Back and Forth

Congregational life in early spring is just like the weather: back and forth. One day it’s sunny and 72 degrees out and the next day it’s 27 degrees with snow flurries. I personally like the change in weather, because if it were nice and sunny every day, it would be difficult to get chores and work done. I also appreciate those nicer days even more after the colder, cloudy ones.

At UCE, my work life goes back and forth as well. There are the days when I am hunkered down and focused on what is happening in the coming week or two. There is a sense of routine in those tasks that makes it easier to stay the course. I have a particular destination that leads to various age groups connecting with one another and learning more about their UU identity, themselves, and the world around them.

And then there are the days when I am lured by the warmth and can veer away for a bit  – not just as a time to rejuvenate, but as a time to step back and look at the bigger picture, to see the whole ocean, the beaches, the islands and the forest and animals. How can I help us explore all that there is and discover the awe and wonder that lies all around us? Who among us needs more support and better tools for the journey? 

Perhaps the Deeper Joy map is a good visual for this (see above). Rev. Eileen and I led a worship service using this map on March 8, for those who aren’t familiar with it. And while it focuses more on building connection and community, it touches on the idea that we’re all on a journey together – a faith formation journey. The joy, as well as the challenge, is that we’re not all starting at the same place. Some are just arriving to Unitarian Universalism and some have been here a while. Some need the safety of the Bonding Harbor and others hunger for the Canyons of Deeper Sharing. 

I look at this map knowing that I am one person also on the journey and yet responsible for guiding others on theirs. It is an honor I take seriously. And I know I am not alone as I have the best beside me – a wonderful staff, an awesome Family Ministry Team, and friends and family. And there’s plenty of room on my boat for you to come along too.

In Faith,

Kathy

DLFF Newsletter – March 2026 

Springing Forward

Ah yes, it’s that time of the year we meet mostly with hope and also with a little less sleep – the daylight saving time change! For some, it is the first sign of spring, although I have been seeing signs for a couple of weeks now. Red-winged blackbirds are back at the ponds and marshes in my neighborhood as well as swans, and many of the trees and shrubs have the beginnings of budding on their branches. If the squirrels hadn’t eaten my crocus and snowdrop bulbs, they would be seen by now. And I have heard that sandhill cranes have been spotted a little further south, which is always a welcoming sound and site.

Here at UCE, there is much to look forward to as we approach the spring equinox. I know that things can get lost in the scrolling down of the newsletter, and that we focus on things coming up in a short window of time, so I wish to highlight some events coming up that you might otherwise miss here.

Our joint worship service with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church on March 22 will begin at 11a, and promises to be inspiring with a title such as “The Gospel According to Patty LaBelle”. Our faith formation program, Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors, spent time with their congregation last month and look forward to gathering with them again.

Looking into April, we begin the month with our family-friendly Seder, led by Dan Solomon. This will be on April 3 at 5:30p in the sanctuary. This is an evening to experience aspects of this Jewish celebration, taste the foods, sing the songs, hear the stories and prayers, and for kids to search for the afikomen. You need not be Jewish to participate. Feel free to bring a side dish to share that doesn’t contain yeast (as in bread/rolls) or pork. Please register here.

Easter Sunday follows Passover on April 5, when we will have an all-ages worship service followed by a Peeps Show and an egg-cellent spread during Kinship Time. And yes, you read that correctly, a Peeps show! All ages are invited to show their creativity, humor, and spirit by making a display using marshmallow peeps. These will be set out to view while waiting in line for all the delicious food. And for Kinship Time, feel free to bring an egg dish to share or other side dish that means “spring and rebirth” to you. We’ll also have a little egg hunt out on the south lawn, weather permitting.

Our final session of the AI-Artificial Intelligence series with Dr. Emma Farrell is on April 7th, with the topic of Skills for Every Day and Congregational Life. We have learned quite a lot about AI in this program and I personally still have mixed feelings about it. Hopefully, this last session will help me and others to see how it can be used in ways that connect to what we value most. You can register here to get further information.

Our awesome youth group and young adults will be leading our worship service on April 12. I don’t want to give away anything at this point, but it is always wonderful to see and hear them and what their hearts and spirits are filled with at this time and place in their lives. 

We end the month of April by joining in the Earth Day Evanston Clean Up at Pioneer Park on the 26th from 12-2p. Our faith formation programs will end when worship ends so that families can join in the cleanup efforts. All supplies will be provided. And for those who wish to celebrate our efforts, we’ll walk to Cold Stone Creamery for a little treat around 1p. 

We have so much to look forward to!

In Faith,

Kathy