Dec 8, 2019 – Guest Musicians
Let’s Welcome Our Talented Brass Musicians
for Music Sunday 2019!
Jakob Florea Noestvik, Trombone
Jakob Florea Noestvik is a tenor and bass trombone player currently based in Chicago, IL. He has played with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and is a substitute with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Jakob hails from Oslo, Norway, where he was a substitute with the Norwegian Wind Ensemble.
Also an educator, Jakob instructed brass students of all ages as the sole proprietor of a teaching business and an employee of Oslo’s municipal performing arts school, the Oslo Music and Culture School. Currently Jakob is the Program Manager at the Chicago Center for Music Education.
Jakob Florea Noestvik received his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Academy of Music and Drama at Gothenburg University in Sweden and his Master of Music in Orchestral Studies from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. His principal teachers include Jay Friedman, Reed Capshaw, and Ingemar Roos.
Kevin Natoli is a Chicago-based trumpeter and Alexander Technique teacher. He has experience performing in a variety of ensembles ranging from orchestra to brass quintet and everything in between. He received his Master’s degree in trumpet performance from the New England Conservatory and studied with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Rhode Island Philharmonic. Kevin is also a graduate of an Alexander Technique Certification program at the
Boston Conservatory with Debi Adams and maintains a diverse teaching studio. He is currently a faculty member of Logos School of Music, an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, a substitute musician with New World Symphony in Miami, and recently performed with Juneau Symphony in Alaska.
Kevin Natoli, Trumpet
Matt Martin, Trombone
Matt Martin is a professional freelance trombonist based in Chicago. Matt has performed with symphonies across the Midwest including the Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic, Orchestra Iowa, South Bend, Elmhurst, Northwest Indiana, Oistrahk, Kenosha, and Battle Creek Symphonies. In addition, Matt has performed with theater companies throughout the Chicagoland area as well as big bands, and popular artists like Chance the Rapper. Aside from performing, Matt is a Low Brass Instructor at Dundee Crown and Lane Tech High Schools. Matt was also a recent ZO Brass Performing Artist presenting at Music China 2019 in Shanghai.
Theresa Coffey is a Chicago-based trumpet player and substitute with the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and West Michigan Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Elmhurst Symphony, among others. For two years, she was also an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Prior to moving to Chicago, Coffey lived in Oslo, Norway, where she performed with the Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian National Opera, Oslofjord Kammerfilharmoni, on the Norwegian Radio Orchestra’s chamber series, and in the Ultima Contemporary Music Festival. In Oslo, she performed under such notable conductors as Vasily Petrenko and Han-na Chang.
Coffey received her Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and Master of Music degrees from University of Maryland and the Norwegian Academy of Music. Her principal teachers include Tine Thing Helseth, Anthony Plog, Chris Gekker, Steven Hendrickson, Charles Geyer, and Barbara Butler.
Theresa Coffey, Trumpet
Holiday Greetings from EOD – Nov 29, 2019
Holiday Greetings from your Executive Operations Director – November 29, 2019
I hope that you have had a Thanksgiving Day filled with good moments and plentiful food with family and/or friends.
Exciting News! Operating and Capital Campaign 2019/2020 statements were produced and sent via email from our new database system REALM. This is exciting as we have been inputting data and working toward launch for some time. This brings us a big step forward. Thank you to Tom Carlton, Project Manager, who has been working with the system to produce statements, as well as align our pledge and payments processes in REALM. Melanie Kitchner and Vickie Doebele have done a great deal of work inputting data into REALM these past many months. Thank you. 2019 year-end tax statements will be generated early in January.
A new kitchen staff hire was made Wednesday. Join me in welcoming Sydney Bias on Sunday. Sydney has had lots of experience in kitchens, has his food handling license, and has run the soup kitchens at Ebenezer Church here in Evanston. Sydney lives close by. Please stop in and say hello as he begins his first day of training and kitchen coordination.
This Wednesday, the two lobby washrooms were painted and new vinyl base trim was installed. Once dry we will install lovely framed artwork that we inherited through the Rummage Sale. Please enjoy the new and improved, lighter and brighter washrooms.
Simultaneously, Dan from Dahlia Floors has been installing new tiles and vinyl base trim in the lift lobby area (tunnel) and outside the furnace room, which abuts the existing tiles in the lower level. The LULA has also been recently repainted and new tiles were installed today to match the area outside the lift doors. This area has needed care for some time. I have also ordered new treads for the stairs leading to the lobby from the tunnel. It really looks fresh and nice. These were planned as operating fund expenditures. As part of the Capital Campaign new lobby, wing, and classroom flooring will be installed. Johna VanDyke is working on that project. Thank you, Johna.
Carol Nielsen and I made a visit to a cabinet company to get samples and figure out new cabinetry for the kitchen rehab project. Carol has done a great deal of work with the architect Thomas Ahleman and his associates. The kitchen will close just after a memorial service on January 4 and will reopen in March.
Work continues by the Capital Campaign Implementation Team, of which I am a member. A town hall meeting will be held on Sunday, December 15 following the Sunday service Pageant. You will be provided with updates on the work done on the parking lot and highlights from the kitchen work. CCIT will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Please join us.
The Stewardship 2020 Task Force, requested by the Board of Trustees, has met to discuss strategies for the upcoming March 2020 Pledge Drive. We have an outline of ideas for the drive. We are looking for co-chairs. If you are interested or know someone who may be, please contact me. Members of the team are Shirley Adams, Jean Butzen, Kristen Larsen, Susan Comstock, and myself.
Our new phone system is operable. The sticking point is our level of comfort with our door intercom system and the phone working together. So far this week it has worked for 8 days. If this continues we will launch into the phone system switchover. Adam Gough has been heading up this effort. Thank you, Adam.
December 1, 2019
“Light in the Darkness”
This time of year is rich with the symbolism of casting light into the growing darkness. The season of Advent with its candles of anticipation, hope, peace and love; preparing for the winter solstice; Christmas Eve; Hanukkah…all evolved out of the need for light as days grow shorter. But what of the value of darkness, the need for rest, the peace of shadowed stillness? We’ll explore the embedded meanings of light and dark, and share some new ways of celebrating both. Rev. Eileen leads the service and Heike Eghardt is our Worship Associate.
Auction Thank You 2019
Serendipity Auction 2019 –
What an evening of bidding, bonding, and boodle!
What an evening of bidding, bonding, and boodle!
The Serendipity team would like to say a huge thank you to all for participating in a wonderful Serendipity Auction night last Saturday.
Many thanks to the 200 people who attended with good cheer in their hearts; the 124 members and friends who were successful bidders and graciously paid for our offerings; the 90 volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event happen; the 73 members and staff who donated various dinners, artwork, outings, etc.; the 96 local businesses that gave gift certificates or items or services; our auctioneer Brian Kirschenbaum, who paced the live auction just right; Curt’s Café for catering a fantastic dinner and providing an auction donation; and finally, and so importantly, our fantastic staff (with a special shout out to Liz and Steven Eason) who provided great support and helped make our sanctuary beautiful. The auction did well financially—we think the net will be approximately $28,000, but much more importantly, we contributed to building the spirit of our community. Thank you!!
Check out photos courtesy of Don Mac Gregor!
November 24, 2019
“Of Healing and Gratitude” – Rev Karen Gustafson
As the UCE community seeks to move your story into a hopeful future with a new called minister, it is a good thing to acknowledge and give thanks for the legacy of good ministry that has helped to shape the present. Together we will reflect on the the sustaining traditions that were begun by past ministers. This service will include the sharing of bread as we honor give thanks for the gifts of community.
From DLRE, Nov 15, 2019
From Kathy Underwood, the Director of Lifespan Religious Education – November 15, 2019
November started out by participating in our high school youth’s conference, ConArtist. Our youth, with a lot of help from advisors Chris Allender and Mike Takada, coordinated a wonderful experience for UU youth. I led a workshop on Counted Cross-stitch – yes, you read that correctly! There were 12 youth patiently learning this art of fine-motor skills and patience. Some loved it, and others struggled, but they all gave it their genuine effort. The social justice program was led by Bonsai from the Theater of the Oppressed and was “the best program I’ve ever been to at a Con ever” according to several youth. The worship was awesome too because it included a little fire in the form of flash paper, as well as time for reflection and connection. A huge “thanks” goes out to Chris and Mike, and advisors Maxine Lapin, Ally Hunter, and Natalie Lawson – and of course, our youth.
Youth participating in a social justice workshop at ConArtist youth conference.
Our middle school youth visited Beth Emet Synagogue earlier this month. They met with Cantor Kyle Cotler, who brought out a Torah to show the youth, and they remarked what a special feeling it was to see a sacred text so close up. The students’ observations ranged from the ceiling height in the sanctuary (“So high!”) to the ratio of singing/speaking in the service and more! Next, they will be learning about Islam in religious education.
As of this writing, I have just returned from a Liberal Religious Educators’ Association conference in Baltimore that focused on trauma and marginalized peoples. It was a lot of theology and will slowly percolate in my brain over the next few weeks and months. In the midst of this was a lived example of white supremacy and how it plays out in our UU faith. Our colleagues of color called out the organizers of the conference on cultural misappropriation, which left myself and my white colleagues embarrassed, confused, and saddened for having caused more harm despite best intentions and actions. There is so much to learn, and so much work to do in dismantling white supremacy.
Looking ahead, there are two big events coming up quickly: Ornament Sunday and the Christmas Pageant. Here’s how you can participate in these fun traditions:
Ornament Sunday on December 8 – Do you have a simple holiday craft to share? One craft being offered is to decorate foam shapes. Or maybe you’re craftier than the average person and have something a little more challenging? Not crafty but want to help? Then you can staff a table, like the one decorating pinecones. Staffing a table means just being there to help people out as needed. We also need folks to help set up tables and move chairs after worship. Sign up here for any of these opportunities. And, whether or not you can help, I hope you come for some fun!
Christmas Pageant on December 15 – Another fun holiday tradition is the no-rehearsal Christmas pageant. Come be a part of the fun, either by participating as a character or animal, or simply by singing carols and watching. If you can help get costumes ready and set up or put away, then please sign up here.
In Faith,
Kathy
Hats Off – November 15, 2019
Our Hats are Off to Chris Allender and Mike Takada for putting together and running a wonderful youth con November 1-3. Their calm and steady leadership enabled UCE to host about 100 youth from around the area and 25 youth group leaders. Our space is one of a few in our region that works really well for the youth cons but it can’t happen without the many hours of planning Mike and Chris provided, as well as the willingness to spend the entire weekend here with 100 teenagers. Mike and Chris also brought a truly meaningful social justice program to the Con. Bonsai Burmudez of the Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP) led the youth through an exercise involving dramatic arts, which provided insights into experiences of oppression. Mike and Chris also wanted to recognize the many people that contributed to the success of the con, including their youth group co-leaders: Ally Hunter, Natalie Lawson, and Maxine Lapin. Our deep gratitude to all of you.
Additional thanks to:
Barbara Ghoshal
Carolyn Leman
Cindy Sammons
Alice Swan
Michael Skilton
Anne Figert
Jane Wurster
Eric Schwabe
Christine Peters
Martha Holman
Meredith Hayden
Nicole Kramer
Ed Finkel
Jordan Strueber
Emily Marlowe
Sean Talmage
And Staffers, Liz Kennedy, Adam Gough, Vicki Doebele, Kathy Talmage, Kathy Underwood & Sandra Robinson were also instrumental in helping things run smoothly.
November 17, 2019
“Attending to Our Stories: How the Past Shapes the Future” – Rev. Karen Gustafson
Much of human discourse is story. At dinner parties or during coffee hour, in encounters with old and would be friends, we share pieces of our lives in anecdotes that build an impression of who we are and what we value. When we are part of a community, those impressions gather into a larger story which creates expectations about the the larger community and what it values. Part of our work in the Interim is to look at some of those stories and consider how they might inform the selection of the minister who will accompany you into the future.