We are fast approaching the reopening of the building on September 12. While the building has been well cared for and capital campaign projects continue, we find ourselves working at a quick pace to complete final details and prepare the space for you as we gather in our building again. This will be a joyous time to see each other and reconnect.  

As many of you may know from your experience in doing home improvements, or perhaps through your work, it is increasingly difficult to get products and contractors in a timely way.  

Before I go into the details of what you might expect inside, let me fill you in on exciting projects that are taking place outdoors. We are almost there in obtaining our permit for the ramp. Once the permit is let, construction will begin. It is still our hope to get the ramp and all plantings done this summer and fall. We are looking forward to our Intergenerational Playscape and Accessibility Ramp from the southwest door of the sanctuary. 

Barb Butz and volunteers have created a beautiful pollinator garden on the northwest lawn. Today when I was there the sun was shining, multiple flowers were in bloom, and the native prairie garden plants loomed behind and high above. It is just beautiful. Thank you garden team. Along the west wall of the wing you will see new prairie grasses and a few yews planted with hostas on the south end of the lot. Thank you, Carol Nielsen for following up on that much needed improvement. It seems we could say we have developed a “Garden Ministry”. The talents of our congregants and care for our grounds is a gift to everyone at UCE and those who visit us.  

Remember our rain gardens? There’s one on the east and one on the southeast of our property.  A group of Northwestern Engineering students are working with Kimberly Gray, Chair and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering to study our southeast rain garden. NW received a federal grant to study how cities can achieve installations of more urban rain gardens. They found out about ours and came to talk with us back in the spring. They are now following up to confirm their proposal to install a “weather station” with sensors to test the water and various aspects of the rainfall collected. This project will be presented to the Green Team and Buildings and Grounds at our joint September meeting. The students have assembled a power-point that explains the design and our study objectives. The professor and her team were very impressed with the fact that we have not one, but two rain gardens, and that they appear to be working well. This will be an exciting project for the Green Team and Buildings and Grounds to discuss and look forward to. Stay tuned as we provide additional information in the months ahead.  

The lobby may not quite be as complete as we had hoped, as this hinges on our new hospitality desk availability and other refinements for furniture. Our goal is to make the lobby as user-friendly and welcoming as possible, with a special focus on how all generations can move in the space that flows better and creates a safe environment. We are excited about a new larger monitor that provides more information about what is going on in the building as well as general information about UCE events and activities. 

Room 2 carpet will be laid next week, but alas, there is a back order on the trim that goes around the room. We are hoping that it arrives by the promised September 3rd date. Once installed Room 2, will have new carpet, furniture, shades, ceiling tiles and lighting. Rather than fixtures like the office and Room 3, we chose softer lighting that will work with our existing sconces to provide a quieter feeling for covenant groups, small memorials and meditation. We think you will enjoy the feeling of this clean and fresh updated space.  

Steven and Liz are cleaning rugs and removing paper from the hallway areas where we have been protecting the new floors installed earlier this year, as well as going through each and every room to clean and tidy up for our ingathering in September.  

On September 19th, we will dedicate the new, beautiful kitchen. As you will recall, we closed the week before our planned event in March. Please join us for this important recognition of the love and care that has gone into making our kitchen the heart of our home and a place where we gather for hospitality and connection.  

Members and Friends opportunities are being planned for outdoor activities at UCE this summer and here is the first one of the season. You will have the chance, in a safe environment, to see fellow congregants you may not have seen in months.  

I invite you to join in on the fun for our first-ever UCE Parking Lot Pop-up Sale. May 22, 2021 (rain date May 29) 10-2. This is an important fundraising event for UCE and is guaranteed to be fun for people of all ages. There will be a balloon guy to entertain the children while parents socialize and sell items no longer needed that could be treasured by others. Proceeds from the sale will benefit UCE in lieu of our regular Annual Rummage Sale.   

The planning team is making it easy for everyone to participate in one way or another. If you have items you want to bring, but not enough for a table, you can share with someone else. If you are concerned about being at a table alone, no worries, we will get a buddy who can keep you company or just take over while you get something to eat or drink or go to the washroom. Whatever the challenge is Carol Nielsen and our enthusiastic Pop Up Sale Team will help resolve it. We want everyone to feel welcome and able to participate in some way.  

We need individuals and groups to host a table or volunteer to make this event a success. Tables so far include the UCE choir, the Board of Trustees, Staff, The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group and others. We are so excited for this springtime event outside where we can gather to have fun and support UCE. Talk to your covenant group, your proximity partner friends, book group, or other affinity group you belong to and encourage their participation. It will be fun and will help us make our fiscal year financial goals.  

UCE Covid Guidelines, including wearing masks and social distancing, will be followed for the protection of all who sell and attend. Feel free to email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org with any questions you may have.  

Speaking of our outdoor space, if you drive through our parking lot you may see Barbara Butz and Nancy Lee planting pollinator plants for our new garden just east of the bike racks on the west lawn. Congregants have been donating plants and these two have been planting this week. On the south end of the lot we have had the 35 year old  tired and shabby bushes in the planters along the west wall of the wing removed. New soil and installation of grasses and other plants that will show interest and color throughout the year will replace the old bushes.  

On the east side of the building, you will notice that major repair has been done to the spalling concrete and the hand railings have been reinstalled. While this is not the entrance to our church, it is important for it to remain safe and visibly pleasing to all who pass by. Before we return to UCE at some point in the fall, new signage will be made for the east doors.  

Several Capital Campaign projects have been accomplished as you have read in previous newsletter articles. Each week several teams meet and make decisions to keep projects moving forward.  

Last week the Sanctuary Cooling Team entered into a contract with Blue Frost Heating and Cooling for a Design Development Study so that our team can decide between two options that we have chosen. We are trying to determine if one system is better for the environment over the other and how these fit into our budget plan. Our plan is to begin installation this summer.  

Currently Gillian Lawrence is working on a plan for the lobby to assist our Lobby Wing Refurb Team on flow of the space taking into consideration input from users of the space that we met with which includes Hospitality, Membership, Accessibility, Inclusion, History and Families, and others. This plan will help us decide how to place furnishings in the most welcoming, safe and attractive way.  

The Intergenerational Playscape installation of the ramp and walkways is planned to begin in June with landscaping to follow in July. I am currently working with Preservation and Zoning for approvals on the drawings. Accessibility and generational inclusion has been considered at every step of planning. This will be a beautiful and fun space to be outdoors at UCE whether it is children playing or a meeting taking place, it will be a lovely new useful area for our congregation. We have received a generous donation from the Woods family for the Accessibility Ramp which will be named in honor of Alma and Dave Woods.  

Furniture for Room 2 is on its way. Lighting has been completed in the lobby and Room 2. Carpet for the sanctuary steps has been ordered. As you have heard previously, lighting and shades were installed as well as new flooring throughout the wing. 

Projects for the coming year include an accessible and inclusive in the lower level, a hearing loop for the sanctuary, security cameras for the interior space and funding of a Building Fund for future repairs and improvements. 

Last week I received a call from the Schweikher Foundation, which is located in the home of Martyl Langsdorf who painted the large mural in the sanctuary and designed the stained glass that graces the east and west doors. Four members of staff and documents from the foundation were thrilled to find verification of information they have been tracking and were excited to see drawings of our sanctuary building. They verified that the chairs were designed for our building, built in Denmark and shipped here. There is another church in the southern suburbs that have the same blue slit windows and chairs that we do. Our church is recognized by architects and artists for the significant contributions that Paul Schweikher made during the modernism period. They would like to host an evening at (or on zoom) about our building and its significance.  

This sounds like a fun idea and will be helpful in educating so many of the younger generation of our congregation that are not familiar with the historical or architectural significance of our building and its artwork. Groups from the Art Institute have visited UCE over the years to feast their eyes on our space.  

Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director

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

Post-holiday break brings a flurry of activity for staff as we continue our virtual services and work from our home offices to keep programs moving forward.  

Special Notice: Budget Town Hall Meeting – Wednesday February 10 at 7 p.m.  and Sunday, February 14, after the service at 12:30. Click here to join the Wednesday Budget Town Hall. The link for Sunday will be shared in next week’s newsletter. 

The Budget Working Group (Treasurer Susan Comstock, Rev. Eileen Wiviott, ISC Member-at-Large Rob Wingader, Board Vice President Joe Romeo, and I have met over the past many weeks to assemble the 2021-22 Budget. The preliminary budget was approved at the January ISC meeting and the January Board meeting. As the pledge drive results come in we will continue to meet and revise the budget as necessary to prepare for a vote at the Virtual Annual Meeting in May 2021.  

Pledge Drive 2021-2022 – The pledge drive team is gearing up for our 2021-22 Fiscal Year Pledge Drive. A kickoff will be held at worship on February 28th, our first digital pledge drive due to COVID 19. Look for details in upcoming newsletters.  

REALM Directory and Registration – The UCE directory is now only on Realm. If you have not set up your Realm account, please do so asap. If you need a new email invite, please email admin@ucevanston.org. You will not be included in the directory until you set up your login. If you cannot find someone in the directory, use the search function. Please note the search function is not perfect and requires some patience. Here are some helpful tips:

• Realm will only recognize exact spelling of names: e.g. if someone is David in Realm and you search Dave, David will not show up. 
• You can search using the first few letters of someone’s first or last name: e.g. you can type in “Dav” and  both David’s and Dave’s will show up.
• Once you type in a name or the first few letters, a drop down with names will appear. You can click on the name if you see it, or click “More Results.” This will bring you to a list of everyone in Realm that has those letters in their name.
• Do not type in a name and press enter. This is not intuitive, but this may pull up a random name that is close, but not who you are looking for. 
• If you are having trouble finding someone, feel free to email the office at admin@ucevanston.org and Jessica Meis can supply the contact info you are looking for.

Rentals – I am pleased to report that I am getting rental inquiries for the summer and fall. I am working on a contract with a bike camp for the parking lot area. COVID guidelines will be adhered to, of course. Weavers Guild of the North Shore is planning small group meetings that will include live streaming. We are finding new ways to cross the bridge from full COVID closure to the possibility of larger gatherings next fall. This will help us greatly as rental income loss has hit our budget this fiscal year.  

Capital Campaign – projects continue as we are about to launch the Intergenerational Playscape and Ramp slated to begin construction in April. In the days ahead Faith Formation task force members and parents will meet with Indira Johnson, artist, and Britta Francke of Nature’s Perspective to see these exciting plans and have an opportunity to give feedback and ask questions. The ramp and garden space will offer space for families and congregants of all ages to gather outside. There will be benches, tables with chairs, a labyrinth, hopscotch, pathways, a water fountain, areas of play with natural materials, and more. We have taken great care to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all.  

The Sanctuary Cooling Team continues to meet by zoom weekly. We have received four responses to our Request for Proposal (RFP). The team is now evaluating the information, submitting our questions and will meet with each contractor. Greg Grabowski, Andy Schlickman (Green Team), Michael Drennan (Green Team), and I have spent several months carefully evaluating the best system for UCE cooling. We are addressing not only costs, but feasibility and environmental questions.  

Lobby and Wing refurbishment projects continue. Selecting furnishings during COVID-19 restrictions is a challenge. Johna VanDyke has ordered new carpeting for the ramp and sanctuary platform. We proceed with plans as discussed at our lobby focus group meeting which addressed flow, layout, installation of a lighted cabinet for history items and storage below, as well as movable kiosks for computers to aid with check in, attendance and visitor information. Room 2 will get new furniture. Lighting in the lobby in the area over the current seating area has been upgraded, as well as in the area outside the bathrooms. New lighting is being installed in Room 2 in the next two weeks. We opted for a more intimate, ambient system in that room since it is used for small group meetings, covenant groups and small memorials.  

Upcoming projects for the fall and beyond include an inclusive and accessible washroom in the lower level, security cameras on each level of the church, a hearing loop, a funds to be set up in a Building Fund account for emergencies over the next several years.  

Our grounds – We look forward to the spring when planting continues on the west lawn. Barbara Butz and a team of members and friends will install a pollinator garden in the large open oval space you see just east of the bike racks.  You will see changes along the west side of the wing as new plantings will be installed to replace the old and dying bushes.  

Just imagine summer 2021 – a new garden area, playscape and ramp on the east lawn, a pollinator garden with butterflies on the west lawn and new plantings on the west side of the wing, as well as our new parking lot. One day we will all walk that path from Greenwood to our entrance and gather together once again. I am looking forward to that day.

Please let me know if you have questions about finance, buildings and grounds, or capital campaign. My email is srobinson@ucevanston.org. 

Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director

Year-end tax statements will be sent by email during the last week of January. We know that some of you have been requesting these statements. Staff Accountant, Vickie Doebele, is still making year-end adjustments and tracking donations that occurred during December, so look for your statement by email later this month.

If you have registered in REALM you can look up your donations. If you are not, please contact Adam Gough to get registered. There are many benefits to signing up. The email statement will reflect your complete giving for calendar year 2020.

Last evening the Integrated Stewardship Council met for its usual 3rd Thursday of the month meeting. ISC members approved the preliminary budget, which will then go to the Board for review and approval on Thursday, January 21. Members of the Budget Working Group are Susan Comstock, Treasurer; Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Rob Wingader, ISC Member-At-Large; Joe Romeo, Board Vice President, and myself, Sandra Robinson.

A Budget Town Hall Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, February 14 at 12:30 pm after the worship service.

Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 

It is always a pleasure to see many of you on zoom throughout the week for meetings, coffee hour and other connections. If you have not joined coffee hour after the service, I encourage you to do so. It makes a difference to see each other’s faces and to hear each other’s stories and life situations and to discuss important questions posed by the ministers. This past Sunday was especially meaningful as we had the opportunity to process the news of Alma Wood’s death, and to provide support to others in our congregation who are ill or have losses in their lives.  

Remembering Alma Woods and her significant contributions to the life at UCE. Alma mentored me on accessibility and helped me understand ways to look at all we do to ensure that our facilities and our programming are easy to navigate for those who may have physical challenges or special needs. Alma was co-chair of the Accessibility Team with me. This team was formed during the Five-Year Plan in preparation for a future capital campaign, which we are in the midst of right now. Alma provided vast history and knowledge about access and was so helpful as we decided on the LULA (Limited Use Limited Access) that was installed near our lobby. Alma gathered together in one room people who had experience with various accessibility issues such as hearing, vision, physical movement, aging and speech to name a few. We were all enlightened on the way we needed to view our space and our offerings to include everyone. Alma was a force to be reckoned with and a person who has always been there to help and to share her care and knowledge. She will be missed.  

Capital Campaign: We are now in the middle of our Capital Campaign projects with the kitchen, lobby and wing floors and shades, sewers, parking lot and walkway from Greenwood completed. Recently the lobby/wing project team (Johna VanDyke, Sandy Danforth and myself) met with a focus group to hear ideas of how various programs in the church use the lobby, including membership, hospitality, accessibility, religious education, UCE historians and others. They provided insight on decisions we will make on furnishings, flow and components to make the lobby welcoming and functional for all who enter. The Sanctuary Cooling Team (or as our leader Greg Grabowski says, “The Cool Team”) continues to research and make a decision on cooling. We have narrowed it down to two choices and are now exploring which is the most feasible for UCE, including considerations on the environmental impact. The team is Greg Grabowski, Andy Schlickman, Mike Drennan and me. We have Green Team and Buildings and Grounds represented. In the spring we will proceed with the Intergenerational Playscape and Accessibility Ramp.  Following in the fall we begin work on the Hearing Loop and Accessible and Inclusive washroom in the lower level. This is very exciting and moves UCE forward with many conveniences and upgrades for our congregation and all who use our space.  

Buildings and Grounds has had two meetings this year so far. One of those was a walk-thru of the building. We captured for a spreadsheet, projects that need to be done now, in one to five years and for a future capital campaign. Currently, Robb Geiger, Carol Nielsen have been working with me on a project to upgrade the broken steps on the east side and replacement of the railings. This will be done in the spring when concrete facilities reopen.  

Now on the financial forefront, please watch your email to make sure you receive your 2020-21 Fiscal Year Operating Fund Statement and, if you pledged to the Capital Campaign that statement was sent as well. If your records do not agree with ours please contact Vickie Doebele, our Staff Accountant at finance@ucevanston.org Thank you for your generosity and financial support of UCE. We value every contribution.  

If you plan to donate stock to UCE please contact Vickie to let her know your broker will be sending funds. This way our Treasurer Susan Comstock can check our investment account to make the appropriate stock transfer. If your broker needs our account numbers and information for the transfer, please contact me at srobinson@ucevanston.org and I will call them.  

We continue to keep a tight control on expenses, which is helping us during this difficult period. Currently our outside accountant Julie Pierce is compiling our information and doing the application for our PPP loan forgiveness. Julie and her firm are keeping up-to-date moment by moment with webinars and information to ensure the best results for their client’s applications for forgiveness.  We have had almost no rentals and no rummage sale so we are very grateful for the PPP as it has helped us pay employees and has provided much needed financial assistance.  

Integrated Stewardship Council meets monthly via zoom. We recently changed our meeting time to the second Thursday at 7 p.m. Each leader of areas related to finance report at this meeting and we address any significant items that may arise during the month.  

Stewardship: Marianne Griebler is our Pledge Drive Chair this year and she is working with Tom Carlton as we move forward in February/March for our 2021/22 Fiscal Year Pledge Drive. She has many terrific ideas in store including a celebration that includes all of the congregation.  

Fundraising: Serendipity Auction was a huge success and reminds us that we can have fun and raise funds during these COVID closure months. Susan Comstock, Jenny Walsh and Cathy Deamant, along with a very capable team pulled off an amazing event that was so much fun and it raised over $24,000. Bravo team!! This was beyond our expectations and our budget line item.  

Budget Working Group of the ISC (Susan Comstock, Treasurer; Rob Wingader, Member-At-Large, Rev. Eileen Wiviott and I will meet on Friday, December 18 to review and further refine the draft budget that was put together for the Ministerial Search Committee.  

Information Working Group of the ISC shares this information about REALM: There are still more than 250 members and friends who have not set up their Realm account. If this is you, please don’t forget to join our online community. On Realm, you will be able to update your contact information, access the current directory, see your giving history, and connect with your small groups! If you can’t locate your invite email, contact Adam Gough at agough@ucevanston.org or Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org.  

Our staff continues to meet weekly via zoom. I look forward to each staff members’ warm smiles and hearing each of their voices. This contact brings joy and comfort as I work from my home office from day to day. The Board of Trustees has planned a holiday party for staff, which we so appreciate and are looking forward to.  

I so enjoy the work I do with the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. It is an honor to work with these dedicated people who care deeply about UCE and work so hard for our congregation and community. They are always open to your input and questions at BOT@ucevanston.org. 

I truly miss all of you and look forward to the day when we can be together in our church building on a Sunday morning. My very best to each and every one of you and your families during this unusual holiday season. May you be well and may your find peace.  

Sandra Robinson 

Executive Operations Director 

Thank you to all who joined us after the election night to share anxious feelings and to gather strength. Eileen put together inspiring and thoughtful readings and videos. Liz, Kathy, Karen and I offered readings as well.  Especially in these times, I am most appreciative of this church and our community.   

So much has been happening at UCE even though we are not present in the building. Please check out Eileen’s video of her walk around our building. Our building is here being cared for and will be ready for us to return when it is safe.  

Updates for the congregation  

Buildings and Grounds 

Our newly re-formed Buildings and Grounds Committee met last week via zoom to introduce ourselves and discuss projects we want to track in the building over the next year, five years and ten years. Members of the team are Robb Geiger, co-chair, myself as co-chair, Barb Butz (UCE gardens) Doug Erickson (Green Team), Woody Haynes (lighting and misc. projects) Melanie Kitchner (Accessibility & Inclusion), David Bates-Jeffreys (construction projects) Carol Nielsen (projects review and resources), and Johna VanDyke (Interior Design). As you can see, this is a dynamic group who will be vastly helpful in overseeing and managing projects beyond our capital campaign. We will meet during the next two weeks to do a building walk-through and create a spreadsheet.  

Adam Gough is updating our UCE inventory of contents, which I started two years ago. Adam will include all music and technology equipment. This is important for insurance purposes, but it will also give the Buildings and Grounds team information to work with to better familiarize themselves with our building.  

On November 10th Robb Geiger, a member of the Green Team and I will do a walk through with Elevate Energy to evaluate lighting and other equipment that uses electricity in our building to determine where improvement might be made and how these could possibly generate funding assistance through Com Ed.  

Carol Nielsen, Robb Geiger and I met to review the east entrance. A railing has fallen and concrete is spalling. This project did not make it to the Capital Campaign so we have carefully evaluated what needs to be done and have proposed a solution for funding this essential repair. The Executive Committee will discuss on Friday. Carol has reached out to a local concrete repair firm who has given us a quote.  

Sanctuary Roof repairs, including the skylight were done late summer. New gutters were installed on the wing.   

I have been working to hire a reliable snow removal company for this year. We received a contract from our usual provider, but it is based on a 7–day week contract, which we no longer need as we are closed. An Evanston snow removal person is coming this week to look at the lot and provide a quote. This firm will clear the lot when needed, clear the sidewalks and apply salt. If you know of a good company that you use please let me know. Carol Nielsen has provided a list of several names and I have been making appointments this week so that we can get this wrapped up before snowfall.  

David Bates-Jeffreys and Robb Geiger have volunteered to change the furnace filters, which will negate the need for the furnace company and consequently save money for UCE.  

Liz Kennedy has been gearing up for the overnight shelter which runs for 3 weeks beginning November 8. Cleaning supplies, safety gear for Liz and Steven, as well as air purifiers have been purchased in anticipation of the shelter. Liz and Eileen have been in close contact with Sue Murphy to ensure that every safety precaution possible and our COVID guidelines are enforced.   

Administration 

Our outside accountant started the application for PPP forgiveness. She has been following guidelines and watching this process carefully. This week our funding company opened up the application process. She is proceeding accordingly.  

I’d like to express a special word of gratitude to Vickie Doebele for the work she does for UCE. Vickie is dedicated to keeping our books in good order. She comes to the church twice a week, picks up the mail, writes checks, makes deposits, and does payroll. Additionally, Vickie volunteers for the Capital Campaign as their bookkeeper. Thank you, Vickie.   

Integrated Stewardship Council meets the second Tuesday of the month. Last month we reviewed the preliminary budget that is required by the Ministerial Search Committee. We meet again this coming Tuesday for our regular monthly meetings.  

Each area of UCE finance provides a verbal and written report: Endowment, Capital Campaign, Pledge Drive and ISC Information Working Group. Of particular interest this month I will report on the information below provided by Jessica Meis updating us on the website and REALM.  

Website Updates & Realm 

Our staff have been working diligently on updating the website. Check out the updated Religious Education and Social Justice sections of the website. Under Religious Education, check out the updated Forum page and the new Program Archive page that stores content and resources for past classes. Under Social Justice, you can see volunteer opportunities, info about the 2020/2021 Shared Offering Recipients, and check out the updated teams’ pages!  Jessica  is actively working with groups to update their webpages, so if you haven’t heard from her yet, you will soon.  

Another significant update to the website is a REALM button at the top of the page. Click on the blue “Realm” button log in to UCE’s online Membership community. If you are have not set up your Realm account, please do so today! If you are having trouble or you have lost your Realm invitation email, please reach out to  Jessica  or Adam. Check out the Realm resources page  under the “Member Directory and Resources” with tips and videos on how to use Realm with ease! There will be more training sessions or help hours offered soon, so be on the lookout in the newsletter for those.  

Susan Comstock will update us on the upcoming Serendipity Online Auction. Cathy Deamant, Susan Comstock and Jenny Walsh have been working day and night with a team to pull this event off. This online event is a wonderful opportunity for the congregation to gather for some fun and fundraising.  

If you have questions about Buildings and Grounds, Capital Campaign, Integrated Stewardship or Financial Matters please do not hesitate to contact me at srobinson@ucevanston.org 

Greetings,

Life at UCE moves on as we continue to endure these challenging times. We are all busy at our home offices, traveling to our offices as needed during COVID closure.

There is good news in that I am beginning to rent the space again to small groups of 10 or less. So far, one group did a two-day rental of the sanctuary for music recordings. I have two interested music groups this week. Hopefully, I can begin to rebuild our important rental program which has taken years and countless relationships in the community to build. The income is vital to our budget as well.

Our UCE Buildings and Grounds Team is in the process of revitalization. We have gone through a big transition as long time members of the team are no longer involved. I have reached out to several members who are interested in serving. We will meet soon by zoom to launch our first meeting of the church year. Our goal will be to look at projects beyond the current Capital Campaign. Our task will be to evaluate the building priorities – what are the needs in the year ahead, 5 years, and 10 years ahead. Robb Geiger and I are co-leads of the team. If you have interest in serving please let email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

The Capital Campaign projects continue as lighting in the wing and room 2 will be done soon. The project team is about to embark on lobby updates. I’ll be sending a notice to users of the lobby and wing such as membership and hospitality leaders to seek input on how they see the space being used. That will guide our decisions on furnishings. We know that a small kiosk for a computer and brochures is needed. We know that there is conversation about a history cabinet, potentially for the purple wall where brochures are now. If you have specific interest in those decisions, please email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

In October, we will resume planning for the lower level accessible and inclusive bathroom. Earlier in the campaign planning we met with some church members who provided us good input on design considerations. We will offer that opportunity again as we move forward with the project, which is scheduled for this last quarter of 2020.

In the spring of 2021, the accessible ramp and Intergenerational Playscape on the east side of the wing will begin. Early in the planning stages I gathered Religious Education parents with our then DLRE Mary Sheldon to meet with the artist Indira Johnson who works with organizations on process. We talked about what parents felt was important in terms of location, types of play features, seating plantings, the feeling they want to create, visibility from the sanctuary, safety, and other topics. Indira Johnson is the artist who created the Buddha heads throughout the City of Chicago and Evanston. These were a result of her work with community residents in Jackson Park to create a space that the neighborhood could regain from gangs that had taken over the park. She has held many peace circles and has great skill in helping groups work together to determine their needs and wants for pubic spaces. The ramp was designed by Nature’s Perspective. They will install the ramp and assist Indira with selection of plantings for the playscape garden. This is a very exciting project that will provide a wonderful space for our children, as well as providing a contemplative natural space for congregants of all ages.

For more information on either of these upcoming projects email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

Jessica Meis, Communication Coordinator has completed the update of the Leadership Brochure. Please take a look at this important document on our website to see who leads and serves on our UCE leadership teams. If you are on a team and your name does not appear, please contact Jessica at admin@ucevanston.org.

Liz Kennedy and I attended a zoom meeting this week with Sue Murphy and a group of other church building staff to discuss the possibility of housing the homeless during the winter months. The program planning is well underway. Churches are evaluating their current COVID Guidelines and determining if this is the best choice for their church. Liz provided a lengthy list of questions so that we can make the same determination, particularly making sure that our staff and others involved can be safe. All of us care deeply about serving the homeless in our community. Currently, hotels in the area continue to provide rooms for them so the numbers to be housed in churches is much more manageable. They will not be seeking volunteers due to COVID restrictions but will hire two paid staff for each night of the shelter. Sue is doing a good job to answer and address concerns that have been expressed.

UCE’s Integrated Stewardship Council continues to meet monthly via zoom. Recently they elected Rob Wingader and Tom Carlton as the new members-at-large. Rob and Tom will serve a two-year term. Marianne Griebler has graciously volunteered to be Pledge Drive Chair. Marianne is assembling a job description for a co-chair. Members of the team: Janelle Brittain, Capital Campaign; Susan Comstock, Treasurer, Jane Kenamore and Margaret Schatz (sharing the role) for Endowment; Marianne Griebler, Pledge Drive, and myself as staff lead. Acting Sr. Minister Eileen Wiviott is ex-officio, Susan Carlton, Secretary, Jessica Tomell-Presto and Joe Romeo are Board of Trustees liaisons. Your team is dedicated to monitoring all financial aspects of UCE.

Last, but not least, our staff had a 90-minute session with Susan Carlton and Steve Serikaku of the Ministerial Search Committee on Wednesday. They sent questions to us prior to the meeting so that we had time to carefully consider our answers. We had a deep and meaningful discussion on what we would like to see in the settled Sr. Minister from the perspective of a team who works directly with that person. Each of us articulated our thoughts well and provided very useful information. I am proud of our staff team. Each member is devoted to UCE, believes that their work is integral to the mission and feel it is a ministry.