June 2026 - UC Evanston

DLFF Newsletter – May 2026 Building Joy, Building Community

DLFF Newsletter – May 2026

Building Joy, Building Community

It was an honor to witness the care and respect shown during the annual meeting just two weeks ago as people shared their heartfelt and vulnerable positions on whether or not to change the name of our community. I appreciated hearing the many perspectives of those who spoke. Our young people in grades 2-10 also discussed the proposed name change as and voted on the matter. Interestingly, they were almost evenly split on the issue with 5 in favor of keeping the name and 4 in favor of changing it. Perhaps this reflects the growing need for religious community in the younger generations with the pendulum swinging from mostly “non-religious but spiritual” among millennials to “religious” among Gen Z and younger people.

Change is constant, according to Heraclitus, and yet there is some consistency over time. Earlier this month on Faith Formation Sunday I recalled how we did a ritual of writing on wooden blocks about our hopes for UCE as we returned to in-person gatherings and how we would contribute to making those happen. We found that we have indeed been doing many of those things: creating a space that welcomes all, opportunities to connect across generations, and to participate as much as possible, whether that is by volunteering, getting to know others, or simply showing up to a gathering.

Looking towards the next 4-5 years, we then considered the question, “What will I do to continue building Beloved Community across generations?” Here are your responses:

There were many similarities that seemed to fall under some general themes:

Connection: to children, youth, and elderly people; getting to know newcomers; participate in activities, events, and groups such as choir

Adult Faith Formation: explore spiritual practices; interfaith relationships; covenant groups

Support: helping parents; helping each other ; volunteering in general

While not a surprise, I am encouraged that many of the suggestions were also expressed by parents this past winter when Rev. Eileen and I asked them about how we can help them build community as parents and families. It seems that we have a lot of common ground!

So, the question that comes to mind next is, “How do we go about making as many of these things happen as we can?” Let’s begin here with the more specific ideas. Take a look at these and if you are the author or if one of them makes your heart sing, drop me a quick email, call or text. If there are at least two people who would like to help one become a reality, then I will do my best to make it happen with you.

Game night – multigenerational (between many generations) or intergenerational (between 2 generations)
Childcare/Parent’s Night Out – offer childcare activities for a few hours so parents can go out or gather together
Adult Faith Formation – help gather input from adults on program ideas and support them
Elders – listen to their stories, help with technology and other needed things
Families – engage with young people and parents through the Family Ministry Team or at other events and gatherings
Building and Grounds – help with gardening and creating welcoming spaces inside

Let’s continue to build joy and community this year!

In Faith,

Kathy

DLFF Newsletter – May 2026 Building Joy, Building Communityadminuce2026-06-24T16:30:00+00:00

WHO KNEW? What I Leaned at the MidAmerican Region Annual Business Meeting – by Carla Williams

On Saturday, June 20th I participated via zoom in the UU MidAmerica Region Annual Business Meeting as a UUCE delegate. The MidAmerica Region is one of 4 regions of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the regional organization for Illinois and UUCE. A map of the MidAmerica Region is included at the end of this article. Here’s what I learned from Reverend David Pyle, MidAmerica Region Lead, in his report to delegates that I think is IMPORTANT to UUCE members. Enjoy!

The purpose of MidAmerica Region is to help congregations remove obstacles preventing them from living our faith’s religious mission in the world. Program examples include:

Offering the Congregational Life Summer Session, a 1-week Leadership Development session during Midwest UU Summer Assembly (MUUSA) in July.
Hosting a 9-month Board Leadership Series centered on “Mission Based Governance” for congregational board members.
Hosting Congregational Leaders Conversations where those doing creative thinking or program development with UU can converse with congregational leaders. Conversations have included Restorative Justice, the Sacred in Transgender/Queer Community, Normalizing Change, Healing Congregations after Misconduct, and Sacred Resistance.
Offering a Congregational Life Resident program that provides a full-time salaried learning position at MidAmerica for a minister, religious educator, or music ministry professional pursuing a credential within the UUA.
Partnering with UUA’s Organizing Strategy Team to support “UU the Vote” and organizing monthly sessions for MidAmerica Congregations.
Participating in the UU Institute and UUA Leaderlab, the on-demand learning center for congregational leadership training and a collection of UU resources for leadership training and development.
Mobilizing support for the Clergy Call by MARCH in Minneapolis and helping during the protest in response to the actions of ICE in Minnesota.

These are a few examples of work being done by MidAmerica. To learn more visit MidAmerica online or join UUCE’s UU Network Team at its monthly zoom. Contact a member of UUNT through Realm for more information.

Links in article

https://www.uua.org/midamericamerica

https://e.onrealm.org/groups/search/a09096e7-0773-4b46-9b26-abec012650ff

WHO KNEW? What I Leaned at the MidAmerican Region Annual Business Meeting – by Carla Williamsadminuce2026-06-23T17:00:21+00:00

Friday, June 28, 2026

Losing and Finding My Religion

Our new Board of Trustees President, Kera Beskin, will share her Spiritual Journey after participating in the Deepening the Spiritual Journey Class this past fall. Rev. Eileen will serve as Worship Associate before going on sabbatical for two months. Charles M. Anderson is our hymn leader and Gregory Shifrin is on piano.

Today’s offering will be shared with Deborah’s Place, whose mission is to open doors of opportunity for women who are homeless. The supportive housing and services provided by Deborah’s Place offers women a key to healing and moving on from the experience of homelessness.

Upcoming Services

July 5 – This Country is a Piece of Me and I am a Piece of This Country – Rev. Susan Frances

July 12 – Rev. Elizabeth Harding

July 19 – In the Absence of Clarity – Rev. David Miller

July 26 – Nellie Eastman

Friday, June 28, 2026adminuce2026-06-18T20:00:03+00:00

Sunday, June 21, 2026

2026 UUA General Assembly Livestreamed Sunday Worship Service

Come unite with UUs across the country for an awe-inspiring Sunday worship celebration!

At 9:30 am, we will gather in the sanctuary for the pre-service Community Sing. This joyful gathering invites all participants to join in beloved hymns and spirited music that connect us across distance and difference. No experience is needed, just bring your voice and your heart.

At 10:00 am (note time change), join Rev. Susan Frances and our UU Network Team in the sanctuary to watch the livestream of this worship service led by The Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryu. Through music, preaching, and ritual, we will ground ourselves in our Unitarian Universalist faith and be renewed for the work of justice, compassion, and community in the world.

This Sunday we will be creating community space inclusive of our immunocompromised members & friends by requiring all attendees to be masked on the main floor from 9 am – 1 pm. Please take your Kinship Time food and beverages onto the South Lawn to enjoy unmasked. Gatherings in the Lower Level rooms may be unmasked.

You may join the Community Sing and the GA Worship Service directly through the Livestream button in the newsletter or the Worship Livestream button on the Home page.

For the offertory, we will be passing the collection bowls. Anything collected here in the sanctuary, will benefit our Shared Offering Program recipient, Deborah’s Place, whose mission is to open doors of opportunity for women who are homeless. The supportive housing and services provided by Deborah’s Place offers women a key to healing and moving on from the experience of homelessness.

Upcoming Services:

June 28 – Kera Beskin’s spiritual journey with Rev. Eileen Wiviott as worship associate. (Rev. Eileen’s last Sunday before her two month sabbatical.)

July 5 – This Country is a Piece of Me and I am a Piece of This Country – Rev. Susan Frances

July 12 – Rev. Elizabeth Harding

July 19 – In the Absence of Clarity – Rev. David Miller

Sunday, June 21, 2026adminuce2026-06-10T20:14:50+00:00

Update from Rev. Susan Frances – Friday, June 12, 2026

Hi, Friends,

I’m back after a wonderful two week vacation. I traveled with two friends from high school through Porto, Portugal and London, England. The photo is of me looking down at the Douro River from the plaza surrounding the Sé Cathedral in Porto. I’m also pleased to report that we saw the Banksy statue in Waterloo Place in London.

As a visitor I took note of the adequate public transit, use of solar panels, and recycling and compost expectations in both Porto and London. This made me grateful for the attention our congregation is paying to environmental issues. From our solar panel installation this time last year to our hosting the Climate Action Evanston Earth Day event this past April, I am grateful for the support you have extended to make these initiatives a reality.

I am pleased to announce that our Green Team is continuing our focus on environmental issues with a fresh name, format, mission, and vision. The new team name is Green Sanctuary Network. This team has transitioned to a new format in which they have a 4-5 person planning group, who will communicate with the larger team about programming and invite members of the larger team into time-limited volunteer opportunities.

The Green Sanctuary Network Planning Group will continue to support our environmental working groups: Earth Day Working Group, Bike the Ridge Working Group, Harms Woods Working Group, and Spring Plant Swap Working Group. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Green Sanctuary Network or finding out about one of the working groups, please complete this Green Sanctuary Network form.

The new mission of the Green Sanctuary Network (GSN) is to weave the four essentials of climate action — justice, mitigation, community resilience, and congregational transformation — into the spiritual and communal life of UUCE. The GSN will live into this mission by:

Nourishing our team and supporting the ideas and energy of UUCE congregants
Grounding our actions in the realities of our community and those most impacted by climate change
Exploring opportunities for meaningful action and learning
Mobilizing for change through practical projects that reduce emissions, waste, and resource use
Reimagining together what a sustainable UUCE looks like within the framework of the UUA’s Four Essentials of Climate Action

I am also grateful for the joy you all continue to bring to our community despite the ongoing challenges happening within our country. The day after I returned from vacation, I had a meeting with the Congregational Connections Team (CCT). After lighting our chalice, the chair of CCT, Lina Hilko, shared with us a form of poetry that was new to me. It is a Lanturne Poem, which is a five-line verse shaped like a Japanese lantern with a syllabic pattern of one, two, three, four, one.

Lina asked us to spend three minutes in silence to write a Lanturne Poem about summer and then we shared them with each other. It was a delight. As we head into the summer months, I invite you to do the same. To stop every now and again, create a Lanturne Poem or some other way to capture the moment, and then share it with someone. The members of the CCT agreed that I could share their Lanturne poems with you.

Yay!

Summer

Sun and Fun

More Light, More Time

Yes!

Sun

Travel

Time with friends

Read at the beach

Joy

Grab

Sunscreen

Grab a friend

Embrace Summer

Live!

Sun

Shining.

A smiling

face reflecting

Joy.

Breathe

Open

Suspend time

Listen and look

Breathe

May this summer bring you what you need whether that is rest and stability, opportunities and adventure, or something more!

Yours in faith,

Rev. Susan

Update from Rev. Susan Frances – Friday, June 12, 2026adminuce2026-06-12T14:08:16+00:00

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Pride in Our Community

Happy Pride! This year we gather together to celebrate the pride we take in our community. It takes a collective effort to come together to demand a better world, to be present and comfort each other’s grief, and to model what it looks like to center Love in daily living. This Sunday, we will remember the 10 year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. We will shine our pride upon the loving community we have created here at UUCE as we continue to engage in building an accountable and inclusive world.

This Sunday’s service was created by Rev. Susan Frances, Alison Issen, Steven Baksa, Mags Johnston, and Carol Young. Musicians Kiley Korey, Taylor Hobart, Cora Adair, and Gregory Shifrin provide our music.

Upcoming Services

June 21 – Start time of 10 am for 90-minute Livestream of UUA General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship Service

June 28 – Kera Beskin’s spiritual journey with Rev. Eileen Wiviott as worship associate. (Rev. Eileen’s last Sunday before her two month sabbatical.)

July 5 – This Country is a Piece of Me and I am a Piece of This Country – Rev. Susan Frances

July 12 – Rev. Elizabeth Harding

Sunday, June 14, 2026adminuce2026-06-09T15:40:59+00:00

Update from BOT by Elaine Siegel – Friday, June 5, 2026

ON BUILDING OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY

After my once-thriving Sangha foundered, and I sadly sought a new vehicle, I came across UUCE’s message of “Beloved Community”. This vision of peace and Oneness arose as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh stood together against the Vietnam War.

I joined UUCE, and engaged with its “Widening the Circle” initiative. Founded in 2020 by the Unitarian Universalist Association (“UUA”) on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, “Widening the Circle” sought radical expansion of the foundations, reach and practice of Unitarian Universalism. Studying the UUA’s 2020 report, our discussion group examined our perceptions of our UUCE congregation in relation to our larger community. We considered how we might implement radical hospitality and antiracism at UUCE.

The Pandemic notwithstanding, we continued to “Widen the Circle”. our Anti-Oppression Task Force (“AOTF”) was formed and continued for years. For equity training, the AOTF retained Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan and Eileen Heinemann, experts from the highly-regarded Evanston YWCA equity training program. Our Clergy and our Board joined in the conversation: how do such oppressive forces as racism, sexism, ageism, and disability discrimination oppress others? Foul our relationships? Frustrate our activities? Cloud our communications? This is a work in progress – and toward progress.

The AOTF developed tools to identify and address relevant behaviors and practices, which are used by our various advocacy and interest groups. In the spring of 2025, the AOTF held an inspiring Revival for the engagement and further training of the entire Congregation. For further guidance and discovery going forward, the AOTF has issued a thoughtful, detailed report of its work and aspirations.

In 2024 and 2025, the Board explored with our Congregants their insights and ideas into ways to “Widen the Circle.” Through many meetings and discussions, we explored our hopes and ideas to open ourselves and our Congregation to a broader, more supportive and inclusive future together. These insights are compiled in a Board report, “Big Questions, Big Answers”. It is rich with ideas for expanding our vistas.

Elected to the Board in 2022 for a four-year term, I am “singing my swan song”. Sharing the responsibilities of building Beloved Community has been, at once, a deep dive into the intricacies of social justice, a meditation on the potential of Beloved Community — and the reality of its lived experience, and a call to continued action.

There is much to learn, much to share from our years of learning, analysis, introspection, and course-correction. I am looking forward to the UCE Board’s forthcoming initiative, COMMUNICATING ACROSS DIFFERENCES. We are presently evaluating different methodologies to evaluate and enhance our verbal and nonverbal interactions with others. As we continue to deepen our perceptions and improve our communication skills, we seek to enter more deeply into engagement with each other, and to broaden our outreach into our broader community.

In the words of Dr. King, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”. “

“When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Each of us must do our part to help build the Beloved Community.”

May it be so!

– Elaine Siegel, President Emerita, UUCE

Update from BOT by Elaine Siegel – Friday, June 5, 2026adminuce2026-06-04T15:12:01+00:00

Sunday, June 7, 2026

Love Is…Mutual Flourishing

We celebrate our uniquely Unitarian Universalist Flower Communion. Please bring a flower or many to contribute to our communion. We will also dedicate some of our wonderful children and bid a fond farewell to our beloved Ministerial Intern, Dr. (and soon to be Reverend) Emma Farrell. Charles M. Anderson and Chester Beck, soloists; the UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano and Nadav Simon on percussion, and The Lively Spirit Dancers provide music to lift our spirits. Annual picnic and potluck to follow service. Please bring a dish to share.

Today’s offering will be shared with Deborah’s Place, which opens doors of opportunity for women that experience homelessness in Chicago through supportive services and permanent housing.

Upcoming Services

June 14 – The Power of Community to Heal – Rev. Susan Frances

June 21 – UUA General Assembly Worship (masks required) Livestream starts at 10 a.m.

June 28 – Kera Beskin’s Spiritual Journey

July 5 – This Country is a Piece of Me and I am a Piece of This Country – Rev. Susan Frances

Sunday, June 7, 2026adminuce2026-06-02T19:44:45+00:00

Sunday, June 7, 2026

Love Is…Mutual Flourishing

We celebrate our uniquely Unitarian Universalist Flower Communion. Please bring a flower or many to contribute to our communion. We will also dedicate some of our wonderful children and bid a fond farewell to our beloved Ministerial Intern, Dr. (and soon to be Reverend) Emma Farrell. Ellie Feddersen serves as our Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, provide music to life our spirits.

Today’s offering will be shared with Deborah’s Place, which opens doors of opportunity for women that experience homelessness in Chicago through supportive services and permanent housing.

Upcoming Services

June 14 – The Power of Community to Heal – Rev. Susan Frances

June 21 – UUA General Assembly Worship (masks required) Livestream starts at 10 a.m.

June 28 – Kera Beskin’s Spiritual Journey

July 5 – This Country is a Piece of Me and I am a Piece of This Country – Rev. Susan Frances

Sunday, June 7, 2026adminuce2026-05-28T20:25:46+00:00

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