Sunday Service

October 12, 2025 at 10:30 am 

Solar Panel Solarbration

Join us on October 12th from 12-1 pm in grateful recognition of the $5,000 Faith in Place grant that we received to help with the costs of installing our solar panels. 

We have a great Solarbration planned:

• Green Ribbon Cutting with Congregational Photo
• Two musical numbers
• Three speakers (Rev. Nic Faison, Faith in Place’s IL Outreach Director; Cara Pratt, City of Evanston's Sustainability Officer; and Chris Gersch, CEO of Verde)
• Opportunity to view the solar panels from Rev. Susan’s office
• Cake

We’ll start in the sanctuary, or you may join us on the livestream , and then we’ll move to the South Lawn. 

To volunteer to help with the reception food, please contact Shirley Adams at Shirley at comeoutdancing dot com.

Evacuation Drill 10/19

UCE's annual evacuation drill will be on October 19th after the service. Please be prepared to spend some time outside!

 Volunteer to Bring Flowers for a Sunday Worship Service

The flowers on the chancel during our Sunday morning worship services are provided by you, the members of our community. Every few months, we invite folks to sign up to bring the chancel flowers and also light and extinguish the chalice during the worship service. It is time to sign up for the rest of October, November, and December.

To sign up, click on this link to SignUp.com, go to the Sunday you would like to volunteer, and select the Flowers/Chalice spot.

If you want to learn more about this worship service role before volunteering, please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org. 

Serendipity 2025 is Coming!



The countdown is on—only 19 days until the Serendipity Online Auction officially opens for bidding! Now’s the time to get involved and help make this cherished UCE tradition a success. Here’s how you can join in the fun right now:

💛 Buy a Raffle Ticket – Take a chance on winning something special while supporting our beloved community.

💛 Donate an Auction Item – Big or small, experiences and treasures of all kinds make our auction shine.

💛 Give a Financial Gift – Every contribution helps make Serendipity a meaningful and successful fundraiser.

💛 Sign Up to Volunteer – Many hands make light work! Join the team that keeps the Serendipity Fundraiser running smoothly and joyfully. This annual event isn’t just about raising funds—it’s about celebrating the generosity, creativity, and spirit of our UCE community. Let’s make this year’s Serendipity the best one yet!

Children and youth will go to their faith formation programs after joys and sorrows.

This Sunday…

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 8:45a-12:15p. 

Chalice Children (Pre/K/1st) in room 9 – Our children will be exploring Diversity by hearing a story about bodies and making self-portraits.

Heads, Hearts, and Hands (2nd-5th) in room 8 – Our young people will be exploring our theme of Cultivating Compassion by learning about Unitarian Dorothea Dix in Treat Everyone with Dignity.

Youth Group (6th-9th) in room 10 – Our youth will explore our monthly theme in Compassion’s Call to Treat Everyone With Dignity.

Faith Formation Registration

Please register your young person, ages 1-18 here.

Family Ministry 

Join us on Zoom this Monday at 7p!

We’ll share ideas on ways to build connections and community.

Hi Friends,

Mickey and I just returned from four days at Starved Rock State Park. We celebrated our 18-year wedding anniversary on Monday evening on the patio of a restaurant overlooking the Illinois River with delicious food and a flock of freshwater pelicans as entertainment.

The changing climate was evident at the park. The few park rangers we talked with bemoaned that the nine canyon waterfalls that rely on rain to feed them were dry this year due to limited rain fall. St. Louis Canyon, the only canyon waterfall in the park that relies on a spring to feed it was still flowing. I’m standing in front of that waterfall in the photo. This trip reminded me how grateful I am that our congregation continues to be proactive about finding ways to reduce the negative impacts of our consumption of natural resources.

I hope you will stay after the service this Sunday, October 12^th, from 12-1 pm for our Solarbration! Rev. Nic Faison, the Outreach Director of Faith in Place, Cara Pratt, the City of Evanston's Sustainability Officer, and Chris Gersch, the CEO of Verde, will speak in the sanctuary before we head out onto the South Lawn for a congregational photo as part of a green ribbon cutting. We will honor the bequest from Barbara Young and the grant from Faith in Place that allowed us to afford to install our solar panels this year. Then, you are invited to view the solar panels on the wing from my office windows and enjoy treats provided by our Green Team.

Our hats are off to our early morning Bike the Ridge volunteers. Thank you, Shirley Adams, Robb Geiger, Kristin Lems, and Jessica Tomell-Presto, for showing up at 8:45 am on September 28th to set up our bike decoration table, our UCE table with flyers and water, and our canopy. Robb brought his bike repair kit and air pump. Jessica restocked our decorating supplies of cards for tire spokes and crepe paper ribbons and tape for handle bars. We appreciate everyone else who spontaneously showed up to greet bikers and then help take all our gear and supplies back inside. Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Bike the Ridge another lovely community event!

Deepening the Spiritual Journey

Tuesdays, October 14, 21 and 28 from 7-8:30 at UCE

Join Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood in an exploration of the spiritual pathways we have all traveled in our lives; the pathways which have led us to where we are today. In this three-part workshop, we will reflect on, map out and share our journeys, with the hopes that some will consider sharing theirs in worship.

This is an extension of the new member journey class, open to members and friends, high schoolers and up, no matter how long you’ve been at UCE.

Register HERE

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Friday, October 10th:

• NO EVENTS

Saturday, October 11th:

• Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Hospitality Team Training, 9:30-11am, Sanctuary, Kitchen and Office
• Beginner Tai Chi, 9:45-10:45am, Room 3
• Intermediate Tai Chi, 11-12pm, Room 3

Sunday, October 12th:

• Chris Isley Cancer Support Group, 9-10:15am, Room 6 & Zoom
• UCE Choir Rehearsal, 9-10:10am, Sanctuary
• Worship Service, 10:30-11:30am, Sanctuary
• Kinship Time, 11:30-12:30, back of Sanctuary
• Solarbration, 12-1pm, Sanctuary and South Lawn
• Young Adult Group Soulful Sunday, 12:15-1pm, Room 12

Monday, October 13th/Indigenous People's Day - UCE OFFICES CLOSED

• UCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, October 14th:

• Women's Circle of Friends Covenant Group, 1-2:30pm, via Zoom
• Emissions Reduction Task Force, 2:30-3:30pm, via Zoom
• Covenant Group Facilitator's Training, 6:30-8:30pm, Room 13
• Deepening the Spiritual Journey, 7-8:30pm, Room 3

Wednesday, October 15th:

• Yoga Online, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom
• Integrated Stewardship Council, 5-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Pastoral Care Meeting, 7-9pm, via Zoom
• Congregational Life & FF Council, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Thursday, October 16th:

• Evanston Near South Proximity Group, 1-2pm, via Zoom
• Sign Making with Catalyst for Democracy, 4:30-5:45pm, Room 5
• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Beacons of Light Gathering, 6-6:30pm, corner of Dempster and Ridge
• Choir Rehearsal, 7-8:45pm, Room 3
• Board of Trustees, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Aiming for Allyship: 2-Day Training in Chicagoland

Join us October 25 (9 AM–5 PM) at Unity Temple, Oak Park, for an 8-hour multiracial, intersectional antiracism training with Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons and Justice Movement facilitators. This in-person program is open to all and includes caucusing by racial groups. Register here (scroll down to Oct 25). Registration is on a sliding scale and closes Oct 21.

Interfaith Action of Evanston SNAPGap – October 2025

After a brief hiatus, SNAPGap is up and running again! Please assist with the collection of household items to bridge the gap for individuals and families. Throughout October we are collecting: Laundry Sheets (any brand with 60 sheets).  These items will be distributed on Wednesday, October 29, at the Vineyard Food Pantry. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the more than 150 households who benefit.

Items can be purchased online. 

If you buy these items locally, you can drop them off at: The Hospitality Center for the Homeless, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL, open Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 11 AM.

Our Shared Offering Program

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 Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to strengthen the climate movement by empowering local changemakers with the skills and resources they need to move their community off of fossil fuels as quickly as possible.

Next Endowment Grant Deadline is Oct 31

Upcoming Endowment Grant Deadline

Up to 5% of the Endowment Fund is distributed annually in grants requested by the Congregation or Staff. Once that amount has been determined by the Endowment Trustees, grants may be made in specified proportion for:

– 35% in Congregational Support for special projects, care of the building and property, and education and training;

– 25 % (up to $3,000 per organization) to UCE Community Partners to deepen relationships with organizations that have long-term relationships with UCE volunteers and the Congregation; or

– 40% for Community Projects of nonprofit organizations that support the wider mission of Unitarian Universalism.

The next deadline for applying for an Endowment grant for Congregational Support or Community Projects is October 31. If your team would like to apply for a grant, please submit an application HERE by October 31.

Come be a Beacon of Light!

The gatherings at the corner of Dempster & Ridge every Thursday from 6-6:30pm.

Inspired by Beacons of Light, bring a colorful sign with a positive message visioning a future shaped by love and justice (sign inspiration here)or include The Beacon’s QR code to spread the light even further. You may join the Beacons of Light WhatsApp group by filling out their form.

Whether we’re three people or 100, we continue to provide a source of hope and solidarity for the participants, those driving by, and our neighbors. All are welcome!

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is Friday, October 17th



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@ucevanston.org) with any questions.

Calling All Campers!

Our UCE Campout was a huge success last summer, so we're doing it again! Anyone interested in planning for 2026 is invited to meet October 26, 12:15-1p in room 6.

Family Friday Game Night – November 7, 6-8pm



Always a good time!

All ages are invited for a game night.

Bring a snack or beverage to

share and a favorite game.

Make Signs and Write Big for No Kings!



UCE’s Catalyst Team will host a sign-making event on Thursday, October 16 in Room 3 from 4:30-5:45 p.m. for the No Kings March on Saturday, October 18 at Fountain Square in Evanston at 10:30 a.m. and at Butler Field in Grant Park downtown Chicago at noon. Millions are expected to participate in order to show the administration that America has no kings, and that the power belongs to the people. PLEASE JOIN OUR SIGN-MAKING event even if you cannot attend one of the marches. At 5:45 pm, we'll take our signs and walk together to the corner of Dempster & Ridge for our weekly Beacons of Light gathering. Sign-making ideas and materials will be available or you’re invited to exercise your creativity. 

New Volunteers Opportunities Cart in the Sanctuary

We are introducing a new way to find opportunities for volunteering here at UCE. The Volunteer Opportunities Cart is located next to the Welcome Table with the red table cloth each Sunday. It is a rolling cart of rainbow drawers--so it's easy to spot. Visit the cart to find out what UCE groups and teams are doing and what volunteer assistance they need. Simply look in the drawers for a brief descriptions of the task listed on the drawer label. Each description includes contact information, so you may reach out to the proper person to learn more. Please stop by to try it out!

 Sign Up Is Open for Fall Friendship Meals

Sign ups are open for Fall Friendship Meals! The online sign up sheet contains meal details; browse the choices and select the one that works best. Ask questions or get sign-up help at the back of the sanctuary after worship on October 5th and 12th. Or contact Margaret Koreman or Mary Bell .

. Fall session meals are:

• Sat, Oct 25th, 11AM in-home family-friendly brunch
• Sat, Oct 25th, 6PM in-home gluten-free curry stew dinner
• Sun, Oct 26th, 2:30PM Sketchbook Brewing Co. weekly trivia
• Sun, Oct 26th, 6PM in-home braised meat and veggie option dinner
• Thurs, Oct 30th, 5PM Trattoria D.O.C. Italian dinner
• Sat, Nov 1st, 6:00PM in-home vegan chili dinner
• Sat, Nov 1st, 5PM in-home ‘Practice for Winter’ soup, cider, and hot cocoa dinner
• Sun, Nov 2nd, 5PM in-home chicken dinner

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, October 17th using our Recurring Zoom link

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading "Olga Dies Dreaming," the book chosen by One Book, One Chicago for September. Olga and her brother were left with their grandmother by their activist mother who returns into their life with her radical ideas, played out in gentrifying Brooklyn and post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico.

Future reads: November: Kiran Dusai, "The Inheritance of Loss"

December: Philip Roth, "American Pastoral"

Seed Gathering in Harms Woods on October 19

Please join the Evanston Interreligious Sustainability Circle on Sunday, October 19 from 1-4 pm to collect wildflower seeds to use in the North Branch of the Chicago River woodland restoration. Led by the long-time Harms Woods stewards, John and Jane Balaban, it's an easy, interesting and very important activity. Expect that we will walk about 2 miles total over uneven ground as we collect seeds from valuable wild plants. Kids 13 and over welcome with a parent or guardian. Dress for the weather, with sturdy footwear that might get muddy. Meet at the Glenview Woods parking lot on Harms Road, just south of Glenview Road, and please let Dale Griffin know if you plan to attend.

The Nonfiction book group will meet online at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 26th, using our recurring Zoom link.

Join us to discuss One Day Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This by Omar El Akkad. Award-winning novelist and journalist El Akkad writes of what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values of freedom and justice for all by being complicit in the genocide of Palestinians.

For our November 23, 2025 meeting we will discuss The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoe Schlanger.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330