You are invited to deepen your connection with UCE. We just finished a round of virtual classes and our next round of classes will be in-person. We hope you can join us! 

Introduction to Unitarian Universalism will be offered in-person on Sunday, February 27, 2022 from 2:00-3:30 pm in Room 6.  

The two-part Journey Toward Membership class will be held in-person on Tuesdays, March 1 and 8, 2022 from 6:30-8:00 pm in Room 6.  

Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalist history? The Introduction to Unitarian Universalism class takes an in-depth look at our progressive faith, including Unitarian Universalist principles, sources, and covenant, and is led by Rev. Susan Frances. This class will be offered in-person on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 2-3:30 pm. Click here to register for the in-person class. 

Would you like to learn more about becoming a member of UCE? The Journey Toward Membership (JTM) class includes the exploration of our spiritual lives and what it means to be a member of an intentional community like the Unitarian Church of Evanston. The JTM class is divided into two sessions and is led by Rev. Susan Frances. The next in-person class, sessions 1 and 2, will be on Tuesdays, March 1 and 8, 2022 at 6:30-8 pm. Click here to register.  

Seeking your input by February 13th for the Shared Plate Program Criteria Review 

The Social Justice Council will be reviewing the criteria used to select recipients of the Shared Plate Program at its next meeting on February 16, 2022, at 7:00 pm. You are invited to participate in this review. If you would like to attend the Council meeting, please email Rev. Susan at sfrances@ucevanston.org for the Zoom link. Otherwise, you may email your input to Rev. Susan and she will convey it to the Council.

The list of criteria that we have used for determining the recipients of the Shared Plate Program for the past two years is located on our website and listed here:

Widening the Circle of Concern
Reading 2 Chapters for February 20, 2022 Faith Formation Hour 

6th Chapter – Religious Professionals and 7th Chapter – Educating for Liberation

Want to learn what our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is recommending as ways to dismantle white supremacy culture within our Faith Formation structures? Congregants are encouraged to participate in small group discussions of the Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change, Widening the Circle of Concern. This report is a guiding document for UCE’s Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work.

For our discussion in February, we will be reading 2 chapters. You are encouraged to read the chapter on Religious Professionals and the chapter on Educating for Liberation before February 20th so you are prepared for the conversation. You do not need to have participated in previous conversations to join this one!

If you would like to take part on Zoom, here is the link for February 20th at 11:30 am, join here.   

These conversations will be taking place in-person as well as on Zoom. If you hold a marginalized identity and would want an identity-based caucus space to discuss Widening the Circle of Concern, please contact Rev. Eileen Wiviott or Rev. Susan Frances by February 13th so we can arrange that space.

The UUA Commission on Institutional Change (COIC) was commissioned by the 2017 General Assembly to conduct an audit of the power structures within the UUA and analyze systemic racism and white supremacy culture within our movement. This report, issued in June 2020, is the result of three years of labor by the COIC, gathering painful stories and doing the difficult emotional labor of identifying the ways systemic racism exists within Unitarian Universalism. The purpose and goals of the report include, to “identify the aspects of [white supremacy] culture that must be dismantled to transform us into a faith for our times.”  

As the Board of Trustees, staff, and a few members have engaged with this report over the past year, we are clear that dismantling systemic racism within our institution is a shared responsibility and requires all of us to take part. Please join us in these vital conversations the 3rd Sunday of each month during the Faith Formation Hour through June 2022 (except April will be the 2nd Sunday).  

~ Rev. Eileen Wiviott and Rev. Susan Frances 

Widening the Circle of Concern
Reading for January 16, 2022
Faith Formation Hour at 11:30-12:30

5th Chapter – Living Our Values in the World  

Come learn ways to live our UU values in the world. Congregants are encouraged to participate in small group discussions of the Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change, Widening the Circle of Concern. This report is a guiding document for UCE’s Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work.   

For our discussion in January, you are encouraged to read the chapter on Living Our Values in the World before January 16th so you are prepared for the conversation. You do not need to have participated in previous conversations to join this one! 

These conversations will be taking place via breakout rooms in Zoom. If you hold a marginalized identity and would want an identity-based caucus space to discuss Widening the Circle of Concern, please contact Rev. Eileen Wiviott or Rev. Susan Frances so we can arrange that space.   

Here is the link to take part via Zoom on January 16th at 11:30 am: https://zoom.us/j/93634773993?pwd=TXlTMG9XODd3dEFkd2Z0aEZnWkZSUT09  

The UUA Commission on Institutional Change (COIC) was commissioned by the 2017 General Assembly to conduct an audit of the power structures within the UUA and analyze systemic racism and white supremacy culture within our movement. This report, issued in June 2020, is the result of three years of labor by the COIC, gathering painful stories and doing the difficult emotional labor of identifying the ways systemic racism exists within Unitarian Universalism. The purpose and goals of the report include, to “identify the aspects of [white supremacy] culture that must be dismantled to transform us into a faith for our times.”  

As the Board of Trustees, staff, and a few members have engaged with this report over the past year, we are clear that dismantling systemic racism within our institution is a shared responsibility and requires all of us to take part. Please join us in these vital conversations the 3rd Sunday of each month during the Faith Formation Hour through June 2022 (except April will be the 2nd Sunday).  

~ Rev. Eileen Wiviott and Rev. Susan Frances 

Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalist history? The Introduction to Unitarian Universalism class takes an in-depth look at our progressive faith, including Unitarian Universalist principles, sources, and covenant, and is led by Rev. Susan Frances. This class will be offered virtually on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 1:00-2:30 pm. Click here to register for the virtual class. This class will be offered in-person on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 2-3:30 pm. Click here to register for the in-person class.

Would you like to enhance how you express your personal theology? The What do yUU Believe? class is designed for youth and adults (age 12 and up). Kathy Underwood and Rev. Eileen Wiviott will accompany you on the journey toward understanding and articulating your Unitarian Universalist theology. This 4-session class will be offered on Zoom on the following Tuesdays, January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 2022 at 7:00-8:30 pm. Click here to register. 

Would you like to learn more about becoming a member of UCE? The Journey Toward Membership (JTM) class includes the exploration of our spiritual lives and what it means to be a member of an intentional community like the Unitarian Church of Evanston. The JTM class is divided into two sessions and is led by Rev. Susan Frances. The next virtual class, sessions 1 and 2, will be on Wednesdays, February 2 and 9, 2022 at 6:30-8:00 pm. Click here to register. The next in-person class, sessions 1 and 2, will be on Tuesdays, March 1 and 8, 2022 at 6:30-8 pm. Click here to register. 

Widening the Circle of Concern
Reading for December 19 Faith Formation Hour

Happy Everything! Mitten Tree is BACK with some “fleece linings” of lessons learned and skills gained courtesy of our mostly contactless efforts last year.   

This winter holiday tradition of gift giving is a wonderful way to connect with organizations and neighbors outside the walls of UCE.  

Beginning this weekend, you will have the opportunity to sign up (HERE) to fulfill gift requests. This year we are leaning into our SHARED MINISTRY all around. There will be opportunities for everyone to lend a hand and fill a mitten that speaks to them.  

This longstanding tradition is an overwhelmingly beautiful snapshot of our community’s shared values and a privilege to help organize. Read on below about where your gifts will go this year, AND MAY WHAT YOU GIVE BRING YOU JOY!  

Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, works to restore human dignity through hospitality, hope, and healing. Their work includes: building relationships among youth and families impacted by violence and/or conflict; creating safe spaces where people can experience radical hospitality, hope, and healing; and promoting a restorative justice approach to resolve conflict and build a sense of community.  

Mitten tree gifts will go to members of the monthly mothers’ circles, which support women healing from trauma and striving to move forward. By coming together in circle, they create a safe space to share stories of loved ones, laugh and cry, and journey together toward healing. This is not a path that should be walked alone; participants find strength being in relationship with one another. UCE will be assembling gift bags with $25 Visa Giftcards, hand lotions and candles for 40 women. To learn more about this amazing work, ask Alice Swan! 

The Rice Child & Family Center is located just down Ridge from UCE and is a safe home with wrap around services for children with post-traumatic behavioral dysregulation making traditional foster care inaccessible to them. The facility includes a medical clinic, group therapy classrooms, special education facilities, art therapy and maintains a goal of helping children return to a loving family environment.  

This year, we will again be matched with 12 children to fulfill their holiday wish list. UCE has supported residents of the center for a number of years as our own Mitten Tree founder, Carol Nielsen is a long-committed volunteer. We aim to fill 6 gifts per child, balancing needed items such as clothing and shoes with therapeutic toys and games and, of course, something purely and simply for the joy of it.  

Connections for the Homeless is an organization near and dear to our UCE community. Whether through shared plate, Mitten Trees past, Our Giving House donations, or supporting affordable housing programs, Connections has and will continue to be a meaningful partnership for us. Connections supports more than 1500 people a year – preventing homelessness, sheltering those in crisis, providing advocacy services, and fostering development of job and educational skills. This year, we are again looking to fulfill requests from 50 of their deserving clients around the $50 price point. 

The Ghufran Bakir Family arrived to the Chicagoland area in early September 2021, sponsored as Syrian refugees. As they make a new home, arrange countless appointments, and navigate new systems, Jane Kenamore and Jeanne Kerl have helped them generate a list of comfort items we can provide to make Ryaan, Hatty, Talib, and Ghufran feel welcome and cared for this winter. While our congregational relationship with this family and their extended family has a rich history and will continue beyond the holiday season, we are thrilled that Mitten Tree is an opportunity to infuse a large dose of joy and well-being. 

 A Prayer Blessing Extended to Rev. Eileen Wiviott and the Unitarian Church of Evanston on the Occasion of her Installation as Senior Pastor on Saturday, October 23, 2021. 

Loving and Merciful God, we come today in gratitude for this momentous occasion in the life of our dear friend Eileen and in the life of the Unitarian Church of Evanston.   

We come in gratitude, first because we are witnesses to what the Psalmist wrote: 

 “This is the Lord’s doing.  And it is marvelous in our eyes.”  We are grateful for your anointed and appointed, your called and commissioned servant, Eileen.   

Our Evanston community bears witness to Eileen’s gifts and contributions, already freely shared and given before this day of sacred consecration.  We have seen her work with Evanston Interfaith Clergy and Leaders.  We have seen her work as an advocate for social justice and equity for all people.  Before this day, we have heard her voice as a clarion call for justice on behalf of Jacob Blake, for equity in District 65, and for unity in our city.  We have heard her story in clergy meetings, shared her faith in the unseen God, Creator of the Universe billions of years ago, and the quiet voice who awakened us this morning.  We bear witness to Eileen’s skills as a teacher, administrator, preacher, planner, networker and one who sees no boundaries to Divine presence in the human family.   

Then, too, we bear witness to the Unitarian Church of Evanston—a ray of hope in an often confusing and painful world. We thank God for the people of and in this sacred place.  We bear witness to your commitment to nurturing the human spirit for a world made whole.  We have seen your service as true neighbors, sharing your sacred space with others, committing to foster an atmosphere of faith and intellect, of words, music and the arts.   

We bear witness to the actions and commitments of this church that help us realize Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s teaching that all life is interrelated and that we are all bound in a single garment of destiny. You teach us through word and deed that we can never reach our full potential unless all people flourish. This community has been on the forefront of building the Beloved Community.  We bear witness to your workshops on race, your belief that Black Lives Matter, your extension of love to the multiplicity of faiths in Evanston and beyond.   

It is because of what we have witnessed that we now pause to give thanks for the magnitude of this moment.  We pray for the power of the Eternal God whom we know, worship, and understand in diverse ways to bless this union of pastor and congregation.  May this union find its cup running over with love, grace, mercy and kindness.  May the memory of this day sustain you long into the future.  When storms come, may the marvel of this day be more than enough to see you through.  When challenges arise, may the unity of this day be the strength that will allow you to surmount the difficulties and continue to thrive.    

Thank you, Divine One, for the shift in the atmosphere on this day, for hurtling through the stratosphere and for landing here on Ridge Avenue in Evanston at the Unitarian Church.  May Rev. Eileen Wiviott be blessed with good health, strength, and clarity of vision so that she may continue to be a guiding light at the Unitarian Church of  Evanston and beyond its walls. And may our entire community be blessed, because of the blessings that You, Almighty and Ever-Present Source of Love, have showered upon us in this moment.   AMEN 

Rabbi Andrea London and Rev. Michael Nabors 

2nd Chapter – Governance and
3rd Chapter – Congregations & Communities

Wanting to learn what our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is recommending as ways to dismantle white supremacy culture within our governance and leadership structures? Adult congregants are encouraged to participate in small group discussions of the Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change, Widening the Circle of Concern. This report is a guiding document for UCE’s Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work.

For our discussion in November, we will be reading 2 chapters. You are encouraged to read the chapter on Governance and the chapter on Congregations & Communities before November 21st so you are prepared for the conversation. You do not need to have participated in previous conversations to join this one! 

These conversations will be taking place in-person as well as on Zoom. If you hold a marginalized identity and would want an identity-based caucus space to discuss Widening the Circle of Concern, please contact Rev. Eileen Wiviott or Rev. Susan Frances by November 14th so we can arrange that space.