Sunday, April 2, 2017
“The Radical Dr.Seuss, and What He Can Still Teach Us” – 9:15 and 11:00am
March is the birthday of Theodore Geisel, better known by his middle name as Dr. Seuss. Before he became a famous children’s author, he was an editorial cartoonist. Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck will show some of this artwork and what their images mean for us today, 70 years later.
Rummage Sale FAQs
1. Days to bring my things? Sunday, April. 30, 2-8; Mon-Tues, 9-8
2. Big furniture pieces? Pick ups: Sat. April 29/Sun. May 1. Must schedule with Kay Gibbs-Novy
3. Things NOT acceptable? Mattresses, helmets, car seats, monitors, large appliances, broken non-working items, (Note: Only flat screen TVs accepted – other TVs not acceptable.
4. Clothing? Any and all – clean, no holes, rips or stains. Bring on hangers.
5. When should I help? Any day, any time! Lunch provided (Mon-Thurs). After 6 hours of help, you will be eligible for presale purchases.
6. When/What is the presale? Thursday. Workers buy early, slight increase in prices.
Top 12 Things You Can Do to Meet People at UCE
The Board members of UCE are delighted to welcome so many new members to our congregation over the last year or two. From our own experience, we know that it can be difficult to figure out how to meet a wider circle of people and fit into such a large congregation. The New Member team works hard to help new folks, but we thought we’d also do our part by sharing this:
1) Sign up to volunteer at a Soup Kitchen (email Marilyn Wroblewski at mwroblew1109@gmail.com). These happen Spring, Summer, & Fall.
2) Volunteer to work at the Rummage Sale. Lots of love goes into putting this together and it’s a huge effort and a big boost for the UCE budget.
Email Maggie Wilson at manddwilson@msn.com. Even 1 shift of a few hours helps them out!
3) Share a meal with folks from the Rainbow Alliance, Saturday, April 8 at the Celtic Knot, 12:00 pm (Please rsvp to Jeanne Kerl at figkerl@gmail.com)
4) Stick around for coffee & bagels and sit by someone new.
5) Go to a Principles & Sources discussion on April 2nd between the two services, 10:15 to 11:00am
6) Go to a movie or book discussion that is advertised in the newsletter
7) Check out the Social Action calendar for an event that interests you.
8) Volunteer to help teach Sunday School next year. Curriculum and teacher training is provided. Email Reverend Connie at cgrant@ucevanston.org.
9) Join a Covenant group, check them out at the information tables on Covenant Sunday, April 2nd or talk with Eileen Wiviott.
10) Go to a Crackerbarrel discussion.
11) Check out a Spiritual Journeys class–there is one this Sunday, March 26th, 10:15 to 11:00am in Room 12.
12) And poke around on the UCE website to learn about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and more.
Obviously, each person at UCE would put together their own unique top 12, but we wanted to share a few of our ideas with you. In our experience, you just have to try things out to see what fits for you.
And, please, seek us out and introduce yourselves to us. We’d love to meet you
—from the Board, Barbara Ghoshal, Ann Gadzikowski, Gary Zacny, Heike Eghardt, Janelle Brittain, Kerry Heckman, Tom Ticknor, Susan Comstock, and Jeanne Kerl.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
“Our Selves, Our World, Our Stories” – 9:15 and 11:00am
We can keep on having half-conversations about who’s right and who’s wrong and further feed the brokenness that threatens to tear us apart. Or we can see each other as part of a larger We–a We that is broken, but a We that is in this brokenness together. Rev. Scott Aaseng speaking.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
“Jefferson’s Gospel” – 9:15 and 11:00am
Throughout his adult life, Thomas Jefferson, a self-professed “Unitarian of one,” was obsessed with creating a single, cohesive narrative of Jesus’ teaching, which he eventually titled The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. With razor in hand, he literally spent decades cutting apart the gospels to reveal what he felt were the essentials of Jesus’ ministry. It’s the “Greatest Story Ever Told” as only Jefferson could. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
News from CRS, UU Prison Ministry, UUANI
Actions you can participate in with CRS, UU Prison Ministry, and UUANI:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) – This year’s actions will focus on employment opportunities for people with records, violence prevention, implementing the Fair Cops Ordinance in Chicago, and resolving the budget impasse fairly. Join Community Renewal Society for our annual mass trip to the capitol on May 9, 2017 to advocate for these issues. Contact Dale Griffin or Doug Erickson for more information or to RSVP!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is planning a teach-in on supporting legislation reducing the use of solitary confinement in Illinois, in April, date TBD. Scheduled is a workshop on “Radical Hospitality” April 22 at UCE, on welcoming returning citizens at church and partnering with them to transition into life outside of prison. RSVP Dale Griffin or Steve Serikaku.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) has begun an “action of the week” in this time of rapid change due to the recent election. This week’s issue is the new executive order on immigration. To receive notifications please contact Scott Aaseng or Dale Griffin. Thank you.
UUANI will lead a workshop in conjunction with the MidAmerica Regional UUA Assembly at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale on Friday, April 28, 1-5 p.m.
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net