A Unitarian Universalist Congregation |
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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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The Democracy Revival will be at 10 am
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Instead of hosting a virtual worship service, UCE joins the Democracy Revival on Sunday, October 25th at 10 am.
Join with hundreds of other Unitarian Universalists around IL for a Democracy Revival. Along with 16 Unitarian Universalist congregations across IL, UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI) and UU Prison Ministries of IL (UUPMI) we will sing, dance and shout (virtually) together to revive democracy and our spirits! Democracy has always been a core of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Using our online technologies, we will gather our resources and energies for this worship service.
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Other Virtual Gatherings this Sunday |
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Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 9:30 am via Zoom
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Cottage Meeting with the Ministerial Search Committee via Zoom at Noon
More information below in "Important News and Upcoming Events"
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In honor of All Souls on November 1st, please send a photo of a loved one lost in the last year to Rev. Eileen at ewiviott@ucevanston.org by October 28th.
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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,
I am finally feeling settled into my role as Director of Congregational Life. Part of this role involves shepherding the various aspects of membership. I have found myself reflecting on two aspects of membership this month: hospitality and belonging.
How do we welcome new individuals, couples, and families into our community? I have been wondering about how we open our hearts and minds to people who may be different from us. I know UCE to be a place that strives to embody radical hospitality. Hospitality, hospitable, hospital, hospice, all come from the same root word, meaning generous, caring, sustaining. The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell reminds us that radical “means ‘out of the ordinary,’ ‘revolutionary,’ even. So what would it mean to receive someone—a stranger—with a presence that was not just polite, but to receive them with revolutionary generosity?”...
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“Claiming the Story: Racism in Real Time at UCE”
Post-sermon community conversations hosted by the REAL Team
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The REAL Team will host a final community conversations following the worship service on October 18th in order to continue the dialogue about repair and reconciliation within our community. This will be moderator-led sessions via Zoom. We look forward to seeing you!
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From the Board of Trustees |
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The Board of Trustees wants to ensure you have an opportunity to share your thoughts about the skills the next called Senior Minister should possess. Please attend the remaining Cottage Meeting on Sunday, October 25 at approximately 12 pm, following the 10 am service (DURING THE COFFEE HOUR.)
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What should a new minister know about our congregation?
Here's your chance to have your voice heard!
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So you’ve completed the ministerial search survey, entered the raffle prize, and shared your thoughts about our congregation. (Thank you!) What comes next?
The next step to the search process is a series of cottage meetings—group conversations where members of the congregation come together to share their thoughts about our congregation, our future, and how a minister can help us get there. Each cottage meeting will be held over Zoom and will last for 90 minutes. We’re interested in hearing about why you’re proud of our congregation, who’s lives we touch, and the skills you look for in a minister.
There will be four cottage meetings in the next six weeks. If you’re interested in attending, please click on one of the links below to RSVP.
We hope to see you there!
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Exciting Opportunities at the Serendipity Auction
And Keep Your Donations Coming...
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We have some amazing and creative offerings coming in. Click here to view the Serendipity Auction catalog. Check out this beautiful original watercolor Blue Iris by Johna Van Dyke. Missing live music, join other UCE members, virtually, to hear the inspiring and beautiful music of folksinger and songwriter, Kristin Lems and listen to her stories about how being a teen at UCE in the ‘60’s inspired her career. Wanting a great gift for a child? For bicycle enthusiasts, you can ride John LaPlante’s bicycle, generously donated by Linda...
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Wanted: Congregational Leaders |
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Like challenge?
Like to work with others?
Like the chance to significantly help UCE nurture the human spirit for a world made whole?
UCE’s Nominating and Recruitment Committee (N&R) is beginning its work to identify potential candidates for leadership positions in the church, some of whom are then elected at our annual meeting in the Spring to open positions on the Board of Trustees, Endowment Fund Trustees, and our own N&R Committee. Over the next few months we will be contacting folks who have shown an interest in being considered, and others who have been suggested by others as potential candidates.
This is challenging work in the best of times, and particularly so now. COVID presents its own problems in terms of peoples’ bandwidth capacities, heightened stress and competing priorities. We are also aware as never before that, just as we need to improve our capacities for “radical hospitality” to welcome people into our church...
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Post-Election All Church Zoom Session |
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On November 4th, regardless of what happens on November 3rd, a Zoom Room - for healing, song, readings, reflections, tears, and hopefully some laughter - will be set aside from 3pm - 5:30 pm. This will lead right into our regular Wednesday evening gathering. Please join at any time between 3-6:30 and bring whatever contributions you have or just receive the comfort and inspiration of community. The link to this gathering will be sent to the newsletter list on Wednesday the 4th by 2pm.
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UCE to Host Emergency Overnight Shelter this November |
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For the last four years, UCE has joined with other faith communities in Evanston to help keep those without a home from sleeping outside in the winter. We will fulfill this commitment again this year, with modifications agreed upon by other houses of worship and Interfaith Action of Evanston. From November 8 through the 28th, we will host up to 20 people from 9 pm to 7 am. Due to the pandemic, the shelter will be run by paid staff provided by Interfaith Action and Connections for the Homeless, with minimal volunteers coordinated through Interfaith Action. Tickets will be handed out at Connections and at the Hospitality Center for access to the shelter in order to prevent lines from forming outside the building.
We've reviewed this plan with our Covid Task Force and our faithful and dedicated staff, Liz and Steven Eason, who will be making sure our building is clean and safe during and beyond the time we host the shelter. Our principles call us to do what we can to care for the most vulnerable among us. The combined resources and generosity of this congregation make it possible for us to take action in this way. Thank you.
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Doing the Time Warp with Rainbow Alliance |
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Endowment Fund Money Still Available |
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Gini Sayad Internment - Sunday, November 1 |
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Gini Sayad's ashes will be interred in a brief ceremony on Sunday, November 1st at 2 pm in the UCE Peace Garden next to the front steps. Those who loved Gini are invited to attend with masks and physical distance. For more information or to let us know you plan to attend, email Rev. Eileen at ewiviott@ucevanston.org.
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Grief Support Group Continues Monday, November 2 |
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If you have had the loss of a loved one or are experiencing grief due to other less concrete losses in your life you are welcome to join a zoom grief group. This group meets every other other Monday for 8 weeks. It will be facilitated by Ellen Rieger CADC, LCPC. Please contact Ellen at ellenerieger@gmail.com if you are interested. If you know someone outside of our church community who would benefit from this group they could also contact Ellen.
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Are you thinking big during these exciting times? |
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Could you extend your wings and assist our MidAmerica Region? The MidAmerica Nominating Committee is seeking fresh voices for leadership positions to strengthen the future of the MidAmerica Region. Our region needs energetic people with diverse perspectives to fill these leadership positions. The deadline to submit a nomination is November 14. Click the button below and learn more!
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Midwest Leadership School: Vision, Mission, and Covenants |
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[CORRECTION from Mary Beth Napier: The notice in last week’s newsletter about this series inadvertently failed to mention one of this year’s attendees at the MidWest Leadership School. Apologies to Sally Parsons.]
In session 2 of the Midwest Leadership School, the attendees from each church spent time reviewing their mission and covenant and how they align with how the church actually spends its resources. I gained a broader perspective. There are two other components not mentioned as often — vision and shadow mission.
Below you will find definitions of each of these concepts provided us by uua.org. I invite you to examine the UCE vision, mission and covenant through these lens.
Vision: A carefully defined picture of where you want to be in five or more years. It is the dream of what you can become...
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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! |
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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 PLEDGE. 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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Please join us for an afternoon of restoration work in beautiful Harms Woods Forest Preserve in Glenview on Sunday, October 25th at 1:15 pm. We plan to gather wildflower seeds to be used in restoration next spring. It's an easy and fun activity, and it's important work in the restoration of our local habitats. It will be outdoors, and we will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing, but it's always enjoyable and social.
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Your Chance to Connect with Connections for the Homeless |
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We have new opportunities for volunteers who want to make a difference in our community in very concrete ways. Connections for the Homeless is a well-established, non-profit organization in Evanston, providing a wide range of services to homeless people. To address the complexities of services during the Covid19 pandemic, they have been creative and flexible and have increased their efforts to meet greater needs. They provide temporary housing, lunches, clothing and access to other essential services, including a path to permanent housing.
The UCE Prison Ministry and Food and Shelter Team are launching a renewed and invigorated partnership with Connections, along with a $40,000 donation from our Endowment Fund. Connections has effective infrastructure to provide services, which all depend on lots of volunteers. That’s where we come in - with volunteers! We’re starting with two areas - bag lunches and the Clothing Room at Hilda’s Place. We’re hopeful that in 2021 we can expand to other projects, as well...
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We need penpals! The CLF (Church of the Larger Fellowship) Ambassador Program of IL has 24 incarcerated members who are waiting for a penpal from within our UU faith community. Could that be you?
Penpals are expected to write at least twice a month for a minimum of six months. We currently have over 40 penpal pairs some of whom have been writing for over two years. The penpal relationship starts from a place of shared faith community and can expand to whatever works for the Penpal pair. You’ll be joining a supportive and growing community of UUs tearing down walls.
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There are so many ways you can participate in social action, from showing up, signing on, and donating to committing yourself to learn more.
#SayHerName
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Breonna Taylor. A grand jury in Kentucky indicted one officer of endangering neighbors with reckless gunfire, but no one was charged with causing Breonna Taylor’s death in her Louisville apartment. Sign here to Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor.
Learn
“Protest is telling the truth in public. We’re saying, This is a truth that you tried to hide, that you tried to tell us we weren’t supposed to talk about, and we refuse to let you do that. Protest opens space for the solution;…. I am mindful that like protest, voting is one tool in the toolkit, and the only way to build a house is to use all the tools. I tell people to vote, not because it’ll automatically change the world, but because we’re trying to build a house.”
~ DeRay Mckesson (italics are authors; bold is added) from his appearance on the podcast, At Liberty.
Volunteer
Donate
Vote
Census
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Make sure your community is represented, submit your census form online or call 844-330-2020. The deadline for completing the census form has been extended to October 31, 2020.
Social action continues! Check out the UCE Homepage for more ways you can support our communities. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org. Thank you all for continuing to live UCE's mission!
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What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education |
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Welcome to our October theme of Deep Listening! |
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If you missed the Welcome and Intro to RE, check it out here, or you can read about it here.
Sign up TODAY for the Halloween Campfire (weather permitting) – Saturday at 5:30-7:30 pm. Wear your costume, enjoy some s’mores, and maybe share a scary story or two! Sign up here.
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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!
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All Families:
Fellowship – Sunday after worship – Join the virtual coffee hour zoom where parents and families can meet and greet in their own breakout room!
Parents on the Porch - Pre-Election Support - Sunday, October 25 at 8:30-9 pm – Grab your favorite beverage and join other parents on the porch - virtually - to share concerns and thoughts on the upcoming election and our monthly theme of Deep Listening. Sign up here.
Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers)! October'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 October 26 at 8 pm to share our experiences. Sign up at here. Zoom info will be sent via email closer to the event.
6th-8th Families - Popcorn Theology – Sunday, October 25 at 12-1 pm. Info will be emailed out to participants on Saturday.
High School Youth - Sunday at 6-7:30 pm – Look for emails with details!
UU Kids Connect - A free virtual gathering of UU kids K-8 from around the country and Canada! This program started as a summer camp and was such a success that they are continuing with monthly virtual gatherings. Click here for more info.
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UCE Forum - Sunday, November 1st at 10 am
Green Team
Leaders: Andy Schlickman, Renee Hoff
One tap mobile +13126266799,,98351360044#,,,,,,0#,,789218# US (Chicago)
Visions of God
Tuesdays thru October 27 at 7-9 pm via Zoom
Facilitated by UCE members Bob Mesle and Dan Solomon.
This class aims to help people explore a range of important visions embracing or rejecting “God,” and to share personal journeys with each other. We hope class members will learn some new ideas, clarify familiar ones, make new connections, and enrich in their own thinking.
The question, “Do you believe in God?” is not productive unless we can get some clarity about what a person mean by “God.” But for us, the question certainly raises interwoven questions of both REALITY and VALUES. It asks about what exists and how the universe works. Talk of “God” also raises important questions about what values “God” stands for and what feelings are invoked. Geneticist and religious naturalist, Ursula Goodenough, notes that religion is about both “What is, and what matters.” –i.e., truth and ethics. Religions, including atheistic secularism, propose visions of reality coupled with claims about how we should treat each other given those beliefs. This class will explore how some concepts of “God” engage us in those reflections.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 828 7766 5260, Passcode: 934455. One tap mobile +13126266799,,82877665260#,,,,,,0#,,934455# US (Chicago)
Christ for UU’s
Tuesdays, Nov. 10, 17; 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 via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 25th to continue our discussion of the (second half of) the book A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn. Please join us even if you have not read the entire book. We will focus on what is of greatest interest to participants, concentrating on the history of the U.S. since the beginning of the 20th century. Click here to join the meeting.
In November we will meet via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday the 21st 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.
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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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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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Learn Spanish Group
For more information, click here.
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.
Women's Spiritual Group
Every other Wednesday (next meeting is November 4)
Buddhist Meditation
UCE Addictions and Recovery
Form more information about the group, click here.
Greenwood Investment Club
People interested in learning about personal investing by doing
4th Thursdays every month at 7:30 pm (next meeting is TBA)
Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is October 24)
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 November 19 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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