 |
|
|
Sunday, May 1
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
The Christian definition of Grace is "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it." How would a Unitarian Universalist define Grace? How does one know when they have been a recipient of Grace? Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck will explore these ideas this coming Sunday.
Children's Religious Education - 9:15 and 11:00am
Preschool, kindergarten-first grade, second-third-fourth grade, and fifth-sixth grade classes meet from 9:15-10:30 and 11:00-12:15. The seventh-eighth grade class and the senior high youth group meet at 11:00. All will begin in the sanctuary for the first part of the worship service before going to classes. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.
Town Hall Meeting - 12:30pm in Room 3 This Sunday we will have a town hall meeting on the budget and reparations study. Please see articles below for more information.
Spiritual Journeys - a 3 Part Discussion
10:15-11am
We'll explore our religious and spiritual backgrounds, where we come from, what we want to cherish and what we want to release as we continue our journeys. This is a conversation open to all no matter where you are on the path - exploring membership, new members and long-term members alike.
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Fair Tax: A Proposed Amendment to the Illinois Constitution"
There is no doubt that Illinois is in dire budgetary crisis. Illinois doesn't even have a budget. A long term solution to the revenue crisis is needed. "Fair Tax" is a proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution to change the state income tax from one flat rate to a set of graduated rates (also known as a progressive tax). Presently, the proposed amendment (HJRCA8 and SJRCA1) is in the IL General Assembly. It must pass both houses by May 7 to get on the November ballot. Discussion Leaders: Dennis Wilson, Doug Erickson, David Guran
The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group
This Sunday at 9:15am
The group is open to anyone facing cancer, either personally or through a family member or friend. This lay-led group is a safe place for sharing and hope. Interested participants are encouraged to drop in any time. Questions? Contact Renee Hoff or Brian Meister.
|
|
From our Executive Operations Director and ISC Staff Lead 
|
 |
| |
Sandra Robinson
|
The Integrated Stewardship Council will present the final draft of our 2016-17 proposed budget on Sunday, May 1 in a Town Hall Meeting at 12:30pm. This final draft will be presented to the congregation at the Annual meeting to be held May 15, 2016. The proposed budget has been approved by the ISC and the Board of Trustees.
|
Reparations Study Town Hall
Sunday, May 1, 12:30pm
|
In January 2016, a petition was initiated at UCE to express support for Rep. John Conyers' House Bill HR 40. This bill will conduct a study of proposals for reparations to the descendants of slaves in America, and it includes studying the effects of slavery and its later manifestations in our society today. A key purpose of HR40 and of making reparations to the African American community is reconciliation - to help make one America from this divided nation. Click here to read more.
|
Rev. Roger Fritts Potluck Dinner
Saturday, May 14, 6-9pm
|
Continuing to celebrate our 125th Anniversary
Rev. Roger Fritts, who was our Senior Minister 1985-1993, is our next guest in our quasquicentennial year of celebration. He will be with us the weekend of May 14-15. Plan to meet and greet Roger (and Rev. Leslie Westbrook) at an all-ages potluck dinner gathering on Saturday, May 14, 6-9pm. RSVP on the lobby bulletin board or online. Rev. Fritts will be in our pulpit on Sunday, May 15.
|
Child Dedications Available
|
A ceremony of dedication of children will be included in our Sunday morning worship service on May 8 at 11:00. In this ceremony, children are named and blessed, parents dedicate themselves to the young lives entrusted to them, and the congregation dedicates itself to be a loving community in which all may thrive. This ceremony is appropriate for infants as well children who may be new to the congregation or have not previously been dedicated. Parents who would like their children to be included in this ceremony are asked to contact Rev. Connie Grant at cgrant@ucevanston.org or 847-864-1330 ext. 103.
|
UCE and Refugee Sponsorship: Change a life, give some time from your life!
|
The Refugee Task Force is ready to ask for your help. Join us for a potluck on Monday, May 2 at 6:00pm. Please bring a dish to share. The program will start at 6:45. We have speakers from various churches who have sponsored a refugee. We hope to have a family in late summer. We need your help. There are tasks for everyone. Questions: Ask Jeanne Kerl, Jane Kenamore or Carol Nielsen.
|
Being Mortal
Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17 & 24, 7:00 - 9:00pm
|
Join us to gain new insights into such important current issues as quality of life, crucial conversations, advance directives, hospice care, and elective dying as we explore the book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End (Metropolitan Books, 2014), available at the Book H.Author Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon, turns his attention to age and infirmity, and how 'the medicalization of death' is failing us. Noting the difficulties that doctors and relatives have with end of life issues, Gawande argues that survival should not be the main concern, but rather well-being. In a war you cannot win "You don't want a general who fights to the point of total annihilation," he suggests. "You don't want Custer. You want Robert E. Lee who knows how to fight for territory that can be won and how to surrender when it can't." Facilitated by Cathy Deamant, Carol Nielsen, and Dick Whitaker.
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.
|
|
After Church Mother's Day Lunch
Sunday, May 8, 12:15pm
|
Celebrate Mother's Day by joining us for a delicious lunch after the 11:00am service on May 8, or a lighter repast after the 9:15 service. The Religious Education 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade class will be hosting these meals as a fundraiser for their social action project, which is assembling boxes of cleaning supplies for individuals and families newly settled into homes by Connections for the Homeless. All proceeds will go toward purchasing supplies for the boxes.
|
Garden Swap
Friday, May 27, 4-7pm
|
Plants, Seedlings, Divisions. Garden items: books, tools, crafts, pots, recipes. Come with something you have to share, leave with something you want to grow.
|
All Church Potluck Picnic
Sunday, June 12, 11:00am
|
Celebrate the coming of summer after the service on Sunday, June 12. Meat and meatless options will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass for 10-12 people. Also, if you are willing and able to help with set up, serving, or cleaning up, please contact Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@hotmail.com. This is a time for us to gather as a community, enjoy each other and thank each other for a wonderful year. Don't miss it!
|
Offer from Serendipity Auction Team
|
The winner of a live auction item is unable to take advantage. We are looking for the second bidder.
If you happened to bid on the Haynes Lake Michigan house, please let Tom Hempfling know. The winning bid was $575. The person who was next in line can be the lucky recipient for $550. If no one claims this by Friday of next week, we will offer it online. It is an opportunity for a great get away for a weekend.
|
Accessibility and Inclusion Team
|
About a dozen UCE members met recently to discuss accessibility at UCE. The team's goal is to brainstorm possibilities, have an accessibility study completed, prioritize the needs, and research ways to fund upgrades to our building and grounds. UUA also has an Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry (AIM) certification program. Do we want to become an AIM certified congregation?
Some thoughts: We all are aging. Is there a way to help people to church on Sunday or to a meeting on a weeknight? Can we bring church to people who have a hard time leaving their homes? Are locks in bathrooms low enough for the children to use them? Do all outside steps have hand railings? Would a child with autism feel welcome in our religious education classrooms? Would their parents? Is it clear when someone walks in the front door that we have a ramp available to get into the sanctuary? How would someone who uses a wheelchair enjoy coffee hour? All good questions, but are there other needs we don't know about?
|
|
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 May 3 at 10am and May 24 at 7pm. Mark the dates on your calendar. Contact Joan Horberg with any questions.
|
On the Table, Evanston
|
In collaboration with The Chicago Community Trust's On The Table initiative, on May 10, more than 2,000 Evanston residents and those affiliated with Evanston institutions will come together in small groups of ten or 12 at a variety of Evanston's nonprofit agencies, businesses, and religious organizations. We'll get to know one another better by sharing an intimate potluck dinner with people of different backgrounds and with varying perspectives, engaging in courageous conversations, and helping unite this place we call home. Click here for more information and to sign up.
|
Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate Sunday, June 19
|
The 17th Annual Race Against Hate will take place Sunday, June 19 at Floyd Long Field Park in Evanston starting at 7:30am. This family-friendly event, which features a 5K, 10K, walk, and youth mile, draws thousands of people from all over Chicagoland to honor the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong and promote awareness and activism to eliminate racism. Proceeds support YWCA Evanston/North Shore programming in our communities, especially in the areas of racial justice and violence prevention. Learn more and register at www.ywca.org/RAH2016. Be sure to join the UCE Black Lives Matter team!
|
Looking for Something to do this Summer?
From the Denominational Affairs Committee
|
The Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice is Looking for Volunteers
Opportunities include:
RAICES- Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, San Antonio, TX They need Spanish speaking intake workers and lawyers, law students, and retired lawyers. Starts May 22.
Grow Racial Justice-New Orleans July 15-19 It will equip UU young adults of color and white UU young adults with the skills, spiritual grounding and community to engage in racial justice work within and beyond our Unitarian Universalist faith.
Activate Tucson- July 23-31 This one-week training for high school youth offers interactive social justice education and meaningful work engaging in the pressing issue of immigration justice.
Check out these and several other programs at: UUCSJ.org
|
Ecstatic Dance
Monday, May 16, 6:30pm
|
Ecstatic Dance takes place the third Monday of each month. 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.
|
Harms Woods Restoration Project
Sunday, May 15, 1-4pm
|
Join the Evanston Interreligious Sustainability Circle in this twice yearly fun and productive afternoon in the woods, pulling garlic mustard, planting native seeds or cutting buckthorn.
Meet at 1:00pm and have a brief religious opening at 1:15 before heading off with our forest preserve stewards Jane and John Balaban. The activity is suitable for kids 10+, and teens to seniors. Wear work clothes and boots if it might be wet. Please call Dale Griffin or email dalecgriffin@comcast.net to RSVP.
Meet at the parking lot on the west side of Harms Road just south of Glenview Road.
|
Upcoming Membership Classes
|
Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, June 5, 12:30 - 2pm
Led by Rev. Bret Lortie, 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, June 11, 9am - noon
Led by Rev. Connie Grant, Membership Director, Eileen Wiviott, and members of the New Member Committee. 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 or email Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@hotmail.com. There will be childcare available upon request for both of these classes. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need childcare.
|
Congregational Relations Team
|
A reminder that the UCE Congregational Relations Team (CRT) is available to assist members of the UCE community who find themselves in conflict or who are struggling with relationship difficulties within the community. We view interpersonal conflict and challenges as a natural part of healthy engagement and offer this service to support members' efforts to resolve conflict constructively and keep our community a safe and comfortable place for all of us. The team consists of six UCE members who have training or expertise in communication skills and conflict resolution, currently: Tammy Besser, Jean Durkin, John LaPlante, Carla Leone-Sands (chair), Brian Meister, and Mike Takada. Feel free to contact any member of the team to request assistance - contact info is available on the website or from the church office.
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming UCE Events
|
Click each event for more information.
Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30
Rummage Sale
Sunday, May 1, 10:15am
Spiritual Journeys - a 3 part conversation
Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17 & 24, 7pm Being Mortal
Saturday, May 7, 7:30pm
Spring Coffee House
Tuesday, May 10
On the Table Evanston
Friday, May 13, 6pm
An Evening of Storytelling and Sharing
Saturday, May 14, 6pm
Rev. Roger Fritts Potluck Dinner
Monday, May 16, 6:30pm
Ecstatic Dance
Saturday, May 21, 7:30pm
Howard Levy's Musical Worlds
Friday, May 27, 4pm
Garden Swap
Sunday, June 5, 12:30pm
Infro to UU
Saturday, June 11, 9am
Orientation Towards Membership
Sunday, June 12, 11am
UCE All Church Potluck Picnic
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
|
UCE presents
"Howard Levy's Musical Worlds"
Saturday, May 21, 2016 7:30pm
Featuring music representing multiple cultures.
Tickets are $30 each.
|
UCE Spring Coffee House
Saturday, May 7, 7:30pm
Music, Stories, & Poetry
to Entertain You
Featuring The Reclaimers,
a bluegrass band
and other performers
Interested in performing?
|
All Hospitality Team Potluck
Friday, May 6, 6-9pm at UCE
Let's celebrate our first (and successful) year of the Hospitality Teams and get re-energized for the coming year. All team members, including all ages, are invited. Bring a dish and enjoy getting to know your team a little better. A prize for the team with the most members present! Any questions, contact your team leader or Eileen Wiviott at ewiviott@hotmail.com.
If you don't know what team you're on, Eileen can help you with that too.
|
|
An Evening of Storytelling and Sharing
Friday, May 13 at UCE
6pm Potluck, 7pm Program
|
| | | Susan O' Halloran | |
|
| | Mama Edie Armstrong |
The Unitarian Church of Evanston will present "An Evening of Storytelling and Sharing." The theme will be "Exploring Racism" and is targeted to adults and high school youths. This event will continue UCE's year-long work on racial justice issues.
Susan O'Halloran and Mama Edie Armstrong will tell their stories beginning at 7pm after a potluck supper in the Unitarian Church Sanctuary. Adults and older teens are invited to join us for this fun and educational community gathering.
The potluck supper will start at 6:00pm. You are invited to bring a dish to share for 8 people. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
|
|
Women, Food and God, An Unexpected Path to Almost Anything
Friday, May 6, 5:00pm
Location TBD
Do you have a complicated relationship with food? Join others like yourself to read and discuss Geneen Roth's book, Women Food and God, An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything. This may lead to regular meetings on the subject of food issues. All genders welcome.
|
Join the Non-Fiction Book group in reading and discussing
Family Properties: How the Struggle Over Race and Real Estate Transformed Chicago and Urban America
We will discuss native Chicagoan Beryl Satter's book about race and real estate in Lawndale in the years after World War II. Learn about redlining, contract buying, and slum landlords and the crusade launched against the profiteers by attorney Mark Satter and community activists.
|
|
Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
