October 2020 - Page 4 of 4

Auction Update: October 9, 2020

Join the Serendipity Auction Fun:  Volunteer!  Volunteer! Volunteer!

Looking for a way to stay connected to UCE? Volunteer to help with the Serendipity Auction, one of our largest fundraisers. Last year we netted over $28,000.

This year, our auction will kick–off online through a new auction platform, Auctria, starting Sunday November 8, 2020 at 12:30 pm and ends with a virtual Celebration Party on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 7:00-8:00 pm.

We still need volunteers leading up to the auction bidding week and the closing party. The time commitment can be short, and no cleaning up. Great time for new people to volunteer.

Here are just a few volunteer opportunities: Have ideas to help others create virtual group events? Tech savvy?–help people who may need support with online bidding. Graphic design experience?-help us with our new auction platform. We also need help to be party hosts for a joyful and entertaining virtual closing party. You may have ideas we have not even thought about to make the virtual auction even more fun!!

Click here to sign up for a volunteer position. Not sure how you might help, contact us at auction@ucevanston.org and we can figure it out together. If you have submitted a donation, please send an e-mail to make sure we received it.

Auction Update: October 9, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-07T19:54:18+00:00

New Partnership with Connections for the Homeless: October 9, 2020

New Partnership Launched with UCE and Connections for the Homeless: Calling UCE Congregants to be Part of Changing the World One Person at a Time

We are pleased to announce that the UCE Endowment Fund and the Board of Trustees have approved a grant of $40,000 to fund a Housing Specialist position for Connections for the Homeless (CFTH). The Prison Ministry and the Food and Shelter Team cooperated in submitting the proposal to the Endowment Fund for this position. At CFTH, a housing specialist identifies landlords who will accept persons who are homeless, some returning from prison, some with substance abuse problems, and mental illness. The specialist also helps clients understand what is involved in renting an apartment. In a recent meeting with the staff at CFTH we learned that this is one of the largest gifts from a faith community.

We should be proud of this new partnership and the bold efforts we will make to change lives, one person at a time. There are three areas where volunteers are needed: Direct Service, Housing Advocacy and Prison Ministry. We want you to be a part of this partnership. Let's lift up UCE's financial commitment and match it with a commitment of time, skills, and love.

The Volunteer Opportunities Will Focus on Three Areas

Direct Service including options such as making lunches, helping at the clothing room, collecting appropriate clothing, or doing a toiletry drive.

Affordable Housing Advocacy including writing letters, talking with legislators, attending meetings with City of Evanston staff, and

Solidarity Circles including providing support to persons recently released from prison by helping them get their feet on the ground, listening and building relationships with those with criminal records, and providing various types of support.

More information will be available as we organize the congregation to help build this new partnership.

Opportunities for UCE to be an Ally with Connections

We can assist in these efforts while increasing awareness, advocacy, and volunteer efforts for UCE congregants and build on the existing relationship with CFTH. Social justice projects, using volunteers, provide an opportunity for church members to build relationships with persons returning from prison and people who are homeless, thus deepening our understanding of what it means to be in relationship with people who have been marginalized.

 How Do we Start this Partnership?

A UCE Coordinating Committee has been organized to work in three areas to promote volunteering opportunities. The group has met with staff at CFTH, and soon will be offering volunteer options for the congregation. Members of the Committee include Shirley Adams, Les Butler, Dale Griffin, Sheila Holder, Jeanne Kerl, Judy LeFevour, Carol Nielsen, Maggie Weiss, and Dennis Wilson with support from Rev. Susan Frances.

Prison Ministry and Food and Shelter Team

The UCE Prison Ministry Team has a goal of encouraging supportive housing on the North Shore for people returning from prison or with a criminal record.  Finding housing is often more critical even before getting a job. Persons returning from prison often do not have credit or a work history, and with a criminal record, landlords are reluctant to rent to them. The Food and Shelter Team has worked on a variety of housing related issues in the past, most notably sponsoring a refugee family to furnish their apartment and providing support for their integration into American society.

Some of the Challenges for Finding Housing:

Those being released, or with criminal records, find it difficult to secure places to live as they often have questionable credit, a spotty work history, and no money. The lack of affordable housing leaves ex-offenders competing for the same limited low-cost housing options as those with no criminal history.
Being homeless increases the potential for recidivism. Studies have found that over 10% of people coming out of jails and prisons were homeless in the months preceding their incarceration. Access to safe and affordable housing helps prevent people with criminal records from reoffending.
Affordable housing on the Northshore is already scant, and without the help of housing advocates, exceedingly difficult to secure.
HUD ruled in 1996 that people with criminal records are banned from public housing. There have been attempts at reforms since 2014.
Persons returning from prison need to be housed near their families, in communities that will support them in their journey following incarceration.

Why We Chose Connections for the Homeless:

Connections for the Homeless is an organization based in Evanston with strong ties to our church community. Several congregants have volunteered with CFTH over the past ten years. We have also served clients through the Mitten Tree and Our Giving House. The mission of Connections is to combat homelessness, the most visible and solvable form of poverty. Homelessness is also a symptom of institutional racism, historical inequities, and failures in many systems on many levels. CFTH’s recent response to the COVID-19 pandemic is an example of their success in responding to a crisis and finding both financial resources and housing at this critical time. 

Connections for the Homeless serves 2,100 people a year. In addition to the direct services they provide, CFTH has been working vigorously with others in the community to identify root causes of homelessness through advocacy for more affordable housing and greater equity in housing practices. 

CFTH estimates that at least half of their clients have criminal records, making the search for housing difficult.  Approximately 50 % of CFTH clients are women, so their efforts support the housing of both men and women returning from prison. 

Why does our Faith Call us to do this work?

We are called to undertake this work by our respect for the inherent worth and dignity of each person, by our understanding that “hurt people hurt people”, and by our desire to promote healing of trauma caused by systemic injustice. We promote justice, equity, and compassion. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.  We want to engage in action, and not fall into the easy practice of just studying the problem.  By getting our members proximate to the lives of those directly affected, we hope to motivate our members with a sense of urgency for change.

Submitted by Dale Griffin and Carol Nielsen

New Partnership with Connections for the Homeless: October 9, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-21T21:00:27+00:00

October 11, 2020

We will host an online worship service on Sunday, October 11th at 11:15 am

“The Uncommon Community” – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
People often come to religious community in search of belonging, a place to be seen, known and loved. What holds a community together, beyond that initial sense of feeling at home, are the values and commitments we share in common. But religious community must be about more than comfort and social connection. Building the Beloved Community means practicing mutuality and interdependence, making space for everyone to share their voice, while living into our shared commitments with integrity.

Please submit your Joys and Sorrows through this online form. If you submit a message by 11 am, we will try to read it that Sunday. Thank you for your patience as we are adapting to best serve you all! Note there will only be one service time during the summer 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 the Crossroads Fund/Black Lives Matter Chicago.

October 11, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-06T18:28:13+00:00

Seeds of Care: October 25, 2020

Evanston Interreligious Sustainability Circle
Harms Woods Work Outing
Sunday, October 25
1:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Meet at Glenview Woods parking lot
(west side of Harms Road, just south of Glenview Road)
Come dressed for the weather, including footwear (usually there is plenty of mud!)

This is an easy outing in beautiful Harms Woods, led by the very knowledgeable long-time stewards,
John and Jane Balaban. We most likely will be harvesting wildflower seed to be used in forest
preserve restoration next spring. It is an activity appropriate for all ages, including young people
(should generally be 10 and older and must be accompanied by an adult) and senior citizens. We will
be in groups of no more than 10. Bring your own mask, gloves, water bottle, snack and hand sanitizer,
and please review the Cook County Forest Preserves Covid-19 guidelines prior to coming.

For more information or to reserve a spot: contact Dale at dalecgriffin@comcast.net or
Susan at Susan.L.Comstock@gmail.com or 847-807-9760.

Click here for more information here!

Seeds of Care: October 25, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-05T21:42:57+00:00

VirtUUal RE: October 2, 2020

This week in the Soulful Home packet we focus on the segments Welcome, At the Table and On the Message Board. Check out this week’s video for a short synopsis.

If you missed the Welcome and Intro to RE, check it out here, or you can read about it here.

Young people will be receiving another Soul Kit mailing too, so look for that this week!

UU Kids Connect

A free virtual gathering of UU kids K-8 from around the country and Canada! This program started as a summer camp and was such a success that they are continuing with monthly virtual gatherings. Click here to register.

Registration Time

Although we might not be having in-person RE on Sunday mornings yet, it is important to know who wants to connect – whether virtual or not. By registering, we can ensure that you get information on all programs and events for all ages this year. Sign up here!

Many Ways to Connect

All Families:

Fellowship – Sunday after worship – Join the virtual coffee hour zoom where parents and families can meet and greet in their own breakout room!

Family Fun on the Lawn (weather permitting) October 7 at 5:30-6:30 pm – Sign up here.

Parents on the Porch – October 25 at 8:30-9 pm – Grab your favorite beverage and join other parents on the porch – virtually – to share thoughts on parenting as it relates to the pandemic and our monthly theme of Renewal. Sign up here.

Pre/K Kids and Families – Here is a new program for you – POP (Parents of Preschoolers)! Check it out here. The password is YouGotThis2020 (case sensitive.) This UU-based program is to be used all month long. Do whatever fits your family’s schedule. We’ll have a parent’s virtual gathering on October 26 at 8 pm to share our experiences. Sign up at here. Zoom info will be sent via email closer to the event.

1st-5th Kids and Families – Thursdays, October 15 at 4-4:45 pm – Sign up here.

6th-8th Families – Popcorn Theology Online – Sunday, October 11 at 9:30-10:30 am – Sign up here.

High School Youth – TBD – Look for emails with details!

For Adults

UCE Forum – Sunday, October 4th at 10 am

“Virus vs Human: winners and losers in the interdependent web of all existence”

Discussion leader: Brenda Russell

Come discuss your role in the battle between the Covid—19 virus (Darwin, survival of the fittest) and humans (Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful, and multiply”). This new virus has travelled rapidly around the world and infected millions of humans, so it’s a Darwinian success from the point of view of the virus. Humans have succeeded in rapid population growth in the last few centuries thanks to science for control of disease, another Darwinian success. Let’s discuss together the current and future challenges for making our world safe and sustainable in the pandemic era.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 955 9666 8543, Passcode: 463626, One tap mobile: +13126266799,,95596668543#,,,,,,0#,,463626# US (Chicago)

Visions of God

Tuesdays at 7-9 pm via Zoom

Facilitated by UCE members Bob Mesle and Dan Solomon.

This class aims to help people explore a range of important visions embracing or rejecting “God,” and to share personal journeys with each other. We hope class members will learn some new ideas, clarify familiar ones, make new connections, and enrich in their own thinking.

The question, “Do you believe in God?” is not productive unless we can get some clarity about what a person mean by “God.” But for us, the question certainly raises interwoven questions of both REALITY and VALUES. It asks about what exists and how the universe works. Talk of “God” also raises important questions about what values “God” stands for and what feelings are invoked. Geneticist and religious naturalist, Ursula Goodenough, notes that religion is about both “What is, and what matters.” –i.e., truth and ethics. Religions, including atheistic secularism, propose visions of reality coupled with claims about how we should treat each other given those beliefs. This class will explore how some concepts of “God” engage us in those reflections.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 828 7766 5260, Passcode: 934455. One tap mobile +13126266799,,82877665260#,,,,,,0#,,934455# US (Chicago)

For more information, See the Adult RE page on the UCE Website, or email dan.solomon.45@gmail.com.

Christ for UU’s

Given that our UU roots are in Christianity, shouldn’t we study it more? UCE’s Amy Pooley facilitates this new program beginning November 3 centered on these questions:

What can we as Unitarian Universalists learn from reading the New Testament?
Who was Jesus and why does he matter?
How can getting in touch with our Unitarian and our Universalist roots help us rethink the Christian message and even understand it in a new way?

Join us in discussing these questions and more on five Tuesdays in November and December. The course will be based on readings from the New Testament and the recent Beacon Press release “Christ for Unitarian Universalists.” We welcome you to purchase a copy of the book here to follow the course’s reading schedule, but the discussion will also be accessible for those who have not done the reading and would simply like to show up to share and listen. All sessions will be on zoom.

VirtUUal RE: October 2, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-02T16:14:06+00:00

Auction Update: October 2, 2020

Donations, Donations, Donations! – 2020 Serendipity Virtual Auction

The Serendipity Auction needs you (yes, you)!!

Can you make something: knit a scarf, bake a cake, bead a necklace, make jam? Do you have a piece of art (painting or ceramics) you want to share with others? Many of the types of donations from the past can still be offered.

How about hosting a virtual party, a virtual movie viewing and discussion or a group game? Do you have a special talent you could teach during a Zoom meeting or Google Meet?

Many local businesses and restaurants have previously donated to past Serendipity Auctions. We have approached a small subset for donations. If there is a favorite business (hair salon, restaurant, hardware store, or bakery), consider purchasing a gift certificate to donate to the auction. This will support UCE and our larger community at the same time. You may also consider asking them for a donation. Here is a sample business letter and business donation form for you to use.

Looking for some ideas?

There are many creative ways for hosting virtual events. Click here for 10 inspiring ideas.

The goal of the Serendipity Auction is to strengthen or create connections between UCE members and friends while raising funds for UCE activities. The Auction Committee is available to help you decide what and how to donate–we look forward to hearing from you!

While in-person group events are always bestsellers at Serendipity, we are not going to include those currently. We are tentatively planning a second auction in the spring that will include in-person group events (depending on public health considerations, perhaps with an emphasis on outdoors).

Still have questions or want to discuss more ideas?

Susan Comstock

Jennifer Walsh

Catherine Deamant

Auction Update: October 2, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-02T16:54:34+00:00

From EOD: October 2, 2020

Greetings,

Life at UCE moves on as we continue to endure these challenging times. We are all busy at our home offices, traveling to our offices as needed during COVID closure.

There is good news in that I am beginning to rent the space again to small groups of 10 or less. So far, one group did a two-day rental of the sanctuary for music recordings. I have two interested music groups this week. Hopefully, I can begin to rebuild our important rental program which has taken years and countless relationships in the community to build. The income is vital to our budget as well.

Our UCE Buildings and Grounds Team is in the process of revitalization. We have gone through a big transition as long time members of the team are no longer involved. I have reached out to several members who are interested in serving. We will meet soon by zoom to launch our first meeting of the church year. Our goal will be to look at projects beyond the current Capital Campaign. Our task will be to evaluate the building priorities – what are the needs in the year ahead, 5 years, and 10 years ahead. Robb Geiger and I are co-leads of the team. If you have interest in serving please let email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

The Capital Campaign projects continue as lighting in the wing and room 2 will be done soon. The project team is about to embark on lobby updates. I’ll be sending a notice to users of the lobby and wing such as membership and hospitality leaders to seek input on how they see the space being used. That will guide our decisions on furnishings. We know that a small kiosk for a computer and brochures is needed. We know that there is conversation about a history cabinet, potentially for the purple wall where brochures are now. If you have specific interest in those decisions, please email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

In October, we will resume planning for the lower level accessible and inclusive bathroom. Earlier in the campaign planning we met with some church members who provided us good input on design considerations. We will offer that opportunity again as we move forward with the project, which is scheduled for this last quarter of 2020.

In the spring of 2021, the accessible ramp and Intergenerational Playscape on the east side of the wing will begin. Early in the planning stages I gathered Religious Education parents with our then DLRE Mary Sheldon to meet with the artist Indira Johnson who works with organizations on process. We talked about what parents felt was important in terms of location, types of play features, seating plantings, the feeling they want to create, visibility from the sanctuary, safety, and other topics. Indira Johnson is the artist who created the Buddha heads throughout the City of Chicago and Evanston. These were a result of her work with community residents in Jackson Park to create a space that the neighborhood could regain from gangs that had taken over the park. She has held many peace circles and has great skill in helping groups work together to determine their needs and wants for pubic spaces. The ramp was designed by Nature’s Perspective. They will install the ramp and assist Indira with selection of plantings for the playscape garden. This is a very exciting project that will provide a wonderful space for our children, as well as providing a contemplative natural space for congregants of all ages.

For more information on either of these upcoming projects email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

Jessica Meis, Communication Coordinator has completed the update of the Leadership Brochure. Please take a look at this important document on our website to see who leads and serves on our UCE leadership teams. If you are on a team and your name does not appear, please contact Jessica at admin@ucevanston.org.

Liz Kennedy and I attended a zoom meeting this week with Sue Murphy and a group of other church building staff to discuss the possibility of housing the homeless during the winter months. The program planning is well underway. Churches are evaluating their current COVID Guidelines and determining if this is the best choice for their church. Liz provided a lengthy list of questions so that we can make the same determination, particularly making sure that our staff and others involved can be safe. All of us care deeply about serving the homeless in our community. Currently, hotels in the area continue to provide rooms for them so the numbers to be housed in churches is much more manageable. They will not be seeking volunteers due to COVID restrictions but will hire two paid staff for each night of the shelter. Sue is doing a good job to answer and address concerns that have been expressed.

UCE’s Integrated Stewardship Council continues to meet monthly via zoom. Recently they elected Rob Wingader and Tom Carlton as the new members-at-large. Rob and Tom will serve a two-year term. Marianne Griebler has graciously volunteered to be Pledge Drive Chair. Marianne is assembling a job description for a co-chair. Members of the team: Janelle Brittain, Capital Campaign; Susan Comstock, Treasurer, Jane Kenamore and Margaret Schatz (sharing the role) for Endowment; Marianne Griebler, Pledge Drive, and myself as staff lead. Acting Sr. Minister Eileen Wiviott is ex-officio, Susan Carlton, Secretary, Jessica Tomell-Presto and Joe Romeo are Board of Trustees liaisons. Your team is dedicated to monitoring all financial aspects of UCE.

Last, but not least, our staff had a 90-minute session with Susan Carlton and Steve Serikaku of the Ministerial Search Committee on Wednesday. They sent questions to us prior to the meeting so that we had time to carefully consider our answers. We had a deep and meaningful discussion on what we would like to see in the settled Sr. Minister from the perspective of a team who works directly with that person. Each of us articulated our thoughts well and provided very useful information. I am proud of our staff team. Each member is devoted to UCE, believes that their work is integral to the mission and feel it is a ministry.

From EOD: October 2, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-02T16:28:00+00:00

From the BOT: October 2, 2020

Update on the Anti-Oppression Task Force

As you may recall, late this summer, the Board of Trustees commissioned an Anti-Oppression Task Force at UCE. This task force was created in response to a call from the congregation, Evanston Interfaith leaders, the UUA through the Commission on Institutional Change, and Black Lives of UU to “engage in the struggle to dismantle white supremacy”1 and “to become more inclusive, equitable and diverse while… working…to be accountable to those most affected by injustice.”2 The purpose of this task force is to determine the ways in which this congregation might answer this call, making justice a reality both in our congregation and beyond.

Our call is to dismantle white supremacy, be inclusive, be antiracists, and be accountable. We can agree on these goals. However, how to accomplish these goals while working within the system of white supremacy is much more complicated. We realize that even the task of finding task force members needs to be scrutinized; we must be mindful of the power structures at UCE. We recognize the difficulties in trying to dismantle white supremacy culture from within. Consequently, we have contacted outside consultants to assist UCE as we begin this project. These consultants will be asked how best for us to move forward in accomplishing our goals and beginning this cultural shift for our congregation. We are beginning this journey with care and intentionality.

In the meantime, we, the congregation, have been asked by the UUA through the Commission on Institutional Change to read Widening the Circle of Concern. The Board of Trustees has read the entire book and will begin discussions, focusing on one chapter a month. In October we will focus on the chapter on Governance. The Board is considering our discussions to be a kind of continuing monthly retreat or a covenant group, as we work together to understand the information in the book and think about the ways it applies to UCE. Reverend Eileen has asked the congregation to read the Appendices and perhaps begin reading the entire book, in anticipation of further congregation-wide discussions starting in November. The Board of Trustees looks forward to being on this journey with you.

All members of the congregation are welcome at any of our monthly Board meetings, which happen on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00pm. Please contact the Board at bot@ucevanston.org to receive a link to our virtual Board meeting or to send us any comments or questions.

From the BOT: October 2, 2020UCE UCE2020-10-01T22:48:58+00:00

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