Monday Meditation
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45th Annual Serendipity Auction
Auction Bidding Closes Saturday At 11am!
It is a big change, so we are saying this a lot – bidding for the Serendipity Auction closes Saturday 11/18 at 11am, BEFORE the Celebration Event that evening, when we will have so much to celebrate. Come for an amazing meal from Soul & Smoke, tickets are still available. We will have a Chocolate Lottery, a Wine Pull and selected auction items will be available to purchase at a fixed price. Get your raffle tickets before the winner is selected at 7pm that evening. And stay for a spectacular dance thoughtfully designed for every ability, every age and every body. Don’t forget to pick up your auction items before you leave that evening, they will also be available after service Sunday morning.
Do some bidding! 106 items have already sold as a Buy-It-Now, but 62 items are a great value since they are still without an opening bid. We’ve made some changes to a few items – there is a new vacation getaway to the Adirondacks for 5 nights. Alicia Hempfling’s Blues Band could play for your event that you host at UCE, but also any location you plan to host an event, as long as there is space for the band and their equipment. The UCE Nominating Committee has changed up their basket a bit – and added a separate listing for a flex pass to the Theo Ubique Theatre, also a great value since it currently has no bids. And what about a Michael Skilton’s customizable copper medallions – what a special gift that could be. A family crest, a photo of a special moment with friends or family, or a portrait of someone special that you hold in your heart or perhaps a mantra or touchstone you would like to keep with you in your pocket. Tory Bassani and Karen Courtright both have spectacular handmade quilts – what could be a better holiday gift? Rev. Eileen is offering a custom portrait. Wouldn’t a portrait of a pet or your own beloved home be a heart-warming gift, especially knowing Rev. Eileen made it? We hope that supporting UCE through this fundraiser gives you a deeper connection to UCE – thank you for your support.
Auction Catalog Preview is Available! And, Announcing a Big Change in the Auction.
The auction catalog is open for preview now! Mark your calendars – bidding opens 9am Wednesday 11/8, the deadline for donating an item is Monday 11/6. And now for the Big Change – we will close the auction Saturday 11/18 at 11am. That’s right – the auction will close before the evening Celebration Event. We know this is a big change. We’ve had to acknowledge that online bidding requires a much stronger Wi-Fi signal than UCE needs otherwise. We hope you will attend the Preview Party planned for Saturday 11/11 to view auction items and do some bidding. We invite you to lean into all the possibilities that an online auction offers since anyone anywhere can bid and support this fundraiser – send the link to friends and family so they can get some amazing one a kind hand-made items. Tell them what to get you as a holiday gift. Do your holiday shopping at the auction. It is the gift that gives twice since it helps to support this beloved community.
We hope you will plan to come to the Celebration Event Saturday 11/18 to have an amazing Soul & Smoke dinner, pick-up the auction items you won, enjoy kinship without the distraction of outbid notifications, celebrate the success of the fundraiser, and DANCE. There is a spectacular dance planned with music your body can’t help but move to, new easy-to-learn dances, some group dances and all with the goal of engaging every body, every ability and every age.
Questions about any of this or need help thinking through the details on a donation? Email the team at auction@ucevanston.org. You can go to www.fundraiser.bid/uce for more information about all the details of the Auction and Celebration Event.
Get Your UCE T-Shirts! 
Many of us only know about UCE t-shirts through legend. As far as anyone can remember, we got the last set of UCE t-shirts so that we could have a unified look while marching in Evanston’s 4th of July parade sometime in the mid to late 2000’s. Some are lucky enough to have the rare version that said, “Nuturing” instead of “Nurturing the Human Spirit”. The other piece retold in the lore of UCE t-shirts is what a mess it was to manage the inventory and financial transactions. We decided that pre-orders paid for through the auction website would solve those problems, so as part of the fall Serendipity Auction fundraiser, we are selling UCE t-shirts and accepting pre-orders through the auction website. The white t-shirt has a really lovely redesign of the UCE chalice with our mission statement on the back. Our thanks to Sydney Francolino for sharing her design talents for that shirt. (She also designed the UCE Heart pin you can get for $15). The blue shirt features our sanctuary windows and was designed by Chris Allender. T-shirts are $35, sizes 2T-3X, and the pre-order deadline is Sunday 11/5. We hope you will get one of each, maybe to wear to Public Square events or maybe just to wear to the grocery because it makes you feel warm and connected to UCE and all of its beloved people. Thank you for supporting UCE and the fall fundraiser with your t-shirt purchase!
Soul & Smoke at the Serendipity Auction Celebration Dinner
If you haven’t yet, you owe it to yourself to make your way over to 1601 Payne St., back behind the Walgreens on Green Bay Rd, to Soul & Smoke for the best BBQ in Chicagoland. We are fortunate to have them cater the Serendipity Auction Celebration Dinner 11/18. If you pre-order your dinner tickets (https://bit.ly/SoulSmoke) before 11/9, you will get the early-bird pricing of $18 for an adult meal, $10 for a child’s portion. There are vegan and gluten free options. Soul & Smoke is a woman-owned, minority-owned small business in Evanston and knowing that makes it feel good to support them. But amazing taste is also an excellent reason to visit them. Be ready for what the Chicago Tribune calls, “Absurdly juicy, with a delicate smokiness that floats around the edges. This barbecue is worth savoring.” If you prefer their vegetarian sides or vegan sliders, you are in for a treat. The Signature Mac + Cheese is decadent, the Corn Bread Muffin indulgent and the Apple Slaw is a perfect blend of creamy crunchy sweetness. Most items on the menu are gluten free. They source from regional farms, compost their waste, pay a fair wage of $20+ per hour and host a community fridge that supplies meals, free of charge, to anyone in need. Lots of reasons to feel good about making Soul & Smoke one of your go-tos and not to wait to order your Celebration Dinner tickets.
That time of year is here – brisk air, anticipating when the trees will burst into color, pumpkin flavored everything, and making sure the Serendipity Auction is on your calendar. The 45th annual Serendipity Auction is Saturday, November 18th from 4:30-8:30. We are trying some new things this year. UCE t-shirts and pins are for sale. The raffle is live now and includes a $2K resort package, dinner at Oceanique and the chance to choose one of Rev. Eileen’s sermon topics. Watch your email inbox and UCE’s Member to Member Facebook page for some fun items being raffled off for free leading up to the big event. Saturday 11/11 we will have an Auction Preview Party, where we will demystify using QR codes and bidding from your phone over wine and cheese. Dinner is being catered by Evanston’s Soul & Smoke – amazing food made by people who share our values of sustainability and building community. And a DANCE! After the auction closes at 7pm, there will be dancing and music from different eras, group dances, a chance to learn a new dance and all with a focus on including every body, age and ability.
Some things that have remained the same – loading up your calendar with so many great group events won at the auction. Meeting new people and catching up with old friends at the Celebration Event. Seeing all the amazing hand-made items made by members. Getting those warm feelings each time you see that item around your house for years to come. And of course, raising money to support the amazing work this faith community does to nourish each of us and transform our world. We hope you will come to the big event, donate something to the auction and sign up to volunteer. Go to fundraiser.bid/UCE or email auction@ucevanston.org for more information.
September 14th Post
It’s time to get ready for the 45th annual Serendipity Auction! Join us Saturday, November 18th from 4:30 – 8:30 for our largest community event and fundraiser. You‘ll find so many opportunities for connection, for sharing creativity and having a whole lot of fun. We will have dinner catered by Soul & Smoke. The Serendipity Dance begins at 7pm. There is a Kids FUNtime Activity and Childcare in Room 3. Our online auction opens for bidding 9am Wednesday, November 8th and closes at 7pm November 18th during the celebration event. Please donate an item or event to the auction! The deadline to donate is Monday November 6th. We have some helpful donation ideas and feel free to reach out to the Auction Committee at auction@ucevanston.org or call Chris at 773-368-1203 for help finessing an idea. Please volunteer! There are lots of opportunities to join in the excitement of putting together this grand event. Our deepest hope is that this open and inclusive celebratory event expands our covenantal community, and if you are just getting to know us, you will feel a sense of warmth and kinship. We are so excited to get to spend this time together in community to raise money to support all the good work UCE does to nourish and transform the world.
QUICK LINKS:
Serendipity Auction: https://event.auctria.com/a05c54ec-da48-42df-a235-a68443ab6ad4/aa6cd270-8751-11e9-a741-3fcfcb35cbb0
Soul & Smoke: https://event.auctria.com/a05c54ec-da48-42df-a235-a68443ab6ad4/84739088d2234f318af333648d1cb2a9
Kids FUNtime Activity and Childcare: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnWTzwHj3lxPIuszSyY_ZFRylVaMdQBXCRo5X4656cXcxylQ/viewform
Donate: https://event.auctria.com/a05c54ec-da48-42df-a235-a68443ab6ad4/700a85ac0b054c3b9a0a16aa7b858b93
We have some helpful donation ideas: https://event.auctria.com/a05c54ec-da48-42df-a235-a68443ab6ad4/cca6b049d5c542f2997910c0cbf318fc
Please volunteer! https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/661681896072/false?popup=true#/invitation
2023 UCE Serendipity Auction Planning Committee
Buy a Raffle Ticket · Buy a Dinner Ticket · Donate an Item
Sandra Robinson
Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 2-4-2024
This weekend at UCE was a special one for me. The feeling of community at Barbara Young’s memorial and at the Sunday service was rich and meaningful. The true essence of what it is like to truly be there for one another was right before us. The memorial captured the story of Barbara J. Young’s life and her connection with friends and to UCE.
Perhaps that experience deepened my own connection as I make this transition leaving at the end of June after 22 years. The “Reflection” by Lina Hilko touched my heart, as I am sure it did for many in the room. We all come from different places, different spiritual experiences, and some no religious or spiritual background at all. We have all found a path to UCE. Kathy Underwood’s children’s story “The Water Bearer’s Garden” captured my attention. Of course, a story about ceramic pots is ever so appealing, but the leaky pot which caused such grief and guilt for the water bearer proved to be a beautiful blessing as it created a garden over time. Most often, our brokenness and challenges take on a different meaning when we realize that good can come from them.
As I milled about after the service, I encountered warm and curious comments about my upcoming retirement. I felt loved and appreciated. Working 30 hours this year has provided a transition period, one that has incorporated rest, creativity, and productivity into one satisfying life. It was a difficult adjustment initially, but all has taken on new meaning over time. I have enjoyed mentoring Adam and feeling his growing care of our building and grounds. I am beginning to train Suzanne to take on rentals. I am leaving a paper and electronic trail on the many responsibilities I have held. I have created important spreadsheets, documents and information held in our UCE Root File for historical reference. Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Rev. Susan Frances, Vickie Doebele, Adam Gough and Suzanne Lis Daley will each take a part of the responsibilities I have held these past many years. UCE Member Michael Drennan will shadow me in the months ahead to learn the art of watering and nurturing our indoor plants. This makes me happy.
I have and will continue to share my knowledge over the next five months with a feeling of trust that all will be in good hands and hearts going forward.
Our first Rummage Sale planning meeting with Co-Leads Gillian Lawrence and Lynn Kendall was held Saturday afternoon. We are so lucky to have these two women with different skills and experiences to lead the way. Each have spent many hours working on the UCE Rummage Sale and will be terrific leaders. Renee Hoff has agreed to do publicity again this year. Her leadership on publicity has been extraordinary and without a doubt increased visibility of the sale within the congregation as well as outside our doors. Thank you to the three of them for stepping up to manage this important UCE fundraiser and important event for recycling, reuse, and connection with the community at large.
We have found the Integrated Stewardship Council member-at-large we were seeking. Kristin Larsen has stepped up to fill this role and next year will serve on the Budget Working Group. Thank you, Kristin. Your financial knowledge and professional perspective will add to the ISC. C.J. Presto, as many know, will return as UCE Treasurer. Tom Carlton has done a stellar job serving us for the past three years. We are staying with our commitment to Tom to limit his term to three years. We commend both these fine financial experts in their generosity of time to help UCE continues its healthy trend moving forward. When Tom steps down as Treasurer, Susan Carlton will also step down as ISC Secretary. If you, or someone you know at UCE would be a good fit for this position, please let me or Rev. Eileen Wiviott know.
If you, your family, friends or acquaintances are seeking a space to hold a meeting, memorial, wedding or event, please let me know. The meeting rooms are excellent for board meetings and group gatherings as there is state of the art multi-platform equipment which enables groups to be in the room and see others on zoom. Our sanctuary is a beautiful space with wonderful acoustics for music performances and even for recordings. Keep us in mind as we try to utilize our space and meet the budget set before us for rentals. We make each experience special.
In closing, I will continue to “Build a Meaningful Day” each day. Over the next five months I will cherish my time with staff and the congregation.
Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 11-24-2023
As we enter into this Holiday Season of giving thanks, our hearts are heavy with the grief that pervades our world. May we take moments this Thanksgiving to be grateful for love, health, family, and friends who surround us and give us strength. May we sustain one another.
As I write this newsletter article, I am thinking of our beloved Barbara Young who left us on November 15. I am grateful to our pastoral care team and caring committee, and most specifically Ann McCallister and Becky Taveirne for the time, care and bonds of friendship that created a sense of family for Barbara this past year. I feel fortunate to have been a part of her life and enjoyed the lilt in her voice as she proudly talked of the hours she spent at UCE preparing the newsletter, filing and other tasks I might assign. I had no idea how much that meant to her. She loved UCE and enjoyed the group of women who surrounded her in these past months. We will miss her. I am grateful for her presence in my own life.
Life at UCE is ever-evolving as I head toward my final months there. I am enjoying mentoring Adam Gough as he learns the many details of caring for our building. So much love has gone into taking care of UCE’s buildings and grounds over the years. I experienced such joy and satisfaction working with Bud Brock, Dick Whitaker, Alex Sproul, and Bill Fischer. There were others as well in recent years, Robb Geiger, Greg Grabowski and Michael Drennen. I spent many years learning about the building, and I am now passing on that love and care to Adam as he takes on these responsibilities.
It has become a place of beauty, warmth and welcoming. On December 10 we will dedicate the lower level accessible and inclusive bathrooms, as well as the renovation of the nursery. Please join us after the service in the lower level to experience some of these projects that contribute to the accessibility and comfort for all who enter.
I am incredibly proud of Chris Allender and her amazing team. I know that Cathy Deamant was a key team member and there were many others. What a wonderful night of celebration. It seems that the dancing was a release of the many months we could not be together, and now could finally truly be together in joy and comradery. I can say for sure that I have not seen that many UCErs dancing in our sanctuary. Chris and team created a new auction format and did so very successfully, exceeding our financial goal and providing a fair and equitable format for all to feel welcome. Thank you team!
As crowds return to UCE, we are also experiencing an uptick in rentals. Many months of marketing and hard work have gone into restoring our successful rental program. It appears we may be turning a corner as we had Shorefront Legacy in October, Infant Welfare Society is signing on. These are two of the first not-for-profits who ventured out into the world of fundraising once more. Shorefront’s event hosted 275 people and it was a wonderful event with many of us from UCE in attendance. Evanston Symphony Orchestra rehearses at UCE on Tuesday evenings, North Shore Choral had a concert in our sanctuary last week. Let’s keep our fingers crossed as we continue to sign on rentals which are an important part of our UCE budget.
On an important financial note, please remember to open your pledge statements when they arrive in your email. This is the way we check our records against yours and inform congregants of their open balances. If members and friends continue to pay pledges, fundraisers continue to be successful and rentals continue to grow, we will end our fiscal year in the black. Thank you for your time, talent and treasures as we seek to accomplish our work in the world. Lastly, please provide me with names of individual who would be interested in taking on the UCE Treasurer role to succeed Tom Carlton. The ISC is also looking for one to two new members-at-large to serve on our council. Email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org if you are interested or have suggestions.
Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 10-20-2023
Staff has been busy preparing for Shorefront Legacy’s Gala honoring Dino Robinson in our sanctuary Saturday evening. This is an important night for many of our UCE members attending. We have 18 congregants as well as staff including Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Liz Kennedy, Steven Eason and myself attending. We are grateful to the efforts of Dino Robinson for providing the history to support the case for Reparations in Evanston, the history of Redlining and other important racial equity initiatives, as well as creating a black history archive in Evanston through the formation of Shorefront Legacy several years ago.
In our last newsletter and in member-to-member Facebook, we requested leads for a lobby monitor substitute. We are seeing an uptick in building usage and are preparing to have events and meetings covered so that the entire responsibility does not fall to Dan Baer and Kathy Talmage. Dan covers Sunday mornings and Kathy covers weeknights and some Sunday afternoons. Jeannie McCullough has agreed to be our substitute. Starting next Sunday Jeannie will be in the lobby for two Sundays. Please stop by and say hello.
Serendipity Auction is also right around the corner. Chris Allender has done a super job of coordinating leaders and discovering new and different ways to run our annual fundraising event. Please go to our website and explore the auction page. There are three extraordinary raffle prizes this year and you can start buying tickets now at uce@ucevanston.org UCE t-shirts can also be ordered or you can make a cash donation if you know you can’t attend or feel you want to help support our fundraising efforts. Chris says she still needs volunteers and items from congregants. There is a terrific guide in the same website page that gives ideas for events you could put together for our congregation to bid on. Please plan to attend the preview party on Saturday, November 11 from 4-5:30 and the Serendipity Auction on Saturday, November 18. Purchase your auction meal today and join us for a spectacular evening of fun/fundraising. For questions or more information email auction@ucevanston.org .
Our rental program feels as if it is expanding. Evanston Symphony Orchestra is committed to several weeks of rehearsals between now and the spring. We are so pleased to welcome them to our sanctuary space on Tuesday evenings. Skunkwerks, who you may recall, held a dance competition last year featuring youth from the south and west sides who performed an extraordinary dance performance on a Saturday in our sanctuary. Skunkwerks has signed on again this year for several rehearsals and workshops and has committed to return in 2024 for their next season of dance performances. Weavers Guild of the North Shore has returned once a month on Thursdays throughout the 2023-24 season. And, of course, we are always grateful for Udumbara, our regular monthly renter for many years now. Several memorial services have been held and are scheduled this year. Not only is rental income a significant part of our budgeted income, but thousands of guests enter our doors who discover who we are.
Our Capital Campaign is winding down. Only two projects are left to complete. One is our sanctuary chairs which are scheduled for delivery later this year, and two remaining tasks in our Intergenerational Playscape Garden. Please join us on November 18 after the service for a dedication of the renovated lower level washrooms. Both are inclusive and the west bathroom is accessible with a new large stall, taller toilet, and automatic doors for easy entrance and exit.
I continue to train Adam Gough as he has taken on Buildings & Grounds responsibilities as of July 1, 2023. Adam and I enjoy our work together and have accomplished several important tasks so far. I will continue to advise and share knowledge with Adam until June 30, 2024 when I retire from UCE. I am available 30 hours per week and can be reached at srobinson@ucevanston.org My hours vary based on the projects I am handling, but basically, I am here Tues/Wed/Thurs and Sunday mornings. If I do not immediately answer your email it is because I am not checking work email on the days I am not working.
One other note: UCE pledge statements were just sent. Please check your spam or promotional mailboxes to make sure you receive an email from UCE by October 20th. Thank you.
Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 9-14-23
Ingathering provided a meaningful and wonderful way to reconnect with one another as we enter a new season. I delighted in seeing new families and many children and babies in our midst. Our future depends on the presence, time, treasure and talents the next generation brings to our community. It was a pleasure to be there to begin our new season, and the last ingathering I will be with all of you. There is much work ahead to prepare for the future of UCE.
On Saturday of September 9, from 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. fifteen UCE congregants and staff received CPR and First Aid by two Evanston paramedics. This was an empowering experience, and yet fun to learn these skills together. The training was funded by our UCE Endowment Fund. More details from a participant will be included in a future newsletter.
Life has been interesting and rewarding as I adjust to my 30-hour schedule. I am enjoying my time with Adam Gough, mentoring him and sharing my years of experience and information as he assumes the Buildings and Grounds responsibilities.
I continue as Staff Lead of the Integrated Stewardship Council and am involved in the same activities that relate to finance – approval of invoices, expense management, and supervision of accounting and financial procedures. I am continuing as a member of the Capital Campaign Implementation Committee, following up on the many projects I have been involved in over the past five years. We are nearing completion of our tasks as a committee with only a few details here and there to be done. The final project will be complete upon installation of the sanctuary chairs later this year. This fall we will celebrate the lower-level bathroom renovations. For those of you who have not yet seen them, please do wander downstairs and take a look. The west bathroom is fully accessible now with an automatic button for entrance and exit. One of the stalls was removed to make room for one large stall with a higher toilet and pull up bars alongside. A wheelchair can now easily traverse this bathroom. The east bathroom received a facelift with new sinks, paint, flooring and stalls that go down to a few inches off the floor for greater privacy. Our goal is to provide accessibility and inclusion for everyone.
Please bear with us over the next two weeks as staff moves through logistical challenges of floor restoration in the wing. For two weeks starting Monday, September 18 through Friday, September 29, the lobby and wing floors will be cleaned, stripped, and waxed. This process will ensure greater wear and longevity as the surface of our floors will be sealed and protected. Suzanne, Liz and Vickie will be working in other offices in the building on some days during that period as furniture will be moved out to work on the office floor. If you call the office or have difficulty reaching someone or you cannot enter the west entrance on any particular day we apologize for the inconvenience.
Rentals are keeping me busy as I continue to build the program after the dramatic drop off during closure. We are just beginning to see new interest in having weddings, and larger special events. Memorials and music programs have been our strongest area of growth. The Evanston Symphony Orchestra now rehearses in our UCE sanctuary, Udumbara Buddhist Sangha is with us still, as well as Weavers of the North Shore. We will host a new renter, Modern Quilters and welcome the return of Skunkwerks when they sponsor dance competitions in November and December.
On October 21, Shorefront Legacy will hold their 25th Anniversary Celebration (Our History, Our Future) honoring the work of Dino Robinson founder of Shorefront Legacy Center and an important leader in our community, including a strong leadership role in Reparations. Tickets are still available. See more information in the article below. Martha Holman is coordinating table and individual ticket sales at UCE. We want to show our support of Dino, this organization, and to be part of this wonderful community event and meaningful event. Please read the article in this newsletter and respond to Martha Holman. Her information is included in that piece.
Friendship Meals
Sign Up Is Open for February 2024 Friendship Meals
Sign ups are open for the February Friendship Meals! The online sign up sheet (click here to access) contains meal details so you can browse the choices and select the one that works best for you. Sign up help will be at the back of the sanctuary after worship on January 21st and 28th. Or for further assistance, contact Lina Hilko (LHilko at aol dot com) or Margaret Koreman (Margaret.Koreman at gmail dot com). Winter session meals are:
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Fri, Feb 9th 6:30pm in-home chicken curry potluck dinner
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Sat, Feb 10th 1pm split-the-bill restaurant outing
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Sat, Feb 10th 6pm in-home appetizer and dessert potluck
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Fri, Feb 16th 6:30pm in-home “flexitarian” potluck dinner
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Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chicken dinner
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Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chili dinner
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Sat, Feb 17th 6pm in-home potluck chicken enchilada dinner
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Sun, Feb 18th 5pm in-home vegetarian potluck dinner
The Congregational Connections Team (CCT) kicked off a renewal of a favorite tradition in November 2023 with a fall pilot session of 6 meals. CCT’s winter session has expanded to 8 hosted meals. Friendship Meals are open to members and friends and are a really enjoyable way of connecting with others in the congregation in a small-group setting. The next round of Friendship Meals (after this winter session) will be in the summer, probably around July/August. Summer meals will include more outdoor and intergenerational opportunities. CCT welcomes your feedback as we go through the year so we can make Friendship Meals as inviting, interesting, accessible, and fun as possible. If you are inspired to serve as a host, please contact Lina Hilko or Margaret Koreman to be added to the contact list for future sessions.Friendship Meals Are Back – Sign Up to Attend Begins Today
September 6, 2023
The Congregational Connections Team joyfully announces that sign up for fall Friendship Meals begins today. The online sign up sheet (click here to access) contains meal details so you can browse the choices and select the one that works best for you. There will also be sign up help at the back of the sanctuary after the service on October 1st. Or for further assistance, contact Lina Hilko or Margaret Koreman . The six fall meals are:
Sat, Nov 4th 11am-1pm in-home potluck brunch, children welcome
Sat, Nov 4th 1pm split-the-bill restaurant outing
Sat, Nov 4th 5:30pm in-home appetizer and dessert potluck
Sun, Nov 5th 5pm in-home vegetarian potluck dinner
Fri, Nov 10th 6pm in-home gluten-free potluck dinner
Sat, Nov 11th 5:30pm in-home potluck dinner
Remember that in an effort to be as inclusive as possible, we are encouraging hosts to open their homes for guests to join them for a potluck brunch, lunch or dinner. A host might also choose to host a potluck at UCE or a split-the-bill restaurant outing instead. These meals are open to members and friends and are a really enjoyable way of connecting with others in the congregation.
In this fall pilot session, we are limiting the number of hosts and, therefore, the number of guests that can participate. If you find the dates/times don’t work for you or the date you want is already full, please know we’ll be offering meals again in the winter and next summer. The online sign up sheet provides for waiting list entries. All sign-ups will help us gauge interest in order to adjust programming as we learn from the congregation.
Please share your feedback as we go through the year so we can make Friendship Meals as welcoming, interesting, accessible, and fun as possible.
Friendship Meals Are Back
Sponsored by Unitarian Church of Evanston’s
Congregational Connections Team
The Congregational Connections Team is delighted to let you know we are launching Friendship Meals this fall.
We plan to offer the Friendship Meals program, similar to our previous Friendship Dinners, in the fall, winter and summer. Fall Friendship Meals will be scheduled on Friday, November 3rd, Saturday, November 4th, Sunday, November 5th, Friday, November 10th and Saturday, November 11th. You can click here to view an Information Sheet about the program.
Hosts for the fall program are being recruited now. People who would enjoy hosting can let Lina Hiko or Margaret Korement know of their interest after the September 10th Sunday service or by email through the Realm Membership Directory or at admin@ucevanston.org.
In an effort to be as inclusive as possible, we are encouraging hosts to open their homes for guests to join them for a potluck brunch, lunch or dinner. They might also choose to host a potluck dinner at UCE or a “chip-in” meal at a restaurant instead. Folks who want to attend a meal will be able to browse the available options online and choose the date, time and place that works best for them. These meals are open to members and friends and are a really enjoyable way of connecting with others in the congregation. Sign up to attend a meal will begin in early October. Details will be available in the newsletter at an information table in the rear of the sanctuary after Sunday services.
Please share your feedback as we go through the year so we can make Friendship Meals as welcoming, interesting, and fun as possible.
UCE’s Friendship Meals are an updated design of a tried-and-true favorite, Friendship Dinners. Friendship Meals provide intimate, social opportunities three times a year for UCE members and friends to gather together over a shared meal.
The Congregational Connections Team has heard you! So many folks have let us know they are eager to bring back Friendship Dinners as one really enjoyable way of connecting with others in the congregation, making new friendships, and visiting with old friends.
We’re delighted to let you know we are launching a pilot – Friendship Meals – this fall. Why a pilot and why a slightly different name, you might ask. A different name because we are expanding the concept from having dinner together to an option to have brunch, lunch or dinner, depending on what a particular host(s) would like to offer.
A pilot because not only are there expanded offerings of types of meals, but also the scheduling and sign-up will be handled a bit differently. Hosts may open their home for guests to join them for dinner, brunch, or lunch. They might also choose to host a meal at a restaurant or at UCE instead. Folks who want to participate will be able to peruse/browse the available options online and choose the meal that works best for them.
We plan to offer the Friendship Meals program in the fall, winter and summer. Fall Friendship Meals will be scheduled on Friday, 11/3; Saturday, 11/4; Sunday, 11/5; Friday, 11/10; and Saturday 11/11. Hosts for the fall program are being recruited now. There will be a table at the rear of the sanctuary after the service on Sunday, September 10th with information about the program, how it will be organized, and host responsibilities. People who would enjoy hosting can let us know of their interest on Sunday or email Lina Hilko at lhilko @ aol dot com.
When do meals occur?
UCE is planning to pilot this updated design in Autumn 2023, followed in 2024 by a Winter session and a Summer session. There is no up-front commitment for the whole year. Hosts and attendees make decisions to participate one session at a time.
What is a “meal?”
The updated design changes terminology from “dinners” to “meals” to introduce more flexibility. Meals could be brunch, lunch, or dinner. Meals can be hosted in a home setting, in a restaurant, or at UCE. The model favors sharing through potlucks or splitting the bill.
Who is a host?
Each meal is hosted by a voluntary host or hosts. The voluntary host(s) decide the meal setting, considering their available and accessible space and weather. So, for example, a host who lives in a small apartment could host in their apartment’s community room or outdoor deck. A host who doesn’t have much space at all might find a co-host who would appreciate a helping hand. A host who lives adjacent to a park might choose to host a summer session picnic. And there will be hosts who are most eager to introduce new friends to a favorite neighborhood restaurant or to explore new restaurants with new friends!
How many meals per session?
Our Autumn 2023 pilot session will include 6 hosted choices, such as 3 in-home; 2 restaurants; and 1 at UCE. Depending on the popularity of both hosting and attending, we may adjust numbers in the future. We will maintain a waiting list during sign-up so we can do our best to fill all the available slots.
How many people per meal?
Without imposing or committing to strict rules, generally each gathered group will be about 8 adults, give or take. The goal is to create small gatherings conducive to building connections through meaningful conversations. That said, some meals might be enhanced by slightly bigger groups. For example, a summer picnic in a park or a meal at UCE open to adults and children would allow for more attendees.
How are attendees paired with hosted meals?
About 1 month before the session, the congregation will have access to a link to a sign-up Google Sheet which will include the list of hosted meals. Attendees choose the meal that works best for them, based on their availability and preferences for date, time of day, venue, accessibility … whatever matters to them. The sign-up sheet will provide descriptions of the venue, the date and time, and the planned entree to inform their choices. Attendees can also include a note on the sign-up sheet of any restrictions (e.g., allergies) or help needed (e.g., carpooling requests).
Coordination of meal details?
About 7-10 days before any given meal, the host(s) will email attendees (using the email addresses provided in the sign-up Google Sheet) a reminder of the upcoming meal with details and any instructions or requests. Since all parties (hosts and attendees) have access to the sign-up Google Sheet, direct communication can occur within the small meal group.
What if I have questions?
Please feel free to contact the current leaders of UCE’s Friendship Meals Program with any questions. We encourage you to try out the program. We hope you will have a good time and will let us know your feedback on how we can continue to create a positive experience for everyone attending.
Leaders:
Lina Hilko – LHilko @ aol dot com; Cell (312)399-1848
Margaret Koreman – Margaret.Koreman @ gmail dot com; Cell (773)972-3235
Kathy Underwood Blog
DLFF Newsletter – May 24, 2024
The Jetpig Dilemma
A couple of Sundays ago, I led a worship service about Faith Formation and the process leading to the upcoming vote at General Assembly to accept the new changes to Article II of the UUA bylaws. The proposed changes describe our Unitarian Universalist values that we aspire to live by: justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and love. You can watch a short summary of these values here.
While many of you have participated in the conversations around this over the past year, many have not, and so I approached this worship service as an opportunity to be informative to the latter in a fun and creative way. Thus, the introduction of Jetpig and J. Piglet – which are mnemonics/acronyms for the proposed values of Article II.
Like most things in life, not everyone is going to like or agree on some things. While many people appreciated the fun and creative angle in my approach, a few did not. Interestingly, there has been similar conversation amongst my colleagues this past week which I will share a bit here.
First is the concern that the order of the letters in the acronym may be seen as some values being more important than others. It is thought that by having "J" for justice first that it reflects a sense of community before individualism. Our current Principles begin with the "inherent worth and dignity of every human being" and focuses on the individual. By putting justice in the front, we are challenging our history of white supremacy thinking. Our faith is a living tradition, always evolving and changing, and this shifts our thinking to community-focused values from self-focused values. It is good to know that the UUA has said that no single value should be considered more important than another.
One more concern is about having a pig as a mnemonic, especially for those who identify as Jewish or Muslim, where pigs are seen as unclean. There are other options that could represent the "P" for pluralism: penguin, platypus, parrot, panda. Or perhaps a Guinea pig? Some feel that a pig works because of the saying "when pigs fly". It tells us that these values can help us live into a world that doesn't yet exist, and that impossible things can happen when we love each other, the world, and ourselves. Another colleague suggested changing the acronym to Pet Jig and having all kinds of animals dancing!
There is yet another option to the mnemic concern, which is to use the phrase, "Trees of Justice Grow Everywhere Love is Present (or Planted)". As a tree lover myself, I'm finding this to be endearing. While it doesn't address the concern about the order of the values, it certainly changes the mnemonic of Jetpig. And this new phrase really centers love, which hits home for me, as I'm pretty sure most people would agree on.
Of course we must wait for the final vote at General Assembly next month to know if the proposed values will be accepted or even adapted somehow. And if they are accepted, we can decide on the tools to use to help us remember these values. In the spirit of our living tradition, I welcome any creative ideas you may have in this effort.
DLFF Newsletter – April 26, 2024
As spring continues to tease us with occasional warm, sunny, days, it is a time in the church year to reflect on the past year and begin planting new seeds for future hopes and dreams. I hope you will read the annual reports that will be coming out next month in preparation for the annual congregational meeting on May 19. It is a manuscript of our endeavors and plans for the coming year to be celebrated!
For now, I will focus on recent happenings and upcoming events though. We had a joyful Easter Sunday with a beautiful worship service that embraced the Trans Day of Visibility while celebrating Easter and spring. Our 1st Annual Peeps Show was a fun and wonderful event that led to conversations while waiting in line for the nourishing food at the potluck. So many of you expressed such joy at seeing the creative displays that I think we will be continuing the tradition next year.
This past Sunday, the Heads, Hearts, and Hands group (1st-6th grades) heard a true story, Sitti's Bird, about a girl who lived in Gaza and discovered that art helped her find hope during a time of conflict. We had some thoughtful conversation about the current strife and despair in Gaza and how having a caring community can help people in such times. While sharing our thoughts and feelings about all of this, we did some art of our own with inspiration from a UK-led project, Birds of Gaza. Young people all over the world are invited to create a paper bird in memory of a child killed in Gaza since October 7. You can post your picture to a specific child and see the thousands of birds created by others. It is very moving, to say the least.
We'll be starting a wonderful weekend with our Family-Friendly Passover Seder this Friday, 5:30-7p. You are invited to experience aspects of this Jewish celebration, taste the foods, sing the songs, hear the stories and prayers, and search for the afikomen. Feel free to bring a side dish to share that doesn't contain yeast (such as bread/rolls) or pork. Beef brisket, matzah, boiled eggs, and flourless cake will be served too.
And on Sunday, our awesome youth will be leading the worship service on widening our circle of welcome to include folks who are challenged for shelter and a place to call home, especially considering the struggles of homeless teens. I'm sure we will not only learn something new but will be transformed by their sharing of themselves.
On May 5, we'll have a special guest, Jetpig, a creation by some religious educators to help us navigate the proposed revisions of Article II of our UUA bylaws. How does Article II inform and inspire our faith and spiritual formation as a whole, faith community? What challenges does it bring? In what ways can we be engaged with it and find pride and joy in embracing it?
We'll be following this with a child dedication and a bridging ceremony on Mother's Day, May 12. It is a time to celebrate our young people and our graduating youth. It's a time of joy and hope!
Our Young Adult group (ages 18-35) is gathering at Skokie Lagoon on May 11 at 11a for a nature walk. Hopefully some of those returning from college will be able to join us too.
Mark your calendars now for our next Family Friday event on May 17 when we'll be doing some planting and weeding in one of our gardens and enjoying some refreshments out on the lawn afterwards. More details will be forthcoming.
I am also making plans for our summer program, which will be based on the Australian animated show, Bluey. It is one of those shows that adults seem to enjoy even more than kids do! I would love to have older youth and young adults to help me too, so let me know if you're interested in making some summertime magic.
Before we know it, we'll be meeting again for summer concerts in the park and afternoons at the beach. Until then…
In Faith,
Kathy
March 22, 2024
Photo by Artem Meletov: 
Spring Teasings
March is always a teaser with short bursts of warm temperatures and sunshine between cold and cloudy days mixed with rain and snow. You so desperately want to pack away the winter clothes and yet you know if you do, you'll end up pulling them out again.
Life is like this. I often feel the need for a change – usually in my surroundings, which I accomplish by setting out mementos and decorations that reflect the change in the seasons. This can also be accomplished by traveling away for a weekend camping or to visit a new state on my bucket list (I've made it to 37 states so far). These are simple things I can do to scratch my itch. But at times, the itch returns, even deeper than before.
It is at these times that I realize that I'm more wary of change than I like to think I am. Those of you who know me a bit know that I am a planner – I take on a task and can envision the process and do what needs to be done to finish it. I am good at anticipating issues that may arise, and they inevitably do. But I'm also good at changing course on the fly when something goes amok. I can roll with the changes, go with the flow. With these skills, why do I still find excuses to change the harder things in life, to scratch the deeper itches?
My need for change appears in my work life as well, although the itch gets scratched more frequently and is satisfied more easily. While the pandemic was frustrating, among other things, it gave me a chance to try some new things in faith formation. Some of these worked and some didn't, but the spirit behind it continues on. I am still exploring new ideas to bring people together here at UCE, between generations, between families, between peers, and between UCE and the larger community.
Hopefully, you have heard about my latest effort: the 1st Annual Peeps Art Show! All ages are invited to transform Peeps marshmallow treats into a small diorama using miscellaneous objects. These will then be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, March 31. You can pick up some materials this Sunday at the program table in the café area to take home to create your diorama or use items from your household. You can watch a tour of last year's International Peeps Art Show at the Racine Art Museum here to give you some inspiration! You can also see this year's exhibit at the museum March 21-April 13.
Also on Easter Sunday, we will have a traditional egg hunt on the South Lawn, weather permitting. Families will gather at the Nest area after worship for instructions. There will also be a potluck, so feel free to bring an eggy dish or springtime dish to share.
And as you anticipate the arrival of spring next week, I welcome you to join me by sharing your ideas on ways we can scratch the occasional itch, the one that reminds us that change is indeed good for us.
In Faith,
Kathy
DLFF Newsletter – February 16, 2024
Valentine (Re)Engagement
With Valentine's Day this week, I have been giving some thought to love and the many types of love there are. The obvious one is romantic love, and yet there are many others, such as friendship and platonic love, love for a hobby or sport, love for a pet. My attention, however, has been more along the lines of love for community. We are all part of many communities, such as our neighborhoods, families, circle of friends, clubs, and of course, UCE.
Since we re-opened our doors after the height of the pandemic, we have been striving towards reconnecting with each other and exploring new ways of doing so. We continue working towards Beloved Community. Like life and love, it has had its challenges and successes.
As people felt more comfortable returning to in-person worship, we saw mostly older adults attending and a few steadfast families. The mantra, "things will return to normal soon" was often heard and felt. Now another year later, it does feel more "normal" on Sunday mornings as we continue to seek a "new normal". We are seeing more and more families as is evident by the growing Nest area in the front of the sanctuary. What a blessing this is!
And yet we haven't experienced the same with adult programming, in particular, faith formation programs. As we slowly returned to more in-person programs, we had even fewer people participating. Those who helped me plan these programs were confused, and to be honest, had hurt feelings when only 2-4 people would attend. We tried some programs with a virtual option to no avail. Perhaps the topics were not of interest, or they were on a date they couldn't attend? Perhaps with some time off, we would discover what we wanted that was missing. And that is what we did – took some time to sit back and reflect.
Over the last few months, I have been collecting thoughts from various groups about what they would like to explore and participate in. What yearnings for learning do they have? How can they deepen their UU faith? What life events and challenges are they facing?
And so I offer an invitation for re-engagement. I invite and encourage you to think about your love for this community and what it is that keeps you engaged here. Is there something that would enhance this? Is there something you wish to delve into with others? I took the suggestions I have been collecting this year and assembled them into a short survey to get your feedback and thoughts on what would re-engage you in the coming months. Please take 3-5 minutes to complete it this weekend. It would be such a joy to know what you want and need to continue building Beloved Community.
In Faith, Kathy
DLFF Newsletter – January 26, 2024
To New Beginnings!
Another year has rung in, and UCE is buzzing with activity. Have you felt the warm energy lately? Despite the Arctic cold recently, people have been showing up for worship, faith formation, conversations, committees, and special events. It is such a joy!
Our young people returned to their Faith Formation programs on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, and have been exploring his legacy. Our Chalice Children group (pre/k) read the story Martin's Big Words and created their own "big words" murals (see the pictures below).
Our Heads, Hearts, and Hands group (1st-6th) has been exploring race, racism, and stereotypes. They tried mixing paints to match their skin color and discovered that they all needed some amount of brown. They looked at a world map showing how skin color is affected by geography and located where their ancestors came from on the map to verify why their skin color was the way it was. They also pondered why we call people "white" when no one has purely white skin. From here, the group will explore the concept of oppression and equality.
Our youth group (7th-12th) had the opportunity to go to their first Youth "CON" (conference) since the pandemic. The last one in our area was back in 2019 that UCE hosted, so this was a big step! We had six youth attend the one-night conference at 1st Unitarian in Milwaukee. They played some fun games to get started and broke into small groups for conversation. They watched the movie Black Panther and enjoyed pizza and snacks. Then on MLK Day, they watched the famous "I have a dream" speech in a short worship service, then created a group art project. This involved the youth decorating and writing on concentric paper circles the things they dream for our future, which were then attached to a canvass of the Milwaukee skyline. Seeing our UU youth gathering with others brings me so much hope!
As if this isn't enough, the Family Ministry Team coordinated a pizza dinner and game night last weekend where we had 22 people of all ages participate! We got to play new games and enjoy a lot of fun and laughter! If you have an idea for an event or program, you can fill out a Program Proposal Form or talk to myself or anyone on the Family Ministry Team: Wendy Drake, Gillian Lawrence, Janice Milanovich, and Norell Liddell.
In Faith,
Kathy
Welcoming Winter – December 8, 2023
The winter holiday season is upon us! This past Sunday, we had our Ornament Sunday – a UCE tradition that has continued post-pandemic. We had a nice assortment of ornaments to create: upcycled cardboard, paper straws, beads, foam, pinecones, cards for prison ministry, and more. Be sure to take a peek at the tree in the sanctuary, with all its hand-crafted charm.
Last month I wrote about ways we can uplift others who may be struggling during the holidays, such as staying in touch with a phone call, card, or letter, or meeting for a cup of coffee or tea, or going for a brisk walk along the lakefront or around the block. Inviting someone to join you at one of the many events at UCE this month is another way to help lift someone's spirits. The winter months are also a time for introspection and reflection, and there are several opportunities to do so in community with others.
In looking at the UCE calendar, here are some coming up to enjoy:
Yoga online – every Wednesday morning at 9:30a
Meditation via Zoom on the 7th at 5:30p. Email Lisa Solomon for the Zoom link.
Carols, Cocoa, and Community on the 8th at 6p – All ages are welcome to wrap gifts for the Mitten Tree and sing some holiday songs while sipping on hot cocoa. This is a simple way to give to others, and this is the season of giving! Feel free to bring a snack or treat to share.
Virtual Pilates and Tai Chi– on the 9th and every Saturday morning. Pilates at 9:30a, Tai Chi at 9:45a for beginners and 11a for intermediate level.
Music Sunday on the 10th – enjoy beautiful music during this worship service!
Christmas Pageant on the 17th – an audience participation in the retelling of the Christmas story. You can pick up a costume or prop before worship, or sign up here if you wish to claim a specific character or animal. (insert link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044BABAB2EA4F85-45793877-christmas )
Peg Heads – come learn how to play Cribbage on the 19th at 6:30p.
Light for All Winter Solstice Celebration – the UU Ministry for Earth is welcoming all to this celebration via Zoom. Register here for the link. (insert link: https://www.uumfe.org/support-for-activists/light-for-all/ )
Meditation on Zoom on the 21st at 5:30p. Email Lisa Solomon for the Zoom link.
Christmas Eve Services – this year, we will have morning and evening services. The candle lighting at the evening service brings such awe and beauty to the celebration.
New Year's Eve – sing out 2023 in community in the worship service!
Fire Communion – January 7 during worship.
May we embrace the coming winter months with the warmth of this community.
In Faith,
Kathy
November 3, 2023
DLFF Newsletter –November 2023
As I write this on Halloween with blowing snow outside my window, I'm reminded that we are entering the time of year when we tend to hibernate and not venture out of our cozy dens as much as we did in warmer weather. For me, it is a welcome respite, as I cherish listening to quiet music and reading, or doing needlework in front of the fireplace – things that I don't make time for in the warmer months. However, I know for many people, it is not as welcoming of a time. The darkness gets wearisome at best and the cold is constant.
This leads me to wonder what I, and we collectively, can do to lift the spirits of those who need it in the coming months? One thing that comes to mind is simply to stay in touch – whether that's a quick email or text, a phone call, or a cup of coffee or tea. For those with younger kids, it might be an offer to watch the kids for an hour or two while mom or dad run errands or go for a walk, or to take the kids on a short excursion and let mom or dad have some time to themselves.
Of course, there are also many events coming up at UCE and the greater community to help stay connected with others. Some offer a time for reflection and grieving and resilience, some offer joy and gratitude and the spirit of the holidays.
This month:
- Membership Engagement Fair – this Sunday during Kinship time
- Evanston Children's Theater: 13 the Musical – come support a few of our young people who are in this production November 17-19! Click here for tickets. (insert link: https://apps.cityofevanston.org/webtrac/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?display=detail&module=PST )
- The Serendipity Auction on the 18th – bid on events, gatherings, and goods!
- Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil on the 20th at UCE and online
- Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on the 22nd at UCE and online
And in December:
- Ornament Sunday on the 3rd during Kinship time – make holiday decorations for your tree and decorate UCE's tree too! Sign up here if you wish to host a table craft. (insert link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044BABAB2EA4F85-45662186-ornament )
- Carols, Cocoa, and Community on the 8th at 6p – All ages are welcome to wrap gifts for the Mitten Tree and sing some holiday songs while sipping on hot cocoa.
- Music Sunday on the 10th – enjoy beautiful music during this worship service!
- Christmas Pageant on the 17th – an audience participation in the retelling of the Christmas story. Sign up here if you wish to claim a specific character or animal. (insert link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044BABAB2EA4F85-45793877-christmas )
- Christmas Eve Services – this year, we will have morning and evening services.
- New Year's Eve – sing out 2023 in community in the worship service!
May we embrace the coming winter months with the warmth of this community.
In Faith,
Kathy
Everything we do is Faith Formation.
Everything we teach is Unitarian Universalism.
The Congregation is the Curriculum.
These words have formed my beliefs and practices of my professional life and work as a religious educator. I see my role as being a guide to help support the congregation to this realization – EVERYTHING we do is Faith Formation. EVERYTHING we teach is UUism. And YOU are the curriculum!
Whether or not you volunteer with our young people, you are still a part of our curriculum. What we say and do, individually as well as collectively, is witnessed by each other, including our youngest. We teach and lead by example – through our words and actions – during worship, kinship time, protests and social action, and even when we're just hanging out and having some fun.
And while everything we do is considered faith formation, there are just certain aspects that fall under my umbrella here at UCE, which is primarily educational and social programming for all ages and stages of life. With this in mind, I wanted to share the many events coming up this month that fall under my umbrella. There is a lot of excitement and energy at UCE right now!
This month, we have many events for adults, youth, children, and families. Be sure to scroll all the way down!
All Ages Events
Animal Blessing – October 1 Worship Service Bring your leashed/caged pet for a special blessing!
Halloween Campfire – October 27, 6:30-8:30p on the South Lawn All ages are invited to hear some not-so-scary stories, enjoy s'mores, and show off costumes.
Halloween Party – October 29 during Kinship Time after worship No explanation needed here! Costumes are encouraged, but not necessary for some fun.
Intergenerational Events
Banned Books Club – Noon-1:30p
Join this new group of bibliophiles for ages 12 and older – youth, young adults, and older adults to discuss our first selection, the graphic novel, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe. We'll have some light refreshments too. Future gatherings will be on the first Sunday of the month. Robb Geiger and Carla Williams are facilitating.
Parents and Grandparents
Our Whole Lives Sex Ed (OWL) for 4th-6th Grades – Parent Orientation – October 8, 12:30-1:30p in room 3. Parents interested in having their child participate will meet to learn about the program.
Parent's Perk – October 15 at 9:30a in room 13 – Whether you're a parent or grandparent, you're invited! This month, we'll be sharing our expectations for our youngsters as it connects to our UCE community. What do we want them to learn, experience, and share? Bring your favorite morning beverage and enjoy some sweets and company!
TransParentsy Group – October 15 at 12:30-2p in room 2 – Parents and grandparents who have trans children of any age in their lives are welcome to share experiences and resources in a safe space.
Adults
The Journey Series – Join Rev. Susan Frances for this series offered twice yearly to learn about Unitarian Universalism. All sessions are 7-8p on Zoom.
- Journeying in Covenant – October 5
- A Journey Through UU History – October 12
- Spiritual Journeys & Inspirations – October 25
Non-Fiction Book Group – October 22 – 2p Via Zoom – The group is discussing David Treuer's books about Native America. Participants may choose to read Treuer's 512 page book entitled The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native American from 1890 to the Present, or his shorter, 275 page young adult book entitled The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Life in Native America, published in 2022.
Children and Youth
This month, our Chalice Children for pre/k and Heads, Hearts, and Hands group for 1st-6th grades will be exploring our new theme, The Gift of Heritage, and creating their covenant.
Our Youth Group for 7th-12th grades will continue their Coming of Age journey. This is a two-year exploration of their beliefs, reflecting on their childhood, exploring anti-racism/oppression, and doing social action work.
On a personal note, I will be out of the office October 11-14 for the Liberal Religious Educators' Association annual Fall Conference in Milwaukee. This will be my first in-person conference since 2019! We are fortunate to have the newly elected UUA president, Rev. Dr. Sophia Betancourt speaking at our conference.
I look forward to seeing you at some of the many events and gatherings this month!
In Faith,
Kathy
Something Possible
Here we are once again, ready to start a new church year. It is a time of anticipation and excitement, with a bit of anxiety thrown in. So many ideas to try, experiences to share, and new learnings to be had, and yet so many unknowns. Will my friends be there? What will worship be like? Has anything changed over the summer? What will we be doing this year?
Rev. Eileen preached on August 20 about how we can live hopefully despite the unknowns and the knowns that worry or scare us. We can still keep the faith by knowing that there is possibility in our world, that something is always possible no matter what is currently happening, and that we need to allow these new possibilities to emerge. It is an action to take, not just a feeling. And so I am embracing this as I start the new church year and invite you to join in on Something Possible by taking a backpack/bag tag that was blessed on the 20th from the basket at the Welcome Center in the lobby. Let it help us to remember that this year something is always possible.
As I prepared the tags for our annual blessing, I thought about some of the possibles. Okay, there are actually quite a few! These are some topics as well as general ideas that have crossed my mind:
- For adults: spiritual journeys/development as we age; Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sex Ed for young adult and older adults; health – physical and mental health and finding meaning, balance, and joy in life; game nights with adult games and beverages; nature retreat – camp out in the great outdoors and connect with Mother Earth; Civil Rights tour in Alabama, perhaps as an interfaith effort; have small groups meet at local coffeeshops or cafes to chat about current events and our UU values; have an interfaith group from local houses of worship to share their faith journeys, meeting at each one.
- Young people: summer day camp; Churchcraft group based on Minecraft; a middle school youth group; more social action opportunities in the area; sleepovers at UCE; paint a mural; fun outings like bowling, skating, hiking, etc., class for teens on life strategies, such as money management.
- Families and Multigenerational: Dungeons & Dragons group; visit other UU churches in a smaller group; nature hikes on local trails; Sunday brunch before or after worship; gardening; adults share a favorite childhood story with kids, perhaps around a campfire; indoor and outdoor game nights; a multigenerational choir.
- Parents: share resources on bringing UUism into daily life; weekend retreat without kids; spiritual parenting; any of the ideas above for adults too.
As you can see, the something possibles are endless! I wonder, what would be your top three choices? Or perhaps something else has been missing in your life and you'd love to explore and do it with others?
As we returned to more in-person gatherings this past year, our needs and desires have changed. We are finding that less is more now, in that we want fewer things to fill our time but with more meat and meaning in them. We struggle at times to interact with others in person after being virtual so much. And yet the virtual opportunities allow many to connect with UCE groups and worship. All of this is true for adults and our young people, and families of all shapes and sizes.
And so we continue in the spirit of adventure as we try new ideas to discover what "less" will mean "more" to each of us individually, and to UCE as a whole. If any of my musings have struck your creativity and you'd like to share an idea, feel free to email me, or fill out the Program or Group Proposal Form.
Let's explore those something possibles!
In Faith,
Kathy
May 26, 2024
Exploring Family Histories
On this Memorial Day, as we make time to honor and mourn military personnel who have served in the US armed forces, we will explore how we make space for the sharing of difficult stories among our family and friends. How do we create space for life experiences to be shared, for sitting in silence together, for acknowledging the sorrows and the challenges along with the good times? This week’s worship leaders include Rev. Susan Frances, Curtis Evans, Jenn Wisegarver, and Gregory Shifrin.
This week’s offering will be shared with Night Ministry, a Chicago-based organization whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to members of our community who are unhoused or experiencing poverty.
We will host an in-person and virtual worship service Sunday at 10:30 am. Please submit your Joys and Sorrows through this online form. If you submit a message by 9 am, we will try to read it that Sunday. You can still give to the shared offering through “text to give,” mail a check to the office with “shared offering” in the memo line, or click here.