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Sunday, July 31
Worship Service - 10:00am
Words are powerful tools, and language is often identified as one of our defining human characteristics. If "we shape our tools and then our tools shape us" (as was Marshall McLuhan's idea), what are the implications for such questions as how we use words to identify gender or to name our religious community? Rev. Connie Grant speaking.
Peace and Justice Hiroshima Ceremony 11:00am
Please take a "peace crane" after the service to place on the flowering bush next to the Peace Pole in the garden adjacent to the church steps. The crane is a symbol of our continuing resolve to end war and end the violence that causes suffering around the world.
Should UCE Host a Youth CON?
We will discuss what is involved in hosting a Youth CON. We will attempt to understand the scope of this project and determine if there are enough volunteers to take on the various roles. Heather Godbout, Unity Temple Youth Group Advisor, Mid America Youth Advisor Network Board moderator and Youth CON Consultant will be joining us to answer questions and help guide the discussion. If you are unable to attend, but are interested in taking on some Youth CON planning and coordinating responsibilities, let Rev. Connie Grant know.
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
11:30am-Noon
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 11:30am and noon. to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Last week's effort - our third of the month - was again very well received by passing motorists and was a
most affirming experience. We hope to continue this on a weekly basis with your help.
Signs and buttons are available for purchase at the back of the sanctuary and signs will be provided for use today
Sponsored by the REAL team.
The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
This Sunday at 11:15am
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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Religious Education for Children and Youth
Living the Interdependent Web 
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This year, our Sunday-morning religious education program for children and youth will focus on "Living the Interdependent Web."
We'll broadly and deeply explore what it means to respect, revere, and participate in the interdependent web. Our curriculum and activities are structured across ages and grade levels to focus on our "seventh principle," which
calls for "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,"
in ways that are holistic, multigenerational, and multidimensional. Participants will have the opportunity to explore ideas, develop relationships, and put values into action.
Following the natural cycle of the year, our focus on the interdependent web will include five major sub-themes:
The Growing Cycle (September - October)
Water: Sustainer of Life (November - December)
Energy, transformation, and conservation (January - February)
Growth and renewal (March - April)
Environmental stewardship (May-June)
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Religious Education Teacher Orientation
Saturday, September 10, 9am- noon
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Together with our community of volunteer teachers, share inspiration and ideas about lesson planning and classroom management, learn procedural information, and plan together. For religious education teachers for kindergarten through eighth grade classes. Childcare will be available if requested by September 5. RSVP to learning@ucevanston.org.
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Religious Education Classroom Open House
Sunday, Sept 11, 10:15 am and 12:00 noon (after both worship services)
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An opportunity for children and their families to visit classrooms, learn about religious education curriculum and programming, register for religious education classes, and meet classroom teachers. Please drop in!
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Journeys: Boston and Beyond
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Seventh- and eighth-graders and their parents are invited to an orientation meeting on Sunday, September 25 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm to learn more about our Journeys: Boston and Beyond program. Our Journeys program focuses on our young people's own spiritual and religious journeys as they develop and articulate their Unitarian Universalist identities. The culmination of the program will be the students' presentation of their Credo statements to the congregation and a trip to Boston in the spring. RSVP for the September 25 orientation meeting to Rev. Connie Grant at
cgrant@ucevanston.org
.
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Syrian Refugee Family Team Needs Volunteers
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The team working on sponsorship of the Syrian refugee family is gearing up for the next stage. We've raised the necessary funds, now we are gearing up for the arrival of the family in mid-September. But, we still need help! We need mentors, a furnishing team, and some help providing the family with rides to appointments. Click here for more information.
Dresser Needed for Refugee Family
We are pleased to be in the final stage of furnishing the apartment for the Syrian Refugee family that we expect to arrive in mid September. Our only remaining furniture need is 1-2 dressers. Due to space limitations we can only accept the upright type not the wider bureau type. If you have a dresser of this description that is in very good condition and would like to donate it for this cause please contact either
Marilyn Wroblewski or
Kay Gibbs-Novy. Please include a photo.
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News from Denominational Affairs - Part 2
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Several UCE members & friends attended General Assembly in Columbus, OH in June. Rather than writing one, big summary article, we chose to ask attendees about their "favorite moment" at GA, and we will post a few each week during the next few newsletters. Part one was posted last week. Click here for another sampling of impressions from GA.
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Shared Offering Nominees for Next Year Deadline is July 31
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We invite you to submit nominations for our shared offering recipients for the 2016-17 shared offering. Charitable 501c(3) organizations with which our members have a relationship will be chosen by the Social Action Council from the nominees. Please submit a shared offering form to Carol Nielsen or Doug Erickson by July 31. The form must be submitted electronically as we have to make packets of nominees for the Social Action Council.
At the August meeting, the Social Action Council will be deciding on the monthly offerings. Again, please note that suggested organizations must have a 501(c)3 status and be doing work that aligns with our UU values. Guidelines are listed on the Nominee Form. If you have questions, please contact
Carol Nielsen or
Doug Erickson.
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Child Dedications Available
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A ceremony of dedication of children will be included in our Sunday morning worship services on September 11 on request. In this ceremony, children are named and blessed, parents dedicate themselves to the young lives entrusted to them, and the congregation dedicates itself to be a loving community in which all may thrive. This ceremony is appropriate for infants as well children who may be new to the congregation or have not previously been dedicated. Please contact Rev. Connie Grant at
cgrant@ucevanston.org if you would like your child to be included.
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Gen X Family Friendly Campfire
Saturday, August 13, 4 - 6:30pm
at the home of member Sarah Hendershot
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If you are in your 30's to 50's, with kids or without, come and enjoy an outdoor gathering with light refreshments, good conversation and space for the children to play. Please RSVP to Eileen Wiviott or Sarah Hendershot.
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Principles and Sources Class
Sunday, August 21, 11:15am
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Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or you would like to understand the seven principles and six sources of our faith better, 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.
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Caring Concerns
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Are you having surgery or a baby? Would you like a meal as you recuperate? Do you need a ride to an appointment? Let us know. The Caring Program helps us care for each other by providing practical assistance to people in our congregation who are experiencing life changes and challenges. Contact Lois Taft, if you would like to volunteer for the Caring Program or if you have a need that the Caring Program can help you with.
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Upcoming Membership Classes
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Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, August 7, 11:30 - 1pm
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
Two Wednesdays, September 7 and 14, 7-8:30 pm
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 at
ewiviott@hotmail.com
. There will be childcare available upon request for both of these classes. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need childcare.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Sunday, July 31, 11:00am
P&J Hiroshima Ceremony
Sunday, July 31, 11:15am
Should UCE Host a Youth CON?
Sunday, July 31, 11:30am
Stand in Support of Black Lives Matter
Tuesday, August 2, 7pm
Hospitality Team Training
Sunday, August 7, 11:30am
Intro to UU
Monday, August 8, 7pm
Hospitality Team Training
Sunday, August 21, 11:15am
Principles and Sources Class
Sunday, August 28, 5pm
Fiction Book Group Potluck and Discussion
Wednesdays, Sept. 7 and 14 , 7pm
Orientation Toward Membership
Saturday, Sept. 10, 9am
Religious Education Teacher Orientation
Sunday, Sept. 11, 10:15 and 12:00pm
Religious Education Classroom Open House
Sunday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm
Journeys Student/Parent Orientation
Thurs, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 2
Fall Weekend
Thursday Nights, 5:30pm
Meditation Group
Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions Ministry Group
Sunday Mornings, 9:00am & 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.
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Summer Diaper Drive
Our Giving House will be collecting diapers all summer long. Diapers will be donated to the Bundled Blessings Diaper Pantry at First United Methodist Church. This program provides diapers to low-income families in Evanston. New as well as opened packages are accepted. All sizes needed. Let's fill our house for babies in need.
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Brush up on your Greeting/Welcoming Skills!
Hospitality Team Training at UCE on Tuesday, August 2 or Monday, August 8 from 7-8pm
We'll have a fun, interactive how-to session with all the nuts and bolts of being a hospitality team expert! All members of your family are welcome to attend and pick up tips on welcoming all to our thriving, beloved community. For more info or questions contact ewiviott@hotmail.com.
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Women's Circles
Women's Circles are small, on-going, self-run groups of UCE women members and friends. At a Women's Circle, we create connections with each other, share information, and share our life-journey in a caring and safe environment. There are two women's circles at UCE.
Click here for more information.
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Fiction Book Group Potluck and Discussion
Sunday, August 28
5-8pm at UCE
We will be discussing
The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally.
We'll also be choosing books for the fall so bring your ideas.
Open to members, friends and visitors.
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Composting at UCE
At the south end of the parking lot, there are two green totes for compost. If you would like to participate in this composting program for church members and friends, please remember to contribute. We are asking for $60 per person, per year to be paid to UCE by check (put
"
composting
"
in the memo).
Thank you for caring for our planet by diverting waste from our landfills. A note to those composting in the bins outside - PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR COMPOST IN PLASTIC BAGS! It is not compostable that way. Stop by the compost station after church if you want to purchase an inexpensive kitchen counter container.
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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
.
*Note - Rev. Bret Lortie is on vacation until August 2.
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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