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
The UCE Office will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day. 
May 27, 2016
Sunday, May 29
     
Worship Service  - 9:15 and 11:00am
"A Soldier's Heart"
What can we do to end war? Sometimes it feels like not much. Our role is therefore complicated as we search to understand the human dimensions of suffering following war. War sometimes demands that soldiers do the humanly unthinkable, and when they return from service, what are our responsibilities for "buying back" our soldiers wounded in both body and soul? Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.

Activities for Children - 9:15 and 11:00 am
Children will begin in the sanctuary with their families before going to Room 7 for games and activities. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and young children will be available in Room 11.

Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Sex, Gender, and Sexuality"
We are in an exciting time in which ideas and laws about gender and sexuality are continually in the news and central to important political policies and discussions. Much of the popular discussion misunderstands key ideas that are at the heart of these issues and current political conflicts exist because of different understandings of the relationship between bodies and gender. On one side of conflicts are those who see biology as destiny and thus treat gender as immutable. On the other are transgender, gender-fluid, and otherwise gender nonconforming people and the activists and allies who see gender and sexuality as fluid. We will discuss key ideas from gender and sexuality studies in order to make sense of these current social issues, including some attention to the ever-changing terminology employed by those who treat gender and sexuality as fluid. Discussion Leaders: Michael Armato, Associate Professor of Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies at Northeastern Illinois University, and Amy Badr.

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 the Senior Minister -- 
Spiritual Life and Outreach seniorminister
Rev. Bret Lortie
The Year Past, The Year Ahead

I continue to be overwhelmingly proud to serve the Unitarian Church of Evanston. It is a lively, growing, and vibrant community. I brag about you (perhaps too much) to colleagues, friends, family, anyone who will listen. I just think you should know that. We are socially engaged and interested in deepening our connections with one another. My dream for the coming year is that as we continue to work on our mission of creating "a world made whole," we focus equally on "nurturing the human spirit" (your spirit) to enable the spiritual growth for which I hear you hunger - in your individual lives and relationships. Click here to read more.
Summer Sunday Afternoon Soup Kitchen at UCE soupkitchens
This summer UCE will host "Sunday Soup Kitchen" substituting for St. Paul's Church (down the street at 1004 Greenwood). They are undertaking a big renovation project of their kitchen and installing accessible entrances. We will not have to do much work other than be available to host in the lobby. St. Paul's will provide the coordinators, the volunteers and bring the food. The lunch is served every Sunday through the summer. The meal is served at 3:00.

We are looking for volunteers to be present in the lobby from 1:00 to 4:30pm, and to be responsible for locking up the church after the soup kitchen. You can do this alone or in pairs and spend some quality time with a UCE friend!

There are 11 Sundays that we need to cover. Help us be good Interfaith Action Members by volunteering to assist St. Paul's. They host this soup kitchen weekly!

UCE's
Refugee Sponsorship Fundraising Begins 
refugeefundraising
UCE is co-sponsoring a Syrian family, in partnership with RefugeeOne, an organization working with the US State Department. We hope that the family will be housed in Rogers Park but we will not know until early September exactly where they will live.

There are two main parts to this project. The first phase is raising funds.  We have set up a website hosted by Refugee One to begin the fundraising. We cannot commit to having a family until we have raised the $8000 that will be required for six months rent and utilities. Please visit our fundraising site to make a donation.

Reparations Study Advocacy reparations
Additional letters of support for HR 40 have been sent to Evanston Mayor Tisdahl, State Senator Daniel Biss, and State Representative Robyn Gabel, who represent the area in which UCE is located (click here for letter to Sen. Biss).  Model letters in the form of Word docs are available to enable UCE members and friends to express your support, tailored by you to voice your particular views.  If you would like a copy of these model documents please e-mail Tom Hempfling.
Fall Weekend Registration Opens in June!
Submitted by Peg Boccard fallweekend
Summer is approaching and that means its time to think about the UCE Fall Weekend.  This year it will be in a beautiful wooded setting just down the road from our old venue at George Williams College.  This year we're going to Inspiration Retreat Center right at the intersection of Rt 67 (Geneva St) where it turns south in Walworth WI. We have plenty of space available and all the meeting spaces we could want. 

Come and join all your friends for a warm and joyful weekend to welcome the early Fall, Thursday, September 29 or Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2.  The prices this year will be the same as last year: $100/person/night for a shared room or $150/person/night for a single.  
 
Let me also introduce Rebecca Fischer and Luanne Vanderpool, who will be working with me to learn the ropes this year and next year take over much of the management of the Fall Weekend.
 
Sign up now by sending me an email at pegboc@ameritech.net or seeing one of the three of us at the tables in the back of the sanctuary on June 5 or most Sundays throughout the summer (when pictures will be available). 
Non-fiction Book Group
Sunday, June 5, 12:30pm nonfiction
At this special meeting, the non-fiction book club will choose at least three titles to read next fall. Can you suggest a book that you think other UU's would enjoy?
We are considering a wide range of books and would love to have your input too. It would be helpful if the book overlapped with some of our justice programming or connected us to UU themes and topics.
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.
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).
Quick Links
ucevanston.org
Calendar
Upcoming Worship Services
Upcoming UCE Events
Click each event for more information.
 
Friday, May 27, 4pm
Garden Swap

Sunday, June 5, 12:30pm
Intro to UU

Sunday, June 5, 12:30pm
Non-Fiction Book Group

Saturday, June 11, 9am
Orientation Towards Membership

Sunday, June 12, 11am
UCE All Church Potluck Picnic

Monday, June 20, 6:30pm
Ecstatic Dance

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
Summer Schedule Reminder

Our summer schedule begins on Sunday, June 12 with one service at 10:00am. 

Activities for children and childcare for infants and toddlers will be available during the service each week.
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 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. Senior high youth will lead games for children.  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


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!
Opportunities
 for Spiritual Practice
| 847-864-1330 | uce@ucevanston.org | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201