UPCOMING SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES  
10:15 AM in Sanctuary
Sunday, February 25, 2018
“Confronting Conformity”
YRUU Group

In this eagerly awaited annual service, our high school youth emerge from the basement and lead our service. Want to find renewed hope for the future? Don't miss this service.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
“Living the Gift: Sacred Economics”
Rev. Florence Caplow

Every day we encounter economic ideas that we take for granted. But are these ideas accurate? Are they life-sustaining? Do they lead to a future we want? On our “Pledge Sunday” (the Sunday when all pledges to support UUCUC for the next year will be turned in – we hope!) let’s explore, with a playful spirit, some alternative ideas about what makes the world go ‘round. The UUCUC choir will be singing.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Bookmark our UUCUC Events webpage for future reference.
Join us at the next UU Happy Hour Tonight at Pizza M. Come anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 pm to get together, chat, and relax. Pizza M is located at 208 W Main St and is owned by a fellow UU!  For more information about the Happy Hour Group contact Russ Rybicki at russadr@fastmail.fm.
Did you know that the church has an endowment fund? Are you interested in how we, as individuals but especially as a congregation, can invest our money in ways that are financially wise, but are also in alignment with our values? 

The Socially Responsible Investment Task Force informally began in summer of 2017, and received an official Task Force designation in December. We are proposing guidelines to help the church invest our endowment in accordance with UU Principles. An amendment to the church bylaws will be voted on at the 2018 Annual Meeting, and we want your input! The Task Force is hosting three information sessions for you to come learn about the proposed amendment and guidelines, provide feedback, and ask questions. 

The sessions will be held Sunday, February 25th and Sunday, March 11th, 12-1pm in the Children’s Chapel; and Thursday, March 1st, 7-8pm at the home of Pam and Lan Richart ( 919 W University Ave. in Champaign). Contact SRI Task Force Chair Lan Richart ( lrichart@ecojusticecollaborative.org) with questions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ready to pledge your support for our wonderful church community for the 2018-2019 church year? You can do so in three ways: online at uucuc.org/give, mail your paper pledge form to church, or bring your pledge form to the Stewardship table in Fellowship Hall on Sunday. Be sure to get your pledge in by Pledge Sunday, March 4, 2018. Make your pledge, then add your name to the Giving Tree in Fellowship Hall this Sunday!
Sign-Up Now for Newly Forming New Member Covenant Group
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Join other new members (or those contemplating membership) in our church community as we form our second  New Member Covenant Group  to foster sharing, community and growth as a foundation for involvement at Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign. 
 
Our New Member Covenant Group will:
 
  • Include a maximum of 8-10 people.
  • Meet every other Thursday (March 1,15 & 29; April 12 & 26 and May 10) from 7-8:30 pm in the church Library.
  • Provide opportunity to deepen our understanding of Unitarian Universalism.
  • Provide a safe and supportive space to reflect on and discuss issues relevant to new members to our church community.
  • Provide framework to create, foster and support deepening our ties to the church and to each other. 

If you're ready to make the commitment and reap the rewards of being a part of this New Member Covenant Group, email Membership Coordinator,  Sherry Bohlen .
Our Minister in the News

The News-Gazette ran a story last week about thirty-one local women in ministry and faith leadership, including our minister, Rev. Florence Caplow. The leaders drafted and signed a "Declaration Against Hate, Violence, and Injustice." Read tthe story can be read online. Click to read the full declaration. 

We will have opportunities, over the next few weeks, to sign on to the declaration in support. Watch for announcements!
Your church Finance Committee has a lot on its plate for Spring. Your help would be greatly appreciated. If any of the following buzzwords are important or interesting to you, please join us at our  next meeting Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Contact Amy Robison (217) 398-6154 or finsec@uucuc.org for more information. 

Budget Priorities, Mortgage Refinancing, Responsible Investing, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Employee Benefits, Health Insurance, Banking options, Cash Flow, Contracts and Leases.
New Covenant Group Forming: Loss of Life Partner Covenant Group.

This new group will begin meeting on February 24th, and will meet on 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 11 am to 12:30 pm through the spring, and possibly beyond. This group is for those whose life partner has passed away, and is an opportunity for deep sharing and listening, within the structure of a facilitated small group. The group is open to new people, both members and non-members of UUCUC, but it is requested that all who decide to be part of the group make a commitment to continue at least through the spring, so that a sense of trust and community can develop. For questions and to request joining, please email Rev. Florence.
Housing & Community: Can we make it happen in Urbana? Do you long for housing rich with a sense of community? Cohousing blends the privacy of single-family homes with a value for social interactions and shared resources. Communities include a common house or gathering space for shared meals and events. The potential for aging in place and shared child & pet care are tremendous.  

There are 150 established communities in the US and many more forming, with styles unique to each group.   More on cohousing.

We are interested in exploring the potential for a cohousing group here. If you'd like to be part of an initial conversation, email  Betsy Hunter.
CARE CORE NEWS
Joys and Sorrows

Julie Laut and others - Sorrow and anger in the wake of yet another school shooting. And pride in witnessing the activism of the students and their call for "Not One More".

Kathy Robinson - My husband, Howie, has moved back to Champaign-Urbana from his former post at Brookhaven National Lab, and just in time to hear Laura present her reflection today.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
Did you know that the church has an endowment fund? Are you interested in how we, as individuals but especially as a congregation, can invest our money in ways that are financially wise, but are also in alignment with our values? The Socially Responsible Investment Task Force informally began in summer of 2017, and received an official Task Force designation in December. We are proposing guidelines to help the church invest our endowment in accordance with UU Principles. An amendment to the church bylaws will be voted on at the 2018 Annual Meeting, and we want your input! 

The Task Force is hosting three information sessions for you to come learn about the proposed amendment and guidelines, provide feedback, and ask questions. The sessions will be held this Sunday, February 25 th and Sunday, March 11 th, 12-1pm in the Children’s Chapel; and Thursday, March 1 st, 7-8pm at the home of Pam and Lan Richart ( 919 W University Ave. in Champaign). Contact SRI Task Force Chair Lan Richart ( lrichart@ecojusticecollaborative.org) with questions.
The Shared Offering recipient of all designated funds and half of the plate cash collection in February is the East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center (ECIRMAC). In response to the growing diversity of our Champaign-Urbana (CU) community comes a heightened responsibility for us all to ensure every family feels welcome as they acclimate to life in our community. Refugees and immigrant families turn to the Refugee Center to help them to navigate the often arduous process of resettlement. In the last fiscal year, ECIRMAC served 1,400 individuals with a variety of services.
Supporting the GEO: The Graduate Employees Organization at UIUC is going on strike on Monday, February 26 th if the university’s bargaining team does not offer a fair contract for its members. If this happens, the GEO could use your help! The Channing Murray Foundation will be providing meals to the picketers for the duration of the strike. You can donate any food items or help prepare food for the picketers while they walk the picket line. You can sign up in Fellowship Hall at the SAC table this Sunday or email Amanda Owings directly at amandaowings@gmail.com.
Volunteer Help Needed: Social Action Committee and CU Friends and Allies of Immigrants and Refugees (CUFAIR) will be co-hosting a general membership meeting at UUCUC on February 27 from 6-7:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. We are a sparse leadership team at present and would appreciate 2 volunteers from 5:30 to 6:30 to let people in the building and set up snacks. Contact Pat Nolan if you can help: pnolan96@aol.com
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) NEWS
RE Volunteers Needed!

With Cindy's leaving, we are going to need your help! There are some one-time events this spring that could use some volunteer coordination (you won't be expected to do all the work - merely to help coordinate). If helping with any of these appeals to you, please get in touch with Rev. Florence as soon as possible. She will be infinitely grateful to you. 

  1. Help plan Easter Egg Hunt on April 1.
  2. Help with an all-ages craft project during service on March 25th.
  3. Help plan Summer Service RE - sign-ups for teachers, organizing curriculum.
  4. Make sure there are coloring pages and supplies in the sanctuary each Sunday.
  5. Help with Teacher Appreciation in May.
UUCUC Mindfulness Meditation Group - Join fellow UU's in a mindfulness mediation practice before worship service on Sundays ( detailed schedule) in the YRUU room. As always, the door will be left slightly open so that late arrivals can enter quietly.
CHURCH CALENDAR
Dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit our UUCUC Calendar page .

Note: Parenthesised meetings/events are outside rentals. Asterisk meetings/events are closed.
Thursday, February 22
Meditation Class with Rev. Florence / 4:30 pm / Channing-Murray
(Rental: Many Paths: an Agnostic AA) / 6:00 pm / Classroom #1
*New Member Covenant / 7:00 pm / Library

Friday, February 23
Moving Forward Divorce/Separation Group / 3:30 pm / YRUU Classroom

Saturday, February 24
RE Advisory Team / 9:30 am / Classroom #1
UU Band & CrUUners Rehearsal / 10:00 am / Sanctuary
Loss of Life Partner Covenant Group / 11:00 am / Library
Youth Group Rehearsal / 2:00 pm / Sanctuary
(Rental: Many Paths: an Agnostic AA Group) / 4:30 pm / Classroom #1

Sunday, February 25
Racial Justice Initiative Meeting / 9:00 am / Library
Children's Choir Rehearsal / 9:15 am / Classroom #1
Mindful Meditation Group / 9:20 am / YRUU Classroom
Worship Service / 10:15 am / Sanctuary
Adult Discussion Group / 11:30 am / Library 
Young Adult Group / 11:30 am / Table in Fellowship Hall
Social Responsible Investment Info Session / Noon / Children's Chapel

Monday, February 26
Bridge Group / 1:00 pm / Children's Chapel

Tuesday, February 27
(Rental: CUFAIR Membership Meeting) / 6:00 pm / Fellowship Hall
Board of Trustees Study Session / 7:00 pm / Library

Wednesday, February 28
eNews & OOS content is due to pubs@uucuc.org by noon
CrUUners Rehearsal / 6:00 pm / Sanctuary 
Adult Choir Rehearsal / 7:00 pm / Sanctuary

Thursday, March 1
Meditation Class with Rev. Florence / 4:30 pm / Channing-Murray
(Rental: Many Paths: an Agnostic AA) / 6:00 pm / Classroom #1
*New Member Covenant Group (Group Two) / 7:00 pm / Library
Social Responsible Investment Info Session / 7:00 pm / Pam & Lan's Richart's Home
Upcoming Publications - Mark Your Calendars!
Next eNews: March 1
Deadline for content: Wednesday,
February 28 by Noon (or earlier)
April 2018 Uniter: March 30
Deadline for content: Wednesday, March 21 by Noon (or earlier)
UUCUC Contact Information
Church Office
(217) 384-8862
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