A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Join us for worship and religious education at 9:15 and 11:00am on Sunday Morning!
December 15, 2017
Sunday, December 17

A Special Sunday of Solidarity!

9:15am - A short, 30-minute service where we will sing, reflect on the Christmas message as it relates to our times, and celebrate as always our commitment to justice.

10:00am - Gather to vote on Evanston's Sanctuary Community Resolution where we decide how we will work with other communities of faith in Evanston to do all we can, in our own ways, as communities of solidarity, strength, and hope. Please see the article below for more information and for a link to the resolution. 

11:00am - "The "No Rehearsal" Christmas Pageant"
We'll enact the Christmas story and reflect on its meaning. Have you always wanted to be a star? Or maybe an angel, a wise person, or a shepherd? This is your chance! No advance preparation is required: costumes, props, and stage directions will be provided on the spot. A worship service for all ages.

Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.

There will be childcare for children of all ages during the congregational vote.

Sharing Holiday Treats - After both services
We invite everyone to bring a special treat to pass - cookies or quickbread or pastry, special candies or crackers and cheese - whatever brings back special memories and puts you in the holiday mood. Our holiday repast will warm our hearts and lighten our spirits as we move into the darkest part of the year to strengthen our faith and hope.
 
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
12:10pm-12:30pm
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 12:10pm and 12:30pm to support the Black Lives Matter movement.  Signs and buttons are available for purchase at the back of the sanctuary. Signs and song lyrics will be provided for use.  Sponsored by the REAL team.

The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group -  9:30am
The group is open to anyone facing cancer, either personally or through a family member or friend. This lay-led group is a safe place for sharing and hope. Interested participants are encouraged to drop in any time. Questions? Contact Renee Hoff. 
Rev. Eileen Wiviott
The collective power of Beloved Community

Last Sunday we recognized some of our long-term members in the worship service - those who have been members for 50 years or more and those who have been members for 25 years. Here is a link to the short video that George Monical put together from interviews done last spring with our junior high class and our elders:  https://youtu.be/FQ8ej78MfYY.

I heard after Sunday's service that some were confused about why we were specifically recognizing some and not others. There are so many people who do so much in our church that it is impossible to honor and thank every individual in a way that is equal to their efforts. When I made the choice of which years to recognize, I did not mean for those with 40 or 35 or 30 years of membership to feel slighted or forgotten. My hope, in planning the service, was to honor our shared history, to convey that each of you, as individuals, is valued and that together, as one community, we have strength and power beyond measure. Click here to read more.
Evanston Faith and community leaders have proposed a resolution to build solidarity and unity in response to the Trump administration's actions and intent to increase deportations, end DACA, ban immigrants from certain countries, and put many families at risk. Our congregation is being asked, along with other Evanston faith communities, to sign onto this resolution and commit to actions that promote welcome, inclusion and safety for those at risk. The congregational vote on this resolution will be Sunday, December 17th, at 10 a.m. (voting members were sent an electronic notification of that meeting on Monday 10/30). We will have an abbreviated worship service at 9:15 that morning, ending at 9:50, with the congregational meeting and then the Pageant at 11 a.m. Here is a link to the updated resolution.
There are two Christmas Eve. services planned: 5:00 and 9:00 pm on Dec. 24th. Volunteers are needed at both services to pass the collection baskets (4 people), hand out hymnals (2 people) and count the collection (2 people). Please let Rev. Eileen know as soon as possible that you can help!
Race Matters: 
an occasional blog from your Racial Equity Action and Leadership (REAL) team  Racematters
A question about the Black Lives Matter vigil:
What's the point of people standing out on Ridge Ave for 20 minutes after church with Black Lives Matter signs? What possible benefit does that have?

A REAL answer: 
There are several reasons the vigil is worthwhile and even important. It reinforces UCE's presence in the community, its witnessing and acting for racial justice.  We have gotten feedback from variety of people in the community who have noticed and appreciated our being out there.

Potluck in the back of the sanctuary, followed by a White Elephant event for the Holiday! Each woman should bring, wrapped, either something of their own or of something that costs not more than $5-6. No names should be written on the gift. There may be a little singing to make the time even more fun! For more information please feel free to contact Margie Rogasner.
UCE's  personal investment group invites you to our end of year celebration, third Thursday of the month December 21, 7:30 pm at UCE.
1st Sundays of the month, starting in January, meet at the 1-on-1 table at the back of the sanctuary to connect with one of the leaders of the church for a one-on-one conversation. These are intentional and personal conversations about what matters most to us, to build connection and power. For more information and to ask questions, contact Rev. Eileen.
Write a short letter to free someone who is unjustly imprisoned. This is an easy way to take a step toward global justice. Join us on January 7 after both services. We have sample letters, writing materials, etc.
Join us for Yoga on Sunday evenings! Jessica Tomell-Presto and Doug Erickson will offer yoga on Sunday evening from 6:30-7:30pm on Sunday,  December 17 in Room 2 at UCE. Yoga is great for increasing flexibility, providing stress relief, and offering time for reflection. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica.
The nonfiction book group will meet at 12:30 p.m. on December 31st to discuss one of this year's UUA Common Reads, books that UUs around the country are reading and discussing.  Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry, edited by Mitra Rahnema, centers the stories, analyses, and insights of Unitarian Universalist religious professionals of color as they explore how racial identity is made both visible and invisible in our communities. This book encourages UUs to examine,  explore, and act to dismantle white supremacy culture in our association, in our congregations and groups, and in ourselves.  The book is available at the Book H as well as in paper and electronic format on Amazon.com. 
If you are in a caregiving role of any sort, we invite you to drop in at the next Caregiver Support Group. We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:30pm at UCE. Questions?  Contact Joyce Lofstrom  or Renee Hoff .
Opportunities
 for Spiritual Practice

Ministers' Schedules

Rev. Bret Lortie  is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and by appointment. Monday is sabbath and Friday devoted to writing. To send a message or read Rev. Bret's blog, visit

Rev. Eileen Wiviott has office hours most Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, and  Thursdays, and often evening meetings on those days. Mondays are sabbatical days and Fridays she works from home. Please contact her via email at ewiviott@ucevanston.org , or via phone at (847) 864-1330 x111 (office), or (224) 565-3952 (cell).
Upcoming UCE Events

Tuesday, December 19, 7:00pm
What Is the Bible?

Tuesday, December 19, 5:00pm
Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women

Thursday, December 21, 7:30pm
Greenwood Group

Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions and Recovery Group

Sunday Mornings, 9:00am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga
Community Involvement
Click each event for more information.

YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
Third Thursday of the Month 
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services


5:00pm
"Lessons and Carols, UU-Style"
An untraditional service, crafted with families in mind, of Lessons & Carols with traditional texts set against modern poetry and prose. The trombone choir will play a brass prelude beginning at 4:45. 

9:00pm
"For the Time Being," a service of Lessons and Carols based on W. H. Auden's famous Christmas poem. 
A dramatic reading of W. H. Auden's For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio in the form of colorful monologues spoken by the traditional characters in the Christmas story. Widely viewed as one of Auden's greatest works in which he reconsiders the idea of faith in modern times, the poem recasts the story as relevant to finding hope in the dark days of the ancient world, and ours. The choir sings at the 9pm service.  The trombone choir will play a brass prelude beginning at 8:45. 
Holly Near in Concert at UCE

Hosted by WomanSpirit 2018

Saturday, February 3, 2018
7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available on the UCE website - ucevanston.org

Click the Tickets/Giving tab at the top right on the home page

Tickets are $26.50 

Upcoming Membership Classes

Intro to Unitarian Universalism 
Sunday, December 17
12:30 - 2:00 pm
An overview of our faith, led by Rev. Bret Lortie 

Orientation Toward Membership 
Saturday, January 13
9am - noon
Led by Assistant Minister, Rev. Eileen Wiviott. An interactive class exploring what it means to be a member of this congregation.

Sign up at the guest table in the lobby or email Rev. Eileen Wiviott at  ewiviott@ucevanston.org. Childcare available upon request for both of these classes.
Things to Know About our Community

Interested in knowing more about UCE? How to submit something to Joys and Sorrows? How to get a nametag, or a rainbow or pronoun sticker for your nametag? Interested in bringing flowers and lighting the chalice on a Sunday? Click here for more information about our community!
Yoga at UCE


Join us every Sunday at 8:15am and every Wednesday at 9:30am.

Yoga at UCE is designed to reduce stress, bring relaxation, increase range of motion, and find balance - restorative yoga. If you never have done yoga before, this is your opportunity. Drop in, wear comfortable clothing for stretching, and try it. Yoga is learned by doing. Community yoga mats provided if needed.

Add Your Photo to the Photo Member Directory

Remember that there is a directory of members that includes photos on our website. This is a password protected document. Contact the office if you don't know the password. If you would like to add your photo to the directory, or update your photo, please send  a photo to  Carli Magel , or let her know you'd like your picture taken on Sunday morning. 
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 above or search for the groups by name when you are on Facebook and ask to join.
Connecting UU: a path to belonging at UCE

45 minute discussions; Sundays at 10:15 in Room 12
These sessions are open to all,
no matter where you are on the journey. 
Childcare available. No need to sign up in advance.

Connecting UU 
classes will resume after the new year, on January 7th with Spiritual Practices


UU Principles  - Understanding the seven principles, an enlightening discussion led by members of the New Member Committee.

UU Sources -  A discussion of the six sources from which we draw wisdom and spiritual nourishment.

Spiritual Journeys (4 parts) - take any one or all of them in any order. Explore your religious and spiritual background, where you come from, what you want to cherish and what you want to release, and how you practice your spirituality.

How to Get Involved  - Learn how to become more engaged in the life of the church, find groups and activities of interest, discover the way things get done, answer your questions about belonging in our community.

UCE History and Tour - Learn more about the history, architecture and art of our building through a guided tour led by one of our long-term members. Tour begins at the back of the sanctuary near the large mural.
UCE Board of Trustees meeting is held the third Wednesday of each month in Room 3. All members are welcome. 
| 847-864-1330 | uce@ucevanston.org | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201