A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Join us for worship and religious education!  Services and activities for children take place on Sunday morning at 10:00am during the summer.
The UCE Office will be closed on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. 
The building will be open the evening of Monday, July 3 for scheduled meetings.
June 30, 2017
Sunday, July 2
Worship Service  -  10:00am
"Radical Hospitality Revisited"
In 2008, Rev. David Pyle and I preached a sermon together on Radical Hospitality, which has become a catch phrase as well as a spiritual practice we strive for as Unitarian Universalists. As the need for true inclusiveness becomes more urgent and as cities and schools become sanctuaries, how do we, as a religious community, move beyond hospitality toward greater inclusion and a deeper sense of belonging? Rev. Eileen Wiviott speaking.

Children in kindergarten through sixth grade will begin in the sanctuary, then go downstairs to room 5 for activities. Childcare for infants, toddlers and preschoolers will be available from 9:30-11:30am. 
 
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
11:10pm-11:30am
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 11:10am and 11:30am 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 -  9:00am
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
Rev. Connie Grant
Farewell

Thank you so much for the words, music, and gifts you have given me-not only as part of the amazing farewell festivities as I depart, but throughout our nine years together.  It is deeply moving to me to know some of the ways I've made a difference in your lives, as you have made a difference in mine.

These days I'm reminding myself of a story that I told the search committee that brought me to Evanston nine years ago:

There once was a town where an old woman used to sit by the side of the road outside the city gates.  A traveler came down the road and said to the old woman, "I'm looking for a new place to live.  Can you tell me what things are like in this town?"  And the old woman said to the traveler, "First, tell me what things are like in the town that you come from."  The traveler replied, "The people there are rude, unhelpful, unfriendly, and stingy."   And the old woman replied, "I think you'll find people here to be much the same."  And the traveler continued on. Click here to read more.
Please search your shelves, bedside tables, car trunks, and wherever else a book from the Racial Equity Lending Library (outside the office) may be hiding and forgotten!  ( Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Alice Walker's The Color Purple are notable examples.)

You  can find a complete list of the books that are not checked out, but are missing, in the sign-out book on the cart. Please cross off the name of the book as you return it  - and then sign out another for your summer reading edification!
It's a sad time right now at UCE as we have lost some beloved members of our community.  We usually gather as a church to celebrate the lives of our departed members. One way to express appreciation is to participate in the reception by helping or bringing food. Sign up to volunteer for the memorial service for  Charlie Rey - Saturday, July 15, 2pm.
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 Jeanne Kerl 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 Jeanne Kerl
Are you a frustrated musician who can't play an instrument or carry a tune, but you love music? Consider joining the UCE Music Committee which works with our Music Director Vickie Hellyer on our ongoing music program. We meet once a month to review past programs and plan upcoming events such as the Coffee House and special music programs. If you are interested contact Robb Geiger or Lynn Kendall, our committee co-chairs.
Joys and Sorrows - do you have something you would like to share with the congregation during the joys and sorrows time of our worship service? Please write it in the book (small, black journal) found on the table along the back wall of the sanctuary (to the right as you walk in). Your joy or sorrow will be read by the minister or worship associate and will be included in the following newsletter. There is also a binder of recent joys and sorrows kept at the table for you to see when you are at church.
 
Nametags - if you are just getting acquainted with us and haven't gotten a nametag yet, please stop by the Guest and Member Services table in the lobby. If you sign our guest registry, you will receive a nametag on the newcomer board. After the service, please drop your nametag back in the basket rather than pinning it back on the board. Thanks and Welcome!
 
Caring Concerns - are you having surgery or a baby? Would you like a meal as you recuperate? Do you need a ride to an appointment? Let us know. The Caring Program helps us care for each other by providing practical assistance to people in our congregation who are experiencing life changes and challenges. Contact Lois Taft if you would like to volunteer for the Caring Program or if you have a need that the Caring Program can help you with.
 
Rainbow Sticker and Gender Pronouns for your nametag. Rainbow stickers on our nametags show support for and alliance with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in our congregation and beyond our walls. Stop by the Guest and Member Services table and pick one up. Everyone is encouraged to add a purple pronoun tag on your nametag. This is a way to honor each person's individual gender expression. These are found by the nametag board. All are encouraged to participate in celebrating our Welcoming Congregation in this way.
 
Flowers and Chalice - Do you have a special occasion that you would like to mark or someone you'd like to honor? Consider bringing flowers and lighting our chalice during the worship service. You can sign up on the bulletin board in the lobby, on our website, or by contacting Carli Magel in the church office cmagel@ucevanston.org.
If you are wondering about covenant groups and want to learn more, stop by the information tables at coffee hour (we have treats!) to talk with covenant group facilitators and members about their experiences. A covenant group could be a part of your monthly spiritual practice. Contact Rev. Eileen Wiviott for more information. 
Don't forget to sign up for the Fall Weekend as soon as possible! We need to submit a count of how many rooms are needed by July 24. You will need to submit a $100 deposit when you sign up with the balance paid no later than August 20 (firm).  However, because of the early count needed, if you're not ready to give a deposit, please at least let us know that you are seriously planning to come so we can add you to the count.  We have rooms in Lakefront 8 (single queen beds only) and in Winston Paul. 

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.  Sign up now by emailing Peggy Boccard, or watch for a display in the back of the Sanctuary on Sundays.
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.
Upcoming UCE Events

Sept. 22 - Sept. 24
Lake Geneva Fall Retreat


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
 
Yoga at UCE


Join us every Sunday at 9:00am 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.

The Unveiled Voices Project presents

In a Persian Garden: The Life of Liza Lehmann

A Song-Cycle for Four Solo Voices (Soprano, Contralto, Tenor & Bass)

Friday, July 7, 7:30pm at UCE


Featuring Carl Alexander (Soprano), Matthew Truss (Contralto), Henry Pleas III (Tenor), Vince Wallace (Bass), Charles Thomas Hayes (Pianoforte).
UCE Facebook Groups
Did you know that, in addition to the UCE Facebook Page, there are two UCE groups that members can join - the UCE Member to Member 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.
Opportunities
 for Spiritual Practice

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. Eileen Wiviott will have 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@hotmail.com, or via phone at (847) 864-1330 x111 (office), or (224) 565-3952 (cell).
| 847-864-1330 | uce@ucevanston.org | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201