Note: Service starts at 11 am

Breathing Newness Into Life

 When we breathe in, we inspire new possibilities. When we breathe out, we aspire to new endeavors and commitments. When we breathe together, we conspire to deepen our partnerships toward building a better world. We are grateful to be in partnership with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church today in celebration and worship. This is part of a woman’s history month celebrating the Gospel According to Patti LaBelle. Rev. Eileen Wiviott and Rev. Aaron McLeod lead the service, with UCE Worship Associate, Annette Wallace. This will be a music-full service with the UCE Choir directed by Vickie Hellyer, Lula B. Sherman’s Music Ministry led by Jeffrey Hardy on keyboard, and instrumentalists Darryl Petty on piano, Charles Horne on drums, Vuyani Wakaba on bass guitar, and Chris Greene on saxophone.

This Sunday’s offering will be shared with UUANI (Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois). UUANI empowers Unitarian Universalists across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice. They provide leadership training, build congregational capacity, and organize statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with their partners. Together, they seek to bend the arc toward justice.

Upcoming Services

March 29 – New Member Covenanting – Rev. Susan Frances

April 5 – What Might Rise (Easter Sunday) – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

April 12 – Youth & Young Adult Service – Breaking the Rules

April 19 – Music Sunday – Vickie Hellyer and the UCE Choir

 A New Era of Action in Illinois

What happens when 30+ congregations speak with one moral voice? We are delighted to welcome Natasha Walker, our new leader at the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI), to the pulpit. Natasha brings a unique perspective to our movement, combining two decades of strategic work in Corporate America with a deep commitment to the interconnected web of life. This morning, she shares her vision for UUANI’s three-pronged strategy of advocacy, activism, and resistance. Come hear why our daily actions are “inextricably braided into everything else” and how your engagement can help shape the future of our state.

Worship led by Natasha Walker, with Dr. Emma Farrell, Ministerial Intern. Kiley Korey leads us in song, and Gregory Shiffrin shares his talents on piano.

Today’s offering will be shared with UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI).

UUANI empowers Unitarian Universalists across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice. They provide leadership training, build congregational capacity, and organize statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with their partners. Together, they seek to bend the arc toward justice.

Upcoming Services

March 22 (Note time change – 11 am) – The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle – Worship in collaboration with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church, Rev. Eileen Wiviott and Rev. Aaron McCleod

March 29 – New Member Covenanting – Rev. Susan Frances

April 5 – Justice – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

April 12 – Youth Group & Young Adult Group with Rev. Eileen Wiviott

A Piece of Fertile Ground

Expect the unexpected as we explore this month’s Soul Matters Theme: Paying Attention. This will be a highly interactive service, set up for connection and discovery. Rev. Eileen and Director of Lifespan Faith Formation, Kathy Underwood, lead this service together, with Janelle Brittain as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer, with Gregory Shifrin on piano, provide the music. 

Today’s offering will be shared with the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois or UUANI. UUANI devises programs to build power among UU congregations in Illinois in order to achieve meaningful, concrete, far-reaching results which put our UU values and principles into action. 

Upcoming Services:

March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell

March 22 (Note time change – 11 am) – The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle – a Worship in collaboration with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church – Rev. Eileen and Rev. Aaron McCleod

March 29 – New Member Covenanting – Rev. Susan Frances

God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves

What gets us through the impossible things we face, if not a deity? Exploring what sustains us when God DOES give us more than we feel we can handle. This sermon is inspired by Kristin Larsen who won the chance to pick the topic at the 2025 auction. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Ellie Feddersen as Worship Associate. Kiley Korey is our hymn leader and soloist, accompanied by Grey Wiviott on vocals, Kevin Barrow on guitar, and Gregory Shifrin is our pianist.

Today’s offering will be shared with Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois or UUANI. UUANI devises programs to build power among UU congregations in Illinois in order to achieve meaningful, concrete, far-reaching results which put our UU values and principles into action. 

Upcoming Services

March 8 – A Piece of Fertile Ground; Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood

March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell

March 22 (Note time change – 11 am) – The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle – a Worship in collaboration with Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church – Rev. Eileen and Rev. Aaron McCleod

March 29 – New Member Covenanting – Rev. Susan Frances