From Sandra Robinson – Executive Operations Director

Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 4.12.24

The “Path of Totality” eclipse viewing was once again an amazing experience. The beauty of nature and our universe never ceases to amaze me. I had the opportunity to experience the eclipse with my 97 year old mom, brother, son, daughter-in-law and friends. What impressed me was the feeling of unity, connectedness and wonder shared by the Southern Illinois community as thousands landed there over the weekend. Garden of the Gods and Shawnee National Forest are sites to behold. If you have an opportunity to visit, do so. I’m hiking there in June with friends as I end my journey at UCE.

I encourage you to explore the petroglyphs, rock formations made by glaciers, woods, waterfalls, and wildlife.

These have been satisfying months working part-time toward my retirement. I’ve been busy sorting through files, moving papers to archives, sharing electronic files and photos. It’s been a walk down memory lane for sure. I have photos of every rummage sale, night of the arts, pageant, and hundreds of photos of beloved members and friends. All good things must come to an end. I’m ending this journey with grace, gratitude, and love for what I have experienced, accomplished, and leave behind. I will remember many moments here, many people who have gone before and are here now. To the beat of our Saturday morning drumming group, I carried ministry chairs onto the chancel after a day of antiquing when I scored four mid century chairs. I danced with our little ones in the sanctuary on Night of the Arts. I wept at the memorials of members whose lives touched me deeply. I pushed the envelope to record myself singing at the coaching of Vickie Hellyer just because Rev. Karen Gustafson requested staff and the choir perform a special song for her online party. Many concerts I produced in our sanctuary ranging from June Carvell’s granddaughter Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck, Holly Near, Emma’s Revolution, Peter Mayer, Howard Levy, Melanie DeMore, and Junior Mance. I maintain my belief that music is our universal language. I have loved these people and this building. I have cared for the architecture and art because they are a meaningful legacy of those before us. I had the pleasure of working with many boards, committees, teams and ministers over my 22 years at UCE.

In the past few years I had the privilege of working with church members to fulfil the mission of our capital campaign by leading projects with some very special people. I am leaving the church with a beautiful lobby, accessible and inclusive bathrooms on the lower level, a new parking lot, air conditioning, and many visible improvements which Adam Gough will carry on. It has been a joy to train and mentor Adam. I am currently working with Suzanne Lis Daley to learn the rental program. Eileen, Susan and Vickie Doebele will take on the remaining pieces of my portfolio.

Meanwhile, I continue to work toward teaching, sharing and putting much effort into rebuilding our rental program. Bit by bit we are edging our way back. It’s quite amazing how covid affected our lives in ways beyond our understanding. One impact on UCE resulted in a drastic reduction in our rental program. It took time for people to return to the building. Costs and volunteers limited the way organizations do fundraising. We are so pleased that Infant Welfare Society had their “Sneakers Ball” here this past weekend. Evanston Symphony Orchestra rehearses weekly in our sanctuary and Skunkworks, a local dance organization rehearses and performs in the sanctuary. In March we finally exceeded our monthly rental budget goal.

I continue to chair the Integrated Stewardship Council (ISC) until the fiscal year-end when Rev. Eileen will take on that role, interface with our Staff Accountant Vickie Doebele on financial matters, approve invoices and attend Board of Trustees meetings.

In closing, I hope you will plan to join us on Friday, May 31st for a wonderful night together. A group of congregants have planned a special party with an art theme, which they knew would warm my heart. This will be a joyous and tearful evening as I say goodbye as Executive Operations Director at UCE and hello to another life beyond these walls.

 Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 3.07.2024

On Friday, I join friends Tory Bassani and Elizabeth Kennedy as we take 10 women from UCE to experience our “Annual Thrift Day” Each of these individuals purchased at Serendipity Auction the opportunity to visit some of our favorite spots. We begin the day with frittata, quiche, coffee cake, fruit, tea, and espresso drinks. We pack a bag lunch that we share together between visits to the stores, and we end the day with wine, cheese, soft drinks, and sharing our hauls. Trophies will be given for the “Biggest Haul”, “Most Unusual Item” and “Spent the Most”. We had an extraordinary day together last year. Tory, Elizabeth, and I can’t wait to meet everyone this year and spend the day doing something we love sharing together and with others. This is community!!  

LGBTQ+ exhibit at UCE in Room 3 – Friday, March 8 through Wednesday, March 20. Lilly Sweeney and Izzy Joslin of New Trier have created collages as part of a semester-long project. The concept was to use vintage photography and quotes from Former LGBTQ+ students at New Trier to create artwork that reflects their harrowing experiences. Most of the quotes come from a series of letters sent to New Trier in 1996 by gay students through the organization GLSEN. Full copies of the letters have not been seen in decades, but excerpts still exist and were integral to the create of this project. In response to these letters, the superintendent Hank Bangser, and the first openly gay teacher, Bonnie Beach, created the Safe Schools Committee, which greatly improved the school environment for students of marginalized groups. Although many improvements have been made since the letters were sent, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure the safety of LGBTA+ students in all schools, including New Trier. Visitors can view the exhibit in Room 3 during office hours. Congregants are encouraged to visit Room 3 when you are here. UCE is pleased to host this important project by New Trier students.  

Sean Talmage has joined the UCE staff as the regular Sunday morning Lobby Staff. Dan Baer who has been with us for more than 10 years will remain on board as our substitute. This new arrangement provides opportunities for Dan to do his wonderful traveling and still be connected to UCE. Please welcome Sean and remember to say thank you to Dan Baer for his devotion to this work.  Jeanie McCullough will also remain on board for Lobby Staff rotation.

Chicago Faces Not Forgotten Exhibit at UCE  (a memorial exhibit honoring 72 young lives lost to gun violence) 

Congregant and Evanston Artist Sarah Kaiser with member Renee Gatsis have organized an exhibit to raise awareness of the horrific toll of gun violence. A quilts exhibit will be hung in our lobby between Saturday, March 23 (opening 1-3) through April 23. Visitors can see the exhibit M-F 10-4 and on Sundays 9-1.  

UCE Rental Highlight Udumbara Zen Sangha will soon be celebrating their tenth year with UCE. Here are a few words from Rev. Tricia Teater “What a journey it has been.  Sandra and the graceful and skilled staff never fail to accommodate and make us feel welcome.   

Together we’ve survived snow storms, floods, leaky ceilings, and a pandemic.  But as I write this today, all I really recall is being nestled in Room 2, the beautiful garden, the sunrises and the shadows that fall across the Shoji screens.” As EOD I have immensely enjoyed their presence. We are pleased that Udumbara is part of our UCE family.