Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole

Sunday Service May 5th at 10:30am

Jetpig: The Power of Faith Formation

Join us this Faith Formation Sunday as we discover the true power of faith formation: that everything we do IS faith formation. We will explore how we are entering a new and transformative movement, where Unitarian Universalism is in the perfect place to make change happen in creating a world made whole.

Children in pre/k - 12th will remain

in the service.

Shared Offering - Night Ministry

Join the Services Livestream

Faith Formation Hour this Sunday

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10:15a-11:45a

Chalice Children (pre/k), Heads, Hearts, and Hands (1st-6th) and Youth Group (7th-12th) will next meet on May 12th.

Families can explore our theme, The Gift of Interdependence, at home and in their own timeframe with the Soulful Home packet . Send pictures to Kathy of your family as you explore the many ideas here!

See our “living” calendar of programs and events here.

Parents can register their children/youth for the Faith Formation Program here.

UCE FAMILY CHOIR Spring 2024

Families and children are invited to sing with the UCE choir in the May 19th service. The song is: “Build Me a World.” Watch a video of the song HERE. We have 1 more short rehearsal: Sunday, May 5th, 10-10:20 am (room 3)

Email Norell Liddell for more information: NorellLiddell at gmail dot com.

Staff Spotlight On Steven Eason

written by Meredith Haydon

We heard from you that you enjoyed our Staff Spotlights over the past year, and that some of you missed them since each one ran for only a week. So, we’re going to run them again over the next year. Be on the lookout every 5th week for more Staff Spotlights.

UCE is truly fortunate to have Steven Eason caring for and managing our building. Steven and Liz work as a team, keeping the building clean and maintained, handling set-up and clean-up for countless meetings, events and rentals, everything from the rummage sale to UCE’s hosting of the Overnight Emergency Shelter in cold weather. Steven’s attention to detail can be seen every week in his preparation of the sanctuary on Friday or Saturday evening, (click here for video of Steven replacing the red chairs with the blue), so it is ready on Sunday morning. Steven is refreshingly candid and genuine with a warm, ready laugh.

Steven grew up in Evanston and has made his home here. His mom and grandmother live nearby, so he sees them frequently. Steven and our sexton, Liz Kennedy-Eason, met eleven years ago, dated and became a couple while working at an area restaurant. Liz was also working part-time at UCE as the sexton. When a custodial position at UCE became available, Steven was hired. Steven and Liz were married at UCE by Rev. Connie Grant on August 6, 2016.

We have much to celebrate in Faith Formation!

Hats off to Dan Solomon and Peter Silverman who coordinated and led our Passover Seder last Friday. We had 23 people who enjoyed delicious food and participated in the ritual and singing. Ed Finkel, Taryn Seawright, Lynn Kendall, and Marjorie Rogasner helped with the planning too.

And hats off to our youth: Griffin Larson-Erf, Reed Larson-Erf, Sydney Lawrence, Mary McDonald, and Enzo Wallin spent part of their year exploring economic disparities and youth homelessness, which culminated in their worship service this past Sunday. They wove some meaningful poems and videos, and presented an original skit written by Reed about homeless teens wanting to play baseball and needing better equipment they couldn’t afford. Enzo Wallin, Mary McDonald, and Sydney Lawrence each graced us with beautiful music too. We are blessed to have these youth and their advisors, Linda Herried and Margaret Shaklee, who have worked with the youth all year.

And hats off to all others who have helped our Faith Formation program this year: Jane Aufmuth, Lee Bannor, Mary Bell, Mia Donoghue, Wendy Drake, Ann Gadzikowski, Elizabeth Harding, Melanie Kitchner, Sue Larson, Norell Liddell, Janice Milanovich, Beth McDonald, Megan Roberts-Esterling, Sandra Robinson, Charlot Tiffanie, and Karen Wylie. It truly takes a village!

Join Us in Celebrating Sandra Robinson’s 22 years of service!

Appetizers and drinks will be served.

Please RSVP for the reception HERE.

Please sign up to volunteer

your time and/or bring something HERE.

Artists, professionals and hobbyists, please register to exhibit a piece of your art at the party! Click HERE.

This Week's Events & Links

Friday, May 3rd

RUMMAGE SALE, 9am-5pm

Saturday, May 4th:

RUMMAGE SALE, 9am-1pm

Virtual Pilates, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom

Prison Ministry Team, 10:30-11:30am, via Zoom

Sunday, May 5th:

Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9am in-person Rm 6 and via Zoom Link.

Family Choir Rehearsal, 9:50-10:30am, Rm 3

Worship Service at 10:30am Sanctuary & on YouTube

Article II with Denominational Affairs, 12-1:30pm, Rm 2

Monday, May 6th:

Food with Spirit Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom

Addictions and Recovery, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Download UCE Zoom Backgrounds

Tuesday, May 7th:

Membership Team Meeting, 12:30-1:30pm, Rm 13

Family Ministry, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom

Caregiver Support Group, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom

First Women's Circle, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Committee on Shared Ministry, 7-8:30pm, Rm 12

Wednesday, May 8th:

Yoga, 9:30-10:30am, via NEW ONLINE LINK

Please be aware we have an all Staff Meeting every Wed from 11-12:30pm

Thursday May 9th:

Meditation Group, 5:30-7pm, via Zoom

Integrated Stewardship Council, 6-7:30pm, via Zoom

Choir Rehearsal, 7-9pm, Rm 3

Check out the UCE Calendar for more events!

Congregational News

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!

Room Request Form

PLEASE NOTE: Newsletter submissions should be sent to Newsletter@ucevanston.org by noon on Wednesday.

The UCE Walk/Roll the Red Line team raised over $990! On Saturday, April 27th, our community gathered in Twiggs Park, then walked a route through Evanston's 5th ward to raise funds, awareness, and activation for housing justice in our communities. UCE, aside from sponsoring companies, was the largest fundraiser for the Walk/Rolll! All of this for the great cause of Fair Housing.

Thank you to Mary Beth Roth for organizing, and thank you to all who simply donated, walked or both!

Happy May Day and

Blessed Beltane!

20 people joined the UCE Pagan Collective to celebrate with a Maypole dance last Saturday, April 27th.

Congregational Connections

Yay! The Rummage Sale has arrived!!!

Friday, May 3: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday, May 4: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Be sure to shop the sale and invite a friend (share the flyer). Good selection, quality items and great prices!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Friendship Meal Hosts Needed!

The Congregational Connections Team is seeking 3 more hosts for Summer Session Friendship Meals, which will be held on dates chosen by each host in July or August.

Contact Lina Hiko ASAP if you would enjoy hosting, have questions, or are interested in future hosting. Summer hosts must be secured by May 13th, but hosts will have until May 21st to button down their details (date, time, venue/menu notes). Text or call Lina at 312-399-1848 or email LHilko@aol.com.

Summer Friendship Meals will be a little different from Fall and Winter sessions. Meal scheduling will spread over two months, instead of the regular 2 weeks. Hosts may choose to incorporate the outdoors (patio, garden, nearby park). And hosts may choose to invite more guests than the typical 8, particularly to create inter-generational opportunities.

Attendance sign ups will begin 05/31/2024.

Come one, come all to the 2024 Annual Community Plant Swap!

Date: Saturday, May 18

Time: 1-3 pm

Location: UCE Parking Lot

Bring your green treasures – plants, seedlings, divisions – and swap them with fellow garden lovers. It's a chance to share, learn, and grow together. Come with something you have, leave with something you want to grow! Let's unite to nurture Mother Earth and our community. See you there!For more information and pre-swaps, visit this garden.org event page.

UUA's General Assembly 2024

Preparing to Vote on May 19:

You Are Invited Into Conversation.

At our May 19 Annual Congregational Meeting we will elect congregational leaders, vote on the proposed 2024-2025 Operating Budget, and consider a resolution titled The Unitarian Church of Evanston Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Resolution. A UCE working group has submitted the resolution for vote by the membership and links to the resolution and resources are provided here and below. Per our Bylaws passage of Statements of Advocacy require a two-thirds vote of the members present at the meeting where twenty percent of the total number of eligible voting members shall constitute a quorum. If passed, public reporting of the resolution shall state either the actual numbers or the percentages of the vote supporting and opposing the resolution.

Statements of Advocacy are significant decisions by a congregation. And I am calling on members to participate in conversations about the resolution. I especially call on those members in leadership positions on the Board, Councils and Committees to engage in review and discernment of the process and the resolution to be as informed as possible about this important vote. To support congregational conversation and engagement, two zoom sessions are being hosted for participation by all members of the congregation. The dates are May 8th and 14th at 7 pm. The zoom link is provided here.

Join Rev. Susan, Rev. Eileen, and members of the Denominational Affairs team on Sunday, May 5th from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in room 2 for a lively conversation about the 2024 UUA General Assembly and the proposed Article 2 revisions that will be debated and voted on in June. The revisions present six values statements linked together by love (see graphic). These statements reflect the history of our 8 principles and the evolving nature of our faith.

What is the UUA General Assembly and Why Are We Voting on Article 2?

At this year’s UUA General Assembly, June 20-23, delegates from UCE and other UU congregations will be called to vote on revisions to Article 2 of the UUA Bylaws. Why is change important to our faith? How does the interconnectedness of all things make change so challenging? Where do you see interdependencies within the UCE community and the world at large? How does that impact our transformation to a truly beloved community?

What are your questions or ideas about the proposed values of Pluralism and Freedom of Belief. Join us in room 2 to discuss and debate the proposed revisions to Article 2.

Click the image below to watch a video on the GA.

Lifespan Faith Formation

Young Adult Nature Walk – May 11 at 11:30am – Skokie Lagoons – meet at the parking lot on Willow Rd., West of the lagoons and East of I94!

Youth Eco-Ambassador Program application is live on the Faith in Place website! Students get paid like a summer job to participate at $135 per week for five weeks starting in July! Applications are due by May 15^th. APPLY HERE.

Family Friday Gardening – May 17 –All ages are invited to join the Gardening Team to make one of our gardens look a little nicer! Those who wish can bring a picnic supper and eat on the lawn between 5:30-6:30. We'll begin playing in the dirt at 6:30p and play some outdoor games until 7:30p, and end with a nice cool treat after our hard work and play. Register HERE.

Summer is Coming!

Our summer program for children will be based on the animated show, Bluey. We’ll be exploring our UU values as we see Bluey learning them along the way. If you’d like to help on a Sunday, email Kathy for the details.

Picnics in the Park – 1st and 3rd Sundays at Penny Park, 12-1pm - weather permitting.

A fun and easy way for parents of young children to meet and socialize while the little ones play! Bring your own picnic or snack.

Staying Engaged With Israel and Gaza

Watch Gathering for Israeli-Palestinian

Joint Memorial Day Ceremony

Join with UCE members and friends on May 12, 2024, at 12:30 pm in Room 6 to watch the livestream of the 19^th annual joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony organized by Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle - Families Forum. The ceremony occurs yearly on the eve of Yom Hazikaron (Israeli Memorial Day). This year, the ceremony will center around the stories of children. What will be the future of the next generation? How can we bring hope amidst so much tragedy?

Social Justice

Rev. Jason Lydon to deliver Minns Lecture on Prison Abolition

Join local minister Rev. Jason Lydon, from the Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, for a series on Abolition Theologies: Praying for Liberation. This Minn Lectures series runs April 18, 21, 25, and May 9th. To RSVP to attend, click here.

UCE’s spring postcard work has been great!

We have committed to an average of 500 postcards every week over the last 7 weeks!

Reminders:

Georgia - Mail your so that they are postmarked no later than May 9th.
Virginia - Mail these starting April 26, and be sure they are postmarked no later than June 3rd.

Interfaith Action of Evanston SNAPGap

Please assist with the collection of items to bridge the gap for individuals and families. Your participation and generosity is greatly appreciated.

For May we are collecting:

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

These items will be distributed at the Tue May 14th Producemobile.

Up until this Sunday May 5th, you may drop these items off, or have online deliveries send to: First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 1427 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60201. Drop-off Hours are: Mon through Thu 8am-7pm; Fri, 8am-5pm; Sat & Sun, 8:30am-12.30pm

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars for a trip to Springfield to advocate for the 2024 Climate Action Lobby Day on Thursday, May 9th.

Travel with environmentalists from UCE, UUANI, Faith in Place, and other local groups supporting legislation during this session. Ride the bus that picks up at UCE the morning of May 9th.

Register by May 3^rd at 9:00 am. If the form is closed after that, please contact Blake at blake @ ilenviro dot org. You may also contact Shirley Adams, shirley at comeoutdancing dot com, with questions.

Each year we host a DRUUMM worship service that is open to all. As our ministry and membership grows, this worship is also our major fundraiser to support our pastoral care, community organizing, and antiracism work. This year's donations and sponsorships will specifically help us establish a new DRUUMM Fellowship for seminarians and young organizers. You are an important part of our community. We invite you to join us for:

Choosing Joy! DRUUMM Public Worship

Rev. Ali K.C. Bell, Guest Preacher

Saunder Choi, Director of Music

Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel, Liturgist

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

8:00 PM Eastern/5:00 PM Pacific

OPEN TO ALL

Available via Zoom & Livestream

UCE Book Clubs

UCE Non-Fiction Book Group

The nonfiction book group will not meet during the month of May because of several important Sunday afternoon events: e.g., the annual meeting and the ice cream/frozen yogurt social with Second Baptist Church.

We will meet virtually on Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 30 using our recurring link to discuss Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under Color of Law by Richard Rothstein and Leah Rothstein.

Our group previously read Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. In their book Just Action, the authors offer programs that activists and their supporters can undertake in their communities to address historic inequities. They show how community groups can press firms that imposed segregation to take responsibility for reversing the harm.

Zoom discussion on Sunday, June 30th at 2pm, using our recurring ZOOM link.

UCE Fiction Book Group

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading a classic this month: Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd.

One of the independent women of the 19th century, Bathsheba Everdene negotiates the rocky terrain of romantic alliance presented the Victorian woman. Set in Wessex County, Far from the Madding Crowd is styled the most English of great English novels.

Friday, May 17, at 7-8pm, using our recurring ZOOM link.

Future reads include:

June 21:

NoViolet Bulawayo, Glory. Short-listed for the Booker Prize is Bulawayo’s tale of Zimbabwe under siege by its citizens. A satire told in the vein of Animal Farm: We follow a nation of animals as they try to define true liberation when their oppressive leader Old Horse is pulled down.

July 19:

Percival Everett, James. The story of Huck’s slave companion Jim that was never told in Huckleberry Finn. Perhaps the story of slavery in America that Mark Twain would have told if his publishers had let him.