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Update from Rev. Susan Frances – Friday, April 10, 2026

Hi, Friends,

 


UCE was again a polling place on March 17th for three precincts during the primary election. Since 2024, when we resumed being a polling place, I have enjoyed the camaraderie with the election judges in the 5-6 am hour when I arrive to let them in for the day. And my favorite part of voting day has become the moment at 6 am, when one of the election judges asks me to unlock the parking lot doors and then steps outside to proclaim “The polls are open.” 

 

This primary election, I was pleased to see more children with their parents than usual. I feel this might be because with all our country is going through, parents are motivated to make sure that the next generation understands not only what democracy means, but how, as a citizen, you actively engage with it. 

 

I am grateful for the unique ways each of us is doing what we can to live into our mission of nurturing the human spirit for a world made whole. The photo is of me on voting day wearing my UU the Vote shirt and the Melt the ICE hat handmade for me by Lynn Kendall. I wore my Melt the ICE hat again to the No Kings rally in Chicago on March 28th, where I was pleased that the speakers included two high school students who spoke honestly about the fear they and their classmates are experiencing due to the tactics of ICE agents in the Chicagoland area. My friends, we must stay engaged. Voting, crafting, protesting, playing – there is no one way to be engaged in caring for ourselves, our society, and our planet.

 

The day following the No Kings rallies, our Membership Team put together a lovely New Member Reception. We celebrated the 15 people who joined on Sunday, March 29th and the 9 people who joined in October. Plus, we have 9 more people who have joined over the past year but have not yet been available to participate in one of our new member worship services. I invite you to look around on Sunday mornings and take a moment to greet someone you do not know.

 

As we continue to build community within UCE, we also continue to build our community relationships across Evanston. Climate Action Evanston has put together a nice list of the Earth Day events happening April 18-26, along with who is sponsoring each event. The week starts off here at UCE on April 18th. That afternoon from 2-5 pm, we will be hosting the Community Earth Day Celebration organized by Climate Action Evanston and I will be providing the welcoming remarks. 

 

The upcoming week of Earth Day activities ends on April 26th with the Interfaith Action “Prayers for Planet” Service Day and Community Prayer from 10 am – 3 pm at the Evanston Ecology Center. Rev. Eileen will be providing a reading during the Prayers for Planet liturgy. I invite you to check out the list of Earth Day events and participate as you can. 

 

May we continue to care for each other and the next generation as we show up for democracy, show up for the planet, and show up for love.

 

Yours in Faith,

Rev. Susan

Update from Rev. Susan Frances – Friday, April 10, 20262026-04-07T16:07:56+00:00

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Breaking the Rules

In this special service, where our youth and young adults take the helm, we’ll explore what happens when we break the rules. Our young people will help us examine when rules should be broken, and how we can live with the consequences when our values, integrity and conscience call us to challenge unjust rules.

Rev. Eileen works with members of the Youth and Young Adult Groups to lead.

Worship Leaders/Designers: 

Youth: Birdie and Clementine Dreznick, Henry Donoghue, Lee Horn, Sophia Kern, Sydney Lawrence, Lucas O’Reilly, Ned Parsons

Young Adults: Julia Adams, Kevin Barrow, Bex Blackmore, Aidan Caravana, Rai Johnson-Nicholson, Kiley Korey, and Grey Wiviott

Today’s offering will be shared with Connections for the Homeless, whose mission is to serve and catalyze our community to end homelessness, one person at a time. 

Upcoming Services

April 19 – Music Sunday – Vickie Hellyer

April 26 – Mike Dickenson’s Spiritual Journey

May 5 – Faith Formation Sunday – Kathy Underwood

May 12 – Mother’s Day – Dr. Emma Farrell

Sunday, April 12, 20262026-04-02T16:51:27+00:00

DLFF Newsletter, Friday, April 5, 2026

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, Friday, April 5, 20262026-04-02T20:38:49+00:00

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Another World is Possible

This Easter, we reflect on the possibilities of what might rise after the fall of the empire. We look to history and the courage of our ancestors to conjure up hope for our descendants. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Barbara Mesle as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir will be singing two pieces written by UCE congregants and directed by Vickie Hellyer and Gregory Shifrin, on piano, provide music for this service.

Upcoming Services

April 12 – Youth & Young Adult Service – Breaking the Rules

April 19 – Music Sunday – Vickie Hellyer and the UCE Choir

April 26 – Mike Dickenson Spiritual Journey

May 3 – Rebuilding Bridges of Faith Formation – Kathy Underwood

 

Sunday, April 5, 20262026-04-01T15:40:25+00:00

Sunday, March 29, 2026

 This Sunday, we honor the connections within our community. We will welcome new members during the worship service and recommitment to what it means to be a part of a covenantal faith tradition. Please plan to stay after the worship service for our New Member Reception.

 

Rev. Susan Frances leads the service with Lynn Kendall as our worship associate and Leslie Piotrowski with our Membership Team.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois.

Upcoming Services

April 5 – What Might Rise (Easter Sunday) – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

April 12 – Youth & Young Adult Service – Breaking the Rules

April 19 – Music Sunday – Vickie Hellyer and the UCE Choir

Sunday, March 29, 20262026-03-22T23:38:41+00:00

Board of Trustees Article – Friday, March 20, 2026

The Sacrament of Ploppage 

 

I wish I’d coined that. I’ve experienced it often, as it’s regularly practiced in this beloved community. 

 

Writer Anne Lamott used the term in an interview, referring to the gift of finding your people. Those trusted, ineffably anchoring others who can plop down beside you in joy or suffering, in celebration or silence. No judgement, no formality—just loose-limbed, imperfect, open-hearted presence. In coffee shops, kitchens, or sanctuaries.This sacrament also joins us on walks together, a chance meeting in the shaving items aisle, in covenant groups or an auction activity like welding, where Ploppage occurs in protective gear. Just ask Carla. 

 

When I first joined UCE years ago, I met Alice Swan for a Nominating & Recruiting meeting at her home. She made pies for us! Of course she did. I was dazzled that a mandatory confab had so much humanity and joy baked right in. I was used to meetings in conference rooms with artless bagels and powdered creamer. Dominance and performative purpose. Contracts. Side-eye and shushing. Anti-ploppage.  

 

I honor Alice for all the creative and welcoming ways she impacted us. Her loss still feels impermissibly unfair.  

 

A celebration of her life will be held in our sanctuary on Sunday, March 22 at 3:00pm.  

 

May her husband Nick Wallin, and sons Rex and Enzo dwell in our continuous love and support. 

As this newsletter arrives, spring has arrived as well. Earth steadfastly reminds us there’s wonder to behold, mud, and work to be done.

 

While Love in Action is our vigorous pledge* theme for our work this year, I believe that just hanging out together is also a force for good. May you find your people, and be the 

person found by someone who needs exactly what you are. No disclaimers, shoes optional. 

 

* Which reminds me, I’m late submitting my pledge. Busted! That’s next. If only to preserve the Sacrament of Ploppage for all who come after us.

Board of Trustees Article – Friday, March 20, 20262026-03-18T15:59:22+00:00

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Note: Service starts at 11 am

Breathing Newness Into Life

 When we breathe in, we inspire new possibilities. When we breathe out, we aspire to new endeavors and commitments. When we breathe together, we conspire to deepen our partnerships toward building a better world. We are grateful to be in partnership with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church today in celebration and worship. This is part of a woman’s history month celebrating the Gospel According to Patti LaBelle. Rev. Eileen Wiviott and Rev. Aaron McLeod lead the service, with UCE Worship Associate, Annette Wallace. This will be a music-full service with the UCE Choir directed by Vickie Hellyer, Lula B. Sherman’s Music Ministry led by Jeffrey Hardy on keyboard, and instrumentalists Darryl Petty on piano, Charles Horne on drums, Vuyani Wakaba on bass guitar, and Chris Greene on saxophone.

This Sunday’s offering will be shared with UUANI (Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois). UUANI empowers Unitarian Universalists across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice. They provide leadership training, build congregational capacity, and organize statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with their partners. Together, they seek to bend the arc toward justice.

Upcoming Services

March 29 – New Member Covenanting – Rev. Susan Frances

April 5 – What Might Rise (Easter Sunday) – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

April 12 – Youth & Young Adult Service – Breaking the Rules

April 19 – Music Sunday – Vickie Hellyer and the UCE Choir

Sunday, March 22, 20262026-03-20T16:52:05+00:00

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Directions

(847) 864-1330
uce@ucevanston.org

UCE’s office hours:

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 4 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Thursday: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 4 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 10 AM – 1 PM

In-person and Virtual Sunday Service is held at 10:30 am.

Become A Member

Member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Evanston is recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation, a Peace Advocate Congregation, and a Green Sanctuary.

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