Friday, April 6, 2025
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April 2025 Shared Offering Program
Our Shared Offering Program is one of the ways that we live into our mission statement “for a world made whole.” Each Sunday, the funds collected during our worship service either via text donations or in the collection bowls (and not otherwise designated for a pledge or something else) are shared equally between our operating budget and the current Shared Offering Recipient.
This Sunday’s offering will be shared with the Sanctuary Working Group (SWG) a solidarity organization supporting vulnerable migrants in their journeys toward sustainable independence. It is a consortium of faith based and other not-for -profit organizations working together to provide temporary assistance to immigrants struggling to survive in these perilous times.
As our immigrant communities are being targeted and legal processes are changing day to day, families are struggling to pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads. We know how hopeless it can feel to watch those in power play with people’s lives with impunity and not be able to immediately stop them ourselves. Here are some examples of what donating at different levels could do for someone: $30 covers a pack of diapers. $50 can be the difference between having cell phone service or not. $200 covers a week of groceries for a family of four. To learn more about SWG visit its website: https://waucc.org/sanctuary-working-group/.
Friday, March 28, 2025
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Sunday, March 30, 2025
Understanding Each Other
Rev. Susan is back from her three-month sabbatical, during which she traveled through Nepal and Morocco. She encountered people from many backgrounds, from fellow travelers to her Nepali and Moroccan hosts, teachers, and guides. Her conversations restored her hope for our future. This Sunday, she will share some of her experiences around opening ourselves up to discussions involving complicated cultural and political topics as we continue to vision a future that benefits all.
Today’s offering will be shared with Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network Illinois (UUANI), whose mission is to build power among UU congregations in Illinois to accountably advocate with those who have been historically marginalized.
Upcoming worship services:
April 6th – Music Sunday – The Practice of Joy
April 13th – Rev. Eileen with UCE Youth on Joy
April 20th – Easter Sunday and Child Dedications – Rev. Eileen with Dr. Emma Farrell
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Call & Response
Singing out and singing together is part of the creation story of humanity. When our ancestors felt worried or alone, they called out into the darkness with song, and their community would respond in harmony. Join us for a service of song and silence, and an exploration of call and response. When times are uncertain, let’s gather to celebrate the communities where we practice love and resilience.
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 Worship Services
March 30th – Rev. Susan returns from sabbatical to share her experiences
April 6th – Music Sunday – The Practice of Joy
April 13th – Rev. Eileen with UCE Youth on Joy
April 20th – Easter Sunday and Child Dedications – Rev. Eileen with Dr. Emma Farrell
Friday, February 28, 2025
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Sunday, March 9, 2025
Progress is Possible, Not Guaranteed
Gathering inspiration from stories of lesser known heroes, women who accomplished incredible things and changed lives with and for community. Rev. Eileen leads the service with Annette Wallace as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano provide musical inspiration.
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 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
April 6th – Music Sunday – The Practice of Joy
February 16, 2025
Our Hidden Conversations on Race
Race. Your Story. 6 Words. Please Send. These words appeared on the front of hundreds of thousands of post cards placed in various public locations all around the country, by journalist Michelle Norris. Fourteen years and more than 500,000 responses later, Norris wrote a book titled, “Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity.” Rev. Eileen and the REAL Team: Alison Issen, Becky Crawford, and Cheryl Mounts, explore this project and our own stories, with Kiley Korey as our hymn leader and Gregory Shifrin on piano.
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.
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 Wiviott
March 23rd – Call and Response – Matt Meyers, UU Musician and Worship Leader
Friday, January 31, 2025
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