A Piece of Fertile Ground

Expect the unexpected as we explore this month’s Soul Matters Theme: Paying Attention. This will be a highly interactive service, set up for connection and discovery. Rev. Eileen and Director of Lifespan Faith Formation, Kathy Underwood, lead this service together, with Janelle Brittain as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer, with Gregory Shifrin on piano, provide the music. 

Today’s offering will be shared with the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois or UUANI. UUANI devises programs to build power among UU congregations in Illinois in order to achieve meaningful, concrete, far-reaching results which put our UU values and principles into action. 

Upcoming Services:

March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell

March 22 (Note time change – 11 am) – The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle – a Worship in collaboration with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church – Rev. Eileen and Rev. Aaron McCleod

March 29 – New Member Covenanting – Rev. Susan Frances

God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves

What gets us through the impossible things we face, if not a deity? Exploring what sustains us when God DOES give us more than we feel we can handle. This sermon is inspired by Kristin Larsen who won the chance to pick the topic at the 2025 auction. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Ellie Feddersen as Worship Associate. Kiley Korey is our hymn leader and soloist, accompanied by Grey Wiviott on vocals, Kevin Barrow on guitar, and Gregory Shifrin is our pianist.

Today’s offering will be shared with Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois or UUANI. UUANI devises programs to build power among UU congregations in Illinois in order to achieve meaningful, concrete, far-reaching results which put our UU values and principles into action. 

Upcoming Services

March 8 – A Piece of Fertile Ground; Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood

March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell

March 22 (Note time change – 11 am) – The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle – a Worship in collaboration with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church – Rev. Eileen and Rev. Aaron McCleod

March 29 – New Member Covenanting – Rev. Susan Frances

In Community Today

Many of us have several communities to whom we devote our energy and with whom we spend our time, from a small community of close friends or neighbors to a mid-sized community like our congregation to a large public community focused on civic engagement like the ACLU or NAACP. We will reflect on how we share wisdom across communities and build bridges to create solidarity and practice being allies and accomplices. 

Worship will be led by Rev. Susan Frances with worship associate Michelle Thompson-Hay. The UCE Choir, Music Director Vickie Hellyer, and pianist Gregory Shifrin will provide our music.

Today’s offering will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU, whose mission is to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.

Upcoming Services

March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen

March 8 – A Piece of Fertile Ground; Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood

March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell

 I’m Not Okay, You’re Not Okay, and That’s Okay

How to be not fine together, so that we can overcome what’s not okay and maybe, possibly, make it better.  Rev. Eileen leads this service with Kiley Korey as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer, and Gregory Shifrin on piano, and Nadav Simon on percussion offer their musical blessings. This is the first Sunday of our annual pledge drive.

Today’s offering will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU, whose mission is to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith. 

Upcoming Services

February 22 – In Community Today; Rev. Susan

March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen

March 8 – A Piece of Fertile Ground; Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood

March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell

Pleasure Activism

Burnout is a predictable outcome of a culture that treats pushing past our limits as virtue. In this sermon, we’ll explore how rest, joy, creativity, and pleasure are not distractions from justice work, but are essential to its sustainability and outcomes. Drawing on science and the work of adrienne maree brown, Audre Lorde, and Tricia Hersey, we’ll consider how chronic stress narrows our thinking, and how rest and joy unlock transformative possibilities. Janelle Brittain serves as Worship Associate, with Dr. Emma Farrell. Jenn Wisegarver, soloist, and Gregory Shifrin on piano will provide our music.

Today’s offering will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU, whose mission is to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith. 

Upcoming Services

February 15 – I’m Not Okay, You’re Not Okay, and That’s Okay; Rev. Eileen

February 22 – In Community Today; Rev. Susan

March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen

Universalism with Pluralism 

We grow in our resilience when we embrace multiplicity and learn from difference. Building a better world will come from our capacity to honor each individual’s right to be who they are, while remembering our responsibility to the flourishing of the whole. This is a service for all ages, though nursery care is available in room 11. Kristee Boehm will be our Worship Associate, with Rev. Eileen leading. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer with Gregory Shifrin on piano will provide our music.  

Upcoming Services

February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell

February 15 – Inhabiting Our Innate Power; Rev. Eileen

February 22 – Stories of Resilience; Rev. Susan

March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen

Finding the Way: Sophia Newman’s Spiritual Journey

UCE Member and participant in our latest Deepening the Spiritual Journey class, Sophia Newman, shares her pluralistic and unique journey toward the present moment. Rev. Eileen will be the worship associate and we’ll enjoy the UCE choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano.

Today’s offering will be shared with C&W Market Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the Evanston community by providing essential grocery access to those facing food insecurity and fostering career skills in the food and culinary industry.

Upcoming Services

February 1 – Pluralism: Resilience Born of Difference; Rev. Eileen

February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell

February 15 – Inhabiting Our Innate Power; Rev. Eileen

February 22 – Stories of Resilience; Rev. Susan

Shall We Overcome?

What does it mean to sing this song of resistance knowing we have NOT overcome, that, in fact, we seem further from overcoming injustice than ever? We honor the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, by staying in the struggle while remaining honest about our current reality. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Bob Mesle as Worship Associate. Vocal tenor, Henry Pleas, and pianist Ken Smith offer their musical gifts.

Today’s offering will be shared with C&W Market Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the Evanston community by providing essential grocery access to those facing food insecurity and fostering career skills in the food and culinary industry.

Upcoming Services

January 25 – Finding the Way: Sophia Newman’s Spiritual Journey

February 1 – Pluralism: Resilience Born of Difference; Rev. Eileen

February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell

February 15 – Inhabiting Our Innate Power; Rev. Eileen

Love Resists and Builds

UUs across the country are joining the UUA’s Love Resists campaign. We will explore building community, training geared toward engagement, and the various forms of action that contribute to collective resistance. Bring your whistle or plan to get one. Rev. Eileen leads the service with support from Rev. Susan, Mary Dudek, and UCE’s Catalyst for Democracy Team. The UCE Choir, director Vickie Hellyer, and pianist Gregory Shifrin provide our musical inspiration.

Today’s offering will be shared with C&W Market Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the Evanston community by providing essential grocery access to those facing food insecurity and fostering career skills in the food and culinary industry.

Upcoming Services

January 18 – Shall We Overcome? Rev. Eileen

January 25 – Finding the Way: Sophia Newman’s Spiritual Journey

February 1 – Pluralism: Resilience Born of Difference; Rev. Eileen

February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell

Fire Communion: Finding Our Gift

This Sunday, in-person participants will be invited to burn flash paper and online participants will be invited to have 1 to 4 candles ready to use during the Fire Communion. We will set an intention toward finding our gift. A gift that reflects our unique qualities and is able to be shared with the world.

Worship is led by Rev. Susan Frances and worship associates Dr. Emma Farrell, Ellie Feddersen, Lynn Kendall, and Bob Mesle, along with hymn leader Jenn Wisegarver and pianist Gregory Shifrin.

Today’s offering will be shared with C&W Market Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the Evanston community by providing essential grocery access to those facing food insecurity and fostering career skills in the food and culinary industry.

Upcoming Services

January 11th – Love Resists – Revs. Eileen and Susan and the Catalyst Team

January 18th – Shall We Overcome? – Rev. Eileen with Henry Pleas as musical guest

January 25th – Sophia Newman’s spiritual journey with Rev. Eileen as worship associate

February 1st – Resilience Born out of Difference – Rev. Eileen