Anti-Racism 8th Principle Adopted by UCE!!!: May 21, 2021

After five months of education, conversation, and debate about a proposed new principle focused on dismantling racism and other oppressions, the Unitarian Universalist congregation of Evanston, Illinois, formally adopted the principle by an overwhelming 95% vote. The new principle becomes the eighth in a list of guiding values that light the way for UUs everywhere. Here is the new 8th Principle as adopted at our annual meeting, followed by the full list.

We, a member congregation 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.

Here is our full list of Principles that guide UCE:

1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8th Principle: 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.

A lot of the preparatory discussions before the annual meeting focused on the meaning of the words in the new principle. What does it mean to be accountable? What does it mean to dismantle racism and other oppressions in our institutions? One person said, “This seems like a no-brainer and we should all vote yes.” A few questioned where our care of the environment lives in this principle and how we will remain in covenant as we do this work in an accountable manner. We will have to continue to have conversations about these important issues. Right now, the whole association is looking at the principles and their wording through a study commissioned at the 2020 General Assembly.

The next step for us, after celebrating this success, is for each of us to think about how to continue to build accountable anti-racism and anti-oppession work into our UCE community. Team 8th will be working with the ministers and the YWCA Equity Consultants on the ways to live into our new principle. To that end let us use the perspective of Mia Mingus, an activist for disability justice, who expresses: “What if accountability wasn’t scary? It will never be easy or comfortable, but what if it wasn’t scary? What if our own accountability wasn’t something we ran from, but something we ran towards and desired, appreciated, held as sacred?”

Anti-Racism 8th Principle Adopted by UCE!!!: May 21, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-20T22:46:18+00:00

Dear Chalice House Supporters: May 21, 2021

Happy May!   Last year at this time, the world was in the midst of a lockdown, and Chalice House was in the midst of a transformation from a rental property into a home for immigrants seeking asylum.  Repairs were underway, flooring was being installed, walls were being painted and furnishings were being gathered. By July, we welcomed a family into the home.

Financial Update
One year in, we can confidently report that this community-based housing model is working. Our goal is to sustain this program for many years, but to do so requires continued financial support to replace the lost rental income that Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist (CCUU) sacrificed to make Chalice House a reality.  We've created this  short video  that tells the Chalice House story. Please take a moment to watch and be reminded that  your support made this story possible. Then, we invite you to share it with others who you think might also be inspired to support the program. 
 
Learn more about our financial plan  here.  
 
You're Invited: Here Comes the Sun
The Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist is hosting an online Auction,  Here Comes the Sun, THIS WEEK!  This annual fundraiser traditionally raises thousands of dollars to support our three local  service partners  and, since 2019, Chalice House. 

Participating in the  Here Comes the Sun Auction makes it easy for you to support Chalice House. Just go to  32Auctions.com/CCUU2021   and search for the  Chalice House Raise the Paddle.  100% of your donation will go directly to Chalice House – and you'll receive a coupon for a free ice cream cone!   
From hand-painted magnets, glassware and art to a week in a Colorado vacation home, this year's Auction has lots of other items to tempt you.  Proceeds from these sales are split among Chalice House and our service partners, ICDI, POC and Faith in Place.

It's online and easy:

Learn all about how to bid and the categories on the home page.
Click on View All Items
Click on each item to learn more and make a bid. You'll be asked to set up an account with your email, and then you are ready to go.

Bidding continues through May 22nd at 4 pm.  

New Community Partner
We are excited to welcome our newest Community Partner, Dr. William McNerny, DDS, and we extend our gratitude to him for the exceptional dental care that he generously donated to the family. Our other partners are listed  here. 

Questions? As always, feel free to  contact us with any questions. 

Christine Organ and Laura Mandell
Co-Chairs

Dear Chalice House Supporters: May 21, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-20T20:26:01+00:00

From the BOT: May 21, 2021

Want to know what the Board has been working on in April and May?

Working with the YWCA Equity Institute to create our anti-oppression task force
Reading and discussing Widening the Circle of Concern
Attending the Revolutionary Love conference
Attending the Breaking Covenant workshop offered by the Midwest UUA
Supporting Rev. Karen in her interim work
Supporting Team 8th in their work to inform the congregation about the Eighth Principle
Monitoring the Ends statements
Monitoring the yearly Board goals
Forming the Endowment Task Force
Surveying congregation to consider Endowment history and practices
Surveying the congregation about their experience in applying for Endowment grants
Hosting Town Hall meetings about the Eighth Principle
Hosting Town Hall meetings to discuss the proposed bylaw changes and the annual budget
Attending Council meetings as liaisons – there to learn and to assist, if needed
Hosting “Reflections with the Board” where we meet monthly with the congregation
Connecting with other UU congregations and the Midwest UUA through weekly leadership zoom calls
Preparing for new board member orientation and annual board retreat in August
Preparing for the annual meeting by sending out the proposed bylaw changes and the annual meeting packet
Leading an annual meeting where we successfully approved the 2021-22 budget, changes to the bylaws, and elected new Board, Endowment, and Nominating and Recruiting members
Successfully approving the adoption of the Eighth Principle at our annual meeting!
Writing newsletter articles to keep you updated!

Want to know more about any of these topics? The Board minutes and agendas are available on the UCE website or feel free to contact the Board at BOT@ucevanston.org!

From the BOT: May 21, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-20T19:31:00+00:00

May Reflections with the Board: May 21, 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 at 10am before the service. Our next session will be held on May 23rd at 10 am. For this session, the Board would like to spend some time talking with you about Widening the Circle of Concern. This month we will continue our discussion of Chapter Four, Hospitality and Inclusion. You did not have to attend any of our previous sessions to join us.

Read Chapter Four: Hospitality and Inclusion

Questions from Study Guide for WTC chapter, Hospitality and Inclusion

Who is responsible for greeting and welcoming in our congregation?
What kind of education or dialogue is held with them?

Now invite the group to imagine a first encounter with the congregation, either physically or virtually. What might people notice or experience? Collect impressions from the group. Ask:

Based on this, who would feel most welcomed? Why?
Who might question their welcome? Why?

Next, form two- or three-person small groups and invite them to undertake a mini-audit of how your congregation presents itself to newcomers and visitors. Ask each group to appoint a note- taker. Instruct groups to examine the congregation’s newsletter, website, and recent sermons:

Look for words like “we,” “everyone,” “our” and consider both who is meant and how a reader might understand who is meant. Who is the “we”?
Look for words like “others” and phrases like “surrounding community” that make a distinction between this faith community and someone else. Who is the someone else?
Beyond noticing words and phrases, give careful thought to their meanings and messages.
Bring the groups back together. Invite each group to report one observation that struck them.

Now lead a discussion on these questions:

What can we say now about how language can intentionally or unintentionally include or
exclude?
What harm can happen because of it?
How hard was it to look at our congregation in this new way?
What would it take for this new mindfulness to become the intentional practice of our community?

Together, answer these questions:

In the congregation, how do people learn about affinity group opportunities for BIPOC across the broader Unitarian Universalist movement, such as Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) and Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM)?
Is there a congregational or local UU cluster BIPOC affinity group? If so, how do people of color in the community learn of its existence?

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.

Join the Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 862 4288 7134
Passcode: 220807
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,86242887134#,,,,,,0#,,220807# US (Chicago)

May Reflections with the Board: May 21, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-17T18:29:18+00:00

May 23, 2021

We will host an online worship service on Sunday, May 23rd at 11:15 am.

Transitions and a New Reality
with guest preacher, Rev. David Pyle

This time of pandemic has changed what it means to be a church in ways that we are only beginning to see. As we begin to contemplate coming back together, we are not in the process of recreating what was, but creating something new, which is work of both celebrating the possible and grieving the changes. We will explore together what the new reality of “church” can be.

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 the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois.

May 23, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-17T18:31:53+00:00

May 14, 2021

Click here to read this week’s newsletter.

May 14, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-14T20:28:44+00:00

VirtUUal Faith Formation: May 14, 2021

What’s Happening in Faith Formation?

Welcome as we continue our theme, Story! This week we focus on the segments From the Mailbox and On the Porch. Check out this week’s video here. You can access the Soulful Home packet here at your own leisure.

Many Ways to Connect

Taking Flight Sex Ed Program for 7th-9th Youth – we will not meet on this week due to the Annual Meeting after worship.

Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – May’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.

High School Youth – We know this last month of school will be busy, so we won’t be meeting. Plans are being made for an in-person gathering next month, so look for an email soon!

Sidewalk Chalk Games and Art – June 6th – 4-5:30 pm! All ages are invited to gather in the UCE parking lot for some sidewalk chalk games and art! Feel free to bring your own sidewalk chalk and your creativity!

UCE Forum Discussion Group

Sunday, May 16 at 10 am via Zoom – Join Forum’s final program for this year! Our 4th principle ask for a commitment to a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Because the mind is our primary tool, a responsible search would involve developing an understanding of how the mind works. Tom Carlton and George Monical will facilitate a discussion about how research might inform our approach to the 4th principle. In this Forum, we will identify resources and concepts that you might consider in your quest. Significant references will be drawn from the book Thinking Fast and Slow, by Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman.

Here is a list of twenty of his most humbling quotes as a primer for our discussion.
You might also enjoy listening to the podcast “On Being” with Krista Tippett. She interviewed Daniel Kahneman recently.

Have you attended Forum? Avoided it? Wondered about it? A team is forming to plan 9 months of Forums for next church year, that is 18 sessions in all (two per month). Would you like to offer some topics for the Forum to tackle next year? You are invited to help shape these sessions. Your input is gonna be helpful. Email or call Shirley Adams, Diane Markel, Bob Mesle, or Steve Serikaku and offer ideas or join the team! The more, the merrier!

Join the Forum Discussion on Zoom

Current & Upcoming Adult Faith Formation

Intersectionality in Speculative Fiction: N. K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season – Tuesdays, May 18  at 7-8:30  pm  - Facilitated by UCE member  Emily  Eckwahl-Sanna. Imagine a world where apocalypses are commonplace. Where frequent seismic activity—whether volcanoes, earthquakes, or other environmental disasters—result in extended winters and the widespread loss of human life.

Learn More and Register

Join the Zoom Class

Deepening UU Identity – May 26 at 7-8:30 pm via Zoom – Join us for our next session UU Spirituality: what does spirituality mean to us and how can we practice spirituality however we answer ultimate questions. Led by Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan Frances

Learn More and Register

Join the Zoom Class

Sealed by Katie Langston: Q&A with the Author – Tuesday, June 1 at 7 pm – Katie Langston’s memoir, Sealed, tells the story of her conversion to mainline Christianity out of Mormonism. Attendance at the 4/27 reading group led by Ruth Orme-Johnson is not required to also attend the Q&A.

Learn More and Register

Join the Zoom Q&A Session

VirtUUal Faith Formation: May 14, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-13T19:06:42+00:00

From DLRE: May 14, 2021

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

We all have stories that we tell ourselves. Some we learned as young children. And some we have been retelling ourselves for decades. Some stories are ones from the communities we are connected to – our families, friends, schools, workplaces, and yes, our congregations.

As a part of the interim ministry period these past two years, Rev. Karen has had this congregation look back at the stories that have been told over the years, and to explore how they have helped shape UCE into the congregation that it is now. Although I have only been here for 18 months, I have heard some of these stories myself. I don’t wish to rehash any of these stories here. Rather, my focus is on some of the broader stories we may be telling ourselves as a congregation.

Have you heard the story about faith formation? You know, the one about the kids and youth and what we think they should be learning? It’s the one we struggle with a bit. First, we seem to have an “upstairs/downstairs” approach, as in the young people are downstairs, out of sight and mind, and the adults are upstairs making the decisions and participating fully in the life of the congregation. What would it look like if the adults were downstairs, and the young people were upstairs?

And then there is the term “faith formation” – why can’t we simply keep saying ”religious education”? After all, isn’t that what we are doing- educating our young people? The short answer is “yes and no”. We value education, intellect, and reason – it’s even part of our UU Sources. However, faith formation is a whole lot more! It is done in and through worship, multigenerational relationships, social activism, spiritual practices, leadership, in the arts, and in play.

I have one more story to look at – the one where faith formation is something that only children and youth do. That is a very old story! Faith formation is something we all do at every age and throughout our lifespan. Why should the young people have all the fun anyway?

So how can we re-write the endings of these stories? That is what the Faith Formation Force has been exploring. Beginning in July, we are going to start writing some alternative endings to these stories by trying some new things. While the details are still being worked out, we will have Wednesday evening gatherings outside. Each week will start with a picnic on the lawn, followed by a special activity. We invite you to be a part of the new story we are creating!

In Faith,

Kathy Underwood, Director of Lifespan Religious Education

From DLRE: May 14, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-13T17:16:09+00:00

May 16, 2021

We will host an online worship service on Sunday, May 16th at 11:15 am.

For All that Has Been, ‘Thanks’, for All That Is to Be, ‘Yes!’
by Rev. Karen Gustafson, Interim Minister

There are many stories to tell about the last two years: personal stories that reflect the joys and sorrows, the transitions and accumulated experience in the life of each individual reading these words. There are also stories about the individual and collective experience of being part of the UCE community as you have engaged in the process of looking at the ways you embody your mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole, as you made your way to settle your next Senior Minister. Add to the mix a pandemic that completely altered the way you are in community. How has all of this changed the story of who you are and what you may become?

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 the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois.

May 16, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-10T17:28:35+00:00

May 7, 2021

Click here to read this week’s newsletter.

May 7, 2021UCE UCE2021-05-07T19:30:33+00:00