The Internal Work of Radical Welcome

The work of sustained cultural change that puts love at the center is done through relationships. What does it look like to broaden our horizons and make room for true pluralism and alterity? What does it mean to trust people to be the experts of their own lives? As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr described, it starts by making room for the other within. 

Dr. Emma Farrell, ministerial intern, leads the service, with Bob Mesle as Worship Associate. Charles M. Anderson will be our vocalist/hymn leader and Gregory Shifrin our pianist.

March’s shared offering recipient is the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI), whose mission is to equip UU’s in Illinois to transform institutions; partnering with and supporting people harmed by the prison industrial complex.

Upcoming Services:

March 9th – Progress is Possible, Not Guaranteed: Stories of Lesser Known Heroes – Rev. Eileen

March 16th – In What Can We Trust? – Rev. Eileen

March 23rd – Call and Response – Matt Meyers, UU Musician and Worship Leader

March 30th – Rev. Susan returns from sabbatical to share her experiences

The Weaving of Our Messy Lives: Barbara Mesle’s Spiritual Journey

Barbara Mesle, who attended the Deepening The Spiritual Journey class in the fall of 2023, shares her story of learning and loving in community. Kiley Korey and Rev. Eileen will be her Worship Associates. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, provide the music. 

This month’s offering will be shared with Community Renewal Society, a faith-based, community organizing and public policy organization that works with congregations in and around Chicago to address issues of racism and poverty.

March 2nd – The Internal Work of Radical Welcome – Dr. Emma Farrell

March 9th – Progress is Possible, Not Guaranteed: Stories of Lesser Known Heroes – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

March 23rd – Call and Response – Matt Meyers, UU Musician and Worship Leader

Conspiring Together for More Love

Amidst the rise of hate and division, how do we conspire together to bring more love, joy, hope, and peace into the world? Rev. Eileen leads this service as our pledge drive kick off with Pledge Drive chair and Worship Associate, Carla Williams. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, Jenn Wisegarver and Kiley Korey, vocals; Kevin Barrow, vocals and guitar; Mike Dickenson on bass, and Steve Courtright on drums provide music for the service. Following worship, join us for the SOUP-er Bowls Sunday lunch, to celebrate our pledge drive kick-off and provide more generosity to our community partners. 

This month’s offering will be shared with Community Renewal Society, a faith-based, community organizing and public policy organization that works with congregations in and around Chicago to address issues of racism and poverty.

Upcoming Services:

February 16th – The Race Card Project – Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team

February 23rd – Barb Mesle’s Spritual Journey

March 2nd – The Internal Work of Radical Welcome – Dr. Emma Farrell

March 9th – Progress is Possible, Not Guaranteed: Stories of Lesser Known Heroes – Rev. Eileen

Music In Context

Music is a sacred, connective artform that transcends boundaries and unites us across cultures. How do we, as Unitarian Universalists, engage with diverse music that inspires us while being in relationship with the cultures from which it comes? When we inevitably make mistakes, how can we cultivate humility, deepen our capacity to listen, and learn from those moments?

Upcoming Services:

February 9th – Conspiring Together for More Love – Rev. Eileen

February 16th – The Race Card Project – Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team

February 23rd – Barb Mesle’s Spritual Journey

The Evolution of Compassion

How has compassion evolved in our species and how do we participate in its further development? Rev. Eileen offers this sermon, inspired by our auction raffle winner this year, Robb Geiger. Carla Williams will serve as the Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano, will provide the music, along with a duet by Robb Geiger on piano and Kevin Barrow on clarinet.

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 2nd – Music in Context – Dr. Emma Farrell and Rev. Eileen Wiviott

February 9th – Conspiring Together for More Love – Rev. Eileen

February 16th – The Race Card Project – Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team

February 23rd – Barb Mesle’s Spritual Journey

Agape: Courage in Community

Rev. Allison Farnum and Keith Talley, UUPMI

Join us this MLK Sunday …Now, more than ever, we need one another to embody a Larger Love called Agape. Rev. Allison Farnum and Keith Talley, of the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois, lead this service. Lynn Kendall will be the worship associate and Gregory Shifrin offers his gifts on the 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:

January 26th – Evolution and Morality – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

February 2nd – Music in Context – Dr. Emma Farrell and Rev. Eileen Wiviott

February 9th – Conspiring Together for More Love – Rev. Eileen

February 16th – The Race Card Project – Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team

Harry and Leota: An Unlikely Story of Love in the Digital Age

There is always more than one way to tell a story. How we choose to weave our narratives has an impact on how we live our values. This Sunday, we revel in one amazing story of love and the lessons we might all learn from it. Rev. Eileen leads this service, with Shirley Adams as our Worship Associate. The UCE Choir will sing, 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:

January 19th – MLK Day – Rev. Allison Farnum

January 26th – Evolution and Morality – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

February 2nd – Music in Context – Dr. Emma Farrell and Rev. Eileen Wiviott

A Communion of Fire: Release and Renewal

As we begin a new calendar year, and enter a time of uncertainty (as all times are) we gather in community to release what no longer serves us and make room for what may bloom out of the ashes. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Dr. Emma Farrell and Andy Fisher as Worship Associates. Gregory Shifrin graces us with piano music.

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 12th – Harry and Leota, a Love Story – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

January 19th – MLK Day – Rev. Allison Farnum

January 26th – Evolution and Morality – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

February 2nd – Music in Context – Dr. Emma Farrell and Rev. Eileen Wiviott