From the Executive Operations Director

The past several weeks have been brimming with good work and community connection at UCE.

November 12, 170 UCE congregants shared fun and fundraising together at Serendipity Auction.

Friday evening, November 18 through Sunday morning, November 20, UCE hosted CON, the Northern Area Youth Conference, with over 120 high schoolers and adult chaperones in attendance, supported by numerous congregation members who assisted with food preparation and serving.

Sunday, November 20, four Democratic legislators convened a rental event in our sanctuary to discuss “where do we go from here” following the election.  Four hundred people filled our sanctuary to capacity, with an overflow crowd of 200 plus unable to enter.

Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Trilogy, a Rogers Park mental health social service agency, held a holiday party for two groups of 180 people throughout the day. The sanctuary was bedecked in red and white cloths and large vases of festive flowers while holiday music filled the air.

That afternoon our sexton Liz and custodian Steven turned the room around to set up for UCE’s Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, attended by 10 Navy recruits and 50 or so UCE members and guests.

Next time you see Liz and Steven, please let them know how much they are appreciated. When we sit down on Sunday morning in our beautiful sanctuary, it is hard to imagine that the day before it was a space for others to enjoy, hold shared values and be engaged in meaningful work together. This space and our work is important not only to this congregation but also to the community!