February 14, 2025
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February 23, 2025
The Weaving of Our Messy Lives: Barbara Mesle’s Spiritual Journey
Barbara Mesle, who attended the Deepening The Spiritual Journey class in the fall of 2023, shares her story of learning and loving in community. Kiley Korey and Rev. Eileen will be her Worship Associates. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, provide the music.
This month’s offering will be shared with Community Renewal Society, a faith-based, community organizing and public policy organization that works with congregations in and around Chicago to address issues of racism and poverty.
March 2nd – The Internal Work of Radical Welcome – Dr. Emma Farrell
March 9th – Progress is Possible, Not Guaranteed: Stories of Lesser Known Heroes – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
March 23rd – Call and Response – Matt Meyers, UU Musician and Worship Leader
February 16, 2025
Our Hidden Conversations on Race
Race. Your Story. 6 Words. Please Send. These words appeared on the front of hundreds of thousands of post cards placed in various public locations all around the country, by journalist Michelle Norris. Fourteen years and more than 500,000 responses later, Norris wrote a book titled, “Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity.” Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team: Alison Issen, Becky Crawford, and Cheryl Mounts, explore this project and our own stories, with Kiley Korey as our hymn leader and Gregory Shifrin on piano.
This month’s offering will be shared with Community Renewal Society, a faith-based, community organizing and public policy organization that works with congregations in and around Chicago to address issues of racism and poverty.
February 23rd – Barb Mesle’s Spritual Journey
March 2nd – The Internal Work of Radical Welcome – Dr. Emma Farrell
March 9th – Progress is Possible, Not Guaranteed: Stories of Lesser Known Heroes – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
March 23rd – Call and Response – Matt Meyers, UU Musician and Worship Leader
February 7, 2025
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February 9, 2025
Conspiring Together for More Love
Amidst the rise of hate and division, how do we conspire together to bring more love, joy, hope, and peace into the world? Rev. Eileen leads this service as our pledge drive kick off with Pledge Drive chair and Worship Associate, Carla Williams. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, Jenn Wisegarver and Kiley Korey, vocals; Kevin Barrow, vocals and guitar; Mike Dickenson on bass, and Steve Courtright on drums provide music for the service. Following worship, join us for the SOUP-er Bowls Sunday lunch, to celebrate our pledge drive kick-off and provide more generosity to our community partners.
This month’s offering will be shared with Community Renewal Society, a faith-based, community organizing and public policy organization that works with congregations in and around Chicago to address issues of racism and poverty.
Upcoming Services:
February 16th – The Race Card Project – Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team
February 23rd – Barb Mesle’s Spritual Journey
March 2nd – The Internal Work of Radical Welcome – Dr. Emma Farrell
March 9th – Progress is Possible, Not Guaranteed: Stories of Lesser Known Heroes – Rev. Eileen
Friday, January 31, 2025
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Updates from Dr. Emma Farrell, February 2, 2025
Especially recently, overwhelm seems to be the name of the game. With so many crises unfolding at once—both globally and in our personal lives—it can feel impossible to keep up. Sociologist Jennifer Walter recently posted about this phenomenon, calling it the “shock doctrine.” She describes how this strategy is intentionally used to disorient and overload people into disengagement, making it harder for us to stay present and active in our communities. It’s true—we can’t follow every issue all the time, and we certainly can’t expect ourselves to carry the weight of it all alone. That’s why we must lean on each other, sharing the cognitive and emotional load.
As I talked about in my December 29 sermon: we do what we can, we work together, and we take it in shifts. No one person can—or should—carry the full burden of justice, care, and community-building. Instead, we sustain each other by stepping in when needed, offering support, and allowing ourselves to receive it in turn.
So, I ask you: What helps keep you sustained for the long haul? What keeps you grounded, connected, and feeling resourced when you’re feeling the weight of the world?
One of the things that continually renews my spirit is witnessing the deep mutual support and authenticity within this congregation. At UCE, I see people showing up for each other in profound ways—pastorally, personally, and professionally. I hear members sharing their joys, their struggles, and their milestones, both during service and outside of it. I see the ways we distribute the load, whether it’s parents stepping in to help when my own children started bickering mid-intro (yes, from the pulpit!) or the board’s chefs preparing a homemade holiday dinner with love and care. I see the creativity and generosity of our members, like a talented graphic designer contributing to our next pledge drive or thoughtful conversations about what it means to create an inclusive, beloved community. The acts of care and generosity are countless.
Beyond these larger acts of service, I also find deep renewal in my one-on-one interactions with you. There is a healing power in witnessing each other and in being witnessed. It is humanizing, connective, and deeply sustaining. These moments remind me why this work matters and why, together, we can continue to move forward—one step, one shift, one act of care at a time.
In service,
Emma
February 2, 2025
Music In Context
Music is a sacred, connective artform that transcends boundaries and unites us across cultures. How do we, as Unitarian Universalists, engage with diverse music that inspires us while being in relationship with the cultures from which it comes? When we inevitably make mistakes, how can we cultivate humility, deepen our capacity to listen, and learn from those moments?
Upcoming Services:
February 9th – Conspiring Together for More Love – Rev. Eileen
February 16th – The Race Card Project – Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team
February 23rd – Barb Mesle’s Spritual Journey
January 24, 2025
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Sunday, January 26, 2025
The Evolution of Compassion
How has compassion evolved in our species and how do we participate in its further development? Rev. Eileen offers this sermon, inspired by our auction raffle winner this year, Robb Geiger. Carla Williams will serve as the Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, will provide the music, along with a duet by Robb Geiger on piano and Kevin Barrow on clarinet.
Today’s offering will be shared with C& W Market Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the Evanston community by providing essential grocery access to those facing food insecurity and fostering career skills in the food and culinary industry.
Upcoming Services:
February 2nd – Music in Context – Dr. Emma Farrell and Rev. Eileen Wiviott
February 9th – Conspiring Together for More Love – Rev. Eileen
February 16th – The Race Card Project – Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team
February 23rd – Barb Mesle’s Spritual Journey
