Disability Pride & the Evolution of Community Belonging 

This Sunday masks are required during our worship service. We will honor the 35th anniversary of the American Disabilities Act, celebrate Disability Pride Month, and reflect on the ways our congregation continues to evolve into a community of belonging for people with hidden and visible disabilities. Rev. Susan Frances and Gail Smith lead our service along with pianist Gregory Shifrin. 

Today’s offering will be shared with Open Communities, which works to eradicate housing discrimination and unjust practices that perpetuate segregation and inequity. 

Upcoming Services

August 3 – Exploring AI (Pt. 3) – Dr. Emma

August 10 – Wendy Herman’s Spiritual Journey 

August 17 – Curiosity – Rev. Eileen (Masks Required)

August 24 – Claiming Our Identities, Claiming Our Joy – Rev. Susan

Exploring AI Part 2: The Soul in the Machine

 Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping our world, and raising big questions about what it means to be human. Who is creating these technologies, and whose values are encoded within them? What might AI reflect back to us about ourselves, and how do we stay rooted in compassion, discernment, and care amid the noise?

Join us as we explore the spiritual dimensions of this technological moment. Together we’ll reflect on what it means to stay truly human in an age of machines.

Dr. Emma Farrell, ministerial intern, leads this service with Robb Geiger, Worship Associate. Gregory Shifrin shares his talents on piano, and Chester Beck appears as guest soloist.

Today’s offering will be shared with Open Communities, which works to eradicate housing discrimination and unjust practices that perpetuate segregation and inequity.

Upcoming Services

July 27 – Disability Pride & the Evolution of Community Belonging – Rev. Susan (Masks Required)

August 3 – Exploring AI (Pt. 3) – Dr. Emma

August 10 – Wendy Herman’s Spiritual Journey

On Humility

 If hubris will be the downfall of humanity, can humility save us? Exploring the imperative of living in a world that needs us to live our values boldly, while knowing no one, alone, is enough. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Sarah Vanderwicken as Worship Associate. Gregory Shifrin enriches our service with his musical talents.

Today’s offering will be shared with Open Communities, which works to eradicate housing discrimination and unjust practices that perpetuate segregation and inequity. 

Upcoming Services

July 20 – Exploring AI (Pt. 2) – Dr. Emma

July 27 – Disability Pride & the Evolution of Community Belonging – Rev. Susan (Masks Required)

August 3 – Exploring AI (Pt. 3) – Dr. Emma

August 10 – Wendy Herman’s Spiritual Journey 

Seeking Refuge

In honor of World Refugee Day (June 20th) we are exploring the national, Unitarian Universalist and our congregation’s history of supporting people needing refuge and how we can engage in this life saving work today. Rev. Eileen leads the service with members of the Immigrant Solidarity Team – Janelle Brittain, Jeanne Kerl, Anne Sullivan, and Maggie Wilson. Melissa Briody will be the hymn leader and Ken Smith is our guest pianist this morning.

This week’s offering will be shared with Open Communities, whose mission is to eradicate housing discrimination and unjust practices that perpetuate segregation and inequity. We foster thriving, inclusive communities through fair housing enforcement, housing counseling, education, outreach, and advocacy.

Upcoming Services

July 13 – On Humility – Rev. Eileen

July 20 – Exploring AI (Pt. 2) – Dr. Emma

July 27 – Disability Pride & the Evolution of Community Belonging – Rev. Susan (Masks Required)

August 3 – Exploring AI (Pt. 3) – Dr. Emma

Throughout history, technological leaps have sparked fear and uncertainty, prompting questions about what it means to be human. Now, as artificial intelligence reshapes our world, similar fears arise. Join us as we explore how to hold our anxieties with gentleness and approach AI with mindfulness, guided by our shared UU values. Together, we’ll consider how our tradition’s wisdom can help us embrace the unknown with open hearts and grounded spirits.

Today’s offering will be shared with Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network Illinois, known as UUANI. UUANI empowers Unitarian Universalists across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice.

July 6 – World Refugee Day – Rev. Eileen with Immigrant Solidarity Team

July 13 – On Humility – Rev. Eileen

July 20 – Exploring AI (Pt. 2) – Dr. Emma

The Truth About Freedom

Considering positive and negative freedom, as  author Timothy Snyder explores, and what it means to be free from bodily harm vs. free to be our authentic selves. Rev. Eileen leads the service with Lynn Kendall as Worship Associate. Charles M. Anderson is our hymn leader and Gregory Shifrin is our pianist.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), which is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism.

Upcoming Services

June 22 – General Assembly service live streamed (10-11:30 am) – MASK Required

June 29 – Exploring AI (Pt. 1) – Dr. Emma

July 6 – World Refugee Day – Rev. Eileen with Immigrant Solidarity Team

July 13 – On Humility – Rev. Eileen

Glitter, Grief, and Grace: Radical Welcome in a Time of Harm

 This vibrant, all-ages Pride service will celebrate the power of radical welcome at UCE. Through heartfelt contributions from newcomers to long-time members, we’ll explore how radical welcome creates transformative spaces of belonging, particularly in times when queer identities are under attack. We will reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, love, and resilience. Everyone is welcome—come exactly as you are!

Dr. Emma Farrell, ministerial intern, leads this service with contributions from Nellie Eastman and Renée Gatsis. Special music provided by Chester Beck, and Jean Durkin with the rest of the Lesbian Posse. Gregory Shifrin shares his talents on piano. 

Today’s offering will be shared with the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), which is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism.

Upcoming Services

June 15 – The Truth about Freedom – Rev. Eileen

June 22 – General Assembly service live streamed (10-11:30 am) – MASK Required

June 29 – Exploring AI Part 1: Navigating Change with Courage and Compassion – Dr. Emma

Blooms from the Breakdown

We celebrate our annual flower communion ceremony, created by Unitarian Minister Norbert Čapek in Prague in 1923. We carry on this sacred tradition to remember the beauty and strength of our pluralism and interdependence. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Worship Associate Janelle Brittain. We are blessed by our UCE Choir, under the direction of Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano. This is a worship service for all ages.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), which is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism.

Upcoming Services:

June 8 – Pride Service – Rainbow Alliance and Dr. Emma

June 15 – The Truth about Freedom – Rev. Eileen

June 22 – General Assembly service live streamed (10-11:30 am) – MASK Required

June 29 – Exploring AI (Pt. 1) – Dr. Emma

Carved by Grief, Carried by Love 

 On this Memorial Day weekend, we gather not only to remember the ones we’ve lost, but to honor the grief that lives in us still. Too often, we’re asked to pretend we’re ok. Whether your heart carries sorrow from long ago or grief that is fresh and raw, this service invites you to bring it with you. Together, we’ll honor the ways grief reshapes us, and explore how it can deepen our compassion, widen our hearts, and carry us toward transformative healing.

Dr. Emma Farrell, ministerial intern, with Ann McCallister, Worship Associate, lead this service. Charles M. Anderson and Gregory Shifrin offer their musical talents.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Sunrise Movement. The Youth Group selected the Sunrise Movement as this month’s shared offering recipient because they are a group that is organized by youth and is working toward a world in which everyone has access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy.

June 1 – Flower Communion with Rev Eileen

June 8 – Pride Service – Rainbow Alliance and Dr. Emma

Jun 15 – The Truth About Freedom with Rev Eileen

Jun 22 – GA Worship Service **MASKED**