Deepening Our UU Identity: Spring 2021
Deepening Our UU Identity
What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? Without a common creed or theology, what unites us and grounds us? Contrary to the common misunderstanding of our inclusivity, that we are the ones who “can believe whatever we want,” Unitarian Universalism is a chosen faith that asks a great deal of those who commit to its aspirations and covenants. In this four–part series, we will explore the religious roots of our movement, the covenant that is our seven principles, and the six sources of our faith from which we draw wisdom. We will also delve into a Unitarian Universalist definition of spirituality and a variety of spiritual practices we can engage in. Finally, deepening our understanding of what it means to be a UU grounded in the practice of Beloved Community, right here at UCE. This series is open to all lifespan learners, and may be most engaging for those twelve and up.
Join us for any or all of the sessions:
VirtUUal Faith Formation: February 26, 2021
What’s Happening in Lifespan Faith Formation?
Welcome as we continue our theme of Beloved Community! You can access the Soulful Home packet here at your own leisure. This week we focus on the segments At the Bedside, Blessing and The Extra Mile. Check out this week’s video here.
Many Ways to Connect
The Ecology Center Outing – THIS Sunday, February 28 at 2-3:30 pm – we have one spot open and the forecast looks good – mid-30s! Signup here.
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 – Virtually on Sunday at 4 pm. Look for an email with details.
Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – February’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.
Current & Upcoming Adult Faith Formation Programs
Towards an Understanding of BELOVED by Toni Morrison – Tuesday, March 2. 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle.
Breathe: A Letter to My Sons by Imani Perry – March 9 at 7 pm via Zoom As a part of our denomination’s work and effort to examine white fragility and supremacy, this book was chosen as the Common Read. Congregations all over the country are reading and discussing this book to help understand these complex systems and relationships that support racism and oppression. Facilitated by Kathy Underwood.
Upcoming Forum Discussion – March 7 at 10 am
The Forum’s Future
Leaders: Carol & Brian Nielsen
This discussion will provide an opportunity for Forum participants to consider the future of the Forum, evaluate this past year’s program, and discuss plans for going forward.
Mark your calendars! Pledge Drive Celebration – March 13, 2021
Join us virtually on Saturday, March 13th for a fun “evening in” to celebrate the end of the pledge drive. Pre-parties – a great chance to chat with old friends and make new ones – begin at 6:30 pm. The main event gets underway at 7:00 pm and will showcase the New Rhythm Arts Center. UCE member Alicia Oloroso Hempfling is the founder and Executive Director of this innovative community cultural arts center located in Rogers Park. Performances will include African drumming and dance with the opportunity for those of us in the audience to learn some basic drumming rhythms. You will also enjoy performances from a well-known Chicago blues singer as well as homegrown UCE talent. Anyone who has submitted their pledge by the end of the evening will be eligible to win one of three fabulous door prizes, including a Lenovo tablet, a gift certificate for Kabul House in Evanston and a tasty, rich dessert delivered to your door. Don’t miss this special evening. Mark your calendars now!
UCE is Kicking Off Our First-Ever Virtual Pledge Drive: February 26, 2021
Get ready to celebrate our time, talent and treasure at UCE with the 2021-22 Pledge Drive!
To keep volunteers and staff safe, everything will be done virtually this year. Here’s how it works:
STEP ONE: Look in your email inbox for your pledge drive packet from the UCE Office. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder or, if you use Gmail, the promotions tab.
Still can’t find it? Let Jessica Meis in the office know ASAP by calling her at 847-864-1331 or emailing her at admin@ucevanston.org.
STEP TWO: You can pledge one of three ways … whatever’s easiest for you! Please pledge early if you can and no later than March 14th.
- Fill out this PDF form and email it to admin@ucevanston.org
- Click here to complete the Google form
- Print out this PDF form and mail it to the church office
STEP THREE: Plan to attend the kickoff at our 11:15 service on Sunday, Feb. 28th AND our closing celebration at 7:00 p.m. on March 13th. More details to come!
Thank you for your generous support of UCE’s mission!
From the BOT: February 26, 2021
Pledge Drive Kick Off!
The 2021 pledge drive kicks off this Sunday, February 28th at the 11:15am service. Important announcements about the pledge drive will be made at that time; so please join us! This year the pledge drive will be different: In order to keep all volunteers and staff safe, it will be our first-ever all virtual pledge drive. You will be receiving all of the information you need to pledge through email. The pledge drive team will not be meeting in-person with congregants, but they are happy to set up a Zoom or phone call with you. What you give supports the mission and vision of our church. With your financial support, we can approve a budget that empowers us to imagine our mission in bold, innovative ways under the leadership of our newly settled minister, Reverend Eileen Wiviott. We will be able to pay our staff equitably and add hours to Reverend Susan Frances’s schedule. Every pledge matters! Every dollar makes a difference! Thank you for your generosity.
Can We Change the Wording?: February 26, 2021
Learn about the 8th Principle at the next 8th Principle Town Hall gathering on Wednesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm. ALL ARE INVITED!
We will have additional congregation-wide gatherings on March 21, April 4, and April 11. If none of these dates fits into your schedule, Team 8th is considering adding either a Monday or Friday evening presentation later in April. Email Sally Parsons (psally944@gmail.com) by April 1 stating your preference. You may also plan to have your covenant group or small group discuss the 8th Prinicple when you meet in March or April.
Q&A from the Town Hall meetings: Can we change the wording?
We will not be discussing any revisions to the 8th Principle. The established wording of the 8th Principle is: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
This wording was created by BIPOC and white UUs working in collaboration. The established wording was solidified in 2013 and has been endorsed by BLUU (Black Lives of UU) and DRUUMM (Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries). In an effort to have the 8th Principle be a consistent message across the UU world, UCE will not be discussing any edits to the wording of the 8th Principle.
Our friends at the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Brookfield, WI share these ideas:
“While it is phrased differently from the more vision-focused language of the other 7 Principles, it was specifically worded to express the need for accountable action because the implicit language of dignity, respect, equity and inclusion in the current 7 Principles has not resulted in sustained and significant change towards anti-racism in the UUA or its congregations.
Also, in our journey of understanding white supremacy culture (which includes an emphasis on the perfectibility of the written word) we recommend releasing the desire to tinker with the 8th Principle’s wording, and simply accept what UUs of color have said is needed, and the way it is being said.”
We will continue discussing the concepts and meaning of the 8th Principle, and look forward to seeing you at one of the Town Hall meetings.
From Rev. Susan Frances: February 26, 202
Dear Friends,
I think of wintertime as a time of transformation. When nature rests and gets ready to emerge in the spring as something new. The interim work of Rev. Karen has helped us recognize areas where we have needed some reflection in order to transform practices and processes. As we look out our windows, some of us to enjoy the snowy landscape and some of us tired of it, we are reminded that we are still in the midst of our wintertime, the time of reflection. This reflection has already brought about several changes.
Website
We have started to transform our website. If you haven’t checked out the UCE home page recently, please do. Check out the blue navigation bar and explore all the digital resources you can find.
If your team or committee or group hasn’t looked at your website page in a while, please do. And then, contact Jessica at admin@ucevanston.org about what updates you would like to see.
Congregational Care & Support Committee (CCSC)
The Caring Committee, Pastoral Care Team, and the ministerial team have come together and transformed into the Congregational Care & Support Committee. Check out their new webpage. The new Congregational Care & Support Committee consists of three teams: The Caring Team, The Pastoral Care Team, and the Memorial Reception Team.
If you are in need of some care or support, there is a new online form to fill out and we’ll help you receive care. You may also send a Joy or Concern to be shared with the congregation on Sunday morning or reach out to one of the ministers.
If you would like to volunteer with any of these teams that provide assistance within our congregation in times of need, there is a new online form to fill out and we’ll get you plugged into serving others.
Proposing Ideas for New Groups or Programs
The staff has put together a more efficient way for congregants to propose new ideas for groups, committees, teams, events, and programs. Click here for the form with the information we need in order to help a new group or program become part of the life of our congregation.
REALM
We have fixed a significant problem with the Directory in REALM. If you continue to have issues finding someone you know is a member and doesn’t appear in the Directory, please contact Adam at agough@ucevanston.org.
Adam is offering congregation wide trainings for REALM. If you are not logged in yet or if you are wondering how to update your contact information or review your giving information, please join Adam for the next session on March 7th from 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm to have your specific questions addressed. Click here to join the session.
Membership Engagement Working Group
After several months of reflection with the Membership Engagement Council, last month we put together a Membership Engagement Working Group to address the gap that currently exists between becoming a member and delving into leadership. If you are interested in joining this effort, please email Rev. Karen at kgustafson@ucevanston.org.
We are eager to hear from you and invite all friends and members of the congregation to engage in the work of shared ministry and transformation. Please reach out to any of the staff members if you have questions or ideas to share.
The transformations continues….
In faith,
Rev. Susan
February 28, 2021
We will host an online worship service on Sunday, February 28th at 11:15 am.
The Collective Goods: Time, Talent and Treasure
In Beloved Community, each of us brings our whole selves, and contributes as fully as we are able to the life of the congregation. Our faith tradition is built upon the principle that each of us has inherent value, yet no two people bring the same gifts to the collective. UCE thrives and fulfills its purpose when every one of us participates in some way, giving what we can and receiving in turn what we need. Together, we celebrate the abundance of time, talent, and treasure shared among us.
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 Interfaith Action of Evanston.
VirtUUal Faith Formation: February 19, 2021
What’s Happening in Lifespan Faith Formation?
Welcome as we continue our theme of Beloved Community! You can access the Soulful Home packet here at your own leisure. This week we focus on the segments On the Porch and In the Neighborhood. Check out this week’s video here.
Many Ways to Connect
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 – Virtually on Sunday at 4 pm. Look for an email with details.
Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – February’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.
The Ecology Center Outing – Sunday, February 28 at 2-3:30 pm – we have two spots open for two more young people! The forecast looks good – mid-30s! Signup here.
Forum Discussion
UCE Forum Discussion – Sunday, February 21st at 10 am
Why an 8th Principle?
Leaders: Martha Holman and Team 8th
Come to Forum to learn a bit of the history of this proposed 8th principle, parse what it means, and consider how it might transform our lives here at UCE. The 8th principle is:
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
Current & Upcoming Adult Faith Formation Programs
Process Buddhism: Zen Style (Part of the “Visions of God” series.)
Sponsored by UCE and the Cobb Institute for Community and Practice – Tuesdays, February 23 at 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Dr. Jay McDaniel, Cobb Institute
Towards an Understanding of BELOVED by Toni Morrison – Tuesday, March 2 at 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle.
Breathe: A Letter to My Sons by Imani Perry – March 9 at 7 pm via Zoom – As a part of our denomination’s work and effort to examine white fragility and supremacy, this book was chosen as the Common Read. Congregations all over the country are reading and discussing this book to help understand these complex systems and relationships that support racism and oppression. Facilitated by Kathy Underwood.