Sunday Service: In-person and Online Sunday at 10:30am

Auction Update: October 30, 2020

We still need YOUR donations, for UCE’s Serendipity Auction to be a success. Never donated before? This is the year to do it! Do you have a hidden artistic or creative skill that we do not yet know about? Put it on display at the auction. Would you co-host a virtual group event? We will help you with ideas and finding a compatible co-host. Is there something that you have treasured and now are ready to part with? Find it a loving home with another church member.
The deadline for submitting donations is November 2, 2020.
Click here to go to the auction website to look for inspiration from the catalog or from our Ten Inspiring Ideas list on the Donate tab. And don’t forget to put the highly entertaining and joyful virtual Celebration Party on your calendar, Saturday, November 14 from 7-8 pm. Pre-party fun starts at 6:45 pm. Coming soon: an e-mail with the answers to all your questions about registering and bidding on our new online platform. If you have any questions, write the Auction Team at auction@ucevanston.org.
Auction Update: October 30, 20202020-10-26T22:34:12+00:00

Auction Update: October 23, 2020

Exciting Offerings at the Serendipity Auction
And keep your donations coming… 

We have some amazing and creative offerings coming in. Click here to view the Serendipity Auction catalog. Check out this beautiful original watercolor Blue Iris by Johna Van Dyke. Missing live music, join other UCE members, virtually, to hear the inspiring and beautiful music of folksinger and songwriter, Kristin Lems and listen to her stories about how being a teen at UCE in the '60's inspired her career. Wanting a great gift for a child? For bicycle enthusiasts, you can ride John LaPlante's bicycle, generously donated by Linda. 

Check out this meticulously detailed train set. Hoping to get away to a quiet place when the weather warms up again, look at these two wonderful lodging options in Wisconsin.  

We have 69 offerings so far and WE NEED SO MUCH MORE to make this auction a success. If you have done a group event in the past and wondering how to make it virtual, we can help!  Need other inspirations? Contact us at auction@ucevanston.org. 

Auction Update: October 23, 20202020-10-22T20:18:36+00:00

Auction Update: October 16, 2020

Never heard of the Serendipity Auction before? 
Here is something old and something new to learn

The Serendipity Auction is a social highlight of the church calendar and one of our major fundraising events. Although we cannot be together for an evening of bidding, food and entertainment, we can still have fun bidding and gathering virtually for connection and entertainment.

  • The Serendipity Auction website is still being built, but you can start viewing the catalog on the new auction platform without logging in. Click here to visit the NEW Serendipity Auction site. The catalog is a work in progress, and we are still finalizing details. Yet, we wanted you to see some of the great things that are being offered. For those who have already made donations—thank you! Ready to add your donation to the catalog? Click here to donate.

  • Many donations will be familiar to you (delicious desserts, artwork, crafts, children’s toys). We are also offering virtual group events (virtual concerts and play reading) for creative ways to be together.

  • Wondering how this online auction process will work? Stay tuned! We will have some “How To” sessions and a “Frequently Asked Questions” page on the website.

  • Have an item to drop-off at the church? Click here to sign-up for drop-off time.

  • We still need volunteers to help with our committee, as well as donations and party planning. It is not time intensive. Click here to sign up to volunteer.

  • Mark your calendar: November 14 from 7:00-8:00 pm for Closing Celebration Party.

Have ideas or questions? Contact us at: auction@ucevanston.org

Auction Update: October 16, 20202020-10-13T16:56:36+00:00

Auction Update: October 9, 2020

Join the Serendipity Auction Fun:  Volunteer!  Volunteer! Volunteer! 

Looking for a way to stay connected to UCE? Volunteer to help with the Serendipity Auction, one of our largest fundraisers. Last year we netted over $28,000.  

This year, our auction will kick–off online through a new auction platform, Auctria, starting Sunday November 8, 2020 at 12:30 pm and ends with a virtual Celebration Party on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 7:00-8:00 pm.  

We still need volunteers leading up to the auction bidding week and the closing party. The time commitment can be short, and no cleaning up. Great time for new people to volunteer.  

Here are just a few volunteer opportunities: Have ideas to help others create virtual group events? Tech savvy?–help people who may need support with online bidding. Graphic design experience?-help us with our new auction platform. We also need help to be party hosts for a joyful and entertaining virtual closing party. You may have ideas we have not even thought about to make the virtual auction even more fun!! 

Click here to sign up for a volunteer position. Not sure how you might help, contact us at auction@ucevanston.org and we can figure it out together. If you have submitted a donation, please send an e-mail to make sure we received it. 

Auction Update: October 9, 20202020-10-07T19:54:18+00:00

Auction Update: October 2, 2020

Donations, Donations, Donations! – 2020 Serendipity Virtual Auction

The Serendipity Auction needs you (yes, you)!!

Can you make something: knit a scarf, bake a cake, bead a necklace, make jam? Do you have a piece of art (painting or ceramics) you want to share with others? Many of the types of donations from the past can still be offered.

How about hosting a virtual party, a virtual movie viewing and discussion or a group game? Do you have a special talent you could teach during a Zoom meeting or Google Meet?

Many local businesses and restaurants have previously donated to past Serendipity Auctions. We have approached a small subset for donations. If there is a favorite business (hair salon, restaurant, hardware store, or bakery), consider purchasing a gift certificate to donate to the auction. This will support UCE and our larger community at the same time. You may also consider asking them for a donation. Here is a sample business letter and business donation form for you to use.

Looking for some ideas?

There are many creative ways for hosting virtual events. Click here for 10 inspiring ideas.

The goal of the Serendipity Auction is to strengthen or create connections between UCE members and friends while raising funds for UCE activities. The Auction Committee is available to help you decide what and how to donate–we look forward to hearing from you!

While in-person group events are always bestsellers at Serendipity, we are not going to include those currently. We are tentatively planning a second auction in the spring that will include in-person group events (depending on public health considerations, perhaps with an emphasis on outdoors).

Still have questions or want to discuss more ideas?

Contact us at the UCE Serendipity Auction email: auction@ucevanston.org

Susan Comstock

Jennifer Walsh

Catherine Deamant

Auction Update: October 2, 20202020-10-02T16:54:34+00:00

Auction Thank You 2019

Serendipity Auction 2019 –
What an evening of bidding, bonding, and boodle!

The Serendipity team would like to say a huge thank you to all for participating in a wonderful Serendipity Auction night last Saturday.

Many thanks to the 200 people who attended with good cheer in their hearts; the 124 members and friends who were successful bidders and graciously paid for our offerings; the 90 volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event happen; the 73 members and staff who donated various dinners, artwork, outings, etc.; the 96 local businesses that gave gift certificates or items or services; our auctioneer Brian Kirschenbaum, who paced the live auction just right; Curt’s Café for catering a fantastic dinner and providing an auction donation; and finally, and so importantly, our fantastic staff (with a special shout out to Liz and Steven Eason) who provided great support and helped make our sanctuary beautiful. The auction did well financially—we think the net will be approximately $28,000, but much more importantly, we contributed to building the spirit of our community. Thank you!!

Check out photos courtesy of Don Mac Gregor!

Auction Thank You 20192020-10-02T16:54:05+00:00

Unitarian Church of Evanston

A Unitarian Universalist Congregation

1330 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Directions

(847) 864-1330
uce@ucevanston.org

UCE's office hours:
Tuesday - Thursday: 10am - 4pm
Friday: 10am - 1pm
Sunday: 10am - 1pm

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

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The Unitarian Church 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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