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
“ All I Really Need to Know I've Learned with Unitarian Universalists ”- We celebrate the faith formation, spiritual learning and growth of people of all ages. Join us for this special service honoring lifelong learning. Worship leaders are Rev. Eileen and Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Kathy Underwood.

Please submit your Joys and Sorrows through this online form. We are finding some messages do not show up in the chat box during the service. If you submit a message by 11 am, we will try to read it that Sunday. After 11 am you may still submit Joys and Sorrows through the chat, but if it is not read please email ewiviott@ucevanston.org or submit it through the online form for the following Sunday. Thank you for your patience as we are adapting to best serve you all!

This Sunday's shared offering recipient is The Poor People's Campaign ( 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  or Joyce Lofstrom at  joycelofstrom@gmail.com  for details.

Forum Discussion: The New Normal? at 10 am via Zoom
More info in "What's happening in Lifespan Religious Education?"
Virtual Coffee Hour after the service
To join the virtual coffee hour by phone dial +13126266799,,770904305#

Non-Fiction Book Group at 2 pm via Zoom
For more details, see "What's happening in Lifespan Religious Education?"

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 Rev. Karen Mooney, Director of Congregational Life
Do you remember the first time you joined this congregation in worship? Remember the feeling of hearing words that sparked inspiration or deliberation? Remember the person sitting next to you who laughed at the same time or simply said hello? Do you remember what it felt like to read a comment you agreed with or one that invited you to ask what if? Remember? Remember the time you felt welcomed? I remember every time I felt truly welcomed into a community of people. It might not have happened in the first moments of meeting, but I remember every time I have felt welcomed into a community. There was always an invitation or a conversation or a comment that made me know there would be a space made for me and suddenly I knew I could belong...
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 and you intend it for Shared Offering type " OFFERING " and your donation amount. Other options are  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.
Thank you. Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director
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.
Memorials
The following memorials will be scheduled for a future day. We are considering virtual ways to honor these loved ones until we can be together again:

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

Please stay tuned for more information on these celebrations of life.
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) 
Coffee - So Easy!
With the opportunity to renovate our kitchen due to the Capital Campaign, the Kitchen Team came up with the idea to have a Coffee Station that is easier to access, can serve more people simultaneously, won’t blow our fuses, saves us lugging huge 100 cup coffee percolators and is safer. How did they do this? They created a Coffee Station that has water automatically piped into permanently positioned coffee makers. These commercial grade coffee makers produce coffee quicker, so kitchen staff doesn’t have to come too early to get the coffee going. Brewing coffee will be easy by following touch screen instructions. They are easier to clean and more hygienic. Because it fills carafes so quickly, we can have multiple carafes filled and available so more people can serve themselves more quickly.
Update on UCE Finances
From UCE Treasurer, Susan Comstock

Thanks to all in our congregation for steadfast support, both spiritually and financially. As those who came to the budget townhall this week heard, the socially distancing requirement of the pandemic has hit our budget in two significant ways: first, we have had a significant loss of rentals, and second we have had to postpone holding our annual rummage sale. There have been some small savings from the building shutdown, but ¾ of our operational expenses are staff salary and benefits. Fortunately, most of our staff has been able to perform their duties (very ably!) from home. The employees who cannot or have reduced responsibilities (lobby, kitchen, childcare, and custodial) are being fully paid through at least the end of the fiscal year on June 30, at which point we hope to have the building open again. As a result, we are currently predicting a loss of $26,000 for this fiscal year. The good news is that we started this year with over $100,000 in operational reserves, thanks to careful financial management over the last few years. So while this loss reduces our reserves, we have the cash on hand to get through it...
Message from the Pledge Drive Team
Thanks to everyone who made the 2020-2021 pledge drive a success!
We've exceeded our goal, and as of April 30 the total raised was $564,566.
Your generosity means we are empowered to continue to live out our mission of nurturing the human spirit for a world made whole .

New pledges will be accepted in the office at any time, and, should your financial circumstances change, you can also adjust your amount if need be. Just reach out to Jessica Meis, our communications coordinator, at admin@ucevanston.org .
If you have questions about payments on your pledge, please contact Vickie Doebele at finance@ucevanston.org . 

Again, thank you for supporting the financial health of your congregation, especially during this difficult time.
Beware scam e-mails from those posing as UCE ministers
Please do not respond to the e-mail 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 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 e-mail.

This is someone who is using Eileen's name with a generated email address. They haven't hacked her personal email address. The e-mail addresses she will send from will be either  ewiviott@hotmail.com  or  ewiviott@ucevanston.org .
Hats Off to Susan Carlton!
Our hats are off this week to Susan Carlton for the many ways she contributes thoughtfully and with wisdom and grace in our congregation. Susan chairs our Ministerial Search team, whose work continues even as we have extended the time of our interim process. Susan's insight and leadership helps maintain the vital integrity of this process, always with the congregation's mission and best interest at the center. She also serves on the Pastoral Care Team, sending cards to those in need of a little cheer, encouragement, or comfort, and she's helping Rev. Karen Mooney to roll out a new UCE program, Proximity Partners, which will help foster closer neighborhood connections. As if all that wasn't enough, Susan also serves on the Integrated Stewardship Council as the Secretary. We are grateful to you, Susan, for all the important ways you serve with such love and dedication.
Virtual Pathways to Membership
Journey Toward Membership ON-LINE - May 5th and 7th : The Journey includes the exploration of our spiritual lives and what it means to be a member of an intentional community like the Unitarian Church of Evanston. Led by Revs. Karen M. and Eileen. You can take this class before or after you sign the book. Journey toward Membership class will be held in two parts - Tuesday, May 5th and Thursday, May 7th from 5:30 - 7 pm .

Please email Adam Gough at   agough@ucevanston.org   if you'd like to take part in any of those classes. And we're excited to offer our first (and maybe only) on-line membership joining ceremony on May 17th!
Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
How can you help your UCE Community?
Many of you have asked what you can do to help some of our older members who are at risk or others who might need assistance. Again, there is a team of people coordinating this led by Rev. Karen Mooney ( pastoral.care@ucevanston.org ) and member, Ellie Feddersen ( elliefeddersen@gmail.com ). Please contact either of them to offer your help and we can add you to a list of people willing to buy and drop off groceries or meds. When helping members of our congregation, it is important to practice good hygiene by washing your hands if dropping off supplies (before and after); do not help if you are sick; practice physical distancing (drop off supplies to reduce physical contact rather than handing them to the recipient). 
Young and Healthy UUs Consider Donating Blood

For those who are younger and healthy, consider donating blood. Oftentimes blood supplies can be reduced in times of crisis. Research your local blood banks to make sure you fit within the criteria and make an appointment.
Looking for ways to take action from home?
Even though we are living through a pandemic, UCE social action work continues. Here are some ways to act in this time of COVID-19:

  • Faith in Place - Environmental Justice and Protections Please sign these petitions about protecting our communities from harmful EPA rollbacks: 
  • Letter re: EPA Rollbacks: https://bit.ly/FaithinPlaceEPALetter2020
  • Letter re: Clean Car Standards: https://bit.ly/CleanCarStandards2020
  • Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights: Support Give Together Now Campaign
  • Consider contacting MaryBeth Napier with the VoteLove section to send postcards to folks around the country encouraging them to vote. Or send your own and let us know how it is going. Go to https://votefwd.org to learn how you can help.
  • With the Illinois Prison Project, we are asking Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to re-sentence elderly people serving Cook County sentences who pose no risk of recidivism. Sign and share this letter.  
  • Tell Congress: We demand nurses are protected during COVID-19. Sign on here.
  • UU the Vote - free, fair, and secure in-person elections https://bit.ly/UUVoteMailBallot
  • Petition the Chicago Mayor and Gov. Pritzker to halt evictions and extend the use vacant public housing units for homeless. Sign on here!
  • Join Restore Justice in asking Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections to ramp up testing and report a more robust, accurate picture of the effect the virus is having in our prisons. Sign on here
Please contact these organizations to ensure you know current guidelines for dropping off any donations. Respectfully we do not have the expertise to make such recommendations and we realize that these are likely changing continually in response to new understandings around the novel coronavirus.   

If you know of ways fellow UUs can continue to participate in social action that are not included in this list, please reach out to Rev. Karen Mooney at  kmooney@ucevanston.org . Thank you all for continuing to live UCE's mission here is a view of the folks showing up in the snow to give meals on Wednesday! Let us know how you are showing up in the world .
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.
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. 
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education?
This Sunday in Religious Education
This Sunday in Religious Education
 
For middle school youth , you can watch some videos on Native American life:
 
High school youth can connect Sunday evening at 7 pm on Zoom. Look for an email from the advisors with info on how to join.
 
Of course, we also have our virtual worship service on Sunday mornings at 11:15 am. I continue to post ideas on the UCE Children and Youth Facebook page, along with some interactive things to share, so look for that as well.

In Faith,
Kathy
Forum Discussion: The New Normal?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives. For some, it has provided the opportunity to slow the pace of the day and reflect on what is truly essential in life. For others, it has exposed and deepened social inequality and caused further feelings of disconnect. What will change once the pandemic has passed? Is this a moment to challenge systemic inequity? What role can UUs play in creating change at this moment?
Join the discussion this Sunday at 10:00 AM.  
Connect online:

Meeting ID: 840 5885 9757
Password: 399875
Telephone only connection: (312) 626-6799, use Password: 399875
Non-Fiction Book Group Meets this Sunday
The Non-Fiction Book Group will discuss  An American Summer: Life and Death in Chicago  on  Sunday, May 3rd at 2 pm , with the author, Alex Kotlowitz, joining the discussion.  The book looks deeply into the stories behind incidents of violence in Chicago during the summer of 2013.  You are still welcome if you haven’t read the book, but if so please read/look at the following articles and short video:  

Please join us by Zoom at 2 pm (please be on time): 
Meeting ID: 831 7165 0171
Password: 115784
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83171650171# US (Chicago)
You will enter the meeting on mute while we go over the rules of the road. 
Please don't share this link on social media to ensure the safety of participants. 
Upcoming Events
A new program facilitated by Robb Gieger, The Infrastructure of Morality , will be on Wednesday evenings beginning May 6 . Email Robb if interested so he can send you some info and the link to the program: rjg6177@gmail.com
Family Fun and Resources for May's Theme, Thresholds
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!
Calling all Youth!
Have you ever wanted to experience General Assembly? Every June, UUs from all over gather to vote on issues that matter, learn new things at a variety of workshops, enjoy inspiring and rocking worship services, and hang out with other UU youth.
July will be here soon!
...and July is the time for the MidWest Leadership School in Bloomington IL. UCE has scholarship funds from Endowment this year so you can attend the week long school without worrying about the student fees. UCE needs leaders now and in the future, so there are youth and adult scholarships available. Visit the RE Lifelong Learning Scholarship page and apply to learn new leadership skills. And meet lots of exciting UU folks from the MidWest.
UU Summer Camp Opportunities for all ages
Midwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly (MUUSA) is an intergenerational camp experience for fun, fellowship, and personal growth. This year's theme is “To Breathe on Purpose” with guest Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout. Enjoy nature, an art fair, a 5K walk/run, music, and more! Learn more here.

Chalice Sparx Family Camp & Retreat for Unitarian Universalist Families is an amazing all-ages experience at lovely Camp Friedenswald in southwestern Michigan-only 90 miles from Chicago. At Chalice Sparx camp and retreat for families you will experience a truly multigenerational community. There are no camp counselors here to whisk away the children separate from their families. Here we learn together, worship together and explore together in a community of all ages – including elders who complete our multigenerational village. We also have fun together. Swimming, hiking or riding a wagon through the trails, canoeing, archery, popcorn popped in a kettle over an open fire, and of course, S’mores and singing camp songs. Learn more here.

Camp Marwood - Midwest Unitarian Universalist Youth Camp (MUUYC) , also known as "Marwood" is a 50 plus years old not-for-profit “rites-of-passage" junior/senior high summer camp designed for youth to attend for 4 consecutive years beginning as they enter 7th grade. Marwood creates a culture with values that we believe are the most important qualities and behaviors to actively demonstrate and live. These values, expressed in the Unitarian-Universalist covenant, guide and form the development of learning processes in our courses and various camp programs.  Learn more 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
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.

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

Infrastructure of Morality Course
Wednesday evenings beginning May 6
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.
Giving By Text at UCE
Giving by Text is now possible for four areas: Shared Plate Offering, Coffee & Bagels, Music Fund, UCE Operating Fun, and Capital Campaign.

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

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

Once you have completed this process successfully, you can save the number in your text as UCE Donation and giving becomes one simple step.Please note: You can still pay for Fair Trade Cart and Book H items at those locations on Sunday morning. Joan Retzloff and Margaret Shaklee have an iPad and card reader for those accounts.
Board Of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on May 21 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