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
“Re-Membering: A memorial day journey” – We know this don’t we, no one gets away in life just floating. All of us take our turn in the whirlpool something eventually brings us into a head long spin: health, work, family, the environment…life is out there and at some point it will be our turn to get sucked into a whirlpool of change that was not there a moment before. How we respond beyond the mayhem is what will define our lives. The service will be led by Rev. Karen Mooney.

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 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  for details.
Virtual Coffee Hour after the service
To join the virtual coffee hour by phone dial +13126266799,,770904305#

#UUtheVote Postcard Pickup at the UCE Parking Lot at 3-5 pm
More info in "Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities.

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. Eileen Wiviott, Acting Senior Minister
To my surprise and delight, an oriole visited this week. I constructed a DIY feeder using an upturned take-out container lid stuck on a branch with half and orange. I spooned some grape jelly on the lid, as I was told they can’t resist grape jelly, and I waited. I watched and waited for five days and then – expect it when you least expect it – a bright orange and black bird appeared, and I was completely bowled over. I never tire of watching that bird gobble up grape jelly.
As I marveled, with my family, at our new visitor, I wondered why I was so much more taken by this rare and unfamiliar (at least to me) bird, and less excited about the regular visitors at the window. The brown sparrows flutter about the feeder constantly. The squirrels hang upside down by their toes from the wire cage, fishing out seeds with their tiny paws and holding them to their mouths like a little circus monkey shelling a peanut. It couldn’t be more entertaining, yet I tap on the window to shew them away because the bird seed isn’t for them and, besides, they’re common as mud...
Welcome new members to UCE!
Last Sunday, May 17, we welcomed 13 new members to our beloved community: Laura Cuzillo, Adrienne & Dave Doll, Ashley King, Vanessa Kovachy, Diane Markel, Marlene McArthur, Judy Polifka, Craig Spidle, Rima Tou ré-Tillery , Eda Uca, and Rob & Jessica Wingader . We are happy you have found our beloved community.
Virtual Flower Communion Request for Flowers
This year, our annual ritual of bringing flowers and sharing in their beauty will need to be virtual. Over the next several weeks, look for flowers around your home or neighborhood. Take some photos and send us your favorite one or two.


Or email your photos to the office at admin@ucevanston.org .
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.
It's not too late to fill out the Interim Progress Survey!
Rev. Karen Gustafson and the Transitions Team invites the congregation to take the Interim Progress Survey. Thank you to those that have already filled out the survey!

 The integrity of the UCE profile will depend on the care UCE takes to know and reflect who you are. This survey will take ten to fifteen minutes of your time – a ten to fifteen minute investment in the future of UCE. Thank you for your help and trust in the process!
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. 
Our New Kitchen: The Big Reveal!
Over the past four weeks we have unveiled photographs of the new UCE kitchen. Now, you can experience a virtual tour narrated by Carol Nielsen, filmed by your Executive Operations Director and novice videographer. Enjoy…
Hats Off to Janelle Brittain!
Hats off to Janelle Brittain for her many leadership roles at UCE. Janelle's positive outlook and management skills have served our congregation well over the past many years. Janelle is currently Chair of the Capital Campaign Implementation Committee. She interfaces with each committee member and ensures that all projects are on track with budget and timeline. Janelle served as President of the Board of Trustees and was on the board for three years prior to her presidency. Janelle also served on the Leadership Development Team. Significant to our recent successful capital campaign, Janelle led us through the Five-Year-Plan when all groups within the church carefully considered what they hope to achieve. This process led us to the Capital Campaign and success of the projects we are now realizing, She has taken us full circle from strategic thinking to implementation. Thank you Janelle Brittain. 
Chicago Area UU Council Spring Video Conference
Join us on Saturday, May 23 @ 9:30 am to noon for the conference, "Building Lifelong UUs: Creating Communities to Support Life Transitions and Maintain Connections." Presenters include: Rev. Stevie Carmody (left), the Emerging Adult Ministry Associate from the UUA’s Lifespan Faith Engagement Office. He works to support young adult leaders. Tom MacTavish (right) is co-creator (with Gloria Kinney) of a group at Countryside UU called “Transitions,” which provides a forum for mature adults to explore life transitions, such as that from professional work to retirement.
Conference attendees will also hear from young adult and senior adult panelists, following the presentations, to help shed light on changing needs for both social and spiritual community with other UUs as life transitions take place. We’re hoping to learn what congregations are already doing and what they could be doing to support communities of young adults and elder adults to foster lifelong participation in Unitarian Universalism. The Chicago Area UU Council Annual Meeting will follow the conference.
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
"A Secret Love" Film Screening
The Rainbow Alliance is hosting the screening of "A Secret Love", a film about a Chicago lesbian couple's 60-year love affair.  Saturday May 23 at 6:30 pm , you can join our Netflix Viewing Party where the film's playback is synchronized and there is a chatbox or watch on your own then join us at 8 pm for an after-viewing Zoom chat to talk about the film. Send a note to AllenderChristine@gmail.com if you don't have a Netflix subscription and we will get a sign-on to you. Join us in celebrating this personal story of love and family and coming out after 60 years.
Netflix Viewing Party
Download Netflix Party Extension to your Chrome Browser at https://www.netflixparty.com/ .  Click here & NP icon on your Chrome Browser Extension toolbar.

Zoom After-Viewing Zoom Chat 
Click here to join the Zoom chat. Dial in at +13126266799,,81198741883#,,1#,259887#
Manual Dial In By Phone:+13126266799; Meeting ID: 811 9874 1883, Password: 259887
Postcards to Wisconsin!
We’re hoping to write at least 6000 postcards to get out the vote in Wisconsin – a critical election state! 
 

Pick up postcard packets in the UCE parking lot: 
Sunday, May 24 from 3 pm to 5 pm or  
Wednesday, May 27 from 11 am – 1 pm 
 
Each packet contains 60 postcards, directions, and address list.  You must supply your own postcard stamps .  The instructions in the packet have all the info you need.  
 
Safety first!  Wear a mask and stay in your car. Packets are in plastic bags. Each plastic bag is wiped down with a bleach mix. We’ll be in the parking lot wearing a mask and gloves. We’ll bring packets to your car. 
 
Questions? contact Donna Schiller at 847-962-9443 or dlschiller57@comcast.net   
 
See you in the parking lot! 
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:

  • Stay in Place! Stay Alive! Organize! The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is calling for people across the country to Stay in Place! Stay Alive! Organize! And Don’t Believe the Lies! Right now, states are beginning to reopen against the best recommendations of doctors, public health officials and other experts. State legislatures, governors, and the federal government are putting millions of people, especially the poor, at great risk by reopening too soon. Click here to take action.
  • It is more important than ever to get deeply connected with members of the Poor People’s Campaign. Folks are having an amazing time talking with people all over the country about June 20th, the critical moment we are in as a nation, and our demands as a campaign. Sign up to get trained, then hit the phones with other phone bankers! Here is an overview of the campaign.
  • From Love Resists: Data from the Prison Policy Initiative demonstrates that more than 55% of people in federal prison are there for drug- or immigration-related offenses, and only 8% of crimes were categorized as “violent.” Under no circumstances were any BOP prisoners intended to receive a death sentence, and yet deaths are beginning to mount with the rapid spread of COVID-19 in prisons. Please send a letter below to urge your U.S. Members of Congress to pressure the BOP to follow its own policies and adopt better ones. Click here to sign on.
  • Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race against hate. Whether you race every year or have never stepped foot on our lakefront course, we need you this year more than ever. Be a Race Hero. Click here to donate.
  • From the UUA: Inspired by the #ShareMyCheck campaign (a project of Resource Generation), we are asking Unitarian Universalists: If you are among this group of us who have access to more security and stability in this crisis, will you commit your stimulus check (or an equivalent or greater amount) to Freedom organizations today?  
  • Interfaith Action Keep the Doors Open 2020: Online Soup Kitchen Social. Join this exciting fundraising events including a program, social hour, and a meal pickup. Tickets are $50 and, of course, it's online. Click here for our tickets.
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! Let us know how you are showing up in the world .
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
It is hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend is here already. For those who have served our country, whether in the military or otherwise, I am grateful for your service and the freedoms it brings. Yes, there is still inequality here and yet collectively, we are better off than many around the world. My white, middle class privilege allows for more than most people. I struggle with gaining the courage to do what I can and then some, and to do it more often.  

Our metaphor This week in VirtUUal RE is a door of courage. We explore the symbol of our US flag this Memorial Day weekend, and what that means to us. You can find the VirtUUal RE session on the homepage of UCE’s website, ucevanston.org . Your family can do this together at your own convenience any time during the week. You can read the session here or watch the video here .
 
The Children and Youth Program Team and I are exploring ideas for this summer. How would your family like to connect with UCE friends this summer? What fun ways have you been connecting with family and friends that we could use at UCE? Send me your ideas at kunderwood@ucevanston.org .  
 
For middle school youth , learn more about the Baha’I faith here in this Tack Sunday session .

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. 
 
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
Upcoming Events
T he nonfiction book group will meet virtually using Zoom on Sunday, May 31 at 2 pm . Join us to discuss Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration by Emily Bazelon. The author points out in Charged that prosecutors can fix some of what’s broken about our criminal justice system because they, more than anyone else, decide who goes to prison and who goes free, and even who lives and who dies. Bazelon follows the story of two young people caught up in the criminal justice system and shows how some reform-minded prosecutors make a difference, providing a second chance to those accused.  Click here to join the meeting. Dial in at +13126266799,,89075451518#,,1#,027289# US (Chicago)
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.
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.
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