Sunday, November 5, 2017
“You Get What You Need” – 9:15 and 11:00am
In a Buddhist parable, a monk travels the world with a jewel sewn into his robe by a friend—but since this friend didn’t tell him, the monk is unaware of the gift he carries. How often do we fail to recognize the resources we have at hand, and that life’s challenges often contain life’s most needed lessons? Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
Q and As With REAL
At the White Supremacy Teach-in II a couple of weeks ago, we asked congregants to slip any questions they have about race issues into the Q and A box (that is on the table at the back of the sanctuary). Here are the questions we received that day, and the REAL team’s initial answers. [more]
Q: How can you be an ally without seeming like you’re on “a high horse” – without coming from a position of moral superiority?
A: We don’t know for sure from your question what the context of the situation is. We are assuming you mean: how do you respond to a micro-aggression or straight up racist comment without claiming moral superiority. Jay Smooth suggests treating a racist comment like noticing spinach in your friend’s teeth. A good friend would tell them about the spinach – quietly and with no fanfare. Even for ourselves, becoming anti-racist isn’t a one-time achievement and you’re done. It’s more like dental hygiene. We all need to keep at it. To learn more about this, check out Jay’s Ted Talk, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFcQKHh72_w
And there’s this interesting story about speaking up: https://medium.com/embrace- race/when-the-racist-is-someone-you-know-and-love-2933c7049182
Q: My sister-in-law, who I love, said to me “Black people have everything.” She was referring to affirmative action and welfare. I responded with some facts I learned at UCE, but I think differently of her now. How do I move forward and not judge her?
A: We all have people in our lives who “don’t get it” and we still love them in whatever way we can. If we truly honor our first principle, we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, even those who don’t see the world exactly as we do. And remember, since we were born into a world of white supremacy we are all racists, so it may be helpful to look inside and work on one’s own stuff to be able to more easily see that others can make mistakes too. It’s just something to work on for oneself. Hopefully, the seeds you planted with your sister-in-law will bear fruit one day!
Bonus: From Doug Muder in the current UU World:
“Racism isn’t like a bacterial infection that falls to an intense course of antibiotics and is never seen again. Racism is a chronic condition like hypertension or diabetes. Given proper attention, it need not be debilitating. But once you find it in yourself, don’t expect that you will ever be rid of it.”
What are some other answers?
What are some other questions?
What’s Going On with Affordable Housing in Evanston?
There is a lot of interest and movement towards ensuring more affordable housing in Evanston (and elsewhere). Census data and observation show that Evanston is losing the diversity it prides itself in and many people can no longer afford to live here. In fact, between 2000 and 2015, Evanston lost almost 25% of its African-American population (from 16,704 to 12,577). During the same time, housing costs have escalated enormously and now about half the Evanston population is paying more than 30% of their income on housing. Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, a coalition of social service agencies and faith-based institutions, has recently formed to provide leadership and pressure to get the City moving on this. It is being staffed by Sue Loellbach of Connections for the Homeless. More to come.
What can you do this week to further race equity?
Join us Sunday after church to stand on Ridge with Black Lives Matter signs and songs. It’s fun, and it’s noticed and appreciated in the community.
Watch this video: Bryan Stevenson: Can We Talk About an Injustice?
Attend the City Council meeting Monday October 30 to hear what City Council members are learning about affordable housing. City staff are going to make a presentation to the Council on facts and range of opportunities, and council members are planning (hoping) to really dig into the dirt and talk among themselves about their questions and thoughts. If you have Comcast you can also watch the meeting on Channel 16. Joining Forces for Affordable Housing will be holding a press conference at City Hall at 5 pm to present recommended principles for framing the discussion and considering the possibilities being presented.
Note: The REAL team plans to periodically have a link to this blog in the weekly newsletter. Keep a watch out for it, and let us know if you have a short video, article or news item you’d like to share, or more Q and As.
Lift for Love (LULA) Access to Lower Level Status
Our City of Evanston Building Permit, the last of three City reviews is complete. On Wednesday I picked up the Building Permit and related documents after their questions to Architect Mark Miller and Construction Engineer Eric Barton were answered and drawing edits completed. Eric took the required test for contractors and has necessary approvals to go forward.
The construction engineer met with the roofer, excavator, electrician and plumber on details needed to finalize paperwork, pricing and certificate of insurance. Eric is awaiting clarification on an electrical detail of DME access, the lift provider.
Eric is currently putting together a site fencing plan, per the City’s request, which will prevent access to the construction site.
The tree removal and trimming is complete and a path is clear for construction vehicles to enter. Construction vehicles will be parked at the south end of the building near the storage shed behind the garbage area.
Later today or Monday, the construction engineer and I will meet to wrap up all final details and he will proceed with installation of fencing.
The first onsite action will be the demolition of the existing storage room floor area. We will be moving the last items out this weekend, which includes the large round tables. Unfortunately, we have little storage space and we will ask congregants for your patience as we move through this construction process. You will likely see tables stored in the area where bagels are served and the bagel tables will be moved to the east and near the stairs.
What’s New at the Serendipity Auction This Year
The Serendipity Auction has been around for at least 40 years and this year it’s getting a few exciting upgrades.
We are thrilled to announce that for the first time Curt’s Cafe is catering the event. Come and enjoy delicious food with a purpose. There will be gluten-free and vegetarian options available, and a vegan option upon request.
We also have a brand new auctioneer who performs magic. It will be fun for all of you to meet him and enjoy some new tricks. We are sure you won’t be disappointed.
There’s more—this year we have two new co-chairs, Susan Comstock and Jenny Walsh. They are incredibly enthusiastic and coming up with inspired ways to make this a very special evening. You can contact them with any questions you have about donations or the event. Take a look at the catalog here and you’ll see the creative donations already posted.
Another change is that we are encouraging people to bring their checkbook this year. There will be a service fee of 3% for all credit card transactions to match the actual cost the church incurs. Think of it as a positive change, because if we avoid service fees, UCE will be able to raise even more funds for all our fantastic programming. Plan ahead and bring your checkbook!
What else is new? Your one-of-a-kind donation! Help by providing a new and exciting item for the auction. There is still time to donate items at the following link: http://www.togetherauction.com/ucevanston. The deadline for your item to be featured in the catalog is October 29th.
Dinner is $15 with a reservation ($5 for children 6-11) and $20 at the door, so make sure to make a reservation. For $15 you get a delicious full dinner, open bar, and free childcare. Click here or you can call the office to make your reservations for dinner and/or childcare.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
“When the Veil is Thinnest: A service honoring All Souls” – 9:15 and 11:00am
This traditional Mexican festival helps loved ones honor their ancestors and discover courage in the face of death. Celebrated October 31st through November 2nd, it is said to be a time when the veil between this world and the world of those departed is thinnest. This liminal space enables us to connect with the souls of those we’ve lost, and to celebrate their lives with joy. Ofrendas or altars displaying pictures or talismans of those who have died with colorful decorations and marigolds are an integral part of the tradition. You are invited to bring a photo or sacred object of your loved one to display on the ofrendas. After each service there will be a potluck meal. Please bring a favorite dish of your beloved to contribute to the celebration. This service will be led by Rev. Eileen Wiviott with support from the Retired Women’s Group, Taryn Seawright, and Dr. Mary Shelden.
Volunteer Training for Emergency Overnight Shelter November 7, 8, or 9
UCE will host the Emergency Overnight Shelter again this year. Interfaith Action of Evanston provides some staff to manage the shelters, which rotate among six different faith communities but we need you to help volunteer, especially when UCE hosts during the weeks of February 25, March 4, and March 18. What we need to focus on now is the brief but necessary training. Three opportunities for this hour-long training will be offered at 7pm on 11/7, 11/8, 11/9. You only need to attend one of these evenings if you haven’t been trained before. Below are details about the volunteer roles and the locations of the training sessions. Thank you for your much needed help keeping people off the streets on the coldest winter nights.
Volunteers roles for the overnight shelter
Set-up Volunteers – 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm – able to set up the cots, prepare the rooms, prepare hot drinks and greet guests as they arrive at 9:00
Overnight Volunteers – 9 pm to 7 am – able to spend the night to assist the staff person. Lights will be turned out at 10:00. Volunteers should be able to get some sleep.
Clean-up Volunteers – 6 to 7 am – able to help wake the guests and ensure they leave the facility on time. Also assists the supervisor in taking down/storing cots, cleaning up the facility, and preparing the laundry/cots for pickup.
Emergency Shelter volunteer requirements:
…Attend one training session
…Comfortable with email notifications
…Compassionate heart and ability to get along with diverse people
…Listening ear
…Reliable and prompt
…Boundary keeper (Able to enforce rules, not easily manipulated)
Please email Sue Murphy at ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org if you are interested or for more information.
Training Sessions (required to come to one)
Tuesday, November 7 7pm Northminster Presbyterian Church
2515 Central Park
Wednesday, November 8 7pm First Congregational Church
1417 Hinman
Thursday, November 9 7pm First Presbyterian Church
1427 Chicago
Donations Donations Donations
The Serendipity Auction needs you! Every year we rely on our members’ generosity, creativity, and hospitality to come up with a wonderful assortment of items for our catalog. The more donations we have the more entertaining the auction, but more importantly, the more money we will raise for UCE.
Our auction team will be available after both services on Sundays leading up to the auction, and we are excited to help you brainstorm ideas for donations and match people wanting to co-host. You may also contact the co-chairs, Susan Comstock and Jenny Walsh. The deadline to have your donation highlighted in the printed catalog is fast approaching. Get your donation in by October 29th.
Here are some ideas:
Can you throw a great party?
Have season tickets, but you can’t use a certain day?
Do you have a famous recipe?
Is there a local business you like to support? Why not donate a gift card?
What about that vintage bottle of wine aging in your basement?
Can you think of a fun idea for a themed gift basket? Spa? Pet? Sports?
What about sharing your craft? A knitted scarf? Handmade jewelry? An original artwork?
We would love to have more family friendly and intergenerational offerings. What about a family friendly scavenger hunt, a curated collection of your favorite children’s books, an intergenerational ice skating party, or a monthly craft kit for kids?
Are you inspired? Get your donation listed right away. Here is the donation link: http://www.togetherauction.com/ucevanston
Sunday, October 22, 2017
“Mary Baker Eddy’s Science of Mind Healing” – 9:15 and 11:00am
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, was called many things: heretic, hysteric, feminist, religious reformer. Somewhere within the hype and villanization lies a woman, both brilliant and flawed, who invented the once-fastest growing religion in America. Little tracked is Eddy’s transcendental roots and how the bards of New England influenced her theology and outlook. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.