Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole | |
Sunday Service September 22nd at 10:30am | |
|
True Harmony?
At the time of the Autumnal Equinox we consider where in our lives we might truly achieve balance. Is that a realistic expectation? Can we ever find balance and rest there or is life a constant ‘balancing act’? Rev. Eileen leads this service, with Kiley Korey as our Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer, and Gregory Shifrin provide our music.
Children and youth will go to their Faith Formation program
after joys and sorrows.
| | |
Safety First
We will be conducting our annual evacuation drill at the end of the worship service on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
If you have any questions before the drill or ideas afterwards, please contact Rev. Susan, sfrances@ucevanston.org.
| |  |
Meet our new Ministerial Intern, Emma Farrell! Emma will be available this Sunday, September 22nd after our Evacuation Drill at about 12:15pm in Room 3 | | |
Faith Formation Hour this Sunday | |
|
Evacuation Drill after worship – instructions will be given immediately after worship. Parents are asked to stay upstairs if not volunteering with the young people. You are asked to sign your child(ren) out with their leaders outside near the Black Lives Matter sign before leaving after the drill.
Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 - Note that we have extended the pickup time to 12:15p for parents with children in other faith formation groups to allow time to pick up all their brood. Please be considerate of staff and pick up your child(ren) before 12:15p.
| | |
|
Faith Formation Programming Begins!
All ages will begin in the worship service and then be invited to their program after joys and sorrows. For those who did not yet register since last year or who are newer to UCE, please use this link to register your young person, now!
| |
|
OWL (Our Whole Lives) for 4th-6th Grades
SAVE THE DATE: We will have an Orientation for parents and young people on October 6, 12-3pm for those interested in learning more about this sex-ed program. Lunch will be provided. If childcare is needed, please let me know by September 30. Email Kathy Underwood for further details.
| | | |
|
Backpack/Bag Keychains
If you didn’t get a keychain at our Backpack Blessing, you can take one from the basket on the Soul Work table, on the East wall of the sanctuary.
| | |
Picnics in the Park –October 6th at Penny Park, 12-1p. Bring a picnic or snack and meet up with other UCE families! | | |
Staff Spotlight on Adam Gough | |
|
Happy Friday, UCE! I hope you're enjoying the wonderful weather this week. As the staff lead in charge of organizing our Annual Evacuation Drill this Sunday, I'm hoping the weather holds through the weekend.
Every year, the drill gets us thinking about the safety of our congregation, but it also highlights other issues. Last year, we identified how hard it is for folks to exit out of the sanctuary doors without any railings and how difficult it is to roll a wheelchair over the grass on the South lawn. We have special instructions for folks in wheelchairs and folks to assist them this year. Still no railings, but we are working on that. What else do we need to do to make sure everyone can get in, get out, and nurture their spirits? What do we need to do to make sure this beloved community is accessible and inclusive to everyone?
This November, I will be hosting an Accessibility and Inclusion Town Hall to meet with you and hear your ideas. We have made big strides in physical accessibility in the past decade with our sliding doors and wheelchair ramps. And recently our youth have turned their attention towards welcoming people with diverse sensory needs. What's next? I'd like to hear YOUR ideas, big and small. We're looking for things we can do now, and things to be on our wish list for the next capital campaign! Watch out for more information in the newsletter as we move into the Fall. Hold onto your ideas, and I hope to see you at the Town Hall! (Or if you can't wait, you know where to find me!)
| | | |
|
Our hats are off to the two anonymous do-gooders who gave the rusty railings outside the east entrance of our Sanctuary a much-needed fresh coat of paint. It's a wonderful step towards making our former main entrance stand proud again. Thank you! You know who you are!
And thank you to all those who notice something small or big, who contribute their time and talent for a building made whole.
| | |
This Week's Events & Links | |
|
Friday, September 20th
Saturday, September 21st:
- Worship Planning Meeting, 9:30-11am, via Zoom
- Virtual Pilates, 9:30-10:30am, via Zoom
- Beginner Tai Chi, 9:45-10:45am, Rm 3.
- Intermediate Tai Chi, 11-12pm, Rm 3.
- Memorial for Lorna Galich, 1-3pm, Sanctuary
- Immigrant Solidarity Team, 4-5pm, via Zoom
Sunday, September 22nd:
-
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group, 9am-10:30am, in-person Rm 6 and via Zoom Link.
- Evacuation Drill 11:45-12:15
- Meet our Ministerial Intern, Emma Farrell, 12:15-1:15pm, Rm 3.
| | |
|
Monday, September 23rd:
- UCE Addictions & Recovery, 7-9pm, via Zoom.
Tuesday, September 24th:
- Retired Women's Group, 5-7pm, Rm 3
- Leadership Development Team, ,6-7pm, via Zoom
Wednesday, September 25th:
- Yoga, 9:30-10:30am, via ONLINE LINK
- Staff Meeting, please be aware the staff meets each week from 11-12:30pm.
- Prison Ministry Circle, 4:30-5:30pm, Rm 2
Thursday September 26th:
- Meditation Group 5:30-7pm, via Zoom
- Anti-Oppression Task Force, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom
- Choir Rehearsal & Sectional, 7-9pm, Rm 3
| | |
Congregational Connections | |
|
UCE Young Adult Group - Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights
The Young Adult Group at UCE is a group for young adults (18-35) interested in exploring spiritual deepening in community. Beginning September 20th, we will meet on 3rd Fridays 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.
| | | |
|
Retired (But Not Retiring!) Women
Tuesday, Sept. 24th, from 5-7pm, Room 3
Join us for potluck and then discussion of:
Other than travel: What have you been able to do/What have you Not been able to do
because of retirement? And this month: do not bring desserts: I will be bringing them!
For more information please contact Margie Rogasner.
| | | |
UU Climate Justice Revival at UCE | |
 | |
Saturday, September 28th:
- 1:00-3:00 pm, Revival Dialogs for Adults
- From 1-2 pm, Rev. Susan will coordinate small group dialogs focusing on the UUA Green Sanctuary’s Four Essentials for Climate Action.
- From 2-3 pm, Rev. Eileen will coordinate small group dialogs focusing on Intersectionality of climate and justice, including UCE’s involvement in a possible UUA Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) Process.
Attendees 14 years of age and up are invited to join us in continuing our long-term visioning work started by Rev. Sharon Dittmar in August.
Register to attend at this link
Sunday September 29th: Sanctuary - Worship and Engagement Fair!
The second day of the revival includes Sunday morning worship and an advocacy hour, which we are having in the form of our Engagement Fair. We’ll see you Sunday!
UCE is a Bee Balm Sponsor of the UU Climate Justice Revival. Thanks to the collaboration of our Social Justice Council teams, which each contributed a portion of their budgeted funds, we are able to be a sponsor and join the over 350 UU congregations participating in this revival weekend!
| | | |
|
*4 Raffle prizes, all donated by the Serendipity Auction:
- 3 Dinner Tickets to the Nov 9th Celebration!
- A $20 gift certificate for a Lou Malnati's
- A UCE t-shirt
- 3 UCE pins
| |
|
Time to Volunteer for UCE Table at Bike the Ridge
Bike the Ridge will be on Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 9:00am-1:00pm. Ridge Avenue between Howard and Church will be closed to vehicular traffic for “Bike The Ridge.”
This event is an excellent community building opportunity for UCE. Hundreds of people will be biking by UCE’s doorstep; let’s give them a UCE welcome! We will have a tent set up on Greenwood at Ridge. Here UCE members can greet bikers, supply them with water, and provide information about UCE!
Please volunteer for this community-building event! We need the following: 8 volunteers to greet bikers, distribute water and information about UCE on Ridge, and contributions of bike decorating materials—streamers, pipe cleaners, old playing cards, scotch tape, plus water to distribute.
To volunteer, click here to go to SignUp.com and select one of the 3 shifts available. Bike the Ridge is the same morning as our Engagement Fair, so if you are someone who doesn't usually volunteer, this is your year to join us for a full morning of fun and community!
| | |
|
Dance as a Spiritual Practice
If you were inspired by the August 25th worship service on Dance as a Spiritual Practice, and would like to join a conversation about having a regular practice of spiritual dance circles at UCE, join us on Wednesday, September 25th at 5:30pm to discuss how to make it happen using this Zoom link. Contact Shirley Adams (shirley at comeoutdancing dot com) and Elizabeth Kenney (ebethkennedy at gmail dot com) with any questions.
| | | |
|
TRY TAI CHI!
Tai Chi @ UCE is welcoming new students to the Beginner’s Class on Saturdays. The class will run from October 5 to December 21, from 9:45-10:45 am.
There will be no classes on 10/12 or 11/30. Spots are limited.
UCE member Renée Gatsis teaches the class. She has played Tai Chi for over 45 years and taught it for over 25. Renée credits Tai Chi in large part for her equanimity and good health.
Participants will learn the first part of a Sun-style tai chi form adapted and popularized by Dr. Paul Lam M.D. This meditation in motion is a gentle exercise with graceful, flowing movement performed at a slow tempo. The Sun style is a simple, upright form ideal for people of all ages from teens to elders.
Regular Tai Chi practice yields many benefits.
Interested in learning more? Contact Renée at renee.x.gatsis at gmail dot com.
To reserve your spot, CLICK HERE!
| | | |
|
SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW MORE THAN EVER.
The number of guests has increased from 70 to 100! We will be hosting the soup kitchen for 2 days this fall:
Wednesday October 2nd
Wednesday Oct 9th
Time commitments and times to show up vary. We would love to have you participate either by bringing food, food preparation or serving food. Please CLICK THIS LINK to sign up.
PLEASE NOTE: you need click on "SHOW MORE SPOTS" in the sign up to see all spots. Seven of them are not visible unless you do this.
If you have trouble opening the link or have questions, please contact
Ellie Feddersen, elliefeddersen at gmail dot com.
| | | |
|
Fall Friendship Meals Seeking Hosts!
The Congregational Connections Team is seeking 6 more hosts for Fall Session Friendship Meals, which will be held from October 25th thru November 3rd.
Contact Margaret Koreman (Margaret.Koreman at gmail dot com) or Lina Hiko (LHilko at aol dot com) ASAP if you would enjoy hosting, have questions, or are interested in future hosting. Fall session hosts must be secured by Sept 23rd and will have until Sept 30th to button down their details (date, time, venue/menu notes).
Hosts generously open their homes for guests to share a potluck brunch, lunch or dinner, or they organize a “split-the-bill” restaurant gathering within a mobility-accessible venue. Another possibility is hosting a potluck at UCE in Room 3 (some restrictions).
Friendship Meals are a great way for members and friends to make and strengthen relationships. Meal attendance sign ups begin 10/04/2024.
| | | |
|
Reproductive Freedom and Justice continue to be in jeopardy, even though these rights are guaranteed to all women in Illinois. So many of our sisters in surrounding states are not protected, and women of color are most seriously impacted by these threats. We have a responsibility to extend the right of reproductive choice to everyone.
Contact Gretchen Brewster for more info.
|
|
|
Annual Environment and Spirituality Summit
September 22-24, 2024
UCE is a Wild Indigo Sponsor of the Faith in Place 2024 Annual Environment and Spirituality Summit. Thank you to the Endowment Fund for the Community Partner grant that allowed us to become a sponsor.
Register below to join
Faith in Place for the hybrid 2024 Annual Environment and Spirituality Summit.
If you are interested in joining an in-person watch party for the Keynote Session with Lama Rod Owens, there is an option to indicate that and you will receive details closer to the event.
| | | |
|
Post Card Campaign Continues!
Keep the momentum going! Some packets of 20 to be mailed by September 30 remain. Pick up a packet or two this Sunday, Sept. 22 BEFORE the service. Contact Carolyn Laughlin (carolyn.b.laughlin at gmail dot com) for your special orders (over 100 cards).
Drop by at the Engagement Fair on the 29th! We'll have postcard packets for mailing into mid-October.
Register Voters at Milwaukee DMVs
New DMV Location Opened: South Milwaukee DMV1835 College AvenueSouth Milwaukee, WI 53172 Trained volunteers, sign up for Teutonia, Chase or South Milwaukee HERE.
Feeling rusty (you were trained a while ago). Reach out to a UCE "veteran" who will happily walk you through it again and answer your questions! Carpool to a shift, enjoy the company, do the rewarding work, and have no regrets Nov. 6!
Voter Assistance Days in Wisconsin
Wisconsin shuts down voter registration drives 3 weeks before every election. HOWEVER - we will still be going to the DMV's during early voting (starting Oct. 22 through the election) to work VOTER ASSISTANCE DAYS. Volunteers simply hand out flyers with early voting and poll location information.
Many voters go directly from the DMV, to the early voting location to vote!
Click here for the Voter Assistance Days shifts, in SignUp.
| | | |
|
Learn about the rights of trans voters at Voting While Trans: Voter Education Workshop! Join us on Wednesday September 25, 2024 at 6:00 PM at the Harold Washington Library Center, 8th Floor Meeting Room for an informative session on everything you need to know about voting as a trans person.
Our workshop will cover topics such as voter registration, navigating ID requirements, understanding your rights at the polls, the impact of Voter ID laws, and more. Whether you're a first-time trans voter, looking to brush up on your knowledge, or an ally wanting to gain the tools to support the trans people in your life, this event is for you!
Come learn, ask questions, and get registered to vote. Trans voices matter, and trans people should feel empowered to exercise their right to vote!
Presented by Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, Chicago Therapy Collective, Chicago Votes, and Life is Work.
| | | |
|
Election Judges & Polling Place Technician Needed!
If you would like to be an Election Judge or Polling Place Technician for Cook County on November 5, 2024, go to this website to apply. If you email Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org that you have applied for either of these election day roles, she will submit a request to the Board of Elections that you be assigned to one of the three precincts that will vote at UCE.
Another way to be involved on election day is to be a poll watcher, who is a representative of a civic organization who is legally in the polling place to observe the conduct of the election. If you are interested in being a poll watcher, look at Election Protection’s website for opportunities, including volunteering through the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. If you are interested in being a poll watcher at the Cook County Department of Corrections, you will need additional training and security clearance, which you can learn about HERE.
| | | |
|
UCE Non-Fiction Book Group
The UCE Non-Fiction Book Group is reading Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America by Steve Inskeep.
The author says "Lincoln preserved the country and took part in a social revolution because he engaged in politics." Lincoln's political skill is illustrated in sixteen encounters he had throughout his lifetime with people who disagreed with him and differed from him in race, gender, background, or beliefs.
The National Book Review says that Inskeep "cuts through the myth-making and offers a real, human Lincoln, rather than a transcendent savior, that is much more useful for the nation and our current moment."
Zoom discussion on Sunday, September 29th at 2pm, using our recurring ZOOM link.
October 27, 2024
The Future Earth: A Radical Vision for What's Possible in the Age of Warming by Eric Holthaus
| | |
 | |
UCE Fiction Book Group
The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading Eastbound, by Maylis de Kerangal, translated by Jessica Moore (2023) A young Russian conscript and a French woman come together in a crowded compartment of the Trans-Siberian railroad, each of them fleeing to the East for their own reasons.
Friday, September 20th by ZOOM, 7-8pm using our recurring ZOOM link.
Future reads:
October 18: All Aunt Hagar’s Children, by Edward P. Jones (2007) Folks in the everyday Black community of Washington, D.C., thought the values of the South would sustain them in the North and find "that the cohesion born and nurtured in the south would be but memory in less than two generations.” E.P. Jones is the author of the 2004 Pulitzer-prize-winning The Known World.
November 15: Erasure, by Percival Everett (2011) Everett’s blistering, rollicking satire of the plight of the Black writer in the world of American publishing. Rejected by seventeen publishers for his latest manuscript, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison spins off a parody of “what the public wants,” My Pafology, which is, of course, a wild success.
| | |
Celebration of the Life of Lorna Galich
Saturday, September 21, at 1 pm, we will gather to celebrate the life of our beloved Lorna Galich. Two Margarets (Shaklee and Talmage) are organizing hospitality. If it would please you to take on a small role or bring a favorite food for the reception buffet, please sign up HERE.
To opt out of the technology, email either Margaret with your offering.
| | | |
|
Let's Welcome Adriana and Nicol from Venezuela!
The Immigrant Solidarity Team wants to introduce you to Adriana (who is 7 months pregnant), and her 4-year-old daughter Nicol, recent arrivals to Evanston after fleeing the oppressive conditions in Venezuela arriving here after going through the deadly Darien Gap. We learned about them through Ruth Orme-Johnson. They are currently living with Jean Butzen and Jim Strickler.
We are hoping UCE members can help Adriana and Nicol in two ways:
1) Driving to and from school in Skokie - this is the most immediate concern.
2) Items for the Baby - We are holding a baby shower on Sunday, October 13, right after the service, in Room 3. We have a list of items members can purchase; to access the list and RSVP for the shower (please come!), please contact Jim: strickler47 at comcast dot net.
Thank you for your generosity!
| | | |
|
Calling All Artists & Makers!
We are entering into fall fundraiser season and that means all the magnificent artists and makers at UCE may want a little notice to prepare pieces they would like to donate to the Serendipity Auction. More information about this year's Serendipity Fundraiser is coming soon!
Serendipity Fundraiser Celebration will be Saturday, Nov 9, 2024
Contact the Serendipity Team with any questions - auction@ucevanston.org.
| | | |
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ MORE: | |
|
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
| | | | |
