Friday, February 6, 2026
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DLFF Newsletter – February 2026
Lifelong Learnings
I have been reminded recently of an important lesson: that lifelong learning is inevitable, necessary, and sometimes painful. We grow through our willingness to engage honestly with challenges and hardships. And with grace, forgiveness, and some hard work, we can experience peace and greater trust in the midst of our struggles.
You may have seen the email about two incidents at a youth overnight last month. I want to reassure you that Rev. Eileen and I are talking and meeting with those involved as well as those who are helpful advisors to help rebuild trust, improve communication, and look at our policies and procedures with due diligence and care.
I have been reminded that, in our relationships, impact matters immensely despite our intentions. It is a lesson I am still learning. One is never too old, nor above, learning how their actions can affect others. This has brought out so many feelings in me – sadness, worry, a sense of urgency, trauma from other family and life events, among others. I’m grateful that those involved are willing to stay in relationship as we reflect and strive to do better.
As I have been processing these incidents, I have been looking at them from an even wider perspective, a societal one. I wrote in a previous column during the pandemic about an article I read, which predicted we would see the effects of the pandemic in 5-7 years. We wondered back then how the lack of connection to others outside of the family would manifest as children and youth went back to school and other activities. The same was said about adults returning to offices and jobs in the service industries. Will we navigate this transition in healthy and positive ways? Since we are now amid this period, it’s hard to know to what degree we’re being successful.
We are still figuring out how to be with one another in the world, as well as here at UCE since we reopened our doors. The current political climate has brought many new people into our sanctuary, including families with children and youth. How do we welcome them, and embrace their presence and guide them as they navigate new relationships and friendships? One way we do so is by practicing our covenantal faith. Each faith formation group creates their own covenant and decides how they will address a break in that covenant should it occur. It is the role of those of us who are adult leaders to help guide our children and youth as they practice living those covenants, understand the impacts when they are broken, and work to repair them in the ways that are possible. It is hard work that takes courage, care, and time.
And so, the lifelong learning continues. We will keep working to repair hurt feelings while taking ownership for the harm we have caused. Reconciliation and repair in relationships is the work of our faith. It is what makes the full living of our values possible. As difficult as this is, I am one to dive in and keep working on it. After all, that is what my UU values ask me to do. I’m grateful to have you as part of my lifelong learnings.
In Faith,
Kathy
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Pleasure Activism
Burnout is a predictable outcome of a culture that treats pushing past our limits as virtue. In this sermon, we’ll explore how rest, joy, creativity, and pleasure are not distractions from justice work, but are essential to its sustainability and outcomes. Drawing on science and the work of adrienne maree brown, Audre Lorde, and Tricia Hersey, we’ll consider how chronic stress narrows our thinking, and how rest and joy unlock transformative possibilities. Janelle Brittain serves as Worship Associate, with Dr. Emma Farrell. Jenn Wisegarver, soloist, and Gregory Shifrin on piano will provide our music.
Today’s offering will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU, whose mission is to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.
Upcoming Services
February 15 – I’m Not Okay, You’re Not Okay, and That’s Okay; Rev. Eileen
February 22 – In Community Today; Rev. Susan
March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen
Friday, January 30, 2026
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Sunday, February 1, 2026
Universalism with Pluralism
We grow in our resilience when we embrace multiplicity and learn from difference. Building a better world will come from our capacity to honor each individual’s right to be who they are, while remembering our responsibility to the flourishing of the whole. This is a service for all ages, though nursery care is available in room 11. Kristee Boehm will be our Worship Associate, with Rev. Eileen leading. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer with Gregory Shifrin on piano will provide our music.
Upcoming Services
February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell
February 15 – Inhabiting Our Innate Power; Rev. Eileen
February 22 – Stories of Resilience; Rev. Susan
March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen
Friday, January 23, 2026
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Sunday, January 25, 2026
Finding the Way: Sophia Newman’s Spiritual Journey
UCE Member and participant in our latest Deepening the Spiritual Journey class, Sophia Newman, shares her pluralistic and unique journey toward the present moment. Rev. Eileen will be the worship associate and we’ll enjoy the UCE choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano.
Today’s offering will be shared with C&W Market Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the Evanston community by providing essential grocery access to those facing food insecurity and fostering career skills in the food and culinary industry.
Upcoming Services
February 1 – Pluralism: Resilience Born of Difference; Rev. Eileen
February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell
February 15 – Inhabiting Our Innate Power; Rev. Eileen
February 22 – Stories of Resilience; Rev. Susan
Friday, January 16, 2026
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Staff Column from Rev. Susan Frances, January 16, 2026
Hi,Friends,
I knew this year was going to be difficult, but I did not expect the first thing to be the murder of a rapid responder in her own neighborhood. Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed in Minneapolis by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on January 7, 2026. She was not the first person to suffer this fate. On September 12, 2025, Silverio Villegas González was shot at close range by an ICE agent in Franklin Park during Operation Midway Blitz and over 30 other people have died at the hands of ICE since the current White House administration took office.
I am proud of our congregation for having the capacity and willingness to host the vigil on January 11th organized by Indivisible Evanston to remember these victims and to demand accountability by the agents involved and their superiors. I am also proud of our communities for our continued commitment to meet ICE’s violence with steadfast peaceful, nonviolent protest.
Keep reaching out to each other. Keep taking breaks from the news. Keep showing up. It is important to take care of yourself in order to stay engaged. We are in this together and together we will make it through this day, this week, this month.
The last week of December, my wife and I attended the family birthday party for one of my nephews. It was a rock climbing party in a set of converted grain elevators. I had never been climbing before and decided to try it. I loved it. The photo is of me at the top of the beginner’s wall. Before we could climb on our own, we had to participate in their orientation session. This week I have been returning to three things the instructor told us.
First, stand at the bottom and look up. From what you can see, make a plan for your ascent. Most days, I can envision a future for our country in which we have moved through what is happening right now by, as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described, committing to “the creative power of nonviolence as the force which is capable of winning lasting and meaningful brotherhood and peace.” My vision rests in a hope that we will not return to the status quo, but will forge a future in which accessible healthcare, affordable housing, and accountable public officials become the norm.
Second, trust the auto-belay. You won’t be willing to take the risky move if you don’t trust that when you fall, you will be caught. We have to find the people and communities that we can trust, so that we are willing to take the risks needed to climb into the future. I am grateful to be part of our congregation and our faith movement, in which I have found individuals and institutions that I trust to support me, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, in this difficult time in our country’s history. If you are still developing that trust and there is a way I might support you, please do not hesitate to contact me at sfrances@ucevanson.org.
Third, stay focused on your next move. I cannot control the lies published online. I can take one deep breath. I cannot control the chaotic, illegal, and inhumane events created by the federal government. I can show up at one vigil or one protest. I cannot stop the tears that come as I read the news. I can laugh with one other person. I cannot change the laws, but I can write one email to one legislator or cast my one vote. I cannot stop the exhausting stream of events, but I can take one nap. Balance your next move of action with an additional move of self-care.
These three concepts apply to our personal lives as well. When you are feeling overwhelmed by any aspect of life: create a plan, find people you trust to support you, and stay focused on what you need to do next. If we keep doing these together, we’ll make it through. We’re stronger together.
Yours in collectively climbing into our future,
Rev. Susan
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Shall We Overcome?
What does it mean to sing this song of resistance knowing we have NOT overcome, that, in fact, we seem further from overcoming injustice than ever? We honor the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, by staying in the struggle while remaining honest about our current reality. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Bob Mesle as Worship Associate. Vocal tenor, Henry Pleas, and pianist Ken Smith offer their musical gifts.
Today’s offering will be shared with C&W Market Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the Evanston community by providing essential grocery access to those facing food insecurity and fostering career skills in the food and culinary industry.
Upcoming Services
January 25 – Finding the Way: Sophia Newman’s Spiritual Journey
February 1 – Pluralism: Resilience Born of Difference; Rev. Eileen
February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell
February 15 – Inhabiting Our Innate Power; Rev. Eileen
