 |
|
|
Sunday, October 11
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
In our world today there is so much brokenness and so much hope. How will we mend the brokenness and realize the hope? Rev. Connie Grant speaking.
 UCE/The Recyclery Bike Drive
8:30-11:30am in the UCE Parking Lot
Do you have any old bikes hanging around in your garage? Any that are too small for your kids? Or too broken down to ride? UCE is hosting a bike drive at the church in collaboration with The Recyclery Collective this Sunday. No bikes will be refused! The Recyclery is a non-profit, educational bike shop that promotes sustainability by encouraging cycling and empowers the community through giving access to bike tools and skills. Hope to see you on Sunday!
National Coming Out Day Celebration
After both services
Join the Rainbow Alliance to celebrate National Coming Out Day. This day of celebration and solidarity is for everyone, LGBTQs and allies alike. It is great day for allies to come out in support and love for LGBTQ folks. And it is often a powerful experience for LGBTQs to reflect and take pride in their individual journeys. Look for our free-standing stage door after each service and come out in love and solidarity.
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"The Race Gets REAL Workshop and Next Steps"
We are at a critical point regarding race at UCE, in our Unitarian Universalist denomination, in Evanston, and in our nation. The Black Lives Matter call for police accountability and the vitriolic backlash against it have led many of us to challenge ourselves to learn more. This weekend's Race Gets REAL workshop is a cornerstone for work that will continue at the church in the coming year. Three persons who attended the workshop will give their insights and impressions of it. They will discuss the goals of the workshop, its relevance to UCE, and their thoughts about next steps. Moderated by Julia Takarada
The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
This Sunday at 9:15am in Room 2
If you have had cancer, are in treatment now, or have experienced cancer with a loved one, join us to talk and listen, learn and teach. Come with a caring heart. We keep the stories in the room.
|
|
Upcoming Crackerbarrel Topics  |
Sunday, October 18, 9:30am
"Building an Islamic Caliphate"
Discussion Leader: Irv Badr
Sunday, October 25, 9:30am
"If There be Peaks in the Valley: Economic Leveling"
Discussion Leader: Larry Jordan
Sunday, November 1, 9:30am
"The Coddling of the American Mind"
Discussion Leader: Scot Campbell
|
|
Growing American Inequality:
Reasons and Responses
Tuesdays, November 10, 17, & 24
7:00 - 9:00 pm
|
Sessions will include presentations, TED Talks, optional readings from Joseph Stiglitz and Robert Reich, and discussion, concluding with ideas of actions we might consider as UUs. Facilitated by Tom Ticknor, Jane Bannor, and Brian Nielsen. To register, email learning@ucevanston.org or sign up on the Religious Education bulletin board near the lobby. For detailed information about session topics click here. |
Let's Celebrate Our 125th! |
Toward the end of the 19th century, Evanston resident Nellie Brough, the daughter and granddaughter of Unitarian ministers, knew she wanted to raise her children in that faith. Together with friends and neighbors, who were Unitarians and mostly New England transplants, Brough contacted the Secretary of the Western Unitarian Conference. Secretary J. R. Effinger met with the group at their first formal meeting in September 1891.
Today the spiritual descendents of those charter members are over 400 strong. To celebrate the 125th anniversary of our founding, we will welcome all past living ministers to the church. Each will preach at the two Sunday services, and we will honor them the evening before with a church-wide reception.
Please join us in welcoming these ministers, who have contributed so much to our history.
Save the dates!
January 30-31, 2016
David Sammons, Senior Minister 1978-84
February 28, 2016
Charles Eddis, Senior Minister 1966-1977, via video
March 19-20
Barbara Pescan, Co-Minister and Senior Minister 1995-2011; Ann Tyndall, Co-Minister 1995-2003, will not take part in the service, but she hopes to be present.
April 23-24
Sue Sinnamon, Minister for Religious Education, 1999-2007
May 14-15
Roger Fritts, Senior Minister, 1985-1992
Thanks to UCE Archivist Margaret Shaklee for the historical information.
|
|
|
Meeting on Our Church Name
Sunday, October 18, 12:30pm |
At last year's Annual Congregational Meeting there was discussion about possibly changing the name of UCE to something else that might better express our history and values. In that meeting we announced there would be opportunities for congregants to provide feedback and ideas on possible names, and we've set the first of such opportunities as an open meeting after our 11:00 service on Sunday, October 18, in Room 3. We'll be discussing the addition of "Universalist" in the name, whether "church" should be in the name, and other ideas for a name change. Please come and offer your input!
|
| Composting at UCE |
October 10 marks our 5th anniversary of composting at UCE. When we serve food at UCE all the disposables that are provided are compostable. Please use the waste station outside the kitchen door and the compost container all the way to the right. It takes a village to build a greener world. Please compost all the food, plates, cups, utensils, and napkins. UCE purchases special compostable plates, cups and utensils for this purpose. Please help us reduce landfill waste!
|
| News from the Serendipity Auction Team |
This year's Serendipity Auction aspires to be even more exciting than ever! We invite you to create a new auction item based on your personal passions and energy.
Do you cook simple meals? Sign up to show us all how to get in and out of the kitchen fast with a healthy meal! Or offer a vegetarian dinner?
Do you enjoy history? Design a meal or event that celebrates our 125th anniversary (perhaps with an 1891 menu?) and offer it as an auction item.
We have 125 years to draw on - is there a period that you find especially intriguing?
And we can always use some creative and fun children or family events: picnics, outings of all kinds, costume making; you know what kids love.
Donate online from our home page or contact Tom Hempfling if you need help with your idea for an auction item or formalizing your idea based on some auction rules-of-thumb.
Keep the Serendipity flowing!
|
| A Chosen Faith
Discussion Group
Continues Tuesdays, October 13 - November 3, 7 - 8:30pm
|
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.
|
Women in Transition
Monday, October 26, 7pm |
This group for women who are contemplating or in the process of divorce meets the 4th Monday of every month at 7pm. Newcomers are welcome. For more information or meeting location, email Noel Yovovich.
|
| UCE 35-50 Social Group |
Please join us to enjoy the Chicago Philharmonic perform works by Schubert, Brahms and Kilar at 7PM on November 15th at Pick-Staiger Hall in Evanston. Tickets are $25. Email Marybeth Burdelak by October 14th to ensure seating with the group. Singles / Couples / Got Kids / Still Feel Like a Kid: all are welcome!
|
UCE After Work Meditation Group
|
 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.
|
|
|
|
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 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.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming UCE Events
|
Click each event for more information.
Tuesdays, Oct. 13-Nov. 3, 7:00pm
A Chosen Faith Discussion Group
Sunday, October 11, 8:30am
Recyclery Bike Drive
Sunday, October 11, 12:00pm
National Coming Out Day
Sunday, October 18, 12:30pm
Meeting on our Church Name
Monday, October 19, 6:30pm
Women's Ecstatic Dance
Monday, October 26, 7pm
Women in Transition
Saturday, October 31, 7:30pm
Our Haunted Coffee House
Thursday Nights, 5:30pm
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 |
|
Ecstatic Dance takes place the third Monday of each month, alternating between Women's Ecstatic Dance and Ecstatic Dance for all genders.
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. Contact Cindy Lortie for more information.
|
|
Our Haunted Coffee House
Saturday, October 31, 7:30pm
at UCE
Spooky songs, stories, & poetry to entertain you. Costumes welcome! We dare you to miss it!
|
|
Our Giving House
Our giving house for the month of October is collection (full sized) conditioner, baby powder, lotion, razors and wash cloths. It is sponsored by the Herreid Covenant Group.
|
|
Two spaces available in Annual Fall Scrabble Tournament and Dinner.
Saturday, October 17, 6pm.
|
|
Are you a member of CUUPs (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans), pagan-identified, or just interested in exploring nature-based spirituality?
Taryn Seawright is hoping to start a chapter of CUUPs at UCE, and is looking for others who would like to participate. Please email Taryn to get involved.
|
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. 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.
|
|
|
Upcoming Membership Classes
Intro to Unitarian Universalism Sunday, November 15, 12:30-2pm. Led by Rev. Bret, we'll look at our history, our principles, the sources of our faith, and the meaning of covenant. This is the first step in the membership process.
Orientation Toward Membership Saturday, November 21, 9am - noon. Led by Rev. Connie and Membership Director, Eileen Wiviott. An interactive class exploring our spiritual journeys, the diversity of our beliefs, and what it means to be a member of this congregation. This is the second step in the membership process.
Sign up at the Guest & Member Table in the lobby of email Eileen Wiviott.
Our next New Member Joining Sunday will be Sunday, October 4th. If you've taken the membership classes (Intro to UU and Orientation Toward Membership) and are ready to sign the membership book, please contact Eileen Wiviott.
|
|
|
Caring Concerns
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.
|
|
|
|
