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News from Endowment
As we look forward to Endowment Sunday this week, we want to remind you of the purpose of the Endowment Fund and fill you in on some of what Endowment has accomplished this year!
The UCE Endowment fund was established in 1986 as a source of support for special projects that further the mission and work of UCE. It is intended to provide a strong and lasting financial foundation which will nourish the congregation and the church’s programs as well as strengthen UCE’s vital position in the wider community. The fund grows each year through investment growth and new gifts. Each year, a maximum of 5% of the funds is available to fund projects. The funds are used for projects outside of the operating budget, such as community outreach, scholarships and grants, special opportunities for enrichment within the congregation, and UCE building and property upgrades and repairs.
The fund has supported a wide variety of projects over the years, including the all church Racial Equity Training program, furniture for the Syrian refugee family, a new nametag cabinet, a new sound system for the sanctuary, new kitchen appliances, and many, many more. In 2017, the fund was able to support several projects, including scholarships for general assembly, a new AV technician, and our new elevator which will be coming soon! You can see the full list of the projects that have been funded by endowment grants at ucevanston.org/endowment.
There are many different ways that you can donate to the UCE Endowment Fund. You can make Endowment part of your legacy by naming the Fund as a beneficiary in your IRA, life insurance policy, retirement plan, will, or trust. You can also make a one time or recurring cash gift to remember a significant person, event or occasion. You can also make a memorial gift to honor the passing of a loved one. Those who make a gift of $10,000 or more will be enrolled in the Nellie Brough Legacy Society and will be recognized in the UCE lobby.
Our available funds are based on the amount in the fund at the end of the year. So, the amount of funds available for 2018 will be 5% of the amount in the fund at the end of this year. Any donations made this year will have real impact on the projects we can fund in 2018. Currently, the fund has grown to over $400,000. This means that at least $20,000 will be available to fund projects in 2018! If you have been thinking about making a gift to the Endowment Fund, either over several months or a one time gift, this might be the perfect time to speak with a committee member.
The more we have in the fund at the end of the year, the more projects we will be able to support!
Please contact us at endowment@ucevanston.org.
Trustees:
Ellen Zacny
Amy Dooley
Marianne Griebler
Committee Members:
Ally Hunter
Barbara Butz
Holly Bergren
Jim Clark
Kay Gibbs-Novy
Will Van Dyke
Check Out the Fun Offerings at the Serendipity Auction, Sat. Nov 11
After you peruse our catalog here (no log in required) or pick up your Serendipity Auction catalog at church this Sunday, you’ll be excited by the outstanding items you have to choose from. There are old favorites and new and exciting offerings. And don’t forget to book your delicious dinner (lemon pepper chicken and pasta primavera) and free childcare here.
So, what can you expect?
– 24 group outings offered this year! It’s a wonderful way to interact with your fellow UCE members and meet some new people.
– Many items in our Children’s section this year, which also work as great gifts for families with children. Think of the auction as a way to get your holiday shopping done early.
– Gift cards galore, tickets to shows, art pieces, physical fitness, delicious food, lessons, and everything in between.
– Check out the lodging options and see if any would be perfect for your family vacation this year.
Pick up your catalog at the back of the sanctuary after church this Sunday to browse the offerings and check your availability for dinners and vacations. Please bring your checkbook, but we will still gladly accept credit cards with a 3% fee. Remember to bring your copy of the catalog with you, and see you on November 11 at 5:30pm.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
“You Get What You Need” – 9:15 and 11:00am
In a Buddhist parable, a monk travels the world with a jewel sewn into his robe by a friend—but since this friend didn’t tell him, the monk is unaware of the gift he carries. How often do we fail to recognize the resources we have at hand, and that life’s challenges often contain life’s most needed lessons? Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
Q and As With REAL
At the White Supremacy Teach-in II a couple of weeks ago, we asked congregants to slip any questions they have about race issues into the Q and A box (that is on the table at the back of the sanctuary). Here are the questions we received that day, and the REAL team’s initial answers. [more]
Q: How can you be an ally without seeming like you’re on “a high horse” – without coming from a position of moral superiority?
A: We don’t know for sure from your question what the context of the situation is. We are assuming you mean: how do you respond to a micro-aggression or straight up racist comment without claiming moral superiority. Jay Smooth suggests treating a racist comment like noticing spinach in your friend’s teeth. A good friend would tell them about the spinach – quietly and with no fanfare. Even for ourselves, becoming anti-racist isn’t a one-time achievement and you’re done. It’s more like dental hygiene. We all need to keep at it. To learn more about this, check out Jay’s Ted Talk, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFcQKHh72_w
And there’s this interesting story about speaking up: https://medium.com/embrace- race/when-the-racist-is-someone-you-know-and-love-2933c7049182
Q: My sister-in-law, who I love, said to me “Black people have everything.” She was referring to affirmative action and welfare. I responded with some facts I learned at UCE, but I think differently of her now. How do I move forward and not judge her?
A: We all have people in our lives who “don’t get it” and we still love them in whatever way we can. If we truly honor our first principle, we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, even those who don’t see the world exactly as we do. And remember, since we were born into a world of white supremacy we are all racists, so it may be helpful to look inside and work on one’s own stuff to be able to more easily see that others can make mistakes too. It’s just something to work on for oneself. Hopefully, the seeds you planted with your sister-in-law will bear fruit one day!
Bonus: From Doug Muder in the current UU World:
“Racism isn’t like a bacterial infection that falls to an intense course of antibiotics and is never seen again. Racism is a chronic condition like hypertension or diabetes. Given proper attention, it need not be debilitating. But once you find it in yourself, don’t expect that you will ever be rid of it.”
What are some other answers?
What are some other questions?
What’s Going On with Affordable Housing in Evanston?
There is a lot of interest and movement towards ensuring more affordable housing in Evanston (and elsewhere). Census data and observation show that Evanston is losing the diversity it prides itself in and many people can no longer afford to live here. In fact, between 2000 and 2015, Evanston lost almost 25% of its African-American population (from 16,704 to 12,577). During the same time, housing costs have escalated enormously and now about half the Evanston population is paying more than 30% of their income on housing. Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, a coalition of social service agencies and faith-based institutions, has recently formed to provide leadership and pressure to get the City moving on this. It is being staffed by Sue Loellbach of Connections for the Homeless. More to come.
What can you do this week to further race equity?
Join us Sunday after church to stand on Ridge with Black Lives Matter signs and songs. It’s fun, and it’s noticed and appreciated in the community.
Watch this video: Bryan Stevenson: Can We Talk About an Injustice?
Attend the City Council meeting Monday October 30 to hear what City Council members are learning about affordable housing. City staff are going to make a presentation to the Council on facts and range of opportunities, and council members are planning (hoping) to really dig into the dirt and talk among themselves about their questions and thoughts. If you have Comcast you can also watch the meeting on Channel 16. Joining Forces for Affordable Housing will be holding a press conference at City Hall at 5 pm to present recommended principles for framing the discussion and considering the possibilities being presented.
Note: The REAL team plans to periodically have a link to this blog in the weekly newsletter. Keep a watch out for it, and let us know if you have a short video, article or news item you’d like to share, or more Q and As.
Lift for Love (LULA) Access to Lower Level Status
Our City of Evanston Building Permit, the last of three City reviews is complete. On Wednesday I picked up the Building Permit and related documents after their questions to Architect Mark Miller and Construction Engineer Eric Barton were answered and drawing edits completed. Eric took the required test for contractors and has necessary approvals to go forward.
The construction engineer met with the roofer, excavator, electrician and plumber on details needed to finalize paperwork, pricing and certificate of insurance. Eric is awaiting clarification on an electrical detail of DME access, the lift provider.
Eric is currently putting together a site fencing plan, per the City’s request, which will prevent access to the construction site.
The tree removal and trimming is complete and a path is clear for construction vehicles to enter. Construction vehicles will be parked at the south end of the building near the storage shed behind the garbage area.
Later today or Monday, the construction engineer and I will meet to wrap up all final details and he will proceed with installation of fencing.
The first onsite action will be the demolition of the existing storage room floor area. We will be moving the last items out this weekend, which includes the large round tables. Unfortunately, we have little storage space and we will ask congregants for your patience as we move through this construction process. You will likely see tables stored in the area where bagels are served and the bagel tables will be moved to the east and near the stairs.
What’s New at the Serendipity Auction This Year
The Serendipity Auction has been around for at least 40 years and this year it’s getting a few exciting upgrades.
We are thrilled to announce that for the first time Curt’s Cafe is catering the event. Come and enjoy delicious food with a purpose. There will be gluten-free and vegetarian options available, and a vegan option upon request.
We also have a brand new auctioneer who performs magic. It will be fun for all of you to meet him and enjoy some new tricks. We are sure you won’t be disappointed.
There’s more—this year we have two new co-chairs, Susan Comstock and Jenny Walsh. They are incredibly enthusiastic and coming up with inspired ways to make this a very special evening. You can contact them with any questions you have about donations or the event. Take a look at the catalog here and you’ll see the creative donations already posted.
Another change is that we are encouraging people to bring their checkbook this year. There will be a service fee of 3% for all credit card transactions to match the actual cost the church incurs. Think of it as a positive change, because if we avoid service fees, UCE will be able to raise even more funds for all our fantastic programming. Plan ahead and bring your checkbook!
What else is new? Your one-of-a-kind donation! Help by providing a new and exciting item for the auction. There is still time to donate items at the following link: http://www.togetherauction.com/ucevanston. The deadline for your item to be featured in the catalog is October 29th.
Dinner is $15 with a reservation ($5 for children 6-11) and $20 at the door, so make sure to make a reservation. For $15 you get a delicious full dinner, open bar, and free childcare. Click here or you can call the office to make your reservations for dinner and/or childcare.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
“When the Veil is Thinnest: A service honoring All Souls” – 9:15 and 11:00am
This traditional Mexican festival helps loved ones honor their ancestors and discover courage in the face of death. Celebrated October 31st through November 2nd, it is said to be a time when the veil between this world and the world of those departed is thinnest. This liminal space enables us to connect with the souls of those we’ve lost, and to celebrate their lives with joy. Ofrendas or altars displaying pictures or talismans of those who have died with colorful decorations and marigolds are an integral part of the tradition. You are invited to bring a photo or sacred object of your loved one to display on the ofrendas. After each service there will be a potluck meal. Please bring a favorite dish of your beloved to contribute to the celebration. This service will be led by Rev. Eileen Wiviott with support from the Retired Women’s Group, Taryn Seawright, and Dr. Mary Shelden.