Mark your calendars, line up your sitter and get ready for a spectacular evening of musical excitement. Howard Levy and Chris Siebold are coming to our very own sanctuary on OCTOBER 23^rd at 7:00 pm. The duo, who have performed to great acclaim in the US, Europe and South America, features Howard Levy’s virtuosic harmonica and piano playing & Chris Siebold’s masterful resonator guitar work.

For those of you who are unfamiliar his work, Levy is a widely acknowledged master of the diatonic harmonica, a superb pianist, innovative composer, recording artist, bandleader, teacher, producer, and Evanston resident. Over his 40-plus year career, he has been featured on more than 300 recordings, won two Grammys and composed the first concerto for the diatonic harmonica. He was a founding member of the bluegrass-fusion group Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, and a frequent guest musician on NPR’s popular radio broadcast A Prairie Home Companion.

This promises to be an exciting evening of music you will not soon forget, and as a bonus, is a fundraiser for our church. Get your tickets and tell your friends and neighbors! Prices are set at $35 in advance, or

$40 at the door the evening of the concert.

It has been gratifying to see so many members and friends at UCE on Sunday mornings. Ingathering Service was beautiful and a perfect way to start the new church year ahead.

We are pleased that Liz Kennedy has returned to work and is doing well. Liz contributes in so many ways to the care of our building and congregation. Her absence was felt during the time of her surgery and recovery. We are grateful she is recovering well and gracing the halls of UCE in her formidable way.

As Staff Lead and Chair of the Integrated Stewardship Council (ISC), I am looking for recommendations for 2023-24 Pledge Drive Co-Chairs. If you are willing to serve or have suggestions, please forward names to me. I can set up a telephone call and provide a job description that might help you or the suggested individual to make a sound decision about whether this could be a good role for you at UCE.

This is a challenging year to procure rentals and make the aggressive budget we have put forth for 2022-2023. Many not-for-profits have changed they way they are fundraising due to lack of volunteers and funding. I see this as a trend post COVID closure. I encourage each and everyone to provide leads if you know of someone who needs space for a memorial or wedding. If you know of not-for-profit groups who need a meeting space, Room 3 and Room 6 that have multi-platform equipment to help them meet the needs of meeting in person with zoom attendees present as well. Music performances are perfect for our sanctuary. In November North Shore Choral Society has rehearsals and a concert. Others are signing on for music events. If a business has closed its office during COVID, perhaps they need a board room environment for a day. Our space lends itself well. Keep us in mind as you connect with friends throughout the community. Email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org with referrals. Thank you.

As most of you know, our Hearing Loop is functioning well and providing a more welcoming space for those with hearing loss. With t-coil hearing aids on users can simply walk into the sanctuary and encounter a whole new experience by hearing the service and music without the aid of the special devices previously provided. There will be a training at the back of the

sanctuary on Sunday, November 20th after the worship service. Audiologist Dr. Gamina will be present to answer questions and assist you in knowing how you can better use your hearing equipment to connect with the new sanctuary Hearing Loop. This is another example of how our Capital Campaign funding has created yet another wonderful feature for our church to provide a safe, clean, updated and welcoming environment for all who enter.

Work is planned to commence in the fall in the lower level bathrooms. The Capital Campaign goal is to provide an accessible and inclusive bathroom on the lower level where the existing boys room is now. I have requested an update on pricing for this project. Architectural drawings and a contractor’s quote was provided just prior to COVID closure. Costs, not doubt, have escalated. Once we have established costs planning can begin.

Our welcome desk received its new Welcome sign on Sunday Ingathering. If you have not yet seen it, stop in and take a look. Notice as you walk in on Sunday morning. The sign provides an inviting feel as one walks into the doors of our lobby. The new sofa delivery has been delayed once again. It could be as late as the middle of October before this arrives. Once delivery of the sofa and more a more attractive waste station unit is in place, the lobby restoration will be complete. Thank you for Sandy Danforth, Gillian Lawrence and John VanDyke for what you have contributed on our team to make the lobby a comfortable, inviting and family-friendly space at the entrance of our building.

Notice the wonderful gardens if you have not had an opportunity. As mentioned previously, Raissa Landor’s daughters are providing a new bench in memory of their mother and grandmother. That will be placed next to the tree in our northwest garden shortly. Also, a new bench in memory of John LaPlante is on order and will grace the west entrance to the garden north of our entry doors.

During the downpour at the Ingathering Service last Sunday you may have noticed water seeping down the wall of the east side of the sanctuary. The roofing repair company is returning to address the issues related to flashings and bents along that wall. Robb Geiger met the roofer on the rooftop to review and determine next steps in completing the repairs. I am awaiting a report from Tecta Roofing.

You may also notice that water seeped into the girls bathroom in the lower level. Cahill will visit next week to determine cause. We believe it is related to blockage requiring pipe rodding. We will take appropriate steps to resolve the problem.

I hope you enjoy reading about the many changes and upgrades to our buildings, grounds and in other areas of church life. It is important that you know what is going on around you. Gratitude is abundant for the contributions to the Capital Campaign that has made so many upgrades possible. If you have questions or ideas to share with me that relate to Admin, Buildings & Grounds, Rentals or other areas of work at UCE, please email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org