A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole
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The UCE building and grounds are available on a limited basis to small gatherings. Please read UCE's Reopening Guidelines before contacting staff about availability. We will continue to offer ways to connect virtually.
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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.
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The virtual worship service will be at 11:15 am
This Sunday, November 29
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"It Takes Practice" - Matt Meyer
Our favorite songs, whoever the artist or whatever the style, were created in a strange alchemy of study and inspiration, of strict practice and of letting go. Spiritual Practice is a similar combination of dedication, muscle memory, and perhaps a little divine inspiration. Join us for a musical exploration of learning to risk, building the muscle memory of courage, and the spiritual practice of relationship when things around us are changing fast.
Matt Meyer is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist with a long background as a musician and worship leader for UU congregations. Matt lives in Boston but travels as an itinerant worship leader, bringing the good news of Unitarian Universalism to hundreds congregations all over the country. He serves as the Director of Operations for Sanctuary Boston, a contemporary UU worship community that meets on Wednesday nights. Matt is also a founding organizer of the UU Songleaders Convergence, a gathering for all UUs who love community singing to share skills, best practices, and songs, in order to build a more musical movement together. You can follow Matt and get his email updates on Music and Worship here.
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We encourage you to submit your joys and sorrows ahead of time to this online form. We will read aloud in the service, those that are submitted by 11 am on Sunday. If you are unable to access the google form for some reason, you may send an email to Rev. Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@ucevanston.org, however, it is easier for us to keep track through the google form. We continue to celebrate and mourn together through this important ritual and appreciate your understanding as we explore the various ways to hold what is on your hearts.
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This Sunday's shared offering recipient is Deborah's Place. Your offering can be given through Text-to-Give, online, or mailed to the office with "Shared Offering" in the memo line.
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Other Gatherings this Sunday |
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom
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Virtual Coffee Hour immediately following Worship Service
+13126266799,,94356542944#,,,,,,0#,,690720# US (Chicago)
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Important News and Upcoming Events |
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All Church Zoom gatherings continue on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Look for the link in our Wednesday e-mails. If you need online Zoom support before the All Church gathering begins, join us at 5:20 pm.
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From Rev. Susan Frances, Director of Congregational Life |
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Dear Friends,
Fall is my favorite time of year. The colors on the trees, the smell in the air, the chill of the water, and the movement of the sun all remind me of my connection with the Earth and with the people in my life. For many of us, the fall brings with it traditions of the Thanksgiving holiday, when many of us typically gather with friends and family and express our gratitude for what is in our lives. Due to the pandemic, I know many of us spent Thanksgiving this week living out our usual traditions virtually or making new traditions. This year, I invite you to dig deeper into the story of Thanksgiving and embrace living with both gratitude and lament...
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On Sunday, November 20, 2020, we welcomed 6 new members to join our beloved community. Welcome Brennan Baker, Briana Rotter, Rafael Hernandez, Stacey Kinal, Shawn Iles, and Jane Wurster! We are so glad you are here. |
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Update on the Anti-Oppression Efforts |
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UCE’s call to dismantle white supremacy, be inclusive, be antiracists, and be accountable continues and we need your assistance!
Representatives from the Board of Trustees, the ministerial team, and REAL are in the midst of interviewing outside consultants to partner with UCE as we form our Anti-Oppression Task Force. Here is the list of the organizations being reviewed:
- Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
- Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism
- Crossroads of Chicago
- Evanston/Northshore YWCA
- Transforming Hearts Collective
Our first conversation was with the Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis on November 24, 2020. Please contact Rev. Susan if you would like to review a recording of the conversation and provide input.
Our next conversation will be with Crossroads of Chicago on December 10, 2020, at 7:00 pm. Please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org by December 6, 2020, for the Zoom link.
Thank you for being engaged with this important work!
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Ministerial Search Committee Message |
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Thank you to everyone who attended the Search Committee’s presentation of our findings from the cottage meetings, focus groups, and survey data and who participated in our Q&A after the presentation. Your feedback and questions are important to us and to the process of finding a new settled minister. For those of you weren’t able to join us on Sunday, November 22, you can view a recording of the presentation on YouTube and/or download a pdf of the slide show.
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What is Policy Governance and Why Does UCE Have It? |
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Some members have asked about policy governance and wonder if it’s a good model for UCE. These are good questions to ask, and we will attempt an explanation here – just for you.
First, we still have a Board of Trustees with nine members elected by you, the congregation. They work for the congregation and are accountable to the congregation – that’s all of us!
POLICY GOVERNANCE specifies which work is done by the staff and which by the Board of Trustees. The Executive (Senior Minister) is accountable to the Board and works in covenantal collaboration with the Board. The Board is accountable to the Congregation, and must remain transparent to and linked with the congregation for direction. Formal direction comes from the congregation in the form of our Mission and End Statements. Informal direction comes from asking generative questions and listening to congregants, and being in conversation with the congregation, all of which is called linkage...
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An Invitation to an Interim Virtual Event
Sustaining Member Engagement at UCE
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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
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Get Involved with Rainbow Alliance |
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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.
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Hats Off to New Member Committee! |
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Our Hats are off to Marianne Griebler, Judy LeFevour, Maggie Wilson, and Meredith Haydon, the members of the UCE New Member Committee. From participating in each series of new membership classes to helping new members navigate the pledging process, Marianne, Judy, Maggie, and Meredith are dedicated to making new members feel welcome and part of our community. We have welcomed 17 new members through two virtual New Member Ingatherings in the past nine months. Thank you, Marianne, Judy, Maggie, and Meredith, for your commitment to relationship building within UCE! |
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Help Build Community Connection - Set up your Realm Account Today! |
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UCE's new membership database has launched! Don't forget to set up your account, so you can start taking advantage of this awesome system. Login to see your giving history, update your contact information, and access the updated and more secure directory! Group leaders can take attendance and keep track of who is participating in their group. Realm has so much more to offer, so join us online and check it out! Contact Adam if you need more help setting up your account at agough@ucevanston.org.
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We're looking for virtual worship participants |
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Would you like to share your talents and gifts in a worship service? We are looking for people of all ages to pre-record service elements such as:
- Songs
- Dances
- Readings
- Stories
- Our covenant
- Lighting the chalice
The process involves video recording yourself and uploading the file to a shared google folder. Instructions will be provided. You might be asked to read a particular story or sing a song that fits the theme of the service. Or, you might offer a song, story or poem you’d like to share, which we can use when and where it fits.
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Your financial support is so appreciated! |
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Please help us ensure your contribution is credited appropriately by indicating on the memo line of your check if it is for 19/20 Pledge, 20/21 Pledge, Shared Offering or a Donation.
If you are texting to give, please send a text message to 312-584-9160 with the amount you would like to contribute and the one word code for where you would like it to go (e.g., 50 OFFERING). Valid codes are OFFERING (Shared Offering), PLEDGE (Pledge Payment), CAP (Capital Campaign), SOUPKIT (Soup Kitchen), or MUSIC (music fund). If you do not include a code after your donation amount, the system will automatically select DEFAULT and the church office will contact you to determine how to direct your gift. To learn more, click here. If you experience any issues or would like a one-on-one session to go over Text-to-Give, contact Adam at agough@ucevanston.org.
During these times when UCE staff are working from home we are trying to make trips to the church and our accounting tasks manageable for our Staff Accountant, Vickie Doebele. We respectfully request when you make a shared offering donation please do not ask for 100% to go to the organization. This truly would be helpful. We appreciate your understanding.
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Virtual Meeting Planning Tips! |
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Do you need help setting up a virtual event? Have you been hosting a virtual event and want to make the planning and publicity process easier? UCE ministers and staff are here to help! There are several ways you can host an online event for free. If a free meeting won't work for your meeting, consider these steps:
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Email the details of your meeting to admin@ucevanston.org so staff can help you set up and publicize your virtual event. Virtual UCE events can be advertised in the weekly newsletter, on the UCE calendar, on the UCE Facebook groups, and sometimes on the UCE homepage.
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Work with staff on deciding who would be best to host the meeting. Do you or a member of your group have their own Zoom account? Is someone in your group willing and able to purchase an account? In these times of social distancing, it may be worthwhile to purchase an account for a year and use it for any personal or UCE-related events. Will a minister or staff member attend your meeting? Staff will put you in touch with that staff member to see if they can host your meeting with their Zoom account. If not, we can use another staff member’s Zoom account.
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Once the Zoom link is created, consider whether you want to set up a registration for the virtual event. Is there a limit on how many you would like to participate? Do you want a list of participants so you can email them the link before the event?
Don't forget all UCE virtual events can be added to the UCE calendar. If you are interested in having your virtual events featured on the calendar, please contact the office at 847-864-1330 or email admin@ucevanston.org. If you want
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Social Jutice & Volunteer Opportunities |
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All are Invited - Green Team meets December 5 - Join us! |
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Guests, first-timers and those who haven’t joined us in a while are all welcome. Agenda items will include: City of Evanston CARP Coordination, Community Solar, EJE (Environmental Justice Evanston) & CEJA (Clean Energy Jobs Act) updates and more!
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Try on one of these ideas and find a fit – Serving Connections for the Homeless in the Season of Giving |
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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...
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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.
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Prison Industrial Complex 101: Virtual Training |
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Saturday, January 16, 2021, 10:00am - 11:30pm CST and
Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:00am - 11:30pm CST
It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of the racial and economic injustice in our society. This is an opportunity to learn and reflect on what we can do to change it. This workshop is intended to educate participants and inspire action. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Examine the prison industrial complex root: its reach, impact and our ability to transform it.
- Connect Unitarian Universalist (UU) values to the work to divest from prisons and police and invest in building new systems of safety, healing, and accountability.
- Build connections with organizations engaged in prisoner solidarity and restorative justice.
- Learn about the UU Prison Ministry and how your congregation or community can support our work.
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What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education |
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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.
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Welcome to our November theme of Healing! |
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If you missed the Welcome and Intro to RE, check it out here, or you can read about it here.
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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.
1st-5th Grades – Holiday Zoom on Thursday, December 10 at 4 pm – wear your ugly sweater, Santa hats and holiday bling! Look for Zoom info in the RE Weekly Update.
Popcorn Theology Online for 6th-8th Grades – December 13 at 1 pm - Look for Zoom info in the RE Weekly Update.
High School Youth - Sunday at 4-5 pm – Look for an email with details!
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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
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.
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The nonfiction book group will meet on December 27th at 2 p.m. via Zoom to discuss Rebecca Solnit's book entitled Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities. In this book Solnit celebrates the accomplishments of grassroots activists and says that those activists often fail to recognize the power of their activity. She encourages us to be hopeful as we stand up and participate in the work to bring about needed changes in the world.
The book is available in public libraries in various formats as well as from booksellers and on Kindle. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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Interested in knowing more about UCE? Scroll down for info on ongoing programs and useful information. Can't find your answers here? Click the button below to learn more on our website. |
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How to get in touch with UCE's Ministers |
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UCE ministers are available throughout the week by appointment. If you are in need of pastoral care or someone to talk to, please reach out to them by email.
We are here for you.
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Our next Intro to UU and Journey Toward Membership classes will be announced soon.
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Offer to Provide Technical Support |
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Physical separation is leading many of us to find new ways of forming and maintaining virtual connections through the internet. The UCE staff and Board of Trustees wants to make sure that no one is isolated because they lack access to technology or technical skills.
If you would like assistance please reach out to:
We will be happy to work with you to make sure that you get the most out of your membership experience using the latest tools.
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Opportunities For Community Connection |
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UCE Addictions and Recovery
For more information about the group, click here.
Grief Support Group
Every other Monday at 6:30 pm (next meeting is November 30)
UCE Men's Group
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7 pm via conference call.
For more information, click here.
Retired (but never retiring!) Women
Monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 5pm.
For information, contact Margie Rogasner.
Caregiver Support Group
Tuesdays at 7 pm via Zoom.
Udumbara Zen Sangha
Tuesday Evenings and Saturday Mornings
For more information, click here.
Learn Spanish Group
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
Greenwood Investment Club
People interested in learning about personal investing by doing
3rd Thursday this month at 7:30 pm (next meeting is TBA)
Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is December 5)
For more information, click here.
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
Sundays at 9:30 am via Zoom
Staff are available to help with setting up virtual meetings and getting the word out to the congregation. For more information on how to set up a digital meeting, click the button below. Email Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org to add your event to UCE's calendar and to submit an article about your virtual meeting to the newsletter.
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Beware scam e-mails and texts from those
posing as UCE ministers, Staff, or Board Members
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Please do not respond to the e-mail or text scam that is going out with Rev. Eileen's, Sandra's, or Jessica Tomell-Presto's names. UCE ministers, Staff, and Board Members will never ask you for money in an e-mail or for you to send gift cards to anyone. Check the e-mail address and phone number it is coming from. If it is not familiar, it is a scam. Most of you have gotten wise to these scams. They will keep coming nonetheless. Thank you to those who let us know they received this scam.
This is someone who is using Eileen's, Sandra's, or Jessica's name with a generated email address and phone number. They haven't hacked their personal accounts. The e-mail addresses Eileen will send messages from will be either ewiviott@hotmail.com or ewiviott@ucevanston.org. The address Sandra will send messages from is srobinson@ucevanston.org. The address Jessica willIf you are unsure about the number texting you, please call the office.
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The Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of every month.
The next virtual meeting is on December 17 at 7 pm. Please email the office at admin@ucevanston.org if you would like to attend.
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These are closed groups that allow members to post directly to each other. If you have an event you want members to know about, or have a cause you hope to bring attention to, in addition to the newsletter and order of service, you can post to the Facebook Group. Click the links below or search for the groups by name when you are on Facebook and ask to join.
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