Sunday Service

November 2, 2025 at 10:30 am (Remember to Turn Your Clocks Back)

Let the Bidding Begin! The Serendipity Auction Is Live!

It’s time to click, bid, and celebrate community—the Serendipity Auction is officially open! Dive into this year’s treasure trove of fabulous items, creative experiences, and one-of-a-kind offerings from our amazing community. Bidding is open now and closes at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8. 

But first—mark your calendar for our Serendipity Viewing Luncheon after service on Sunday, November 2. Come feast your eyes (and your appetite!) on all the auction goodies while enjoying a warm bowl of chili and cornbread. Browse, chat, and swap stories with friends as you plan your bidding strategy. Our Bidding Buddies will be on hand to help you place your first bids—or make a Buy-It-Now snag to take home that very day. The auction runs for six more days after the luncheon—plenty of time to plot, outwit, and outbid. 

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 do some water color painting while exploring Collaboration.

Hearts, and Hands (2nd-5th) in room 8 – Our young people will explore our new Soul Matters theme in Gratitude and Ancestors.

Youth Group (6th+) in room 10 – Our youth will explore our new Soul Matters theme in Gratitude Helps Us Remember.

Faith Formation Registration

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

Join us on Zoom November 10 at 7pm!

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

Create Your UU Elevator Speech – November 18 at 7p – Youth and Adults

Have you ever been caught tongue-tied when asked about Unitarian Universalism? Then this program is for you! Create Your UU Elevator Speech guides participants through developing an elevator speech about their UU faith. It is called an “elevator speech” because, on an elevator ride when someone asks you “what is Unitarian Universalism?” you only have a short time to make a meaningful statement. Register here.

Family Fall Feedback

Last week, Rev. Eileen and I hosted a virtual gathering for parents to hear how they are doing and how they are engaging in and feeling about our faith community. They were open and honest and brave to share with us, which is what we hoped for. I wish to share some of this with you here.

Parents expressed overwhelmingly their joy at how much they and their children have been embraced, welcomed, and included. Having childcare available on Sunday mornings for choir rehearsal and worship has made a huge difference. The Nest has certainly been a big part of those with younger children to feel at home. And while it was acknowledged that it can get a bit noisy and parents worry about this, they appreciate that their little ones can make some noise without getting “shushed” and glared at. We also shared some ideas on ways we can help little ones – and parents – be more engaged in worship. After all, how can we expect our youngest to grow up to be practicing UUs if we don’t show them how?

Hats Off

Our hats are off to Marilyn Wroblewski and Andy Schlickman, who we honored as our Vision Keepers at the Interfaith Action of Evanston’s annual Vision Keepers Dinner this past Sunday. Marilyn is a long-time volunteer with our Food and Shelter Team, having been part of this team’s Planning Group, as well as taking roles from organizer to day-of volunteer with this team’s Soup Kitchen and Giving House. Whether she is the organizer or a volunteer, Marilyn embodies radical hospitality with our other volunteers and our guests. Andy is a long-time environmental advocate, working with our Green Team over the years. Most recently, he assisted with the creation of the resolution passed by our Board to work toward having net zero emissions by 2050. Andy embodies the relational potential of humans positively interacting with nature. Since 2022, Marilyn and Andy have been immersed in our Immigrant Solidarity Team’s Family Support Working Group, helping new arrivals navigate the federal immigration process, school systems, health care systems, employment searches, and educational opportunities. 

Thank you, Marilyn and Andy, for centering relationships in the many ways you support immigrant rights, legislative reform, and community engagement.

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Friday, October 31st:

• NO EVENTS

Saturday, November 1st:

• Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Beginner Tai Chi, 9:45-10:45am, Room 3
• Garden Team Clean-Up Day, 10-2pm
• Intermediate Tai Chi, 11-12pm, Room 3

Sunday, November 2nd:

• 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
• Serendipity Auction Viewing Lunch/Kinship Time, 11:30-12:30, back of Sanctuary
• Young Adult Group Soulful Sunday, 12:15-1pm, Room 12
• Herried Covenant Group, 3:30-4:30pm, via Zoom
• 3rd Chicago Reclaiming Samhain Spiral Dance, 5:30-8:30pm, Sanctuary
• Nominating Committee Meeting, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom

Monday, November 3rd:

• Food With Spirit Group, 5:30-6:30pm, 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, November 4th:

• Membership Team Meeting, 12:30-1:30pm, via Zoom
• AI Workshop, 7-8:00pm, Room 3 and Zoom

Wednesday, November 5th:

• Yoga Online, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom
• Executive Committee, 4pm via Zoom
• Endowment Fund Committee, 4:30-6:30pm
• Congregational Connections Team, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Thursday, November 6th:

• Beacons of Light, 4-4:30pm
• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Choir Rehearsal, 7-8:45pm, Room 3

Some Soul in the Lobby

Have you noticed the Soul Matters interactive display in the lobby? Each month, you can engage with our Soul Matters theme by following the prompt on the wall by the book display. In November, our theme is Nurturing Gratitude. Write your thoughts on a paper leaf to hang on the tree next to the display.

 And if you missed October's theme of Cultivating Compassion, feel free to add an acorn too!

 Attend A Journey Toward Membership Class

Are you a new or long-time visitor? Are you interested in committing to our UCE community as a member? Are you not sure, but would like some more information? Our Journey Toward Membership class covers UU history and values, what is means to be part of a covenantal faith tradition, and the rewards and responsibilities of being a member of UCE.

Join Rev. Susan and the Membership Team at one of our Journey Toward Membership classes. The class is 90-minutes and you only need to attend it once before joining. Next class dates are:

• Saturday, November 15, 2025, 1:00-2:30 pm, Room 12, no child care available. Click here to register.
• Sunday, December 7, 2025, 9:00-10:20 am, Room 12, child care provided. Click here to register. 

If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Join in Garden Fall Clean-up

It’s that time again—let’s put our beautiful gardens to rest for the winter!

Come join the fun on Saturday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Don’t forget to pop in for some Serendipity treasures and a bite to eat while you’re here.

Please join the UCE Pagan Collective for the third annual Chicago Samhain Spiral Dance in UCE's sanctuary on Sunday, November 2. We gather to midwife the passing of our old world and the birth of the new one. We march with courage, conviction, love and rage, arm in arm with our allies, our ancestors and Mighty Dead, to oppose the architects of destruction; and to call a new world of compassion and healing into being. 

All ages, all paths, and all mobilities are welcome and included. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and close to new arrivals at 6:00 p.m. We'll share a potluck feast from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, please visit HERE

The Music Team is sponsoring a community singing event at UCE, Sunday November 9 at 12:30pm.

We have arranged for an experienced song leader, Megan Eberhardt (Old Town School of Folk Music and more) to help us join in an informal singing experience. All songs will be taught orally, on-the-spot. Experienced and non-experienced singers are welcome! We will sing songs in unison, rounds, call and response and more. Come experience the simple joy of singing together. And walk away revitalized, connected and with old and new singable songs in your heart and pocket.

This a free event with a free will offering to cover costs open to all. Children accompanied by parents are welcome.

Here is a video to give you an idea of what it is like:

photo credit: Tess Graham.

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, November 21st, using our Recurring Zoom link

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading "American Pastoral" by Philip Roth. Pulitzer Prize Winner 1998. Philip Roth shows us ourselves like no other.

Swede Lvov lives the American Dream until his daughter is lured into the radical left terrorism of the late 1960’s and brings it all down. What is the American Dream and how do we manage (or not) to include everyone in it?

Next read: Kiran Desai, "The Inheritance of Loss," December 18.

The Nonfiction book group will meet online at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, using our recurring Zoom link.

Join us to discuss The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoe Schlanger. Washington Post staff writer Zoe Schlanger provides an overview of sometimes controversial plant research and challenges readers to rethink the role of plants and expand their appreciation for plants’ essential role in the great web of existence.

On Dec. 28th we’ll discuss On Looking: A Walker’s Guide to the Art of Observation by Alexandra Horowitz.

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 Restore Justice Foundation, whose mission is to make Illinois a safer and more compassionate state by replacing the ineffective, extreme sentencing policies of the past with evidence-based laws that allow families and communities to heal. 

The next workshop on AI will be on Tuesday, November 4 in Room 3 and on Zoom at 7pm. You can drop in to any without attending all. Register here.

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.

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is Friday, November 21st



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.

Come be a Beacon of Light!

With the time change, we have changed the time for our gatherings at the corner of Dempster & Ridge every Thursday to be from 4:00-4:30 pm starting November 6.

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 and the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum continue to deepen our relationship. 

You and your littles are invited to participate in the Museum's Story Time every other Monday at 10:30am, with the next one on November 3. Each session starts with board books for toddlers, followed by a little movement and music. All of our books are written by Native authors. 

The program is included with general admission. For all upcoming dates, visit https://gichigamiin-museum.org/events/

An invitation to families to join the Evanston Friends Meeting (EFM) for a Fall Fire Pit with Friends event hosted by EFM’s First Day School program and RE Committee in partnership with Edwina Cowell, founder of Spiritual Playdate International. In addition to the program, we will have s’mores, apple cider and social games and time together. All ages are welcome. We are inviting our fellow Meetings in the area as well as a few other neighboring places of worship, and with that we decided to go with registration. Located at 1010 Greenleaf, in the yard.

COME HEAR MICHAEL ERIC DYSON SPEAK AT

NAACP ANNUAL BANQUET

Tickets are going fast

Let Sarah Vanderwicken know you’re coming at svanderwicken at gmail dot com

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330