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Religious Education Activities for Children and Families Unless otherwise noted, contact Rev. Sue Sinnamon (847-864-1330) or ssinnamon@ucevanston.org for more information. Sunday Services and Activities Child Dedications — At child dedications the UCE community welcomes children and expresses support for the child and family. Child dedications are performed at the Christmas Eve Family Service (for babies), the first Sunday in May (for older children, and by special arrangement with the ministers. PARENT’S CAFE -- This group, led by RE minister and the RE board, allows parents to meet and discuss topics of interest while their younger children are attending religious education classes. Topics may include a variety of subjects from prayer, death, and sex, to the holidays, rituals and generosity. Parents are invited to share topics or introduce speakers to the group. Stone Soup — The Sunday before Thanksgiving we celebrate with the story of Stone Soup. Children add ingredients for our soup which is served after the service. Ornament Sunday — After a service in early December we make ornaments to decorate our tree in the sanctuary and some to take home. Winter Festival — The Sunday service before Christmas is presented by the High School Group. After the service we gather for cookies and juice. Christmas Eve — On this special evening at 4:30 p.m., the children of UCE perform the story of Christmas. All are welcome to participate. There is no limit to the number of parts for Mary or baby Jesus. Easter — Our Easter service is followed by a brunch hosted by the Religious Education Program then an Easter egg hunt outside. RE Passages Ceremony — The first Sunday in May at 10 a.m. we recognize the growth of our children through the year with UCE Religious Education. We also celebrate the volunteer work of our teachers and parents, thanking all with a light breakfast Church Picnic — After the service on the second Sunday in June we celebrate summer with a picnic on the south lawn. Social Action for Children and Families Second Helping Sundays — We participate in collecting food for a local food pantry Guest at Your Table — We help gather contributions to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and other special projects. Training for Non-violence — Children, 3-6th grade, work with Shanti, a non-profit organization that fosters the practice of non-violence in everyday life. With Shanti, one group of children worked on a mural featuring their concepts of community blessings and another group worked on dramatic scenes with themes such as forgiveness, trust, family, animal rights, and environmental protection. Green Sanctuary — The RE program has teamed with the Green Sanctuary Committee to educate each other about environmental issues and to work on projects to recycle and encourage use of sustainable resources at home, in church, and in the community. Common Threads — These knitters or crocheters at any level of skill create special gifts including premie blankets and hats and shawls for palliative care. Contact Jean Novales (847-491-9819), Nancy Lee (nlee1215@sbcglobal.net), or Tammy Besser (tsbesser@prodigy.net) for more information. Soup Kitchen — Several times a year we host an Evanston Soup kitchen. Adults and children prepare and serve a meal for those in our community who might otherwise be hungry. CROP Hunger Walk — In October we walk to help end hunger. Harms Woods Restoration — Twice a year families at UCE participate in caring for Harms Woods by clearing brush and cleaning up. Contact Dale Griffin (847-328-7818). Family Social Activities Family Friendship Dinners — Family Friendship Dinners take place three or four times a year. Families join a group with three or four other families. Each takes a turn hosting and providing the main dish while the rest bring the side dishes. The children play, the adults talk, and everyone has a good time. Contact Eileen Viviott (847-676-2487) or ewiviott@hotmail.com for more information. UCE Winter Family Retreat — This fun weekend of family activities takes place at the Geneva Bay center at Covenant Harbor in Wisconsin the last weekend in January or the first weekend in February. Contact Alexa Bezjian-Avery (847-328-6186) or alexaavery@comcast.net. Night of the Arts — UCE members bring their talents and creativity to transform the sanctuary into a place to explore, discover, and create art, crafts, food, and more. Contact Johna and Will Van Dyke (847-864-7852). Mardi Gras — The first Friday of March, the Junior High Group puts on a Mardi Gras Carnival for the younger children to raise money for the Boston Bound trip. There are games, prizes, pie throwing, and lots of fun. Boston Bound Trip — Every other year, the Junior High group takes a five-day trip to Boston to learn more about the roots of our faith and to more deeply understand our principles and purposes. Summer Camping — Every summer UCE families take a camping trip. The date and location change from year to year, but it is always a good time. Contact Dale Griffin (847-328-7818) or Liz Goodwin (847-966-0504). Unitarian Church of Evanston
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