A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
The UCE building will be closed until further notice.
We will continue to offer ways to connect virtually.
A virtual service will be held at 11:15 am this Sunday
“Beauty and ugliness, as joy and woe, are woven fine”  – Who owns the beauty and who has access to it? Who names the ugliness? Is it possible for thriving to emerge from rage and destruction? This will be a flower communion of a different kind. Rev. Eileen leads the service, accompanied by Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Kathy Underwood, with several musical pieces directed by Vickie Hellyer.

From now on, 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 or Rev. Karen Mooney , 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 Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights ( Click here to learn more ). 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 after the service
To join the virtual coffee hour by phone dial +13126266799,,770904305#

High School Youth Gathering at 7 pm via Zoom
Look for an email from the advisors with info on how to join. 
Important News and Upcoming Events
All Church Zoom gatherings continue on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Look out for the link in our Wednesday e-mails. If you need online Zoom support before the All Church gathering begins, join us at 5:20 pm.
From your UCE Ministers
Beloveds, 
 
We’re running out of ways to express our weariness and outrage. Words are not enough. Like you, we are sickened by the ongoing killing of Black People by police officers who are shielded in a system designed to murder and oppress, rather than protect, Black life. We are working to stay in the discomfort and pain necessary to be in the struggle without succumbing to fragility. Dismantling white supremacy, so clearly on display in every single facet of our society, is ALL of ours to struggle with.  
 
We, your ministers, are working to contribute our voices and bodies and minds to this struggle in the ways we can. This struggle cannot wait another single minute. It cannot wait for another precious life to be snuffed out by abusive power without rebuke. We know that you are in the struggle too, each in your own way. We see you and we love you...  
Proximity Partners
In this bewildering and anxious time we are witnessing many needs arise including the need for ways to affirm community. A community that might connect and sustain one another even as we are encouraged to social distance. One idea our ministers and church leadership have been exploring for some time is the formation of neighborhood groups – proximity partners. These groups would be composed of members who live close to one another geographically and would be an ongoing source of support, connection and mutual care for one another.
People have said yes, they have agreed to call a gathering, they have been given ideas, and they are waiting for this last piece of information to start their communications. In the next few weeks you should hear from someone regarding a get together with people who live "near" you. Initially the gatherings would be virtual to fit in with the phase 3 precautions being forwarded by the church. We hope you say yes and that together you find a way to connect, have fun and support each other.

If you have questions please feel free to contact Rev. K Mooney at kmooney@ucevanston.org
Virtual Flower Communion Request for Flowers
This year, our annual ritual of bringing flowers and sharing in their beauty will need to be virtual this Sunday, June 7. Thank you to all who have submitted virtual flowers. Look for flowers around your home or neighborhood. Take some photos and send us your favorite one or two. Please send photos by 5 pm tonight, Friday, June 5.


Or email your photos to the office at admin@ucevanston.org .
Thanks and Congratulations to Vickie Hellyer
The Board of Trustees and Executive Team celebrate UCE Director of Music, Vickie Hellyer. Vickie joined us in 2015, and has led our choir with creativity, patience, love, and generosity of spirit. For 24 years, Vickie has also served the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church as their Choir Director once a month. This Sunday will be her last Sunday with the DuPage Church and we celebrate her long tenure and service to Unitarian Universalism through worship and song...
John LaPlante Virtual Memorial Service
A Virtual Memorial Service for John LaPlante will be held on Saturday, June 20th at 2pm . 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. Click here to save the Youtube Livestream link.
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, s end a text message to  312-584-9160  with the amount you would like to contribute and  the code  for where you would like it to go (e.g., 50 OFFERING ). Valid codes are OFFERING (Shared Offering),   PLEDGE  (Pledge Payment),  CAP  (Capital Campaign), or MUSIC (music fund). If you do not include a code before your donation amount, the system will automatically select PLEDGE. To learn more,  click here . If you experience any issues, contact Adam at  agough@ucevanston.org .

During these times when we 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. 
Hats Off to Dana Deane!
Our hats are off for Dana Deane! Dana has been our church legal counsel for many years. She provides guidance on contracts and issues that arise from time to time which need expert advice. For the past several years Dana has led UCE's involvement in the Ricky Byrdsong Race. She  is a regular volunteer with the soup kitchen and overnight shelter and currently serves on the COVID-19 Response Advisory Team. She  is a reliable volunteer who provides steadfast wisdom and leadership. Dana Deane never expects thanks but we share our appreciation for her anyway! 
Grief and Loss Support
What can you do to ease the pain of the losses you feel? Shakespeare wrote: “Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.” The “over wrought heart” – the heart that feels too much pain to bear, breaks. So Shakespeare would recommend that we talk about our sorrow, talk about our loss. When we let ourselves really feel how much the loss hurts and talk about that loss and pain to other people, it can ease our hearts. You are welcome to join Ellen Rieger LCPC CADC and Rev. Karen Mooney for 4 sessions on Tuesdays @ 5:30 - 7 pm: 5/12, 5/26, 6/9, 6/23.


Meeting ID: 858 8718 3997
Password: 262644
One tap mobile  +13126266799,,85887183997# US (Chicago) 
Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Days of social action with UCE!
There are so many ways you can participate in social action, from showing up, signing on, donating, or committing yourself to learn more. Here is a daily list of actions you can take part in, on the front lines or from your home. Actions f rom the UUA, Moveon, Indivisible, UUSJ, Color of Change, SUR, Faithful America.

Saturday
  • Show UP Stand WITH: Activate: Chicago March for Justice for George Floyd - Saturday, June 6th at 11 a.m. Where: Humboldt Park Boathouse (former home of Chance the Snapper). We will march to end Police Brutality. We will march because #blacklivesmatter. We march for justice for George Floyd and his Family. Please wear masks - This march will be peaceful.
  • Show UP to Stand WITH: Display a BLACK LIVES MATTER! Sign in your yard: REAL Message: Signs are now available for UCE members and friends and neighbors. Signs may be purchased and picked up between 1 pm and 6 pm from Annette Wallace. Call 847-826-6825 to assure a pickup time and for address and parking instructions. Bring $10 cash per sign (you can donate more if you wish). You may also pay by check made out to UCE with BLM in memo line. Contribution goes to Chicago Community Bond Fund, The Moran Center, and the purchase of additional signs. Safety measures are being followed. We ask that you wear a mask and keep at least 6 feet distance during pickup and payment.
  • We recommend that you display a sign, and that you take some additional antiracist action. Need some ideas? Check out the UCE home page "Take Action."
  • Read this article on Performative Allyship and how to engage in powerful activism beyond social media.
  • Sign ON to Stand WITH: Color of Change: Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was in her home in Louisville, KY on March 13thwhen officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department barged in without a warning nor announcement and broke through her door, fired off more than 20 bullets, and ultimately took Breonna’s life. #JusticeforBre: Police officers who killed Breonna Taylor must be FIRED.
  • Give MONEY to Stand WITH: NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  • Commit to LEARN to Stand WITH: Read this article in the Atlantic titled "When People View Citizens as Enemies."

Social action continues! Click the button below for a week of actions to take part in. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Karen Mooney at  kmooney@ucevanston.org . Thank you all for continuing to live UCE's mission!
From Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, UUA President
Dear Unitarian Universalists,
These past two weeks have been ones of incalculable devastation.
From the grim milestone of 100,000 of our loved ones dead from COVID-19, to the horrific murders of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, Breonna Taylor by Louisville police, and Tony McDade by Tallahassee police, to the subsequent spilling over of rage and pain and grief in the uprisings across the country, to the violent, militarized response of police against our people and communities, the brokenness of our world is overwhelming...
Interfaith Action of Evanston Needs Your Help!

Interfaith Action of Evanston has been considering ways to collect and distribute necessary household items that are not covered by federal benefits, such as soap, toilet paper and toothpaste. If you would like to help, please visit the Amazon Wish List  to see the items they are in need of most. They appreciate your help. 
Chalice House Seeking Volunteers
UCE has joined a coalition headed by Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist to convert a residence owned by that congregation, Chalice House, into transitional housing for immigrant families and individuals seeking asylum. The Immigration Solidarity Team greatly appreciates the Endowment Committee’s generous allocation or $1,800 to support this effort. 

Chalice House is seeking volunteers to rip up carpeting, paint, arrange window treatments, and make repairs. If you would like to contribute your skills, teams of up to 3 from a single household, working in intervals with three-day separations, will be scheduled through ChaliceHouse@CCUU.org . 

If you would like to donate to the household (mostly materials, such as detergent or sheets), you may sign up below.
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education
This Sunday in Religious Education
This Sunday in Religious Education
Welcome to a new month and our new theme of compassion! With all that is going on in our country right now, it seems very appropriate to reflect on and explore this theme.  
 
We traditionally have a “one-room schoolhouse” approach for RE during the summer. Since we can’t meet in person, the Children and Youth Program Team and I are sending out a Summer Bucket List program that families can do at their own pace over the summer. Look for this in tomorrow's parent's email. In addition to this, we will have some occasional family game nights too. Look for updates in my weekly UCE Family Email, which will also include other resources, links, and ideas. 
 
You can find the Summer Bucket List on the VirtUUal RE button at the top of the homepage of UCE’s website.
 
High school youth can connect Sunday evening at 7 pm on Zoom. Look for an email from the advisors later in the week with info on how to join. 
 
Rev. Eileen and I would love to see your beacon of light in our worship services! We’re looking for families to light the chalice for virtual worship. How will this work, you ask? She will arrange to meet you at UCE, and video-record your family lighting the chalice and/or saying our covenant together. Social distancing protocols will be maintained too. If you’d like to participate, email Kathy at kunderwood@ucevanston.org or Eileen at ewiviott@ucevanston.org
Upcoming Events
Beginning June 16, adults and families with teens are invited to a new program this summer: The Science of Well-Being. This program comes from Yale University, and it’s free! In this 10-week course (you need not attend all, but it is highly recommended), you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.   

We invite you to watch the online sessions at your convenience, and then join us Tuesday evenings at 7-8 pm on Zoom to share what we’ve learned. The online sessions usually involve short videos, plus exercises you do on your own, for a total of no more than 2 1/2 hours weekly. 
 
For more details, and to sign up for the video series, click here .  
 
To join our discussions, email Kathy Underwood at kunderwood@ucevanston.org by Saturday, June 13 . 
Family Fun and Resources for June's Theme, Compassion
Click here for ways to connect as a family to our faith!
"Rooted, Inspired, Ready" General Assembly Goes Virtual!
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). This year it will be 100% virtual! Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through the democratic process. Naomi Klein is this year’s WARE Lecturer. She is a climate activist, an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal.

See full details on GA here and a video here . Anyone may attend. Check out the UCE scholarships below!
Virtual Chalice Sparx Family Camp
Chalice Sparx Family Camp & Retreat for Unitarian Universalist Families will be held virtually July 10 to July 13. "Camp" in your backyard in a room in your house. Activities include multigenerational worship, workshops for all ages, Minecraft for kids, covenant groups, a scavenger hunt, a dance party, and more fun. Learn more about the virtual camp here.
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. Karen Mooney - kmooney@ucevanston.org
Pathways to Membership
Our next set of membership classes will be coming soon. If you would like to take part in a future class, p lease 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.

So 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 Virtual Connection
Learn Spanish Group
Mondays at 7 pm
For more information, click here.

UCE Men's Group
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7 pm via conference call.
For more information, click here.

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.

Grief and Loss Support
Tuesdays @ 5:30 - 7 pm via Zoom: 5/12, 5/26, 6/9, 6/23.
See more information above.

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 May 9)
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
Please do not respond to the e-mail or text scam that is going out with Rev. Eileen's name. The subject line may say MANY BLESSINGS or some other greeting and they ask for a favor or gift cards. If you respond to the message they will ask you to buy gift cards for someone in need. UCE ministers 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 name with a generated email address and phone number. They haven't hacked her personal accounts. The e-mail addresses she will send from will be either  ewiviott@hotmail.com  or  ewiviott@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 June 18 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