Proximity Partners Refreshed 

Approximately one year ago UCE launched its Proximity Partners initiative. This initiative was created partly in response to the fact that the COVID-19 isolation protocols kept us from meeting together at UCE. Proximity Partners groups were formed based on geographical location of members.  Some of the groups organized and started gathering virtually and in-person with masks. Other groups have had less activity. In an effort to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate in an active group, we are consolidating membership and reshaping the geographical distribution of the  Proximity Partners  groups. 

Soon you will receive an email about your Proximity Partners group.  Members who currently have an active group will remain in that group. Members in less active groups have been reallocated to one of the active groups. We will end up with seven Proximity Partners groups.  Since the geographic areas have expanded, most groups will be larger.    

The Proximity Partners initiative is designed to provide connection with other members of UCE who live in your geographic area. The initiative was created to be one way to get together virtually and occasionally outside with masks for social connection, including walks in the neighborhood and along natural trails or virtual games and sing-a-longs. You are invited to explore connections within your Proximity Partners group when you receive the next invitation.  

These photos are from Proximity Partners gatherings over the past year: 

• Nancy Morris, Nancy Katz, Matt Snowdon, and Diane Markel with the Southwest Proximity Partners at North Park Village, Chicago, for a snowshoe walk in February 2021 and collecting 3 garbage bags full of trash on a walk in March 2021. 
• Julia Takarada, Bruce and Jane Kenamore, Tim Feddersen, and Ben, Luealla, Teddy, and Kirby Kornfeld with the Light House Proximity Partners at a kid-friendly happy hour gathering at the light house beach park, Evanston, in July 2020. 

Even with more and more of us receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it is uncertain when we will be able to gather together in-person in a large group. Proximity Partners is one way to continue to stay connected in smaller virtual and in-person gatherings. We are a community that values relationships, caring for each other, supporting each other, and having fun together! Your Proximity Partners group is one way to continue deepening your relationships with each other. 

If your Proximity Partners want to start meeting in-person at UCE, here are the guidelines to follow. You will need to make arrangements with Jessica Meis for lobby staff to be present. A maximum of 10 people with masks on may arrange to meet inside and a maximum of 25 people with masks on may arrange to meet outside. 

If you have a question about which Proximity Partners group you are a part of, who are the other members of your group, or who are the leaders of your group, please email Adam Gough at  agough@ucevanston.org  and he will provide you this information and help you learn how to look up this information in REALM. If you do not want to receive emails from your Proximity Partners group, please let Adam know. If you move, please let Adam know so he can connect you with your Proximity Partners in your new geographical area. 

Connecting with each other is one way we continue to feed our spirits, sustain our community, and build a caring world. 

In faith, 

Rev. Susan