VirtUUal RE: January 29, 2021
What’s Happening in Lifespan Religious Education?
Welcome to week four on our theme of Imagination! You can access the new Soulful Home packet here. This week, we focus on the segments At the Bedside, Blessing, and The Extra Mile. Check out this week’s video.
REvisioning Our Multigenerational RE Program Update – See more in Kathy’s column.
Mystery Match is Here!
What’s Mystery Match? This program takes interested adults and matches them with a young person anonymously. During the week of February 6-13, adults send a card or two to their Mystery Match with some clues to their identity. The young people love to get snail mail, and they love guessing games! Then after the worship service on February 14, we will have a Meet Your Match virtual celebration where the young people will guess who their match is and meet you. This is a fun and easy way to get to know our young people!
Non-Parental Adults, if you’d like to participate in Mystery Match, sign up here by Wednesday, February 3.
Parents, sign up your child(ren) or youth here by by Wednesday, February 3.
You can also email Kathy at kunderwood@ucevanston.org.
Many Ways to Connect
Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – January’s materials are available 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.
Taking Flight Sex Ed Program for 7th-9th Youth – Sunday at 1 pm. Youth must be registered to attend. Look for the email that went out with the link.
High School Youth – Sunday at 4 pm. Look for an email with details.
Current & Upcoming Adult RE Programs
Towards an Understanding of BELOVED by Toni Morrison – Tuesdays, February 2; March 2. 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle.
Process Buddhism: Zen Style (Part of the “Visions of God” series.) – Sponsored by UCE and the Cobb Institute for Community and Practice – Tuesdays, February 9, 16, 23 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Dr. Jay McDaniel, Cobb Institute
VirtUUal RE: January 22, 2021
What’s Happening in Lifespan Religious Education?
Welcome to week three on our theme of Imagination! You can access the new Soulful Home packet here. This week, we focus on the segments On the Porch and From the Mailbox. Check out this week’s video.
REvisioning Our Multigenerational RE Program Update – We had 19 members participate in last weekend’s gatherings! Thank you to all who came to the conversation on our hopes and dreams for our program as we begin a new ministry with a settled minister and a vision for when we return to in-person gatherings. Looking ahead, we are forming a task force to explore models of faith formation that fit our shared values, inspire us, and meet the needs of our children, youth, families, and whole congregation. This task force will meet virtually 4-6 times over the next 3-6 months. We’d love to have a few more folks – preferably young adults, older youth, and parents of younger children. Email Kathy at kunderwood@ucevanston.org to learn more.
Many Ways to Connect
Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – January’s materials are available 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.
Taking Flight Sex Ed Program for 7th-9th Youth – Sunday at 1:30 pm. Youth must be registered to attend. Look for the email that went out with the link.
High School Youth – Sunday at 4 pm. We’ll take a leisurely walk around the Landfill/Lakefill path. Look for details in the email, and RSVP to Mike Takada at mdtakada@gmail.com.
Upcoming Adult RE Programs
PROCESS RELATIONAL THEOLOGY: A Vision For Environmental And Social Justice – (Part of the “Visions of God” Series)
Tuesdays, January 19, 26. at 7-8:30 pm
Facilitated by Rev. Eileen Wiviott and Bob Mesle.
The process relational worldview, values, and modes of thought offer a broad worldview which creatively links these UU principles and give them greater depth. Since this is part of a larger series on VISIONS OF GOD, we will give some attention, but not all of our attention, to this radically different concept of God. Process relational thinking is a valuable resource helping us address issues of environmental and social justice, and links with feminist, womanist, and queer theologies.
We will highlight how Process Theology relates to these UU Principles:
1. The Inherent worth and dignity of every person
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part.
Towards an Understanding of BELOVED by Toni Morrison – Get a jump on this read now so you can join us next month! Tuesdays, February 2; March 2. 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle.
Rev. Connie Simon Workshop: February 21 and 25, 2021
Join this two part workshop, “Beyond Channing, Parker, and Francis David?” led by Rev. Connie Simon.
Rev. Connie Simon, warm, approachable, and knowledgeable, shared her insights about Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist history from an anti-oppressive lens with the Midwest Leadership school this past fall. Several UCE congregants attended leadership school and were so blown away by what they learned from Rev. Simon, that they wanted to invite her to share her wisdom with the whole congregation. She will be preaching for us on February 21st, followed by a 2-part workshop that we hope the whole congregation will take part in on February 21st, 12:30-2pm and February 25th, 7-8:30 pm. Please mark your calendars! We are so grateful to Rev. Simon for working with us to provide necessary context for the work of Widening the Circle of Concern. Youth and young adults are encouraged to attend.
About the Workshop
How much do you really know about Unitarian, Universalist and Unitarian Universalist history? You might be surprised to hear that there’s more to the story of our movement than a European heretic and a handful of 19th century White men. Our history is broad and rich and deep. It’s interesting, inspiring, confusing, and sometimes disheartening and even downright maddening.
More than two centuries after the start of Unitarianism and Universalism in America, we’re struggling to dismantle white supremacy culture in our congregations, our denomination, and our world. But first we need a little understanding of where we’ve come from. In this two-part workshop, we’ll look at some of the old stories in a new light – through an anti-oppressive lens. We’ll see the origins of white supremacy culture in our faith and how it’s shaped who we are today and informs the work we need to do going forward. And we’ll learn stories that don’t often get shared of Black and Biracial people, Indigenous People, people of color and others of marginalized identities in Unitarian Universalism
Workshop Materials
About Rev. Connie Simon
Rev. Connie Simon was called as minister of First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati in August 2018. An avid history buff, Rev. Connie is a Trustee of the Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society and Editor of the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography. She also teaches UU History and Theology at Midwest Leadership School and the Extended Leadership Experience. Rev. Connie recently adopted a four-year old Brussels Griffon mix that she named “Rev. Dr. Janeetha Ridley” or “Mama” for short.
From DLRE: January 29, 2021
A huge “thank you” to those who participated in the recent REvisioning gatherings. Rev. Karen, Rev. Eileen, and I were blessed to witness the honesty, hopes, and dreams that were shared. There is a great desire to create innovative ways for people to connect within and across generations in all aspects of congregational life: worship, faith formation, social justice, and social gatherings.
This is no small task, of course, and so we have formed a coalition of people who are excited to explore the many options out there as well as think outside the box. And so I introduce to you the Faith Formation Force 2021! Gladly serving on our task force are: Ben Kornfeld, Karena Nelson, Carolyn Leman, Ann Gadzikowski, Shirley Adams, Margaret Shaklee, Dan Solomon, and Cheryl Mounts.
Over the next several months, we will explore these with and for our congregation:
- Ways to co-create a multi-generational, inclusive community of life-long learning and growing in spiritual depth, commitment to living our values, and cultivating care.
- Models of faith formation that will help us strive toward our ends and our mission.
- Practical, clear, and accessible methods to create experiences of learning at all ages about our UU history, identity, and values.
- Opportunities to work for justice, deepen relationships, and have fun together.
You will be hearing from us along our journey towards building a more vibrant UCE! Of course, there are still ways to connect with others as we set out forging a new path. One opportunity coming this next week is Mystery Match!
What’s Mystery Match? This program takes interested adults and matches them with a young person anonymously. During the week of February 6-13, adults send a card or two to their Mystery Match with some clues to their identity. The young people love to get snail mail, and they love guessing games! Then after the worship service on February 14, we will have a Meet Your Match virtual celebration where the young people will guess who their match is and meet you. This is a fun and easy way to get to know our young people!
If you’d like to participate in Mystery Match, sign up here or email me at kunderwood@ucevanston.org.
In Faith,
Kathy
Our Neighbors Without a Home Still Need Lunches: January 29, 2021
Many thanks to all of you who made bag lunches and delivered them to one of Evanston’s three locations for Connections for the Homeless. We are resuming our program on February 1 and have secured a grant which will allow us to contribute 600 more lunches!
We are encouraging people who have not done this before, to give it a try. Of course, everyone who has made lunches is invited to jump in again. Join the 25 folks who packed lunches last year and see how easy it is to make a contribution that is hugely appreciated by the men and women who receive it. Imagine what it is like to have no kitchen and no food. Then, you open a brown bag and find a fresh, tasty sandwich, fresh fruit, a juice box and a granola bar – Wow!
How do you get started?
- Choose a day (Mon. through Fri.) from the calendar on the Connections website, Connect2home.org Go to ‘volunteer’, ‘make bag lunches’, ‘sign up to prepare bag Lunches to one of our locations’. This is also where you choose the location you prefer.
- Email Maggie Weiss to let her know the date and location you have chosen. msmaggie6@comcast.net.
- Pick up a bag with nonperishable components of 25 lunches from Carol Nielsen. This will contain juices, granola bars and condiments. carolnielsen2100@gmail.com
Then, you buy the fresh items you will use in your lunches – bread, meat, cheese,fresh fruit. We will pay for all the nonperishables; you will pay for the fresh items. We have found the best prices at Aldi, but shop wherever you want.
Spread a little love in the month of Valentine’s Day with bag lunches – and in March, too!
Questions? Please contact Sheila Holder at skholder8@gmail.com
Carol Nielsen, Maggie Weiss, Sheila Holder
Endowment Application Deadline: February 1, 2021
This is a reminder that the January 31 deadline for Endowment applications is coming up quickly. Since January 31 falls on Sunday, the deadline is extended until midnight, February 1. Endowment has expended its full distribution for this fiscal year; however, with the expected return of unspent funds from the Ministerial Search Committee, about $8,500 will likely be available for distribution through June 30.
The spring deadline has been changed permanently to May 31, after the congregational vote to approve the Operations budget for 2021-22. At that time Endowment will entertain proposals for projects in the next fiscal year.
If you have questions, please contact Margaret Schatz or Jane Kenamore, co-chairs of the Endowment Committee.
Worship Planning Playdate: February 13, 2021
Have you wanted to participate in planning worship but didn’t know how to get involved? Do you have ideas for music, visual arts, ritual, story, or videos that could make our services more meaningful and engaging for people of all ages? You are invited to join the ministers and program staff who plan weekly services for a fun workshop on Zoom.
We’ll gather ideas and ‘metaphorage’ around service themes and topics. This is a great chance to dip your toe in – an investment of two hours that could scratch the itch or lead you to further involvement with worship planning because it’s just that much fun! Email Rev. Eileen if you’d like to join in or show up on Saturday, February 13th at 10 am.
UU Men’s Retreat Online: January 22, 2021
The 36th Annual UU Men’s Retreat, will take place on Saturday, January 30 at 10 am. This two hour online retreat is an opportunity for men to connect with their self and others. The January event will offer two sessions:
- Rich Pokorny will lead, “Connecting and Coping in COVID Times.” We will break into discussion groups.
- Workshop led by Alan Johnson will examine how altars bring community, and personal happiness in many cultures. In this workshop we will ask participants to create a written description of a personal or family altar, consider how it might be used.
Two more events are planned/scheduled 4 weeks apart. For more information on upcoming events contact – MensRetreat@UnityTemple.org or UCE member Doug Erickson.
From EOD: January 22, 2021
Year-end tax statements will be sent by email during the last week of January. We know that some of you have been requesting these statements. Staff Accountant, Vickie Doebele, is still making year-end adjustments and tracking donations that occurred during December, so look for your statement by email later this month.
If you have registered in REALM you can look up your donations. If you are not, please contact Adam Gough to get registered. There are many benefits to signing up. The email statement will reflect your complete giving for calendar year 2020.
Last evening the Integrated Stewardship Council met for its usual 3rd Thursday of the month meeting. ISC members approved the preliminary budget, which will then go to the Board for review and approval on Thursday, January 21. Members of the Budget Working Group are Susan Comstock, Treasurer; Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Rob Wingader, ISC Member-At-Large; Joe Romeo, Board Vice President, and myself, Sandra Robinson.
A Budget Town Hall Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, February 14 at 12:30 pm after the worship service.