Published by the Unitarian Church of Evanston - A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Join us for worship! 
Services take place on Sunday morning at 9:15 and 11:00 am
May 13, 2016
Sunday, May 15
     
Worship Service  - 9:15 and 11:00am
"A Fond Reminiscence"
In August of 1985, the Fritts-Westbrook Family (Roger, Leslie, and son Loren) journeyed from New Bedford, MA to Evanston. Eight years later, a larger family (Roger, Leslie, son Loren, son David, daughter Rachel) headed east to where Roger served a Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2011, Roger accepted a call to serve the Unitarian Universalist Church in Sarasota, Florida. However, in all the years that have followed, the Fritts-Wesbrook family remembers the many friends, the support and kindness, and the numerous loving events that filled their days from 1985 to 1993. The sermon "A Fond Reminiscence" will a short account of that time in the church's history. Rev. Roger Fritts speaking.

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.

Annual Meeting - 12:15pm in the Sanctuary
Our Annual Meeting is a time to review the church year nearing its end, elect key lay leaders, approve the operating budget for next year, take a congregational vote on the "UCE Support for Reparations Study" proposal, and comment on efforts to consider a name change for the church.

Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Kimonos"
The word "kimono" is used by non-Japanese as the exotic dress of the Japanese. In fact, all it means is "something to wear." There are so many things that a kimono says that in general are unknown. I'll bring in some of my mother's kimonos to show and to explain. They are silk and hand embroidered. They're from the early 1950s so although they were made after the new Japanese constitution went into effect, they still have many of the legacies of pre-WWII. Julia was born in Japan and came to the US as a child. She has returned to Japan numerous times. Discussion leader: Julia Takarada

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.
Upcoming Crackerbarrel Topics crackerbarrel
Sunday, May 22, 9:30am
"Sex Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery"
Discussion Leader: Donna Fishman, Co-Chair for JCAST and Chair of the Illinois State Policy Advocacy Network for the National Council of Jewish Women. 

Sunday, May 29, 9:30am
"Designing Our Way to Obesity"
Discussion Leader: Julia Takarada

Sunday, June 5, 9:30am
"Historic Survey of Feminism as Influenced by Religion"
Discussion Leaders: Mary Beth Smith and Gordon Mallett

Click here for more information about each topic.
Rev. Roger Fritts Potluck Dinner
Saturday, May 14, 6-9pm fritts
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.
 Breaking the Chains of Racism: Freeing Ourselves to Be the Beloved Community Wednesday, May 25, 6:00-9pm breakingthechains
Join us for the final REAL workshop of the year! Expect a shift in understanding and a move toward action, both individually and communally.
  
EXPECT TRANSFORMATION.  
ACCEPT NOTHING LESS. 
BE THERE! 

Everyone welcome - Newcomers or oldtimers! 

Snacks will be provided starting at 6pm. For further information, contact Martha Holman.
UCE's Refugee Project refugee
The refugee project is busy at work. We had a great turnout at our potluck on May 2 and many people have volunteered to help. We are now ready to seek congregation-wide volunteers.
 
We will sponsor a Syrian family in September.  We are working with Refugee One, a Chicago-based organization that has helped thousands of refugees settle in Chicagoland.  Refugee One will handle a wide array of responsibilities. 

Click here to read more.         
Being Mortal
Continues Tuesdays, May 17 & 24, 
7:00 - 9:00pm beingmortal
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.        
Garden Swap
Friday, May 27, 4-7pm gardenswap
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 churchpicnic
Celebrate the coming of summer with UCE's all church potluck picnic after the service on Sunday, June 12. Meat and meatless options will be provided. Please bring a dish to share for 10-12 people. 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!
Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate Sunday, June 19 raceagainsthate
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! 
Ecstatic Dance
Monday, May 16, 6:30pm ecstaticdance
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 harmswoods
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 upcomingmembershipclasses
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.
Upcoming UCE Events
Click each event for more information.
 
Friday, May 13, 6pm
An Evening of Storytelling and Sharing

Saturday, May 14, 6pm
Rev. Roger Fritts Potluck Dinner

Sunday, May 15, 12:15pm
Annual Meeting

Monday, May 16, 6:30pm
Ecstatic Dance

Tuesdays, May 17 and 24, 7pm
Being Mortal

Saturday, May 21, 7:30pm
Howard Levy's Musical Worlds

Tuesday, May 24, 5:00pm
Recently Retired (But Never Retiring) Women

Wednesday, May 25, 6pm
Breaking the Chains of Racism

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
Community Involvement
Click each event for more information.

July 24-29 on Fort Gibson Lake in Oklahoma
The Point UU Camp

YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
An Evening of Storytelling and Sharing

Exploring Racism 
Tonight - 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. 
UCE presents 
"Howard Levy's Musical Worlds"

Saturday, May 21, 2016
7:30pm













Featuring music representing multiple cultures.

Tickets are $30 each. 
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
Sunday, May 22, 12:30pm


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.
UU Wanna Dance Rescheduled!

No dancing on May 14 at UCE
Next date TBD
Opportunities
 for Spiritual Practice

Quick Links
ucevanston.org
Calendar
Upcoming Worship Services
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.
cgrant@ucevanston.org. (847) 864-1330 ext. 103 (office); (847) 840-8542 (cell).
| 847-864-1330 | uce@ucevanston.org | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201