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Courageous Love

Literal trigger warning. I’m going to be talking about guns here. Please take care before proceeding, or as you proceed, to read this.

As I write, it has been 22 years since Margie and I had our first date on Valentine’s Day, 12 since we had our first public ceremony, and 4 since we were legally wed.

It has also been 1 year since the Parkland shooting, which took the lives of seventeen students and staff members, and 11 years since the NIU shooting, which took the lives of six students, including the shooter.

My partner, who was at work on the NIU campus that day eleven years ago, reminds me that celebrating love on Valentine’s Day is a complicated task when memorializing hard things, such as a terrible, violent trauma. Complicated but important.

As I ponder these events, and face my own anger and fear related to them, I’ve found myself thinking about other shootings. I think about the Tennessee Valley UU Church, where a shooter in 2008 opened fire on a congregation watching a chorus of children – and about longtime member and usher, 60-year-old Greg McKendry, who stepped in front of the bullets to protect others from harm, and church members John Bohstedt, Robert Birdwell, Arthur Bolds, and Terry Uselton, and visitor Jamie Parkey, who intervened to restrain the shooter. These people risked – and in McKendry’s case, gave – their lives in service to their beloved community.

I also find myself thinking about Wendi Winters, a Unitarian Universalist who worked as a reporter at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, MD. Even when she was alive, Wendi was a defender of our faith. As a newspaper reporter, she stood for the search for truth. She also stood for democracy – she was such a defender of democracy that she kept her local representatives on speed dial. On that day in June of last year when a shooter showed up at her newspaper’s office, Wendi stood between the shooter and her fellow reporters. She had just recently been to a training at her UU church about what to do in the event of a shooting, so she knew that the first choice is to run, and then to hide, and then, only if absolutely necessary, to fight. She chose to fight. She ran toward the shooter, yelling at him to get out, throwing a trash can and a recycle bin at him. She gave her fellow reporters time to run. She saved their lives. And she stood up for our faith – for the inherent worth and dignity of every person. She gave her own life to save the lives of others around her. There were too many people at Wendi Winters’ memorial service for it to be held at her UU church – they had to hold it at the much larger Annapolis Creative Arts Center. There were nearly 900 people there. They were there to bear witness to Wendi’s courage, and her love.

And I think about the NIU campus police and others, who rushed toward the danger at Cole Hall eleven years ago, and the scene they encountered when they arrived. And the loving courage it took as NIU responded to the tragedy there – the phone calls and vigils and counseling and memorializing and the massive work of community it took to respond. And about the fact that Mary Kay Mace still memorializes her fallen daughter, Ryanne, by working closely with the Brady Campaign and Everytown and speaking out publicly to prevent gun violence, as some of us from UCE saw her do last year in Springfield on Lobby Day. And I think about the Parkland Students who, in their grief and terror, created the March for Our Lives, and who for Valentine’s Day this year unveiled a ballot initiative to ban the sale of assault weapons. These efforts, too, are courageous love.

As you likely know, since Rev. Julie Taylor’s visit here in July, efforts have been underway to update UCE’s safety protocols. Recently some of our staff and congregants attended a training at another congregation led by Evanston Police, and plans are in the works for training here at UCE as well. In the meantime, I hope we all remember what my son-in-law – who was also on the NIU campus on that day eleven years ago – reminded me of in remembering these events this year: the best time to stop a mass shooting is before it happens. May we elect and support legislators willing to do the crucial work of gun violence prevention. May we support campaigns like Brady and Everytown and Moms Demand Action and Courage to Fight and Americans for Responsible Solutions, March for Our Lives, and the Peace Warriors here in Chicago, who help us understand how to move forward. And may we learn to love one another so courageously that we can stop a bullet before it ever leaves the gun.

Courageous LoveUCE2019-02-15T17:56:26+00:00

February 17, 2019

Trusting In Imagination

Our youth will be contemplating imagination and asking us to wonder with them, “imagine if . . .” Both the 9:15 and 11:00 services will be intergenerational and youth-led — come see what our youth have imagined into being for worship!

February 17, 2019UCE2019-03-06T23:45:18+00:00

From the Board: How Can We Improve?

We are in the thick of the interim period and Rev. Greg is beginning to help us examine our congregation. As board president, one thing that I have observed while on the board, is this:

We are a lively community, holding a wide range of activities and our Sunday mornings are abuzz with life and joy. We donate thousands of volunteer hours to make everything happen—our social justice work, our Rummage Sale, our religious education, & so much more.

But one place that I think we could improve is this–we could treat our staff better. I’ve heard this observation from several congregants, too.

Policy governance reminds us (the board and the congregants) that we are not the supervisors of the ministers or the staff. The Board monitors the staff & ministers and we ask them to help us work toward our Ends and mission. We provide them with limitations (things like “the senior minister must not fail to maintain appropriate policies for risk management, safety, and security.” But that’s it. I am not supposed to walk up to Greg and say, “This new pilot for RE is all wrong—let’s change it,” for example. We can suggest ideas, or he (or any staff member/minister) can ask for our advice or opinion, but we are not their bosses.

So, please, be considerate about this. If you are not clear about who does what around here, simply ask, but be kind. The tone is important. Most of us are gracious, open-minded, and patient, but we have some folks who don’t understand policy governance and don’t generally approach the relationships in this manner. We also make mistakes–every last one of us. I, for one, have made my share of blunders and have been gently reminded to approach my “advice” in a different way. And although we have a great bunch of folks on staff, they also are not perfect – just like all of us.

Remember that our staff and minsters are dedicated and committed to UCE—just as we are.

Thanks for considering this and please, feel free to talk with me about this.

Jeanne Kerl

Board of Trustees, Chair

From the Board: How Can We Improve?UCE2019-02-07T15:55:47+00:00

February 10, 2019

Charles Darwin’s Religion: “Losing Faith Religiously”

When the light goes on, when the page is turned, when our eyes are truly opened, is it possible to still believe? It is an old question, one asked by humanity’s mythic “first family,” Adam and Eve, and relevant for us today. My own mentor in this query is Charles Darwin, who was both unable to believe in God and unable to admit to atheism. Where did that leave him, and where does it leave us today? All Ages Worship at 9:15 am. Downstairs start for Religious Education at 11 am. Service led by Rev. Gregory Stewart

February 10, 2019UCE2019-02-26T16:10:29+00:00

WORSHIP FOR WHO? YOU!

“Children bring gifts to worship.” “Children model spirituality to adults.” These are two things I have stated at virtually every religious education workshop I’ve led. This really is one of those cases when the future is now. Adults and kids alike miss out when the worship hour is segregated by age.

What gifts do they bring? How about the gift of spontaneity, like when one of our precious children begins to dance to music during worship that makes us all want to kick up our feet and move to its modulations. Related to this is the gift of little to no self-consciousness, which is foundational for spiritual growth and for bringing our whole selves into the worship experience.

What gifts do they bring? Let’s not forget the gift of being in the now, which encourages us all to be fully present to one another in the context of worship. Only in the moment can we experience the “a-ha experiences” that worship affords. Let’s also remember the gift of curiosity, an antidote to the cynicism that looses a spirit of judgment among us.

Related to this is the gift of inquiry, of not being afraid to ask the questions that make our liberal religious faith come alive. In UU congregations, your answers will be questioned in the search for truth. Perhaps the best gift of all is the gift of imagination, which helps us believe in the magic we’ve often written off as we accumulate degrees and lean into reason.

With and through these gifts our youngest UUs model the kind of spirituality to which we should all aspire. To this end, we’re doing a little experiment at the 9:15 a.m. worship service. We’re calling it “Worship For All Ages,” although the nursery will always remain open. This service will focus on stories rather than sermons, on experiential worship rather than cognitive inquiry.

We will be involving children of all ages for parts of the liturgy and in music making. Eventually they will be co-creators of worship services designed to last forty-five minutes at most. Of course, we’ll evaluate these changes in the weeks and months ahead to determine if this is the right fit (or not).

Please remember that the interim period is a time of experimentation and transition. We hope this will help even out attendance between the two services on Sundays. It may. It may not. One thing we know for sure: if we don’t change anything, we can expect only the same results.

In Carolyn Brown’s work, Forbid Them Not: Involving Children in Sunday Worship, we learn, “Worship planners are responsible for creating worship experiences that are meaningful to all who come to the sanctuary, including children, youth and adults. This does not require that all worshipers find all parts of worship equally meaningful, but that each worshiper has some appreciation for the whole, and special appreciation for certain parts within the whole.”

As you probably know, children, youth and families are always welcome at all worship services here at UCE. This won’t change. Neither will our commitment to excellence. I invite you to experience “Worship for All Ages.” Then please let me know what you think. My ears are wide open!

WORSHIP FOR WHO? YOU!UCE2019-02-01T16:23:49+00:00

February 3, 2019

The Only Thing We Have to Fear

I hear from so any people about how fearful they’ve become in light of all the changes taking place in our country and in the world. The rise of an unhealthy nationalism can make some of us clam up or give in. So let’s be sure that we fear the right things, and then let’s explore spiritual resources to help us deal with that fear, personally and congregationally. As Marianne Williamson reminds us, “Our deepest fear is not that we’re inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” Is this true? All Ages Worship at 9:15 am. Downstairs start for Religious Education at 11 am. Service led by Rev. Gregory Stewart

February 3, 2019UCE2019-02-11T15:51:34+00:00

From the Executive Operations Director

So much is happening at UCE. Our settled minister search process has begun, 2018-2019 budget process is in full swing (Susan Comstock, Treasurer reports in this issue), capital campaign launch is in progress, and we have hosted an overnight shelter for the past few weeks.

The overnight shelter at UCE has been a very important service to the community by Interfaith Action and area churches and supported by our congregation, volunteers, staff, and our renters. Udumbara has relocated to Room 13 for their weekly meditations, UCE meetings have been held in alternate locations throughout the building to free up Rooms 2 and 3, the choir has rehearsed in the sanctuary. Everyone has been supportive and caring. My favorite, touching moment was related to a concert rental in the sanctuary last week. It featured a pianist and opera singer. As I sat in my office I had the pleasure of hearing their rehearsal. As I left the church, shelter guests began to arrive and wait outside. Some wanted to come in for the concert. They were welcomed in. How wonderful to be able to provide beautiful music and a warm space, even if for the night. Liz and Steven have gone above and beyond the call of duty by cleaning each morning and providing a fresh space each day for those who stayed over. UCE is a very special place where love and care are provided, not only our to own congregation, but others in the community.

Join me in welcoming Pam Means, our new Sunday lobby staff. Pam is a lifelong friend of Elizabeth who left for another calling to work with people with disabilities. Elizabeth has offered to sub for us from time to time, for which we are excited and grateful.

Another bit of staff news…Razvan Sofronie is no longer our UCE accountant. This came after a thoughtful process. We wish him well. At this time I am making deposits, issuing checks and getting us up-to-date on daily financial tasks. On Tuesday a professional accountant recommended by our bank came in to do year-end tax forms, W-2s for staff and filing, as well as payroll taxes. This firm will give us a quote for doing the major tasks each month while we continue to explore possibilities for making sure the accounting position is filled in a timely manner. Our finances are in good order.

Melanie Kitchner has been helpful to me in reviewing statement information and making data corrections in MemInfo. We will proceed with printing and sending statements in the next few days. If you receive your statement and need more information or have questions, my email and number are on the statements.

Wing hallway, lobby, bathroom and Room 3 floors will be stripped and waxed on Sunday evening. It was our hope to wait until the capital campaign as replacement of the floors is on the list of projects. It is not possible to wait until funding and we will proceed with stripping and waxing. Lobby bathrooms will be painted and new toilet stall handrails in the balcony and lower level bathrooms will be installed.

Tom Carlton has agreed to be our new REALM database Project Manager. We are proceeding with getting pledge data into REALM with the eventual goal of launching this exciting database for members to use. It has taken longer to launch than originally planned, but we are making big strides forward toward that goal.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance or can provide more information about Buildings and Grounds, Accessibility concerns, Administration, Rentals or Safety needs at UCE. We have a new Safety Team and several of us will be attending a training tomorrow addressing how to respond and manage a variety of emergency situations.

From the Executive Operations DirectorUCE2019-01-25T22:10:08+00:00

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