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What We Teach Our Young People and Why As Unitarian Universalists, our first principle recognizes the “inherent worth and dignity of every person.” For younger children, we might express this principle more simply as “each and every person is important.” We’ll broadly and deeply explores topics relating to our appreciation of differences and diversity, and more specifically of racial justice, in ways that are age-appropriate for children and youth. Our curriculum and activities are structured across ages and grade levels to focus on this principle in ways that are holistic, multigenerational, and multidimensional. Participants will have the opportunity to: explore ideas, develop relationships, and put values into action. Following a natural path of childhood identity development, our exploration of the inherent worth of every person comes through engagement with Soul Matters curricula. This is a theme-based program that weaves worship, faith development, social justice, and small group ministry together. Please join us – and feel free to contact our Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Kathy Underwood at kunderwood@ucevanston.org with any questions you may have. Welcome all, welcome in!

Deepening Our UU Identity What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? Without a common creed or theology, what unites us and grounds us? Contrary to the common misunderstanding of our inclusivity, that we are the ones who "can believe whatever we want," Unitarian Universalism is a chosen faith that asks a great deal of those who commit to its aspirations and covenants. In this four-part series, we will explore the religious roots of our movement, the covenant that is our seven principles, and the six sources of our faith from which we draw wisdom. We will also delve into a Unitarian Universalist definition of spirituality and a variety of spiritual practices we can engage in. Finally, deepening our understanding of what it means to be a UU grounded in the practice of Beloved Community, right here at UCE. The sessions take place over 4 Tuesdays, January 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 7-9pm and will be led by Rev. Wiviott, Rev. Gustafson, and the New Member Committee. What will each session look like? January 7th – The Seven Principles: an exploration of the UU principles, [...]

Fair Trade Cart Fair Trade principles and practices are based on the belief that people should receive a living wage for what they produce and that their products should be created using environmentally sound practices for socially responsible outcomes. These principles are  implemented by an array of organizations who devote themselves to finding farmers and artisans throughout the world who need assistance in producing and selling their products for a fair wage and who can provide assistance to their communities in developing resources needed to provide for their basic needs. Fair Trade practices have been responsible for developing schools, clean water resources, and many other basic necessities throughout the developing world by furnishing the economic means formerly missing from their communities. The Fair Trade Cart at UCE sells a variety of agricultural and artistic products. Our profits are returned to our greater community through holiday donations to Chute Middle School families who are selected by school social workers and by donations to Evanston’s Family Focus for support of their children’s after school and summer camp programs. In 2019, we also donated to help migrant families detained at our borders. Your support in purchasing these [...]

Interim Reports Archive November Below is the report of November’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. Saturday, November 23, 2019 42 UCE Volunteer Leaders attended. Here is a summary of expressed hopes: To be inspired and uplifted and more hopeful and enthusiastic To listen and learn and be heard: improved communication To identify strategic alliances and priorities and alliances To coordinate how groups fit into the larger whole of UCE To be both more joyful and content to live with mystery To seek clarity To imagine a future bigger than the past/ to find a path forward To find greater support for families and children To tap into the wisdom in the room To find ways to expand the diversity and number of leaders To be more inclusive To get information and find the “pulse of the church” To hear the wisdom in the room To extend possibilities for the future Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire that included the following questions relative to the group [...]

Food and Shelter Team For information about the Mitten Tree, click here Mission: The Food and Shelter Team (FAST) explores ways to alleviate homelessness and hunger and present meaningful service opportunities and programs toward the goal of further understanding the experience and issues of hunger and homelessness through direct service and education for the UCE congregation. Programs of the Food and Shelter Team Emergency Overnight Shelter Fair Trade Cart Our Giving House Soup Kitchen Bundled Blessings The Mitten Tree “Our House” Curt’s Café A brochure describing the work of Interfaith Action of Evanston and how you can participate: Soup Kitchen Volunteer Flyer Updates & Upcoming Events More Information OUR GIVING HOUSE COLLECTION 2015/16 September/October: Welcome Kits –Regular size soap, toothbrush, tooth paste, conditioner, baby powder lotion, shampoo, razors, washcloths, shampoo November: long underwear and socks December: no collection-Mitten Tree January: Canned tuna, chicken, salmon February: Diapers March: Tuna, salmon, chicken [...]

Covenant Groups What is a Covenant Group? Covenant groups are for meaningful connections between members of a group of up to 10 people who meet on a regular basis to establish and further themselves in community. Purpose: To nurture the human spirit for a world made whole by bringing members together to share, develop friendships, and serve the larger community. What happens during a 2 hour Covenant Group meeting? About five minutes of people getting situated. Short reading or centering. Check-in: 45 minutes of sharing what is going on in your life; an opportunity to share for about 4 minutes, without interruption; then, maybe 10-15 minutes of follow up conversation. A topic intended to promote reflective adult conversation (either introduced by the facilitator or material provided at the previous session) is the material for an hour of reflection. Topics are related to everyday life questions much like those raised by a good Sunday service. A check-out: Chance to share what they liked about the meeting and what they wish it could have been. Closing words or music. Who leads the groups? Trained facilitators will make sure group [...]

Activities for Children and Youth Described here are activities that are designed particularly appropriate for children and youth.  Many other all-church activities throughout the year are welcoming and inclusive of our children and youth. Child Dedications — At child dedications the UCE community welcomes children and expresses support for the child and family. Child dedications are performed Christmas Eve service and by special arrangement with the ministers. Ornament Sunday — Make ornaments and decorations to trim the tree and take home. Holiday Treat Lunch — A festive lunch on a December Sunday, with cookies, juice, and milk. Christmas Eve —Candlelight services at 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm, with stories, carols, and reflections on Christmas. Easter — Between our Sunday services on Easter, there is a “canned goods” hunt outside. Brunch follows the second service. Religious Education Recognition service — At a May worship service, we celebrate the religious growth and learning of our children and recognize the work of our teachers and other volunteers. Church Picnic — After the service on the second Sunday in June we celebrate summer with a picnic on the south lawn. Social Action for Children and Families Social action is [...]

Connecting UU: A Path to Belonging at UCE The “Connecting UU” program is a series of 45-minute discussions, offered most Sundays at 10:15 in Room 12.  These sessions are open to all, no matter where you are on the journey and are led by UCE’s New Member Committee. Childcare available. No need to sign up in advance. UU Principles  A discussion of the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism.  November 12 UU Sources  A discussion of the six sources from which we draw wisdom and spiritual nourishment. November 19 Spiritual Journeys (4 parts) Take any one or all of them in any order. Explore your religious and spiritual background, where you come from, what you want to cherish and what you want to release, and how you practice your spirituality. December 3, 10, 17, January 7 How to Get Involved  Learn how to become more engaged in the life of the church, find groups and activities of interest, discover the way things  get done, answer your questions about belonging in our community.  January 14 UCE History and Tour  Learn more about the history, architecture and art of our building through a guided [...]

Leadership Development Team Everyone is a leader at UCE! The Leadership Development Team is here to help you learn about positive leadership aligned with UU values and grow as a UCE lay leader, whether you’re a current leader of a UCE committee or team, want to be, or would simply like to learn more about yourself as a leader. Come to one of the leadership sessions we host, check out what we have for you online or join the Leadership Development Team! Here are three ways you can get started: Review UCE’s Leadership Model Take UCE’s Leadership Self-Assessment Browse Leadership Resources The Leadership Development Team is charged with supporting the emergence, development, and growth of UCE lay leaders. Our team promotes the distribution and utilization of the Leadership Development Guide, consisting of the UCE Leadership Model, a leadership self-assessment tool, and a variety of learning resources for current and aspiring leaders. In addition, the Leadership Development Team sponsors education, training, and discussion events related to the elements of UCE Leadership Model. Our team meets monthly at a time agreed upon by the team members, and can opt to do independent work between meetings. New members are [...]

Interim Working Report Welcome to the interactive and working interim report. This report was originally generated in September 2019 and will be updated regularly by Rev. Karen Gustafson and the Transition Team. If you have any questions about the Interim work, please reach out or join one of Rev. Karen's Brown Bag Conversations usually held 3 times a month. # - indicates an event completed or planned for the Interim work. Introduction The following report represents input gathered in the following ways: Board of Trustees Weekend Retreat Day Long Staff Start Up Elected Leaders Retreat - Friday evening, September 6, 2019; all day, Saturday, September 7, 2019 After service forum on September 8, 2019 with approximately 100 members and friends attending Covenant Group Leaders Three “Brown Bag” sessions involving approximately 30 participants Membership Engagement Council Three extended e-mail responses Six meetings with individual congregants Invitations to Brown Bag groups and to contact me directly appeared in newsletters and were announced at the September newsletters and announced at the September meeting. # Brown Bag topic for [...]