Becoming a Member

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We encourage you to join us for worship on Sunday mornings and join us throughout the week to take part in the many ways we grow our beloved community, including book groups, lifespan religious education classes, special events, and social action. You are welcome!

Three Steps to Become a Member at UCE

1. Take our 90 minute Journey Toward Membership class.

2. Complete a Pledge form.

3. Sign the Membership Book.

Journey Toward Membership – Are you a new or long-time visitor? Are you interested in committing to our UCE community as a member? Are you not sure, but would like some more information? Come get the details about the rewards and responsibilities of membership. Class dates are listed below. You only need to take the class once.

Pledge – Our congregation is funded solely by donations from congregants and building rentals. Your pledged donation of any size matters. To learn more about pledging, check out the UCE Pledge Drive information. If you would like to talk through pledging, please contact Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.

Membership Book – Our current Membership Book dates back to the creation of the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961. Previous membership books reside in our archives. You are welcome to sign the Membership Book at any time. We welcome new members during a New Member Covenanting ceremony during the Sunday morning worship service twice a year, once in November and once in April.

Dates for Spring Journey Toward Membership Class Options:

In-person, Sun. Mar. 16, 2025, 9:00-10:20 am, Room 12, child care provided.

Virtual, Wed. Mar. 26, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm, check newsletter for Zoom link.

Virtual, Thurs. Apr. 3, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm, check newsletter for Zoom link.

In-person, Sun. Apr. 6, 2025, 9:00-10:20 am, Room 12, child care provided.

Two More Recommendations After You Join:

Attend a 90 minute New Member Orientation.
Attend the annual spring New Member Reception.

Invitation to Membership

Are you ready to join the membership of the Unitarian Church of Evanston and make a financial pledge to sustain the work of this congregation as we nurture the human spirit for a world made whole? Contact Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org when you are ready to sign the Membership Book and submit a pledge form.

Financial Contribution

Annual financial pledges by members and friends keep the doors open, the lights on, programs supported, music playing, ministers preaching, and staff managing our congregation. While there is no specific dollar amount required for membership, some people find it helpful to think in terms of a percentage of their income; for example, between 2-5% of gross income. Except for rental income, which has significantly declined due to COVID-19, pledges and donations constitute the entirety of our congregation’s annual income.

Membership Directory = REALM

Once you become a member of UCE, you will receive a login to our membership database called REALM. You will then have access to our Membership Directory when you are logged into REALM on your computer, ipad, or phone. Click here to access the REALM help guide or contact Adam Gough at agough@ucevanston.org if you need help accessing the Membership Directory or other assistance using REALM.

UCE Facebook

In addition to the public UCE Facebook Page, there are two UCE private groups that members can join – the UCE Member to Member Group and the UCE Social Action Group. These are closed groups that allow members to communicate directly with each other. If you have an event you want members to know about, or have a cause you hope to bring attention to, you may post to the appropriate Facebook Group in addition to the weekly newsletter and Sunday morning announcements. Click the links above or search for the groups by name on Facebook and ask to join.

Member Class Resources