What’s Happening in Faith Formation?

Backpack Blessing – Join the virtual worship service for our backpack blessing on September 5! Rev. Eileen will offer a blessing for our backpack tags for those who are beginning a new school year. You can pick up yours at UCE at the Ingathering Service on September 12, or in the lobby during office hours all week long.

Back-to-School pictures? If you took some pictures to mark the occasion, we’d love to show them during the worship service on September 5! You can drop them in this Google folder or email them to Kathy Underwood.

Playscape Steppingstone Event – September 25 and October 2 – Families are invited to help make steppingstones. For more details and to register, click here.

Registration for Faith Formation begins! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines. Please complete the form here for all young people, 0-18 years old.

Faith Formation Help this Fall – If you’d like to join in making this new format fun and engaging, look here for some of the ways you can do so! If you haven’t seen the video about our worship and faith formation format for this fall yet, check it out here. And if you missed Kathy’s recent article about this you can find it here.

UCE Book Groups

UCE Fiction Book Group is reading My Favorite Thing is Monsters, Book 1, a graphic novel by Emil Ferris. Discussion meeting September 17, 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. 

Set against the tumultuous political backdrop of late ’60s Chicago, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters is the fictional graphic diary of 10-year-old Karen Reyes, filled with B-movie horror and pulp monster magazine iconography. Karen Reyes tries to solve the murder of her enigmatic upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a holocaust survivor, while the interconnected stories of those around her unfold. When Karen’s investigation takes us back to Anka’s life in Nazi Germany, the reader discovers how the personal, the political, the past, and the present converge.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Parent/Volunteer Conversation – Based on the feedback from the Family Engagement Survey so far, there is a need to get more information out to you so that you can make the decision on how your family participates this year at UCE. You are invited to one of two virtual gatherings for this purpose:

Monday, August 30 from 7-8 pm OR 
Thursday, September 2 from 7-8 pm 

Come hear about the format for Sundays at UCE for worship and the faith formation hour. Bring your questions and share your ideas! Those who are considering whether to volunteer this year are invited too!

Backpack Blessing – Join the virtual worship service for our backpack blessing on September 5! Rev. Eileen will offer a blessing for our backpack tags for those who are beginning a new school year. You can pick up yours at UCE at the Ingathering Service on September 12, or in the lobby during office hours all week long.

Back-to-School pictures? If you took some pictures to mark the occasion, we’d love to show them during the worship service on September 5! You can drop them in this Google folder or email them to Kathy Underwood.

Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!

Registration for Faith Formation begins! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines. Please complete the form here for all young people, 0-18 years old.

Worship and Faith Formation this Fall – If you haven’t seen the video about our worship and faith formation format for this fall yet, check it out here. And if you missed Kathy’s article about this you can find it here.

Playscape Steppingstone Event – September 25 and October 2 – Families are invited to help make steppingstones. For more details and to register, click here.

College-bound youth and young adults! A network to connect with UUs wherever you are! Join Rev. Byron Tyler Coles & Rev. Stevie K Carmody Eama for an information session about the recently launched Bridging Youth Hospitality Network!

• Wednesday, August 18th, 5pm ET
• Thursday, September 2nd, 5pm ET
• Thursday, October 7th, 7pm ET

Check the links below for Zoom registration and more information. Spread the survey to recently bridged youth and the communities that want to welcome them!

UCE Book Groups

UCE Fiction Book Group is reading My Favorite Thing is Monsters, Book 1, a graphic novel by Emil Ferris. Discussion meeting September 17, 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. 

Set against the tumultuous political backdrop of late ’60s Chicago, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters is the fictional graphic diary of 10-year-old Karen Reyes, filled with B-movie horror and pulp monster magazine iconography. Karen Reyes tries to solve the murder of her enigmatic upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a holocaust survivor, while the interconnected stories of those around her unfold. When Karen’s investigation takes us back to Anka’s life in Nazi Germany, the reader discovers how the personal, the political, the past, and the present converge.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Parent/Volunteer Conversation – Based on the feedback from the Family Engagement Survey so far, there is a need to get more information out to you so that you can make the decision on how your family participates this year at UCE. You are invited to one of two virtual gatherings for this purpose:

Monday, August 30 from 7-8 pm OR 
Thursday, September 2 from 7-8 pm 

Come hear about the format for Sundays at UCE for worship and the faith formation hour. Bring your questions and share your ideas! Those who are considering whether to volunteer this year are invited too!

Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!

Registration for Faith Formation begins! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines. Please complete the form here for all young people, 0-18 years old.

Worship and Faith Formation this Fall – If you haven’t seen the video about our worship and faith formation format for this fall yet, check it out here. And if you missed Kathy’s article about this you can find it here.

Playscape Steppingstone Event – September 25 and October 2 – Families are invited to help make steppingstones. For more details and to register, click here.

• Wednesday, August 18th, 5pm ET
• Thursday, September 2nd, 5pm ET
• Thursday, October 7th, 7pm ET

UCE Book Groups

UCE Fiction Book Group meets Friday August 20 at 7 pm by ZOOM to discuss Circe by Madeline Miller.

“A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess’s story,” this #1 New York Times bestseller is “both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right” (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times).

The nonfiction book group won’t be meeting in August to discuss books but we look forward to selecting books for the coming year at our Zoom meeting at 2 pm on August 22nd.

We’re hoping that everyone who has a nonfiction book they recommend and, perhaps, would like to discuss with others at UCE, will add the title to this google document. We’re hoping that this document will encourage UCErs to share their love of books by recommending titles. The nonfiction book group will consider all titles added to this google doc and we hope that many people who submit titles will join us at the August 22nd meeting and then continue with us throughout the church year.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!

Registration for Faith Formation begins! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines. Please complete the form here for all young people, 0-18 years old.

Worship and Faith Formation this Fall – If you haven’t seen the video about our worship and faith formation format for this fall yet, check it out here. And if you missed Kathy’s article about this you can find it here.

Summer Beautifying – Here’s an easy way for you to participate in some shared ministry – cleaning out 2019-20’s artwork in the lower level and decorating it a bit for the new church year! Join here for this event on August 21, from 9am-Noon. Come for an hour, or until noon. Snacks provided too!

UCE Book Groups

UCE Fiction Book Group meets Friday August 20 at 7 pm by ZOOM to discuss Circe by Madeline Miller.

“A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess’s story,” this #1 New York Times bestseller is “both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right” (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times).

The nonfiction book group won’t be meeting in August to discuss books but we look forward to selecting books for the coming year at our Zoom meeting at 2 pm on August 22nd.

We’re hoping that everyone who has a nonfiction book they recommend and, perhaps, would like to discuss with others at UCE, will add the title to this google document. We’re hoping that this document will encourage UCErs to share their love of books by recommending titles. The nonfiction book group will consider all titles added to this google doc and we hope that many people who submit titles will join us at the August 22nd meeting and then continue with us throughout the church year.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Young poets wanted! We’re looking for poetry by young people for the August 15 worship service. Send your original poems to Kathy by August 8. Our theme is “play”, but your poem can be on anything that inspires you.

Registration for Faith Formation begins! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines. Please complete the form here for all young people, 0-18 years old.

Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!

Worship and Faith Formation this Fall – If you haven’t seen the video about our worship and faith formation format for this fall yet, check it out here. And if you missed Kathy’s article about this you can find it here.

Summer Beautifying – Here’s an easy way for you to participate in some shared ministry – cleaning out 2019-20’s artwork in the lower level and decorating it a bit for the new church year! Join here for this event on August 21, from 9am-Noon. Come for an hour, or until noon. Snacks provided too!

UCE Book Groups

UCE Fiction Book Group meets Friday August 20 at 7 pm by ZOOM to discuss Circe by Madeline Miller.

“A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess’s story,” this #1 New York Times bestseller is “both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right” (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times).

The nonfiction book group won’t be meeting in August to discuss books but we look forward to selecting books for the coming year at our Zoom meeting at 2 pm on August 22nd.

We’re hoping that everyone who has a nonfiction book they recommend and, perhaps, would like to discuss with others at UCE, will add the title to this google document. We’re hoping that this document will encourage UCErs to share their love of books by recommending titles. The nonfiction book group will consider all titles added to this google doc and we hope that many people who submit titles will join us at the August 22nd meeting and then continue with us throughout the church year.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Welcome to our last Soulful Home packet for the summer! Our focus is on the segments At the Bedside and Blessing. Watch this short video or you can still check out the whole packet here.

Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!

Young poets wanted! We’re looking for poetry by young people for the August 15 worship service. Send your original poems to Kathy by August 8. Our theme is “play”, but your poem can be on anything that inspires you.

Worship and Faith Formation this Fall – If you haven’t seen the video about our worship and faith formation format for this fall yet, check it out here. And if you missed Kathy’s article about this last week you can find it here.

Registration for Faith Formation begins next week! This year more than ever, it is important that parents register their young people, so that we can plan according to current guidelines.

UCE Book Groups

UCE Fiction Book Group meets Friday August 20 at 7 pm by ZOOM to discuss Circe by Madeline Miller.

“A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess’s story,” this #1 New York Times bestseller is “both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right” (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times).

The nonfiction book group won’t be meeting in August to discuss books but we look forward to selecting books for the coming year at our Zoom meeting at 2 pm on August 22nd.

We’re hoping that everyone who has a nonfiction book they recommend and, perhaps, would like to discuss with others at UCE, will add the title to this google document. We’re hoping that this document will encourage UCErs to share their love of books by recommending titles. The nonfiction book group will consider all titles added to this google doc and we hope that many people who submit titles will join us at the August 22nd meeting and then continue with us throughout the church year.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Welcome to our Soulful Home packet this week! Our focus is on the segment “The Extra Mile”. Watch this short video or you can still check out the whole packet here.

Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!

Wednesdays on the Lawn

Our next gathering will feature four storytellers from Northwestern University around a campfire. And of course, we’ll have s’mores! (Feel free to bring your own if you prefer).

• 5:30 – 6:15 gather on the church lawn for a picnic. Picnic is flexible timing or optional.
• 6:15 – 6:30 opening song and chalice lighting
• 6:30 – 7:15 fiercely faithful family friendly activity
• 7:15 – 7:30 closing circle and song

Bring your own picnic (food, beverages, chairs, blankets, and mask). Masks are required when not eating or drinking. Join in music, worship and learning for people of all ages. Tell your friends and neighbors. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.

General Assembly Chat

July 27 at 7 pm via Zoom – Those who attended General Assembly are gathering to share what they learned and how we can incorporate those learnings at UCE.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Welcome back to our Soulful Home packet this week! Our focus is on the segment “On the Porch”, where parents get to focus on themselves and parenthood. Watch this short video or you can still check out the whole packet here.

Family Engagement Survey – Parents, please fill out this short survey regarding your family’s participation at UCE this fall. It should take 5 minutes or less!

Wednesdays on the Lawn

Our next gathering will feature a labyrinth walk. We’ll also make herbal scent bags. And we’ll have some singing too!

• 5:30 – 6:15 gather on the church lawn for a picnic. Picnic is flexible timing or optional.
• 6:15 – 6:30 opening song and chalice lighting
• 6:30 – 7:15 fiercely faithful family friendly activity
• 7:15 – 7:30 closing circle and song

Bring your own picnic (food, beverages, chairs, blankets, and mask). Masks are required when not eating or drinking. Join in music, worship and learning for people of all ages. Tell your friends and neighbors. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.

This Summer in Faith Formation

Welcome back to our Soulful Home packet this week! Our focus is on the segment “On the Message Board”. Watch this short video or you can still check out the whole packet here.

Wednesdays on the Lawn

Our next gathering will feature a little digging in the dirt! We’ll plant some seeds to take home, dissect a plant, and hopefully see a Venus Flytrap in action.

• 5:30 – 6:15 gather on the church lawn for a picnic. Picnic is flexible timing or optional.
• 6:15 – 6:30 opening song and chalice lighting
• 6:30 – 7:15 fiercely faithful family friendly activity
• 7:15 – 7:30 closing circle and song

Bring your own picnic (food, beverages, chairs, blankets, and mask). Masks are required when not eating or drinking. Join in music, worship and learning for people of all ages. Tell your friends and neighbors. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.

This Summer in Faith Formation

This week, we take a short break for the July 4th holiday weekend. We’ll return to our Soulful Home packet next week. In the meantime, you can still check out the whole packet here.

Wednesdays on the Lawn Begin This Week

Our first gathering will feature a sing-along and drumming. You can also make some shakers and add a bit more percussion to our singing!

• 5:30 – 6:15 gather on the church lawn for a picnic. Picnic is flexible timing or optional.
• 6:15 – 6:30 opening song and chalice lighting
• 6:30 – 7:15 fiercely faithful family friendly activity
• 7:15 – 7:30 closing circle and song

Bring your own picnic (food, beverages, chairs, blankets, and mask). Masks are required when not eating or drinking. Join in music, worship and learning for people of all ages. Tell your friends and neighbors. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.