Greetings,

Life at UCE moves on as we continue to endure these challenging times. We are all busy at our home offices, traveling to our offices as needed during COVID closure.

There is good news in that I am beginning to rent the space again to small groups of 10 or less. So far, one group did a two-day rental of the sanctuary for music recordings. I have two interested music groups this week. Hopefully, I can begin to rebuild our important rental program which has taken years and countless relationships in the community to build. The income is vital to our budget as well.

Our UCE Buildings and Grounds Team is in the process of revitalization. We have gone through a big transition as long time members of the team are no longer involved. I have reached out to several members who are interested in serving. We will meet soon by zoom to launch our first meeting of the church year. Our goal will be to look at projects beyond the current Capital Campaign. Our task will be to evaluate the building priorities – what are the needs in the year ahead, 5 years, and 10 years ahead. Robb Geiger and I are co-leads of the team. If you have interest in serving please let email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

The Capital Campaign projects continue as lighting in the wing and room 2 will be done soon. The project team is about to embark on lobby updates. I’ll be sending a notice to users of the lobby and wing such as membership and hospitality leaders to seek input on how they see the space being used. That will guide our decisions on furnishings. We know that a small kiosk for a computer and brochures is needed. We know that there is conversation about a history cabinet, potentially for the purple wall where brochures are now. If you have specific interest in those decisions, please email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

In October, we will resume planning for the lower level accessible and inclusive bathroom. Earlier in the campaign planning we met with some church members who provided us good input on design considerations. We will offer that opportunity again as we move forward with the project, which is scheduled for this last quarter of 2020.

In the spring of 2021, the accessible ramp and Intergenerational Playscape on the east side of the wing will begin. Early in the planning stages I gathered Religious Education parents with our then DLRE Mary Sheldon to meet with the artist Indira Johnson who works with organizations on process. We talked about what parents felt was important in terms of location, types of play features, seating plantings, the feeling they want to create, visibility from the sanctuary, safety, and other topics. Indira Johnson is the artist who created the Buddha heads throughout the City of Chicago and Evanston. These were a result of her work with community residents in Jackson Park to create a space that the neighborhood could regain from gangs that had taken over the park. She has held many peace circles and has great skill in helping groups work together to determine their needs and wants for pubic spaces. The ramp was designed by Nature’s Perspective. They will install the ramp and assist Indira with selection of plantings for the playscape garden. This is a very exciting project that will provide a wonderful space for our children, as well as providing a contemplative natural space for congregants of all ages.

For more information on either of these upcoming projects email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.

Jessica Meis, Communication Coordinator has completed the update of the Leadership Brochure. Please take a look at this important document on our website to see who leads and serves on our UCE leadership teams. If you are on a team and your name does not appear, please contact Jessica at admin@ucevanston.org.

Liz Kennedy and I attended a zoom meeting this week with Sue Murphy and a group of other church building staff to discuss the possibility of housing the homeless during the winter months. The program planning is well underway. Churches are evaluating their current COVID Guidelines and determining if this is the best choice for their church. Liz provided a lengthy list of questions so that we can make the same determination, particularly making sure that our staff and others involved can be safe. All of us care deeply about serving the homeless in our community. Currently, hotels in the area continue to provide rooms for them so the numbers to be housed in churches is much more manageable. They will not be seeking volunteers due to COVID restrictions but will hire two paid staff for each night of the shelter. Sue is doing a good job to answer and address concerns that have been expressed.

UCE’s Integrated Stewardship Council continues to meet monthly via zoom. Recently they elected Rob Wingader and Tom Carlton as the new members-at-large. Rob and Tom will serve a two-year term. Marianne Griebler has graciously volunteered to be Pledge Drive Chair. Marianne is assembling a job description for a co-chair. Members of the team: Janelle Brittain, Capital Campaign; Susan Comstock, Treasurer, Jane Kenamore and Margaret Schatz (sharing the role) for Endowment; Marianne Griebler, Pledge Drive, and myself as staff lead. Acting Sr. Minister Eileen Wiviott is ex-officio, Susan Carlton, Secretary, Jessica Tomell-Presto and Joe Romeo are Board of Trustees liaisons. Your team is dedicated to monitoring all financial aspects of UCE.

Last, but not least, our staff had a 90-minute session with Susan Carlton and Steve Serikaku of the Ministerial Search Committee on Wednesday. They sent questions to us prior to the meeting so that we had time to carefully consider our answers. We had a deep and meaningful discussion on what we would like to see in the settled Sr. Minister from the perspective of a team who works directly with that person. Each of us articulated our thoughts well and provided very useful information. I am proud of our staff team. Each member is devoted to UCE, believes that their work is integral to the mission and feel it is a ministry.