From Susan Frances: July 17, 2020

Dear UCE: 

I am delighted to be reconnecting you with this August. 

On August 2nd, I will be ordained in an online ceremony. You are invited to attend and the Zoom link is embedded in the invitation in the UCE e-newsletter this week. During my ordination, please feel free to join in with one or more of these items: 

• Bring a candle. I am inviting everyone to light a chalice in their home during the chalice lighting. 
• Wear complimentary colors. I’m inviting folks to wear orange, purple, black, and white for the ceremony. 
• Take a photo. Since I love photo albums and we will be in our respective homes, I’m inviting everyone to take a photo at some point during the ceremony and email it to me after the service. My email address is sfrances@ucevanston.org.  

I am thrilled to say that on August 3rd I will be rejoining your congregation as your Director of Congregational Life. I know Rev. Karen Mooney has done an excellent job of shaping this position and I look forward to continuing this ministry. I am impressed by how you have shaped a community during this pandemic that has attracted new members while also supporting current friends and members. I know there is anxiety as we figure out how to keep connected when we will not be gathering together en masse for many months to come. I hope to be a touchstone for you as we collectively find new and creative ways to connect with each other.  

I also know from my conversations with Rev. Karen Mooney, Rev. Eileen, and Rev. Karen Gustafson that you are enmeshed in the hard work of decentering whiteness in our predominately white congregation. I’m proud that UCE has already started this work from the Black Lives Matter sign to the investment in UU The Vote for the upcoming elections. It is my hope to support you, challenge you, and be there for you in this hard and complicated work. 

In faith,
Susan Frances