12/6 Letter from Acting Senior Minister and BOT President
A Letter from Your Acting Senior Minister and Your Board President
My dear fellow congregants,
The board has been considering adding a half time staff position to cover vital Social Justice and Membership responsibilities at UCE. This six-month position would be funded by an unexpected gift from a member. We discussed this possibility at our November meeting and will discuss it again at the December meeting before a final vote on the matter. As always, any member may attend board meetings and is welcome to attend for this discussion on December 19th.
Please read about the need for this staff position in Rev. Eileen’s words:
In the past two and a half years, our ministry and staffing structure has gone through some major shifts. In previous years, UCE had become accustomed to two full time ministers who served the congregation in a variety of ways – to provide meaningful worship, pastoral care, lifespan religious education, and leadership of social justice and membership ministries. Later, we adapted to shifting ministries and roles by adding professional staff to cover some of these areas, including adding a Membership Director and Social Justice Coordinator (me) to reflect the growing value of these areas of our congregational life and shared mission.
Rev. Connie Grant’s departure in June 2017 meant that for the first time since the mid 1980’s, our second minister was not a religious educator. I took on the role of Assistant Minister focusing on Membership and Social Justice and we hired Dr. Mary Shelden as our Religious Educator. And as I’ve moved into the Senior Minister role with Rev. Karen focusing on interim work, we are left without a director of social justice and membership for the first time since 2007. As important as these areas of our shared ministry are, I have to turn my attention to other areas as your Senior Minister. We have strong leadership and participation by members on our social justice and membership teams and it is clear that both are critically important to our ability to live our mission and ends. Therefore, we need a dedicated staff leader to administer and support them.
The Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and Integrated Stewardship Council have been engaged in conversation about the need for a part time Congregational Life Director to lead the Social Justice and Membership Engagement Councils. This person, hopefully a minister, will facilitate the councils, shape the membership process, and coordinate the many social justice efforts that are vital to our mission. This person would also help with the ongoing experience of belonging and engagement in the life of the church, helping newcomers to find their way and connect with the larger life of the congregation, supporting covenant groups, and assisting with pastoral care and preaching from time to time.
The challenge, unsurprisingly, is funding. Fortunately, we have received a small bequest from a member who died this past summer. This amount would cover a half time Congregational Life Director position for the remaining six months of this fiscal year. In order to maintain this position past the initial six months, it would need to be absorbed into our 2020/2021 budget, which means that it would need to be covered by pledge income. The hope would be that this position could become a permanent part of the staffing model we could present to the next settled senior minister.
Rev. Eileen and I are encouraged by the many ways in which we see the congregation adapting to the numerous changes of the past several months and so appreciate the ways in which so many are engaging in the interim process. Part of this interim process is discerning how our staffing reflects our values and mission. Please contact the board if you have any questions or join us for the next board meeting. UCE is our spiritual home and we are all in this together!
December 6, 2019
Dear ones,
Winter has arrived in the place where I live when I am not with you in Evanston. Last week end we had what is being termed an ”epic blizzard,” that had even folks with better things to do challenging their computer search engines to find the most accurate comparisons of past snow fall, wind gusts and days of school closings.
I found myself thinking about “traction.” I used my search engine to look it up and found an epic number of unhelpful definitions. “Traction,” in common northern Minnesota parlance, refers to the amount of shoe or boot “grip” needed to sustain forward momentum on ice sidewalks or tire grip needed to keep a vehicle moving on a snowy roadway. An effectively spinning wheel with no traction is just, well, a spinning wheel; a foot encountering glare ice is a foot in the air.
What I was more interested in as I thought of UCE is the kind of traction that is needed for any kind of plan to move forward. As physical traction depends upon the adherence between the wheel and the road, the success of our interim plan depends upon your participation.
During this first quarter of the first year of our time together the traction has been nothing short of stunning. Nearly half of you have showed up for one or more of the Interim meetings or gatherings – from Sunday services on transition and story, to town hall meetings, to brown bag conversations, retreats and workshops, and one-on-one meetings with me. You have brought your thoughts back to your groups and returned your insights in e-mails and coffee hour encounters. As we used to say in some far off time, “You rock!” Your grip is good!
AND the second part of the traction piece is all about momentum. “Grip” AND “sustained forward momentum.” We are entering the “winter season” of this project where the barriers to traction begin to emerge. Slippery surfaces abound. Busy lives, early sunsets, slippery streets, frosty windshields, narrow streets, etc., and the draw of the home hearth. Not to mention a creeping feeling of “done that, been there,” “many voices don’t need one more,” and “this is taking too long.”
This is where the wheels start to spin and we run the risk of getting stuck. All of these are true stories and there is a bigger story.
On the “Interim” page of the UCE Website you will find the report of where we have come – the initial report with updates; the report of last month’s Volunteer Workshop; and the Legacy report that helps frame past ministries in terms of the ways in which UCE has been shaped by the lasting gifts of past ministers. You can also access the sermons on transition and the need for a larger story.
December will be Interim Lite. There will be some Brown Bag groups where we will continue to look at the Covenant of Engagement. I will be attending meetings with the Staff and the Transition Team and the Board to plan for the next six months.
In January there will be a second meeting of Volunteer Leaders to continue our conversation about structure; I will offer my reflections on Mission from the pulpit and you will be invited into a deeper conversation in the Brown Bag sessions and other venues about UCE Mission. There will be some intention around gaining a deeper understanding of UCE members involvement in Social Justice.
I promise to keep this work as exciting and engaging as possible. We need your voices and your presence to provide the traction that will move you to a true new beginning. Keep “Interim” on your 2020 calendar!
This is the season that, above all else, invites peace. In the quiet of the winter night, may you find it, and for a moment, may it hold you close.
In trust,
Karen
December 8, 2019
We enter the season of Christmas, approaching winter and the lessening light, with a celebration of music.
Our choir will sing the haunting, evocative, and exciting Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham – accompanied by brass quartet and keyboard – and the lovely and ethereal Ave Maria by Franz Biebl. There will be congregational singing with brass, and the brass quartet will play a spirited piece by Giovanni Gabrieli.
Join us for a moving worship service led by Rev. Eileen Wiviott; Music Director, Vickie Hellyer; and the Worship Arts Committee; followed by our annual Ornament Sunday, decorating our tree and making ornaments to take home for yours.
This is a worship for all ages service, meaning all are welcome to stay in the service for the full hour. There will be no religious education classes this Sunday for children above K/1st grade. There will be nursery care in room 11 and religious education for Preschool/K/1st in room 9, both from 9 am – noon.
Dec 8, 2019 – Guest Musicians
Let’s Welcome Our Talented Brass Musicians
for Music Sunday 2019!
Jakob Florea Noestvik, Trombone
Jakob Florea Noestvik is a tenor and bass trombone player currently based in Chicago, IL. He has played with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and is a substitute with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Jakob hails from Oslo, Norway, where he was a substitute with the Norwegian Wind Ensemble.
Also an educator, Jakob instructed brass students of all ages as the sole proprietor of a teaching business and an employee of Oslo’s municipal performing arts school, the Oslo Music and Culture School. Currently Jakob is the Program Manager at the Chicago Center for Music Education.
Jakob Florea Noestvik received his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Academy of Music and Drama at Gothenburg University in Sweden and his Master of Music in Orchestral Studies from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. His principal teachers include Jay Friedman, Reed Capshaw, and Ingemar Roos.
Kevin Natoli is a Chicago-based trumpeter and Alexander Technique teacher. He has experience performing in a variety of ensembles ranging from orchestra to brass quintet and everything in between. He received his Master’s degree in trumpet performance from the New England Conservatory and studied with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Rhode Island Philharmonic. Kevin is also a graduate of an Alexander Technique Certification program at the
Boston Conservatory with Debi Adams and maintains a diverse teaching studio. He is currently a faculty member of Logos School of Music, an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, a substitute musician with New World Symphony in Miami, and recently performed with Juneau Symphony in Alaska.
Kevin Natoli, Trumpet
Matt Martin, Trombone
Matt Martin is a professional freelance trombonist based in Chicago. Matt has performed with symphonies across the Midwest including the Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic, Orchestra Iowa, South Bend, Elmhurst, Northwest Indiana, Oistrahk, Kenosha, and Battle Creek Symphonies. In addition, Matt has performed with theater companies throughout the Chicagoland area as well as big bands, and popular artists like Chance the Rapper. Aside from performing, Matt is a Low Brass Instructor at Dundee Crown and Lane Tech High Schools. Matt was also a recent ZO Brass Performing Artist presenting at Music China 2019 in Shanghai.
Theresa Coffey is a Chicago-based trumpet player and substitute with the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and West Michigan Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Elmhurst Symphony, among others. For two years, she was also an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Prior to moving to Chicago, Coffey lived in Oslo, Norway, where she performed with the Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian National Opera, Oslofjord Kammerfilharmoni, on the Norwegian Radio Orchestra’s chamber series, and in the Ultima Contemporary Music Festival. In Oslo, she performed under such notable conductors as Vasily Petrenko and Han-na Chang.
Coffey received her Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and Master of Music degrees from University of Maryland and the Norwegian Academy of Music. Her principal teachers include Tine Thing Helseth, Anthony Plog, Chris Gekker, Steven Hendrickson, Charles Geyer, and Barbara Butler.
Theresa Coffey, Trumpet
Holiday Greetings from EOD – Nov 29, 2019
Holiday Greetings from your Executive Operations Director – November 29, 2019
I hope that you have had a Thanksgiving Day filled with good moments and plentiful food with family and/or friends.
Exciting News! Operating and Capital Campaign 2019/2020 statements were produced and sent via email from our new database system REALM. This is exciting as we have been inputting data and working toward launch for some time. This brings us a big step forward. Thank you to Tom Carlton, Project Manager, who has been working with the system to produce statements, as well as align our pledge and payments processes in REALM. Melanie Kitchner and Vickie Doebele have done a great deal of work inputting data into REALM these past many months. Thank you. 2019 year-end tax statements will be generated early in January.
A new kitchen staff hire was made Wednesday. Join me in welcoming Sydney Bias on Sunday. Sydney has had lots of experience in kitchens, has his food handling license, and has run the soup kitchens at Ebenezer Church here in Evanston. Sydney lives close by. Please stop in and say hello as he begins his first day of training and kitchen coordination.
This Wednesday, the two lobby washrooms were painted and new vinyl base trim was installed. Once dry we will install lovely framed artwork that we inherited through the Rummage Sale. Please enjoy the new and improved, lighter and brighter washrooms.
Simultaneously, Dan from Dahlia Floors has been installing new tiles and vinyl base trim in the lift lobby area (tunnel) and outside the furnace room, which abuts the existing tiles in the lower level. The LULA has also been recently repainted and new tiles were installed today to match the area outside the lift doors. This area has needed care for some time. I have also ordered new treads for the stairs leading to the lobby from the tunnel. It really looks fresh and nice. These were planned as operating fund expenditures. As part of the Capital Campaign new lobby, wing, and classroom flooring will be installed. Johna VanDyke is working on that project. Thank you, Johna.
Carol Nielsen and I made a visit to a cabinet company to get samples and figure out new cabinetry for the kitchen rehab project. Carol has done a great deal of work with the architect Thomas Ahleman and his associates. The kitchen will close just after a memorial service on January 4 and will reopen in March.
Work continues by the Capital Campaign Implementation Team, of which I am a member. A town hall meeting will be held on Sunday, December 15 following the Sunday service Pageant. You will be provided with updates on the work done on the parking lot and highlights from the kitchen work. CCIT will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Please join us.
The Stewardship 2020 Task Force, requested by the Board of Trustees, has met to discuss strategies for the upcoming March 2020 Pledge Drive. We have an outline of ideas for the drive. We are looking for co-chairs. If you are interested or know someone who may be, please contact me. Members of the team are Shirley Adams, Jean Butzen, Kristen Larsen, Susan Comstock, and myself.
Our new phone system is operable. The sticking point is our level of comfort with our door intercom system and the phone working together. So far this week it has worked for 8 days. If this continues we will launch into the phone system switchover. Adam Gough has been heading up this effort. Thank you, Adam.
December 1, 2019
“Light in the Darkness”
This time of year is rich with the symbolism of casting light into the growing darkness. The season of Advent with its candles of anticipation, hope, peace and love; preparing for the winter solstice; Christmas Eve; Hanukkah…all evolved out of the need for light as days grow shorter. But what of the value of darkness, the need for rest, the peace of shadowed stillness? We’ll explore the embedded meanings of light and dark, and share some new ways of celebrating both. Rev. Eileen leads the service and Heike Eghardt is our Worship Associate.
Auction Thank You 2019
Serendipity Auction 2019 –
What an evening of bidding, bonding, and boodle!
What an evening of bidding, bonding, and boodle!
The Serendipity team would like to say a huge thank you to all for participating in a wonderful Serendipity Auction night last Saturday.
Many thanks to the 200 people who attended with good cheer in their hearts; the 124 members and friends who were successful bidders and graciously paid for our offerings; the 90 volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event happen; the 73 members and staff who donated various dinners, artwork, outings, etc.; the 96 local businesses that gave gift certificates or items or services; our auctioneer Brian Kirschenbaum, who paced the live auction just right; Curt’s Café for catering a fantastic dinner and providing an auction donation; and finally, and so importantly, our fantastic staff (with a special shout out to Liz and Steven Eason) who provided great support and helped make our sanctuary beautiful. The auction did well financially—we think the net will be approximately $28,000, but much more importantly, we contributed to building the spirit of our community. Thank you!!
Check out photos courtesy of Don Mac Gregor!
