A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
The UCE building will be closed until further notice.
We will continue to offer ways to connect virtually.
UCE Shared Offering Continues
During these times when we are holding our worship service online please continue to support our shared offering. You can do these through "text to give" (instructions below), mail a check to the office with shared offering in the memo line, or go to our website and hit "give" on the upper right or click here. Staff will pick up mail from the post office once per week, so anything sent to UCE by mail is secure. This Sunday's shared offering recipient is Faith in Place ( Click here to learn more ).
Important News and Upcoming Events
All Church Zoom gatherings continue on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Look out for the link in our Wednesday e-mails. If you need online Zoom support before the All Church gathering begins, join us at 5:20 pm.
From Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director
Hello to all from my home office.  
 
Today I will give you some insight into what I have been involved in this week. 

On Monday and Tuesday I completed the Paycheck Protection Program (part of the CARES Act) application with the hope that we can obtain a loan with a 1% interest rate.  This loan will be forgiven if we use the funds for paying staff. Currently, most of our staff is working from home, keeping up with their regular duties and helping us serve our congregation remotely. The exception is lobby staff, kitchen staff and child care. We have estimated their typical hours and, so far, continue to pay them. Each person is valuable to us and we want to keep them during these difficult times. The PPP loan will assist in that effort...
Remembering Sally Schwarzlose
Former member, Sally Schwarzlose, died on April 3rd after a long battle with cancer. She was the Evanston South Branch library manager for many years.
Memorials
The following memorials will be scheduled for a future day. We are considering virtual ways to honor these loved ones until we can be together again:

  • Raissa Landor
  • Sarah Kallick, beloved daughter of Bruce Kallick and Claudia Dancing
  • Gini Sayad
  • Ann Peterson
  • John LaPlante
  • Nancy Seyfried, sister of Bob Seyfried

Please stay tuned for more information on these celebrations of life.
Message from the Pledge Drive Team
Heartfelt thanks to all of you who have submitted a 2020-21 pledge during this challenging and worrisome time! If you haven't had a chance to turn in your completed form, please take a few minutes to do so now. Choose the option that's easiest for you.

  1. Drop your completed paper pledge in the mail. Sandra Robinson is routinely stopping by the Evanston post office to pick up the mail. (If you can't find your form, you can download the form here). UCE's address is 1330 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201.
  2. Fill out the convenient online form. Use this link or reach the form directly from the home page by clicking on "Pledge" at the far side of the blue navigation bar. Scroll down to the bottom of the letter from the pledge team, and you'll see a link in a blue box that says "Sign Your Pledge Form Online." (Here's are a few tips on how to complete it.)
  3. The office is closed, but our staff is still working hard to help you with your pledge! Jessica Meis, our communications coordinator, is available to troubleshoot any issues that may come up; she can be reached at admin@ucevanston.org or 847-864-1330. If she isn't able to answer, leave a message and she'll get back to you!

You can also commit verbally to your pledge by talking with Jessica, and she'll complete a form for you.
Finally, if you have questions about your current pledge payments , please reach out to Vickie Doebele, our staff accountant, at finance@ucevanston.org .

Thank you for your financial generosity and support of our congregation.
Stay safe and be well.
Proximity Partners
Using the lessons we are learning about how to stay connected we are exploring the formation of neighborhood groups – proximity partners. These groups would be composed of members who live close to one another geographically and would be an ongoing source of support, connection and mutual care for one another. Let us know what you think - click on the button below and take a minute to complete a brief survey designed to gauge interest.
Hats Off to the UCE medical team!
Our Hats Are Off to the knowledgeable and trusted medical professionals in our congregation who have formed an ad hoc team to advise the Executive Committee as we make decisions and communicate with all of you about the use of our building. These five people deserve our lasting gratitude for the healing work they do every day. Now, as we are faced with challenges none of us could have foreseen, they have risen to the occasion and responded without hesitation in spite of the tremendous burden of their profession. They are keeping us up to date with accurate information about how COVID-19 is spreading, how we in Illinois are responding, and encouraging all of us to maintain best practices for staying safe and well. We are forever grateful to Cathy Deamant, Mary Dudek, Ben Kornfeld, Matthew Snowdon, and Bridget Wild for your care and leadership at such a vital time. With love and thanks, from the ministers, staff and leadership. 
Something To Look Forward To - Update on the Kitchen Renovation
Though the Church has been closed, we have been fortunate that the kitchen renovation was coming to an end anyway. The final painting has been completed, a motion light activated, and a thorough cleaning of all cabinets, fixtures, and appliances was done. Building, plumbing and electrical inspections have been done, and we passed! Still to be completed are the health and fire inspections, which will be completed once the City of Evanston conducts regular business. The health inspectors need to see how we are planning to use the kitchen, so we will initially need to stock the cabinets with about 50 boxes of old housewares currently being stored under the stairs and the new housewares we have purchased.

There are MANY new features to look forward to in addition to the clean walls, new sinks, and several other changes...
Ordination of Susan Frances Postponed to Next Church Year
The current Illinois stay at home order has led the Ordination Committee at the Second Unitarian Church of Chicago to decide to schedule the ordination of Susan Frances in the fall of 2020.
Virtual Pathways to Membership
Introduction to Unitarian Universalism ON-LINE - April 26 at 1-2:30pm:  This introduction takes an in-depth look at our progressive faith, including Unitarian Universalist principles, sources, and covenant. Offered by Revs. Karen Mooney and Eileen Wiviott. We will meet on Zoom on April 26th at 1-2:30 pm after Virtual Coffee Hour.

Journey Toward Membership ON-LINE - May 5th and 7th : The Journey includes the exploration of our spiritual lives and what it means to be a member of an intentional community like the Unitarian Church of Evanston. Led by Revs. Karen M. and Eileen. You can take this class before or after you sign the book. Journey toward Membership class will be held in two parts - Tuesday, May 5th and Thursday, May 7th from 5:30 - 7 pm .

Please email Adam Gough at   agough@ucevanston.org   if you'd like to take part in any of those classes. And we're excited to offer our first (and maybe only) on-line membership joining ceremony on May 17th!
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education?
This Sunday in Religious Education
This Sunday in Religious Education
This week is an important one for many of us as we try new ways of celebrating Passover and Easter while practicing physical distancing. Some families are holding virtual seders and Easter dinners. However your family and friends decide to celebrate, I hope that the meaning of the holy day/holiday holds even more joy for you.

We have a special surprise for you on Easter Sunday – a virtual Easter Egg Hunt! Look for the details in the description on the live streaming of Sunday’s worship service! And look for an Easter Egg Hunt in a PowerPoint that I will share on the Children and Youth Facebook page and via email.

You can read this week’s VirtUUal RE session here or watch my video on the UCE homepage under “ Virt-UU-al RE ”.

Here’s a new offering from Soul Matters: Creating Sabbath Space, week 2 .

High school youth can connect Sunday evening at 7 pm on Zoom. Look for an email from the advisors later in the week with info on how to join.

Of course, we also have our virtual worship service on Sunday mornings at 11:15 am. I continue to post ideas on the UCE Children and Youth Facebook page, along with some interactive things to share with all members of the family.

Looking for more ideas? Here is a lesson from a colleague, The Challah in the Ark: Wisdom from the Jewish tradition .

In faith,
Kathy Underwood, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Upcoming Events
Next Tuesday , kids and parents can join me for a virtual Chalice Circle at 3:30 pm. You can join the meeting here or by phone instead at +1 209-844-4600,,392873602#

The Non-Fiction Book Group will discuss An American Summer: Life and Death in Chicago by Alex Kotlowitz on Sunday, May 3rd with Sarah Vanderwicken leading the discussion . Connect to our 9:30 am video conference at https://8x8.vc/ucenonfiction .

New Virtual Adult Program! The Infrastructure of Morality on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm in May and facilitated by Robb Gieger. More details to come!  
Parents looking for local resources and updates on COVID-19?
Local Resources and Info during this pandemic are being shared by Lincoln Elementary School in Evanston and can be found in their newsletter. Click below for this week's newsletter.
Family Fun and Resources for April's Theme, Liberation
Click here for ways to connect as a family to our faith!
MidAmerica Regional Assembly goes Virtual!
Our MidAmerica Regional Assembly set for April 18, 2020 , will be virtual this year. Instead of meeting in-person on April 18, 2020, we will gather on-line for a report from the  Commission on Institutional Change  (COIC), annual  Business Meeting , Keynote presentation by  Taquiena Boston , and previously advertised workshops. We are grateful that all our partners were able and willing to transition to an on-line format. The schedule will be similar to what was originally advertised—the final schedule and meeting information will be sent to registrants after the registration deadline. Since the entire event is virtual there will be no live streaming. Please register to attend on-line RA at the button below ! Registration will end on April 15! Apply for a scholarship from UCE for the $50 registration fee too!
"Rooted, Inspired, Ready" General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through the democratic process. Naomi Klein is this year’s WARE Lecturer. She is a climate activist, an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal.

See full details on GAs here and a video here . Anyone may attend. Please note the UUA is still considering whether this event can go on as planned, or if it will be moved to a virtual conference. Check out UCE scholarships below!
Calling all Youth!
Have you ever wanted to experience General Assembly? Every June, UUs from all over gather to vote on issues that matter, learn new things at a variety of workshops, enjoy inspiring and rocking worship services, and hang out with other UU youth.
July will be here soon!
...and July is the time for the MidWest Leadership School in Bloomington IL. UCE has scholarship funds from Endowment this year so you can attend the week long school without worrying about the student fees. UCE needs leaders now and in the future, so there are youth and adult scholarships available. Visit the RE Lifelong Learning Scholarship page and apply to learn new leadership skills. And meet lots of exciting UU folks from the MidWest.
Midwest UU Summer Camp
MUUSA is an intergenerational camp experience for fun, fellowship, and personal growth. This year's theme is “To Breathe on Purpose” with guest Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout. Enjoy nature, an art fair, a 5K walk/run, music, and more!
Chalice Sparx Family Camp & Retreat for UUs
Registration for this summer’s Chalice Sparx Family Camp & Retreat for Unitarian Universalist families is now open. Join us July 10-13 in Cassopolis, Michigan for an amazing all-ages experience at lovely Camp Friedenswald in southwestern Michigan -- only 90 miles from Chicago, 120 miles from Ann Arbor and 195 miles from Indianapolis.

At Chalice Sparx camp and retreat for families you will experience a truly multigenerational community. There are no camp counselors here to whisk away the children separate from their families. Here we learn together, worship together and explore together in a community of all ages – including elders who complete our multigenerational village. As an intentional UU covenanted community, we are especially welcoming to Trans children, youth and their families. Although we are a small growing camp, approximately half of the families who come to Chalice Sparx camp each year are families with a child, youth or adult who is trans or non-binary and families of color or families with a child of color/multiracial represent 1/3 of our families each year at Chalice Sparx.

We also have fun together. Swimming, hiking or riding a wagon through the trails, canoeing, archery, popcorn popped in a kettle over an open fire, and of course, S’mores and singing camp songs.
Camp Marwood - Midwest Unitarian Universalist Youth Camp (MUUYC)
Camp Marwood -  Midwest Unitarian Universalist Youth Camp (MUUYC), also known as "Marwood" is a 50 plus years old not-for-profit “rites-of-passage" junior/senior high summer camp designed for youth to attend for 4 consecutive years beginning as they enter 7th grade. Marwood creates a culture with values that we believe are the most important qualities and behaviors to actively demonstrate and live. These values, expressed in the Unitarian-Universalist covenant, guide and form the development of learning processes in our courses and various camp programs. 
Looking for Ways to Help?
If you have any ideas for virtual Lifespan Religious Education that spark your inner light, email Kathy at kunderwood@ucevanston.org.
Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
How can you help your UCE Community?
Many of you have asked what you can do to help some of our older members who are at risk or others who might need assistance. Again, there is a team of people coordinating this led by Rev. Karen Mooney ( pastoral.care@ucevanston.org ) and member, Ellie Feddersen ( elliefeddersen@gmail.com ). Please contact either of them to offer your help and we can add you to a list of people willing to buy and drop off groceries or meds. When helping members of our congregation, it is important to practice good hygiene by washing your hands if dropping off supplies (before and after); do not help if you are sick; practice physical distancing (drop off supplies to reduce physical contact rather than handing them to the recipient). 
Young and Healthy UUs Consider Donating Blood
For those who are younger and healthy, consider donating blood as often blood supplies can be reduced in times of crisis.
Looking to stay active in this time of isolation?
Even though we are living through a pandemic, UCE social action work continues. Here are some of the ways to offer support:

  • From the UUA tell congress: prepare elections for the COVID-19 crisis. Click here for more info.
  • Sign on with Illinois Prison Project and Restore Justice Illinois to ask Cook County States Attorney Kimberly Foxx for decarceration for Cook County. Click here to sign the petition.
  • Support Paid Sick Leave for All-- Illinois has no state paid leave policy and 1.5 million workers in Illinois have no right to a single paid sick day. Click here for an online form.
  • Volunteer at Connections for the Homeless sites. Learn more here.
  • Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-chairs of the Poor People's Campaign calling us to sign this petition Poverty Amidst Pandemic: A Moral Response to COVID-19 calling on Congress for a moral response to COVID-19. Click here to sign the petition.
  • Consider contacting MaryBeth Napier with the VoteLove section to send postcards to folks around the country encouraging them to vote. Or send your own and let us know how it is going. Go to https://votefwd.org to learn how you can help.
  • UCE's Social Action Council would like to thank Evanston Interfaith Clergy and Leaders for the first shipment of supplies from the Evanston Interfaith Action's Amazon wish list. Also, thank you to those who are sharing our wish list to get the word out as well as those volunteering in our soup kitchens and Hospitality Center. Check out the wishlist here.

Please contact these organizations to ensure you know current guidelines for dropping off any donations. Respectfully we do not have the expertise to make such recommendations and we realize that these are likely changing continually in response to new understandings around the novel coronavirus.  

If you know of ways fellow UUs can continue to participate in social action that are not included in this list, please reach out to Rev. Karen Mooney at kmooney@ucevanston.org. Thank you all for continuing to live UCE's mission, like the Immigrant Solidarity Team who delivered 200 books to Centro Romero for their after school program. (They were delivered the weekend before schools closed.) and the folks showing up in the rain to give meals on Wednesday! Let us know how you are showing up in the world.
Interfaith Action Needs Your Help!
For anyone qualified available, Interfaith Action is in need of volunteers who are not at risk due to their age or underlying conditions. Please contact them, if you might be able to help serve meals for other congregations who’s regular volunteer pool is unable to assist:  ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org . Thank you!
#VoteLove Deep Canvassing Training
Deep canvassing training isn’t just for those wanting to canvass! It’s about learning skills to help us have good and deep conversations with others where we feel confident and competent explaining how our UU values and principles inform our life choices. And it’s also learning more about how to listen to others deeply from our hearts. This workshop series is for EVERYONE! Please sign up and make our web of connection stronger! For more info contact MaryBeth Napier at mbnapier@comcast.net. 
How to get in touch with UCE's Ministers
Join Rev. Eileen Wiviott for lunch on Tuesdays. See the Wednesday email for more details.

Please contact Rev. Eileen via email at   ewiviott@ucevanston.org
Rev. Karen Gustafson will be with us virtually from her home in Minnesota. Rev. Karen G will be available for virtual office hours. See the Wednesday email for more details.

Look out for virtual opportunities to work with the Transitions team soon.

Feel free to e-mail kgustafson@
Join Rev. Karen Mooney for virtual office hours. See the Wednesday email for more details.

Please contact Rev. Karen Mooney via email at   kmooney@ucevanston.org
Welcome to Our Community
Interested in knowing more about UCE? How to submit something to Joys and Sorrows? How to get a nametag, or a rainbow or pronoun sticker for your nametag? Interested in bringing flowers and lighting the chalice on a Sunday? Scroll down for info on ongoing programs and useful information. Can't find your answers here? Click the button below to learn more on our website.
Virtual Meeting Tools
Despite UCE's physical closure, many meetings can and are continuing online. Staff are available to help with setting up virtual meetings and getting the word out to the congregation. For more information on how to set up a digital meeting, click the button below. Email Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org to add your event to UCE's calendar and to submit an article about your virtual meeting to the newsletter.
Giving By Text at UCE
Giving by Text is now possible for four areas:
Shared Plate Offering, Coffee & Bagels, Music Fund, UCE Operating Fun, and Capital Campaign.

Send a text message to  312-584-9160  with the amount you would like to contribute and  the code  for where you would like it to go (e.g., 50 OFFERING ). Valid codes are  OFFERING  (Shared Plate Offering),  PLEDGE  (Pledge Payment), MUSIC (music fund). Example text:  50 OFFERING  (give $50 to the shared offering). If you forget the funds, simply type in  FUNDS  and the list will pop up.

Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and debit or card information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt of your donation via e-mail. For future giving, send a text with the amount you wish to give, and it will process automatically! You can even text “repeat” to make it a recurring donation. Text giving is one of the fastest, easiest ways to give. We hope you enjoy this new way to share your generosity, and we thank you for supporting the church. To read more,  click here . If you experience any issues, contact Adam at  agough@ucevanston.org .

Once you have completed this process successfully, you can save the number in your text as UCE Donation and giving becomes one simple step.Please note: You can still pay for Fair Trade Cart and Book H items at those locations on Sunday morning. Joan Retzloff and Margaret Shaklee have an iPad and card reader for those accounts.
UCE Support Groups
The Cancer Support Group and the Caregiver Support Group are meeting virtually via Zoom during the pandemic. The Cancer Support Group call takes place every Sunday at 9:30 am , while the Caregiver Support Group meets virtually every Tuesday at 7:00 pm . Even if you have never participated in these groups, if you are looking for support in these areas, you are welcome to join in. And, if you don't have the Zoom app installed on your computer/phone, you can just dial in. More than ever, we need to support one another during this difficult time. Email Renee Hoff at  rdhoff99@yahoo.com  or Joyce Lofstrom at  joycelofstrom@gmail.com  for details.

Grief support group  for those who have suffered a loss will be facilitated by Ellen Rieger, an experienced grief therapist. No registration is required. If you are interested in attending virtual meetings or have general questions, contact Ellen at ellenerieger@gmail.com .
Opportunities For Virtual Spiritual Practice
Udumbara Buddhist Zen Community
Check out their website and Facebook for updates and virtual offerings.
All Welcome. For more information, click here.

Wednesdays at 9:30 am   (Virtual 8x8 Meeting)
Go to https://meetings.8x8.com and enter the meeting ID: uceyoga
For more information, click here.

Buddhist meditation with  Andrea DeMers
Email Andrea at ademers99@gmail.com for the link if you are interested in joining.

UCE Addictions and Recovery
Form more information about the group, click here.
Board Of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on April 16 at 7:00 pm.

Questions for the board? Email BOT@ucevanston.org.
UCE Facebook Groups
Did you know that, in addition to the  UCE Facebook Page , there are three UCE groups that members can join - the  UCE Member to Member Group , the  UCE Children and Youth Religious Education Group, and the  UCE Social Action Group ?  

These are closed groups that allow members to post directly to each other. If you have an event you want members to know about, or have a cause you hope to bring attention to, in addition to the newsletter and order of service, you can post to the Facebook Group. Click the links below or search for the groups by name when you are on Facebook and ask to join.
Quick Links