A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
The UCE building and grounds are available on a limited basis to small gatherings. Please read UCE's Reopening Guidelines before contacting staff about availability. We will continue to offer ways to connect virtually.
The Sunday virtual service will be at 11:15 am
“Faith on the Tightrope” – Rev. Lucas Hergert
Life can be precarious. Sometimes, it can feel as vulnerable as walking on a tightrope. How do we find faith for taking the next steps when we encounter uncertainty? This is a sermon about nurturing faith and finding hope in challenge.

The Rev. Lucas Hergert has been a minister since 2009, currently serving the North Shore Unitarian Church in Deerfield, Illinois. He grew up in a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Cincinnati, Ohio, and first heard his call to the ministry in high school. Lucas holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Miami University, a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Pacific School of Religion. Lucas was also previously a college faculty member, teaching courses in philosophy and comparative religion. His interests include yoga, Shakespeare plays, biking, continental philosophy, fantasy novels, interfaith work, and humor.

We encourage you to submit your joys and sorrows ahead of time to this online form. We will read aloud in the service, those that are submitted by 11 a.m. on Sunday. If you are unable to access the google form for some reason, you may send an email to Rev. Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@ucevanston.org, however, it is easier for us to keep track through the google form. We continue to celebrate and mourn together through this important ritual and appreciate your understanding as we explore the various ways to hold what is on your hearts.

This Sunday's shared offering recipients are My Block, My Hood, My City and Bryan Stevenson’s group Equal Justice Initiative. Your offering can be given through Text-to-Give, online, or mailed to the office with "Shared Offering" in the memo line.
Other Virtual Gatherings this Sunday
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom
Email Renee Hoff at rdhoff99@yahoo.com for details.
Virtual Coffee Hour
To join the virtual coffee hour by phone dial +13126266799,,94356542944#,,,,0#,,690720#
Important News and Upcoming Events
All Church Zoom gatherings continue on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Look 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.
We apologize for the disruption during last Sunday's virtual service. 
From Rev. Susan Frances, Director of Congregational Life
Dear Friends, 
 
I was so pleased that so many of you could join my ordination ceremony via Zoom on August 2, 2020. The accompanying photo is of me in the robe that I bought with the gift certificate to WomenSpirit Vestaments that UCE gave me at the end of my internship and the exquisite stole that Carol Nielsen created as my gift from UCE upon my ordination. Thank you! The other gift from UCE upon my ordination was the wonderful O Love piece by the joint UCE and 2U Choir! Thank you to everyone who sang, to Vickie Hellyer for the rehearsals and for conducting, to Gregory Shifrin for the accompaniment, and to Adam Gough for editing it all together.  
 
I have been thinking about the start of the new church year and how to express the tone and live into the culture shifting challenge set at the 2020 Virtual GA. The speakers I heard and the Actions of Immediate Witness that were passed reflected the calls I hear locally and nationally for a new social and economic order in conjunction with a revitalized democracy...
Capital Campaign Projects Update:
The Lobby and Wing Starting to Look Great!
Many thanks go to Sandy Danforth, Johna Van Dyke and Sandra Robinson, the CCIC Sub-Committee in charge of the Lobby and Wing Renovations who have been very busy. As you’ll see from the pictures below, we’re showing the tearing up of the tile, office furniture temporarily stored in Room 3, new solar shades and much more.
Outdoor Projects Blessing: Be sure to put September 2nd 6:30 PM on your calendar for the blessing of all of the outdoor projects. It will be a fun drive-in socially distanced event complete with goody bags.

For Further CCIC Updates go to the UCE homepage, scroll down to the button “Capital Campaign Projects Update” and you’ll see pictures and descriptions of the other projects we’ve been working on this year.
Brain Health & Wellness Virtual Series
The Pastoral Care Committee invites all to take part in their new Brain Health and Wellness Series: Aging, Memory, and Care in partnership with the Great Lakes Clinic Trials. You do not have to attend each part of the series, but all are encouraged to attend. Please register to participate so we can send you a Zoom link. Click the buttons below for the schedule of speakers and topics and the registration link.

Upcoming Session - August 19 at 7-8 pm - New treatments and clinical trials underway for Alzheimer’s
presenters: Amber Holst, Director Clinical Operations, Great Lakes Clinical Trial and Ida Manning, Alzheimer’s (prevention study) clinical trial volunteer
Widening the Circle of Concern Discussion
August 23 at 1pm on Zoom 
 
Virtual General Assembly in June centered the voices of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in Unitarian Universalism. Featured was the report, three years in the making, of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change (COIC), Widening the Circle of Concern.  Our hope is that every individual in our UCE beloved community will answer this call to radical change especially within our walls.  During the worship service on August 23rd, those who attended General Assembly will share their perspectives on why it is essential for us to examine systemic racism within our movement and our congregation. After the service, at 1pm, we will gather on Zoom to watch the Commission’s presentation on their findings and suggestions and discuss how we can answer their call to action. Here is the Zoom link, which will also be listed in the 11:15 livestream service. (Meeting ID: 949 8941 2389 - One tap mobile: +13126266799,,94989412389#)
August 30 - Service of Remembrance
For the fourth year in a row, the Chris Isely Cancer Support Group will sponsor a Service of Remembrance to honor loved ones we have lost to cancer or from any cause, whether in our church community or in our personal lives. Instead of meeting by the UCE rain garden as we have in the past, we'll be doing the service virtually. Rev. Eileen and members of the group will lead the brief ceremony, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2020. Anyone who wishes to honor the memory of a loved one, regardless of when that loss occurred, is invited to attend. 


To join by phone (audio only:)
Dial: 1-312-626-6799
Meeting ID#: 98382287114, then press #
Participant ID#: just press #
Password: 475876 and, then press #
Parking Lot Blessing - Wednesday, September 2nd at 6:30 pm
Drive, bike, or walk to UCE for a blessing of our new parking lot. No more dips, craters or crumbing asphalt. Just smooth, black asphalt with freshly painted lines and a newly laid sidewalk from Greenwood to the front door. We’ll gather safely from cars, or physically distanced with masks for walkers and bikers.  We offer our gratitude to the Capital Campaign Implementation Committee for all their hard work and many hours of planning to make the UCE parking lot safe and smooth. Join us for a short blessing and to pick up a goodie bag for Water Communion on September 13th. 
Gini Sayad's Virtual Memorial Service
Gini Sayad's virtual memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 5 at 1 pm. The service will be YouTube Livestreamed as our Sunday services are, and we will have a Zoom reception following with a link provided during the service. Save the links to the buttons below to attend these virtual events.
Jean Thompson's Virtual Memorial Service
Jean Thompson's virtual memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 12 at 2 pm. The service will be YouTube Livestreamed as our Sunday services are, and we will have a Zoom reception following with a link provided during the service. Save the links to the buttons below to attend these virtual events.
Registration Open for Virtual Series: Transcendentalism and Today
Join this 4-part Virtual Series "Transcendentalism and Today" with author John Beuhrens. Sessions will be hosted via Zoom on Saturday from 10 am - 11:30 am CST. Click the button below to register!

September 12 - Spiritual Friendships Across Differences
September 19 - Women’s Rights Then and Now
September 26 - Anti-Racism Then and Now
October 3 - Saving and Savoring Nature

This series is co-sponsored by Unitarian Church of Evanston, Unity Temple, and North Shore Unitarian Church. All are welcome to attend!
Hats Off to Sarah Vanderwicken!
Our hats are off to Sarah Vanderwicken for her dedication to social justice. Sarah's volunteer work at UCE is an extension of her commitment to dismantling white supremacy culture and addressing the issues arising from systemic racism. She has been a long-term member of the REAL Planning Group, and she serves on numerous community organizations including Joining Forces for Affordable Housing. Sarah has also been instrumental in leading the Social Justice Council in the process of evaluating and summarizing the mission and effectiveness of the 26 organizations nominated for the 2020-2021 shared offering program. Sarah, we are grateful for your commitment to collective liberation and the way you demonstrate, day after day, how to put our UU principles into action.
Your financial support is so appreciated!
Please help us ensure your contribution is credited appropriately by indicating on the memo line of your check if it is for 19/20 Pledge, 20/21 Pledge, Shared Offering or a Donation. 
If you are texting to give, please send a text message to 312-584-9160 with the amount you would like to contribute and the one word code for where you would like it to go (e.g., 50 OFFERING). Valid codes are OFFERING (Shared Offering), PLEDGE (Pledge Payment), CAP (Capital Campaign), or MUSIC (music fund). If you do not include a code after your donation amount, the system will automatically select PLEDGE. To learn more, click here. If you experience any issues or would like a one-on-one session to go over Text-to-Give, contact Adam at agough@ucevanston.org.

During these times when UCE staff are working from home we are trying to make trips to the church and our accounting tasks manageable for our Staff Accountant, Vickie Doebele. We respectfully request when you make a shared offering donation please do not ask for 100% to go to the organization. This truly would be helpful. We appreciate your understanding. 
Virtual Meeting Planning Tips!
Do you need help setting up a virtual event? Have you been hosting a virtual event and want to make the planning and publicity process easier? UCE ministers and staff are here to help! There are several ways you can host an online event for free. If a free meeting won't work for your meeting, consider these steps:
  1. Email the details of your meeting to admin@ucevanston.org so staff can help you set up and publicize your virtual event. Virtual UCE events can be advertised in the weekly newsletter, on the UCE calendar, on the UCE Facebook groups, and sometimes on the UCE homepage.
  2. Work with staff on deciding who would be best to host the meeting. Do you or a member of your group have their own Zoom account? Is someone in your group willing and able to purchase an account? In these times of social distancing, it may be worthwhile to purchase an account for a year and use it for any personal or UCE-related events. Will a minister or staff member attend your meeting? Staff will put you in touch with that staff member to see if they can host your meeting with their Zoom account. If not, we can use another staff member’s Zoom account.
  3. Once the Zoom link is created, consider whether you want to set up a registration for the virtual event. Is there a limit on how many you would like to participate? Do you want a list of participants so you can email them the link before the event?

Don't forget all UCE virtual events can be added to the UCE calendar. If you are interested in having your virtual events featured on the calendar, please contact the office at 847-864-1330 or email admin@ucevanston.org. If you want
Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Learn more about UCE's Immigrant Solidarity Team
Welcome to the Immigrant Solidarity Team Choose Your Own Adventure Newsletter Article! Below you will find a list of projects from last church year, which the IST sponsored. Choose a letter next to the topic you would like to learn more about and find it on the button below!  

A. Register new citizens to vote.   
B. Oscar Chacon discussion on the causes of migration out of the Northern Triangle countries.   
C. Shared plate for ICIRR. 
D. Team Brownsville Shared Plate recipient. 
E. Meeting with Representative Schakowsky. 
F. Partnership with PASO.
G. Micro-education regarding Resistbot. 
H. Supported Countryside Church efforts to establish Chalice House for asylees. 
I. Water for Matamoros encampment of migrants.
J. Donated Spanish books to Centro Romero.
K. Helped inform immigrants of West Rogers Park of free health care option.
L. Helped inform immigrants of West Rogers Park of census process and its importance. 
M. Informed UCE members of opportunity to assist in Chalice House preparation.
 
If any of these activities are of interest to you, and/or if you would like to participate in future, similar actions, join us! We meet on the third Saturday of the month, nearly every month. 
Fair Tax - Why Does This Matter? Virtual Event
Tuesday, August 18th @ 7:00 pm via Zoom

Presentation on IL Fair Tax with former Senator Daniel Biss.
We will also explore how to communicate about the Fair Tax based on our values. Hosted by the Unitarian Church of Evanston

Daniel Biss began his career as a mathematics professor at the University of Chicago before becoming an organizer and then elected official. He served as a member of the Illinois House and Illinois Senate and ran an insurgent grassroots campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor, coming in second in a crowded field. His campaigns and legislative service have all featured a strong commitment to public engagement, political reform, and economic justice.

Co-sponsors: UUANI, Vote Yes for Fair Tax and IL-League of Women Voters
Save the Date - Upcoming UUtheVote Events
WHOO-HOO!! UCE writers have completed over 11,000 postcards to folks in Wisconsin and Michigan to encourage people to vote. We helped progressive candidates win big-time in the Wisconsin primary. So give yourselves big hugs!!!!

Let's continue the momentum for the November election. Join UUtheVote for virtual postcard writing on Thursday August 27th at 6:00. More information to follow.

UUtheVote is hosting another gathering on the Lawn. Unfortunately, Mother nature had plans for our last gathering. But a few of us sat "on the porch" between raindrops! It was a very meaningful gathering. The spiritual sustenance was what we needed at this point on the journey. Our next Tea Party on the Lawn is Saturday, August 29th at 4:00. More information to follow.

Forward Together: The UUtheVote Team
Join the Green Team's Virtual Meetings!
Are you passionate about the environment? If yes, join the Green Team of UCE on some of our projects. Among other actions, we manage the composting service at UCE, we work with the city of Evanston on environmental justice and sustainability, we lobby with Faith in Place on related issues, we collaborate on green issues with the capital campaign team and we are working on a church wide recognition of the goals for the Paris Accord, as adopted here by the city of Evanston. We would love to add your voice and your projects to our work. We meet by zoom on the First Friday at 11am. Contact Renee Hoff or Andy Schlickman for the zoom link.
Donate to UCE's Soup Kitchen!
Our next Soup Kitchen event is on September 23rd, 2020.  We invite anyone wishing to help us reach our goal to consider donating.  

There are three options for making a donation: 
  • Online payment at the UCE website donation page by clicking here. At the donation page, click the yellow “Contribute Now” button. At the next page, enter your donation amount after the Soup Kitchen option and click the “continue” button at the bottom of the page to enter payment information. 
  • Write a check to UCE for the amount of the donation. In the memo field indicate it is for “Soup Kitchen” and mail the check to Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave., Evanston IL 60201. 
  • Donation by text. Enter your donation amount (e.g. 20 - no dollar sign) followed by “Soupkit” and send it to 312-584-9160. 

We look forward to seeing you all again when we can serve up a wonderful meal from our beautiful new kitchen! Questions? Contact Maggie Weiss at msmaggie6@comcast.net. 
REAL Team Food and Supplies Drive
We are so grateful for UCE’s generous donations that have been pouring in! Our recipient group has responded numerous times that they are so thankful for how our congregation is responding to their dire needs. (We are keeping their identity under wraps at this point to protect them, as they have been targeted with looting and death threats).

Want to help?  
The REAL Team has been asked to coordinate some much-needed supplies for some of our community partners who have been most impacted by the pandemic followed by civil unrest. Here is an Amazon list which includes the items that were asked for and especially needed. Please check the list and donate as much as you feel comfortable. We need multiples of many items. There are several ways you can help:
  • Using the link above, you can order from Amazon and have your supplies delivered directly to our drop off location (when you check out, the delivery address should say, “Becky Crawford’s Gift Registry”) We have volunteers lined up to drive donations to the needed locations.
  • You can purchase from Amazon or elsewhere, and deliver to the Crawford-Cloonan household directly (email for address). 
  • If you'd like to donate financially, you can send a check directly to UCE with "south side" in the memo line. Cash donations can be dropped off in an envelope to my house.
Any questions, contact Becky Crawford. Thank you for your support!
Take action today!
There are so many ways you can participate in social action, from showing up, signing on, donating, or committing yourself to learn more.


Social action continues! Check out the UCE Homepage for more ways you can support our communities. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org. Thank you all for continuing to live UCE's mission!
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education
Family Fun on the Lawn!
It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other, so we’re gathering in small groups on the lawn to catch up and play contactless games. To keep within our guidelines, please RSVP on the signup below that fits the age group of your kid(s). If you have kids in more than one age group, pick the one that fits your schedule better then. An email will go out a couple of days prior to each gathering with further info. See you then!

Pre/K - August 16 at 4-5 pm - Sign up here!
2nd-5th - August 24 at 6-7 pm - Sign up here!
6th-8th - September 3 at 6-7 pm - Sign up here!
High School - see below
Summer Opportunities for Youth and Family
For Families, Children, and Youth
How is your Summer Bucket List Challenge going? We are near the end already! If you’ve been doing the challenge, then send me a quick email by Sunday at kunderwood@ucevanston.org
Remember to share on social media what you are doing with the hashtag #UCEBucketList so we can see your beautiful faces and efforts!
Soulful Home: Compassion - Tons of Activities, stories, music, and more to explore on our theme this summer! Click here for ways to connect as a family to our faith!
For High School Youth
Gathering on the Lawn – August 30, 1-2:30 pm. All high school youth are invited for an end-of-summer gathering on the lawn at UCE! Please sign up here by August 27.
Parent and Family Resources


Feel free to add new resources that you find! Together, we can nurture the next generations and create an anti-racist society.
Summer Opportunities for Adults
The Science of Well-Being - continues at 7 pm Tuesday evenings for those enrolled.

Life planning occurs at many different stages of one’s life: going to school, getting married, starting a family, buying a house, and, as you move along life’s path toward retirement—acknowledging the need for planning and acting on housing, healthcare, financial and legal decisions. We do this to protect our assets and maintain or improve the quality of our lives. The seminar has been designed to encourage participants to take proactive steps for life planning. For example, you can plan to meet with an attorney to document your will or trust, explore investments needed to reach your financial goals, and make and record decisions regarding your future health care needs. 
Save the Date - Nonfiction Book Group!

Join the nonfiction book group in a Zoom meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 30th to select the books we’ll be reading and discussing this church year. Everyone is encouraged to bring/recommend a book. Check the Friday, August 28th newsletter for a link to the meeting. Also, consider getting a head start on the book we’ll discuss on September 27 and October 25, A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn. 
Join the UCE Team to Virtual MWLS!
UCE needs leaders with passion and vision. The online MidWest Leadership School will help you amplify skills you can use within and beyond UCE. Below are some details for this year's school. And happily, the $150 fee can be covered by our Endowment scholarships. Check out more details from MWLS below.

The Saturday Sessions will focus on the following themes:
  • September 12: Identity: Creating the Beloved Community, focusing on questions such as who is “us,” what covenants bind us together, widening our circle of inclusion
  • October 3: Mission Vision: Why Do We Bother, exploring the reasons your congregation exists, what your purpose in the world is
  • October 24: Systems: How Does It All Fit Together, focusing on congregational DNA, how things work, how to lead from a systemic position
  • November 14: Conflict: Being Together Across Differences, exploring how congregations resolve issues, and how to be together while disagreeing

Two UCE members are planning to attend and you could help them build a UCE team.
MWLS encourages teams from congregations to sign up together: There will be lots of conversation, sometimes with your congregational team, and other times in cross-congregation groups. They found that having a team attend helps you implement the material in your congregations. Contact Shirley Adams or Kathy Underwood for details on joining the UCE team.
Welcome to Our Community
Interested in knowing more about UCE? 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.
How to get in touch with UCE's Ministers
UCE ministers are available throughout the week by appointment. If you are in need of pastoral care or someone to talk to, please reach out to them by email.
We are here for you.
Rev. Eileen Wiviott - ewiviott@ucevanston.org
Rev. Karen Gustafson - kgustafson@ucevanston.org
Rev. Susan Frances - sfrances@ucevanston.org
Pathways to Membership
Our next Intro to UU class takes place September 13th at 2-3:30 pm. Journey Toward Membership takes place in two parts: part one is Monday, September 21st; 6-7:30 pm and part two is Thursday, September 24th from 6-7:30.

If you would like to take part in an upcoming class, please email Adam Gough at agough@ucevanston.org. We're excited to welcome our new members that have recently joined! Click here for more information about membership classes.
Offer to Provide Technical Support
Physical separation is leading many of us to find new ways of forming and maintaining virtual connections through the internet. The UCE staff and Board of Trustees wants to make sure that no one is isolated because they lack access to technology or technical skills.

If you would like assistance please reach out to: 

We will be happy to work with you to make sure that you get the most out of your membership experience using the latest tools.
Opportunities For Community Connection
Learn Spanish Group
Mondays at 7 pm
For more information, click here.

UCE Men's Group
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here to join the virtual meeting.
For more information, click here.

Retired (but never retiring!) Women
monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 5pm.
For information, contact Margie Rogasner.

Caregiver Support Group
Tuesdays at 7 pm via Zoom.
E-mail Renee Hoff at rdhoff99@yahoo.com or Joyce Lofstrom at joycelofstrom@gmail.com for details.

Udumbara Zen Sangha
Tuesday Evenings and Saturday Mornings
For more information email udumbara@udumbarazen.org.

Wednesdays at 9:30 am (Virtual 8x8 Meeting)
For more information, click here.

Buddhist Meditation 
E-mail Andrea DeMers at ademers99@gmail.com for the link.

UCE Addictions and Recovery
Form more information about the group, click here.

Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is Aug 15)
For more information, click here.

Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
Sundays at 9:30 am via Zoom
E-mail Renee Hoff at rdhoff99@yahoo.com for details.

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.
Beware scam e-mails and texts from those
posing as UCE ministers and Staff
Please do not respond to the e-mail or text scam that is going out with Rev. Eileen's or Sandra's names. UCE ministers and Staff will never ask you for money in an e-mail or for you to send gift cards to anyone. Check the e-mail address and phone number it is coming from. If it is not Eileen's or another minister's, it is a scam. Most of you have gotten wise to these scams. They will keep coming nonetheless. Thank you to those who let us know they received this scam.

This is someone who is using Eileen's or Sandra's name with a generated email address and phone number. They haven't hacked their personal accounts. The e-mail addresses Eileen will send messages from will be either ewiviott@hotmail.com or ewiviott@ucevanston.org. The address Sandra will send messages from is srobinson@ucevanston.org. If you are unsure about the number texting you, please call the office.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on September 17 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