Two Messages from the BOT: April 17, 2020
Annual Meeting Notice
At its Thursday, April 16th Board of Trustees meeting, the Board approved a plan to hold the 2020 UCE Annual Meeting on May 17th online, as a virtual meeting using Zoom. Given the current health crisis and the closure of our church building it was decided that it would not yet be appropriate for us to meet in person.
Members of the Board and staff have completed tests and trial runs, and are convinced that we will be able to take attendance and vote in a process that is secure and democratic. Congregants will have the opportunity to ask questions and comment before voting.
Board Policies and Church Bylaws will, of course be followed: members will be notified of the date and time of the meeting, membership status will be verified, and members will be informed of the wording of any motions upon which there will be a vote. To assist in making sure that procedures are followed, the Board has secured the assistance of a Parliamentarian for the meeting. More details about how to attend and participate in the meeting will be given in coming messages to the congregation. Those messages will contain contact information for staff who can assist with technical support before the meeting.
If you have any questions, please send an email to the Board of Trustees at BOT@ucevanston.org. Stay home! Stay safe! Join us for our virtual annual meeting on May 17th!
And A Special Thank You from Martha Holman and the Board of Trustees:
During this COVID-19 crisis, it has become so apparent how valuable our staff is; they are treasures! Without a building, they have created an online church, coffee hour, weekly gathering for reflection and chatting, and even a spontaneous Caring Call following John LaPlante’s death. We can “see” each other on Zoom calls, say “hello” to each other during Sunday service if we wish, and share in the inspirational and wise words of our ministers. A lot of behind the scenes planning goes into all that.
On top of all that, the staff continues to work to maintain our expected communications, music, financial services, pastoral care, and reaching out. Committee folks and others have technical support to get covenant groups and other meetings up and running online so our social networks and support groups (meditation, yoga, book groups, parent groups, high school youth meetings, etc.) can continue. We have access to Religious Education materials and activities including virtual Easter egg hunts, Soul Matters curriculum, virtual Chalice circles, and Wednesday evening adult programming. Through the staff’s efforts, we are able to continue participating in social justice initiatives like the Soup Kitchen and have been connected to online petitions.
I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but I continue to be impressed and amazed at how smoothly it all goes most of the time. Yet, I know it’s a lot of hard work and planning and attention. UCE, in many ways, is leading in this effort. Many churches are struggling to get anywhere near this level of cohesion and support for the congregation. I’ve been on regular Presidents’ calls where we share information and I’m often surprised when other Presidents speak about how they are still working on how to keep offering services.
All this is to say that we on the board find our staff to be our greatest asset. This bears thinking about as we head into budget time and make decisions for the congregation. Praise and gratitude for the staff has been a recurring theme as we listen to congregants talk about the UCE experience during this pandemic.
🌻🌻 The Board and I wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to all the members of the UCE staff for their incredible efforts in keeping us safe, connected, comforted, and inspired! 🌻🌻
VirtUUal RE: April 19, 2020
For some UUs, this coming week is more sacred than last week with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. The irony of a pandemic at this time has not been lost on me. Spring is in the air – or at least every few days or so – and it has been noted and observed that air pollution and smog have diminished significantly with the stay-at-home orders. More people are outside walking and noticing the wonders of nature around them. Perhaps Nature has conspired with the coronavirus to slap us in the face and make us wake up to the possibilities, if only we were to choose differently.
You can read this week’s VirtUUal RE session here or watch my video here.
If you missed the virtual Easter Egg Hunt you can still participate until May 1. So far, over 500 people have done the hunt! Click here and join in.
For the activities I mention, here are the links:
Calendar Connection:
- Earth Day – April 22
- Climate Justice Month – March 22 to April 22
Next Tuesday, kids and parents can join me for a virtual Chalice Circle at 3:30p. We will have an Earth Day Challenge: using things around the house and in your recycling bin, build the tallest structure you can that can hold an egg on top. You can join the meeting here or by phone instead at +1 209-844-4600,,392873602#
For middle school youth, you can learn about Native American spirituality in this shortened Map and Tack Sunday session. Click here to access the session.
High school youth can connect Sunday evening at 7 pm on Zoom. Look for an email from the advisors later in the week with info on how to join.
Of course, we also have our virtual worship service on Sunday mornings at 11:15 am. I continue to post ideas on the UCE Children and Youth Facebook page, along with some interactive things to share, so look for that as well.
For our theme of Liberation this month, click here for a family social action activity.
Click here for a new offering from Soul Matters: Creating Sabbath Space, week 3.
And for adults, the Non-Fiction Book Group will be discussing An American Summer: Life and Death in Chicago by Alex Kotlowitz on Sunday, May 3rd with Sarah Vanderwicken leading the discussion. Look for information in this week’s newsletter on how to join that discussion.
A new program facilitated by Robb Gieger, The Infrastructure of Morality, will be on Wednesday evenings beginning May 6. Email Robb if interested so he can send you some info and the link to the program: rjg6177@gmail.com.
In Faith,
Kathy Underwood
April 19, 2020
We will host an online worship service on Sunday, April 19th at 11:15 am.
“Earth, Our Teacher”
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we express our gratitude for earth’s lessons and consider our dependence, impact, and mutuality with the planet we call home. Before we join together at 11:15, we invite you to gather some items to include in a shared ritual of interconnection:
- a rock or some sand or dirt in a small cup or bowl;
- a small bowl of water;
- and a candle or chalice.
Rev. Eileen Wiviott leads the service with Rev. Karen Mooney and contributions by the UCE Green Team.
Note the 9:30 and 11:15 services are being rolled into one service time so that we can gather together as a whole community of faith. You can still give to the shared offering through “text to give,” mail a check to the office with shared offering in the memo line, or go to our website and hit “give” on the upper right or click here. This Sunday’s shared offering recipient is Faith in place (click here to learn more).
From EOD: April 10, 2020
Hello to all from my home office.
Today I will give you some insight into what I have been involved in this week.
On Monday and Tuesday I completed the Paycheck Protection Program (part of the CARES Act) application with the hope that we can obtain a loan with a 1% interest rate. This loan will be forgiven if we use the funds for paying staff. Currently, most of our staff is working from home, keeping up with their regular duties and helping us serve our congregation remotely. The exception is lobby staff, kitchen staff and child care. We have estimated their typical hours and, so far, continue to pay them. Each person is valuable to us and we want to keep them during these difficult times. The PPP loan will assist in that effort.
This week I am also working on projecting the church’s income through June 30, which I will share with the Integrated Stewardship Council at our Zoom meeting on Tuesday evening. I am projecting expenses and income and assessing where we will be at the end of our fiscal year on June 30. Your pledge payments will help us get through these tough times. However, we will experience a substantial loss due to the cancellation of Rummage Sale and many rentals. I continue to work with our existing renters on event rentals late in the calendar year and early next year, and we are also hopeful that it may be possible to stage the Rummage Sale in the fall. However, the loss of rentals and the Rummage Sale will result in at least $46,000 lost revenue in this 2019/20 fiscal year.
The Pledge Drive Team continues to meet on Zoom each Tuesday to review pledges received for our upcoming 2020/21 fiscal year, and our strategy for contacting members to encourage pledge forms to be turned in. This week a small group of stewards are calling upon those who have not yet pledged. We need a pledge form from everyone—even if you are unable to pledge, please sign the member affirmation line and return to us. These commitments are crucial as we review a few versions of a budget we compiled when we realized our world was shifting and our income next year may be impacted. As we know more we will keep you informed.
Throughout the many challenges and griefs resulting from the virus threat, we have learned to be tech savvy and stay connected to fellow staff members, the board and ministers. Adam has been helping us with Zoom and, as you know, has been the key driver in the virtual service technology.
Projects continue to move forward. Our Capital Campaign Implementation Committee is making great strides to get five major projects done in the next two months. I will not expand on these as Janelle is looking forward to providing you and updated timeline in next week’s newsletter. We are taking advantage of the time the building and exterior is not in use to move projects up so that congregants can enjoy the many benefits of our Capital Campaign. Carol Nielsen and I stayed with the kitchen project through the end and continue to talk about punch lists, items to be restocked and items we are still awaiting to be shipped to complete our wonderful new space.
On the last day we were open, March 11, our new phone system was switched over and calls are capable of being forwarded to Jessica Meis at home. Congregants can call or email UCE, and Jessica is very ably helping congregants with all of their questions. We are trying to keep the daily operations of UCE as normal as possible. Thank you for all your good cheer and support—the staff greatly appreciates it!
Sandra Robinson,
Executive Operations Director
VirtUUal RE: April 12, 2020
Dear Parents,
This week is an important one for many of us as we try new ways of celebrating Passover and Easter while practicing physical distancing. Some families are holding virtual seders and Easter dinners. However your family and friends decide to celebrate, I hope that the meaning of the holy day/holiday holds even more joy for you.
We have a special surprise for you on Easter Sunday – a virtual Easter Egg Hunt! Look for the details in the description on the live streaming of Sunday’s worship service! And look for an Easter Egg Hunt in a PowerPoint that I will share on the Children and Youth Facebook page and via email.
This week’s VirtUUal RE session is about Easter Sunday with a connection to Passover and our theme of “liberation” this month. You can watch my video here. During this video, feel free to pause when suggested, or whenever you need to, and come back to it. If you would rather read through the session, you can see it and the activities at by clicking here.
For the activities I mention, here are the links:
Calendar Connection:
● Lent (Christian) – Feb. 26 – April 9
● Star Trek Day – April 5 (more here)
● Vesak – Buddha’s Birthday (& Enlightenment and Death) (Buddhist) – April 8, and others (more here)
● Palm Sunday (Christian) – April 5
Further Reading:
Jesus by Brian Wildsmith – https://www.brianwildsmith.com/jesus
The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith – https://www.brianwildsmith.com/the-easter-story-paperback
Forgiveness Activity and Craft: A way for kids to practice forgiveness as mentioned in Christian scripture. You can easily take out the Christian references, if desired. http://www.truthforkids.com/forgiving-others#.XoUEe4hKhPY
Neighborhood Love Notes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1111215548947191/
Send pictures of any of the things you did to me too at kunderwood@ucevanston.org!
Here’s a new offering from Soul Matters: Creating Sabbath Space, week 2: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yI7kdgeBOYF11rRLCDtqXC_oi8Cdl3dPwMYIpsTjOSs/edit?usp=sharing
Next Tuesday, kids and parents can join me for a virtual Chalice Circle at 3:30 pm. You can join the meeting here or by phone instead at +1 209-844-4600,,392873602#
High school youth can connect Sunday evening at 7 pm on Zoom. Look for an email from the advisors later in the week with info on how to join.
For middle school youth, you can take a virtual tour of some of the world’s famous churches and cathedrals in celebration of Easter: https://www.arch2o.com/enjoy-virtual-tour-inside-3-europes-iconic-cathedrals/
https://cathedral.org/what-to-see/virtual-tours/
Here’s a new offering from Soul Matters: Creating Sabbath Space, week 2: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yI7kdgeBOYF11rRLCDtqXC_oi8Cdl3dPwMYIpsTjOSs/edit?usp=sharing
Another resource for families from Soul Matters, Soulful Home: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jbGY3c6r_nGVkY5lu7yhIItX5TmOXHLvgvl1e-mAxsg/edit?usp=sharing
Looking for more ideas? Here is a lesson from a colleague, The Challah in the Ark: Wisdom from the Jewish tradition: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZMVvSePb1mkAmp9cQfSrfniIkkf92G86mVaLUp7r0hA/edit?usp=sharing
And for adults, the Non-Fiction Book Group will be discussing An American Summer: Life and Death in Chicago by Alex Kotlowitz on Sunday, May 3rd with Sarah Vanderwicken leading the discussion. Look for information on how to join this virtual gathering in the newsletter.
In Faith,
Kathy Underwood
April 12, 2020
We will host an online worship service on Sunday, April 12th at 11:15 am.
“Liberating Joy” – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
This Easter Sunday was planned as a music service celebrating the Sunrise Massby composer Ola Gjeilo. Though we cannot be together in our sacred space to hear our full choir with accompaniment, we will, nevertheless, celebrate music and joy, knowing that the storm will Passover and the sun will surely rise again. In our confinement and physical separation, the need for creative, compassionate connection and our hunger for beauty unifies us. Together, we reach toward liberation for everyone and to the hope of a world made new. Worship Leaders: Acting Senior Minister, Rev. Eileen Wiviott; Music Director, Vickie Hellyer; Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Kathy Underwood; and Pianist, Gregory Shifrin.
Note the 9:30 and 11:15 services are being rolled into one service time so that we can gather together as a whole community of faith. You can still give to the shared offering through “text to give,” mail a check to the office with shared offering in the memo line, or go to our website and hit “give” on the upper right or click here. This Sunday’s shared offering recipient is Faith in place (click here to learn more).
VirtUUal RE: April 5, 2020
Dear Parents,
I hope you are hanging in there this week and that you and your family are finding a new “norm”. If you’re not already connected to our Children and Youth Facebook page, please do! You’ll find suggestions on things to do at home and other ideas shared there. Of course, if you have something your family is doing that you’d like to share, I’d love to see it!
This week’s VirtUUal RE session is about Palm Sunday. UU Parents have told me over the years that they feel it is important for their kids to learn about the Bible and Christianity, since it is ingrained in our society so much. Many UU parents are also hesitant to have their youngsters learn about Christianity for many reasons, such as their negative experiences growing up. One suggestion I give to parents who shy away from Biblical stories and teachings, is to frame it around your personal beliefs in a positive manner. For example, be honest when your kids ask questions about what you believe without putting down other faiths and beliefs. After all, we have those two principles that say (in kid-friendly words), “That we should accept each other and keep on learning together”, and that “each person must be free to search for what is true and right”.
Click here to watch the video. During this video, feel free to pause when suggested, or whenever you need to, and come back to it. If you would rather read through the session, you can see it and the activities at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GjikJtBfrQSHFzZrqI3bj206MH495bshZb546YRtvRo/edit?usp=sharing
For the activities I mention, here are the links:
Calendar Connection:
- Lent (Christian) – Feb. 26 – April 9
- Star Trek Day – April 5 (Learn more here)
- Vesak – Buddha’s Birthday (& Enlightenment and Death) (Buddhist) – April 8, and others (more here)
- Palm Sunday (Christian) – April 5
Further Reading:
Jesus by Brian Wildsmith https://www.brianwildsmith.com/jesus
The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith https://www.brianwildsmith.com/the-easter-story-paperback
Forgiveness Activity and Craft: A way for kids to practice forgiveness as mentioned in Christian scripture. You can easily take out the Christian references, if desired. http://www.truthforkids.com/forgiving-others#.XoUEe4hKhPY
Neighborhood Love Notes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1111215548947191/
Send pictures of any of the things you did to me too at kunderwood@ucevanston.org!
For middle school youth, you can take a virtual tour of the BAPS Mandir in Bartlett, IL. If you ever have a chance to see it in person, I highly recommend it! https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=virtual+tour+baps+temple+chicago#id=1&vid=b238e2c495cf2254feafc5ec53c4e0df&action=click
For high school youth, join the Zoom gathering Sunday night at 7 pm. Look for an email from the advisors soon. If you do not have the link by Sunday, please reach out to Kathy Underwood at kunderwood@ucevanston.org or Mike Takada at mdtakada@gmail.com.
Another resource for families from Soul Matters, Soulful Home: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jbGY3c6r_nGVkY5lu7yhIItX5TmOXHLvgvl1e-mAxsg/edit?usp=sharing
And something new! Creating Sabbath: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gTS7UYSZcU9_A-W-UvBf_2gkfPgmKdA1-LTyAMAAzU8/edit?usp=sharing
In Faith,
Kathy Underwood