Sunday Service: In-person and Online Sunday at 10:30am
“The Radical Dr.Seuss, and What He Can Still Teach Us” – 9:15 and 11:00am
March is the birthday of Theodore Geisel, better known by his middle name as Dr. Seuss. Before he became a famous children’s author, he was an editorial cartoonist. Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck will show some of this artwork and what their images mean for us today, 70 years later.
The Board members of UCE are delighted to welcome so many new members to our congregation over the last year or two. From our own experience, we know that it can be difficult to figure out how to meet a wider circle of people and fit into such a large congregation. The New Member team works hard to help new folks, but we thought we’d also do our part by sharing this:
1) Sign up to volunteer at a Soup Kitchen (email Marilyn Wroblewski at mwroblew1109@gmail.com). These happen Spring, Summer, & Fall.
2) Volunteer to work at the Rummage Sale. Lots of love goes into putting this together and it’s a huge effort and a big boost for the UCE budget.
Email Maggie Wilson at manddwilson@msn.com. Even 1 shift of a few hours helps them out!
3) Share a meal with folks from the Rainbow Alliance, Saturday, April 8 at the Celtic Knot, 12:00 pm (Please rsvp to Jeanne Kerl at figkerl@gmail.com)
4) Stick around for coffee & bagels and sit by someone new.
5) Go to a Principles & Sources discussion on April 2nd between the two services, 10:15 to 11:00am
6) Go to a movie or book discussion that is advertised in the newsletter
7) Check out the Social Action calendar for an event that interests you.
8) Volunteer to help teach Sunday School next year. Curriculum and teacher training is provided. Email Reverend Connie at cgrant@ucevanston.org.
9) Join a Covenant group, check them out at the information tables on Covenant Sunday, April 2nd or talk with Eileen Wiviott.
10) Go to a Crackerbarrel discussion.
11) Check out a Spiritual Journeys class–there is one this Sunday, March 26th, 10:15 to 11:00am in Room 12.
12) And poke around on the UCE website to learn about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and more.
Obviously, each person at UCE would put together their own unique top 12, but we wanted to share a few of our ideas with you. In our experience, you just have to try things out to see what fits for you.
And, please, seek us out and introduce yourselves to us. We’d love to meet you
—from the Board, Barbara Ghoshal, Ann Gadzikowski, Gary Zacny, Heike Eghardt, Janelle Brittain, Kerry Heckman, Tom Ticknor, Susan Comstock, and Jeanne Kerl.
“Our Selves, Our World, Our Stories” – 9:15 and 11:00am
We can keep on having half-conversations about who’s right and who’s wrong and further feed the brokenness that threatens to tear us apart. Or we can see each other as part of a larger We–a We that is broken, but a We that is in this brokenness together. Rev. Scott Aaseng speaking.
“Jefferson’s Gospel” – 9:15 and 11:00am
Throughout his adult life, Thomas Jefferson, a self-professed “Unitarian of one,” was obsessed with creating a single, cohesive narrative of Jesus’ teaching, which he eventually titled The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. With razor in hand, he literally spent decades cutting apart the gospels to reveal what he felt were the essentials of Jesus’ ministry. It’s the “Greatest Story Ever Told” as only Jefferson could. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
Actions you can participate in with CRS, UU Prison Ministry, and UUANI:
CRS (Community Renewal Society) – This year’s actions will focus on employment opportunities for people with records, violence prevention, implementing the Fair Cops Ordinance in Chicago, and resolving the budget impasse fairly. Join Community Renewal Society for our annual mass trip to the capitol on May 9, 2017 to advocate for these issues.  Contact Dale Griffin or Doug Erickson for more information or to RSVP!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is planning a teach-in on supporting legislation reducing the use of solitary confinement in Illinois, in April, date TBD. Scheduled is a workshop on “Radical Hospitality” April 22 at UCE, on welcoming returning citizens at church and partnering with them to transition into life outside of prison. RSVP Dale Griffin or Steve Serikaku.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) has begun an “action of the week” in this time of rapid change due to the recent election. This week’s issue is the new executive order on immigration. To receive notifications please contact Scott Aaseng or Dale Griffin. Thank you.
UUANI will lead a workshop in conjunction with the MidAmerica Regional UUA Assembly at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale on Friday, April 28, 1-5 p.m.Â
For more information on any of these please contact Dale Griffin or other participants. DaleCGriffin@comcast.net
The Pledge Drive began with great excitement and great momentum from Early Bird pledgers. By now, you have seen Reverend Bret’s video telling us what we can do together.
By now, you should have received your pledge information in the mail and a Visiting Steward has probably made contact with you. It is vitally important that you share with your Visiting Steward what is important to you about UCE and the work we do. The VS wants to understand what you love about UCE, what your goals are for our future, and what you might suggest to improve your experience. And if you haven’t heard from a VS, please take advantage of signing up for a steward meeting on Pledge Day (Sunday, March 19) itself so you can share your perspectives.
As Bret said in the video, “In time like these, our impact is needed more than ever.” Not only do we want to grow spiritually and intellectually, we also want to impact positively our lives and the lives of others, to inspire others and ourselves, and to support ourselves and our mission.
In the video, Bret concludes with these words, “For me, church is a modern miracle. It is a miracle that each year so many people pool their generosity to make UCE happen. Together We Can continue to connect to our community. Together We Can position our staff to facilitate the ministry you’ve asked for. Together We Can continue to support UCE so we can support your lives and the lives of so many in our community. Yeah…Together We Can.”