Sunday Service

May 25, 2025 at 10:30am 

Children and youth will go to their faith formation groups after Joys and Sorrows

Childcare (0-3 years) is available in room 11 – 10:15a-12:15pm

All of our young people will be celebrating the end of the church year in their faith formation groups by playing games and having treats to eat.

Chalice Children (Pre/K/1st) in room 9  

Heads, Hearts, and Hands (2nd-5th grades) in room 8 

Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grades) in room 10

Mulching Party during Kinship Time

We’ll finish spreading mulch for the new playscape area at noon. This will only take 10 minutes to do!

Meet at the benches under the tree on the South Lawn.

Families can check out the new Soulful Home packet on our May’s theme of Imagination. 

  You can see what’s coming up on our evolving calendar here.

 Flower Communion and Annual Picnic – June 1st

The first Sunday in June is when UCE traditionally celebrates the annual flower communion ceremony originated by Norbert Capek over 100 years ago in Prague. All attendees are encourage to bring a flower (or a few) from your garden, the store, or plucked from a field, to exchange with one another in one of our most beloved rituals. Following the service, we'll enjoy a picnic on the lawn (weather permitting). Meat and veggie alternatives are provided and you are asked to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share.

UPDATE FROM REV. SUSAN

Blessed Spring, My Friends!

I have been enjoying the bird migration, the blooming flowers, the amazing clouds, and our wonderful community this spring. The photo collage is of me on a walk at Clark Square (lower left), our Beltane Maypole viewed through the Flame sculpture on the UCE South Lawn (upper left), our Passover Seder dinner in the UCE Sanctuary (upper right), and the potluck table outside the kitchen after our Easter worship service (lower right).

Our hats are off to everyone who attended the Annual Meeting on Sunday. We needed a quorum of 82 voting members to proceed with the meeting and 120 of you showed up!

We are immensely grateful for the volunteers who helped the meeting go smoothly. Thank you to Hòa Voscott for organizing the food and to Meredith Haydon, Ellie Feddersen, Jinny Niemann, Jeanne Kerl, Anne Figert, and Topher Carrington for volunteering in the kitchen. Our online attendees were guided by Kera Beskin who ran our online voting polls and Forrest Marie Peters Linsell who monitored the Zoom chat. Our in-person attendees were supported by Sally Parsons, Tom Hempfling, Bex Blackmore, Peggy Cloonan, and Melanie Kitchner, who ran the in-person check-in and then counted votes. We greatly appreciate the work of Elaine Siegel who chaired the meeting, Dana Deane who was the meeting secretary, Ann McCallister who acted as our parliamentarian, and Ally Hunter who was our vote tabulator adding up the in-person and online votes. Thank you for making the business of our congregation a gratifying community event!

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Friday, May 23rd:

• NO EVENTS

Saturday, May 24th:

• Virtual Pilates, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Sine Nomine Covenant Group, 12:15-2pm, via Zoom

Sunday, May 25th:

• Chris Isely Cancer Support Group, 9am-10:15am, in-person Rm 6 and via Zoom
• Sunday Service, 10:30am - 11:30 am, Sanctuary
• Kinship Time, 11:30-12:30pm, back of Sanctuary
• Young Soulful Sundays, 12-1pm, Room 12
• Parent's Covenant Group, 4-6pm, Offsite

Monday, May 26th:

MEMORIAL DAY

• UCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, May 27th:

• Retired Women's Group, 5-7pm, Room 3
• Leadership Development Team Meeting, 6-7pm, via Zoom

Wednesday, May 28th:

• Yoga Online, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Grief Group, 5-6:30pm, Room 3
• Hope Covenant Group Meeting, 7-9pm, Room 2

Thursday, May 29th:

• Evanston Near South Proximity Group,
• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• UCE Choir Rehearsal, 7-8:45pm, Rooms 3 and 6

Our Shared Offering Program is one of the ways that we live into our mission statement "for a world made whole." Each Sunday, the funds collected during our worship service either via text donations or in the collection bowls (and not otherwise designated for a pledge or something else) are shared equally between our operating budget and the current Shared Offering Recipient.

This Sunday's offering will be shared with the Sunrise Movement, whose mission is to provide access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy.

The Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston hit a significant milestone! $1million has been raised!

This significant milestone means that the funds can begin to be disbursed, and you were no small part in reaching this vital goal!

From RSAE:

"The Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston (RSAE) has officially launched. THANKS SO MUCH primarily to our beloved Evanston Interfaith Community for leading the way in achieving the one million dollar goal."

The next RSAE community event is scheduled for Wednesday evening, May 28th. It'll be an evening of Playback Theatre about life in Evanston - Then & Now at the Levy Center. Free registration HERE

Topher Carrington, Jim Dibble, and Aaron Testard are staffing our UCE Table at this year's Evanston Interfaith Family Pride Fest. Stop by Raymond Park between 2-5 pm for an afternoon of celebration and fun! To volunteer for various roles throughout the Pride Fest, click this link

Evanston Interfaith Clergy Showing of No Other Lands

Help Shape the Future of Public Transit

The Illinois state legislature is currently debating major improvements to the North Suburban Transit System. Due to its fragile financial condition, the system needs immediate funding to stay afloat and long-term investment to ensure reliable service in the years ahead.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has proposed a comprehensive transit plan, now under active consideration in Springfield. This is a critical moment to ask key questions:

• Can service be expanded or made more reliable?
• What steps will be taken to reduce crime on transit?
• Will the government provide funding to keep fares affordable?
• How can we attract more riders through improved service?

If these issues matter to you, consider joining UCE’s Legislative Action Team. We meet once a month via Zoom to stay informed and advocate for positive change.

To get involved or learn more, contact Margaret Shaklee, Jane Bannor, or Dennis Wilson.

UCE Young Adult Group

Third Friday Faith Formation & Game Nights

Our next gathering is Friday, June 20th



The Young Adult Group at UCE is a group for young adults (18-35) interested in exploring spiritual deepening in community. We meet on every 3rd Friday from 7-9pm in Room 3 to discuss monthly Soul Matters themes, check in with each other, eat snacks, and play games.

Contact Kiley Korey (kileyekorey at gmail dot com), Kevin Barrow (kbarrow13 at gmail dot com) or Kathy Underwood (kunderwood at ucevanston dot org) with any questions.

Alabama Living Legacy Pilgrimage

Join Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan on September 24-28, 2025, for a Living Legacy tour through Alabama curated by the Living Legacy Project [LLP). We choose this tour because LLP was founded by UUs. During the course of the tour, we will be provided with details about our Unitarian Universalist connection with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. To indicate your interest in potentially joining us in September, please complete this Alabama Living Legacy Pilgrimage interest form.

What Questions Do You Have About AI?

This summer, Dr. Farrell will offer a 3-part sermon series on AI - a topic that's increasingly shaping our lives. While they don't claim to be an expert, they are learning alongside many of us and hope to explore AI through the lens of our shared values.

To help shape the series, Dr. Farrell is inviting your input:

What questions, concerns, or curiosities do you have about AI?

Click here to share your thoughts through a brief form. Your responses will help guide the themes and direction of the sermons.

Picnics in the Park - next gathering will be June 15th!

Weather-permitting, families of all ages (not just littles!) are invited to meet up at 

Penny Park after worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

Retired ( But not Retiring) Women: We are meeting Tuesday, May 27th, 5-7, in Room 3. We start with our potluck followed by our discussion about “Coping”. Hope to see many retired women on Tuesday!

The next meeting of the UCE Nonfiction Book Group will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 1st on Zoom using our recurring Zoom link.

We will discuss We Are Free to Change the World: Hannah Arendt’s Lessons in Love and Disobedience by Lyndsey Stonebridge.

On June 29th, our group will discuss The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back by Madiba Dennie.

• Everyone is welcome to join us.

The next meeting of the UCE Fiction Book Group

is Friday, June 20th, 7-8pm using our Recurring Zoom link

The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading Bear by Julia Phillips

Sisters living in the wilds of Washington State respond differently when a bear adopts their encampment. A story about the bonds of sisterhood and the mysteries of the animals that live among us—and within us—"Bear" is a propulsive, mythical, richly imagined novel from one of the most acclaimed young writers in America.

We’ll also choose new books for summer reading.

Harms Woods Workday June 1

Save the date for Sunday, June 1 from 1-4 pm in beautiful Harms Woods for our semiannual work outing. We will be pulling invasive weeds to allow room for native plants to flourish. It's an easy and interesting activity that is led by the long-time and very knowledgeable Harms Woods stewards, John and Jane Balaban. Dress for the weather (including sturdy footwear that can get muddy) and plan on walking approximately 2 miles over uneven ground. It's an activity appropriate for youth ages 13 and up, accompanied by their own parent or guardian. For more info and to reserve a space, contact Susan Comstock or Dale Griffin.

Come be a Beacon of Light!

Inspired by the Beacons of Light movement shared in Rev Eileen's May 11th sermon, we're joining a growing chorus of resistance, hope, and solidarity right here in Evanston.

Starting Thursday, June 5, and continuing every Thursday from 7:00-7:30 PM through at least the end of August, the interfaith clergy invite the community to gather in solidarity at one of these locations in Evanston (there will be people gathering at all 3 locations each Thursday):

• Dempster & Ridge
• Chicago & Main
• Central & Central Park



All are welcome. Bring a colorful sign with a positive message of solidarity and hope (sign inspiration here), or include The Beacon’s QR code to spread the light even further.

Bring your voice, your guitar, your ukulele—let’s sing, witness, and imagine together a world shaped by love and justice. Whether we’re three people or 100, we are part of something bigger. Come be a light!

Posters of Change – Wednesday, June 12, 5:30–6:30 PM

Help us create colorful, uplifting posters to use at local rallies, marches, and community gatherings throughout the summer.

This is a great chance to express your values through art—and make signs that can be used during Thursday evening Beacons of Light events or other public witness opportunities.

All supplies provided. Just bring your creativity and a spirit of hope!

The Anti-Oppression Task Force (AOTF) Working Group has created a questionnaire to help all UCE members and friends find ways to participate in social justice work that fits their schedules and interests. This initiative aims to facilitate the sharing of information among members and to support and celebrate the various justice efforts at UCE. The Working Group especially wanted families and young adults to have the opportunity to complete it. 

Update on the UCE Campout 2025 – June 6-8!

Check out the short document with details here.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

Imara Jones is the UUA 2025 Ware Lecturer

Imara Jones, an award-winning journalist and trans rights activist, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s General Assembly, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s annual gathering in June. Imara is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning political journalist who is an advocate for social justice and equality across a variety of media outlets. She is the founder of TransLash Media, described on her official website as “a cross-platform journalism, personal storytelling and narrative project, which produces content to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the US.” TransLash Media tells the stories of trans and gender-nonconforming people through articles, podcasts, films, and zines.

The 2025 Ware Lecture will be delivered at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Whether attending the lecture at the Baltimore Convention Center, streaming it live, or watching a video on-demand after the event, the lecture will be available to all who register for GA 2025.

UUA QUUest Camps:

Immerse Youth in UU Values & Earth Justice at UUA QUUest Camps!

This summer, Camp Blue Boat (Idaho) and QUUest Mountain West (Wyoming) will provide transformative week-long experiences for UU middle and high school youth. In partnership with the UU College of Social Justice, we’re integrating justice work, including environmental stewardship, into daily camp life. From worship under the stars to hands-on activities that connect spiritual practice and Earth care, youth will spend the week immersed in what it means to live their UU values in harmony with the planet. Registration is now open for current 5th-12th graders. Learn more and support this vital ministry at uua.org/pwrcamp.

Join us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/520586461667097

Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330