Sunday Service

May 11, 2025 at 10:30am 

 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.

UPDATE FROM REV. EILEEN

A Noisy Congregation is a Healthy Congregation



At last month’s Worship Planning Team meeting, we watched a webinar about ritual and embodiment in worship. In it, Rev. Danya Edwards said, “A noisy church is a healthy church.” While there are moments for silence and quiet, I agree that our robust and often noisy UCE is vibrant and healthy.

The rummage sale is a great example. I love the buzzy energy of rummage sale week. I love having dozens of volunteers about, organizing, pricing, chatting, eating and laughing. And then, on sale days, standing at the front door as we welcome folks in from our neighborhood and wider community, witnessing their smiles as they enter, smiles warmly returned with convivial conversation, it is beautiful to behold.

Our hats are off to the incredible Rummage Sale Team. Our sale this year was such a tremendous success in multiple ways. It built community among our congregation – long term members, new members, friends and visitors, who all pitched in to help and deepened the bonds of connection. We also presented ourselves to the wider community as the welcoming, inclusive, and values driven people we are. More than one neighbor stopped in wanting to volunteer and we gladly incorporated them. We reduced the amount of trash going to landfills and sent remaining items to various charity and refugee support groups. We had wonderful support team members who helped things flow smoothly. And we raised almost $30K to support our mission! Thank you to all the volunteers (way too many to name), including co-leads Gillian and Jenny, with help from Jenny’s mom Lydia Walsh, and these department leads: Kevin Barrow, Tory Bassani, Tom Beck, Carol Emory, Robb Geiger, Meredith Haydon, Lina Hilko, Renee Hoff, Judy Holman, Martha Holman, Ally Hunter, Lynn Kendall, Elizabeth Kennedy, Jeanne Kerl, Joyce Lofstrom, Ann McCallister, Carol Mergl, Carol Nielsen, Jinny Niemann, Lisa Solomon, Kathy Talmage, Pat Ulmer, and Johna and Will Van Dyke. What a joy to witness the generative beauty of community working together to create so much out of rummage!  

Mr. Needahug (our Rummage Sale mascot) receives one last hug before settling into his annual hibernation

The 2025 UCE Rummage Sale was a huge success! Supporting our mission, reducing environmental impact, and building strong connections, both within and outside of our church walls, were just some of the treasured outcomes of this year’s sale. 

In the process, we raised over $29,000 !

We wouldn’t have been so successful if it were not for those who contributed as donors, volunteer workers, bakers, soup makers, schleppers, and shoppers. A BIG THANK YOU to all who helped out in one (or more) of these ways! Likewise, a big thank you to UCE staff for their support and extra effort.

We couldn’t have done it without ALL of you! 

Thank you!!!

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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.

Alabama Living Legacy Pilgrimage

Join Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan on September 24-28, 2025, for a Living Legacy tour through Alabama curated by the Living Legacy Project [LLP). We choose this tour because LLP was founded by UUs. During the course of the tour, we will be provided with details about our Unitarian Universalist connection with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. To indicate your interest in potentially joining us in September, please complete this Alabama Living Legacy Pilgrimage interest form.

Hi Friends,

The contractor for our solar panels installation began Monday, May 5th! 

Here are a few things to know:

- Please do not park along the building Monday-Friday until the construction is complete. The rest of the parking lot remains open Monday-Friday. The entire parking lot is open on Sundays and Saturdays.

- The porta potty in the parking lot will be there until construction is complete. There will be additional equipment arriving over the course of next week that will take up additional space in the parking lot during construction.

- Construction should take about 3 weeks.

- We will be celebrating the installation of our solar panels during our Flower Communion and Annual Picnic! Bring your sun shaped and sun themed foods for the potluck picnic on June 1, 2025! We’ll have a grill with veggie and meat burgers and hot dogs provided by Rev. Eileen and her family.

- If you have any questions, please contact Adam Gough at agough@ucevanston.org.

Thank you for your support in this important step toward our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.

Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors

May 10 at 9a at Ebenezer AME for a Prayer Breakfast

Cost: $20 – a fundraiser for Ebenezer

We will then reflect on our exploration of the African Methodist Episcopal faith on May 20 at 7p at UCE and on Zoom.

You can register here to be included on future emails.

What Does Your Social Justice Work Look Like?

The Anti-Oppression Task Force knows many UCE members are active in social justice—whether through volunteering with food banks, immigrant support, letter writing, voter registration, or simply helping a neighbor. Every act that uplifts others matters.

We want to hear about it!

Take our quick Social Justice Questionnaire to share what you're doing and with which groups. Your input will help connect others at UCE who are eager to get involved.

Task Force members will be available the next few Sundays during Kinship Time and in the lobby to help you complete the survey. You can also scan the QR code to fill it out at home.

Let’s live our UU values—together in community.

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 encourage you to join the final session on 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.

Share the event with others!

Stay up to date by visiting the website. 

The Details:

Date: Sunday, June 8th, 2025

Time: 2pm-5pm

*A schedule of performers to be announced soon*

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.

What Do Abolition, Fat Liberation & Housing Have in Common?

They’re all proposed Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) for the 2025 UUA General Assembly—and your input is needed!

UCE delegates are preparing for GA and will review three CSAI proposals:

• Abolition as Faith Formation
• Fat Liberation: Building Justice and Inclusion for Larger Bodies
• Housing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CSAIs guide three years of study, reflection, and action across UU congregations. Only one will be selected—share your input here.

Delegates will meet via Zoom in May and June to discuss these and other GA items. Check Realm for meeting details and links.

Learn more about the CSAI process

May 9th at 6-8pm in Room 3

This Friday at 6-8p in room 3 and on the lawn!

We will spread mulch for the playscape!

Those who wish to picnic will gather at 6p.

Mulching begins at 6:30p.

Bring gardening gloves, a firm metal rake, and a bucket if you wish.

🌱 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!

Family Ministry Team Zoom – May 12 at 7p

Join us in sharing ideas to connect families with each other and the congregation.

Email Kathy for the Zoom link.

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.

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.

Picnics in the Park, May 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.

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