This Sunday, the music will feature guest musician Henry Pleas. Henry H. Pleas, III  has appeared as leading tenor in operatic productions throughout the United States and Europe. He has appeared as soloist for Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Grand Rapids, Skylight Opera Theater, Chicago Opera Theater and South Shore Opera Company of Chicago. Henry was a finalist in the Lotte Lehman CyberSing competition,  and a past participant in the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists.  Henry toured with the American Spiritual Ensemble for their 2016 season and received critical acclaim for his performance in Harriet Tubman: When I crossed that Line to Freedom (2016).  In 2017 “Come Down Angels!” a recording of Vocal Works by Women Composers was released for the Unveiled Voices Project (UVP).  Henry Pleas is the founder and CEO of UVP, an enterprise which seeks to produce and perform quality works by composers deserving performance on world concert stages, but denied based on gender, race, sexuality or other characteristics having nothing to do with achieving musical excellence.

Many members and friends of UCE have made donations over the years for special purposes. These donations have been consolidated into a number of Dedicated Funds, including several especially intended to support Social Justice initiatives.

On December 3^rd, following Music Sunday Services, the Social Justice Council and its associated teams will provide a Potluck and Raffle to help replenish three of the Dedicated Funds.

These are (1) the Marjorie Fisher Environmental Fund, which supports Green Team efforts including Green Sanctuary certification, efforts to make our building more environmentally sustainable, recycling in the church, organic gardening, Faith in Place sponsorship, etc., (2) the Susan Walker Fund, which is dedicated to projects and initiatives that promote social change, cultural diversity, and economic justice, and (3) the Community Action Fund, which supports activities that alleviate the hardship, suffering, and alienation of homelessness and/or hunger in our community.

More information about these Funds will follow in an up-coming newsletter.

If you wish to help support UCE’s Social Justice work, and you have a favorite dish (main dish, salad/side dish, or dessert) which you would be willing to prepare for this Potluck, please sign up now at the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15lWRghIKZVm4369_Tlj4qsWjL3ZUdil5jIYUPzVz-Js/edit?usp=sharing

Mark your calendar now to begin your planning for Guest At Your Table (GAYT) this year. An annual program of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), this program raises crucial funds for UU social justice work in the United States and around the world. The idea is take home a GAYT box and make a small daily contribution, an amount perhaps equal to what we would pay to host a guest at our dinner table.

Whether you sit down to dinner with a large family or on your own, the box is, in a season so often prone to frenetic activity and commercialization, a tool for daily mindfulness about the hope that each of us may bring to address real need and ease suffering in the world, and about the deeper meanings of this holiday season. As we launch and throughout our GAYT season (Sun Nov 12 – Sun Jan 7), we’ll be sharing. via the RE newsletter and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/520586461667097/), stories and resources for your dinner table reflections and conversations. The boxes will be collected as the season of Epiphany begins, and there will be an opportunity for all to share our collective epiphanies from this daily practice during our first Sunday together in the new year.

As we look forward to Endowment Sunday this week, we want to remind you of the purpose of the Endowment Fund and fill you in on some of what Endowment has accomplished this year!

The UCE Endowment fund was established in 1986 as a source of support for special projects that further the mission and work of UCE. It is intended to provide a strong and lasting financial foundation which will nourish the congregation and the church’s programs as well as strengthen UCE’s vital position in the wider community. The fund grows each year through investment growth and new gifts. Each year, a maximum of 5% of the funds is available to fund projects. The funds are used for projects outside of the operating budget, such as community outreach, scholarships and grants, special opportunities for enrichment within the congregation, and UCE building and property upgrades and repairs.

The fund has supported a wide variety of projects over the years, including the all church Racial Equity Training program, furniture for the Syrian refugee family, a new nametag cabinet, a new sound system for the sanctuary, new kitchen appliances, and many, many more. In 2017, the fund was able to support several projects, including scholarships for general assembly, a new AV technician, and our new elevator which will be coming soon! You can see the full list of the projects that have been funded by endowment grants at ucevanston.org/endowment.

There are many different ways that you can donate to the UCE Endowment Fund. You can make Endowment part of your legacy by naming the Fund as a beneficiary in your IRA, life insurance policy, retirement plan, will, or trust. You can also make a one time or recurring cash gift to remember a significant person, event or occasion. You can also make a memorial gift to honor the passing of a loved one. Those who make a gift of $10,000 or more will be enrolled in the Nellie Brough Legacy Society and will be recognized in the UCE lobby.

Our available funds are based on the amount in the fund at the end of the year. So, the amount of funds available for 2018 will be 5% of the amount in the fund at the end of this year.  Any donations made this year will have real impact on the projects we can fund in 2018. Currently, the fund has grown to over $400,000. This means that at least $20,000 will be available to fund projects in 2018! If you have been thinking about making a gift to the Endowment Fund, either over several months or a one time gift, this might be the perfect time to speak with a committee member.

The more we have in the fund at the end of the year, the more projects we will be able to support!

Please contact us at endowment@ucevanston.org.

Trustees:

Ellen Zacny
Amy Dooley
Marianne Griebler
 

Committee Members:

Ally Hunter
Barbara Butz
Holly Bergren
Jim Clark
Kay Gibbs-Novy
Will Van Dyke

After you peruse our catalog here (no log in required) or pick up your Serendipity Auction catalog at church this Sunday, you’ll be excited by the outstanding items you have to choose from. There are old favorites and new and exciting offerings. And don’t forget to book your delicious dinner (lemon pepper chicken and pasta primavera) and free childcare here.

So, what can you expect?

– 24 group outings offered this year! It’s a wonderful way to interact with your fellow UCE members and meet some new people.

– Many items in our Children’s section this year, which also work as great gifts for families with children. Think of the auction as a way to get your holiday shopping done early.

– Gift cards galore, tickets to shows, art pieces, physical fitness, delicious food, lessons, and everything in between.

– Check out the lodging options and see if any would be perfect for your family vacation this year.

Pick up your catalog at the back of the sanctuary after church this Sunday to browse the offerings and check your availability for dinners and vacations. Please bring your checkbook, but we will still gladly accept credit cards with a 3% fee. Remember to bring your copy of the catalog with you, and see you on November 11 at 5:30pm.