Sunday, September 4, 2016
“Theology Set In Stars, Not In Stone”
A person’s theology can change over the course of one’s lifetime. Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck examines how one of the people he most admires–Gene Roddenberry–and how his theology evolved through the expression of his greatest creation, which is celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary this week, Star Trek.
A Circle of Opportunity
The Board of Trustees invites our Beloved Community to a conversation on the exploration of the community’s interest in a name change, during the month of October. The Board has structured a process that will be experienced in “Conversation Circles.” The goal in the process is to have your voices/interests heard, while using our Covenant of Engagement as a model for civil, courageous, and loving conversation.
Depending on the outcome of expressed interests, we’ll see if there is enough interest to go further in the name change exploration. If there does not seem to be a desire of the community to move forward with a name change, the Board would recommend that the discussion end for the year. If there seems to be a desire to explore the topic further, the Board has a process to proceed.
The Process of Exploration
The October conversations, facilitated by the Board, will be done in Conversation Circles. Participants will have an opportunity to express their thoughts/feelings. Then they will express their opinions on a form about going forward or not. An opportunity for non-Circle participants to complete this form will be made available as well. The Board will compile the information gathered and report to the community the results.
Please Attend!
October 2-15: Fourteen days of Conversation Circles will be made available to fit everyone’s schedule.
The circle process (in covenant group style with deep listening):
- Chalice lighting/opening words
- Two minute opportunities to express thoughts/feelings on a name change
- One minute opportunities to express empathy with those who differ
- Opportunity to propose a name change
- Reflection in thought and filling out a form on the issue
- Extinguish the chalice with closing words
If you have questions, please reach out to Brian Meister or Janelle Brittain of the Board along with the other Board members. We look forward to your participation in this conversation.
Sunday, August 28, 10:00am
“Liberating White Environmentalism”
Faith in Place is joining us on Sunday August 28th! A local nonprofit that empowers Illinois people of all faiths to be leaders in caring for the Earth, providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. Rev. Brian Sauder, a Mennonite Minister and President of Faith in Place, will guest preach at this service.
August 28, 2016 – “Liberating White Environmentalism” – Rev. Brian Sauder
CRS, UUANI, UU Prison Ministry – News for August 2016
These three efforts at UCE work in different but mutually supportive ways for positive social change.
CRS (Community Renewal Society) is in active discussions with Chicago officials and the public about police accountability proposals. Come to a town hall meeting Tuesday August 23 at 6:30 at Granville Avenue United Methodist Church, 1407 W. Granville Ave to learn about and advocate for the CRS proposal, called FAIR COPS. This is an educational opportunity to see CRS in action along with community leaders and others making a difference. Contact Bedford West, come to the table in back of sanctuary Sunday for more info.
SAVE THE DATE – Saturday morning, November 12, Community Renewal Society (CRS) annual membership assembly – nearby location TBD. This is the kickoff to another yearly cycle of celebrating victories and ratifying a platform for the coming legislative cycle. Usually an action advocating for an issue is part of the morning.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) as part of its racial justice work asks you to tell Governor Rauner you would like him to sign three pieces of legislation that were passed by the Illinois legislature and would remove certain lifetime bans on employment for people with criminal records. The easy process can be found at: http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50480/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=19237
This link is also on the UUANI and CRS Facebook pages.
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is about to move into ministry in prisons, welcoming efforts for people returning from prison, and advocacy for alternatives to incarceration.
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
Submitted by: Dale Griffin
Hospitality Team News
Thanks to those who were able to attend one of the two offerings of Welcoming Training at UCE this month. We had inspiring and helpful conversations about some of the best practices for being radically hospitable, inclusive, accessible, and multi-culturally sensitive. Our hospitality teams have added so much to the warmth and welcoming of our thriving congregation. It is a joy to share the spiritual practice of hospitality with all of you. We are so much better together!
There were several handouts available at the training, which can be found here, in case you are looking to improve your skills as a greeter or usher. Here are some of the important take aways that I wanted to be sure to pass on so that as many of us as possible can participate in creating a warm and embracing community:
– The front doors are heavy! Please open them for visitors if you can, and especially if someone is struggling or has their arms full.
– When you are greeting at the front door, stay available to all who enter. Try to avoid getting involved in long conversations and missing those who come in.
– The guest table in the lobby and the newcomer table near the coffee are both places where longer conversations can take place.
– Learn to read people’s signals: How much information are they looking for? When do they want to just quietly check things out before being engaged?
– Also, try to push yourself a little beyond your comfort zone. If you are introverted, see if you can be a little more outgoing. Try simply introducing yourself and saying welcome to everyone you don’t know. If you tend to pounce on people (could be my tendency) try to hang back just a bit. Most importantly – have fun!
– We now have large print orders of service on the hymnal carts as well as 2 large print hymnals. Please help us raise the awareness of these items and pass them out to those who need them.
– Passing the offering basket is not hard but it does take coordination! I’ve taped written instruction into the offering bowls. Please read them and follow them if you are doing this job. I’m also including those instructions on the hospitality team sign up page.
– For hospitality leaders, here is the link to the google doc, which includes a sign up sheet and all the information you need to know for Sunday mornings. This is the version for two services: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j3vpk1I8CrfJmn_N2jpXTMoKduGrFPrVzDNwHTxBFno/edit
Yours in faith and with gratitude,
Eileen
Sunday, August 21, 10:00am
“What Do You Really Want?”
Rev. Scott Aaseng has served congregations in Chicago, Quincy, and Oak Park, Illinois, as well as Hobart, Indiana. He current serves as Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois. Rev. Aaseng will speak about organizing justice work that makes a real difference in our communities.
August 21, 2016 – “What Do You Really Want?” – Rev. Scott Aaseng
Choir Rehearsals are Starting Up Again!
Whoohoo! The first UCE Choir rehearsal for the 2016-2017 year is Thursday, September 1st, 7:15-9 pm, in Room 3.
We invite you to participate in the only team sport available to singers and to discover how fun it can be to make fine, blended music, in a variety of styles, with a great group of people! The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings and sings in services three Sundays a month (September through June) and all adults and youth who can carry a tune are welcome.
If you have any questions, please e-mail UCE’s Director of Music, Vickie Hellyer, at vhellyer@ucevanston.org. Or feel free to talk with any of the Music Committee members and/or any members of the choir. We look forward to seeing you at rehearsals!
P.S. We would be remiss if we didn’t also tell you that snacks are provided at each rehearsal.