Dear Friends, 

As the longest night of the year approaches, I have been spending more time with a cup of tea and a notepad being introspective. Some of the wonderful gifts during this dark time of year are nature’s examples of slowing down and settling in, which I find to be an invitation for spending some time reflecting on where I am, where I have been, and where I am going. This year I find myself thinking mainly about what connections I would like to make in the new year and what I would like to learn this year. 

I have been voted onto the Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU-IL) and will start a three-year term on January 1, 2022. I am humbled by the caliber of the other Board members and am looking forward to learning from and networking with them to continue to make Illinois a state where women have access to all types of health care, where the police have some accountability under a consent decree, and where trans students have a legal ally to assist them with negotiating safe space in their schools. I am hopeful this connection will provide possibilities to enhance our community’s already deep commitment to social justice. 

What connections are you interested in making? Would you like to be in a Covenant Group? Do you need the support of the Addictions and Recovery Group, the Caregiver Support Group, or the Cancer Support Group? Do you need guidance on how to connect with BLUU Havens or Rainbow Alliance? Have you been waiting to volunteer to teach our children, advise our youth, join one of our social justice teams, or spend a day in the administrative office? If I can help you get more connected within our UCE community, please reach out to me at sfrances@ucevanston.org. If you would like someone from the Pastoral Care Team to talk with you, please let me know or complete our Request for Care form.  

One of the joys of my monthly meetings with the Committee on Ministry for my Preliminary Fellowship with the UUA is that we spend time sharing our values and the underlying theology and talking about how we are living those values out in the world. I spent some time earlier this week finding a good resource for them on Religious Naturalism and it made we want to spend time this year reading some of the Religious Naturalist theologians that I know about but haven’t read their texts yet. Side note: If you look up Religious Naturalism on Wikipedia, you will find reference to and a photo of our own retired community minister, The Rev. Jerry A. Stone. 

What are you interested in learning about? In January and February, we have two classes that everyone is invited to take to deepen your understanding of Unitarian Universalism or your own belief system. For new and ongoing visitors, we have a third class about UCE and membership. 

Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalist history? Our Introduction to Unitarian Universalism class takes an in-depth look at our progressive faith, including Unitarian Universalist principles, sources, and covenant. This class is a must for visitors wanting to learn about Unitarian Universalism, but it is also a class for anyone wanting a reminder on how the threads weaving our faith tradition together have been woven from the 2nd Century into the 21st Century. This is a single session class that will be offered virtually on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 1:00-2:30 pm or in-person on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at 2:30-4:00 pm. Click here to register. 

Would you like to enhance how you express your personal theology? What do yUU Believe? is a 4-part class designed for youth and adults (age 12 and up) to take you on a journey toward better understanding and articulating your Unitarian Universalist theology. This 4-session class will alternate between being in-person and being on Zoom on the following Tuesdays, January 18 (in-person), 25 (via Zoom), February 1 (via Zoom), and 8 (in-person), 2022 at 7:00-8:30 pm. Click here to register.  

Would you like to learn more about becoming a member of UCE? Journey Toward Membership is a 2-part class that explores our spiritual lives and what it means to be a member of an intentional community like the Unitarian Church of Evanston. The next in-person class, parts 1 and 2, will be on Tuesdays, February 1 and 8, 2022 at 6:30-8:00 pm. Click here to register. The next virtual class, parts 1 and 2, will be on Wednesdays, February 2 and 9, 2022 at 6:30-8:00 pm. Click here to register. You may also mix up the sessions, for example taking part 1 virtually and part 2 in-person. 

As the Winter Solstice on December 21st approaches, embrace the long nights. Make time to slow down, settle in, and reflect on what is happening in your life, in our community, and in our country and world. Many of us are not feeling holiday festive this year and that is okay. If you don’t have the energy to reflect on making new connections and learning something new, that is okay. Be present in the here and now, however that is for you. 

Whatever holiday traditions you celebrate during this time of year, I’m wishing you love, comfort, and joy to fill the long lovely nights of winter. 

In faith,
Rev. Susan