Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
|
In-Person & Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, May 29th at 10:15 am
|
|
Tending Our Metaphorical Cups
Grief and trauma have all too often been a part of our lives over the past two years. The strain and stress of such events often drains our energy, manifests in physical pain, brings up existential questions, and affects our disposition. During times such as these, it is important to attend to our metaphorical cups, so they don’t run dry. On this Memorial Day Weekend, we will honor our grief, acknowledge our trauma, and attend to the care and hope that has the ability to fill our mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional cups.
|
|
|
|
Following Kinship Time in the back of the sanctuary
(11:15-11:35 am), please join us for the All-Church Frozen Yogurt Social during this Sunday's Faith Formation Hour
|
|
Sharing Message from Valarie Kaur |
I am grieving with you, again, Beloveds. I share with you something that helped me: Valarie Kaur's message about Uvalde; breath, grieve, act, love. She includes action steps at the end and ways to talk to kids about tragedy. I am here if you want to talk. ~ Rev. Eileen
|
|
From Rev. Susan Frances,
Assistant Minister for Congregational Life
|
Dear Friends,
I just returned from a road trip to Chesapeake, Virginia, where I participated in the installation of The Rev. Viola Abbitt as the minister of the Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists. The photo is of me enjoying the beauty of the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. The ceremony was a beautiful reaffirmation of our faith tradition’s reliance on covenant to bind us together.
Covenant, or the promises we make to each other about how we will be in relationship, is the how to our what. The what is our mission and our vision. Having just adopted our new Values Statements or vision at our annual meeting, my thoughts are on how our agreement to be in a covenantal relationship as reflected in our Sunday morning covenant, our Covenant of Engagement, and our Principles aids us as we live out our stated values within our UCE community and out in the world...
|
|
|
With sadness, we share the news that long time member of UCE, Roy Carlson, died on Sunday afternoon, May 22nd. His nephews Ed and Ron, and Ron's wife, Terry were at his side during final weeks and months. It is a comfort to know he was loved and well cared for. We will miss your wit and cheer, Roy. |
|
Join us Next Sunday for Flower Communion &
our Annual Church Picnic!
|
June 5th is Flower Communion Sunday, a cherished and uniquely Unitarian Universalist tradition. You are invited to bring a flower or a bunch of flowers to contribute to our collection which will then be shared with one another in a ritual celebrating the beauty and diversity of Beloved Community.
After the service, we will enjoy the return of our annual church picnic. We’ll grill hot dogs, burgers, and veggie burgers. You are asked to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert. Hopefully the weather will permit us to enjoy the South lawn.
Following the picnic, we’ll dedicate our ramp to Alma Woods who was instrumental to getting the ramp in place and serving on our Accessibility and Inclusion Team.
|
|
THANK YOU for a Successful Rummage Sale! |
Have you heard? The UCE Rummage Sale that took place this last Friday and Saturday, 5/20 – 5/21, was a HUGE success. The sale netted $22,000 in proceeds (with potentially more coming in from Facebook Marketplace postings.) That’s twice the church’s anticipated budgetary amount!
Many things went into our success, not the least of these being how the congregation supported the sale. Whether you donated items, served as a setup or sale date volunteer, baked for the Food Café, shopped the sale, or helped out in a myriad of other ways, we are so appreciative. Likewise, a round of applause goes out to the incredible team of leaders, workers and staff who spent weeks planning, organizing and publicizing the sale. Thank you all for “sharing the work!”
|
|
|
Hats Off to the Rummage Sale Team! |
|
Hats Off to the incredible Rummage Sale 2022 leads, workers and all who transformed this sale. It required careful planning and the collaborative input of good leaders and workers.
Thank you to Co-Chairs Lynn Kendall and Margaret Schatz, Staff Lead Sandra Robinson, and Department Leads Tory Bassani, Shannon Lang, Alice Chrostowski, Susan Martin, Gillian Lawrence, and Woody Haynes. Renee Hoff executed a well-thought-out publicity plan on which she received the help of Jessica Meis and Jeanne Kerl. Meredith Haydon led the campaign to grace Evanston yards with lovely red signs. Meredith also co-led the Café Rummage effort with Sheila Holder and team members Ally Hunter and Kathy Talmage. Robb Geiger, Michael Skilton, Steve Serikaku, and others managed the parking lot and security. Vickie Doebele, thank you for keeping the spreadsheet and managing the incoming funds.
And, to the many volunteers in each of the departments and as lobby staff, our hats are off to you. We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge how well our congregation followed the "Share the Work" plan and for donating well sorted items in good condition as requested. A special shout out goes to Gillian Lawrence for putting our list of what we accept and do not accept into a professional, well-organized document everyone could follow. And, for her valiant efforts to gather young families to come in when they could, even after hours, to run the children's department. It truly took our village to make this happen.
|
|
 |
UCE Building Availability -
The UCE Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am-5pm
If you have music to share in worship, we would love to add your to our list. We are looking for either live or recorded performances for Sunday mornings to enhance our worship. Reach out to Rev. Eileen or Vickie Hellyer.
|
May 31 - Endowment Fund Application Deadline. More info below.
June 5 - All Church Picnic during Faith Formation Hour
June 11 - Congregational Calendaring Event at 10:30 am - Noon. More info below.
June 19 - Ricky Byrdson Race Against Hate. More info and Registration link below.
June 22-26 is the UUA General Assembly online or in-person in Portland, OR. More info below.
|
|
|
|
This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, May 28
-
Virtual Pilates at 9:30 am on Zoom. Email Janelle Brittain to join.
-
Tai Chi at 9:45 am and 11 am in the UCE sanctuary.
Sunday, May 29
-
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am in Room 6 and via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
-
Worship Service at 10:15 am - Sanctuary & Youtube. Click here to join.
- Kinship Time in the back of the sanctuary at 11:15-11:35 am
- Faith Formation Hour at 11:35 am: All-Church Frozen Yogurt Social at 11:35 am - 1 pm at UCE!
Monday, May 30
Wednesday, June 1
Thursday, June 2
-
Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
|
The Sunday, June 26 worship service will be at 11:30 am CST. Instead of UCE's service, we will join the UUA General Assembly service. You may join the livestream from home or the UCE Sanctuary.
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
Congregational Connections |
|
Wednesday All Church Zoom Gathering on Hiatus |
We will not be meeting on Wednesday evenings in June, July, and August. We are reviewing congregational programming over the summer. Announcements will be made in the fall if we plan to resume the Wednesday All Church Zoom Gathering. We are grateful for the time we have spent with everyone who has joined us on a Wednesday evenings this past two years! Keep reaching out to each other. On Zoom or in-person, our time together is precious.
~ Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan
|
|
Nominating and Recruiting Task Force |
At the urging of our interim minister, Rev. Karen Gustufson, and in response to concerns expressed by members of the Nominating and Recruiting Committee, the Board has determined to form a Nominating and Recruiting Task Force. If you are interested in becoming a member of this Task Force, please send an email to Joe Romeo at bot@ucevanston.org by May 31. We want to form a group that will bring as many different perspectives as possible to this endeavor. If you know someone who would be an excellent addition to this task force, please encourage them to contact Joe.
The Task Force will review the policies and procedures that support and guide the work of the Nominating & Recruiting Committee, which is charged with creating a slate of candidates for elected leadership roles for consideration at the UCE annual meeting. Their work is done in alignment with our UU principles and with the specific goal of minimizing bias and widening...
|
|
1st Endowment Fund application deadline is May 31, just a couple weeks away.
Check the Endowment webpage for information on writing and submitting an application for the 2022-23 fiscal year, beginning July 1.
|
|
2022/2023 Congregational Calendaring Event
June 11th, from 10:30 to Noon, in room 6 & on Zoom
|
Board members, event/team leaders, committee/program chairs, and interested members, bring your date books and your dreams about meaningful and engaging events for the coming church year. We'll map out the calendar together.
|
|
UCE Shared Offering Program Accepting
Nominations for 2022-23
|
The Shared Offering Program is now accepting nominations for the 2022-23 congregational year. Nomination forms are due June 30, 2022.
Each year, the Shared Offering Program donates to 13 organizations that have a social justice focus supporting UCE’s mission and our vision for a world made whole. Do you support an organization addressing Climate Justice, Food or Housing Insecurity, Health or Education Disparities, Indigenous Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, Oppression, Peace, Racism, Refugees/Immigrants, Violence, or Voting Rights? If so, nominate them for the Shared Offering Program!
|
|
Unitarian Universalists Association 2022 General Assembly |
|
Registration is still open for the 2022 General Assembly. Whether you wish to attend in-person or virtually UCE has made funds available for registration, travel, accommodations and food. Contact Shirley Adams or Peggy Boccard for information on how to apply for funds.
GA offers a variety of worship choices throughout the meeting. These include spiritual practices, Sunday morning worship, and Youth and Young Adult worship. The Service of the Living Tradition honors fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders, remember those who died, recognize those who have completed active service, and welcome those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year.
And there is always music to lift your spirits and fill your heart. Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout is the choir director for the GA this year. You can expect and participate in wonderful musical experiences. Take the time to register and join your friends at the UUA 2022 General Assembly!
|
|
What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
|
Faith Formation Hour this Sunday at 11:35 am
- Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Social with Second Baptist Church! Yum! On the South Lawn after worship.
Nursery care (ages 0-3) during worship in Room 11 from 10 am - 12:30 pm.
And families can explore our theme of Nurturing Beauty in their own timeframe in the Soulful Home packet.
Feedback Results – Parents will get an email soon about a proposed Sunday format and schedule for next fall. We would love your feedback so be sure to reply your thoughts!
The Family Ministry Team is making summer plans!
-
Geocaching at Emily Oaks – June 12 at Noon – bring a sandwich for a short picnic before we try our geocaching skills. Register here.
- Water Games and/or Sidewalk Chalk Games – July 10 at noon
- Penny Park Picnic – August 7 at Noon
- Wednesdays on the Lawn returns on Wednesday evenings! Mark your calendars for the following dates: June 22, July 6, 20, August 3, 17
Summer Camp Time!
Family camps:
For Middle/high school youth:
-
Marwood (Midwest Unitarian Universalist Youth Camp) – primarily for youth entering 7th grade with the expectation that they attend in high school. More info here.
Youth Opportunity!
Save the Date! Sowing Seeds, a UU Youth justice focused, in-person, immersive workshop - August 3-6 to build community, dig into the local Pittsburgh social movement scene and explore what seeds we’re called to plant and nurture in the world. This is a collaborative project between the UU College of Social Justice and the Unitarian Universalist Association. The cost to attend this workshop is free and travel will be reimbursed thanks to the generous funding from UUCSJ. Learn more here.
|
|
UCE Fiction Book Group is reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Join us on Friday, June 17 at 7 pm by ZOOM to discuss this novel.
A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest, Emilio Sandoz, a man of deep faith who leads a scientific mission to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life.
|
|
The nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom at 10 am on Sunday, June 26th to discuss Mark Bittman's book Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal.
Best-selling food authority Mark Bittman offers a panoramic view of human history from hunting and gathering food to GMOs and ultra-processed foods. His compelling analysis explains what is currently wrong and how we can start to make it better.
Note the change in the time of our June meeting. We will meet at 10 am via Zoom before the UUA General Assembly worship service broadcast at UCE at 11:30 am.
|
|
|
Harms Woods Project was an enjoyable success! |
|
We were fourteen volunteers from UCE, the Bahai House of Worship, and a synagogue, enjoying an invigorating spring day in the woods and making a big effort to restore high quality plants. Garlic mustard was the harvest. Join us in the fall for buckthorn cutting and native seed gathering. It is a beautiful, peaceful, sociable place to be, and we learn a lot about the flora and fauna too! |
|
UCE UUtheVote 2022: Reclaim Our Vote! |
|
UCE has launched our campaign to boost voter participation, engage new voters, counter voter suppression, and protect our democracy! Reclaim Our Vote (ROV), a national non-partisan organization whose mission is to “empower underrepresented voters and fight voter suppression, one voter at a time”, targets voters in states experiencing aggressive voter suppression. We’ll send specific information to Black, southern, largely rural folks information on how to register, ways to vote early and by mail, poll locations and hours.
Pick up postcards in the back of the sanctuary this Sunday, May 29, or contact Carolyn Laughlin through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org.
|
|
Sign Petition to Support Local Housing Program |
|
Please consider signing a petition to support the purchase of the Margarita Inn by Connections for the Homeless in order to operate their Bridge Housing program. Throughout the pandemic, Connections heroically stepped up to provide shelter for more than 300 people experiencing homelessness. Since 2020, 184 homeless individuals have been served at the Margarita Inn, including men, women, and children. Currently, 86% are Evanston residents. We believe all our neighbors deserve a safe, stable place to call home. The services provided by Connections for the Homeless at the Margarita Inn create the path to stable housing and a brighter future.
|
|
Community Launch Event for Evanston's
Interfaith Reparations Effort - June 13
|
|
Join the UCE Team in the Race Against Hate on June 19 |
|
The Race Against Hate will be held on June 19, and UCE will again be a part of it. Some of us run, some walk, some roll! However you roll, please be a part of our Race Against Hate by joining the UCE REAL Team 2022. If you can’t be with us in the Race, but want to join in spirit, support the team through your donation. Dana Deane is coordinating the UCE REAL Team 2022. Please contact Dana through REALM or at ucerealteam@gmail.com if you have any questions.
In 1999, Ricky Byrdsong was murdered by a self-proclaimed white supremacist. Byrdsong was a Skokie resident and the first African-American coach of the Northwestern University men’s basketball team. He was also the father of 3 young children, 2 of whom were with him near their home when he was shot...
|
|
Save the Date - Interfaith Action of Evanston's
Vision Keeper's Dinner
|
|
Sunday, September 18 at 5:30 pm
DoubleTree, Versailles Room
Tickets: $75
Join the IAE Board in honoring members of our faith communities who exemplify the IAE vision of interfaith social action and dialogue. Tickets include a donation to support IAE's direct services to homeless and hungry people in Evanston.
|
|
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
