A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Join us for worship and religious education at 9:15 and 11:00am on Sunday Morning!
November 17, 2017
Sunday, November 19
Worship for All Ages -  9:15 and 11:00am
"Thanksgiving Service and Annual Bread Communion "
Remember to bring with you bread that has a meaning for you or your family. We will be placing the bread on a communal table and sharing with each other the name of the bread we have brought and the heritage it represents. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for our blessings. It is a time to reflect upon the universality and complexity of blessings: from being open to receiving or recognizing a blessing in our lives to reaching out and being a blessing in the lives of others. Susan Frances, Intern Minister leading. 

Religious Education
This Sunday's Thanksgiving worship service will be for all ages. As usual, our Nursery and Pre-K class will be open for any children who would be more comfortable there.

Connecting UU: a path to belonging at UCE 
10:15am in Room 12
These sessions are open to all, no matter where you are on the journey. Click here for more information on Connecting UU.  **This Sunday, Nov. 19 - UU Sources in room 12**

Journeys 2 Justice - 12:30pm
Join us in Room 3 for a gathering of those interested and involved in social justice. We have many opportunities to engage in service, education, advocacy, witness, and community organizing on a number of different issues that challenge our progressive values, so many that it can be hard to know where to plug in. If you are interested in what's happening through the UCE Social Justice Council and want to discover where your passions and interests are needed, join us for an interactive reflection on our efforts toward creating a more just world. All are welcome!


Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Public Goods, Externalities & the Common Fields Problem"
Do capitalist economies frequently overlook externalities and could often benefit from more regulation? Do socialist economies frequently overlook human nature and could benefit from paying more attention to incentives? What happens when the government run not by saints, but often by those who channel the coercive powers of the state for their selfish benefit? How do we limit crony capitalism? When no one owns the fish in the ocean, many species were driven or nearly driven to extinction. How should we confer property rights, without underregulating? Facilitated by Gordon Mallett & Scot Campbell

Click here for information about upcoming crackerbarrel topics.
 
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
12:10pm-12:30pm
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 12:10pm and 12:30pm to support the Black Lives Matter movement.  Signs and buttons are available for purchase at the back of the sanctuary. Signs and song lyrics will be provided for use.  Sponsored by the REAL team.

The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group -  9:30am
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
Dr. Mary Lamb Shelden
The Chalice and the Flame

"In the glare of your mind, be modest. And beholden to what is tactile, and thrilling."
~ Mary Oliver, "Flare"

Since starting work at UCE, I have met with my Children and Youth Program Team, I believe, four times. At each of these meetings - and at our K-12 RE teacher orientation -- I have attempted to light a chalice, only to have the ritual go badly wrong. In all of these attempts, the candles I've used have refused to light: either the flame has not caught, despite repeated attempts, or has caught only to quickly fail. As symbols go, mine in this series have been spectacularly lacking, and it has only been the goodwill and eager assistance of other team members that has gotten me through these early professional embarrassments. Click here to read more.
Serendipity by the Numbers  serendipity
The Serendipity team would like to say a huge thank you to all for participating in a lovely Serendipity Auction night last Saturday.  Many thanks to the 180 who attended with good cheer in their hearts; the 105 members and friends who were successful bidders and graciously paid for our offerings; the 85 volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event happen; the 60 members and staff who donated various dinners, artwork, outings, etc.; the 70 local businesses that gave gift certificates or items or services; our new auctioneer, Brian Kirschenbaum, who made a great connection to the congregation;  Curt's Café for catering a fantastic dinner and providing several donations to the auction;  and finally, our fantastic staff (with a special shout out to Liz and Steven Eason and Kathy Talmage) who provided great support and helped make our sanctuary beautiful.  The auction did well financially-we think the net will be approximately $27,000, but even more importantly, we contributed to building the spirit of our community. Thank you!!
Mitten Tree Schedule:
Mitten Distribution on November 12, 19 and 26. Gifts are due on December 3 or before. We will sort the gifts the week of December 3 and they will be wrapped on December 10. Please plan to take a mitten and do your shopping before December 3. A reminder that all gifts must be new.

Organizations:
This year we are donating to Curt's Café South student interns and their children, Renaissance Social Services (LBGT clients), Residents of the Rice Center of Children's Home and Aid Society,  Hillside Food Pantry, Ajayi brothers, El Rescate-LBGTQ housing youth ages 18-24, The Vet Center, and UCE's Refugee family.

If you have questions about Mitten Tree please contact Carol Nielsen
Music Sunday  musicsunday1
Sunday, December 3, 9:15 and 11:00am
"Villagers all this frosty tide, Let your doors swing open wide,  Though wind may follow and snow beside, Let us draw in by your fire to bide;
Joy shall be yours in the morning!"
 
So sings a choir of field mice in Kenneth Grahame's
"The Wind in the Willows."
 
A nimals figure prominently in the story of the birth of J esus as well as in many carols of the season.  R ather like "spotting W aldo," you may find it fun to spot the references to winter's chill and/or to animals in our menagerie of C hoir and I nstrumental pieces, H oliday C arols, and R eadings at this H olidays S ervice.
 
P lease join us  for Winter's Chill and The Friendly Beasts: Cold, Critters, Carols, and Compassion

We need to feed ourselves, of course, but we also need to feed our Dedicated Funds. So what better than a Potluck and Raffle to fill both needs?
 
On December 3rd, Music Sunday, following the second service, the Social Justice Council and its associated teams will provide a Potluck and Raffle for the benefit of hungry Unitarian Universalists and for the replenishment of three of our much-used and increasingly depleted Dedicated Funds. Click here to read more.
Evanston Faith and community leaders have proposed a resolution to build solidarity and unity in response to the Trump administration's actions and intent to increase deportations, end DACA, ban immigrants from certain countries, and put many families at risk. Our congregation is being asked, along with other Evanston faith communities, to sign onto this resolution and commit to actions that promote welcome, inclusion and safety for those at risk. The congregational vote on this resolution will be Sunday, December 17, at 10am. (voting members were sent an electronic notification of that meeting on Monday 10/30). We will have an abbreviated worship service at 9:15 that morning, ending at 9:50, with the congregational meeting and then the Pageant at 11am. Here is a link to the resolution.
This year your Fair Trade purchases have helped to fund the "Healthy Eagles Club" at Chute Middle School for another year! The students have, among other things, planted and harvested both flowers and vegetables, turned their potatoes into baked french fries, learned how to make guacamole, and saved the seeds from their crops to plant next year's garden.

You may have also seen the flowers they planted to beautify the school grounds and the neighborhood. All this in addition to funding gift certificates for selected families at holiday time. May what you give bring you joy! Click here for more photos!
Join us for Yoga on Sunday evenings! Jessica Tomell-Presto and Doug Erickson will offer yoga on Sunday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm on Sunday, November 19, December 3, and December 17 in Room 2 at UCE. Yoga is great for increasing flexibility, providing stress relief, and offering time for reflection. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica.
You are cordially invited this year to join your UCE community for our annual Thanksgiving Day celebration!
 
This year we will again share our table with recruits from the Great Lakes Naval Base.    Come for breakfast at 9 or come for dinner at 3, come to share our wonderful UCE fellowship with some sailors far from home.
 
Opportunities for participation include contributing food, helping to prepare our meal, and hosting our guests.  You may sign up electronically by visiting our signup page  at "volunteer opportunities, " or sign up to host/bring food here, sign up to attend   here ,
The nonfiction book group will meet at 12:30pm on Sunday, December 3 to discuss A merican Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. 

Author Colin Woodard believes that eleven "nations" within North America have different historical roots and that there has never been one America. Rival regional cultures continue to uphold distinguishing ideals today, as can be seen in the U.S. Congress. Copies of the book are available at the Book H and at area libraries.
If you are in a caregiving role of any sort, we invite you to drop in at the next Caregiver Support Group. We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:30pm at UCE. Questions?  Contact Joyce Lofstrom  or Renee Hoff .
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

Rev. Eileen Wiviott has office hours most Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, and  Thursdays, and often evening meetings on those days. Mondays are sabbatical days and Fridays she works from home. Please contact her via email at ewiviott@ucevanston.org , or via phone at (847) 864-1330 x111 (office), or (224) 565-3952 (cell).
UCE Board of Trustees meeting is held the third Wednesday of each month in Room 3. All members are welcome. **Note - The board meeting in November has been moved to November 30 in room 6.
Upcoming UCE Events

Sunday, November 19, 12:30pm
Journeys 2 Justice


Monday, November 20, 7pm
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil


Thursday, November 23
Thanksgiving with the Navy


Tuesdays, November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 7:00pm
The New Testament for UU's


Sunday, December 10, 1:15pm
Ocean of Devotion Gong Meditation


Tuesday, December 19, 5:00pm
Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women


Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions and Recovery Group


Sunday Mornings, 9:00am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga

Community Involvement
Click each event for more information.

YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
Third Thursday of the Month
 
Transgender Day of Remembrance 

A Candlelight Vigil and Communion of Light

November 20 at 7pm at UCE


Co-sponsored by UCE and the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches

Throughout November we are collecting coffee, tea, and cocoa for the Interfaith Action Hospitality Center to serve during the cold winter months. Please place your donations in the Giving House box in the lobby.

Ocean of Devotion Gong Meditation with Preston Klik

Sunday, December 10, 1:15pm at UCE

Donations accepted
Upcoming Membership Classes

Intro to Unitarian Universalism 
Sunday, December 17
12:30 - 2:00 pm
An overview of our faith, led by Rev. Bret Lortie 

Orientation Toward Membership 
Saturday, January 13
9am - noon
Led by Assistant Minister, Rev. Eileen Wiviott. An interactive class exploring what it means to be a member of this congregation.

Sign up at the guest table in the lobby or email Rev. Eileen Wiviott at  ewiviott@ucevanston.org. Childcare available upon request for both of these classes.
Things to Know About our Community

Interested in knowing more about UCE? How to submit something to Joys and Sorrows? How to get a nametag, or a rainbow or pronoun sticker for your nametag? Interested in bringing flowers and lighting the chalice on a Sunday? Click here for more information about our community!
Yoga at UCE


Join us every Sunday at 8:15am and every Wednesday at 9:30am.

Yoga at UCE is designed to reduce stress, bring relaxation, increase range of motion, and find balance - restorative yoga. If you never have done yoga before, this is your opportunity. Drop in, wear comfortable clothing for stretching, and try it. Yoga is learned by doing. Community yoga mats provided if needed.

Add Your Photo to the Photo Member Directory

Remember that there is a directory of members that includes photos on our website. This is a password protected document. Contact the office if you don't know the password. If you would like to add your photo to the directory, or update your photo, please send  a photo to  Carli Magel , or let her know you'd like your picture taken on Sunday morning. 
UCE Facebook Groups
Did you know that, in addition to the UCE Facebook Page, there are three UCE groups that members can join - the UCE Member to Member Group, the UCE Children and Youth Religious Education Group and the UCE Social Action Group?  

These are closed groups that allow members to post directly to each other. If you have an event you want members to know about, or have a cause you hope to bring attention to, in addition to the newsletter and order of service, you can post to the Facebook Group. Click the links above or search for the groups by name when you are on Facebook and ask to join.
Connecting UU: a path to belonging at UCE

45 minute discussions; Sundays at 10:15 in Room 12
These sessions are open to all,
no matter where you are on the journey. 
Childcare available. No need to sign up in advance.

UU Principles  - Understanding the seven principles, an enlightening discussion led by members of the New Member Committee.

UU Sources A discussion of the six sources from which we draw wisdom and spiritual nourishment.

Spiritual Journeys (4 parts) - take any one or all of them in any order. Explore your religious and spiritual background, where you come from, what you want to cherish and what you want to release, and how you practice your spirituality.

How to Get Involved  - Learn how to become more engaged in the life of the church, find groups and activities of interest, discover the way things get done, answer your questions about belonging in our community.

UCE History and Tour - Learn more about the history, architecture and art of our building through a guided tour led by one of our long-term members. Tour begins at the back of the sanctuary near the large mural.
Opportunities
 for Spiritual Practice

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