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Sunday, September 20
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"Sealing the Book of the Year"
The week of September 20 will mark the last of the Jewish High Holy Days - Yom Kippur - when all are invited to consider the previous twelve months and what they have written through deeds and actions into the year's Book of Life. We will explore themes of forgiveness and atonement within the context of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
Crackerbarrel - 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 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
Rainbow Alliance Potluck
12:15pm at UCE
Bring a dish or just yourself. LGBTQ, allies, friends and family are welcome!
The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
This Sunday 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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From the Membership Director 
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A Plea for Hospitality
Dear Friends, Many of you have heard me say how well our Hospitality Team Program went this summer - much better than I could have dreamed. We learned some things, made some modifications based on suggestions of our participants, and a few jobs went unfilled here and there, but overall it has been a great launch to a new way creating an ever more welcoming congregation. Participating team members have found it rewarding, easy and fun.
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Race gets REAL
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At last Sunday's ingathering service, Rev. Bret Lortie asked us to consider, in the story of water on its way to the sea, "Where else should we go? Where else are we needed? How do we honor our tradition and expand our circle to make room for multiple voices, and take our message of hope and healing to the wider world?"
For most of us, contemplating where we should go regarding the question of race is one of the most uncomfortable things we can do. It may challenge us in unexpected ways, may call us to alter some assumptions. As Sunday's sermon reminded us, "We are going to fail sometimes; we are going to stumble sometimes; that's part of it; it's what we do. How we come back together to stand on the side of love is what matters. Come back to the conversation." We hope that the Racial Equity workshop on October 9 and 10, what Bret calls the "Race Gets REAL Workshop," will help us achieve a shift in our congregation's thinking, to build enough trust to hold each other as we struggle, and to become better listeners and even stronger community partners. Click here to read more. |
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Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women
Tuesday, September 22, 5:30pm at UCE
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Join us for our potluck, followed by our lively discussions. This month, using a short article titled "The Art of Aging Gracefully" as a starting point, we will be considering what we might do to, at least, forestall some aspects of the inevitable aging process. Additionally, why do the residents of Loma Linda, California (see Wednesday's Chicago Tribune) live longer and healthier lives than anywhere else in the US? What can we learn from them? All recently retired women are cordially invited to attend. For information, please contact Margie Rogasner.
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New Orleans UU Project
Sunday October 4, 12:30pm at UCE
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Green Sanctuary presents an exciting community building project connecting New Orleans UU, Evanston Township High School (ETHS), and UCE.
The Youth Technology Corps (YTC) club at ETHS with the New Orleans UU Center of Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal is starting two clubs in New Orleans. Youth gain tech,job-ready skills/certifications as they learn to refurbish computers which they donate to their community. Come find out what we do and the many possibilities including a trip to New Orleans. For more information contact Doug Erickson or Mary Dudek. Refreshments will be served.
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News from CRS and UUANI
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Join us at the Annual Membership Assembly of Community Renewal Society on Saturday October 3, from 9:00am to 12:30pm at the Metropolitan Community Church - You'll experience the membership singing, celebrating, learning, and taking action at a police station to make change happen on police accountability. Issues are of race and poverty. Specifics are on the Reclaim Campaign for more resources for restorative justice, legislation to eliminate some lifetime bans on employment of people with records, and advocating for a budget that helps the most vulnerable. We will car pool to Metropolitan Community Church, 4610 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago. Please RSVP to Dale Griffin.
UUANI, like CRS, is meeting with legislators on the budget. We are also supporting Clean Jobs Illinois legislation, which increases renewable energy production and energy efficiency. More information will follow.
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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 this Sunday, 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/. |
Meditation Group
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 Join us for a weekly "after work" meditation group every Thursday night from 5:30-7:00pm at UCE.
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. The group is open and anyone can join us on any Thursday evening they are able.
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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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Non-Fiction Book Group
Sunday, September 27, 12:30pm at UCE |
The UCE nonfiction book group will discuss Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square by Paul Rasor at its first meeting of the 2015-16 church year. This book was selected by the UUA as its Common Read for 2014-15. The author asserts that conservative Christianity is not the only valid religious voice in our national social policy. He invites UUs to explore and claim our contribution, as religious liberals, to the pressing moral and ethical debates of our contemporary world.
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Sing Thing
Wednesday, September 30, 7:00pm at UCE |
All are welcome! If you play a folk type musical instrument (or anything else that would blend with guitars and banjos), please bring it. Or just come and sing along!
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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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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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Upcoming UCE Events
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Click each event for more information.
Friday, Sept. 18, 7:00pm
Dances of Universal Peace
Sunday, Sept. 20, 12:15pm
Rainbow Alliance Potluck
Monday, Sept. 21, 6:30pm
Women's Ecstatic Dance
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 5:30pm
Recently Retired (But Never Retiring!) Women
Wednesday, Sept. 23
Soup Kitchen at UCE
Sunday, Sept. 27, 9:00am
Bike the Ridge
Sunday, Sept. 27, 12:30pm
Non Fiction Book Group
Sunday, Sept. 27, 12:45pm
Udumbara Open House for UCE Members and Friends
Tuesdays, Sept. 29-Nov. 3, 7:00pm
A Chosen Faith Discussion Group
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7:00pm
Sing Thing
October 1-4
Fall Weekend
Sunday, October 4, 12:30pm
New Orleans UU Project
October 9-10
Racial Equity Workshop
Thursday Nights, 5pm
Meditation Group
Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions Ministry Group
Sunday Mornings, 8:15am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga
Saturdays at 10:00am
Open Drumming Circles
Friendship Dinners |
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Community Involvement
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Click each event for more information.
YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
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Dances of Universal Peace
Tonight, 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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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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8:15am on Sunday Mornings
9:30am on Wednesday 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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