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Sunday, December 6
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"Worship for All Ages - Music Sunday"
Children's Religious Education
This Sunday is a worship service for all ages. Children are invited to join their families in the sanctuary. Childcare is available for nursery and pre-k.
Ornament Sunday - 12:30pm
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.
 Mitten Tree Wrapping Party - 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! Any questions about the wrapping party, please contact Cindy Sammons. We also need people to help deliver presents. If you can help with deliveries, please contact Carol Nielsen.
"Self-Evident Truths: Origins and Relevancy"
The Declaration of Independence proclaims that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." What are the origins of these Truths? Do they still hold true today? Are we living them? What are your thoughts? Discussion Leader: Gordon Mallett
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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Upcoming Worship Services  |
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Sunday, December 13, 9:15 and 11:00am
"Bells Everywhere"
All around are reminders to be present to our own lives, if only we listen. They tell us that hope and peace are not future events, but that their potential exists now. Paying attention is a lesson of Advent. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
Sunday, December 20, 9:15 and 11:00am
"Participatory Pageant for All"
We'll enact the Christmas story and reflect on its meaning. Have you always wanted to be a star? Or maybe an angel, a wise person, or a shepherd? This is your chance! No advance preparation is required: costumes, props, and stage directions will be provided on the spot. A worship service for all ages.
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| Thanks for Thanksgiving |
Our Military Bridge Builders hosted Thanksgiving breakfast and dinner this year, with help from some 100 members and friends of UCE, who set the tables, brewed the coffee, cooked mountains of eggs, bacon, ham and turkey, brought wonderfully homemade food, shared fellowship, and washed dishes.
 We shared our day with twelve recruits from the Great Lakes Navy Training Center, who seemed very happy indeed with our conversation, our edibles, and our devices that allowed them to phone or Skype with their family and friends. All felt truly blessed!
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RACE GETS REAL EVERY DAY
Microagressions Workshop
Monday, December 7, 6:30pm
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Once again, YWCA Racial Justice Program Co-Directors will be our facilitators. We'll address Microaggressions, the repetitive words and actions that can further marginalize people who already feel like outsiders. Each of us has been socialized into a society with individual, institutional and societal racial biases. How do we become more conscious of our own words and actions, and how do we step up as interrupters when others are being hurtful?
Join us Monday Dec 7th for our next Racial Justice workshop, from 6:30-8:30pm in the Sanctuary.
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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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Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women
Tuesday, December 8, 5:30pm (offsite) |
For our 5:30 potluck, we will be meeting at Brenda Cooksey's home. Her friend Kathy Miller will be speaking to us about the ridiculous situation in Springfield. How will this budget stalemate affect us? How will it affect any services, whether for us or anyone we might know or love? Is there anything we can do? For information, including Brenda's address, please contact Margie Rogasner. All recently retired (or soon to retire) women are cordially invited to attend.
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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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| Adult Religious Education |
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Continues Tuesdays, December 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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UU Wanna Dance
Saturday, January 2, 7:00pm at UCE |
Waltz into the New Year!
Don't let the celebration end just yet! Come swing, waltz, tango and two-step into the best year ever! We will start with a short waltz lesson, but UU Wanna Dance is all about fun, not at all about form, so join a group of friends for an easy-going celebration of life, music and movement with snacks, champagne and dancing on January 2, 7pm in room 3. Free for all, though you may make a small donation to the church if you wish. Bring a beverage if you like, or just put on your dancing shoes!
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Women in Transition
Monday, December 28, 7:00pm |
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, call or email Noel Yovovich, 847 494-1361.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Click each event for more information.
Sunday, December 6, 12:30pm
Mitten Tree Wrapping Party
Monday, December 7, 6:30pm
REAL Workshop
Tuesdays, Dec. 8 and 15, 7pm
Reclaiming Prophetic Witness Discussion Class
Tuesday, December 8, 5:30pm
Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women (offsite)
Sunday, December 13, 10:15am
UU Principles and Sources Class
Monday, December 21, 6:30pm
Women's Ecstatic Dance
Saturday, January 2, 7pm
UU Wanna Dance
Sunday, January 10, 10:15am
UU Principles and Sources Class
Saturday, January 16, 6:30pm
The Homestretch Screening and Potluck
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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"Restoring Hope"
The H. E. Lane Center for Positive Change
Sixth Annual Musical Benefit
Saturday, December 5, 2015
6:00 p.m. at UCE
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"Participatory Pageant for All"
Sunday, December 20
9:15 & 11:00 am
We'll enact the Christmas story and reflect on its meaning.
Have you always wanted to be a star?
Or maybe an angel, a wise person, or a shepherd?
This is your chance!
No advance preparation is required: costumes, props, and stage directions will be provided on the spot. A worship service for all ages.
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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 at 1:30pm 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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Newsletter Deadline Reminder
The deadline to get an article or event listed in the newsletter is by the end of the day Wednesday of the week you would like your information to appear. Please contact Carli Magel with any questions.
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Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
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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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