A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Nurturing the Spirit for a World Made Whole
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.
UCE is hosting the Emergency Overnight Shelter with Interfaith Action of Evanston through November 28. We are hosting up to 20 individuals with new safety protocols due to the pandemic. If you have any questions about this year's overnight shelter, email the UCE office at admin@ucevanston.org.
The virtual worship service will be at 11:15 am
“Breaking Bread Together”
Bread communion is one of four traditional communion services celebrated at UCE (water, bread, fire, flower). In years past, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we’d bring our bread or gluten free treats forward to a common table, where they’d be sliced and shared. There are bountiful metaphors around bread and what it means to break bread together. Together we will create a new kind of communion, sharing our stories and rituals of gathering abundance and nourishing transformation.
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.
This Sunday's shared offering recipient is the Brennan Center. Your offering can be given through Text-to-Give, online, or mailed to the office with "Shared Offering" in the memo line.
Other Gatherings this Sunday
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom
Email Renee Hoff at rdhoff99@yahoo.com for details.

Reflections with the Board at 10 am via Zoom
More information below.
Ministerial Search Committee's Final Report
immediately following Worship Service
More information below. Click here to join on Zoom.

Nonfiction Book Group via Zoom at 2pm
More information below in "What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education"
Dear Congregation,
With Covid cases spiking and increased restrictions in Illinois beginning today, we continue with our strict building use guidelines. Unnecessary in-door gatherings are no longer advisable. We will be finishing our emergency overnight shelter on November 28th, as that is an essential service, but we ask all groups to avoid indoor gatherings at this time. It is difficult to be apart during the holidays but we urge you to care for one another by staying connected over the phone, Zoom, through cards, letters, and emails. Join us for our Sunday services and Wednesday evening gatherings. Please reach out to me or Rev. Susan if you have a need for support. 


With gratitude, I am wishing you peace and well-being,
Eileen
Important News and Upcoming Events
All Church Zoom gatherings continue on Wednesday, November 25, the evening before Thanksgiving, at 5:30 pm.
Look for the link in our Wednesday e-mails. If you need online Zoom support before the All Church gathering begins, join us at 5:20 pm.
From Rev. Karen Gustafson, Interim Minister
Dear ones,
Next week we will find new ways to join in Thanksgiving. We may also find new reasons to be grateful.

While accounts of this time in history are emerging with threads from many voices, I have found myself curiously wordless as I search for my own voice in this unfolding story. In my place of privilege where I am sheltered and well fed in a place of beauty and peace, from which I can view the real events in the real world on a screen with an off-switch, I can tell myself that I am doing my part by not putting a strain on medical resources and risking pain and grief for my loved ones by avoiding un-due exposure to the Coronavirus.

And so the place I begin to look for an on ramp into the flow of this story is an examination of the assumptions embedded in the language I choose and language I passively accept from others...
An Invitation to an Interim Virtual Event
Sustaining Member Engagement at UCE
A Workshop to consider: Succession planning, inviting participation and engaging the Mission of UCE

Saturday, November 28, 9:30 to 12
OR
Saturday, December 5, 1-3:30

In November of 2019 Rev. Karen and the Transition Team hosted gatherings of UCE Volunteer leaders to begin to consider how the various groups and committees at UCE organize to fulfill a variety of needs and functions. We began to consider such things as the life cycle of a group - how they start, what they do, how they end or continue. We had begun to unpack these issues and had scheduled a follow-up for January which was postponed due to snow. The rescheduled date came on the very Saturday that UCE closed the building and all efforts became focused on how to become virtual church. Now that your part in the Ministerial Search Process has become less demanding, we are ready to resume our interim work in earnest. Please join us for one of these workshops where we will look again at how to sustain participation in the continuing life of UCE
Serendipity News
A huge thank you from the entire auction team to all our Serendipity Auction bidders this year. Thanks to you (and our 125 amazing and creative donors), we exceeded our auction goal, grossing $26,000!! About 100 people attended our closing celebration, and enjoyed entertainment in the form of music, jokes, limericks, and quizzes while participants bought raffle tickets, and made last minute bids on favorite items. Members really enjoyed the benefits of Auctria, our new auction software, and the team has decided we will keep using Auctria even when we can go back to an in-person auction.

Just a few items are left in the catalog, including a few seats at some great virtual entertainment--Jim Strickler's Civil War talk, Kristin Lems' concert, and a Karaoke night. Take a look here. All are now set as "Buy It Now", so items are first come, first served. If you are not registered, use your email in the church directory to do so or email us at auction@ucevanston.org for help. And if you haven't picked up your items yet, please sign up here to get them from the church. Thoughts about how to make the auction better? We would love to hear from you at auction@ucevanston.org.
A UCE Financial Update from the Integrated Stewardship Council
During the pledge drive last spring, we promised you an update in November as to how UCE was doing financially — and whether we would possibly need to come back to members to ask for more help.  
 
We are happy to report that our financials are stable. Importantly, we received a Payroll Protection Program loan (PPP) of $72,000 that we used to pay salaries this spring and summer. We fully expect this to be converted to a grant. We have also benefitted from a combination of late and additional pledges, non-pledge extra gifts, significant cost savings in running the building, and a successful Serendipity Auction...
Transgender Day of Remembrance Virtual Vigil - TODAY
Please join us for our annual vigil honoring the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost this year in acts of anti-transgender violence.
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) Havens
Update and Invitation!
The Chicago Chapter of BLUU Havens had our first meeting online on Saturday, October 31st with members attending from UCE, 1st Unitarian Church of Chicago, 3rd Unitarian Church of Chicago, and Unity Temple, Oak Park.
 
We were a truly multi-generational group ranging in age from parents with younger children to our oldest member at 93 years old! We spent the time getting to know each other and decided that we wanted to meet more frequently than the suggested once per quarter and are meeting again this Saturday, November 21st at 1pm and we would love for you to join us!
 
As a reminder, Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism envisioned BLUU Havens as small groups created by and for Black UUs and UU-adjacent folks to connect socially at least once per quarter and to engage in organizing efforts locally...
Reflections with the Board
It is our goal as the Board of Trustees to maintain connections with you. To that end, we are beginning a new program entitled, “Reflections with the Board.” We will host these sessions via zoom once a month at 10am before the service. The purpose of these sessions is twofold: One, we will often have information that we would like to share and two, these sessions are a time for us to listen to you. We want to hear how you are, as well as your ideas, suggestions, and concerns.  
 
Our next session will be held on November 22 at 10am. For this session, the Board would like to spend some time talking with you about Widening the Circle of Concern.  The Board has had two sessions devoted to WTC. In our conversations we have focused on the following questions from the UUA Study Guide that are recommended for discussing the the Governance chapter: 
  1. An organization's informal structures privilege the status quo. What informal structures do we have in our community that might be functioning in this way? 
  2. Are any of our community’s structures duplicative or unnecessarily complex? 
  3. How do we educate our community members on congregational policy instead of assuming that they are informed? 
From the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees would like to encourage you to attend the meeting hosted by the Search Committee this Sunday, November 22nd during the coffee hour. The Search Committee will share what they have learned from the congregational survey and the cottage meetings. This meeting will be a final opportunity for the congregation to provide feedback to the Search Committee as they are completing the Congregational Record. 
On Sunday, November 22, Hear the Search Committee's Final Report
A big thank you to everyone who filled out the survey and participated in our focus groups and cottage meetings! The Ministerial Search Committee has been hard at work going through all of your comments and feedback. The final result is the Congregational Record, a compilation of answers to over 50 questions that provide information to prospective ministerial candidates about topics ranging from our building and grounds to the congregation’s organizational structure to UCE’s priorities for a new minister. We will be submitting this record to the UUA by December 1.

Before we do that, however, we want to share with the congregation what we have learned. Your input about what’s important to us as a congregation, what kind of a congregation we want to be, and how we live out our mission is what gives this process integrity. The Congregational Record should be a reflection of the broad range of voices we have in our congregation. To this end, we will be presenting some of what we’ve learned from you all this autumn during coffee hour after the Sunday service on Sunday, November 22. We’ll share an overview of some of the major issues addressed in the Congregational Record, and there will be a way for you to offer feedback.

This is your last opportunity to share your thoughts about anything our next Senior Minister should know about UCE. We hope you will use your influence and join us on November 22. The Ministerial Search Committee is grateful to the Endowment Committee for funding the search process.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service - November 25
Get Involved with Rainbow Alliance
Rainbow Alliance is updating their email list. If you would like to receive emails about Rainbow Alliance meetings and fun events, please send an email to Lizzy Powers at  eapowers1019@gmail.com.

Rainbow Alliance is having a virtual meeting on Tuesday, December 1 at 6 pm. We encourage anyone who would like to be involved in the future of Rainbow Alliance to join us! Interested persons can email Lizzy Powers (eapowers1019@gmail.com) or Rev. Susan Frances (sfrances@ucevanston.org) for the meeting Zoom link.
Hats Off to Shannon Lang!
Our hats are off to Shannon Lang this week for championing BLUU Havens, which is an initiative started through Black Lives of UU to provide social connection and engagement with local organizing efforts for our Black UU siblings. Shannon has organized a BLUU Havens group with participants from four local UU congregations. (See attached article). Shannon is a leader on UCE's Racial Equity Action and Leadership (REAL) team and serves on UCE's Committee on Shared Ministry. She leads by example, building relationships of trust through loving and accountable communication. Thank you, Shannon, for working to build the Beloved Community within UCE and our UU faith.
Help Build Community Connection - Set up your Realm Account Today!
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.
We're looking for virtual worship participants
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.  
 
If you’d like to participate in virtual worship, please send an email to ewiviott@ucevanston.org or kunderwood@ucevanston.org.  
Your financial support is so appreciated!
Please help us ensure your contribution is credited appropriately by indicating on the memo line of your check if it is for 19/20 Pledge, 20/21 Pledge, Shared Offering or a Donation. 
If you are texting to give, please send a text message to 312-584-9160 with the amount you would like to contribute and the one word code for where you would like it to go (e.g., 50 OFFERING). Valid codes are OFFERING (Shared Offering), PLEDGE (Pledge Payment), CAP (Capital Campaign), SOUPKIT (Soup Kitchen), or USIC (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. 
Virtual Meeting Planning Tips!
Do you need help setting up a virtual event? Have you been hosting a virtual event and want to make the planning and publicity process easier? UCE ministers and staff are here to help! There are several ways you can host an online event for free. If a free meeting won't work for your meeting, consider these steps:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education
Pageant Time is Here!
Yes, Virginia, there will be a pageant this year! We will be doing it virtually on Zoom to make it a pageant to remember! Those who sign up will have an opportunity to pick up a costume at UCE, or to be creative and make one from things at home. Sign up here for a part. An email will be sent in early December with further instructions to those who sign up. Feel free to email Kathy at kunderwood@ucevanston.org with any questions.  
Welcome to our November theme of Healing!
This week in the Soulful Home packet we focus on the segments At the Bedside and Blessing. Check out this week’s video for a short synopsis.

If you missed the Welcome and Intro to RE, check it out here, or you can read about it here.  
Many Ways to Connect!
Campfire on the Lawn - November 21 at 4:30-6 pm – Sign up TODAY! A confirmation email will go out Saturday morning to those signed up. The forecast is a bit iffy, so check your email on Saturday if you sign up. We are also limited to 10 people with the recent rise in Covid cases. Sign up here.

Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers)! November'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. We’ll have a parent’s virtual gathering on November 23 at 8 pm to share our experiences. Sign up at here. Zoom info will be sent via email closer to the event. 

Popcorn Theology Online – 6th-8th Grades – Sunday at 1:30-2:30 pm Look for Zoom info in the RE Weekly Update. 

High School Youth - Sunday at 4-5 pm – Look for an email with details!
Registration Time!
Although we might not be having in-person RE on Sunday mornings yet, it is important to know who wants to connect – whether virtual or not. By registering, we can ensure that you get information on all programs and events for all ages this year.
Please sign up below!
For Adults
UCE Forum - Sunday, December 6th at 10 am
Celebrating 100 Years of the Vote for American Women: Multi-media presentation in images and songs
Leader: Kristin Lems

Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 983 5136 0044 Passcode: 789218 
One tap mobile +13126266799,,98351360044#,,,,,,0#,,789218# US (Chicago) 

Christ for UU’s
Tuesdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15; 7:30-8:45 PM,
All sessions will be via Zoom.
Facilitated by UCE member Amy Pooley.

What can we as Unitarian Universalists learn from reading the New Testament? 

Who was Jesus and why does he matter?

How can getting in touch with our Unitarian and our Universalist roots help us rethink the Christian message and even understand it in a new way?

Join us in discussing these questions and more on five Tuesdays in November and December. The course will be based on readings from the New Testament and the recent Beacon Press release "Christ for Unitarian Universalists." We welcome you to purchase a copy of the book here to follow the course's reading schedule, but the discussion will also be accessible for those who have not done the reading and would simply like to show up to share and listen.

Amy Pooley has been a UU for over a decade and a Christian for just a few years. She has a love for our faith’s Unitarian and Universalist roots. She is a graduate student in Counseling and she and her wife Ruth are the moms of a toddler. 

If you’re interested in attending, please click here to RSVP.
Contact Amy Pooley at amycpooley@gmail.com if you have questions.
UCE Book Groups
UCE Fiction Book Group will meet TODAY, Friday, November 20, at 7pm to discuss The Confessions of Nat Turner. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, William Styron’s telling of the transformation of one Nat Turner — slave, preacher, and leader of the only effective slave revolt in the history of that “peculiar institution.”

Future reads will include: 
  • December 18: Go, Went, Gone, by Jenny Erpenbeck
  • January 15: Station Eleven by Jill St. John Mandel
  • February 15: Lila, by Marilynne Robinson

Questions and our mailing list, email Margaret Shaklee mshaklee4417@gmail.com. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
This November, the nonfiction book group will meet via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday the 22nd to discuss two books, The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin and The Fire This Time: a New Generation Speaks about Race, edited by Jesmyn Ward. In the second book, Jesmyn Ward takes James Baldwin’s 1963 examination of race in America, The Fire Next Time, as a jumping off point for a collection of essays and poems about race from voices of our time. Join us if you have read both books or only one of them. Click here to join the zoom meeting.
Social Jutice & Volunteer Opportunities
Try on one of these ideas and find a fit – Serving Connections for the Homeless in the Season of Giving
As the winter holiday season approaches, have you wondered how you and your family could tangibly help other community members? Do you find yourself torn between feeding the hungry or advocating to build affordable housing in Evanston?  
 
UCE has started a partnership with Connections for the Homeless and their housing advocacy group, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing. You can work with UCE friends to do some task from a wide range of service work from making lunches, collecting specific clothing, working at Hilda’s place or working on a myriad of housing advocacy projects including advocacy work with our local and state governments. Whether your passion is food, housing, children's issues, legal justice reform, mental health, or equity, there is a role for you in this project...
UCE Mitten Tree Update
In a season that might feel disorienting, you can anchor to your UU values through the UCE Mitten Tree! New “mittens” will be hung as requests come in. Like most things this year, we have made a few tweaks to keep givers, receivers, and shuttlers in between safe. Please visit the Mitten Tree here, read the instructions for how each organization needs us to handle gifts, select requests you can fill, and may what you give bring you JOY!
 
The Mitten Tree is a tradition at UCE stretching back over 34 years, bringing a mutual sense of belonging and fulfillment for our church and broader community. We are so fortunate for the care and intention Carol Nielsen has brought to this practice of giving, and all of the gifts of friendship, inspiration, and gratitude many have received through participation.

This year, we will be partnering with 3 very special organizations to make the holiday season a little brighter.
Prison Industrial Complex 101: Virtual Training
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.
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. Susan Frances - sfrances@ucevanston.org
Pathways to Membership
Our next Intro to UU and Journey Toward Membership classes will be announced soon.

If you would like to take part in an upcoming class, please 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.

If you would like assistance please reach out to: 

We will be happy to work with you to make sure that you get the most out of your membership experience using the latest tools.
Opportunities For Community Connection
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 November 30)
For more information, contact Ellen Rieger at ellenerieger@gmail.com.
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.
E-mail Renee Hoff at rdhoff99@yahoo.com or Joyce Lofstrom at joycelofstrom@gmail.com for details.

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.

Learn Spanish Group
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm (Meetings are on a break during the holidays. Group will resume on January 6, 2021)
For more information, click here.

Women's Spiritual Group
Every other Wednesday (next meeting is December 2)
Email Amy Grabowski at if you are interested in joining.

Buddhist Meditation 
E-mail Andrea DeMers at ademers99@gmail.com for the link.

Greenwood Investment Club
People interested in learning about personal investing by doing
3rd Thursday this month at 7:30 pm (next meeting is TBA)
Click here for more details.

Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is November 21)
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, Staff, or Board Members
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.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on December 17 at 7 pm. Please email the office at admin@ucevanston.org if you would like to attend.

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