A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole
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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.
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The virtual worship service will be at 11:15 am
This Sunday, January 10
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The Radical Imagination of Martin Luther King, Jr. – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. laid out a vision of the ‘KIN’-dom of heaven: a world where people are judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin and children of all races play joyfully and freely together. White liberal America readily embraces this vision, but what about King’s more ‘radical’ message of egalitarian justice, economic equity, and collective liberation? What is our responsibility as progressive people of faith to further King’s dream of revolutionary love and to promote the ethical and moral imperatives he lived and died for?
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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 am 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.
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This Sunday's shared offering recipient is Community Renewal Society (CRS). Your offering can be given through Text-to-Give, online, or mailed to the office with "Shared Offering" in the memo line.
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Other Gatherings this Sunday |
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom
Forum Discussion via Zoom at 10 am
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Virtual Coffee Hour immediately following Worship Service
+13126266799,,94356542944#,,,,,,0#,,690720# US (Chicago)
Practice Zoom Voting following Virtual Coffee Hour
REvisioning our Multigenerational Community via Zoom at 2 pm
More information below.
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Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual Worship Service
Join the Second Baptist Church Livestream "Recapturing the Dream of Unity in a Broken Country" on Sunday, January 17 at 3pm.
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From City of Evanston: COVID-19 Vaccination Update
ll individuals 16 years and older who live OR work in Evanston are encouraged to complete the form to receive regular updates on the vaccine process and when and where the vaccine will be available to them. This is not a vaccine registration form. Visit the City’s COVID-19 Vaccine web page for additional information and frequently asked questions.
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Important News and Upcoming Events |
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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.
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From Rev. Karen Gustafson, Interim Minister |
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Dear ones,
The Fifth Unitarian Universalist Principle is our covenant to affirm and promote “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large”.
This principle is utmost in our minds and hearts as the integrity of the time honored system for choosing our nation’s leader is being challenged and tested.
By contrast, you, the members of UCE, have been engaged in an example of what democracy looks like. Like the process for choosing a US President, the process for calling a settled minister is imperfect. But when engaged with integrity and good faith, both have the potential for selecting leaders who will join fully in a shared effort to serve the greater good...
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From the Ministerial Search Committee:
Candidating Week
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From now until the congregational meeting and vote on January 24, we encourage you to reflect on your expectations of our senior minister. If the congregation calls Rev. Eileen, what actions do we take to support her ministry and continue, with her guidance, to create the Beloved Community?
To provide opportunities for us to reflect and discuss together how we move forward in our shared ministry, the Search Committee is hosting a virtual Candidating Week from January 13th to January 24th. We encourage all members of the congregation to participate, and encourage you to visit the MSC webpage for information about meeting dates and times, along with Zoom links for all scheduled meetings.
In preparation for these meetings, Rev. Eileen asks that we reflect on the following question: What do we (meaning each of us and all of us together) bring to the shared ministry and mission of UCE moving forward?
Shared ministry is a commitment to fulfill the mission of UCE as a mutually accountable partnership: the idea lives out the affirmation that all people are called to ministry. As members of a faith community, we are invited to serve together in a spirit of mutuality as partners. You can find more information about shared ministry on the MSC webpage.
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An Important Message from the BOT:
Instructions for Voting at the Congregational Meeting
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Practice Zoom Voting this Sunday, January 17!
Stick around at the end of Coffee hour (about 1 pm). This is meant for members who may feel unsure about how to submit your Zoom Poll vote within a Zoom meeting.
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A congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 24th, immediately following the service to vote on calling our ministerial candidate, Reverend Eileen Wiviott. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, we will be holding our meeting virtually. If you cannot do zoom, and would like a phone buddy for the meeting and vote, please contact Martha Holman at holman.martha@gmail.com for arrangements.
In following UCE’s Bylaws, in order to be able to conduct a vote on this important issue, we must have a quorum of 40% of our congregation’s eligible voting members. This quorum differs from that of our annual meeting, which only requires 20%. You must be a UCE member for at least 90 days to vote. It is important that as many eligible voting members of the congregation as possible be present. Additionally, in accordance with our Bylaws, in order to be called, a minister must receive a positive vote from 80% of the votes cast by eligible voting members of the congregation present at the meeting. The UUA recommends it be 90% of the votes...
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UCE Participates in Evanston Interfaith Community Project:
Let Our People Go!
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Evanston Interfaith Clergy, Leaders, and Communities place Porta Potties on their properties to serve those in the Community without a home.
Until our City Council steps up to install permanent facilities for those without adequate bathroom access, our faith communities recognize this as an immediate and urgent need, as well as an issue of justice. The Porta Potties are located at St. Paul's Church, Lake Street Church, 1st Congregational Church, and the Unitarian Church of Evanston. The funds to place and maintain these facilities have been contributed by Beth Emet the Free Synagogue, Reba Place Church, Northminster Presbyterian, St. Mark's Episcopal, St. Luke's Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, and the Unitarian Church of Evanston.
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Virtual Memorial Service for Alma Woods |
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A memorial service honoring the life of Alma Woods will be held on Saturday, January 16th at 10 am. The service will be held via Youtube Livestream and followed by a Zoom reception. Please use the buttons below to join these events.
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RE-visioning Our Multigenerational Community |
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We have been exploring our purpose and mission during this interim ministry period with Rev. Karen’s grace and guidance. Before we closed our doors last March, a group of us had met to share our hopes and dreams for the religious education program as we look towards calling a new minister. We had many insights and ideas! And now we are ready to continue the journey. Will you join us?
Rev. Karen, Rev. Eileen, and Kathy Underwood want to hear what is on your heart and mind, centered around the questions:
- “What is the role of a faith community in your life and your child(ren)’s life?”
- “How can UCE create a mutually caring, thriving, supportive faith community?”
It is not our intent to stir up feelings of guilt either. Rather, we wish to discover what obstacles you’re facing and what you have passion around.
Please note that the January 9 gathering was cancelled due to few registrants. Instead, we are combing those registered for that Saturday with the gathering on this Saturday, January 16. Feel free to sign up for another one!
Please join us for ONE of the following virtual gatherings:
January 16 – 1-2:30 pm
January 17 – 2-3:30 pm
We look forward to seeing you there!
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BLUU Havens Chicago January Gathering |
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We welcome you to join us for our January Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism BLUU Havens Chicago Gathering on January 16th at 1-2:30 pm via Zoom.
Due to the recent activities in Washington DC and across the country many have voiced their desire to have a safe space to share their joys, hopes, fears, and sorrows. This will be a Black Only Sacred Space. To request a zoom link please email: BLUUHavenChicago@gmail.com.
What is BLUU Havens? “Everybody wants a place to call home. What many Black UUs have clearly articulated a need for is a Black Unitarian Universalism that offers an unequivocal and unwavering sense of home to Black people who feel held by, or want to be more connected to, Black ancestry, Black love, Black thought, Black artistry, and Black faith. What we want is a Unitarian Universalism that, at EVERY turn, honors, uplifts, and equips our Black Lives. So the development of BLUU Havens & BLUU Harbors came alive!
And after quite some time of deep listening, dreaming, discerning, and developing, Black Lives of UU is thrilled to have launched the process for social groups and spiritual communities of predominantly Black UU and Black UU-adjacent folks (folks who share our values of Love, Liberation & Justice) to become established as BLUU Havens or BLUU Harbors!!!” - BLUU
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Community Renewal Society Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events |
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CRS invites all members of the Chicago community to spend January 18 with us as we reflect on the lives of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bayard Rustin. Mr. Rustin was a critical figure alongside Dr. King advocating for racial justice, gay and civil rights. Screen the film, Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, which chronicles the life of Bayard Rustin and how he, a Black gay man, contributed to the civil rights movement and the March on Washington.
The event is sponsored by CRS’ Organizing and Policy Team and the Bayard Rustin Fellow on LGBTQIA+ rights and social justice. After registering for this free event, you will be sent a link to view the film. On Monday, January 18 at 10 am, join a panel of local activists, faith leaders and gay rights advocates for a powerful post-screening discussion.
Monday afternoon and evening, join CRS for one of two healing circles centered on Dr. King's concern for suffering at the intersection of poverty and race which will be guided by two healing circle facilitators trained by Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation. We invite you to learn more about healing circles and register for either the 1 pm or 6 pm CST session.
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Rainbow Alliance Valentine's Day Card Making Night |
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You're invited to virtually join Rainbow Alliance on January 29 at 7 pm to make Valentines Day cards. You provide your own craft supplies and creativity while we craft some cards for some sweeties together over Zoom. Email Jordan (jordan.strueber@gmail.com) or Lizzy (eapowers1019@gmail.com) to be added to the invite list.
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Financial Update from the Executive Operations Director |
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Year-end tax statements will be sent by email during the last week of January. We know that some of you have been requesting these statements. Staff Accountant, Vickie Doebele, is still making year-end adjustments and tracking donations that occurred during December, so look for your statement by email later this month.
If you have registered in REALM you can look up your donations. If you are not, please contact Adam Gough to get registered. There are many benefits to signing up. The email statement will reflect your complete giving for calendar year 2020.
Last evening the Integrated Stewardship Council met for its usual 3rd Thursday of the month meeting. ISC members approved the preliminary budget, which will then go to the Board for review and approval on Thursday, January 21. Members of the Budget Working Group are Susan Comstock, Treasurer; Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Rob Wingader, ISC Member-At-Large; Joe Romeo, Board Vice President, and myself, Sandra Robinson.
A Budget Town Hall Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, February 14 at 12:30 pm after the worship service.
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From the Denominational Affairs Committee |
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The 2021 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association will meet virtually, Thursday - Sunday, June 23-27. This is an excellent opportunity for people who have not gone before to participate. Registration is open for youth and adults at UUA.org/GA. Financial support is available from both UUA and UCE for the $200 registration fee. UCE is seeking and encouraging first time attendees and those who may need financial assistance. Questions? Contact a board member or Lee Bannor or Shirley Adams for more information.
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Robb is always jolly on the spot to help our congregation and staff. He serves as co-lead on Buildings and Grounds. Robb assembles scaffolding and rises to the top of our sanctuary to change light bulbs each year. This past week he installed a postal box at the south entrance and completed the assembly of our new bike racks. The little library replica of UCE that graces our parking lot entrance was made by him.
Robb is a man of many talents. He has been a UCE Choir member for decades (he and Barb even met in the choir) and sings solos and in small ensembles on occasion. He also plays piano at UCE on occasion. We most recently saw him accompany the Serendipitous Singers and hosted with his wife Barb our fantastic auction online party in November. Robb is a member of the Worship Arts Committee and has spent countless hours doing inventory of the UCE musical instruments and digitizing the UCE Choir music library. He even travels to some choir members’ homes to deliver choir music, when needed, to their door.
What a guy! Thank you, Robb, for all that you do for our congregation.
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UCE Building Use & Scheduling |
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With the rising of COVID-19 cases in the Chicagoland area, we highly encourage groups to meet virtually. UCE's building is available for small group meetings (10 or less people) or individual appointments on request. All meeting requests must be sent to Jessica Meis, Communications Coordinator at admin@ucevanston.org. Please note your request is not finalized until you have received an email confirmation from the office and you see your event on the UCE Calendar.
Please note that staff hours are mostly worked remotely from their homes. Ministers and staff are happy to meet with you by appointment over the phone or Zoom. Click here for ministers and staff contact information. At this time, the office is not open for drop-in visits. If you have a scheduled in-person meeting or appointment, please review UCE's Covid Guidelines. We ask that all who enter the building sign in and out on the clipboard at the door, wear a mask at all times, refrain from bringing food or drink (water is allowed), and follow the directions of staff on duty.
Thank you for keeping our UCE community safe during this time. We look forward to having you all back in the building when it is safe to do so.
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It seems some emails are not finding their way to me. If you have sent me an email or several emails and I haven't responded within 48 hours, it probably means I didn't get it. Please contact admin@ucevanston.org or you can call or text me on my cell phone which is available through the church directory. I do want to hear from you and I apologize for any missed communications.
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Help Build Community Connection - Set up your Realm Account Today! |
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UCE's new membership database has launched! Don't forget to set up your account, so you can start taking advantage of this awesome system. Login to see your giving history, update your contact information, and access the updated and more secure directory! Group leaders can take attendance and keep track of who is participating in their group. Realm has so much more to offer, so join us online and check it out! Contact Adam if you need more help setting up your account at agough@ucevanston.org.
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What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education |
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Welcome to our January theme of Imagination! |
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This week we focus on the segments Around the Neighborhood and At Play. Check out this week’s video.
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REvisioning Our Multigenerational RE Program Gathering
If you’ve missed this announcement or simply forgot to sign up, please feel free to join us either Saturday or Sunday!
Meeting ID: 936 4740 6947; Passcode: 182294; One tap mobile
+13126266799,,93647406947#,,,,*182294# US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 984 9783 3615; Passcode: 054577; One tap mobile
+13126266799,,98497833615#,,,,*054577# US (Chicago)
Taking Flight Parent Orientation – Saturday at 10 am. This is for parents of youth in grades 7-9 who are interested in this sex ed program. Contact Kathy at kunderwood@ucevanston.org for Zoom info.
Pre/K Kids and Families - POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – January’s materials are available here. The password is YouGotThis2020 (case sensitive.) This UU-based program is to be used all month long. Do whatever fits your family’s schedule.
High School Youth – Sunday at 4 pm. Rev. Eileen will be joining the group this week to hear your thoughts and ideas on the youth program, worship, and more. Look for the email Mike Takada sent out earlier this week.
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UCE Forum - Sunday, January 17th at 10 am
3rd UU Principle
Leaders: Shirley Adams and Emily Sanna
Examining our third UUA principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
Have you ever noticed or wondered why the third principle combines 'accepting each other' with spiritual growth? Emily and Shirley will offer a few ideas and some background on how these concepts connect and how they are foundational to UU's. Join us for a brief presentation and a lively discussion on the links between spirituality and social action.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 924 4957 5721; Passcode: 489150; One tap mobile +13126266799,,92449575721#,,,,,,0#,,489150# US (Chicago)
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Upcoming Adult RE Programs |
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PROCESS RELATIONAL THEOLOGY: A Vision For Environmental And Social Justice - (Part of the “Visions of God” Series)
Tuesdays, January 19, 26. at 7-8:30 pm
Facilitated by Rev. Eileen Wiviott and Bob Mesle.
The process relational worldview, values, and modes of thought offer a broad worldview which creatively links these UU principles and give them greater depth. Since this is part of a larger series on VISIONS OF GOD, we will give some attention, but not all of our attention, to this radically different concept of God. Process relational thinking is a valuable resource helping us address issues of environmental and social justice, and links with feminist, womanist, and queer theologies.
We will highlight how Process Theology relates to these UU Principles:
1. The Inherent worth and dignity of every person
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part.
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Towards an Understanding of BELOVED by Toni Morrison - (Get a jump on this read now so you can join us next month! Tuesdays, February 2; March 2. 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle.
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The next read of the UCE Fiction Book Group is Emily St. John Mandel, Station Eleven. Join us on TODAY Friday, January 15 at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting.
Set in the post-apocalyptic world of the outcome of a flu pandemic, a traveling group of actors set on keeping alive the humanities roams the devastated outposts of the Great Lakes region.
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The nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom on Sunday, January 24 at 2 pm to discuss The End of Policing by Alex Vitale. Vitale says that the problem with policing is not police training , police diversity, or police methods. It is policing itself. In chapters on the school-to-prison pipeline, mental illness, gangs, sex work, drugs, border work, and homelessness, Vitale sets out the policing problem in depth, explores the success of reforms, and then offers ideas for alternatives.
This book is available in libraries and from booksellers in various formats. Everyone is welcome. Please invite friends who may be interested. A Zoom link will be provided in the January 22nd newsletter.
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We're looking for virtual worship participants |
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Would you like to share your talents and gifts in a worship service? We are looking for people of all ages to pre-record service elements such as:
- Songs
- Dances
- Readings
- Stories
- Our covenant
- Lighting the chalice
The process involves video recording yourself and uploading the file to a shared google folder. Instructions will be provided. You might be asked to read a particular story or sing a song that fits the theme of the service. Or, you might offer a song, story or poem you’d like to share, which we can use when and where it fits.
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Social Jutice & Volunteer Opportunities |
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January Shared Offering Recipient: Community Renewal Society |
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In January UCE is sharing our loose plate offering with the Community Renewal Society. CRS is an organization of over 70 churches in the Chicago area who have been fighting for social justice for over 130 years. Each church member of CRS organizes a social action team that supports CRS activities and policy goals. These goals include policies to reduce and eliminate race and class barriers in our society, and to provide better education, jobs, housing and justice for minorities and the poor.
This year CRS is focusing on more initiatives to promote more police accountability in Chicago, and to stop police actions that are directed against minorities. This includes better oversight of Chicago police practices, and ending the cash bail system that denies bail to those who have no money when they are arrested – a result that mostly hurts black and brown people. Your donations will help us reduce these injustices and improve our community.
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LANDMARK LEGISLATION - Illinois is First State to End Money Bond |
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This week, Illinois became the first state in the country to completely end money bond.
This is landmark legislation! Thank you to everyone who has called, texted, posted, liked, shared, emailed, or sent letters to your Illinois representatives on this issue. Thank you to everyone who submitted witness slips in favor of SB 3653 (formerly HB 163 SA2).
Even with this monumental feat, the struggle for criminal justice reform is far from over. Our UU partners, UUPMI and UUANI, have done tremendous work on this issue over the years and continue vital work on addressing numerous issues involved with criminal justice reform. Learn more about them and get involved!
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Prison Industrial Complex 101: Virtual Training |
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Saturday, January 16, 2021, 10:00am - 11:30pm CST and
Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:00am - 11:30pm CST
It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of the racial and economic injustice in our society. This is an opportunity to learn and reflect on what we can do to change it. This workshop is intended to educate participants and inspire action. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Examine the prison industrial complex root: its reach, impact and our ability to transform it.
- Connect Unitarian Universalist (UU) values to the work to divest from prisons and police and invest in building new systems of safety, healing, and accountability.
- Build connections with organizations engaged in prisoner solidarity and restorative justice.
- Learn about the UU Prison Ministry and how your congregation or community can support our work.
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January 18 - Walk for Warmth - Now on Wheels! |
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Join Interfaith Action of Evanston’s second annual Walk for Warmth, now transformed into a car parade, and help raise funds to support IAE's Emergency Overnight Shelter. The shelter is open every night, now through March, to provide warmth and safety to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. On January 18, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a national day of service, teams will meet at the Morton Civic Center parking lot, 2100 Ridge Avenue in Evanston, at 11 am to drive a two-mile circuit of the IAE overnight shelter sites.
This is a family-friendly event and folks of all ages are welcome to decorate cars and show their compassion by driving all or part of the route. Individuals interested in participating in the parade or donating, you can find further information here (Select "UCE Team" during registration). You can also contact Toni Rey at tonisrey1020@gmail.com for assistance or questions. Pre-registration is required, there will be no registration done on site the day of the parade.
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Join Team 8th - Engaging the 8th Principle |
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Want to be a part of UU history? Join UCE’s Team 8th!
UU congregations across the country are adopting the 8th Principle. More than 30 congregations have adopted the 8th Principle so far! Here at UCE, the REAL Team is leading a series of presentations and discussions so we can explore this rich opportunity to make history by fulfilling the vision of a more inclusive future for our congregation.
The following language for an 8th Principle was proposed at the 2017 General Assembly with an invitation for congregations to discuss it, adopt it, and act to live it:
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant
to affirm and promote:
Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural
Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other
oppressions in ourselves and in our institutions.”
Planning starts now – join us in laying out a good communication and feedback loop! Our next Team 8th planning meeting is on Tuesday, January 19th at 5 pm. Email for link to meeting: holman.martha@gmail.com. If you are interested in helping to plan conversations on the 8th Principle leading to UCE adopting it, please contact the REAL Team at ucerealteam@gmail.com or Martha Holman at holman.martha@gmail.com.
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REAL Hope and Opportunity: A Path Forward |
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Friends, who could say in January 2021 that racism is “not my issue” as it threatens our very democracy? We invite you to join the REAL Team, because it will take all of us to turn the tide. All are welcome and needed.
On Wednesday, January 27 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, the Racial Equity Action Leadership Team will gather all of our members and all interested new members via Zoom to make plans and decisions about how we will move forward in 2021. What will that look like for activities inside UCE and in the Unitarian Universalist movement? In context of the events of January 6, what does it look like to stand against white supremacy in a nation that is at a crossroads that demands courage and integrity from us? During this meeting:
- We will create a covenant to guide our work and activities.
- We will define our learning goals for this year.
- We will make a decision about when to hold meetings and the frequency of meetings.
- We will discuss our proposed concurrent small group learning streams: Race, Privilege, and Bias; Policing and Mass Incarceration; History; and Faith Based Anti-Racism.
Please REGISTER HERE by January 25th. We hope to have our largest meeting ever as we define our path forward.
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Rainbow Alliance Meets on February 4 - All are invited |
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Earth Day 2021 Planning - Join Green Team Meeting Feb 6 |
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As we gear up for Earth Day 2021, the UCE Green Team is taking time to celebrate our accomplishments and set new goals. You are invited to help plan Earth Day 2021 and provide input on those new goals.
Last April, we were able to pivot and provide a youth led, citywide virtual Earth Day with the Evanston Mayor and many others participating. What will UCE’s Earth Day 2021 look like? Join the Green Team’s next meeting on February 6, 2020, from 1-2 pm. Email Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org for the Zoom link.
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Congrats! Collective Resource recently announced an inspiring “7000 Ton” achievement – check out the article reprint below. If you are not currently composting, we urge you to get on-board! One easy way is to join the UCE Composting Coop for only $5/month per person (max of $15/month per household.) See the 2-page Composting Tip Sheet for details. When you’re ready to sign up, just fill out the online UCE composting signup form. Questions? Contact Renee Hoff at rdhoff99@yahoo.com.
And (drumroll!) here’s the Collective Resource article reprint
We’re happy to announce that we have reached another diversion milestone: 7000 tons! Can you believe it?...
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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. |
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How to get in touch with UCE's Ministers |
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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.
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Our next Intro to UU class is on Sunday, March 21 at 2-3:30 pm. Click here to register. Our next Journey Toward Membership class will be offered in two parts on Tuesday, April 6 and Wednesday, April 7 at 7-8:30 pm. Click here to register.
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Opportunities For Community Connection |
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UCE Addictions and Recovery
For more information about the group, click here.
Grief Support Group
Every other Monday at 6:30 pm (next meeting is January 25)
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.
Learn Spanish Group
For more information, click here.
Women's Spiritual Group
Every other Wednesday (next meeting is January 27)
Email Amy Grabowski at if you are interested in joining.
Buddhist Meditation
Greenwood Investment Club
People interested in learning about personal investing by doing
3rd Thursday this month at 7:30 pm (next meeting is TBA)
Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is January 16)
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.
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Your Financial Support is So Appreciated! |
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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 DEFAULT and the church office will contact you to determine how to direct your gift. 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.
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Virtual Meeting Planning Tips |
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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
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Offer to Provide Technical Support |
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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.
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Beware scam e-mails and texts from those
posing as UCE ministers, Staff, or Board Members
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Please do not respond to the e-mail or text scam that is going out with Rev. Eileen's, Sandra's, or Jessica Tomell-Presto's names. UCE ministers, Staff, and Board Members 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 familiar, 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, Sandra's, or Jessica'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. The address Jessica willIf you are unsure about the number texting you, please call the office.
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The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on January 21 at 7 pm. Please email the office at admin@ucevanston.org if you would like to attend.
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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.
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