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
“Breakfast, Legos, and Reinforced Concrete”
– Rev. David Schwartz
How do we stay solidly grounded as people when the world feels volatile and uncertain? A service to tend to our foundations -- paying attention to and strengthening the spiritual grounding of our living.

Since 2013, the Rev. David Schwartz has served The First Unitarian Society of Chicago with his wife and co-minister Rev. Teri Schwartz. For the past three years, he has also served as minister for the Beverly Unitarian Church. Rev. David grew up outside Boston, did his BA at Tufts University, and did his theological degree at Harvard Divinity School. Before full-time ministry, Rev. David spent a decade in corporate learning and development. He lives in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood with Teri, their two elementary-age kids, their four cats, and one extremely large dog.

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.
Did you miss the September 2 Parking Lot Blessing?

If you weren't able to attend the Parking Lot Blessing, which was delightful, please come by UCE Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings between 9-11 a.m. before September 13th to pick up your goodie bag! There are some special items in there for our water communion.
Our Charge to Widen the Circle
On Sunday, August 23rd, our worship service focused on the report from the Commission on Institutional Change titled Widening the Circle of Concern. We heard from thirteen members who shared why this report and the work of dismantling systemic racism and white supremacy culture is essential to them and to the Unitarian Church of Evanston. As for me, addressing the many ways white supremacy culture operates within our institution and within me is at the core of living my UU faith. I truly believe that my liberation is bound up in the liberation of every other person. I believe that our collective thriving and spiritual well-being is held captive by the ways racism is propagated. I feel compelled to break those chains in everything I do. I know that this work must be rooted in and grow out of an internal examination and be grounded in accountable relationship.  

I am encouraged that many of you share a commitment to this work. After the service on the 23rd, almost sixty people showed up to view the presentation given by the Commission at General Assembly in June. If you missed that presentation, I urge you to watch it here. On this same page, you will also find a link to the entire report and to resources for discussing it...
Ministerial Search Committee Update
An important part of the Search Committee’s work is hearing from you and including your opinions and experience in discerning the next settled minister. We want to hear about your experiences at UCE. What inspires you about our congregation and what keeps you involved? How do you envision our church’s future? What skills and experiences would be helpful in a settled minister?

We encourage you to take our anonymous survey between now and September 20 and let us know your thoughts. Your answers will inform the information we share with potential ministers about the congregation and help us discern what our community is looking for in a settled minister. After the survey is complete and the results have been aggregated, we will share the results with the entire congregation.

We look forward to hearing from you!
From the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is asking all members to assist the Ministerial Search Committee in its work. In order for us to have the best match possible for our settled minister, we need to all participate in the process.

The committee needs to complete a Congregational Record, which will become available for prospective ministers who are looking for a congregation. There are three important ways we, the congregation, can help in its creation. The Board of Trustees is asking everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to participate. Our success in finding a good match depends on our doing so.

One key ingredient is the Congregational Survey which is now available for us to complete. UUA believes that the best matches are found when 75 % or more of the congregation completes the survey. That means that we need about 300 of our 400 members to participate in the survey...
Learn to Embody Racial Justice as a Spiritual Practice
The REAL Team is thrilled to announce that Beloved Conversations is resuming this fall with a virtual format. Beloved Conversations is a great introduction for members of UCE who have not previously done substantial personal work on understanding equity and inclusion, on race and on other forms of oppression.

Beloved Conversations: Virtual is designed and offered for the 2020-2021 church year with a new curriculum organized in three "phases” that resonate with earlier versions but have vastly new features and a three-pronged program of Within, Among, and Beyond. Click here for more information on the program. The price for a lay UU Individual is $150. Scholarships based on need available. Additional information on pricing can be found by clicking the button below.

The REAL Team along with the UCE Anti-Oppression Task Force urge you to consider enrolling! It is vital to our work as a faith community that we all partake in learning and self-reflection on the racist world in which we live, preparing us to act for justice.
Submit photos for Virtual Water Communion
Please send in your photos for our annual water communion on September 13th. These can be photos of water in or around your home, or wherever you have encountered water that has cleansed, nourished, refreshed or sustained you. Send these photos as high resolution jpegs if possible to ewiviott@ucevanston.org by September 6.

Also, for the service on the 13th, please have a small bowl or glass of water and a stone nearby for a shared ritual.
Gini Sayad's Virtual Memorial Service
Gini Sayad's virtual memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 5 at 1 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.
Are you proud of our UUA Denomination?
Want to learn more about our faith and how UCE contributes to and benefits from all the resources available from our national organization? Join us on zoom next Tuesday, Sept. 8 (second Tuesday) at 11am as the Denominational Affairs Team plans and coordinates the myriad ways UCE can be connected with the larger fellowship. Help us connect to Chicago congregations, to statewide congregations, to the region and the nation. It is often inspiring to learn what others like us are planning and doing. Email Shirley Adams or Peggy Boccard for more info. 
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.
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!

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!
The Worship Arts Committee Open for New Members
The Worship Arts Committee is looking for a couple new members. Here is what we do: We run the Worship Associates program. We also assist our Ministers and our Music Director with ideas and various tasks related to putting together the worship services; this may include ideas about readings, music, and other elements in the worship services. We typically meet the second Wednesday of each month. If you have interest in these activities and would like to lend your ideas and voice, please contact Robb Geiger at rjg6177@gmail.com.
Hats Off to Susan Comstock!
Susan Comstock deserves great praise for her leadership on UCE financial matters. As Treasurer, Susan works closely with Sandra Robinson, EOD on budgeting, financial reporting and management. Susan has served as Treasurer of UCE for many years and serves in that capacity on the Integrated Stewardship Council. Each year at the Annual Meeting, Susan presents a professional power point presentation that makes it easy for the congregation to understand the complexity of income and expenses. The board, staff and congregation value her professionalism and straightforward approach to handling vital financial issues at UCE. 

Not only is she our financial wiz, Susan has headed up Serendipity Auction for the past several years. This year she, Jenny Walsh and Cathy Deamant will hold a virtual action. This event has been important to our church financial wellbeing, and always has provided an opportunity to build community and provide a fun experience for our congregation. This year should be another new chance to stretch our abilities for providing fun and funds for UCE. Thank you Susan for your talent and dedication!
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
Social Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Interfaith Action of Evanston in need of volunteers!
Door keepers! Welcome guests to the Hospitality Center at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave. Time slots for volunteers are from 7am - 9am and 9am - 11:00am. Monday through Friday. The position responsibilities are minimal and you are welcome to bring a book or electronic device. Here is the link to sign up!

& Grocery shoppers! Once a week go to the store for groceries and bring to the Hospitality Center. Our guests will carry the groceries from your car. Interfaith Action pays for the groceries!
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...
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!
What's Happening in Lifespan Religious Education
Family Fun on the Lawn!
September brings cooler weather – perfect for gathering outside! Meet other parents and let the kids run around and have fun! Perhaps even have a campfire and s’mores. To keep within our guidelines, please RSVP on the signup below that fits the age group of your kid(s). If you have kids in more than one age group, pick the one that fits your schedule better. An email will go out a couple of days prior to each gathering with further info. See you then!

Pre/K/1 Families - September 9 at 6-7 pm - Sign up here! 
2nd-5th Families - September 17 at 6-7 pm - Sign up here!
High School Youth September 13 – 1:30-2:30 OR 2:30-3:30 pm - Sign up here!
6th-8th Families September 22 at 6-7 pm - Sign up here!
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!
Parent and Family Resources

Feel free to add new resources that you find! Together, we can nurture the next generations and create an anti-racist society.
For Adults
UCE Forum - Sunday, September 6th 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.

Our first fall session, on September 6th. will be led by Dick Whitaker. The topic will be "Concepts of God." In the first 15 minutes, we'll briefly cover them historically, from the earliest to the latest, perhaps "Paganism" to "Ground of Being." And then proceed to a discussion of the participants' concepts. Unitarianism is a non-creedal religion, not requiring any particular concept of God. To whatever extent you are comfortable, let's talk about your concept.

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

For a more in-depth look, UCE will offer a series on “Visions of God,” Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM, beginning September 15. More info below!

New Program! Visions of God 
Tuesdays, beginning Sep. 15 7-9 pm via Zoom 
Facilitated by UCE members Bob Mesle and Dan Solomon. 

We will explore a range of important visions embracing or rejecting “God,” and share personal journeys with each other. We hope class members will learn some new ideas, clarify familiar ones, make new connections, and enrich their own thinking. See the Adult RE page on the UCE Website for more information. Contact Dan Solomon at dan.solomon.45@gmail.com to register.
Nonfiction Book Group

UCE's nonfiction book group meet's next on Sunday, September 27 at 2 pm via Zoom. They will be discussing A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. In September, we will go over the first half of the book. In October, we will continue the discussion over the second half of the book. More info will be available soon.
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 class takes place September 13th at 2-3:30 pm. 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.

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