Sunday Service

October 5, 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. 

Children and youth will remain in the worship service this morning.

This Sunday…

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 from 10:15a-1:30p. 

Chalice Children, Heads, Hearts, and Hands, and Youth Group will resume next Sunday.

Faith Formation Registration

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

Family Ministry 

If you missed our Zoom gathering, here are a few highlights:



• Building Belonging – see the display on the purple wall in the lobby
• Campout 2026 – we’ll gather in October to start planning next year’s campout  
• Join us on Zoom on October 13 at 7pm!

Family Friday – October 3, 6-8pm

All ages and stages are invited to help weed one of UCE’s gardens 

followed by a campfire and s’mores.

And join us on November 7 for a game night.

Fall Findings by Kathy Underwood



I write this upon my return from the Living Legacy Pilgrimage in Alabama that I went on, joined by 17 others from UCE. To say that this experience was transformative would be an understatement. While I was fortunate that I grew up in a place that had good public schools and didn’t shy away from the history of the Civil Rights Movement, I still learned even more about the many stories that happened in between the ones I learned about in school. However, hearing the personal accounts and walking in the same places that made history were the things that brought that history alive and helped me feel many emotions. Our tour guides used readings, poetry, and music to enhance it all in a meaningful way.

Our hats are off to Curtis Evans, who was interviewed in the Evanston RoundTable this week about his recent experience of being tear gassed while peacefully protesting at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Broadview, IL. Curt shared with the RoundTable about his life, including his UCE Community, saying that “The church helps to ground me in the principles of justice, the inherent worth of every human being, the inherent dignity of every human being on Earth.” We are grateful to Curt for sharing with the world how he grounds his activism in our UU values.

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 3rd:

• Family Friday, 6-8pm, Room 3

Saturday, October 4th:

• Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Beginner Tai Chi, 9:45-10:45am, Sanctuary
• Intermediate Tai Chi, 11-12pm, Sanctuary

Sunday, October 5th:

• Chris Isley Cancer Support Group, 9-10:15am, Room 6 & Zoom
• Faith Formation Orientation, 9:15-10:15am, Room 3
• Worship Service, 10:30-11:30am, Sanctuary
• Kinship Time, 11:30-12:30, back of Sanctuary
• Estate Planning and Charitable Giving Workshop, 11:45-1pm, Room 6
• Earth-Based Spirituality Class, 12-1:30, Room 3
• Young Adult Group Soulful Sunday, 12:15-1pm, Room 12

Monday, October 6th:

• Food With Spirit Group, 5:30-6:30, via Zoom
• UCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45pm, via Zoom
• Bernstein Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom
• Durkin Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom
• Monday Night Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, October 7th:

• Membership Team Meeting, 12:30-1:30pm, Room 2
• AI Worship Series, 7-8:30pm, Room 3 and Zoom
• Caregiver Support Group, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom
• First Women's Circle, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Wednesday, October 8th:

• Yoga Online, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom
• THAT Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Thursday, October 9th:

• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Choir Rehearsal, 7-8:45pm, Sanctuary
• Beacons of Light Gathering, 6-6:30pm, corner of Dempster and Ridge

Our annual Serendipity Auction is right around the corner, and we need your help to make it a success! The auction is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and it’s powered by the generosity and creativity of our community. We’re looking for donated items, experiences, and services that will spark joy and inspire lively bidding. Past favorites have included:

• Gift baskets, artwork, and handmade crafts

• Concert, theater, or sporting event tickets

• Homemade treats, dinners, and baked goods

• Unique services like gardening help, tutoring, photography, pet sitting

• Vacation homes, cabins, or getaways

Large or small, whimsical or practical—every contribution adds to the spirit of fun and community.

Deadline for donations: October 29th

How to donate: Visit the Serendipity Website or click here for help with donation ideas and click here to let us know the details of your donation. 

Have an idea but not sure if it will work? Reach out to auction@ucevanston.org—we’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for lighting the flame of community with your gift.

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.

2025-26 Shared Offering Program Recipients

The Social Justice Council is pleased to announce the 2025-26 partners for our Shared Offering Program. Each organization receives half of our Sunday morning worship service collection for the month indicated or for the four 5th Sundays.

October 2025 – Run On Climate Education Fund

November 2025 – Restore Justice Foundation

December 2025 – Forging Opportunities for Refugees in American (FOR A)

January 2026 – C&W Foundation

February 2026 – Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU)

March 2026 – UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI)

April 2026 – [To be selected by our Youth Group]

May 2026 – Children’s Best Interest Project

June 2026 – Deborah’s Place

July 2026 – Zacharias Center

August 2026 – Mother & Child Alliance

September 2026 – Building Peaceful Bridges

5th Sundays – Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI)

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!

NAACP E/NS Environmental Justice Event

You are invited to participate in a presentation and discussion on the intersection of racism and the environment in the Evanston area on Saturday Oct 4, 1-3:30 at Second Baptist Church sponsored by the NAACP Evanston/NS, Stead Center for Ethics and Values, and Center for the Church: The Black Experience. For more information, contact Mary Beth at: mbc dot roth at comcast dot net

Lets see if we can fill a table at the NAACP event! Contact Sarah Vanderwicken at svanderwicken at gmail dot com if you are able to attend.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) Series

Educational and discussion-based series on Artificial Intelligence first Tuesday of the month, beginning October 7. (Note we are skipping December.)

You can drop in to any without attending all.We will meet in Room 3 and on Zoom (multiplatform). Register here.

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.

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

Estate Planning and Charitable Giving Workshop

Please join the UCE Endowment Committee for an after-church learning session on estate planning and charitable giving. We will host local attorney Tom Denman who specializes in estate planning. Tom will focus on two aspects of estate planning. The first portion will cover some of the basics, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney for property and powers of attorney for health care, and the benefits of each. The second portion will cover the ways to make charitable gifts other than simply writing a check. We will discuss things ranging from the relatively simple, such as donating appreciated stock or contributing required minimum distributions, to the complex, such as charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and private foundations.

Please join us in Room 6 from 12 to 1:30pm on Sunday, October 5th. For more information, email Topher Carrington at christopher.carrington at gmail dot com

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"

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.

Workshop in Ritual Elements, Earth-Based Spirituality and The Divine Feminine

When: 3 Sundays, October 5, 12, and 26, 2025 from 12:00-1:30pm

Where: Room 3

Convener: Sandra Schroeder, PhD

This 3 session workshop is informed by Starhawk’s work, The Spiral Dance, a primer on how to practice earth-based spirituality, honoring the divine feminine. We will learn how to create sacred space, call in various aspects of the goddess, honor the seasons, the moon times, and our own life cycles. Using evocative ritual elements drawn from poetry, imagery, song, and ancient European Wiccan tradition, we will develop a deeper affinity with nature, the divine feminine, and our ancient lineage. The course relies upon film clips, images, and enactments, as well as the writings of Starhawk and others.

Required Reading: The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. To check out a copy from the UCE Library, please email Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Click HERE to register

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330