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Join us for worship!
Services take place on Sunday morning at 9:15 and 11:00 am
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Important Notices:
The UCE office will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 in observance of Thanksgiving.
From the Desk of Amy Blanton, UCE Bookkeeper: If you have questions about your UCE pledge or other financial inquiries, please email me at finance@ucevanston.org or call me on Tuesday or Thursday, 847-864-1330, extension 109.
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Sunday, November 22
 Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"Breaking Bread Together"
A Thanksgiving worship service for all ages. Please bring a loaf (or other form) of bread representing your heritage and accompaniments such as cheese, jam, or fruit. During the service, we'll partake of the bread in celebration of the sustenance we share. Following the service we'll share a simple meal of bread and the accompaniments you bring.
 Non-Fiction Book Group - 12:30pm
Come meet author Maya Schenwar and join us to discuss the book Locked Down, Locked Out: Why Prison Doesn't Work and How We Can Do Better.
The book looks at how prison tears families and communities apart, creating a rippling effect that touches every corner of our society. Through the stories of prisoners and their families, as well as her own family's experience of her sister's incarceration, Schenwar shows how the institution that locks up 2.3 million Americans--and decimates poor communities of color--is shredding the ties that, if nurtured, could foster real collective safety.
"Perspectives on Law Enforcement"
In light of recent media coverage of struggles with the police, we will hear a personal account of police confrontations from a black male's perspective. Joining the discussion will be several Evanston residents who will share their personal experiences and struggles in dealing with law enforcement, as part of growing up in various African American neighborhoods across the country. Discussion leader: Irv Badr
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.
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From the Membership Director  |
Intersectionality
In October, our church hosted the 3rd Annual Continental Gathering of UU Seminarians. Forty-one students from nine different seminaries throughout the United States and Canada travelled to Evanston to spend the weekend exploring identity and intersectionality through a conversation on race.
 As part of our opening worship, we created the tapestry in the photo to the left. It was a tangible demonstration and a poetic ritual, weaving our different identities into one whole cloth. It reminds us of the beauty and meaning we can create together as interwoven, interconnected individuals. Click here to read more.
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Celebration
Wednesday, November 25, 7pm
at St. Mark's Episcopal Church |
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Rev. Bret Lortie is the keynote speaker at Interfaith Action's annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service. The service features prayers and blessings from a variety of local churches and spiritual communities, and is a powerful celebration of our shared blessings and collective gratitude. Carpooling and/or parking at UCE are recommended.
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| Serendipity Auction |
You may have heard the big news. Serendipity Auction was a big success!!
This church community came together to enjoy good food, drink, dessert and a myriad of silent and live auction items. Our fundraiser gross total is $32,000.
A big round of applause to the Auction Team Leadership headed by Tom Hempfling, volunteers (listed in the catalog), staff, contributors and all who bid and helped UCE exceed its Serendipity Auction goal.
There were new and creative items and many of the perennial favorite events were offered - so the bidding was fast and furious.
There are a small number of spaces left in these events. Email Tom Hempfling ASAP if you want one of these; some of them are filling up.
F26 - Gourmet Vegetarian Dinner (Dick Whitaker) 1 space (April 8)
GE4 - Girls Night Out - 4 spaces (June 3)
GE8 - Boys & Girls Night BBQ - 2 spaces (Sept. 3)
GE13 - Star Wars Trivial Pursuit - 4 spaces (Jan. 16)
GE14 - Superbowl - 8 spaces (Feb. 7)
GE23 - Make Friendship Bracelets - 2 spaces (Dec. 5)
GE24 - Croquet Party - 2 spaces (June 11)
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| Join the Rainbow Alliance for the Third Annual The Sound of Music Sing-Along! |
 Join us on Saturday, November 28 at 1pm at the Music Box Theater for The Sound of Music Singalong.
The Martys reserve a bank of seats for us - look for the "UCE" poster board sign. Bring your best costume, an enthusiastic singing voice and be ready to have fun. Afterward, we will go to Coalfire Pizza, just a few doors down from the theater. Click here for information about parking.
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| The Search Committee for a New Music Director is Formed |
The Music Committee and Rev. Bret have been working on a Search Committee for finding our permanent music director, and they are pleased to announce its formation. The committee is comprised of two members of the Music Committee, two members of the choir, and two members from the congregation at large, plus Bret. They are: Lynn Kendall, William Phillips, Ruth Orme-Johnson, Steve Courtright, Robb Geiger, and Nick Wallin. They will begin meeting shortly, and would appreciate knowing what you want in a music director and our music program in general. Feel free to contact any of them with your thoughts on music at UCE.
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| Guest at Your Table Boxes |
On Sunday, we begin the Guest at Your Table season, in the spirit of sharing that we celebrate each year beginning with Thanksgiving.
Will you invite a guest to your to your table this holiday season? This is an annual program of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Each of us can participate by taking home a GAYT box and making a small daily contribution, an amount perhaps equal to what we would pay to host a guest at our dinner table. If you have children, having the box take a 'seat' at your table is a great way to talk about the service component of our covenant. Click here to read more.
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Calling all UCE Wind Instrument Players for a Christmas Eve Carols Group
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Last year we put a brass group together to play carols on Christmas Eve. We wanted to expand it to any wind instrument (and possibly more) to play before one or both Christmas Eve services as people come in. We have carols music in SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) for many wind instruments. Rehearsals will be on Sunday, December 20 at 1:30-2:30 in the sanctuary, and again Tuesday December 22, 7-8 p.m.
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Join CRS and UUANI for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Jan. 18, 2016 |
Please celebrate with UCE, Community Renewal Society (CRS) and the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI) at the annual MLK Day of Faith in Action, January 18 (Monday, MLK Day) at First Congregational Baptist Church, 1613 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, from 10:30am-12:00pm, plus optional lunch afterwards. We will be over 100 people from UCE and over 1000 people of faith together to take action to: - Reduce violence through restorative justice
- End absolute, lifetime bars on employment for people with criminal records;
- Seek justice in education funding and adequate state revenue
- Fight for good jobs and housing through the Westside Community Benefits Campaign
- End police brutality, sweeps, and the criminalization of people of color
We will car pool or bus to the event. Contact Dale Griffin to RSVP and for more information.
Click here to read more.
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| Adult Religious Education |
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Tuesdays, December 1, 8, & 15, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square, by Paul Rasor
Paul Rasor, one of Unitarian Universalism's best political critics, says we need to recognize the built-in difficulties religious liberals face, including our commitment to liberty, which makes it hard to speak with a united voice. He finds that beneath our theological diversity there is a shared set of religious values, and seeks to restore the voice of progressive religion in the public square as a counter-weight to the religious right. He articulates nine core religious principles, including "the inherent worth and dignity of all persons," the importance of "cooperative power," and the principle of human liberation. The UUA recommends Paul Rasor's Reclaiming Prophetic Witness to be studied by all congregations as a way of undergirding our commitment to social justice. Facilitated by UCE's affiliated community minister, Rev. Jerry Stone. To register, email learning@ucevanston.org or sign up on the Religious Education bulletin board near the lobby.
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RACE GETS REAL EVERY DAY
Microagressions Workshop
Monday, December 7, 6:30pm
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...and we need to pay attention and respond. As promised at our October weekend workshop on racial equity, the REAL team will continue to bring more YWCA-led follow-up workshops to UCE. The most requested follow-up topic is Microaggressions which will be our focus on Monday, December 7, at 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Please save the date, and RSVP to Martha Holman.
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Thanksgiving Day Vegan Potluck
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UCE member Sarah Hendershot seeks other UUs interested in celebrating Thanksgiving within the context of two of our UU values: the respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part and the inherent worth and dignity of every being. Whether you're vegan or not, your participation is enthusiastically encouraged. Please contact Sarah at 847-864-0460 or sarahhendershot@hotmail.com.
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Growing American Inequality:
Reasons and Responses
Concludes Tuesday, November 24
7:00 - 9:00 pm
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Join us this Tuesday, November 24 from 7-9pm for the last of 3 sessions, titled: The UU Role in Fostering Greater Equality. What can we do as individual voters and political actors? What is the impact of UCE Peace and Justice and Community Renewal Society efforts? What is the UUA process for study/advocacy in this issue? Click here for more information.
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Sing Thing
Wednesday, November 25, 7pm at UCE |
If you are in town for Thanksgiving and are looking for something to do the day before turkey day, come and join us as we celebrate in the Thanksgiving spirit with the Sing Thing singalong on Wednesday, November 25, at 7:00 pm. John LaPlante, Brian Nielsen and Sam Sibley will provide the music and the words, and you are invited to share your voice and enthusiasm.
You are encouraged to bring along any acoustic or rhythm instrument you may have laying around or just come to sing and join in the happy noise.
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UCE Men's Group Retreat
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The UCE Men's group is having a Saturday retreat November 21 at UCE. All males 21 and older are invited to attend.
We'll start off with bagels, coffee & juice. After that, Doug Erickson will lead us in a short Yoga session. Then, a brief business meeting will follow. Items to be discussed are:
- Improvement of our men's group
- Where shall our annual spring retreat weekend be held in mid-May 2016?
Besides hearing each other out in an expanded round, we'll be discussing the Topic, "Mentoring." What types have you had and how should we do it?
At 11:30am we'll have lunch in a reserved area of the Cozy Noodle & Rice Restaurant at 1018 Davis in Evanston. Contact Dick Whitaker for more information.
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Women in Transition
Monday, November 23, 7pm
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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.
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Principles and Sources Discussion
Sunday, December 13, 10:15am
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A discussion facilitated by the New Member Committee taking a deeper look at our seven principles and six sources with some helpful metaphors. Join us whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or you think you've heard it all.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Click each event for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Men's Group Retreat
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7pm
Growing American Inequality: Reasons and Responses
Sunday, Nov. 22, 12:30pm
Non-Fiction Book Group
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 7:00pm
Sing Thing
Thursday, Nov. 26
Congregational Thanksgiving
Tuesdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15, 7pm
Reclaiming Prophetic Witness Discussion Class
Sunday, December 6, 12:30pm
Mitten Tree Wrapping Party
Monday, December 7, 6:30pm
REAL Workshop
Sunday, December 13, 10:15am
UU Principles and Sources Class
Monday, December 21, 6:30pm
Women's Ecstatic Dance
Sunday, January 10, 10:15am
UU Principles and Sources Class
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 |
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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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Ornament Sunday
Sunday, December 6, 12:30 pm
Ornament Sunday is an opportunity to get together with people of all ages to make ornaments to trim the UCE tree and to take home.
If you would like to lead or assist with a holiday-related ornament/decoration-making activity, please email
by November 29.
Ideas for projects are available!
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2015 UCE Mitten Tree
UCE's Mitten Tree has collected gifts and food for over 25 years and is a wonderful tradition of generosity for others who need help during the holiday season. Paper mittens (with the wished-for items noted) will be available after both services this Sunday, November 22.
Mitten Tree Wrapping Party
Sunday, December 6, 12:30pm
After church on ornament Sunday, we will wrap 200+ presents for the Mitten Tree. WE NEED YOU!! All ages can participate and we can use everyone's help! Please bring wrapping paper, holiday bags & gift boxes if you have them. The wrapping party is a jolly event! Don't miss out!
We also need people to help deliver presents. If you can help with deliveries, please contact Carol Nielsen.
Any questions about the wrapping party, please contact Cindy Sammons.
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The Wailin' Mahalias at UCE
Sunday, December 13
Come listen to music from the Wailin' Mahalias during both services on Sunday, December 13.
Join us later that afternoon for a CD release event for the new CD, Angel Voices.
There will be food, drink, a concert and prizes.
Suggested admission charge $10.
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 UCE After Work Meditation Group
Thursdays at 5:30pm
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 walking, then a second sitting meditation, followed by a half-hour discussion on a short provided text.
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. The group is open and anyone can join us on any Thursday evening they are able.
Contact Rev. Bret to be put on the mailing list for readings and information. Drop ins welcome any time.
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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. 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 November is collecting men's long underwear (size medium and larger) and socks.
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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.
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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 or read Rev. Bret's blog, 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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