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April Reflections with the Board: April 11, 2021

It is our goal as the Board of Trustees to maintain connections with you. To that end, we are hosting a program entitled, “Reflections with the Board.” We host these sessions via zoom once a month (the second Sunday of the month) at 10 am before the service. Our next session will be held on April 11th at 10 am. For this session, the Board would like to spend some time talking with you about Widening the Circle of Concern. This month we will begin discussing Chapter Four, Hospitality and Inclusion. You did not have to attend any of our previous sessions to join us.

Questions from Study Guide for WTC chapter, Hospitality and Inclusion

  • Who is responsible for greeting and welcoming in our congregation?
  • What kind of education or dialogue is held with them?

Now invite the group to imagine a first encounter with the congregation, either physically or virtually. What might people notice or experience? Collect impressions from the group. Ask:

  • Based on this, who would feel most welcomed? Why?
  • Who might question their welcome? Why?

Next, form two- or three-person small groups and invite them to undertake a mini-audit of how your congregation presents itself to newcomers and visitors. Ask each group to appoint a note- taker. Instruct groups to examine the congregation’s newsletter, website, and recent sermons:

  • Look for words like “we,” “everyone,” “our” and consider both who is meant and how a reader might understand who is meant. Who is the “we”?
  • Look for words like “others” and phrases like “surrounding community” that make a distinction between this faith community and someone else. Who is the someone else?
  • Beyond noticing words and phrases, give careful thought to their meanings and messages.
  • Bring the groups back together. Invite each group to report one observation that struck them.

Now lead a discussion on these questions:

  • What can we say now about how language can intentionally or unintentionally include or exclude?
  • What harm can happen because of it?
  • How hard was it to look at our congregation in this new way?
  • What would it take for this new mindfulness to become the intentional practice of our community? Together, answer these questions:
  • In the congregation, how do people learn about affinity group opportunities for BIPOC across the broader Unitarian Universalist movement, such as Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) and Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM)?
  • Is there a congregational or local UU cluster BIPOC affinity group? If so, how do people of color in the community learn of its existence?

Which of these questions would you like to discuss? What have you been learning as you have been reading Widening the Circle? Please join us on Sunday. Thank you.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 862 4288 7134
Passcode: 220807
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,86242887134#,,,,,,0#,,220807# US (Chicago)

April Reflections with the Board: April 11, 20212021-04-06T21:42:18+00:00

From Kathy Underwood, DLRE: April 9, 2021

May the Force Be with Us – the Power of Becoming

Okay, maybe it’s not quite Star Wars day yet, but we DO have a force among us – the Faith Formation Force!

If you haven’t heard about this yet, it is a group of ten who are exploring with curiosity what faith formation can look and feel like at UCE as one goes through the stages of life. How do we support and encourage each other to “yearn to learn” about our faith as Unitarian Universalist and human beings? What do we need along the way? What are the best and most engaging ways to do this?

The Faith Formation Force is looking at worship and faith formation/religious education, and how we can transform how this looks and feels, how it engages and welcomes people in, the ways people connect with each other and the world, and how we renew our spirit to help create a world made whole. This is a huge undertaking, and the group has taken it on enthusiastically!

In the REvisioning conversations that happened this past year, the theme that recurred over and over was the desire to be truly multigenerational. A faith community that builds and supports relationships across the ages. A community that envelopes our youngest members into the entire fabric of congregational life. A community that welcomes and supports each other through all stages of life.

And so the Faith Formation Force has been exploring models of worship and faith formation that support the need and desire to be an intentionally multigenerational community. At the moment, we have divided into two sub-groups: one is researching other congregations who have such a multigenerational model, and the other is looking at ways to get your feedback as we explore the models that fit our goal to become more multigenerational. When we begin to seek your input, please do participate in that process. After all, our fifth principle says that we have a voice in the things that matter to us.

Our Faith Formation Force members are Ann Gadzikowski, Ben Kornfeld, Carolyn Leman, Cheryl Mounts, Karena Nelson, Margaret Shaklee, Dan Solomon, Carla Williams, Rev. Eileen, and myself.

Springtime is such a wondrous time of the year – the possibilities of becoming are everywhere!

In Faith,

Kathy

From Kathy Underwood, DLRE: April 9, 20212021-04-09T18:07:03+00:00

April 11, 2021

We will host an online worship service on Sunday, April 11th at 11:15 am.

What Will Become of Us
Becoming is a name for a certain kind of change. Can we change and not notice? What is the cost to the human spirit of unclaimed change?

Please submit your Joys and Sorrows through this online form. If you submit a message by 11 am, we will try to read it that Sunday. Thank you for your patience as we are adapting to best serve you all! Note there will only be one service time so that we can gather together as a whole community of faith. 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 go to our website and hit “give” on the upper right or click here. This Sunday’s shared offering recipient is Restore Justice.

April 11, 20212021-04-05T16:58:18+00:00

VirtUUal Faith Formation: April 2, 2021

What’s Happening in Faith Formation?

Welcome to our new theme of Becoming! This week we focus on the segments Welcome, At the Table and On the Message Board. Check out this week’s video here. You can access the Soulful Home packet here at your own leisure.

Many Ways to Connect

Easter Egg Hunt – once again this year we will be participating in a virtual egg hunt with 77 UU congregations around the country and Canada! You can play anytime after 9 am Saturday: Easy version: https://www.uuco.org/community Difficult: www.uumontclair.org

8th and 12th Grade Bridging – We will meet on the lawn at UCE at 4 pm on April 25 to record your bridging ceremony – our UU recognition of your next stage of life. All young adults and high school youth are welcome to participate! If you haven’t received an email about this yet, please email Kathy Underwood.

Taking Flight Sex Ed Program for 7th-9th Youth – Sunday at 1 pm. Youth must be registered to attend. See the email with Zoom info.

Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – April’s materials are available here. The password is YouGotThis2020 (case sensitive.) This UU-based program is to be used all month long. Do whatever fits your family’s schedule.

High School Youth – Outdoor meet-up. Look for an email with details.

Looking Ahead
Popcorn Theology Online for 6th-8th Grade Youth – Sunday, April 11 at 1 pm.

This Sunday’s Forum Discussion

Forum meets this Sunday, April 4 at 10 am. Come join us for continuation of our discussion of the proposed 8th principle. In late February we talked about the history of the 8th principle, the process toward adoption, and Beloved Community. This time we will look at how some other congregations are approaching adoption, news on dates and the UCE voting process, and what it means to act accountably. What does that mean individually and within UCE? Part of our time together will be spent imagining action steps we could take after the adoption of the 8th principle.  There will also be a short video of a UU minister speaking about their congregation and the 8th principle.

Read “My Experience with the 8th Principle”
Read “My Experience with the 8th Principle”

Current and Upcoming Adult Religious Education

Facing Climate Change – Tuesdays, April 6 and 13 – Andy Fisher will talk about the critical problem of climate change, based on materials from “The Climate Reality Project” founded by former Vice President Al Gore. Dan Solomon will follow up with a presentation on how Religious Naturalism can provide a framework for facing Climate Change.

Learn More and Register
Join the Zoom Meeting
VirtUUal Faith Formation: April 2, 20212021-04-09T20:08:02+00:00

Pledge Drive Update: April 2, 2021

We Are So Close to Meeting Our Pledge Drive Goal! 
You Can Help! 

As of today, April 2, we’ve received 247 pledges totaling $541,483 out of our goal of $553,000. We are only $11,516 short of meeting our goal! Thank you to the generosity of everyone who has helped make the pledge drive so successful. 

To help us get over the finish line, you can do one of two things:  

  1. If you haven’t pledged yet, please do so TODAY! There are only days left before the 2021-22 budget needs to be finalized. 
  2. If you’ve already pledged, please consider a one-time gift or increasing your original pledge to get us to our goal.  

Our budget is full of exciting ways we can more fully live into our mission of nurturing the human spirit for a world made whole. Thank you for making that happen! 

If you haven’t pledged yet, please fill out your pledge form now!  

Every pledge matters and every dollar makes UCE’s mission possible. 

Remember, pledge drive packets were emailed this year.  To find yours, please search for 2021-2022 UCE PLEDGE DRIVE.  

You’ll also want to check out all the resources on the Pledge Drive page, including a FAQ, tips on completing the Google form, how to set up automatic payments, and more. 

Here’s how every dollar you give will fund these critical program areas: 

 

Thank you for your generosity … and may what you give bring you joy! 

Questions? Jessica Meis is ready to help you at admin@ucevanston.org or (847) 864-1330. 

Pledge Drive Update: April 2, 20212021-04-01T00:27:37+00:00

What is SNAPGap?: April 2, 2021

SNAP is the government program that helps provide people living under the poverty line with groceries.  SNAP does not help with essential toiletries, so there is a GAP in needs.  

Interfaith Action of Evanston operates a monthly Produce Mobile, year-round, providing free groceries.  To fill the SNAPGap, they are requesting donations of specific items to be distributed to 250 families through the Produce Mobile.  

We did not have a Soup Kitchen obligation this year due to the timing of Beth Emet’s Passover holidays. (We normally fill in for them during their holidays).  So, there may be UCE folks looking for a similar service opportunity in Evanston.  This one can be done entirely contact-free.  

Here is the information if you would like to help:  

DROP-OFF LOCATION

  • 1st United Methodist Church of Evanston – 516 Church St.

DROP-OFF DATES

  • Saturdays April 3 and 9 – 10:30am to 1:30pm 
  • Sundays April 4 and 10 – Noon to 2pm

ITEMS NEEDED – Please limit your generosity to the items requested.  

The wish list includes  22oz. Pantene ProV Daily Moisturizing Shampoo, 22 oz., Dove Body Wash, and Lysol disinfectant Wipes, 80 count.

Sue Murphy, our friend at Interfaith Action, says you can buy one kind of product or mix and match.  They are grateful for donations both small and large. You can order online or buy from your favorite store – their brands, or your favorites.  

Thank you to all UCERs for your generous responses to our pandemic-time projects to help alleviate the suffering of our neighbors.  

Food and Shelter Team

Co-chairs Maggie Weiss and Sheila Holder

 

What is SNAPGap?: April 2, 20212021-03-31T22:52:51+00:00

From Rev. Susan Frances: April 2, 2021

Proximity Partners Refreshed 

Approximately one year ago UCE launched its Proximity Partners initiative. This initiative was created partly in response to the fact that the COVID-19 isolation protocols kept us from meeting together at UCE. Proximity Partners groups were formed based on geographical location of members.  Some of the groups organized and started gathering virtually and in-person with masks. Other groups have had less activity. In an effort to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate in an active group, we are consolidating membership and reshaping the geographical distribution of the  Proximity Partners  groups. 

Soon you will receive an email about your Proximity Partners group.  Members who currently have an active group will remain in that group. Members in less active groups have been reallocated to one of the active groups. We will end up with seven Proximity Partners groups.  Since the geographic areas have expanded, most groups will be larger.    

The Proximity Partners initiative is designed to provide connection with other members of UCE who live in your geographic area. The initiative was created to be one way to get together virtually and occasionally outside with masks for social connection, including walks in the neighborhood and along natural trails or virtual games and sing-a-longs. You are invited to explore connections within your Proximity Partners group when you receive the next invitation.  

These photos are from Proximity Partners gatherings over the past year: 

  • Nancy Morris, Nancy Katz, Matt Snowdon, and Diane Markel with the Southwest Proximity Partners at North Park Village, Chicago, for a snowshoe walk in February 2021 and collecting 3 garbage bags full of trash on a walk in March 2021. 
  • Julia Takarada, Bruce and Jane Kenamore, Tim Feddersen, and Ben, Luealla, Teddy, and Kirby Kornfeld with the Light House Proximity Partners at a kid-friendly happy hour gathering at the light house beach park, Evanston, in July 2020. 

Even with more and more of us receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it is uncertain when we will be able to gather together in-person in a large group. Proximity Partners is one way to continue to stay connected in smaller virtual and in-person gatherings. We are a community that values relationships, caring for each other, supporting each other, and having fun together! Your Proximity Partners group is one way to continue deepening your relationships with each other. 

If your Proximity Partners want to start meeting in-person at UCE, here are the guidelines to follow. You will need to make arrangements with Jessica Meis for lobby staff to be present. A maximum of 10 people with masks on may arrange to meet inside and a maximum of 25 people with masks on may arrange to meet outside. 

If you have a question about which Proximity Partners group you are a part of, who are the other members of your group, or who are the leaders of your group, please email Adam Gough at  agough@ucevanston.org  and he will provide you this information and help you learn how to look up this information in REALM. If you do not want to receive emails from your Proximity Partners group, please let Adam know. If you move, please let Adam know so he can connect you with your Proximity Partners in your new geographical area. 

Connecting with each other is one way we continue to feed our spirits, sustain our community, and build a caring world. 

In faith, 

Rev. Susan 

From Rev. Susan Frances: April 2, 20212021-04-02T15:01:30+00:00

Facing Climate Change: April 2021

Tuesdays, April 6, 13 at 7 pm | All sessions will be via Zoom | Facilitated by UCE members Andy Fisher and Dan Solomon

On April 6th, Andy Fisher will lead a PowerPoint presentation based on Al Gore’s “Climate Reality Project.”   He’ll begin by sharing some of his own experiences with climate change, followed by three questions that Al Gore poses:

  1. Must we change?  This part shows the reality of how fast CO2 has been building up recently.  It includes views of the increasingly terrible floods, hurricanes, droughts and wildfires worldwide, as well as graphical illustrations of the trends.
  2. Can we change?  This presents evidence for the great increases in clean renewable energy recently and its dramatic reduction in cost.
  3. Will we change?  This lists the MANY countries, states, and private industries who have already committed to zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

There will be time for Q & A after the PowerPoint presentation

On April 13th, Dan Solomon will present some ideas by “Evolutionary Evangelist” Michael Dowd, providing a religious framework for facing our environmental crisis. Michael Dowd summarizes his Credo as:  “Reality is my God.  Evidence is my scripture. The Epic of Evolution is my creation story.  Ecology is my theology.  Integrity is my spiritual path.  Fostering a just and healthy future is my mission.”

There will be a brief film presentation, followed by discussion.

Register Here
Facing Climate Change: April 20212021-03-30T21:59:00+00:00

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Evanston

1330 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Directions

(847) 864-1330
uce@ucevanston.org

UCE’s office hours:

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Thursday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 10 AM – 2 PM

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

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

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

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