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Sunday, February 12
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
What does it take to form a lasting marriage partnership with another? Romance is nice. Common interests are nice. But these are not what will keep you going toward what songwriter Patty Griffin calls a "mad mission" to the finish line. Maintaining our personal identity while opening ourselves to the language of another's heart are keys to a lasting union. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking. Click here for upcoming sermons.
Religious Education
This Sunday our preschool, kindergarten-first-second grade, and third-fourth-fifth grade classes will meet from 9:15-10:30 and 11:00-12:15. All begin in the sanctuary for the first part of the worship service before going to classes.
Starting time for the sixth-seventh-eighth grade class to watch this week's movie is 10:00am. Senior high meets at 11:00am.
Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.
Denominational Affairs Program
12:30pm in Room 6
The Denominational Affairs Committee invites you to a special program on the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We will have videos of past GAs and members who have attended will be there to answer questions. Light refreshments will be served.
Conflict in Groups CRT Workshop
12:30pm in Room 7
Disagreement and conflict are inevitable and essential parts of a vibrant, diverse community and healthy group functioning, when handled well. But how do we do this? Building on our previous training on conflict between individuals, this hands-on interactive workshop will teach healthy approaches to handling conflicts in groups such as committees, teams, boards, task forces, discussions, and circles.
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"The Rule of Law"
In the course of history, there are many examples when the law may come into conflict with one's conscience/morality or deeply held religious beliefs. To resolve these issues, some accommodations, such as Conscientious Objector status to military service, are built into the law. Other recent examples, now falling outside the law include sanctuary cities, recent Justice Department actions, withholding of taxes owed, and some of the issues raised by the Hobby Lobby case. What should be the appropriate response of the state to such transgressions? Discussion leader(s) Scot Campbell & Gordon Mallett. Click here for upcoming 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 -
9:15am
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.
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Upcoming Crackerbarrel Topics 
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Sunday, February 19, 9:30am
"The Meaning of American Exceptionalism"
Discussion Leader: Jim Strickler
Sunday, February 26, 9:30am
"The Supreme Court and Original Intent"
Discussion Leader: Scot Campbell
Sunday, March 5, 9:30am
"Against Empathy - The Case for Rational Compassion"
Discussion Leader:
Gordon Mallett
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We are caught between Postmodernism and the legacy of the Enlightenment. This conflict affects how we think of science, other cultures and even liberal religion. The class shows how we got here and suggests that we need more reason, not less. Recommended: The Enlightenment: A Very Short Introduction and Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction. Facilitated by Rev. Jerome Stone, UCE's Affiliated Community Minister. A former United Church of Christ pastor and philosophy teacher, Jerry is the author of A Minimalist Vision of Transcendence and Religious Naturalism Today.
Click here to register.
Religious education for adults, sponsored by the Learning Associates.
Click here for information about upcoming Adult Religious Education programs.
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Rosemary Zwick Night of the Arts
Saturday, February 11, 6:00pm
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Painting, jewelry, greeting cards, collages, crowns, bookmaking, 3-D construction, paper animals, masks, face painting, music, magic and more! This is a great activity for all ages!
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We Know UCE's Got Talent!
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Do you sing, dance, play a musical instrument, or have another talent that you would like to bring to the UCE stage? You'll have an opportunity to show off your talent on Saturday, February 25 at 6:30 pm at a Talent Show sponsored by our Journeys students and mentors as a fundraiser for their Boston trip.
Performers of all ages are invited to send in applications with the following information by February 12 to Amy Pooley at amycpooley@gmail.com or to the Religious Education mailbox in the office: your name and contact information, and your talent (with description and estimated length of your performance). Tickets for this fun multi-generational event will be available in February for $12.00 for adults (age 12 and up); $6.00 for children (age 5-11); maximum $30 for families.
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New Book Carts
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Be sure you see our new library carts in the office hallway! They are roomy and beautiful thanks to Sandra and are a wonderful new resource for us all.
Racial Justice Lending Library
In order to finish setting the book case up, please check to see if you have books or DVD's at home from our Racial Justice Lending Library that you have finished reading or viewing but have not yet returned. A list of borrowed materials is posted on the bulletin board above the shelves.
Rainbow Alliance Transgender Lending Library
Rainbow Alliance has set up their transgender book library on the new book cart in the hallway to your right when you enter the building. The books range from pre-school through teen and adult. Please look over the selections there and feel free to take one out on loan.
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Our Sunday Soup-er-Bowl event at UCE was a great success!
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 More than $1200 was raised with proceeds benefiting
Interfaith Action's Producemobile, Curt's Café students with grocery cards and Hillside Pantry.
Soup was donated by UCE members, homemade bread was provided by a neighboring friend Dave Bond, and bowls were provided by potters from the Evanston Art Center and collected by Sandra Robinson.
Thank you attending, sharing soup and purchasing a bowl. For anyone who is interested, bowls may still be purchased.
Call the office or see Carol Nielsen or Sandra Robinson on Sunday morning.
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Caregiver Support Group Exploratory Meeting
Tuesday, March 7, 7pm
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Whether it be caring for an ill family member, a handicapped child, an aging parent or any of a number of other caregiving arrangements, talking with others who understand and who "have been there" can be helpful. If you are in a caregiving role, we invite you to come to an exploratory meeting on Tuesday, March 7, at 7:00 p.m. at UCE to share ideas on how we might create a Caregiver Support Group at UCE. Topics will include group purpose, format and guidelines. If you are interested but cannot attend this first meeting (or have any questions), please contact Renee Hoff
or Joyce Lofstrom.
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2017 Soup Kitchens
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UCE hosts soup kitchens when our neighbor Beth Emet is celebrating the Jewish holidays. We have added two dates this year to assist Second Baptist Church. March your calendars for the following dates: Wednesdays - April 12, September 20, 27, October 4 and October 11 at UCE and Mondays - August 14 and August 21 at Second Baptist Church. More information and sign-up to follow. For questions, contact
Winnie Stevenson or
Marilyn Wroblewski.
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Women's Circle Open Meeting
Monday, February 13, 7:00pm
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All are invited to an open meeting of the Women's Circles for a casual gathering with light refreshments.
If you attended the Women March in Washington D.C. (or here in Chicago) and/or the Womenspirit Retreat, you are particularly invited to come and share your experiences. Members of the UCE's Women's Circles will be present and provide information about the circles. These circles provide an opportunity to form connections, nurture one another and to tell your stories in a safe and trusting environment and are open to all UCE women members and friends.
Click here for more information about Women's Circles.
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Doing the Most Good Group
Monday, February 20, 7pm
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How can each one of us and our community maximize the impact of our charitable donations? Join Doing the Most Good Group as we discuss the practical strategies offered in Part II of the book, "Reinventing Philanthropy: A Framework for More Effective Giving." Reading is strongly encouraged but not mandatory to attend.
Please join us. Newcomers are welcome!
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Night Out With Rainbow Alliance
Friday, Feb. 10, 6pm at Hamburger Mary's
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Feel like a night out with friends? Join UCE's Rainbow Alliance for a meal in Andersonville at Hamburger Mary's on Clark St. All are welcome. Let one of us know you are coming so we can reserve a space big enough for all of us!
Shirley Adams or
Jeanne Kerl or
Sally Parsons can take your 'reservation'. Family friendly. No agenda except connecting and relaxing.
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One Book, One Church
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 Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankin "throws a Molotov cocktail at the notion that a reduction of injustice is the same as freedom." (NY Times) This book length poem about race and the imagination is the chosen book for our coming discussions. Called one of the best books of the year, you will not want to miss one of the discussions on February 25 - 9:30am, March 5 - 12:30pm, or March 26 - 12:30pm. You can find the book at Book H.
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Women Making Change
Saturday, March 25, 6pm
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Save the Date! Let's celebrate Women's History Month with dinner, conversation and a question: What can we learn from the stories of black women in Evanston about the way forward? Speakers will include Dr. Cheryl Johnson-Odim, Morris (Dino) Robinson, Joanne Avery, Karli Butler and others. Sponsors include Shorefront Legacy Center, YWCA Evanston-Northshore and the Unitarian Church of Evanston (where the event will be held). All are welcome, details to follow.
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Congregational Relations Team
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A reminder that the UCE Congregational Relations Team (CRT) is available to assist members of the UCE community who find themselves in conflict or struggling with relationship difficulties. within the church community. We recognize that passionate community involvement can sometimes lead to conflict or interpersonal challenges 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, (co-chair), Jim Clark, Jean Durkin, Carla Leone-Sands (co-chair), and Mike Takada. Feel free to contact any member of the team to request assistance - contact info is available on the members only section of the website or from the church office.
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Composting at UCE
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You may have noticed and wondered about the two green containers at the southeast corner of our church parking lot. They are vital links in UCE's commitment to caring for our green planet by diverting waste from our landfills.
You can easily become a part of this commitment for a small annual contribution of $60 per person (up to a $180 maximum per household). If you are interested in joining this movement, contact the church office (by mail or in person), or fill out this form and email it to Carli Magel, or return it to the church office. For an additional $10, we will provide you with your very own kitchen counter composting bucket. (Plastic bags are not acceptable containers because they are not compostable.)
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Compost Program Coordinator John LaPlante at church or through the church office.
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Building Up Community Tearing Down Walls: A Celebration of UUPMI
Saturday, February 18, 7pm at UCE
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Spend an evening celebrating with the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois! It's been a powerful year as we've gotten this organization off the ground. We want to celebrate all the love, time, material resources, compassion, and faith that so many people have put into this project.
People of all ages are welcome. There will not be childcare. Suggested donation of $25 but no one turned away because of lack of funds. Spread the word! Bring your friends and fellow congregants! Contact Doug Erickson or Dale Griffin. Click here for more information.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Saturday, February 11, 6:00pm
Rosemary Zwick Night of the Arts
Sunday, February 12, 12:30pm
Denominational Affairs Program
Monday, February 13, 7:00pm
Women's Circles Open Meeting
Tuesdays, Feb. 7-28, 7pm
Yoga off the Mat
Monday, Feb. 20, 7:00pm
Doing the Most Good Group
Saturday, Feb. 25, 9:30am
One Book, One Church
Saturday, February 25, 6:30pm
UCE's Got Talent
Tuesday, February 28, 5:00pm
Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women
Sunday, March 5, 12:30pm
One Book, One Church
Tuesday, March 7, 7pm
Caregiver Support Group Exploratory Meeting
Saturday, March 25, 6:00pm
Women Making Change
Sunday, March 26, 12:30pm
One Book, One Church
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
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Save the Date!
Put a big circle around
May 5th and May 6th
When our RUMMAGE SALE will astound!
It's never too early
to start organizing things,
so for set-up week
find those treasures you'll bring!
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Hosted by State Senator Daniel Biss, State Rep. Robyn Gabel, State Rep. Laura Fine, and the Unitarian Church of Evanston
Monday, February 27, 7:00pm
Doors open at 6:30pm
Learn about the biggest concerns, challenges and threats to civil liberties and what you can do to protect your rights in a discussion with the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, ICIRR, and Equality Illinois.
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Fiction Book Group
Friday, February 17, 7:30pm
We will read and discuss
October Light by John Gardner.
All are welcome to join the gathering.
Non-Fiction Book Group
Sunday, February 26, 12:30pm
We will read and discuss The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement, by William J. Barber II, and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove.
Rev. Barber participated in the 2016 General Assembly and has a strong message for UU's. All are welcome to join the discussion.
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UU Identity Discussions
Continued learning opportunities offered monthly by the New Member Committee; open to all who want to better understand what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, no matter where you are on the membership journey:
Principles and Sources Class
1st Sundays 10:15 - 11am
Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or you would like to better understand the seven principles and six sources of our faith, join us for this rich 45-minute discussion led by members of the New Member Committee. We
'
ll use thought provoking metaphors to dive deeper into the foundations of being a UU.
Next Principles & Sources Class: March 5 between services.
Spiritual Journeys -
a 3-part conversation
2nd, 3rd, 4th Sundays
at 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. You can participate in any one or all three in any order.
Next Spiritual Journeys Sessions: 2/12, 2/19, 2/26.
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Upcoming Membership Classes
For those who are thinking about becoming a member of the church.
Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, Feb. 19,
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
Sat. March 25, 9am - 12pm
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. There will be childcare available upon request in advance for both of these classes.
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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.
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Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
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Quick Links
(protected documents)
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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.
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