August 29, 2019: Karen Gustafson
An Introduction; An Invitation
Karen Gufstafson
Interim Minister
Dear ones,
Karen Gustafson, here. I am the minister who has committed to supporting you and your church staff this year in your continuing effort to present to a prospective settled minister, a clear and honest vision of who you have been, who you are and who you want to be as a congregation.
Eileen Wiviott, as you know, has assumed the role of Acting Senior Minister. I will be with you in Evanston for ten consecutive days each month. During that time, I will be engaging you from the pulpit on two Sundays. During the week, we will interact in structured and casual opportunities to share your experience, your insights and your hopes as you bridge from your past into your future. I will synthesize my observations and mirror them back to you with praises and cautions and suggestions for change. I will be available to the staff by phone and e-mail between visits.
In preparation for this time, I have spent three days in retreat with Rev Eileen where we got to know each other and to form the kind of collegial relationship that will serve us well as leaders during this time of transition. In addition, I am reviewing reports and newsletters and sermons offered by Rev. Greg in the interest of synthesizing and building on last year’s work as much as possible.
I come to you from my “retirement” home near Duluth, Minnesota. I come as a trained interim minister with 30 years of UU parish experience in Duluth, in Madison WI and Minneapolis MN. I come most importantly, I think, as someone who loves this faith, believes in the value and integrity of congregational life and has experienced the power of shared vision and covenant both personally and in the world.
I am not a savior or a magician. My agenda is to facilitate the process of identifying and supporting the healing of hurt places; the elevating and reinforcing of strengths; the resolving of differences through the application of our shared principles; the articulation of a vision of ministry that is sustainable. This is our work together. When it is done, it will be yours.
I am pleased and honored by the trust that your Board has placed in me. This is a different model of interim work. Let’s make it happen!
In trust, Karen
September 1st, 2019
Immigrant Stories – Dispelling myths and changing the narrative, sharing stories is a powerful way to cast away the shadows of fear and lies. We consider our stories, the stories of our families, and the journeys that have brought us to this time and place.
August 23rd Capital Campaign Q&A
Q. When will I be contacted about making my gift to the Capital Campaign?
A. If you haven’t already heard from the Capital Campaign Leadership Team, you will receive a letter and a brochure in the mail from them between now and early October.
Because we believe it’s important to be in conversation with each other about this important initiative, we have taken a phased-in approach to talk with our members. Given the size of our congregation, it’s going to take a while to reach everyone … as you can imagine!
Your ideas, input, and generosity are essential to the success of the campaign, and we are eager to hear your thoughts. Decisions about which projects will be funded will be guided by your feedback as well as consultation with the board.
August 25th, 2019
Our Faith in Truth and Meaning: Moving from Certainty to Curiosity – Bring your Backpacks, Bookbags and Briefcases to be Blessed in this end of summer ritual. As we get ready to go back to school or more fully back to work, we invite people of all ages to bring your backpacks and brief cases on Sunday, August 25th to be blessed in our service. Carry the love, wisdom and courage of Unitarian Universalism with you through your week of learning, growing and working.
2019-2020 Shared Offering Recipients
Shared Offering Recipients 2019-2020
Per vote by The Social Justice Council – August 14, 2019
September 2019, Assata’s Daughters, Gail Smith
October 2019, UU Prison Ministry, Dale Griffin
November 2019, Mitten Tree, Carol Nielsen, Vickie Doebele
December 2019, UUSC, Tom Ticknor and Shirley Adams
January 2020, Community Renewal Society (CRS), Dennis Wilson (CRS),
February 2020, Interfaith Action of Evanston, Barbara Butz
March 2020, UUANI, Margaret Shaklee
April 2020, Faith in Place, John Bartok
May 2020, The Poor Peoples’ Campaign, Doug Erickson
June 2020, IL Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Mary Ellen McGoey, Joe Romeo
July 2020, Deborah’s Place, Jean Durkin
August 2020, UUs for a Just Community, Jane Bannor
Fifth Sundays, The Brennan Center, Sarah Iles
August 18th, 2019
Beloved Conversations: Meditations on Race and Ethnicity – More than 10% of our congregation has participated in this transformative curriculum developed by the Fahs Collaborative of Meadville Lombard Theological School. Beloved Conversations creates an intentional, supportive space where participants can learn, reflect and share about their own experiences with race and white privilege and identify opportunities for individual and communal growth. In this service, participants will share their learnings and hopes for UCE as we continue to practice Beloved Community.
August 11th, 2019
Denominational Affairs – Unitarian Universalists make up a small percentage of the population but our voice can be a mighty force for good if we collaborate beyond the walls of our congregations. There are many ways to connect to the larger UU movement to engage in the work of social justice and be a part of the ongoing stream of our faith tradition. We will hear from some among us who have had transformative experiences within Unitarian Universalism beyond our walls, learning of the “Power of We.” Rev. Eileen leads the service.