Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
with stories, carols and music
Thursday, December 24
5 pm and 9 pm |
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Sunday, December 27
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"What were you expecting?"
A post-Advent reflection on expectation: assumption or anticipation; deadly or enlivening. Rev. Connie Grant speaking.
Children's Religious Education - 9:15 and 11:00am
Children will join the senior high group in room 3 for games.
Crackerbarrel is on hiatus this Sunday.
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 our Congregational Life Minister - Religious Education and Pastoral Care  |
Doing "nothing"
Now in my eighth year of ministry with you, I'll be taking sabbatical time from January 1 through March 31 (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." My plans include welcoming a grandbaby in Phoenix in at the end of January, with a side trip to Tucson, and family Thanksmas in mid-February. I'm also scheduled to participate in a spiritual retreat in Wisconsin and a workshop on family systems in Chicago in February, and a workshop on companioning the bereaved in Wisconsin in March. In between, I plan to attend worship services at UU (or other) churches, read some books, and maybe organize a couple of closets. And maybe another visit with grandbaby. Click here to read more.
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Caring Associates Program |
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Caring Associates will work with your professional ministers to extend the pastoral care of the church in a ministry of one-to-one support to those who are in special need because of illness, loss, isolation, or other life situation or event. Trudi Davis, Martin Dawson, and Becky Goldberg have recently been trained and commissioned to take this formal role in living out our congregational covenant to help one another in the spirit of love.
In our ceremony of commissioning, Trudi, Martin, and Becky committed themselves to bring their own compassion and integrity; to cultivate understanding, open-mindedness, and spiritual awareness; and to help others find their own peace and strength as they serve the members of this congregation.
Needs served by the Caring Associates team may include:
Major life changes, such as birth, adoption, loss of job, divorce, retirement Death of a family member or friend Health problems, illness, or hospitalization Isolation because of age, mobility problems, disability or other factors Follow-up to pastoral care by a professional minister Practical needs, such as meals and rides to an appointment, will continue to be served by our Caring Committee, coordinated by Lois Taft. To enlist the services of a Caring Associate, you may contact Trudi, Martin, or Becky directly or through one of our ministers. Rev. Seth Fisher ( fishercommaseth@gmail.com) will convene the Caring Associates while Rev. Connie Grant is on sabbatical from January 1 through March 31. You are always welcome to contact Rev. Bret Lortie for pastoral care needs or other concerns.
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Building Our Spiritual Home
Submitted by: Margaret Shaklee
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 At the turn of the twentieth century, after a decade of renting space in various buildings in Evanston, the Evanston Unitarians began serious talk about building their own church. The board of trustees thought raising that kind of money would be too hard for the little congregation until the Woman's Alliance presented them with $5000 they had collected through bake sales, rummage events, and square dances, to seed a capital campaign. Well, said the board, I guess we might, at that. Click here to read more. |
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Special Program for Children:
Aspects of Racial Equity
January 3, 10, & 17 - 9:15 and 11:00 am
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In conjunction with our focus on racial equity this year, expert facilitators from the YWCA will offer a special program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade at UCE.
January 3: Starting Out: Race, Culture, and Racism
Differences: race, culture, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic
Insiders and Outsiders
How does difference show up?
Equality vs. Equity
January 10: Standing up for what you believe:
What does it mean to be an Upstander? Interrupter? Ally?
January 17: What can WE do?
How will WE resist "the way things have always been"?
How will WE stand for equity?
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Race: The Power of an Illusion
Tuesdays, January 12, 19 & 26, 7:00 - 9:00 pm |
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We'll view and discuss this must-see three-part series that takes us through the history, science and day to day experiences undergirding how race impacts life in the United States.
January 12 - Part One - "The Differences Between Us." Why there is no genetic basis for categorizing people into different races.
January 19 - Part Two - "The Story We Tell." How social inequalities became rationalized as natural. January 25 - Part Three - "The House We Live In." How white privilege accrues advantage. Facilitated by members of our Racial Equity Action Leadership (REAL) team.
Please sign up on the Religious Education bulletin board near the Lobby or with the UCE office at learning@ucevanston.org or 847-864-1330.
Click here for a listing of upcoming Adult Religious Education classes.
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Special Holiday Sing Thing
Wednesday, December 30 |
Come sing Christmas carols and other winter songs at a special Sing Thing at the Nielsens' house! We'll assemble at 2100 Noyes Street in Evanston at 7:00, have some food and drink (bring whatever you wish to share), and go until 9:00. Bring a guitar, uke, harmonica, whatever you wish, or just your singing voice! We'll have a piano too! Lyric sheets for your favorite Yule carols will be available. It will surely be a fun evening! Contact Brian Nielsen for more information.
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The Homestretch Screening and Potluck
Saturday, January 16, 6:30pm at UCE |
Please join us for a screening of The Homestretch, a critically acclaimed documentary which tells the stories of homeless youth in Chicago. The piece includes several social service programs that UCE has rich histories and partnerships. Viewers will emerge with a deeper understanding of the problem.
There will be a 6:30 potluck and 7pm screening followed by a discussion. Hosted by the Rainbow Alliance and Food and Shelter Team.
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| Common Threads |
Common Threads, the UCE knitting and crocheting group, meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am, and the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7pm.
We make hats and blankets for babies, and scarves and shawls for people who we think would like a hand-knitted or crocheted care shawl. Sometimes, we also work on our own projects.
We have a huge stash of donated yarn, needles, and directions, as well as people who can help you improve your knitting and crocheting skills. Our next meeting dates are January 5 at 10am and January 26 at 7pm. Contact Joan Horberg with any questions.
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Juvenile Justice Event
Wednesday, January 13, 7pm at
Trinity United Methodist Church
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Join the Prisons and Restorative Justice subcommittee to learn the story of Chicagoan Xavier McElrath-Bey. He was convicted of murder at age 13 and now advocates with the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. Come hear his story and learn about his vital work in juvenile justice reform. Contact Gail Smith for more information.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Click each event for more information.
Thursday, December 24, 5 and 9pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Wednesday, December 30, 7:00pm
Sing Thing (Offsite)
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
Saturday, January 23, 8am
Day of Mindfulness Retreat
Friday, February 12, 6pm
Rainbow Alliance Game Night
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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UCE Office Holiday Schedule
Thursday, December 24
Open from 9am-12pm
Friday, December 25
Closed
Monday, December 28 through Friday, January 1
Closed
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UU Wanna Dance
Saturday, January 2, 7pm 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. Bring a beverage if you like, or just put on your dancing shoes!
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Udumbara Zen Sangha's Annual Winter Poetry Open Mic
Special Guest
Chicago Area Poet Charles Rossiter
Saturday, January 16, 2-4pm at UCE
A warm afternoon for sharing tea and sharing your original or found poems
Suggested Donation: $10
Everyone is welcome!
For more information
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Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
*Note - There will be no yoga on Sunday, December 27 and Wednesday, December 30.
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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 will be on sabbatical from January 1 through March 31. Rev. Seth Fisher will serve as Sabbatical Minister and will be at UCE on Thursdays and Sundays. Contact Rev. Seth at fishercommaseth@gmail.com.
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