Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
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In-Person and Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, September 12 at 10:15 am
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The Continuous Journey
Our Annual Ingathering and Water Communion is a time-honored tradition at UCE and yet, this year, it is like nothing we’ve done before. We will gather our blessings and share our hopes in our first truly multi-platform worship service. Whether you are participating from home or in the building, please bring to worship water that has nourished your soul. What does it carry and what do you hope it returns to you? Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Rev. Susan Frances, Kathy Underwood, and Lynn Kendall are our worship leaders.
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UCE Ingathering - September 12 |
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Join the UCE Ingathering on Sunday, September 12th at 10:15 am in person and through the YouTube livestream. Masks are required (ages 2 and up) inside the building.
Bring water from your summer adventures (near or far) to the service, whichever way you participate. We will use the gathered waters from our annual water communion to bless the grounds after the service.
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"Blessing this ground...or what
Water Communion Sunday will look like"
From Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Senior Minister
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The staff and ministers are hard at work and excited to welcome folks back to the building on Sunday morning. In anticipation, we’re setting up chairs, getting bulletin boards filled, and making the place look extra spiffy. We can’t wait for you to see the many improvements made since we closed up eighteen months ago.
Along with the joy of entering into this new season of possibility, there is also trepidation, even fear. As you know, the pandemic landscape remains an evolving one. We continue to pay close attention to what is happening in Evanston and Cook County. You can read full details of the current building use protocols on the UCE website. Protocols are in place to mitigate risk including ensuring adequate air exchange and filtration, requiring everyone above the age of 2 to wear a mask in and around the building, and spacing the chairs apart...
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What to Expect this Sunday |
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Last week, we hope you received the mailed letter with details about our return to the building. Here are the details enclosed in that letter for your reference.
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"New" Kitchen Celebration - September 19 |
Just as Covid shut everything down last year, our totally renovated kitchen was completed, so we didn’t get a chance to celebrate all of the wonderful changes and upgrades. So on Sunday, September 19, the Kitchen renovation will be celebrated! There will be a recognition in the worship service, followed by tours in the kitchen and outer area guided by Carol Nielsen and Sandra Robinson after the service. Coffee and cookies will be served outside only while we take turns getting a tour. Our kitchen has always been a warm and welcoming gathering place before, during and after events for our congregation and for our rentals. These improvements are due to your generosity during the Capital Campaign.
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Lovely Upgrades to the Wing and Lobby |
The Lobby and Wing Team of the Capital Campaign Implementation Team have been working steadily over the pandemic closure period to make improvements in the building.
When you visit UCE in person you will notice all new lighting and tiles in the Room 2 and the lobby area. Room 2 has undergone significant change with new, modern furniture, new carpet and shades. The solar shades were designed to offer light when raised (much like our old curtains that could be opened), but when in the down position they offer protection from the sun and cold. They are attractive and will work well to provide varying degrees of light. New ceiling lights and tiles were added to the room. Our goal was to provide a space where the lighting is more ambient for covenant meetings, small memorial services and wedding services, and other meetings where "high" lighting is less appropriate...
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Hats Off to Gillian Lawrence! |
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Our hats are off to Gillian Lawrence for her gifts of insight, wisdom, and time generously donated to make our lobby space inviting, informative, and easier to navigate. Gillian has worked with the lobby design team to ensure a comfortable and family-friendly space. She has worked to redesign the bulletin boards and Welcome Center to better assist newcomers and long-term members alike with getting connected and staying engaged.
Gillian has a history of helping our community embrace new ways of being welcoming and informed. She created the signs in the lower level to help visiting families find their way. She a huge and continual advocate for our families, giving a tremendous amout of time and engery to support our Family Ministry Team and Faith Formation efforts.
Thank you, Gillian, for sharing your skills with love and good cheer.
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If you have music to share in worship, we would love to add your to our list. We are looking for either live or recorded performances for Sunday mornings to enhance our worship. Reach out to Rev. Eileen or Vickie Hellyer.
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Wednesday Zoom Gatherings Continue on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 5:30 pm via Zoom.
2021 Green Team Summit is September 12-14. More info below.
Faith, Justice and Reparations in Evanston Virtual Workshop is September 19, 26, and
October 3. More info below.
Forum resumes Sunday, September 19 at 11:30 am in Rm 3 or Zoom, featuring guest speaker Mayor Daniel Biss. More info below.
Virtual Workshop: Carceral Systems and Siding with Love begins Sept 23. More info below.
Rev. Eileen Wiviott's installation is on Saturday, October 23 at 3 pm in the UCE Sanctuary or Zoom. More info below.
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This Week's Events & Links |
Sunday, September 12
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am - Rm 6 or Zoom. Email Renee Hoff for details.
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Ingathering/Water Communion Worship Service at 10:15 am IN-PERSON or via Youtube. Click here to join.
- Fellowship Hour at 11:30 am on the South Lawn.
Monday, September 13
Tuesday, September 14
Wednesday, September 15
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Virtual Yoga at 9:30 am via 8x8. Click here to join.
- UCE Soup Kitchen at 5 pm in the parking lot.
Thursday, September 16
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Virtual Meditation at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
- Choir Rehearsal at 7 pm in Room 3 or via Zoom.
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Board of Trustees meet at 7 pm via Zoom. Email the Office if you would like to join.
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From Margaret Schatz, Chair of Endowment Fund Committee |
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This Sunday, we may return to our UCE building to begin our church programming year. This is will be an especially busy and challenging year for me as Chair of the Endowment Fund Committee and a member of the Endowment Fund Task Force.
The Endowment Fund Task Force has been meeting for a few months and some of the questions and comments that frequently come up concern communication with the congregation. Members have stated that they do not know much about the Endowment Fund, including basics of how to donate, how the funds are invested, how applications are written, submitted, and approved and What does the Endowment Committee do, anyway?...
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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!
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Congregational Connections |
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Faith, Justice and Reparations in Evanston,
September 19, 26, and October 3
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Coming soon! A three-part workshop on Faith, Justice and Reparations in Evanston. On-line sessions will be held on Sunday afternoons September 19, 26, and October 3 from 4 to 5:30 pm. Register today to attend.
Over the summer, several members of the Racial Equity (REAL) and Peace and Justice teams have been working to develop a faith-based workshop series on Reparations. We will explore what “reparation” means, how Evanston’s history of exclusion and discrimination calls for repair, what is happening with the city’s current Reparations programs — and consider how we, as people of faith, are called to act at this significant moment in history.
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Join us in Creating Opportunities for
Richer Engagement in the UCE Community
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After almost 18 months of virtual gathering we will all be newcomers when we return to our building in September 2021. We will be starting anew, learning how to be together again – to connect in new and different ways, embracing our mission and working to build an even stronger, more vibrant community to “nurture the human spirit for a world made whole”.
The Membership Engagement Task Force has been meeting since February to learn more about what we do well in welcoming and engaging members and where we could improve our efforts to facilitate meaningful and satisfying participation in the life of UCE...
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Welcome New Lobby Artist, Nina Weiss |
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This Sunday as we come back to our sanctuary for in person services, we are pleased to welcome our new lobby artist, Nina Weiss, whose work graces our lobby. Please join us in the lobby after the service on Sunday to welcome her and her art and to find out more about it and ask any questions you may have. |
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Shared Plate Program Encourages Your Engagement |
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Thank you to everyone who took time to complete the nomination process for our Shared Plate Program. Once again, this year the Social Justice Council received more nominations for our Shared Plate Program than we are able to accommodate. Last week we announced the recipients of this year’s shared plate. You can find that list on our webpage here.
Today, we acknowledge the remaining organizations who were nominated. These organizations are doing great work in our community and in our country:
We encourage you to check out their websites, volunteer, or donate to them. There are many ways to live into our mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole. Supporting organizations that embody our UU values is one of those ways.
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Grief Group Resumes Monday, September 13 |
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If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, a decline in health or other difficult life transition you are welcome to join this grief group. We will meet on Zoom beginning Monday, September 13 from 6:30 to 7:45 pm every other Monday through December. Please email Ellen Rieger at ellenerieger@gmail.com if you are interested in attending.
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UUA GA 2022 in Portland? But what is the theme? |
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It's time to plan for next year's General Assembly and one of us could create the theme!
The UUA is asking members to suggest themes for the 2022 GA in Portland OR. We have so many creative folks at UCE, it could easily be one of us who wins this contest! Submit your entry by September 13!
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Registration for Beloved Conversations
Extended to September 14th
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You can still register for Beloved Conversations until Sept. 14!
The Beloved Conversations in-person curriculum has evolved to be a three-part online curriculum divided into the Within Phase, the Among Phase, and the Beyond Phase. If you took the original in-person curriculum, the new online Beloved Conversations: Within is a restyled individual curriculum that will bring you something new. If you have not taken any form of Beloved Conversations, now is a good time to take the Within Phase curriculum, because the next phase, Beloved Conversations: Among, is a congregation wide curriculum that the REAL Team is exploring.
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UCE Hosts Vaccination Clinic Continues on September 14 |
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UCE Hosts Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic: September 14, 2-6 pm - We are hosting a 2nd day for our Vaccination Clinic with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Register at the link below or Walk in on the day of.
- Ages 12+ are welcome
- No insurance or ID needed
- Pfizer (2 dose) and Johnson & Johnson (1 dose) vaccines will be available
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Immunocompromised Individuals are eligible to receive a booster vaccine. More info here.
Please share about this opportunity with everyone you know! This will be a quick and easy way to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 Virus.
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BLUU Havens Chicago September Gathering
Saturday, September 18 1-2 pm on Zoom
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Join at 12:30 for Socializing or Just Hanging Out & Listening to Music!
We welcome you to join us for our September Black Lives of Unitarian
Universalism BLUU Havens Chicago Gathering.
In honor of Fall and the harvest season, please join BLUU Havens Chicago on September 18th, 2021 for the first of a two part discussion on land, food justice, and the black freedom movement.
Food history in the US often describes Black people’s relationship to the land as one filled with danger, oppression, ignorance and subjection. There is another story however, filled with healing, resistance, and economic self-determination of our communities. How can we reclaim our connection to the land as a means of liberation in our lives? Join us and our guest JIM EMBRY, Sacred Earth Activist, after which there will be a question and answer session...
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Virtual Retreat: Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion
with featured speaker Alex Kapitan
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We are excited to announce a Virtual Retreat Event for Saturday, September 25th at 1 pm.
What does it mean to be a men's group, woman's group, community or congregation that affirms and embraces gender diversity? As Unitarians honor their commitment to practice "welcoming all," it's important to engage in what this practice calls on us to do. Alex Kapitan, a trans and non-binary UU leader, who has served as a consultant for Unity Temple on this topic, will lead us in learning and conversation about understanding gender expansively and what trans and non-binary inclusion would look like for our groups. As always there will be interactive discussions. To register and receive the virtual meeting link, please send your name & email address to markeric-j@hotmail.com.
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You're Invited! Rev. Eileen Wiviott's Installation - Oct 23 |
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If you did not receive a Paperless Post Invitation, know that all members and friends are invited. Please RSVP by emailing the office at admin@ucevanston.org if you would like to attend and note whether you will be joining in-person or virtually.
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What's Happening in Faith Formation this Fall? |
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Ingathering/Water Communion this Sunday! We will be creating a rainstorm during the worship service. If you’d like to make a rain stick at home, here are some short videos to help you make a simple rain stick:
After worship, we will encircle the building with our collected waters and water the gardens and grounds. And for a little extra fun, we will have a water balloon toss! Feel free to come for any or all these activities as you feel comfortable.
Faith Formation Help this Fall – If you’d like to join in making this new format fun and engaging, look here for some of the ways you can do so! If you haven’t seen the video about our worship and faith formation format for this fall yet, check it out here. And if you missed Kathy’s recent article about this you can find it here.
Playscape Steppingstone Event – September 25 and October 2 - Families are invited to help make steppingstones. For more details and to register, click here.
Registration for Faith Formation begins! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines. Please complete the form here for all young people, 0-18 years old.
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Bridging Youth Hospitality Network |
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College-bound youth and young adults! A network to connect with UUs wherever you are! Join Rev. Byron Tyler Coles & Rev. Stevie K Carmody Eama for an information session about the recently launched Bridging Youth Hospitality Network!
- Thursday, October 7th, 7pm ET
Check the links below for Zoom registration and more information. Spread the survey to recently bridged youth and the communities that want to welcome them!
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Forum - Sunday, September 19 |
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The first Forum session for the 2021-22 church year is titled “What is meant by Defund the Police?” Our speakers will be Daniel Biss, mayor of Evanston, and a representative from Defund CPD. Each speaker will present their ideas on the subject, then we will open up the floor for questions. Members can attend in person or virtually. This will be an exchange of ideas, not a debate. Among the topics we will explore are the role of police and whose safety is protected. |
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UCE Fiction Book Group is reading My Favorite Thing is Monsters, Book 1, a graphic novel by Emil Ferris. Discussion meeting September 17, 7-8:30 pm via Zoom.
Set against the tumultuous political backdrop of late ’60s Chicago, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters is the fictional graphic diary of 10-year-old Karen Reyes, filled with B-movie horror and pulp monster magazine iconography. Karen Reyes tries to solve the murder of her enigmatic upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a holocaust survivor, while the interconnected stories of those around her unfold. When Karen’s investigation takes us back to Anka’s life in Nazi Germany, the reader discovers how the personal, the political, the past, and the present converge.
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The nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom at 2 pm on Sunday, September 26th to discuss How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America.
The author, Heather Cox Richardson, writes about how the South was the ideological victor of the Civil War as expansion of the Western frontier allowed the hierarchies of the South to proliferate. The book has been called "a thought-provoking study of the centuries-spanning battle between oligarchy and equality in America."
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September 11, & 12 are Drop Off Days for much needed Fingernail Clippers, Shaving Cream, Razors, & More |
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Interfaith Action of Evanston operates a monthly Produce Mobile, year-round, providing free groceries and toiletries to around 250 families.
For the September 14th Produce Mobile, they are in need of the following items:
- Fingernail clippers
- Bar Soap (preference is Dove)
- Shaving cream
- Disposable razors
- All-purpose cleaner
Please limit your generosity to the items requested.
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2021 Green Team Summit - Sept 12-14 |
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Join Faith in Place September 12-14th for a 3-night immersive and interactive journey into healing to reconnect to our land, body, mind, spirit, and community. From walking through vividly green wetlands in Shawnee National Forest, to touring a farm, and gathering in a racial healing circle, this virtual Summit will inspire our environmental work through healing.
Register for free today and get a free ebook, “Rooted for Healing: A Collection of Quotes”.
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Carceral Systems and Siding with Love
Sept 23, Oct 7, Oct 21, Nov 4
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The REAL Team, UCE Prison Ministry Team, and UU Prison Ministry of Illinois invite you to join us for Carceral Systems and Siding with Love. How do we actively side with Love in the face of harmful carceral systems that especially target black and brown people? Join in one or all of these reflective, informative sessions to learn more about (1) Policing, (2) Prisons, (3) Family Separation and Surveillance, and (4) Basics of Restorative Justice. Registration is required and a short reading or video will be emailed to you one week before each session. This is a four-part series of 90-minute Zoom workshops spread over eight weeks, each two weeks apart. Please register here...
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From the Immigration Support Team |
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If you would like to help Afghans and Afghan refugees, you can volunteer with or donate to Refugee One, which settles refugees in the Chicago area. They are in great need of both volunteers and money. You can also donate to International Refugee Assistance Project Legal Aid, which helps refugees with our complex and difficult legal processes, from securing their legal status to getting a social security number.
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Update: Syrian Refugee Family |
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Good news: we have raised $3000 of our $5000 goal. Please help us reach our goal!
Five years ago, UCE sponsored a Syrian refugee family—the Haj Khalafs. We learned recently that Fatoum (the mother) will welcome her sister Ghufran Bakir, to the U.S. on September 2 along with her three children Ryaan, 13; Hatty, 12; and Talib, 8. Ghufran, was widowed in the war, and has spent the last eight years in a refugee camp in Turkey. They are delighted to be reunited.
A few members of the congregation and the Immigrant Solidarity Team would like to help the new family. Our goal is to raise $5000 (or more) that will help them pay their rent for 4 or more months...
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Countryside UU Church in Palatine converted its parsonage to a temporary shelter for refugee families awaiting their legal findings. You may recall that the Immigrant Solidarity Team did some fundraising to help. Now Chalice House needs some in-kind help. They need a lawn mower, a 3/8 wrench for their tool kit, and they need someone who knows how to repair a rattan chair. If you can help with any of these please reach out to Lee Bannor (contact info in Realm). They have a long list of other needs and Lee can forward their email to anyone who wants to review it. |
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Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
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