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Upcoming Sunday Services
Sunday, October 29: “Trickster!”, Rev. Florence Caplow                
All over the world the trickster is an important mythological figure of mayhem, playfulness, reversal, transformation, and dark humor. The trickster can be seen in our own celebration of Halloween. Today we will play with the trickster. Come prepared for surprises! “Trunk or Treat” will be happening after the service.

Sunday, November 5: "All Souls: Deeper Into Mystery", Rev. Florence Caplow
In this All Souls participatory service, we will honor those who have passed through the veil from life to death and consider "the great mystery". Please bring photos, mementos, or cards with names of those you wish to remember and honor for our All Souls altars. The UUCUC choir will be performing Puccini's Requiem and with John Grunau on viola.

Sunday, November 12: "One Year Later", Rev. Florence Caplow
In the days after the 2016 election, UU congregations were filled to overflowing with those seeking solace and community. The election evoked unprecedented fear about the future of our democracy, and galvanized political activity to protect women's rights, the environment, and basic civil liberties. It has been a strange and terrible year, from natural disasters, chaos in the public sphere, and threats of nuclear war. How are we all doing, one-year post-election? What wisdom do we have for one another? How can we continue to support each other to stay engaged and not succumb to despair? Rev. Florence is seeking your answers to these questions as she considers this service. Please email her your thoughts at minister@uucuc.org .  

Sunday, November 19: "Gratefulness", Rev. Florence Caplow
Brother David Steindl-Rast writes, "The root of joy is gratefulness...It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." As we enter the holiday season, with all its stresses, we will explore the power of gratefulness as a spiritual practice and source of resilience. Music from the CrUUners and Amy Hassinger. This is Guest at Your Table Sunday, to support the UU Service Committee.

Sunday, November 26: "Every Jot and Tittle", Rev. Matt Tittle
Nothing is going to change until we change it. Not one jot or one tittle. We need to attend to the details of our spiritual lives as Unitarian Universalists. This is the point of our religious plurality and acceptance of many wisdoms. Not to believe in anything we want. Not to keep from offending others. Not to practice an all-encompassing religion, but to practice great discernment and to keep our faith even in the face of unimaginable truth. To challenge the status quo, which has always been a primary mission of the church, so that we can bring about heaven here on earth. We can sit back and watch and do nothing and feel sorry others, or feel sorry for ourselves. But this…this would be the worst sin of all. Our playing small does not serve the world. The UUCUC Choir will be performing.
Message from the Minister
Reverend Florence Caplow, Minister
I am writing this from the fall "Central Midwest UU Minister’s Retreat" in Racine, Wisconsin, where I am gathered with about fifty ministerial colleagues. One of my commitments as your minister is to make connections with the larger UU world, including with other congregations and ministers.
 
I am continuing the settling-in process. I hope you have been enjoying the Sunday services, which have been rich collaborations between minister, music staff, and the worship committee. I ask for your forbearance as I try to balance the many elements of Sunday experience that have developed here over the years. Sometimes it feels a bit like packing for a big trip with a small suitcase – everything doesn’t quite fit! I have been working with the teachers to develop a new way for them to know when the service is ending, and I’ve heard that’s working well for them.

Many thanks to all who organized the spectacular "Welcome Florence" coffeehouse on the 20th! (Photo: UUCUC Coffeehouse, by Jim Hannum).

More personally, my house has a new roof, new paint, new siding, and some furniture, and I am now the proud owner of a rooftop solar power system. I have found a source of 100% biodiesel for my car (though I walk to work most of the time) and I will be getting a high efficiency wood stove. I want to send a big shout-out to the eleven people who came and helped with my siding project work party over two days, and Tom Gillespie who loaned us a dump truck. Many hands make light work!

Blessings, Florence
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcoming Announcement! 

A new "baby" has arrived!
Height: 34 inches
Weight: 500 lbs
Proud parents: 250+ members of UUCUC
Come see our new Steinway Baby Grand in the Sanctuary !

Another big thank you to those that donated to the Kent Conrad Memorial fund 
to make this delivery possible! (Photo by Jerry Carden).
A Mid-Year Auction Reminder
We are approximately halfway through our church year. This is a good time to review and follow up on the service auction items you purchased and sold at last year’s auction. Mark your calendars for next year’s auction: April 7, 2018. 
Congratulations to the Green UU Team!
On Sunday, October 15, a bus load of local green team members went up to the Chicago Field Museum for the Faith in Place Green Team Summit. Our Green UUs were awarded the Green Team of the year award along with three other Illinois congregations. Cindy Shepard presented the award (pictured) to Andy Robinson who was joined by Kathy, Laura, Maya, Calvin, and Karla Peterson, and Diedra Cobb.  

Faith in Place awards the Central IL Green Team award to UUCUC for participating in all Faith in Place program areas: Sustainable Land and Food, Water Preservation, Advocacy AND providing leadership in Energy and Climate with their Solar House of Worship's 25 kW, 81 panel array that supplies 75% of their energy efficient house of worship needs with clean renewable, solar power.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT) NEWS
Notes from Our Start Up Weekend
By Julie Laut, Chair

Thank you to everyone who attended our “Dinner and Future Dreaming” event on Friday, October 13. And special thanks to Gail Schiesser, BOT Treasurer, and Virginia Brubaker for organizing the logistics for the event. Lisa Presley, MidAmerica UUA Congregational Life Consultant, led us through a variety of activities designed to get to know one another better and then brainstorm where we see our congregation going in the next five to ten years. The creativity, the laughter, and the ambition of those who attended was inspiring.

The Board of Trustees and Florence spent the following day (October 14) with Lisa Presley setting goals for the remainder of this year and beyond. We are so grateful to Pam and Lan Richardt who offered us the use of their beautiful home for this retreat. The most important takeaway from the day was a greater clarity of understanding regarding how authority and responsibility for UUCUC’s many ministries – everything from staff supervision and building maintenance to yearly congregational goals and interfaith connections – will be shared between the minister, lay leaders, congregation, and staff.

Keep an eye out for further reflections on the what we learned from the Start Up Workshop in future publications. If you have any questions or comments in the meantime, please contact me at jlaut@hushmail.com or (513) 544-2682.
MidAmerica Chalice Lighter Grants: A Valuable Resource for Congregations
By Julie Laut, Chair

UUCUC is proud to be an annual contributor to the MidAmerica Region’s Chalice Lighters program. By pooling small donations from across our region, the program is able to offer grants to fund specific growth projects and special programs in UU congregations. Last spring, the MidAmerica Region Chalice Lighters provided a grant for crucial Black Lives Matter work in the Milwaukee area. Over 250 people attended the Racial Justice: The Courage to Act conference at Alverno College in Milwaukee led by Chris Crass, UU justice trainer and author. According to Ann Heidkamp, a local coordinator, “The conference was designed to move people from education to action by building courage, skills, and relationships with local partner groups…particularly important in the Milwaukee region – the most segregated in the United States.” This fall three applications for Chalice Lighter grants were funded by our regional program, including one for the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City, Iowa, that will allow that congregation to “raise awareness of their new growth-oriented home” through a multi-faceted media campaign that will reach many different audiences for an extended period of time.

As a member of the UUA Chalice Lighters, UUCUC was able to take advantage of a Chalice Lighter grant to support the expansion of our paid staff positions just a few years ago. Individuals can also make contributions to support these important grant opportunities. To find out more about this essential resource and how you might get involved, go to: https://midamericauua.org/programs/chalice-lighters/2719-2017-fall-call.
Social Action Committee Updates
By Ben Joselyn, Liaison to Social Action Committee

The Social Action committee has been very active recently, pushing this world to more closely resemble the world we want it to be. The rest of the church has been busy too, with many committees and the church at large doing work in line with our principles.

UUCUC was well represented in the local Pride Parade. Over 30 members walked as our cities celebrated the many forms love can take. It was truly powerful to see so many people gathered to expand our societies circle of acceptance. After all, Love is Love.

The Social Action Committee has signed on to a petition drafted by “imatter”, a group of local high school students that want better climate policy. The petition is designed to pressure the Champaign and Urbana city governments to become carbon neutral by 2040.

UUs supported this years CROP Walk, see the article about CROP Walk 2017 for another successful SAC event.

It is also important to note the work of our whole congregation!! On October 13th and 14th we had a wonderful visit from Lisa Presley, a UU congregational life consultant, to help us vision what we want our church to be. There were sessions with our wonderful staff, with the board and the church membership at large. With her help we have an even clearer picture of who we are and where we can go. Thanks to everyone who came to the session!

This winter we will be working again with the Men’s homeless shelter to keep the members of our community safe, warm and fed through these most trying months. So far we only know that we have been asked to help contribute snacks from December to March. So keep on the lookout for opportunities to donate, details on the desired snacks and other ways to pitch in!

We are also looking into Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and seeing what can be done to bring our principles and financial holdings into greater harmony. 
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Peggy Patten, Membership Chair
How Can I Keep From Singing!
You can purchase your own copy of our hymnals — Singing the Living Tradition or Singing the Journey — in large or regular print directly from the Unitarian Universalist Association. Enjoy singing your favorite hymns at home. Go to the UUA Bookstore to order your copy today!
Communications Survey
Watch your eNews, Order of Service and Facebook the first two weeks of November for a short survey from the Membership Committee about your preferences for getting information about UUCUC activities. Thank you in advance for your input.
Circle Supper Coordinator Needed
Do you miss our Circle Suppers - the monthly potlucks held in members’ homes to get to know a small group of UUCUC friends and members? If so, please consider joining Scott Godlew in coordinating our Circle Suppers this year. Scott agreed to do so with the help of another coordinator. Changes in Circle Supper frequency are being considered. If you are interested, email Scott directly.

Thank you to the past year’s Circle Supper coordinators: Nancy Dietrich and Sara Schumacher!
Towel Team Thanks!
Thanks to Linda Collinsworth and Barb Childers for stepping up to the plate (or to the towel hamper) to assist with cleaning our kitchen linens. Tell Linda and Barb thank you next time you see them.

Thanks Hospitality Team E
Thanks to Katie Madigan and Jenny Hunt, Hospitality Team Leaders for the month of October. Thanks to all the Hospitality Team E volunteers who assisted Katie and Jenny each Sunday during the month. October Hospitality Team volunteers will be acknowledged in the eNews in early November.
Be the Face of Sunday Morning: Join a Hospitality Team
Hospitality Teams are in charge of Sunday morning hospitality (e.g. bell ringing, welcoming, ushering, providing decorations and refreshments) for two months during the year. Hospitality Teams are a great way to meet people and serve our congregation in a fun and important way. All members and friends are encouraged to join a Hospitality Team. Each Team has 30-35 members so you do not need to help on every Sunday assigned to your Team. 

Stop by the Hub table on Sunday mornings to sign up for a Hospitality Team (or to find out if you are already assigned to a Team). Questions? Contact  Peggy Patten  of the Membership Committee.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
The Shared Offering for November will be the Family Service of Champaign County. Half of the cash collection and all designated checks will be given to this local organization during November.

Family Service of Champaign County is a private, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Founded in 1911, they are the oldest private social service agency in Champaign County and have provided continuous service to families and individuals for more than 100 years. Their mission is supporting people across the generations by providing quality human services.

Their programs and services include the following:
  • Senior Resource Center: Offers “one number to call” for seniors and their families to get information about all services available in our area. Provides comprehensive services to enable seniors to remain in their own homes, including Senior Counseling and Advocacy, Caregiver Support Services, HomeCare, Meals on Wheels and Senior Transportation.
  • Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P. ): Enables and supports seniors to provide volunteer service to schools, medical clinics, libraries and other non-profit organizations.
  • The Self-Help Center: Provides information and referral to a wide variety of mutual support groups and assists in the development and maintenance of support groups.
  • Counseling: Provides individual, couple and family therapy on a sliding fee scale.
  • Children First: Educates divorcing parents on the impact of divorce on children and helps them develop resources and new ways to relate to each other and their children.
I encourage you to give generously to this local non-profit. -- Karen Retzer
Last chance to nominate an organization for the 2018 Shared Offering ! Submit your nomination  here  or fill out a paper form at the Social Action table by October 31st (only 5 more days!). Nominations will be voted for on November 14th, 7pm in the Children's Chapel.
We Rocked CROP Walk
C-U CROP Walk 2017 took place on October 8, a stunningly sunny Sunday in the midst of several rainy days. There were 12 “units” of UU Walkers, including some pairs, and one group of three – Jennifer Greene and her two granddaughters. As always, the UUs are great fundraisers. On the day of the walk, we had raised $3,145, the highest total of all the groups. Since the final collection night is not until October 23, donations will continue to come in.

There were 16 organizations involved in this community-wide event, and 137 walking units ranging in age from 3 to 83. The total amount raised as of walk day was $18,107. We will report back with the final total when it comes in!

Thanks to all the UU Walkers and to all the generous supporters of CROP Walk. You have helped many people both locally and in the areas devastated by hurricanes and earthquakes.
On November 8 at 7 pm the Social Action Committee will be hosting a showing of “You Got To Move”, the powerful documentary about the Highlander Folk School, now known as the Highlander Research and Education Center. This the center that trained civil rights activists, such as Rosa Parks, as well as environmental activists. They have helped many ordinary people rise up and become extraordinary leaders because they are passionate about a cause.

The film will be introduced by Diedra Cobb who attended Highlander. This is a powerful and hopeful film that will energize you. Don’t miss it!
Religious Education (RE)
Cindy Wakeland, Director of Religious Eduction
Growing up I loved the Winnie the Pooh stories about all his friends in the Hundred Acres Woods. My family has some rare first edition books that my parents read to my brother and me when we were young. We decorated my daughter’s nursery around the Pooh theme. The stories have a special place in my heart. I found this article about the new movie “Goodbye Christopher Robin” to be interesting as the director talks about parenting and the film. The movie may be more for adults than children since it has some flashback war scenes and all is not as happy as the Hundred Acres Woods. I did think it interesting enough to share. Read and learn , and take time for the movie and you children. 

CHURCH NEWS
Welcoming Congregation Update
By Jim Hannum

Hello to all of you,
It is time for our church to go through the process of renewing our Welcoming Congregation status (which is our explicit, proactive program to welcome LGBTQ people to our church). The Board of Trustees (BOT) has agreed to this process and asked me to get something started.

As a first step, I would like to get your suggestions on who in our church might be good members for a study/assessment group. This study group would have 7-10 people in it and have a diverse representation of ages and sexual orientation. The UUA has published some guidelines for activities this group should review regarding educational efforts, inclusion in congregational life, and outreach in the community. My general reading of these UUA guidelines is that our church is in pretty good shape, though we are probably weakest in our education and welcoming of trans people.

This assessment/study process would last around 4-6 months and would result in proposals to the BOT and the congregation as a whole about how we can improve in being more welcoming. This assessment/study group doesn't need to actually organize the activities being proposed. The BOT would task other committees with the responsibility of doing the recommended activities. So, this assessment/study committee is the first step in a longer process.

Please nominate yourself if you are interested. I am particularly interested in getting newer, younger members of our congregation to participate. It doesn't matter if you are gay, straight, or go by some other identity. You don't have to know much about the Welcoming Congregation process - this can be quickly learned. to be a useful member- just be committed to making our church be welcoming to LGBTQ folks. Contact me at  jwhannum@gmail.com . 

Happiest of Birthdays to those who celebrate in November!

Check out our website for a complete list of celebrated birthdays.
In the Community
2nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration Tapestry of Faith and Community: Our lives are woven together

Sunday, November 19, 2017, 3:00 PM at I-Hotel, 1900 S. First Street, Champaign (Free Parking!)

Featuring: The Coleman Family, AMASONG, An interactive public art project and more!

All are invited to celebrate our relationships with one another & the world in which we live. Our program will lift up gratitude for our interwoven experiences through storytelling, song, & conversation. All ages are encouraged to attend.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods to donate to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, & strips of fabric, string, or other weavable material to be used in our woven community art project.

Sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance of Champaign County and the University YMCA
Church Calendar
Dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date calendar, please visit our website.
November 2017 Dates - Check the church calendar and click the event for more details.

November 3: OWL Late Night
November 5 : Film Screening: "I Am Not Your Negro", hosted by RJI
November 8: Film Screening: "You Got To Move", hosted by SAC
November 11: Church Office Closed in observance for Veterans Day
November 14: Shared Offering Voting
November 19: Magazine & Book Exchange
November 23: Thanksgiving Holiday - Church Office Closed
November 24: Thanksgiving Holiday - Church Office Closed
Upcoming Publications - Mark Your Calendars!
Note: there is a new email address to send your publication annoucements!
Please use pubs@uucuc.org - Read more under UUCUC Publication Guidelines.
Next eNews: Thursday, November 2
Deadline for content: Wednesday, November 1 by Noon
December Uniter:
Thursday, November 30
Content Deadline for the December Uniter: Wednesday, November 22 by Noon
(Remember, there will be no eNews on 11/30 due to the Uniter)
UUCUC Contact Information
Church Office
(217) 384-8862
Publications
Rev. Florence Caplow
Minister
Cindy Wakeland
Director of Religious Education
Matt Sheppard
Music Director
Sherry Bohlen
Membership Coordinator
Rosalyn Maziarka
Office Administrator
Shornor Vineyard
Custodian and Building Caretaker
Beth Cobb
Assistant for Services
Matthew Gladden
Accompanist
Stephanie Cobb
Sunday Kitchen Helper
Mary Foltz
Childcare Coordinator