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Sunday, December 11
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"All I want for Christmas is a little peace and quiet," someone recently said. This sounds like a cry for freedom: from the media, from the holiday blitz, from politics as unusual. Silence is one tool in our kit that we might cultivate, especially this time of the year, to regain our sense of equilibrium and even power. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
The Karl Montzka Trio returns to provide our music this Sunday as choir takes a break. Karl Montzka is a freelance Chicago pianist who has performed many times at UCE with his trio consisting of his brother Eric Montzka and Larry Kohut. Karl has played throughout the country, most recently in Hawaii for the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Locally he has played for many Broadway in Chicago productions including "Wicked" and "Book of Mormon." H
e will soon begin work as a substitute keyboardist for the show "Hamilton."
Religious Education
This Sunday our preschool, kindergarten-first-second grade, and third-fourth-fifth grade classes will meet from 9:15-10:30 and 11:00-12:15. All begin in the sanctuary for the first part of the worship service before going to classes. The sixth-seventh-eighth grade class and senior high youth group meets at 11:00am. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.
Ornament Sunday and Lunch - 12:30pm
Ornament Sunday is an opportunity to get together with people of all ages to make ornaments to trim the UCE tree and to take home.
Following the second service, our "Journeys: Boston and Beyond" group will provide a taco bar lunch as a fundraiser for their May trip to Boston.
Mitten Tree Wrapping Party - 12:30pm
Please join us for wrapping the presents donated for the mitten tree. Please bring your own scissors and join us on December 11. We expect to have a jolly time!
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Is Anything Worthy of our Worship?"
In our newsletter we are invited to, "join us for worship," and informed that worship services are at 9:15 and 11:00 am. But, what is worship and what is its proper object? Is anything worth worshiping? If you answer," nothing," what is it you're denying. What is it that everything lacks, making it unworthy of our worship? Are the beings referred to by any of our various conceptions of God worthy of our worship? Why? Why not? What, if anything, do you worship? Discussion Leader: John Tobin.
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 -
9:15am
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
or Brian Meister.
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Upcoming Crackerbarrel Topics
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Sunday, December 18, 9:30am
"Bilingualism and its Political Implications"
We will continue our discussion from earlier this month, focusing this week on the political implications of bilingualism. Discussion Leader: Suzanne Hess.
Crackerbarrel will be on hiatus on December 25 and January 1.
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Board Calls Congregational Meeting to Vote on Eileen Wiviott's Ordination
Sunday, January 8, 12:30pm
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The UCE Board of Trustees is very pleased to share with you that we voted to hold a Congregational Meeting on January 8 to vote on the Ordination of Eileen Wiviott. We ask for your attendance at this short meeting. It is important that we have a quorum. She has chosen UCE as the congregation she'd like to ordain her. Click here for Eileen's letter.
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Adult Religious Education
Military Ministry Toolkit
December 13 & 20, 7:00-9:00pm
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We'll explore how our church regards those who currently serve in the United States military, who among us have served in the past, and what we can do as a congregation to provide a welcoming space for those who serve. We'll look at ways to hold both members of the military and the peacemakers in our midst. Facilitated by Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck and Gary Zacny. Register here or on the Religious Education bulletin board.
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Greenwood Group
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Greenwood Group, UCE's personal investment club, meets third Thursdays of the month at 7:30pm, December 15. Join us for holiday cheer and discussion on how investing might change post election.
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Non-Fiction Book Group
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The non-fiction book group will meet on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 12:30pm to discuss:
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
by Naomi Klein
Laudato Si': On the Care of Our Common Home (Catholic Social Doctrine - Papal Documents)
by Pope Francis
All are welcome to join the discussion.
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Fiction Book Group
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We will be reading
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
All are invited to the discussion held at 7:30pm on Friday, January 20, 2017.
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Transgender Lending Library
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Six books are now available for sign-out on transgender issues, as put together by the Rainbow Alliance. Ranging from historical perspective to fiction, from bios to personal essays, from adult to children, in their own way all present a truth worthy of exploration.
Available for sign-out now. Look for them on Sundays at a table in the back of the sanctuary.
Transgender History
Gender Outlaws: the Next Generation
Gender Failure
Red: A Crayon's Story
10,000 Dresses
Symptoms of Being Human
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For those who are thinking about becoming a member of the church.
Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, December 11, 12:30 - 2pm
Led by Rev. Bret Lortie, we'll look at our history, our principles, the sources of our faith, and the meaning of covenant. (This is the first step in the membership process.)
Orientation Toward Membership
Saturday, January 21, 9am - Noon
Led by Rev. Connie Grant, Membership Director Eileen Wiviott, and members of the New Member Committee. An interactive class exploring our spiritual journeys, the diversity of our beliefs, and what it means to be a member of this congregation. (This is the second step in the membership process.)
Sign up at the Guest & Member Table in the lobby or email Eileen Wiviott.
There will be childcare available upon request in advance for both of these classes.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Tuesdays, December 13 and 20, 7-9pm
Military Ministry Toolkit
Sunday, December 11, 12:15pm
Ornament Sunday
Saturday, December 24, 5:00 and 9:00pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Thursday Nights, 5:30pm
Meditation Group
Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions Ministry Group
Sunday Mornings, 8:15am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga
Saturdays at 10:00am
Open Drumming Circles
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Community Involvement
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Click each event for more information.
YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
Third Thursday of the Month |
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Saturday, December 24
5:00 and 9:00pm
"Lessons and Carols"
Traditional Christmas Eve services with candlelighting,
for all ages
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Note - The UCE Office will be closed for the holidays beginning on Monday, Dec. 26 and will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
We will be open on Sundays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 for church services.
To all church leadership - If you have anything you would like in the 12/30 newsletter or 1/1 order of service announcements, please send it to Carli Magel by Wednesday, December 21.
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One Book, One Church
Claudia Rankine's "provocative meditation on race," Citizen: An American Lyric, is our collective book for this year. Why not buy it from Book H to give as a Christmas gift? We will be holding discussions in February and March, so start reading! Called one of the best books of the year by The New Yorker, Boston Globe, the Atlantic, and many more, the book's essays, images, and poetry present "a powerful testament to the individual and collective effects of racism."
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UU Identity Discussions
Continued learning opportunities offered monthly by the New Member Committee; open to all who want to better understand what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, no matter where you are on the membership journey:
Principles and Sources Class
1st Sundays 10:15 - 11am
Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or you would like to better understand the seven principles and six sources of our faith, join us for this rich 45-minute discussion led by members of the New Member Committee. We
'
ll use thought provoking metaphors to dive deeper into the foundations of being a UU.
Next Principles & Sources Class: January 8 between services.
Spiritual Journeys -
a 3-part conversation
2nd, 3rd, 4th Sundays
at 10:15-11am
We'll explore our religious and spiritual backgrounds, where we come from, what we want to cherish and what we want to release as we continue our journeys. This is a conversation open to all no matter where you are on the path - exploring membership, new members and long-term members alike. You can participate in any one or all three in any order.
Next Spiritual Journeys Sessions: 12/11, 12/18.
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Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
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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
www.liberalfaith.org
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Rev. Connie Grant is generally in the office during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and often has evening meetings on those days. She takes Mondays off and works at home on Fridays. Please email or call Connie for an appointment.
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