Friday, October 31, 2025
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Family Fall Feedback – Friday, October 31, 2025
DLFF Newsletter – November 2025
Family Fall Feedback
Last week, Rev. Eileen and I hosted a virtual gathering for parents to hear how they are doing and how they are engaging in and feeling about our faith community. They were open and honest and brave to share with us, which is what we hoped for. I wish to share some of this with you here.
Parents expressed overwhelmingly their joy at how much they and their children have been embraced, welcomed, and included. Having childcare available on Sunday mornings for choir rehearsal and worship has made a huge difference. The Nest has certainly been a big part of those with younger children to feel at home. And while it was acknowledged that it can get a bit noisy and parents worry about this, they appreciate that their little ones can make some noise without getting “shushed” and glared at. We also shared some ideas on ways we can help little ones – and parents – learn when to be quieter and when it’s okay to be a little noisy in worship. After all, how can we expect our youngest to grow up to be practicing UUs if we don’t show them how?
Another thing that parents appreciate is how we maintain many of our traditions, such as Ornament Sunday and the rummage sale. Creating community was another major factor, with the restarting of the youth group, Picnics in the Park, Our Whole Lives (OWL) sex ed program, and of course, snacks. Food is always good!
We then had a conversation about what they need more from UCE. The overall arch of their responses was to make more connections – for the parents and especially between generations. Some ideas shared were to have childcare available for things such as a parents’ night out and for a parents’-only program or activity, having the older youth help the younger ones and the young adults help with the youth, and having young people be a pen pal with an older adult who isn’t able to attend worship in person.
Much more was shared – too much to write about here. Rev. Eileen and I would love to hear from others too. You can do so in this Family Fall Feedback form. We will keep you posted on where this takes us.
In the meantime, our last Family Friday had 27 people of all ages gather to help weed one of the gardens and then enjoy a campfire and s’mores. Now that the weather is getting colder, our gatherings will be indoors. On November 7 we will have a family game night. Bring a snack and/or beverage to share and a favorite game. Looking at December, we will have our annual Cocoa, Carols, and Community on the 5th. We’ll wrap gifts for the mitten tree and then enjoy hot cocoa and sing holiday favorites.
My plan is to offer the Our Whole Lives (OWL) sex ed program for youth in 7th-9th grades beginning in January. Parents of youth should have gotten an email about this. If not, please let me know and I will send you the information. I am also hoping to offer the young adult OWL program this year. You older adults might get your turn in 2027!
For adults, Dr. Emma Farrell continues their series on Artificial Intelligence, which will be in person and on Zoom on November 5. And on November 19, join me for Create Your UU Elevator Speech, where you will develop an elevator speech about your UU faith. It is called an “elevator speech” because on an elevator ride when someone asks you, “What is Unitarian Universalism?” you only have a short time to make a meaningful statement.
Lastly, there are a couple of invitations from other organizations in Evanston to join in on: Fall Fire Pit with the Evanston Friends Meeting on November 16, and a story time at the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum. See the blurbs elsewhere in the newsletter for the details.
As always, we continue to build community within UCE and beyond.
In Gratitude,
Kathy
Sunday, November 2, 2025
Gratitude for Our Ancestors
Honoring our UCE Founders, with thankfulness for those ancestors who planted long ago seeds of possibility so that we may continue to carry on their legacy and be good ancestors for our descendants. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Shirley Adams as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano bless us with music.
Today’s offering will be shared with Restore Justice Foundation, which advocates for fairness, humanity, and compassion throughout the Illinois criminal legal system, with a primary focus on those affected by extreme sentences as youth.
Upcoming Services
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
November 16th – The Alchemy of Gratitude – Rev. Eileen
November 23rd – Bread Communion – Rev. Eileen
Friday, October 24, 2025
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Sunday, October 26, 2025
Steady, Loving Confrontation
Members of UCE who journeyed the Living Legacy Pilgrimage to Alabama in September reflect on their experience and learning. Rev. Eileen leads the service with contributions from Bex Blackmore, Gretchen Brewster, Dana Deane, Carol Emory, Meredith Haydon, Jeanne Kerl, Cheryl Mounts, Jinny Niemann, and Carla Williams. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer our Music Director and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano provide music.
Today’s offering will be shared with Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country, including right here in Evanston, which is one of Run On Climate’s focal cities for 2025.
Upcoming Services
November 2nd – Honoring Our Founders – Rev. Eileen
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
November 16th – The Alchemy of Gratitude – Rev. Eileen
November 23rd – Bread Communion – Rev. Eileen
Friday, October 17, 2025
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Two impressions for you of the SOLARbration this past Sunday from Board Member, Michael Drennan
1. Folk music matters: As a longtime advocate of sustainability and environmental justice in Evanston, working for big companies and small houses of worship I find it easy to get “lost in the weeds” of multivariate data streams and conflicting technology assessments. To see the country walk away from united action on a general interest item like their kids’ future makes it hard to want to raise my head. However something in Kristin Lem’s tone, a freshness, an enthusiasm in her original composition titled “solartopia” based on Harvey Wasserman’s book brought hope that we can live within our (planetary) means. The lyrics of Pete Seeger’s 2010 composition titled “SolarTopia” suggested we would power our houses and cars “with the might that is made up in the stars.” We knew we could go solar and recognized that we should leave fossil fuels in the ground, and now we have.
2. Just keep talking: As Rev. Eileen took pains to recount after service Sunday we’ve been talking solar since the turn of the century. And while I wouldn’t chalk up our daytime solar use simply to regulatory state changes, the IRA, better technology or the last best wishes of old friends now gone, I would also be remiss not to mention them. We wouldn’t have solar power at UCE without Barbara Young, Faith in Place, and Verde Energy Solutions.
And what made them do what they did; say yes when it didn’t seem it would matter much, say “go for it” when the way to go was less than certain? We’ve been discussing this for twenty five years, especially the coulds: could we switch from gas and nuclear to using solar and geothermal; could the building envelope and those gorgeous windows have upgrades to make them more efficient? Those kept me busy a long time parsing numbers and estimates, talking to building professionals and church members. And I remain occupied charting those small steps towards carbon neutrality.
When Rev. Eileen saw panels go up on her neighbors roof, some small spirit told her we should go solar. Probably the same spirit who spoke to Barbara Young – who’d also heard us Green Team types go on about solar for years. She knew what she should do, what she personally could do. And when she passed she made sure it happened. As your newest Board of Trustees member I’m obliged to continue exercising the courage Rev. Eileen, Kristin, Barbara and countless others have expressed through their words, songs, and actions. We can all look forward to Pete Seger’s SolarTopia across “God’s Green World” given we just keep talking.
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Self-Compassion
How might our world change if we treated ourselves with the same compassion we strive to give others? This Sunday we explore the practice of self-compassion – its challenges, its quiet power, and the ways it can open us to deeper connection, healing, and belonging. When we give ourselves compassion, we are opening our hearts in a way that transforms our lives.
Dr. Emma Farrell leads this worship with Barbara Mesle as Worship Associate. Kiley Korey leads us in song, and Gregory Shifrin, offers his musical talents on piano.
Today’s offering will be shared with Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country, including right here in Evanston, which is one of Run On Climate’s focal cities for 2025.
Upcoming Services
October 26th – Steady, Loving Confrontation – Rev. Eileen and the Living Legacy Pilgrimage participants
November 2nd – Honoring Our Founders – Rev. Eileen
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Fierce Compassion
Practicing compassion is a lifelong challenge. It’s harder still while holding righteous anger at the injustices we witness and experience. Exploring the distinction between anger and hate and the root of compassion. Rev. Eileen will preach after
Rev. Susan and the Membership Team invite us to welcome our new members. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer our Music Director, and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano provide music. Mary Dudek is our Worship Associate.
Today’s offering will be shared with Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country, including right here in Evanston, which is one of Run On Climate’s focal cities for 2025.
Upcoming Services
October 19th – Self Compassion – Dr. Emma Farrell
October 26th – Steady, Loving Confrontation – Rev. Eileen and the Living Legacy Pilgrimage participants
November 2nd – Honoring Our Founders – Rev. Eileen
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
Update from Rev. Susan – 10/10/2025
Hi Friends,
Mickey and I just returned from four days at Starved Rock State Park. We celebrated our 18-year wedding anniversary on Monday evening on the patio of a restaurant overlooking the Illinois River with delicious food and a flock of freshwater pelicans as entertainment.
The changing climate was evident at the park. The few park rangers we talked with bemoaned that the nine canyon waterfalls that rely on rain to feed them were dry this year due to limited rain fall. St. Louis Canyon, the only canyon waterfall in the park that relies on a spring to feed it was still flowing. I’m standing in front of that waterfall in the photo. This trip reminded me how grateful I am that our congregation continues to be proactive about finding ways to reduce the negative impacts of our consumption of natural resources.
I hope you will stay after the service this Sunday, October 12th, from 12-1 pm for our Solarbration! Rev. Nic Faison, the Outreach Director of Faith in Place, Cara Pratt, the City of Evanston’s Sustainability Officer, and Chris Gersch, the CEO of Verde, will speak in the sanctuary before we head out onto the South Lawn for a congregational photo as part of a green ribbon cutting. We will honor the bequest from Barbara Young and the grant from Faith in Place that allowed us to afford to install our solar panels this year. Then, you are invited to view the solar panels on the wing from my office windows and enjoy treats provided by our Green Team.
I also hope that you will find a way to be engaged next weekend, on Saturday, October 18th, with the No Kings day. Here are a few options for ways to be engaged:
- 10:00 am, training at Second Baptist Church, Evanston, IL. Join facilitators from Second Baptist Church in a “Houses of Worship: Preparing for ICE Encounters” interactive and skill-building workshop. See flyer in this newsletter for details. If you attend this, please contact me so we can find ways to share what you learned.
- 10:30 am, No Kings Rally at Fountain Square, Evanston, IL. Rev. Eileen and UCE folks will meet at 10:30 am on the southwest corner of Fountain Square.
- 12:00 pm, No Kings Rally at Butler Field in Grant Park, Chicago, IL. Rev. Susan and UCE folks will meet at 11:45 am on Michigan Avenue in front of the lion on the south side of the stairs to the Art Institute and walk over to Butler Field together.
- All day, call or email your federal representative and senators to encourage them to continue to request a full release of the Epstein files or to thank them for a vote that was in line with your values.
- All day, make a financial donation to a non-profit organization that shares your values.
Many of you know that I am on the Board of the Illinois Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-IL). Their message on October 3rd was: “On Saturday, October 18, No Kings protests will be happening across the country. To push back against the administration, we must show up and protest in large numbers. If you have not attended protests in the past, this is the moment to do so. It is important to encourage everyone in your network to attend a protest to take a stand against the abuses of power from this administration.”
If you would like to be added to the UCE Local Response Network (LRN), which is the internal email list we use to send out information about civic meetings, rallies, and vigils, as well as about trainings and preparing for demonstrations, please click here to submit the form to request being added to the LRN.
I was also reminded this week that this fight against the diminishment of civil rights and human rights for citizens and non-citizens, this push back against the fear of violence, and this choice to experience the joy and beauty in everyday life is something we can do. Something that previous generations have done. One of our UCE members who recently returned from the Alabama Living Legacy Pilgrimage sent me this quote from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Rabbi Heschel marched in the Selma Civil Rights Movement and wrote: “For many of us the march from Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips and walking is not kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying.'”
Let us pray with our participation this coming Saturday. Let our pluralist faith be a beacon of hope for all fighting for civil and human rights. Let our covenantal faith bring us into deeper relationships so that our future is not a return to the status quo, but a movement into our country’s future with a government that supports the most vulnerable and a culture that embraces all.
In hope,
Rev. Susan