Sunday Service

June 15, 2025 at 10:30am 

TIME CHANGE for Sunday Worship on June 22, 2025

UCE will join attendees at the UUA General Assembly in Baltimore via livestream for a powerful and communal experience – the largest annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists in worship. Plan to attend in-person or via live-stream for Sunday Worship from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CT. Please note the time change and that Masks are required for this service. 

Embrace the electrifying spirit of the year's largest UU gathering, where we come together in unity for an awe-inspiring Sunday worship celebration like no other! It's a vibrant, communal worship experience that promises to uplift your soul and ignite your passion. Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk will lead the service. Don't miss out on this extraordinary gathering of hearts and minds!

Ministers’ time away: Rev. Eileen will be away from June 16 - July 1 and Rev. Susan will be away from June 24 - July 7. While they are both away (the 25th - the 1st) Rev. Elizabeth Harding will cover any pastoral emergencies. You can reach her at eharding@ucevanston.org

Children and youth will go to their faith formation program in Room 3 after Joys and Sorrows

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



Summer Artsy Fun begins! Those 3 years and older are invited to join us in room 3 this week as we learn about the flaming chalice and make Chalice Maracas. Parents of those younger than 3rd grade, please sign your child(ren) in and then pick them up at noon.

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.

UPDATE FROM KATHY UNDERWOOD

Summertime Freedom Ramblings

You might know that our Soul Matters theme this summer is Freedom. While sometimes I don’t connect as much to a theme, this is one of those months where I feel a resonance with it. We have the more obvious connections to freedom this month with Juneteenth on June 19, which commemorates when the news of the emancipation of enslaved people finally reached Galveston, Texas in 1865, over two years after President Lincoln’s proclamation. And in July, we have Independence Day, of course.

Less obvious perhaps is the freedom to get outdoors more and enjoy the warmth of the sun and the beauty of Mother Nature. With daylight lasting until at least 9p, it feels like there is more time in a day to enjoy it, even if you had to work for most of the day.

Our Hats are off to the amazing planning team for the revival of a long-cherished UCE tradition - the family camping trip! We had an incredible weekend up in Zion at the Illinois Beach State Park, thanks to the combined efforts of several folks. Neil Koreman initiated the idea about a year ago and then a group gathered last winter to discuss ideas and possibilities. Grey Wiviott created an interest survey, and then Kiley Korey, Kevin Barrow, and Kathy and Todd Underwood, scoped out some places and coordinated the effort to get everyone signed up. More than 50 people of all ages came over the weekend to enjoy biking, hiking, fishing, rock skipping, swimming, smore making, a delicious Saturday evening potluck, and a beautiful Sunday worship on the beach. May this be the beginning of a renewed tradition!

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Friday, June 13th:

• NO EVENTS

Saturday, June 14th:

• NO EVENTS

Sunday, June 15th:

• 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
• The Play's The Thing, 12-2:30pm, Room 3
• Young Adult Soulful Sunday, 12-1pm, Room 6
• TransParentsy Group, 12:30-2pm, Room 2

Monday, June 16th:

• UCE Addictions and Recovery, 6:45-7:45pm, via Zoom
• Durkin Covenant Group, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, June 17th:

• Book H Sorting for Prison Ministry, 10am-12pm, Sanctuary
• Peg Heads, 6:30-9:30pm, Room 3
• Caregiver Support Group, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom
• First Women's Circle, 7-8pm, Online

Wednesday, June 18th:

• Yoga Online, 9:30am, via Zoom
• Pastoral Care Meeting, 7-9pm, via Zoom

Thursday, June 19th: JUNETEENTH UCE OFFICES CLOSED

• Meditation Group, 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom
• Beacon of Light Gathering, 7-7:30pm, Dempster and Ridge

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 Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU.  BLUU is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; providing support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.

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!

No Kings Day Rallies June 14

Mark your calendars to join UUs across the country in the planned “No Kings” rallies on Saturday, June 14, 2025. These demonstrations are a counterpoint to the Trump Administration’s military parade planned for the same day in Washington, DC. Show up at these local rallies to voice your support for democracy:

*Fountain Square, 1601 Sherman Ave., Evanston, 10:00-11:30 am. Rev. Eileen is a speaker.

*Daily Plaza, 50 W. Washington, Chicago, 12:00-1:30 pm. Attend with Rev. Eileen following the Evanston rally.

Race Against Hate: Sunday, June 15, 2025

Some of us run, some walk, some roll! However you roll, be part of the YWCA Race Against Hate by joining the UCE Racial Equity Team. Every Father’s Day, the YWCA hosts a race to honor Ricky Byrdsong, who was murdered by a white supremacist in front of his children while walking near their Skokie home. Proceeds from the event support the Evanston/North Shore YWCA's racial equity programming. More information about Ricky Byrdsong and the Race is here.

Be sure to join the UCE Racial Equity Team when you register.

If you can’t be with us in the Race, but want to join in spirit, support the team by using the above link to donate to one of our racers or the UCE Racial Equity Team.

Dana Deane is coordinating the UCE Racial Equity Team 2025. Please let her know if you have any questions. Dddeane847 at gmail dot com.

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. Folks who have indicated an interest were emailed earlier this week. If you would like to participate and did not receive an email about the tour, please email Rev. Susan. July 24, 2025 is the deadline to complete the two-step registration process:

1. Pre-register with the Living Legacy Project, who is the tour guide.
2. Register and make a non-refundable deposit of $600 with Educational Travel Adventures, who handles the transportation, lodging and meal logistics.

Shared Offering Program Nominations Open

Nominations for the 2025-2026 Shared Offering Program are now being accepted by the Social Justice Council until July 26, 2025. If you have any questions about this Program, please contact Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

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.

Come to Gardening Day, Saturday June 21st



The Garden Team has already been busy this Spring planting the East Rain Garden. Now that June is here, it is time to work on other gardens doing trimming (for those who love to snip and chop) and weeding (for those who like to get their hands in Mother Earth). And we are preparing to re-create the South Rain Garden. We will be digging through that garden to loosen the dirt and get rid of any remaining weeds…all in preparation for planting flowers, grasses and evergreens later. We’ll meet at the south lawn. Join anytime between 10:00-2:00. Snacks will be provided, but bring your own water. Your Garden Team Co-Chairs, Janelle and Neil, will be there to greet you.

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.

The next meeting of the UCE Nonfiction Book Group will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday June 29th, on Zoom using our recurring Zoom link.

We will discuss The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We Can Take It Back by Madiba K. Dennie.

Originalism holds that if it’s not in the Constitution as the Founders wrote it, then it’s irrelevant. Dennie advocates for “inclusive constitutionalism”, arguing that the law evolves and is not frozen in time and inalterable.

On July 27th our group will discuss Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.

• Everyone is welcome to join us.

Beach Day

The Family Ministry Team invites all ages to a beach day at Lighthouse Beach on July 20 from 12-3p. Rain date is scheduled for August 10.

Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park

Evanston has their Starlight Concerts on Tuesday evenings and movies mostly on Saturday evenings. Check out the schedule here.

ONGOING UU CONNECTIONS

UUA General Assembly 2025: What You Need to Know!

• Your UCE delegates are prepped and ready! Delegates have been discussing business items including Congregational Study Action Issues and Action of Immediate Witness statements to be voted on during the June 18-22 Assembly.

• Congregational Study Action Issues (CSAI) are issues selected by UU member congregations for three years of study, reflection and action. CSAIs provide member congregations of the Association with an opportunity to mobilize energy, ideas and resources around a common issue. The end result will be a deeper understanding of our religious position on the issue, a clear statement of Association policy as expressed in a Statement of Conscience, and a greater capacity for congregations to take effective action.

• Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) are statements about a significant action, event, or development in the world that necessitates immediate engagement and action among UU member congregations and groups.

• Delegates attending in-person include Shirley Adams, Kera Beskin, Elaine Siegel and Steve Serikaku. Attending virtually are Peggy Boccard, Cheryl Mounts, and Carla Williams. UCE ministerial staff attending include Rev Eileen and Dr. Emma (in-person) and Rev Susan Frances (virtually). Many thanks to these individuals for their commitment to our UU polity!



• Delegates will be available to discuss General Assembly at the Delegate Program Table during kinship time this month and in July.

MUUSA 2025 – July 6–12 at Trout Lodge

Join fellow Unitarian Universalists for a week of community, reflection, and fun at the Midwest UU Summer Assembly (MUUSA), held July 6–12, 2025, at Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri. This intergenerational retreat offers age-specific programs for children, youth, and adults, along with workshops, worship, and recreational activities in a beautiful lakeside setting. This year’s theme speaker is Rev. Sunshine Wolfe. Scholarships are available to help make camp accessible to all. For more information and to register, visit muusa.org.

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.

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Unitarian Church of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

847-864-1330