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
|
|
|
|
“So What's Next” – Rev. Karen Gustafson
There is an old saying that goes something like, “People plan. God laughs”. Not so much for me a theological statement as a reminder to be nimble in my planning in the face of the impossible to plan for. And so it is that we pick up the work of moving UCE in the direction of forming a new covenant with a settled minister in the midst of a pandemic and in the face of a renewed commitment on the part of our whole religious movement to address systemic racism and white supremacy culture. The next phase of the Ministerial process will involve your input through a survey and cottage meetings to commence and complete by the end of October. And the work of the Interim continues. What will that look like? Why does it matter?
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 recipient is the Brennan Center for Justice. 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 |
|
|
|
Service of Remembrance at 9:30 am via Zoom
More details below in "Important News and Upcoming Events."
Virtual Coffee Hour at 12:15 pm via Zoom
To join the virtual coffee hour by phone dial +13126266799,,94356542944#,,,,0#,,690720#
Nonfiction Book Group at 4 pm (please note time change) via Zoom
More details below in "What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education."
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
From Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director |
|
|
|
I will be away from September 3 through September 24 If there is an urgent message for me, please contact Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org or call the general number at UCE 847-864-1330.
This is an exciting week for UCE as we plan for the parking lot blessing scheduled for next Wednesday. Please see information in this newsletter. Greg Grabowski, Janelle Brittain and I have been busy working on punch lists, sharing ideas on landscaping, hiring our grounds care person to lay mulch, trim trees, and install sod. Liz and Steven have diligently watered new sod. Greg and I are currently orchestrating the installation of our new planters which will serve as protection for those who are making their way from our sidewalk to the accessibility ramp. These planters will also provide a spark of color to the entrance our church. Our parking lot and entrance to our beloved space is forever changed in a lovely way. In the fall we will resume planning for an accessible and inclusive bathroom in the lower level, as well as the Intergenerational Playscape east of the wing and the accessibility ramp from the southwest sanctuary door. Please visit our website to follow updates on Capital Campaign projects as we continue to move forward.
Greg Grabowski and I are working on a team with Andy Schlickman and Michael Drennan of the Green Team to explore sanctuary cooling options for our sanctuary. We have been meeting at 9 a.m. every Monday morning for several weeks and will continue to do so until our research, the consultant’s work is complete, and we make a final decision on the appropriate system for our sanctuary. Once complete the consultant will prepare drawings and send RFPs to HVAC companies to obtain competitive bids for the work. I will keep you apprised in future newsletters, as will Janelle Brittain, CCIC Chair, in her monthly reports and newsletter articles...
|
|
|
|
Service of Lament for Jacob Blake |
|
|
|
From Rev. Eileen Wiviott
I am running out of ways to say my heart is broken. I have no more words to express the outrage I feel about the merciless, cowardly and hateful violence inflicted on black bodies. The shooting of Jacob Blake III, in front of his three children on Sunday night, is only the most recent example. I don’t have the words to express how deeply sad and angry I am for the pain and loss I imagine his family is feeling and the trauma his children have experienced. I pray that they find a way to heal from that horrific experience.
At the rally in Evanston on Tuesday night, Alderman Cicely Fleming spoke of the collective trauma of racism and violence. Each new violent example of the destructive and vile white supremacy that rules our nation, unchecked by our criminal injustice system, adds to our collective and compounded trauma. Our world, our community, and each one of us is in need of collective healing and repair from this physical, mental and spiritual trauma.
This week, I learned of the history of solidarity between the Unitarian Church of Evanston and Ebenezer AME Church in Evanston. I knew that our former minister, Charles Eddis, marched for open housing in Evanston in the 1960’s. I didn’t realize until this week that it was Jacob Blake’s grandfather, Rev. Jacob Blake Sr., who led those marches and championed affordable housing especially for senior citizens. I am regretful that a close collegial relationship hasn’t continued between our congregations over the years. I’ve reached out to Rev. Deborah Scott to offer my support, in whatever way it might be needed or wanted. I will attend the outdoor service of lament on Sunday at 2pm at 1800 Maple Ave. I hope you will join me if you are able, even though I know it will not be enough. I will weep for the victims of corrosive and destructive white supremacy, so flagrantly on display through the weak and the pitiless...
|
|
|
|
Ministerial Search Committee Update |
|
|
|
An important part of the Search Committee’s work is hearing from you and including your opinions and experience in discerning the next settled minister. We want to hear about your experiences at UCE. What inspires you about our congregation and what keeps you involved? How do you envision our church’s future? What skills and experiences would be helpful in a settled minister?
We encourage you to take our anonymous survey between now and September 20 and let us know your thoughts. Your answers will inform the information we share with potential ministers about the congregation and help us discern what our community is looking for in a settled minister. After the survey is complete and the results have been aggregated, we will share the results with the entire congregation.
We look forward to hearing from you!
|
|
|
|
From the Board of Trustees |
|
|
|
The Board of Trustees is asking all members to assist the Ministerial Search Committee in its work. In order for us to have the best match possible for our settled minister, we need to all participate in the process.
The committee needs to complete a Congregational Record, which will become available for prospective ministers who are looking for a congregation. There are three important ways we, the congregation, can help in its creation. The Board of Trustees is asking everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to participate. Our success in finding a good match depends on our doing so.
One key ingredient is the Congregational Survey which is now available for us to complete. UUA believes that the best matches are found when 75 % or more of the congregation completes the survey. That means that we need about 300 of our 400 members to participate in the survey...
|
|
|
|
Submit your Spirit of Life Video - Deadline Extended
|
|
|
|
Have you been kicking yourself for not having recorded yourself singing Spirit of Life in time for the due date? Well, we have good news for you! The due date has now been extended to Tuesday, September 1st!
Through the magic of technology and Adam’s amazing technological abilities, we have the chance to create, virtually, the experience of singing “Spirit of Life” together as a congregation!
To get access to these tools to record yourself singing “Spirit of Life,” click on the link below:
- To learn how to do the recording: A document containing directions on how to record your video
-
To see the words and music: Spirit of Life lyrics and Spirit of Life sheet music (from the grey hymnal)
- To sing along with as you record (3 options):
-
Gregory’s accompaniment of Spirit of Life
- video of Rev Eileen Wiviott singing along with Gregory's accompaniment
- video of Jon Siegel singing along with Gregory's accompaniment
You get to choose whether you'd like to record while singing with Gregory's accompaniment or with his accompaniment plus Rev Eileen or Jon Siegel singing in your ear! Cool beans, eh?
|
|
|
|
Recordings need to be uploaded by September 1st.
Have questions?
Thanks to all who plan to record and submit videos and thanks to all who have already submitted videos!
|
|
|
|
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. You are invited to bring a drum or other percussion instrument (it could be a bucket or spoons or a rattle or shaker) for our blessing. Those who are walking or biking to the church, please wear masks and remain socially distant. Since space is limited, we ask that you RSVP for one of two time slots - 6:30 or 7pm.
|
|
|
|
Submit photos for Virtual Water Communion |
|
|
|
Please send in your photos for our annual water communion on September 13th. These can be photos of water in or around your home, or wherever you have encountered water that has cleansed, nourished, refreshed or sustained you. Send these photos as high resolution jpegs if possible to ewiviott@ucevanston.org by September 6. |
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
The Worship Arts Committee Open for New Members |
|
|
|
The Worship Arts Committee is looking for a couple new members. Here is what we do: We run the Worship Associates program. We also assist our Ministers and our Music Director with ideas and various tasks related to putting together the worship services; this may include ideas about readings, music, and other elements in the worship services. We typically meet the second Wednesday of each month. If you have interest in these activities and would like to lend your ideas and voice, please contact Robb Geiger at rjg6177@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
UCE and Evanston's Climate Action Resilience Plan |
|
|
|
Recently the Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution calling UCE to adopt the goals and principles of Evanston's Climate Action Resilience Plan. The plan sets targets for reducing carbon emissions and waste, and managing the canopy of and stormwater for the city and wider community. "This resolution articulates our shared values of environmental sustainability, accountability and justice" says Eileen Wiviott, acting Senior Minister at UCE. "Though the specifics of how we move toward the aspirations of this resolution will be unfolding, the staff, board, and leadership of UCE are committing to work together toward this important aim."...
|
|
|
|
Hats Off to Marjorie Rogasner! |
|
|
|
Our hats are off to Marjorie Rogasner! Marjorie has been the lead of the Retired (but never retiring) Women's Group and continues to create a space for community during these socially distant times. Her group has met on the UCE lawn for the last couple months, graciously following UCE's guidelines. Marjorie routinely shows up early to set up signage, social-distanced seating, and to kindly refresh her group of the guidelines for meeting in person.
Thank you Marjorie for your positive attitude and flexibility as we are all adapting to new ways of using our church and grounds. You have been a great example of how to support the staff and UCE as we work to best serve our beloved community. Thank you for creating a space for your group to meet safely in person and your stellar communication with staff! Thank you for creating a space for your group to meet safely in person!
|
|
|
|
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), SOUPKIT (Soup Kitchen), 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
UUtheVote on the UCE Lawn |
|
|
|
Come to UUtheVote's gathering on the UCE lawn, Saturday, August 29th at 4:00pm.
In addition to celebrating community, we will have spiritual sustenance, a Dance of Universal Peace and a postcard exchange (socially distant, of course). Today the weather forecast is great: partly sunny and 78 degrees.
Things to bring: mask, lawn chair, insect repellent, your favorite beverage, completed postcards. Bathrooms will NOT be available.
Forward Together - The UUtheVote Team
|
|
|
|
Interfaith Action of Evanston in need of volunteers! |
|
|
|
Door keepers! Welcome guests to the Hospitality Center at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave. Time slots for volunteers are from 7am - 9am and 9am - 11:00am. Monday through Friday. The position responsibilities are minimal and you are welcome to bring a book or electronic device. Here is the link to sign up!
& Grocery shoppers! Once a week go to the store for groceries and bring to the Hospitality Center. Our guests will carry the groceries from your car. Interfaith Action pays for the groceries!
|
|
|
|
Poll Workers Needed for November Election! |
|
|
|
America is facing a record shortage of poll workers this year due to the coronavirus. Most poll workers are over the age of 60 and, in the era of uncertainty, fewer are signing up. Our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure elections run smoothly and everyone's vote is counted. You can make sure we have a safe, fair, efficient election for all.
If you are younger, and, or, considered a low risk individual, please consider signing up for this paid opportunity! Training takes place in a couple of weeks and PPE is usually provided. Get front row experience in our democratic system and help power the polls!
|
|
|
|
There are so many ways you can participate in social action, from showing up, signing on, donating to committing yourself to learn more.
Jacob Blake #SayHisName #BlackLives Matter
- Learn more about Jacob Blake, the 29-year old who is now paralyzed after being shot by police in Kenosha, WI on August 23, 2020, and his connection with Evanston. Jacob Blake is the grandson of the Rev. Jacob Blake, who was the minister of the Ebenezer AME church in Evanston from 1967 to 1976. Rev. Blake, the minister of UCE, and other Evanston religious leaders organized the open-housing marches in the late 1960's leading to the Evanston city council passing an open-housing ordinance.
- Show up to the outdoor Service of Lament for Jacob Blake this Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 2:00 pm at Ebenezer AME Church Parking Lot, 1109 Emerson Street, Evanston, IL. Social distancing and face coverings are required. Mayor Stephen Hagerty issued a public invitation to “All community members … to attend to support the Blake family, and to continue to work to heal the deep wounds and racial injustices that plague our country.”
-
Sign on to this petition to WI Governor Tony Evers and the Kenosha Wisconsin Police Department or contact them directly to Demand Justice for Jacob Blake.
“Protest is telling the truth in public. We’re saying, This is a truth that you tried to hide, that you tried to tell us we weren’t supposed to talk about, and we refuse to let you do that. Protest opens space for the solution;…. I am mindful that like protest, voting is one tool in the toolkit, and the only way to build a house is to use all the tools. I tell people to vote, not because it’ll automatically change the world, but because we’re trying to build a house.”
~ DeRay Mckesson (italics are authors; bold is added) from his appearance on the podcast, At Liberty.
Keep at it!
- Donate
- Donate deodorant to the Interfaith Action of Evanston’s SnapGap project. This is a rotating request for items and this time they are collecting deodorant to hand out at the twice monthly Produce Mobile distributions. The snap card covers only food for families and other needy people in our area. You may purchase deodorant products and have them shipped directly to or shop for products and hand deliver them to:
SnapGap: Interfaith Action of Evanston
c/o Melissa Appelt
900 Hunter Road
Glenview, IL 60025
-
Donate to UU The Vote, a non-partisan faith initiative of the UUA to engage our neighbors, educate our communities, mobilize voters, and rally around key ballot initiatives. In 2020, the UUA is supporting congregations and UU organizations in activating thousands of Unitarian Universalists to mobilize for electoral justice at the local, state, and national levels.
-
Protect the USPS - The United States Postal Service, is overseen by its Board of Governors. Email the members to insist they call an emergency meeting in order to undo as many of the recent changes as possible, including prohibiting overtime, removing sorting machines, reassigning experienced managers, and increasing the cost to mail a ballot from 22 to 55 cents, thus making sure that the Postal Service is able to fulfill its statutory requirement to “provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services” to its customers:
-
Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General: louis.dejoy@usps.gov
-
Robert Duncan, Chairman: mduncan@inezdepositbank.com
-
John Barger: barger.jm@gmail.com
-
Ron Bloom: ron.bloom@brookfield.com
-
Ramon Martinez IV: roman@rmiv.com
-
Donald L. Moak: lee.moak@moakgroup.com
-
William Zollars: DirectorAccessMailbox@cigna.com
- Early voting and mail-in ballot options
-
How to vote in Evanston - Learn more here.
-
How to vote in Cook County - Learn more here.
-
Tell your federal representatives to expand voting access during COVID-19, click into the ACLU action link here.
-
Census - Make sure your community is represented, submit your census form online or call 844-330-2020. The deadline for completing the census form has been extended to October 31, 2020.
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!
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Learn more about UCE's Immigrant Solidarity Team |
|
|
|
UCE's Immigrant Solidarity Team has been involved with a number of projects over the last year. These include registering new citizens to vote, sponsoring organizations for UCE's shared plate program, providing educational and volunteer opportunities to congregants, supporting the establishment of the Chalice House for Asylees, and much more. Check out the button below! 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. |
|
|
|
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education |
|
|
|
|
|
|
September brings cooler weather – perfect for gathering outside! Meet other parents and let the kids run around and have fun! Perhaps even have a campfire and s’mores. 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. An email will go out a couple of days prior to each gathering with further info. See you then!
|
|
|
|
Parent and Family Resources |
|
|
|
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!
Feel free to add new resources that you find! Together, we can nurture the next generations and create an anti-racist society.
|
|
|
|
Non-Fiction Book Group – August 30 at 4 pm - PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE. The group will be choosing titles for the coming year. Everyone is encouraged to bring/recommend a book. Check the Friday, August 28th newsletter for a link to the meeting. And mark your calendar for September 27 and October 25 to discuss A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zen. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
UCE Forum - Sunday, September 6th at 10 am
UCE will continue its Forum Series this fall. Virtually, of course. We'll run from 10:00 to 11:00 AM each Sunday, just prior to the 11:15 AM Service. Our goal in each of these sessions is discussion among the participants. Usually, the presenter(s) provide a 15-minute summary of the topic at hand, followed by 45 minutes of discussion, input from the attendees, questions and answers, etc.
Our first fall session, on September 6th. will be led by Dick Whitaker. The topic will be "Concepts of God." In the first 15 minutes, we'll briefly cover them historically, from the earliest to the latest, perhaps "Paganism" to "Ground of Being." And then proceed to a discussion of the participants' concepts. Unitarianism is a non-creedal religion, not requiring any particular concept of God. To whatever extent you are comfortable, let's talk about your concept. For a more in-depth look, check out the new RE program starting September 15.
New Program! Visions of God
Tuesdays, beginning Sep. 15 7-9 pm via Zoom
Facilitated by UCE members Bob Mesle and Dan Solomon.
The goal of this 7-session program is to help people explore a range of important visions embracing or rejecting “God,” and to share personal journeys with each other. We hope class members will learn some new ideas, clarify familiar ones, make new connections, and enrich in their own thinking.
|
|
|
|
Learn to Embody Racial Justice as a Spiritual Practice |
|
|
|
The REAL Team is thrilled to announce that Beloved Conversations is resuming this fall with a virtual format. Beloved Conversations is a great introduction for members of UCE who have not previously done substantial personal work on understanding equity and inclusion, on race and on other forms of oppression.
Beloved Conversations: Virtual is designed and offered for the 2020-2021 church year with a new curriculum organized in three "phases” that resonate with earlier versions but have vastly new features and a three-pronged program of Within, Among, and Beyond. Click here for more information on the program. The price for a lay UU Individual is $150. Additional information on pricing can be found by clicking the button below.
The REAL Team along with the UCE Anti-Oppression Task Force urge you to consider enrolling! It is vital to our work as a faith community that we all partake in learning and self-reflection on the racist world in which we live, preparing us to act for justice.
|
|
|
|
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
Seven 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. Registration closes on September 1. Contact Shirley Adams or Kathy Underwood for details on joining the UCE team.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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
For more information, click here.
UCE Men's Group
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7 pm via conference call.
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.
Udumbara Zen Sangha
Tuesday Evenings and Saturday Mornings
For more information, click here.
Buddhist Meditation
UCE Addictions and Recovery
Form more information about the group, click here.
Greenwood Group Interest Club
People interested in learning about personal investing by doing
4th Thursdays every month at 7:30 pm (next meeting September 24)
Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is September 12)
For more information, click here.
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
Sundays at 9:30 am via Zoom
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.
|
|
|
|
The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on September 17 at 7:00 pm. Please email the office at admin@ucevanston.org if you would like to attend.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
