UCE Needs Your 2021-2022 Pledge Today!: March 12, 2021
The last day of the pledge drive is Sunday, March 14. If you’ve already sent in your pledge, THANK YOU. We are so grateful for your generosity.
(And don’t forget, when you pledge you’re automatically entered into the celebration party raffle on March 13!)
If you haven’t pledged yet, please fill out your pledge form now! You will not receive a pledge packet in the mail; your pledge packet has been emailed to you.
To find yours, please search for UCE and 2021-22 PLEDGE DRIVE.
You’ll also want to check out all the resources on the Pledge Drive page, including a FAQ, tips on completing the Google form, how to set up automatic payments, and more.
We can’t finalize our budget for the coming year without your financial commitment. Every pledge matters and every dollar makes UCE’s mission possible.
Here’s how every dollar you give will fund these critical program areas:
Thank you for your generosity … and may what you give bring you joy!
Questions? Jessica Meis is ready to help you at admin@ucevanston.org or (847) 864-1330.
Celebrate the Conclusion of the Pledge Drive: March 13, 2021
Celebrate the conclusion of our pledge drive on TOMORROW Saturday, March 13th with a fun “evening in” cabaret. Pre-parties – a great chance to chat with old friends and make new ones – begin at 6:30 pm. Make sure to tell your UCE friends that you will be there and invite them to join you. 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.
Submit your pledge form by the end of the evening and be automatically entered into the drawing to win one of three fabulous door prizes: a Lenovo tablet, a gift certificate for Kabul House in Evanston and a fabulous chocolate cake creation from the Carlton family delivered to your door. Don’t miss this special evening. We’ll see you there!
When Will We Return?: March 12, 2021
It has been a year since Covid-19 impacted our community in a tragic way. We closed our doors on March 12th, held our first virtual service on March 15th, and we lost beloved UCE member, John LaPlante, on March 21st. At the time, it seemed unfathomable that we would still be gathering virtually for a full year. Throughout the year, the overwhelming sentiment has been gratitude for the virtual services. We have only recently started to hear questions about when we will return to the building.
It is encouraging that vaccinations are becoming more widely available and accessible. The news of a third vaccine approved and the expectation that enough will be available to vaccinate every adult in the country by the end of May is exciting. For your well-being and the well-being of others, we hope that you will get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Although vaccines are becoming more accessible, we are not considering in person worship services before September. By that time, the expectation is that the adult population will have access to the vaccine and there may be a large enough percentage of UCE members who are vaccinated to ensure relatively low risk gatherings. However, it is important to understand our return to in person gatherings will not be sudden, immediate, or feel ‘back to normal.’ We will continue to need to wear masks and maintain physical distance for some time. We will not have food after services, at least not to start and singing will remain high risk for a long time.
The Covid Task Force is meeting and will be learning more in the coming months, listening to the science, and talking with interfaith community partners to determine safe, accessible, and meaningful gatherings. If you have questions, concerns or creative ideas for gathering, please reach out to Rev. Eileen, or one of the members of the Covid task force: Cathy Deamant, Sarah Iles, Ben Kornfeld, Sandra Robinson, Joe Romeo, Jessica Tomell-Presto, Matthew Snowdon, or Bridget Wild.
Here is the link to the guidelines for in person gatherings which remain in effect for now: https://ucevanston.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Guidelines-for-UCE-Small-Groups-10.22.2020.pdf
Warm Clothing Drive Update: March 12, 2021
A huge ‘Thank You” is in order to the many UCE members and friends who donated warm clothing of all kinds for clients of Connections for the Homeless.
We collected, sorted and delivered new underwear and socks (164 pairs of socks!); 40 coats and jackets (many of them new); 43 hats; 20 scarves and 20 pairs of gloves; 10 pairs of boots and shoes; 30 sweaters, hoodies and sweatshirts; over 50 long sleeved shirts; 3 backpacks and 7 pairs of long pants. In addition, there were several miscellaneous items and everything was either new or clean and ready-to-wear.
The deliveries were greeted with smiles and much appreciation for our efforts. Well done!
We have found that the need is always there – clothing can get lost, or stolen, or simply wear out. Also, new people move into situations where they need help with basic clothing.
Results like this take a team – Thank you to our many donors, to our Sexton Liz for arranging a drop-off and sort and pack location, and to organizers Carol Nielsen, Maggie Weiss, Marilyn Wroblewski and Sheila Holder.
Are the 7 Principles Mutable?: March 12, 2021
Learn about the 8th Principle at the next 8th Principle Town Hall gathering on Sunday, March 21 at 1:15 pm. ALL ARE INVITED! Register here to let us know you will be there.
We will have additional congregation-wide gatherings on 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 previous Town Hall meetings: Are the 7 Principles mutable?
Yes. As we continue to learn and grow, our principles and sources have changed and are meant to evolve with us.
When the Unitarians and Universalists merged in 1961, our newly formed Unitarian Universalist Association started out with 6 Principles and no sources. In 1985, we added the 7th Principle and adopted 5 Sources. In 1995, we added the 6th Source.
Right now, there is a Study Commission reflecting on and examining revisions to our 7 Principles. In 2017, the UUA General Assembly voted to create a Study Commission regarding adopting the 8th Principle. In 2020, the UUA General Assembly voted to create an Article II Study Commission. Article II of the UUA Bylaws is the article that contains the 7 Principles. The charge of the Article II Study Commission is to review all 7 Principles and incorporate the findings of the 2017 Study Commission on the 8th Principle. The report and recommendations for revising the Principles that stem from the Article II Study Commission will be presented to the UUA General Assembly in 2022.
If you have questions about the 8th Principle, please contact one of the Team 8th members, who are listed in REALM, or Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org. 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 EOD: March 12, 2021
As I write this update to you today, I honor the one-year anniversary of our church closure due to the pandemic. This year has been one of hardship, yet we have found ways to continue our work, our mission, and to be together in the very best ways possible. For all of you, our staff, leaders, volunteers and congregation, I am grateful. We carry on in love and in care for one another and the work that we do.
All of your financial contributions have helped us stay fiscally strong during these challenging times. We are now planning our Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget and seek your financial support. The last day of the pledge drive is this Sunday, March 14. If you’ve already sent in your pledge, THANK YOU. We are so grateful for your generosity. When you pledge you’re automatically entered into the celebration party raffle on Saturday, March 13! If you haven’t pledged yet, please fill out your pledge form now! You will not receive a pledge packet in the mail; your pledge packet has been emailed to you.
Plan to join in on the fun Saturday at 6:30 for our special pledge drive celebration. Pre-parties begin at 6:30 and the main events begin at 7 p.m. Look for the link in this newsletter. This opportunity to gather online once again is guaranteed to be great fun for everyone. Much work has gone into entertainment that is certain to bring you joy! Thank you to Tom and Alicia Hempfling, Susan Carlton and Susan Comstock for organizing this event. You will enjoy music, singing, dance and raffle prizes to be drawn for everyone who has submitted a pledge form. I’ll see you there!
The next exciting big piece of news is our upcoming “First Ever” UCE Parking Lot Pop-Up Sale. Save items you no longer need or feel you need to move along…and save the date. Saturday, May 22 from 10-3 is the planned date. In case of rain, the event will be held Saturday, May 29. More information will follow including how your UCE group, team or committee can sign up for a table and help us achieve our budget goal for this fiscal year.
Thank you for Rev. Susan Frances, Jessica Meis and Adam Gough for leading training sessions and working so hard to get our congregation using our membership database REALM. We encourage everyone to register so that you can look up important information about your financial contributions, teams, member directory and more. If you need information contact Admin@ucevanston.org.
If you drive by UCE this week you will see that work is being done to east steps. Over time the concrete has deteriorated and the railings have loosened. Kelvin Company, an Evanston based business is doing this work, which will result in a more attractive view of the east side of our building, as well as safety for anyone who may use these steps.
Rentals are beginning to return to UCE as we look ahead to the future reopening of our building. A bicycle training camp will take place on our parking lot this summer and a small wedding reception in late fall. I am in conversation with a few of our long–term renters to see when their regular group meetings and events can return. This is good news as we have endured a great loss of rental income during our COVID 19 building closure.
Capital Campaign projects continue to roll along. The Intergenerational Playscape Team is working with Artist Indira Johnson and Nature’s Perspective on plans that were originated back in 2019. A group of parents and Life Formation team leaders met to see the exciting plans and provide feedback. The accessible ramp from the southwest door of the sanctuary is schedule to begin as soon as final details can be worked out with the City of Evanston.
The Sanctuary Cooling Team has narrowed our search to one contractor who will be entering into a design development phase so that we can make a final decision on the appropriate system for UCE. Members of this team are Greg Grabowski, Andy Schlickman, Michael Drennan and myself.
Wing and Lobby Improvements continue as we look to furnish Room 2 and the Lobby area. Our team of Sandy Danforth, Johna VanDyke and me has been enhanced by Gillian Lawrence’s willingness to help us with the flow of our lobby area. Johna is working to get the purple wall updated and is ordering carpeting. New lights have been installed in Room 2 and new ceiling tile.
Additional projects are planned for the next year including an accessible and inclusive washroom in the lower level as well as a hearing loop for the sanctuary area. Stay tuned…..
Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director
Announcing UCE Pop-up Parking Lot Sale: March 12, 2021
Save the Date and Save Your Rummage!
We are planning a unique and festive day in our parking lot to replace the annual rummage sale normally held inside the church.
Save Saturday, May 22 or Saturday, May 29th (rain date) for the first UCE POP-UP PARKING LOT SALE. Individuals, groups, and committees will be able to organize their own tables. There is a lot of enthusiasm around these plans. Staff and others have already expressed interest in having a table. So, we expect this to be the outdoor event of the year! We will, of course, require masks and abide by social distancing guidelines.
Similar to a flea market, church members will be asked to bring their rummage pre-sorted, pre-priced, and ready for sale. Tables will have a mix of items, so we won’t have “departments” as the rummage sale did.
We plan to have kid’s activities, a balloon man, an ice cream vendor, and food trucks. Our goal is to raise over $6000 which is what the 20/21 f/y net income budget line is for our rummage sale.
We need everyone’s help. It will be a fun day and a chance to make new friends, see old friends, enjoy a UCE group activity and make our budget for UCE.
More details to follow in the coming weeks including sign-up for table space, volunteer sign-up slots, and answers to your questions. So save the date and save your items to sell at the first ever UCE Parking Lot Pop Up Sale.
March Reflections with the Board: March 12, 2021
It is our goal as the Board of Trustees to maintain connections with you. To that end, we are hosting a program entitled, “Reflections with the Board.” We host these sessions via zoom once a month (the second Sunday of the month) at 10am before the service. Our next session will be held on March 14th at 10am. For this session, the Board would like to spend some time talking with you about Widening the Circle of Concern. This month we will return to Chapter Three, Congregations and Communities. You did not have to attend any of our previous sessions to join us this month. Here are the questions from the WTC Study Guide:
- The shaded box on p. 47, Recommended Congregational Practices to Increase Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, details six actions that can be taken by congregations. Discuss which of these you are already engaged in and which of these you might like to add.
- An important part of this chapter (shaded box pp. 40-41 and pp. 48-49) is understanding congregational polity and the covenantal understanding of each congregation’s relationship with the UUA and other congregations.
- Discuss how you understand these relationships.
- How well do you think they are understood in the broader congregation?
- What actions can you take to build shared understanding?
- There is a case study of a congregational audit on pp. 52-53.
- Is this something your congregation should consider?
- What might be barriers to implementing this?
- There is a case study of a congregation that intentionally focused on welcoming a younger and more diverse leadership team on p. 45. Read the excerpts from their identity documents and reflect on your own.
- In what ways are they similar and what ways are they different?
- When was your congregational covenant last renewed?
- Which of the suggested actions related to this chapter seem relevant to our community?
- What would be the first task?
- What are the barriers to implementation?
As you can see, many of these questions rely on having the chapter on hand. You may want to review those sections or have that information pulled up on your computer or your book available. Read the Chapter here.
Which of these questions would you like to discuss? What have you been learning as you have been reading Widening the Circle? Please join us on Sunday. Thank you.
Click here to join the Zoom Discussion.
Meeting ID: 862 4288 7134
Passcode: 220807
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March 14, 2021
We will host an online worship service on Sunday, March 14th at 11:15 am.
For Better; for Worse
Part of commitment is to hang in during both the good times and the hard times. How do we honor our commitments when we are in conflict? How do we mend and re-mend the bonds of community? Challenging people to live into our UU values.
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 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 Poor People’s Campaign.