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Warm Clothing Drive Update: March 12, 2021

A huge ‘Thank You” is in order to the many UCE members and friends who donated warm clothing of all kinds for clients of Connections for the Homeless. 

We collected, sorted and delivered new underwear and socks (164 pairs of socks!); 40 coats and jackets (many of them new); 43 hats; 20 scarves and 20 pairs of gloves; 10 pairs of boots and shoes; 30 sweaters, hoodies and sweatshirts; over 50 long sleeved shirts; 3 backpacks and 7 pairs of long pants. In addition, there were several miscellaneous items and everything was either new or clean and ready-to-wear. 

The deliveries were greeted with smiles and much appreciation for our efforts. Well done! 

We have found that the need is always there – clothing can get lost, or stolen, or simply wear out. Also, new people move into situations where they need help with basic clothing. 

Results like this take a team – Thank you to our many donors, to our Sexton Liz for arranging a drop-off and sort and pack location, and to organizers Carol Nielsen, Maggie Weiss, Marilyn Wroblewski and Sheila Holder.   

Warm Clothing Drive Update: March 12, 20212021-03-12T15:50:10+00:00

Are the 7 Principles Mutable?: March 12, 2021

Learn about the 8th Principle at the next 8th Principle Town Hall gathering on Sunday, March 21 at 1:15 pm. ALL ARE INVITED! Register here to let us know you will be there.

We will have additional congregation-wide gatherings on April 4 and April 11. If none of these dates fits into your schedule, Team 8th is considering adding either a Monday or Friday evening presentation later in April. Email Sally Parsons (psally944@gmail.com) by April 1 stating your preference. You may also plan to have your covenant group or small group discuss the 8th Prinicple when you meet in March or April.

Q&A from previous Town Hall meetings: Are the 7 Principles mutable?

Yes. As we continue to learn and grow, our principles and sources have changed and are meant to evolve with us.

When the Unitarians and Universalists merged in 1961, our newly formed Unitarian Universalist Association started out with 6 Principles and no sources. In 1985, we added the 7th Principle and adopted 5 Sources. In 1995, we added the 6th Source.

Right now, there is a Study Commission reflecting on and examining revisions to our 7 Principles. In 2017, the UUA General Assembly voted to create a Study Commission regarding adopting the 8th Principle. In 2020, the UUA General Assembly voted to create an Article II Study Commission. Article II of the UUA Bylaws is the article that contains the 7 Principles. The charge of the Article II Study Commission is to review all 7 Principles and incorporate the findings of the 2017 Study Commission on the 8th Principle. The report and recommendations for revising the Principles that stem from the Article II Study Commission will be presented to the UUA General Assembly in 2022.

If you have questions about the 8th Principle, please contact one of the Team 8th members, who are listed in REALM, or Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org. We will continue discussing the concepts and meaning of the 8th Principle, and look forward to seeing you at one of the Town Hall meetings.

Are the 7 Principles Mutable?: March 12, 20212021-03-12T15:41:43+00:00

From EOD: March 12, 2021

As I write this update to you today, I honor the one-year anniversary of our church closure due to the pandemic. This year has been one of hardship, yet we have found ways to continue our work, our mission, and to be together in the very best ways possible. For all of you, our staff, leaders, volunteers and congregation, I am grateful. We carry on in love and in care for one another and the work that we do.  

All of your financial contributions have helped us stay fiscally strong during these challenging times. We are now planning our Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget and seek your financial support. The last day of the pledge drive is this Sunday, March 14. If you’ve already sent in your pledge, THANK YOU. We are so grateful for your generosity. When you pledge you’re automatically entered into the celebration party raffle on Saturday, March 13! If you haven’t pledged yet, please fill out your pledge form now! You will not receive a pledge packet in the mail; your pledge packet has been emailed to you.

Plan to join in on the fun Saturday at 6:30 for our special pledge drive celebration. Pre-parties begin at 6:30 and the main events begin at 7 p.m. Look for the link in this newsletter. This opportunity to gather online once again is guaranteed to be great fun for everyone. Much work has gone into entertainment that is certain to bring you joy! Thank you to Tom and Alicia Hempfling, Susan Carlton and Susan Comstock for organizing this event. You will enjoy music, singing, dance and raffle prizes to be drawn for everyone who has submitted a pledge form. I’ll see you there!

The next exciting big piece of news is our upcoming “First Ever” UCE Parking Lot Pop-Up Sale. Save items you no longer need or feel you need to move along…and save the date. Saturday, May 22 from 10-3 is the planned date. In case of rain, the event will be held Saturday, May 29. More information will follow including how your UCE group, team or committee can sign up for a table and help us achieve our budget goal for this fiscal year.  

Thank you for Rev. Susan Frances, Jessica Meis and Adam Gough for leading training sessions and working so hard to get our congregation using our membership database REALM. We encourage everyone to register so that you can look up important information about your financial contributions, teams, member directory and more. If you need information contact Admin@ucevanston.org. 

If you drive by UCE this week you will see that work is being done to east steps. Over time the concrete has deteriorated and the railings have loosened. Kelvin Company, an Evanston based business is doing this work, which will result in a more attractive view of the east side of our building, as well as safety for anyone who may use these steps.  

Rentals are beginning to return to UCE as we look ahead to the future reopening of our building. A bicycle training camp will take place on our parking lot this summer and a small wedding reception in late fall. I am in conversation with a few of our long–term renters to see when their regular group meetings and events can return. This is good news as we have endured a great loss of rental income during our COVID 19 building closure. 

Capital Campaign projects continue to roll along. The Intergenerational Playscape Team is working with Artist Indira Johnson and Nature’s Perspective on plans that were originated back in 2019. A group of parents and Life Formation team leaders met to see the exciting plans and provide feedback. The accessible ramp from the southwest door of the sanctuary is schedule to begin as soon as final details can be worked out with the City of Evanston.  

The Sanctuary Cooling Team has narrowed our search to one contractor who will be entering into a design development phase so that we can make a final decision on the appropriate system for UCE. Members of this team are Greg Grabowski, Andy Schlickman, Michael Drennan and myself.  

Wing and Lobby Improvements continue as we look to furnish Room 2 and the Lobby area. Our team of Sandy Danforth, Johna VanDyke and me has been enhanced by Gillian Lawrence’s willingness to help us with the flow of our lobby area. Johna is working to get the purple wall updated and is ordering carpeting. New lights have been installed in Room 2 and new ceiling tile.  

Additional projects are planned for the next year including an accessible and inclusive washroom in the lower level as well as a hearing loop for the sanctuary area. Stay tuned….. 

Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director

From EOD: March 12, 20212021-03-12T17:52:47+00:00

Announcing UCE Pop-up Parking Lot Sale: March 12, 2021

Save the Date and Save Your Rummage!

We are planning a unique and festive day in our parking lot to replace the annual rummage sale normally held inside the church.

Save Saturday, May 22 or Saturday, May 29th (rain date) for the first UCE POP-UP PARKING LOT SALE. Individuals, groups, and committees will be able to organize their own tables. There is a lot of enthusiasm around these plans. Staff and others have already expressed interest in having a table. So, we expect this to be the outdoor event of the year! We will, of course, require masks and abide by social distancing guidelines.

Similar to a flea market, church members will be asked to bring their rummage pre-sorted, pre-priced, and ready for sale. Tables will have a mix of items, so we won’t have “departments” as the rummage sale did.

We plan to have kid’s activities, a balloon man, an ice cream vendor, and food trucks. Our goal is to raise over $6000 which is what the 20/21 f/y net income budget line is for our rummage sale.

We need everyone’s help. It will be a fun day and a chance to make new friends, see old friends, enjoy a UCE group activity and make our budget for UCE.

More details to follow in the coming weeks including sign-up for table space, volunteer sign-up slots, and answers to your questions. So save the date and save your items to sell at the first ever UCE Parking Lot Pop Up Sale.

Announcing UCE Pop-up Parking Lot Sale: March 12, 20212021-03-12T15:06:06+00:00

March Reflections with the Board: March 12, 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 10am before the service. Our next session will be held on March 14th at 10am. For this session, the Board would like to spend some time talking with you about Widening the Circle of Concern. This month we will return to Chapter Three, Congregations and Communities. You did not have to attend any of our previous sessions to join us this month. Here are the questions from the WTC Study Guide:

  • The shaded box on p. 47, Recommended Congregational Practices to Increase Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, details six actions that can be taken by congregations. Discuss which of these you are already engaged in and which of these you might like to add.
  • An important part of this chapter (shaded box pp. 40-41 and pp. 48-49) is understanding congregational polity and the covenantal understanding of each congregation’s relationship with the UUA and other congregations.
    • Discuss how you understand these relationships.
    • How well do you think they are understood in the broader congregation?
    • What actions can you take to build shared understanding?
  •  There is a case study of a congregational audit on pp. 52-53.
    • Is this something your congregation should consider?
    • What might be barriers to implementing this?
  •  There is a case study of a congregation that intentionally focused on welcoming a younger and more diverse leadership team on p. 45. Read the excerpts from their identity documents and reflect on your own.
    • In what ways are they similar and what ways are they different?
    • When was your congregational covenant last renewed?
  •  Which of the suggested actions related to this chapter seem relevant to our community?
    • What would be the first task?
    • What are the barriers to implementation?

As you can see, many of these questions rely on having the chapter on hand. You may want to review those sections or have that information pulled up on your computer or your book available. Read the Chapter here.

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 Discussion.

Meeting ID: 862 4288 7134

Passcode: 220807

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March Reflections with the Board: March 12, 20212021-03-11T23:21:46+00:00

March 14, 2021

We will host an online worship service on Sunday, March 14th at 11:15 am.

For Better; for Worse
Part of commitment is to hang in during both the good times and the hard times. How do we honor our commitments when we are in conflict? How do we mend and re-mend the bonds of community? Challenging people to live into our UU values.

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 Poor People’s Campaign.

March 14, 20212021-03-10T16:50:03+00:00

VirtUUal Faith Formation: March 5, 2021

What’s Happening in Lifespan Faith Formation?

Welcome as we continue our theme of Commitment! This week we focus on the segments The Welcome Mat, At the Table, and 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

Taking Flight Sex Ed Program for 7th-9th Youth – Sunday at 1 pm. Youth must be registered to attend. Look for the email that went out with the link.

High School Youth – Virtually on Sunday at 4 pm. Look for an email with details.

Pre/K Kids and Families – POP (Parents of Preschoolers) – March’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.

Family Fun Outdoors – March 21 at 11 am – 12:30 pm – we will meet for a short hike at a local park or forest preserve. More details to come!

Upcoming Forum Discussion – March 7 at 10 am

The Forum’s Future

Leaders: Carol & Brian Nielsen and Kathy Underwood

This discussion will provide an opportunity for Forum participants to consider the future of the Forum, evaluate this past year’s program, and discuss plans for going forward. A survey to evaluate this year’s program to date can be found below. Please complete the survey by March 15. The survey loads slowly so please be patient.

Take the Forum Evaluation Survey
Join the Zoom Discussion

Current & Upcoming Adult Faith Formation Programs

Towards an Understanding of BELOVED by Toni Morrison – Tuesday, March 2. 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle.

Suffering and Meaning in a Process Relational Perspective – Mondays, March 8, 15, 22 at 7-8 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Barbara Mesle. Pain hurts more when it feels meaningless, so we are powerfully motivated to find some meaning in our suffering.

Neo-Paganism History, Theology, and Ritual – Tuesdays, March 16, 23, 30 at 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Rev. Susan Frances and Taryn Seawright. In this three-part series, Taryn and Rev. Susan will explore the history, theology, and ritual of Neo-Paganism.

VirtUUal Faith Formation: March 5, 20212021-03-05T18:04:14+00:00

March Madness: March 5, 2021

I BET YOU THOUGHT “MARCH MADNESS” MEANT BASKETBALL

Good guess, but in our UCE world, it means a final power push to provide 12 more days of bagged lunches for the folks served by Evanston’s Connections for the Homeless. So far, we’ve scored over 1,000 fresh meals delivered and with 300 more we have a slam-dunk to finish up the season.

For everyone who has been contributing to this effort since last October, Bravo! – and a great big Thank You!  This is a very satisfying project that can be done by volunteers who want to help, but need to avoid close contact with the public. It can be done by one person, or you can get together with a partner to share the tasks (and fun – put on the music while you make sandwiches).  Dribbling while you dance is optional.

We’re here to help you score your own 3-pointer.

     How do you get started? 

    1. Choose a day (Mon. through Fri.) from the calendar on the Connections website,
      Connect2home.org  Go to ‘volunteer’, ‘make bag lunches’, ‘sign up to prepare bag lunches to one of our locations’. This is also where you choose the location you prefer. 
    2. Email Maggie Weiss at msmaggie6@comcast.net to let her know the date and location you have chosen.
    3. Pick up a bag with nonperishable components of 25 lunches from Carol Nielsen. 

This will contain juices, granola bars, condiments and individual bags for sandwiches and lunches.  carolnielsen2100@gmail.com

Then, you buy the fresh items you will use in your lunches – bread, meat, and cheese to make sandwiches, and fresh fruit. We will pay for the non-perishables; you will pay for the fresh foods. We have found the best prices at ALDI, but shop wherever you choose.

For a more detailed shopping guide, please click the button below..  

View the Shopping Guide

The cost of fresh foods for one lunch is about $1.54, so you can do 25 lunches for under $40.

Need coaching? Please contact Sheila Holder at skholder8@gmail.com

From Carol Nielsen, Maggie Weiss, Sheila Holder

 

March Madness: March 5, 20212021-03-04T19:31:08+00:00

Board Goals Update: March 5, 2021

As mentioned a couple months ago, the Board developed its goals for the church year at our annual retreat in July of 2020.  We monitor our progress on a monthly basis. In case you want to check on how we are doing, here is a condensed list of the goals and which Board members are in charge of monitoring each one.  You can get a short report from any of the Board members, or if you want to discuss any related issues, we always welcome opportunities to talk about UCE. 

Board Goals Update: March 5, 20212021-03-04T19:13:18+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: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 4 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Thursday: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 4 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 10 AM – 1 PM

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

Become A Member

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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