalyst Task force and your Legislative Action Team.

Harms Woods Workday June 1

Save the date for Sunday, June 1 from 1-4 pm in beautiful Harms Woods for our semiannual work outing. We will be pulling invasive weeds to allow room for native plants to flourish. It's an easy and interesting activity that is led by the long-time and very knowledgeable Harms Woods stewards, John and Jane Balaban. Dress for the weather (including sturdy footwear that can get muddy) and plan on walking approximately 2 miles over uneven ground. It's an activity appropriate for youth ages 13 and up, accompanied by their own parent or guardian. For more info and to reserve a space, contact Susan Comstock or Dale Griffin.

Imara Jones is the UUA 2025 Ware Lecturer

Imara Jones, an award-winning journalist and trans rights activist, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s General Assembly, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s annual gathering in June. Imara is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning political journalist who is an advocate for social justice and equality across a variety of media outlets. She is the founder of TransLash Media, described on her official website as “a cross-platform journalism, personal storytelling and narrative project, which produces content to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the US.” TransLash Media tells the stories of trans and gender-nonconforming people through articles, podcasts, films, and zines.

The 2025 Ware Lecture will be delivered at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Whether attending the lecture at the Baltimore Convention Center, streaming it live, or watching a video on-demand after the event, the lecture will be available to all who register for GA 2025.

May 9th at 6-8pm in Room 3

We will spread mulch for the playscape!

Those who wish to picnic will gather at 6p.

Mulching begins at 6:30p.

Bring gardening gloves and a bucket if you wish

Is Friendship Meal Hosting For You?

 The Congregational Connections Team is so grateful to already have found hosts for the 10 summer session Friendship Meals to be held in July and August!! We keep a running list of people who have expressed hosting interest, and, this go-round, we filled all host slots without even needing Sunday announcements. Wow!

That said, if you’re interested in hosting during a future session, or have questions about hosting, please talk to or contact Margaret Koreman (Margaret.Koreman at gmail dot com) or Lina Hilko (LHilko at aol dot com). We’d love to add you to our list of potential hosts.

Attendance sign-ups for summer session meals will occur June 1st and 8th. Friendship Meals are a great way for members and friends to make and strengthen relationships through in-home potlucks or restaurant gatherings with about 8-10 people at each meal, give or take.

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is Friday, May 16th



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.

Picnics in the Park May 4th and 18th

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.

Celebrate Beltane with UCE!

All are welcome to join the UCE Pagan Collective for an all-ages and all-mobility level Beltane (May Day) ritual potluck feast on Sunday, May 4 at 1 p.m. We'll celebrate the blooming of summer on the south lawn with a ritual, a Maypole dance, a bonfire and a potluck lunch. Join us for the party, including a hot dog and marshmallow roast, crafts for the whole family, and Earth-centered fellowship. Dishes for the potluck are optional but appreciated.

🌱 Calling All Gardeners! 🌱

It’s time once again for our Annual Community Plant Swap!

Nurturing Mother Earth

2025 Community Plant Swap

Saturday, May 10 | 1–3 PM

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Avenue (enter parking lot via Greenwood)

Bring your extra plants, seedlings, or divisions—

Swap them for something new to grow and love!

✨ Come with something you have, leave with something you want to grow!

Stay tuned: online pre-swaps link coming soon.

Spring Garden Work Day! May 17th - 10:00am-2:00pm

Let’s shake off our Winter shivers and capitalize on our pent-up gardening needs by bringing UCE’s gardens to life! We have lots of gardening projects this year.

We’ll be digging holes for new perennials for the East Rain Garden, making rabbit-proof fencing for around the plants and picking out any weeds in our way. Join us on the South Lawn for any part or all of the time. Rain date May 24th. Contact Janelle Brittain or Neil Koreman, Garden Team Co-Chairs, for any questions.

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!

UUA QUUest Camps:

Immerse Youth in UU Values & Earth Justice at UUA QUUest Camps!

This summer, Camp Blue Boat (Idaho) and QUUest Mountain West (Wyoming) will provide transformative week-long experiences for UU middle and high school youth. In partnership with the UU College of Social Justice, we’re integrating justice work, including environmental stewardship, into daily camp life. From worship under the stars to hands-on activities that connect spiritual practice and Earth care, youth will spend the week immersed in what it means to live their UU values in harmony with the planet. Registration is now open for current 5th-12th graders. Learn more and support this vital ministry at uua.org/pwrcamp.

Join us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/520586461667097

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, May 16th, 7-8pm using our Recurring Zoom link

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading 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.

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

The Nonfiction Group will not meet in May. We will next meet on Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 1st to discuss We Are Free to Change the World: Hannah Arendt's Lessons in Love and Disobedience by Lyndsey Stonebridge.

Stonebridge shows readers how Arendt's life and thought across the 20th century matter in our own time. After escaping Fascist Europe, Arendt became one of America's most influential and controversial public intellectuals. Questioning-thinking-was her first defense against tyranny. She advocated politics of action and plurality, courage and, when necessary, disobedience.

On June 29th, our group will discuss The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back by Madiba Dennie.

• Everyone is welcome to join us.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330