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Sunday, June 4
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"A Love Supreme" and the theology of John Coltrane
John Coltrane's masterpiece is a fixture in the jazz canon, but also a tale of transcendence. Through the lens of "A Love Supreme" and its creation, there are lessons of healing and meaning relevant for today. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
Religious Education
This week our "Monarch" (pre-school), "Dolphin" (kindergarten-first-second grade), and "Bluegills" (third-fourth-fifth grade) classes will meet from 9:15-10:30 and 11:00-12:15. Monarchs, Dolphins, and Bluegills all begin in the sanctuary for the first part of the worship service before going to classes. The "Popcorn" (sixth-seventh-eighth grade) class will begin at 11:00 this week. The Senior High youth group meets at 11:00. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers is available from 9:00-12:30. This will be our last Sunday before transitioning to the one-service summer schedule.
3rd-4th-5th Graders Selling Vegetarian Cookbook
Our Bluegills (3rd-4th-5th grade) class is selling a vegetarian cookbook after services with favorite family-friendly recipes from the UCE congregation. Only $5 per copy, with profits going to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Our class learned this year about how it takes roughly 12 times the land, water and energy resources to raise one pound of meat protein compared to one pound of soy protein. Mindful of our 7th Principle, we hope this cookbook will encourage us all to cook more yummy vegetarian meals.
Senior High Youth Group Collecting Books for Books First
Books First is an organization that collect books, Pre-K through eighth grade, for Chicago public schools that don't have libraries. Please bring any books that you are donating to the tables at the back of the sanctuary on June 4 and June 11. We will be accepting books after each service. Thank you for your contribution.
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"The Joys and Crazy-Making Problems of Public Education in America"
Building on participants' own memories of school experiences, I will outline some of the strengths and challenges for American public education. For many years I've promoted and written about writing instruction, restorative justice, and now civic engagement in schools. I'll share a bit about the good and the ugly that I've seen - though with no silver-bullet answers to the problems. Discussion Leader: Steve Zemelman
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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June 11, 2017 - 10:00am
"Not the End of the Story"
A favorite story and some parting thoughts. A worship service for all ages. Rev. Connie Grant speaking.
The service will also include recognition of religious education teachers and graduates as well as gratitude to Rev. Connie for nine years with our congregation.
June 18, 2017 - 10:00am
"Forward Together"
The ground has shifted under our feet, but our destination remains the same: Beloved Community. How do we move forward when the world seems to be going the other direction? Rev. Scott Aaseng speaking.
June 25, 2017, 10:00am
"Courage!"
In this time when our nation seems going backwards and the forces of reaction growing ever stronger, courage is definitely needed. But where can we get courage, when things seem pretty hopeless? This sermon will draw upon some of the great discussions of courage in the traditions of the world, Plato, Aristotle, the Bhagavad Gita, the way of Bushido, and Thich Nhat Hanh for the insights they can give us for the courage needed for these days. Rev. Dr. Jerome Stone speaking.
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Join in celebrating at the Annual Church Picnic Potluck Sunday, June 11 at 11am.
(We move to one service at 10am that Sunday.) Please bring a dish to share
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a salad, side, or dessert
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as we celebrate the end of the church year, and say goodbye to Rev. Connie. The meat and meatless options will be provided. Please sign up to help set up, clean up or grill here.
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Come join in the fun and celebration as we say goodbye to Connie on
Saturday, June 10, 5:00-8:00pm. Let the office know if you're planning to attend
(847-864-1330) or RSVP at this Evite link:
http://evite.me/aHxXhuyP8h.
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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. June meeting dates are June 13 and June 27 from 7:30-9:00pm at UCE. If you have questions, please contact
Renee Hoff or
Joyce Lofstrom.
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If you are in your 30's - 50's, with kids or without, join us for a casual gathering, with light refreshments (bring a healthy snack to share if you can) and meaningful conversation. 343 Washington Ave., Wilmette. To RSVP, contact Eileen Wiviott.
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Rev. Scott Aaseng has helped UCE to be more effective in our social justice organizing. One of the many great things is the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois Action of the Week. This a well-curated list of easy actions for almost anyone to take, including letters to legislators on key issues that you may or may not be aware of. If you'd like a way to keep learning and acting on your values, Here's a link to sign up for the UUANI Actions of the Week.
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Join us for Dances of Universal Peace after the church picnic! We will be celebrating summer solstice.
Dances of Universal Peace bring people together in joyous and meditative dance circles. The dances are easy to learn and open to all. We join our voices in singing sacred phrases from many spiritual traditions while moving rhythmically to simple circle dances and walking meditations. We use breath to cultivate body awareness to free the voice and deepen in silence. You are invited to come sing, chant, walk and dance for peace. Bring a friend along. Dress comfortably.
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Did you say "Lake Geneva" Fall Retreat? Yes, I did! We're going back to George Williams College this year.
The facility has been extensively refurbished, and we've got many of our favorite places, Lakefront 8, Mable Cratty Hall and several rooms in Winston Paul. Our meals will be served in the Chapin Dining Hall, with seating in the Executive Dining room.
Although the prices this year are somewhat higher than they have been in the past few years, this is for the entire weekend and includes all meals and activities. The charge for the whole weekend for a double room will be $320 per person and for a single room will be $405 per person. Click here to read more.
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Potluck begins at 5:30, meeting begins at 6:30. Bring your suggestions, complaints, affirmations.....and a dish to share! Everyone is invited no matter how large or small a part you played.
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We invite you to submit nominations for UCE's shared offering recipients for the 2017-18 year starting in September. At the August meeting of the Social Justice Council, charitable 501c(3) organizations with which our members have a relationship and that align with our UU values will be chosen from the nominees. Please submit a Nomination Form to
Eileen Wiviott by July 31. The form must be submitted electronically as we have to make packets of the nomination forms for the Social Justice Council's consideration. You do not have to make a PDF document.
The form is in Word and can be easily completed and attached to an email. Please be aware that there are additional responsibilities for nominees this year. They are outlined on the Nomination Form. If you have questions, please contact
Eileen Wiviott.
Click here for the form.
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Non-fiction book group has rescheduled their meeting to Sunday, July 23 at 11:30am.
We will be discussing
The South Side: a Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation
by Natalie Moore.
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Join the Rainbow Alliance for a night of Bingo Fun hosted by the campy Miss Foozie. A $20 ticket gets you dinner, drinks, and bingo cards. This is a fundraiser for the Transformative Justice Law Project, folks who provide legal aid and resources to low-income and street-based transgender and gender non-conforming people as well as folks coming out of the prison system.
For 21 & up, childcare will be provided.
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Only about a month remains to sign up for the annual Fathers Day Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate, which honors the beloved Northwestern University men's basketball coach who was murdered by a white supremacist.
All proceeds from the Race Against Hate benefit YWCA Evanston/North Shore, in particular its racial justice programming and violence prevention education for young people. For information about YWCA Evanston/North Shore and its programs, you can visit
www.ywca.org/evanston. There, you can register to run or walk (be sure to specify the UCE team) or to donate or volunteer before or during the event.
If you can't run or walk, talk with
Martha Holman about volunteering at the UCE tent. See you all on June 18!
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If you have an idea for an Adult Religious Education class or workshop that you'd like to present in the upcoming church year, please contact one of the the Learning Associates -
Bill Irons,
Dick Whitaker,
Dan Solomon,
Tom Ticknor or
Julia Takarada.
In your proposal, please include: presenter(s) name(s) and brief bio(s); a catchy title; and a description of your proposed topic (and why it's relevant). Also, please let one of the Learning Associates know if you are interested in being part of the team to help plan and implement adult religious education programming.
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Standdown is a VA sponsored event that provides fresh clothing hot meals, medical attention, counseling and comfort for the many indigent and homeless Vets. It is an easy way to honor the sacrifices and service Vets have made for our country. Summer Standdown is at General Jones Armory, 5200 Cottage Grove. For carpooling from UCE,
contact Gary Zacny.
Volunteers are always needed to organize and distribute clothing as well as visit with the Vets.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Saturday, June 3, 6:30pm
Bingo Night Sponsored by Rainbow Alliance
Tuesdays, June 6, 13 and 20, 7:00pm
Black America Since MLK - And I Still Rise
Tuesday, June 6, 5:30pm
Rummage Sale Wrap Up/Potluck
Sunday, June 11, 11am
Church Picnic/Potluck
Sunday, June 11, 1:00pm
Dances of Universal Peace
Sept. 22 - Sept. 24
Lake Geneva Fall Retreat
Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions and Recovery Group
Sunday Mornings, 8:15am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga
Saturdays at 10:00am
Open Drumming Circles
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Intro to UU Postponed
Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, the Intro to UU class this Sunday (June 4) will be postponed until August. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Membership Director, Eileen Wiviott or Rev. Bret Lortie if you have any questions in the meantime about UCE.
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2017 Garden Swap was a Success!
Rain came pretty much from 4pm on. The Plants LOVED IT! The gardeners who came brought items and left with plants to grow. For 10 years we have had very little rain and we have never planned a rain date. We made the BEST of it!
Thanks to everyone who made this event special this year. We look forward to next year. Thanks to UCE!
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Black America Since MLK
And I Still Rise
Tuesdays, May 30, June 6, 13, 20, 7-9pm
Each evening will cover a separate time span in American history over the past several decades. Each segment reminds us of the particular struggles that have shaped our current reality. Much of this we never learned, or remember very differently. Join us for the film, a discussion, and free popcorn!
Click here for more information
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UCE Facebook Groups
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.
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Girls Night Out
There are a few spaces left for Girls Night Out on Friday, June 9 at UCE at 6pm. Drinks and appetizers on the south lawn, followed by a delicious buffet dinner and desserts.
This annual auction event sold for $40 a person this year, and all the women who come - young and old, tall and short, curly or straight hair - all love the fun event 'cuz we get to just chill and chat and chew (and maybe sip). It's a good evening for visiting with friends old and new. If you want to join us you can still buy a seat. Just contact
Martha Holman.
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UCE Food with Spirit Group
Thursdays, June 15 and 29
5:30pm at UCE
Do you have a complicated relationship with food? Join us to discuss nutrition, eating patterns, emotional triggers, recipes, or whatever comes up among the group members.
We have read a couple of helpful books together recently. Talk to
Noel Yovovich or
Shirley Adams if you want to know more. All are welcome.
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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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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
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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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Quick Links
(protected documents)
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