A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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.
The Sunday virtual service will be at 11:15 am
“Reconstitution” - Water is life. It renews, refreshes and reconstitutes our world and our spirits. Though we can not be together when it would be the time of our Ingathering, we will join together virtually for water communion in a new way. We invite each of you to bring to this worship service a bowl or cup of water and a stone for each person in your home. We will share in a ritual of collective healing and replenishment. Revs. Eileen, Karen, and Susan are our worship leaders.

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 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 Shorefront Legacy Center. 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 at 12:15 pm via Zoom
To join the virtual coffee hour by phone dial +13126266799,,94356542944#,,,,0#,,690720#
Important News and Upcoming Events
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.
From the Ministerial Search Committee
Dear Friends: 

This week it was brought to the Search Committee’s attention that the question included in the Congregational Survey regarding personal feelings about calling a minister based on several different categorical identifications caused unintended but very real harm in our church community. We are grateful that we are in relationship with members in our congregation who can bring this to our attention in clear, direct ways. We sincerely apologize and are committed to putting in place a process that will allow us to begin a return to right relations. 

We immediately closed the survey and removed the question. We will also reach out to those individuals who shared their hurt and pain with us. The survey will be re-released shortly. For those who have already submitted their survey responses, the response to that one question will be thrown out; answers to the other questions will be included in the survey results.  

The survey is based on questions developed and provided by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The question at issue came from there but in discussion with the UUA we learned that specific question is no longer recommended. It’s not clear why that question was still included in the questions provided to us. The UUA is very sorry for their part in this issue, as expressed by our Transitions Coach, Lisa Presley. However, we want to acknowledge that the search committee also did not identify the potential for harm caused by including the question in the survey we distributed. 
Learn to Embody Racial Justice as a Spiritual Practice
Beloved Conversations is now virtual and an all-new program! Even if you have taken BC before, this might be for you! One side benefit is it's a great way to meet other UUs from across the country!

Registration is easy, and there are need-based scholarships available. Click here to register!
Wonderful Blessing of Outdoor Projects Completion
UCE is now even more welcoming! The Capital Campaign Implementation Committee has been working for about a year planning a series of projects to make our church building and grounds more safe, accessible, welcoming and beautiful. Rev. Eileen led a meaningful and fun Blessing Service September 2nd at our front door…all while keeping physically distant. Everyone really enjoyed coming together for a service, since it has been 6 months since our last service at the church. 

We had drumming led by Alicia Hempfling, we sang familiar songs, gave appreciation and gifts for all of the hard work put into these projects… and even a little celebratory dancing. Adam Gough made sure that if people wanted to stay in their car they could hear everything through their car radio (very cool –right?). Members also enjoyed the Blessing Service standing by their cars and in the garden...
Want to meet and work with Chicago Area UU's?
This Saturday, Sept. 12 at 9 am, you can zoom in with the board of the Chicago Area UU Council and help them plan their Fall workshop. Michelle Novak is a UCE member who serves on their board. Join her and others as they plan ways to connect our area congregations.

Click here to join the meeting. Contact Michelle Novak for more info.
Registration Open for Virtual Series: Transcendentalism and Today
Join this 4-part Virtual Series "Transcendentalism and Today" with author John Beuhrens. Sessions will be hosted via Zoom on Saturday from 10 am - 11:30 am CST. Click the button below to register! Click here to join the Zoom series here.

September 12 - Spiritual Friendships Across Differences
September 19 - Women’s Rights Then and Now
September 26 - Anti-Racism Then and Now
October 3 - Saving and Savoring Nature

This series is co-sponsored by Unitarian Church of Evanston, Unity Temple, and North Shore Unitarian Church. All are welcome to attend!
Jean Thompson's Virtual Memorial Service
Jean Thompson's virtual memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 12 at 2 pm. 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. Save the links to the buttons below to attend these virtual events.
Send a Photo for the Pet Blessing - October 4
Guppies, starfish, frogs, turtles, guinea pigs, ferrets, cats, and dogs - this is the list of pets that Rev. Susan’s family has had over the years. She will be leading our pet blessing ritual on October 4th and looks forward to seeing your pet.  

With a virtual pet blessing, all our fine animal friends are able to participate. Please email a photo of your pet or of you with your pet to Adam at agough@ucevanston.org by September 28, 2020.
Save the Date - Braver Angels Events in October!
Mark your calendar to join October 4th and 18th from 3-5pm for an Evanston interfaith Braver Angels event co-sponsored by UCE and Lake Street Church. On October 4, there will be a film showing and on October 18th, we will participate in a skills building workshop. Learn more about Braver Angels on the links below.
Endowment Fund Deadline
The fall deadline for submitting grant applications to the Endowment Committee is October 31. The Endowment Fund supports special UCE projects and opportunities for enrichment within the congregation, scholarships and grants for members and staff, and UCE building and property repairs and upgrades. 
The Fund also seeks to enhance the impact of UCE’s shared ministry by funding Community outreach initiatives. Endowment grant applications may be filled out using Adobe Acrobat. If you have an idea for a grant, but are unsure about filling out the application, the Endowment Committee will put you in touch with someone who can help. Please contact Jane Kenamore, Jkenamore@ameritch.net, Margaret Schatz, mesharbor@gmail.com or trudiannedavis@gmail.com with questions. 
Endowment Fund Grants
At their August meeting, The Board of Trustees approved five Endowment grant applications which had been reviewed and recommended for funding by the Endowment Committee. These grants exemplify the range of Endowment funding, from support of community-based organizations working for social justice, to UCE’s own special project needs. The funded grants are: 

  • Ministerial Search Committee, $10,000, to cover costs of the active part of the search process for new senior minister. 
  • Family Focus Evanston, $6150, for fifteen scholarships to Family Focus After School Program and transportation for three field trips during the school year. 
  • Nonviolent Communication, $500, to hold four workshops for practitioners and weekly video meetings.
  • UCE UU Prison Ministry of IL, $2400, for three leaders of Solidarity Circles which provide communities of support for people released from prison. 
  • Connections for the Homeless, $40,000, one-year salary for housing specialist to help people experiencing homelessness in our area to find housing. 

Every gift to the Endowment Fund is important. It not only helps ensure a lasting future for UCE, but enables its deeper impact today. UCE members may donate by making gifts of celebration, memorial gifts and through planned estate donations. Find out more about gifts and giving in UCE’s Endowment Fund brochure. And please contact Trustees, Jane Kenamore, Margaret Schatz, or Trudi Davis, if you have questions. 
Hats Off to Barb Butz!
Our hats are off to Barb Butz this week for her steadfast work on the UCE gardens. Barb is a master gardener and shares her gifts with UCE, helping us plant the prairie garden off the parking lot, maintaining and consulting on our two rain gardens and now, with the six stone planters at our entrance. These planters add safety for those entering the building and enhance aesthetic appeal. Barb is busily working with other volunteers to ensure they are filled with sustainable and beautiful plantings. Liz Kennedy shares, “you might go by the church at odd times, and find Barb there alone, working in the yard. She shows up unannounced, without fanfare, and not looking for credit, just leaving us a lovely garden to enjoy.” And, one more way, Barb contributes to the beauty at UCE, she has been a dedicated choir member for many years. Thank you, Barb, for tending to the beauty of our environment.
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 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. 
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
Welcome to a New Year in Religious Education!
It has been a challenging year to say the least, and yet it brings a sense of excitement – to try new things and find fun ways to connect with each other. In that spirit, we will have a mix of opportunities for parents, children, youth, and families to connect with each other and our UU faith. 

Check out this Welcome and Intro to RE video explaining a bit of what we’re doing! If you’d rather read about it, then check it out here.
Many Ways to Connect!
All Families:  
Fellowship – Sunday after worship – join the all-church zoom where parents and families can meet and greet in their own breakout room! 
Fun on the Lawn - September 13, 1:30-2:30 pm– Today is the last day to sign up! Click here to sign up!  
Parent’s Porch – September 20 at 8:30 pm – Grab your favorite beverage and join other parents on the porch – virtually – to share thoughts on parenting as it relates to the pandemic and our monthly theme of Renewal. 

Pre/K Kids and Families – Here is a new program for you – POP (Parents of Preschoolers)! Check it out 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 September 28 at 8 pm to share our experiences.  

2nd-5th Kids and Families  
Fun on the Lawn - September 17 at 6 pm – Sign up here! 
 
6th-8th Families  
Fun on the Lawn - September 22 at 6 pm - come hear more on what we’ll be doing this year! Sign up here! 

High School Youth September 13 – 1-2:30 pm -Sign up here! Note that this gathering will be held at advisor Linda Herreid’s garden. Info is on the sign-up. 
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, September 20th at 10 am
UCE will continue the Forum Discussion this fall. We will have Forum Discussions on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month—from 10:00 to 11:00. Our goal in each of these sessions is discussion among the participants. Usually, the presenter(s) will provide a 15-minute summary of the topic, followed by 45 minutes of discussion. All are welcome. A schedule for the Fall is here and will be updated as presenters are identified. This fall we will have every other discussion focus on one of the Seven UUA principles.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 955 9666 8543, Passcode: 463626, One tap mobile: +13126266799,,95596668543#,,,,,,0#,,463626# US (Chicago)

New Program! Visions of God 
Tuesdays, beginning Sep. 15 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) 
 
For more information, See the Adult RE page on the UCE Website, or email dan.solomon.45@gmail.com. 
UCE Book Groups
The UCE Nonfiction Book Group - the next meeting will be Sunday September 27 at 2pm via Zoom to discuss the first half of A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn. In October, the discussion will continue with the second half of the book. Please contact Jackie Seaman with any questions.
The UCE Fiction Book Group - will meet Friday September 18 by ZOOM at 7:30 to discuss Wallace Stegner’s National Book Award winner for 1977, The Spectator Bird. “ a witty observation of Americans returning to “the old country” in post-WWII Europe, as well as a deep meditation on the quirks and blessings of a long marriage."

The next read is James McBride’s Deacon King Kong, discussion Friday, October 16. "In September 1969, a fumbling, cranky old church deacon known as Sportcoat shuffles into the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project in south Brooklyn, pulls a .38 from his pocket, and in front of everybody shoots the project's drug dealer at point-blank range.”

To sign up for the ZOOM link, please email Margaret Shaklee at mshaklee4417@gmail.com.
Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Fair Tax Town Hall - September 26 @ 9:30 am via Youtube
After 50 years of living with Illinois' unfair income tax system, we at long last have the opportunity on Nov. 3 to vote in a Fair Tax system. Join us for inspiring orations from some of Illinois' top preachers, important politicians, and hear riveting personal testimonials from those most impacted who share how the Fair Tax will make their lives better. We CAN make a difference - join us and find out how! Listening to voices from the community and the government cover: What is Fair Tax? The community impact of our current inequity? How passing the Fair Tax will impact the state budget process? What can we do NOW to help pass Fair Tax?.

  • Don Harmon President of the IL Senate 
  • Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch Sn Pastor, New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist 
  • Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability  
  • Rev. Joe Mitchell of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (DeKalb) 
  • Rev. Dr. Marylin Pagán-Banks of A Just Harvest 
  • Rev. Brian Sauder of Faith in Place - Action Fund 

Hosted by Unity Temple. Co-Sponsored by Community Renewal Society, Faith in Place-Action Fund, Poor People's Campaign of IL, the IL-League of Women Voters, Vote Yes for Fair Tax and UUANI
Support The Laundry Café,
an initiative to serve the 5th Ward and bring community together.
Evanston's 5th Ward is a historic landmark in the eyes of many, but unfortunately it is under-served like never before.

Tosha Wilson and her cousin Jacqui White grew up at the confluence of the 2nd and 5th Wards. They have a vision to bring a much needed business to the 5th Ward – a laundromat – that includes a community center/gathering place element that brings a café feel. They call it The Laundry Café.

The Laundry Cafe aligns perfectly with UCE’s goal of supporting anti-racism efforts. The disinvestment in the 5th ward (and 8th ward) is the result of structural racism in Evanston, plain and simple. There are no grocery stores, no school, no bank, and no laundromat in the neighborhood with a higher density of renters than most of our town...
Green Team Tip: UCE Composting Remains Open for Business
Did you know that (even in the midst of the pandemic) many UCE members continue to participate in the “UCE Composting Coop?” Since we are eating at home more and, thus, have greater control over our food waste, composting becomes even easier to integrate into our daily lives. But, does composting really make a difference? Consider the following statistics:

  • Food scraps that go to landfills decompose “anaerobically,” releasing methane gas in the process. Methane is around 30% more damaging than CO2 over the long-term and 80 times more damaging over the short-term!
  • The EPA estimates that 22% of what goes into landfills is food waste. Food waste is the single largest material sent to landfills.
  • The average American wastes a pound of food a day – that comes to 150,000 tons of food per day across the U.S. Not surprisingly, healthier diets rich in fresh produce and minimally processed ingredients are associated with higher levels of food waste.
  • According to the Composting Council, if everyone in the United States composted all of their food waste, the impact would be equivalent to removing 7.8 million cars from the road!

This is where composting can help. Food scraps that are commercially composted are given the right environment to biodegrade and thus do not contribute to methane gas production. Rather, composted food scraps are turned into rich, organic soil treatment...
Take action today!
There are so many ways you can participate in social action, from showing up, signing on, and donating to committing yourself to learn more.

#SayHisName

“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.

Keep at it!

  • Volunteer
  • Sign up to volunteer with Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, an organization that advocates for affordable housing solutions by partnering with organizations and individuals that support people in need in North Suburban Cook County and the north side of Chicago.
  • Donate
  • Donate deodorant to the Interfaith Action of Evanston’s SnapGap project. This is a rotating request for items and this time they are collecting deodorant to hand out at the twice monthly Produce Mobile distributions. The snap card covers only food for families and other needy people in our area. You may purchase deodorant products and have them shipped directly to or shop for products and hand deliver them to:
SnapGap: Interfaith Action of Evanston
c/o Melissa Appelt
900 Hunter Road
Glenview, IL 60025

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!
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 is THIS Saturday, September 13 at 2 pm. Click here to join the Intro to UU class.

Our next Journey Toward Membership takes place in two parts: part one is Monday, September 21st; 6-7:30 pm and part two is Thursday, September 24th from 6-7:30. Click here to join Journey Toward Membership Part 1. Click here to join Part 2.

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
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.

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.

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.

Greenwood Group Interest Club
People interested in learning about personal investing by doing
4th Thursdays every month at 7:30 pm (next meeting September 24)
Click here for more details.

Virtual Art and Spirituality
Every other Saturday at 2:30 pm (next meeting is September 12)
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 and Staff
Please do not respond to the e-mail or text scam that is going out with Rev. Eileen's or Sandra's names. UCE ministers and Staff 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 or Sandra'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. 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 September 17 at 7:00 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