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Sunday, September 13
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"Ingathering"
This is a worship service for all ages. Please bring a small sample of water gathered from your summer travels (near or far), and if you'd like a photograph of your trip shown during the service please send it to blortie@ucevanston.org with name and place to be displayed.
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion"
In his book, "The Righteous Mind," Jonathan Haidt states that individuals, as well as cultures, differently weight the moral concerns. He identifies the concerns as Care, Fairness, Loyalty, Authority, Sanctity and Liberty. Haidt claims that Western culture is WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic), and that some cultures very different from our own function very effectively. Can we step out of the matrix and appreciate other cultures, or is Western culture in fact more "equally valid" than other cultures? Discussion leaders: Bill Irons & Scot Campbell
Religious Education Open House
10:15am and 12:00pm (after both services)
An opportunity for children and their families to visit classrooms, learn about religious education curriculum and programming, register for religious education classes, and meet classroom teachers. Please drop in!
Race, Class, Culture and the Mentor Relationship
12:30pm in Room 3
Oudete Taylor, a staff member with OneGoal, will be with us to talk about how race, class and culture can affect the mentor relationship. She'll share her own story and talk to us about what she's learned. We'll then open it up for a Q&A. As always, UCE mentors will share their experience on this important topic. Come join us! We need to hear your voice.
The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
This Sunday, September 13 at 9:15am in Room 2
Our "regulars" keep coming back to talk and listen, learn and teach. Most are on familiar terms with cancer: they have had it, are in treatment now, or have experienced cancer with a loved one. Come with a caring heart. We keep the stories in the room.
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It's Not Too Late!
To have your information shared in the Water Communion ceremony this Sunday, please send Rev. Bret the following to blortie@ucevanston.org:
- Who you are (individual or family name)
- A sentence of where you traveled (even if it was to stay at home)
- A single photographic image that captures your summer (more than one is not possible to process)
This will make it possible to include your last-minute submission, which must be received by 5pm on Saturday.
See you Sunday for Ingathering!
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From the Minister for Lifespan Religious Education 
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Looking Forward
Now in my eighth year of ministry with you, I'm looking forward to a number of new developments in the coming year. I'll be taking sabbatical time from January through March of 2016 (and again in January through March of 2017). According to my letter of agreement, sabbatical time accrues at the rate of one month per full year of service, for the purpose of "study, education, writing, reflection and other forms of professional and religious growth."
I'm developing specific plans for what I'll be doing during my sabbatical time, and I'm talking with Bret, the Lifespan Learning Council, and the Children/Youth Program Team about coverage at UCE while I'm away. (One of my specific plans for my sabbatical is to spend a little time in Phoenix, where a grandbaby is expected at the end of January!) Click here to read more.
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Upcoming Crackerbarrel Topics
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Sunday, September 20, 9:30am
"Water"
As the nation witnesses one of the worst droughts in California and at a global scale, more and more people are becoming dependent on fresh water supplies that are becoming degraded at an alarming rate. The current consumption model is not sustainable, according to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), as global population of 7 billion consumers is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050. We will discuss the issue of current water shortage globally and measures to combat this serious situation. Discussion leader: Irv Badr.
Sunday, September 27, 9:30am "Illiteracy and Social Reform" Sociologists use terms like "underclass," "culture of poverty," and "social pathology" to refer to what some call the "undeserving poor." These researchers use these demeaning characterizations to point to high rates of unwanted pregnancies, single parent homes, academic underachievement, joblessness, drug use, violence, and gang membership, and to note how they are highly correlated with illiteracy. Some say this is blaming the victims, others, that it's time to teach middle-class values to the underclass. Such behavioral instruction has met with some success at a few great schools. The discussion will not be about how to remediate illiteracy, but rather about how to help the illiterate develop those character traits without which, some say, lives of meaningfulness and dignity cannot be led. Click here for an article about this topic. Discussion Leader: John Tobin.
Sunday, October 4, 9:30am
"Refugees and Displaced People"
The issue of refugees and displaced peoples is arguably old as the human civilization itself. While much of migration in modern times occurred due to economic reasons, with migrants pursuing a better quality of life, the majority of recent displacements is a result of extreme violence and political unrest in the native countries of origin. The current migration crises in Europe started, in many cases, with nations turning away refugees. They are perhaps condemning the displaced persons to death or persecution. We will discuss recent examples from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. Discussion leaders: Irv Badr and Julia Takarada.
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Meditation Group
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 A weekly "after work" Thursday meditation group will be starting September 17, 5:30-7:00. To start, we will have a 20-minute sitting meditation, followed by a half-hour discussion on a short provided text, and then a second sitting meditation. Rev. Bret Lortie will lead the group at least twice a month, with members of the group leading on other Thursdays. Generally this will be led in the Insight (or Vipassana) tradition, but other traditions will be respected and perhaps explored by participants. We'll give it a three-month trial period and see where we go from there. |
Religious Education for Children and Youth
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Religious Education Classes for Children and Youth
Religious Education classes for children in preschool through eighth grade and the Senior High Youth Group resume for the fall season on September 20. Preschool, kindergarten first grade, second grade, third-fourth grades, and fifth-sixth grades will meet from 9:15-10:30 and 11:00-12:15. The seventh-eighth grade class and the senior high youth group will meet at 11:00 only. All will begin in the sanctuary each week for the beginning of the worship service before going to classes. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers will be available from 9:00 -12:30. For information about this year's curriculum, please click here. Registration forms are available at http://ucevanston.org/lifespan-religious-education/. |
A Chosen Faith Discussion Group
Tuesdays, Sept. 29 - Nov. 3, 7-8:30pm
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Explore sources from which the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism draws: direct experience of mystery and wonder; words and deeds of prophetic women and men; wisdom from the world's religions; Jewish and Christian teachings; humanist teachings; and spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions. Based on the book A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism by John Buehrens and Forrest Church (available at the Book H). Appropriate for both new (or prospective) and longtime Unitarian Universalists. Facilitated by Rev. Connie Grant. Minimum 8 participants registered by September 22. To register, email learning@ucevanston.org or sign up on the Religious Education bulletin board near the lobby.
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Announcing This Year's Friendship Dinners!
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Want to expand your circle of friends at UCE? Join us in the UCE tradition of four dinners (for adults) throughout the year, shared in the homes of fellow members and friends.
Our dinner dates in 2015-2016 are:
October 17
December 12
February 20
April 16
This is a wonderful way to get to know other UCE members in a relaxed, intimate setting, and begin lasting friendships.
Never tried it? Used to participate but dropped out?
Now's the time to jump in--or back in--to this updated, 21st Century version of this 50-or more-year-old tradition. Find out why it has been around for so long!
Look for our sign-up table in the lobby each Sunday in September.
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UU Wanna Dance
Saturday, September 12, 7-9:30pm
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Beginning swing dance lesson at 7:00pm
Open dancing from 8:00-9:30pm
This is a casual evening. BYOB and bring a friend. Snacks provided by the UU Wanna Dance team. No fee, but donations to UCE are always accepted.
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Rainbow Alliance Potluck Picnic
Sunday, September 20, 12:15-1:30pm
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Bring a dish or just yourself. LGBTQ, allies, friends and family are welcome!
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The UCE Addictions Ministry Group will meet every Thursday night at 7pm. The group is open to UCE members and friends who are age 18 and older. Those under 18 who would like to talk about addiction issues are invited to contact Rev. Bret or Rev. Connie for resources and referrals. Participants in the group will have an opportunity to explore their own addiction and recovery, their relationship to addiction through others' addictions and recovery, and to give and receive support in the group. If you are interested but cannot attend or if you have any questions, contact Brian Meister 847-869-3026, or Michael Skilton 847-819-1466.
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Joys and Sorrows
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Do you have something you would like to share with the congregation during the joys and sorrows time of our worship service? Please write it on a piece of paper and put it in the basket found at the table along the back wall of the sanctuary (to the right as you walk in). Your joy or sorrow will be read by a minister. There is also a book of recent joys and sorrows kept at the table for you to see when you are at church.
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Nametags
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If you are just getting acquainted with us and haven't gotten a nametag yet, please stop by the Guest and Member Services table in the lobby. If you sign our guest registry, you will receive a nametag on the newcomer board. After the service, please drop your nametag back in the basket rather than pinning it back on the board. Thanks and Welcome!
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Rainbow Sticker for your Nametag
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Rainbow stickers on our nametags show support for and alliance with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in our congregation and beyond our walls. Stop by the Guest and Member Services table and pick one up. All are encouraged to participate in celebrating our Welcoming Congregation in this way.
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Caring Concerns
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Are you having surgery or a baby? Would you like a meal as you recuperate? Do you need a ride to an appointment? Let us know. The Caring Program helps us care for each other by providing practical assistance to people in our congregation who are experiencing life changes and challenges. Contact Lois Taft, if you would like to volunteer for the Caring Program or if you have a need that the Caring Program can help you with.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Click each event for more information.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 7:00pm
UU Wanna Dance
Religious Education Classroom Open House
Sunday, Sept. 13, 12:30pm
Race, Class, Culture and the Mentor Relationship
Monday, Sept. 14, 6:30pm
Women's Ecstatic Dance
Wednesdays, Sept. 16 and 23
Soup Kitchens at UCE
Friday, Sept. 18, 7:00pm
Dances of Universal Peace
Sunday, Sept. 20, 12:15pm
Rainbow Alliance Potluck
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 5:30pm
Recently Retired (But Never Retiring!) Women
Sunday, Sept. 27, 9:00am
Bike the Ridge
Tuesdays, Sept. 29-Nov. 3, 7:00pm
A Chosen Faith Discussion Group
October 1-4
Fall Weekend
October 9-10
Racial Equity Workshop
Thursday Nights, 5pm
Meditation Group
Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions Ministry Group
Saturdays at 10:00am
Open Drumming Circles |
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New Faces at UCE
Please welcome Scott Chambers, our new lobby monitor on Sunday mornings. Scott is a woodworker/cabinet maker by trade and does a good deal of volunteer work. He tutors at Literacy Chicago, Jane Addams Resource Corporation and teaches meditation at Metropolitan Correctional Center. Please join me in welcoming Scott to UCE.
We have just signed on a new bookkeeper. Amy Blanton began work at UCE on Thursday. Amy and her family reside in Northwest Evanston. She is team member of a freelance bookkeeping agency and works as an independent contractor for UCE. If you have financial questions or need assistance with your UCE pledge or payments, please send an email to finance@ucevanston.org. Amy will be working two four hour days per week at UCE.
As noted in the Music Corner in last week's newsletter, Vickie Hellyer joins us on October 1 as UCE Interim Choir Director.
Welcome all!
Sandra Robinson
Executive Operations Director
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Ecstatic dance is free-form movement inspired by music which allows our bodies to move freely without judgment and develops a direct body-spirit connection. It's about being present with your own energy and discovering your own inner dance using movement and energetic experience to release stuck patterns in your body, emotions, mind and spirit. With enough interest this could become a monthly event. Contact Cindy Lortie for more information.
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Save the Date: September 27, 2015 is Evanston's Bike the Ridge!
Ridge will be closed between Howard and Church Street from 9:00am-1:00pm. Make a special plan to bike to church! Wear your helmet in order to collect cool stuff! There will be bike decorating on the church lawn. At 10:30am there will be a "blessing of the bikes." Everyone is welcome! A caregiver must accompany children.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Racial Equity Workshop for UCE
October 9 - 10
Explore our role in building a world of justice, engagement and right relationship.
Led by the Co-Directors of the Evanston YWCA Racial Justice Program.
Friday, October 9
5:00pm - Dinner
6:00pm - Training
Saturday, October 10
8:30am - Coffee and Bagels
9:00am-5:00pm - Training
Lunch Included
Reserve now! RSVP at the back of the sanctuary on Sundays
$5 donation to cover food
(optional)
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Dances of Universal Peace
Friday, September 18, 7:00pm at UCE
The Dances of Universal Peace are a spiritual practice in motion. Drawing on the sacred phrases, scripture and poetry of the many spiritual traditions of the earth, as well as the common language of the heart, the Dances blend chant, live music, and evocative movement into a living experience of unity, peace and integration. This opens us to the possibility of a deep spiritual transformation.
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8:15am on Sunday Mornings
Yoga at UCE is designed to reduce stress, bring relaxation, increase range of motion, and find balance - restorative yoga. Enjoy doing yoga before the service. If you never have done yoga before, this is your opportunity. Drop in, wear comfortable clothing for stretching, and try it. Yoga is learned by doing. Community yoga mats provided if needed.
Contact Doug Erickson or Jessica Tomell-Presto with any questions.
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Our Giving House
For the month of September, our giving house will be collecting (full sized) Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste and Shampoo. Please bring your items to church and place inside the giving house in the lobby. This month's items will be matched by the Van Dyke Covenant Group.
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Ministers' Schedules
Rev. Bret Lortie is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and by appointment. Monday is sabbath and Friday devoted to writing. To send a message, read Rev. Bret's blog, or sign up for a weekly meditations, visit www.liberalfaith.org.
Rev. Connie Grant is generally in the office during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and often has evening meetings on those days. She takes Mondays off and works at home on Fridays. Please email or call Connie for an appointment.
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