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

Finding Hope when Plans Change

In this all-ages service, we’ll follow a story of setback and adaptation to explore hope…not as certainty or fixed outcomes, but as openness to possibility.  Dr. Emma Farrell, Ministerial Intern, leads our service with Worship Associate Annette Wallace. Gregory Shifrin shares his talents on piano.

Today’s offering will be shared with FORA – Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America, whose mission is to ensure that refugee families are provided access to an education sufficient to prepare them to become economically self-sufficient and robustly engaged in American civic life.

Upcoming Services

January 4th – Fire Communion – Rev. Susan

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

In the bleak of winter, amidst the night of the soul, when peace feels so far away, we gather to pray for the clarity of a single star guiding us toward a peace we can only create together. Rev. Eileen Wiviott leads our Christmas Eve candlelight service with Worship Associates Shirley Adams, Mary Dudek, Dr. Emma Farrell, and Bob Mesle. Our UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, Peter Schifrin on flute, and Nadav Simon on percussion, lead us in song.

 A Story of Hope

The winter solstice brings the promise of returning light and warmth, and the Christmas story as we enact it, helps us to choose hope even when things are bleak. Join us in celebrating the season with the retelling of Jesus’ birth in an interactive and music-filled worship service. Kathy Underwood leads and Rev. Eileen will be the Worship Associate. Jenn Wisegarver, Kiley Korey, Charles M. Anderson, and Patrick Briody will lead our hymns.

Today’s offering will be shared with FORA, which stands for Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America. I invite Sue Larson up to share with us about her experiences tutoring at FORA.

Upcoming Services

December 24th – Christmas Eve Service (7pm)

December 28th – Living Faithfully – Dr. Emma Farrell

January 4th – Fire Communion – Rev. Susan

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

Lighting Our Way

In these times of growing darkness, we search together for sources of light to guide us on our collective journey toward hope. Our annual music service lifts our spirits and fortifies our hearts. The UCE choir and soloists led by Music Director, Vickie Hellyer, accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, Kevin Barrow on clarinet, and Nadav Simon on percussion. Kristee Boehm, Ellie Feddersen, Sarah Vanderwicken, Andy Fisher, and Rev. Eileen will be our Worship Associates.

Today’s offering will be shared with FORA, which works to ensure that refugee families are provided access to an education sufficient to prepare them to become economically self sufficient and robustly engaged in American civic life.

Upcoming Services

December 21st – Pageant Sunday – Kathy Underwood

December 24th – Christmas Eve Service (7pm)

December 28th – Living Faithfully – Dr. Emma Farrell

January 4th – Fire Communion – Rev. Susan

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