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.
August 25, 2017
Sunday, August 27
Worship Service  -  10:00am
"Tools for the Work of Our Hands "
Complex identities sometimes make it feel dangerous to move through the world authentically. But that very complexity can also prove an invaluable tool in our struggle for a more just world. Mandie McGlynn 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. 

Help the Rainbow Alliance Decorate Birthday Cards after the service
We'll be at the back of the sanctuary in the Social Justice corner making birthday cards for LGBTQ incarcerated folks who are members of Black & Pink. We would love to have you join us.  And if you have extra birthday cards at home to donate or you'd like to donate stamps, please stop by our table with those items. also. Black and Pink's main expense is postage.

Nonfiction Book Group - 11:30am
We'll be choosing the books we'll be reading and discussing at our monthly meetings this coming church year. We need your ideas about topics that are important to you as we select a variety of books that we hope will represent the passions of the UCE community. We'll have copies of some books to peruse and we'll also consider other titles suggested by participants today. We hope you can join us.
 
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. Eileen Wiviott
Rev. Bret and I were very sorry to miss the Service of Lament and Hope held at Second Baptist Church last Thursday, a vigil responding to the events in Charlottesville. We each had prior commitments that we were unable to break. We are grateful that several members of our church were able to be there to contribute to the vital show of support and solidarity. I understand that it was a beautiful and inspiring event with such a tremendous response that people were turned away. I read, with deep appreciation, Rabbi Andrea London's words and I felt love and gratitude for this community. Click here to read more.
Do you sing? play an instrument? dance or choreograph? Are you a visual artist of any stripe or medium? Can you read a storybook or spin a great yarn? Do you do spoken word, improv, stand-up, reader's theater? Have you done Shakespeare in the Park - or in your living room?
 
Mary Shelden, your new Director of Lifespan Religious Education, is looking to recruit talent, to be deployed during the Message for All Ages during the weekly service, or periodically for special sessions of Children and Youth Religious Education. If you have a skill or talent you'd be willing to share to enrich our worship and RE programs, she'd like to know about it! Two ways of alerting Mary about your talent:
  1. (Preferred): Pick up a Talent Report Form from the RE bulletin board in the front foyer hallway, and slip it into Mary's mailbox in the UCE office - or under the office door, if the office is closed;
  2. Send an email to [email protected], and let Mary know about what talent(s) you 'd be willing to share.
Please sign up to help with the soup kitchen Monday, August 28. We will prepare and distribute sack lunches at Second Baptist Church (1717 Benson Street - next to the Evanston Athletic Club). We need people to donate supplies as well as to make sandwiches. Here is the link to the sign up sheet. 

If you have any questions, please contact Winnie Stevenson
Ellen Rieger will be facilitating a grief group for the church community beginning September 18 at 6:30pm. The group will meet every other Monday from September 18 through November 3. Anyone who has had a loss is welcome to attend. For further information please contact Ellen. 
The Moral Arc: What Say You?
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Facilitated by John Tobin

Great American Freethinkers: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass
November 7, 14
Facilitated by Rev. Jerome Stone

The New Testament for UU's
November 28; December 5, 12, 19
Facilitated by Amy Pooley

Click here for detailed descriptions and to sign up for any of these classes.
On Thursday, August 31, from 7:15-8:45pm, Vickie will be leading a rehearsal/discussion covering the basics of choral singing.  This is for people who wish to become more familiar with basic music terminology, basic music reading, and how to navigate your way through looking at a choral piece.

You are welcome to attend this whether or not you sing in the UCE choir.  If you are attending, please contact Vickie Hellyer so we can have enough materials for the class.

Expanded Choir for Ingathering 
All are welcome!

Have you wanted to sing in the choir but don't have the time to make the commitment? You are invited to join us in singing the choir pieces for our 11am Ingathering service on Sunday, September 10.

Simply attend the evening rehearsal on Thursday, September 7 at 7:15pm and the 9:30am rehearsal on Sunday, September 10, and then stay for the service and sing the Introit and the Anthem with the choir!


Got questions?  Contact UCE's Music Director, Vickie Hellyer.
You have heard about this small-group experience working on opening one's heart to the issues of race and white privilege.  Now this opportunity to do so in a covenant group format with a structured curriculum can be yours!  We are starting two groups at UCE with a kick-off retreat on Friday, September 22 6pm-9pm and Saturday, September 23 from 9:00am to 4pm at Countryside Church in Palatine. Following this opener led by Mark Hicks himself, there will be 8 more sessions that are two hours each.   Interested?  Contact Martha Holman.
If you are in a care-giving role of any sort, we invite you to drop in at the next Caregiver Support Group. Upcoming meetings are September 12 and September 26 at 7:30pm in Room 12.  If you have questions, please contact Joyce Lofstrom or Renee Hoff.
Open Communities will provide training to volunteer testers for their Fair Housing program at UCE on Saturday, August 26, 10am to 1pm, to include lunch and materials.  Other trainings will be available in the future.   "Testing" involves periodically (when asked and as possible for you) arranging to visit a housing unit for sale or rent and noting down everything that happens. Your experience will then be compared to that of a paired tester - who is the same as you except for race, ethnicity or disability status.  It is not glamorous, time consuming or difficult, but it can be really important in determining whether there is discrimination in housing opportunities.  Plus you get paid a stipend and travel expenses. To apply or learn more contact Maria Starck by August 23.  If you are interested but not available on the 26th, let Maria know so she'll keep you informed.
The gathering that was scheduled for this Saturday at Jenny Walsh's house has been postponed to Saturday, September 9. Here is the new evite: http://evite.me/sS8Fyc7JzQ. 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. We will have childcare on site to engage the children while the adults talk.
Are you looking for ways to take action or learn more about a social justice issue you care about? Are you trying to figure out how to join the social action and justice activities of the congregation? Come to the next Journeys to Justice session. This is a time for our social justice teams to showcase their work and let you know how you can get involved. All are welcome!
Upcoming UCE Events

Sunday, September 24, 12:30pm
Journeys to Justice

Sept. 22 - Sept. 24
Lake Geneva Fall Retreat

Tuesdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 7:00pm
The Moral Arc: What Say You?

Tuesdays, November 7, 14, 7:00pm
Great American Freethinkers: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass

Tuesdays, November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 7:00pm
The New Testament for UU's

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.

Sunday, August 27, 2:00pm
Solidarity Rally Against White Supremacy Rally at Federal Plaza

YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
Third Thursday of the Month 
Upcoming Membership Classes

Intro to Unitarian Universalism 
September 17, 2017, 
12:30 - 2:00 pm
An overview of our faith, led by Rev. Bret Lortie 

Orientation Toward Membership 
Saturday, September 9, 
9am - noon
Led by Assistant Minister, Rev. Eileen Wiviott. An interactive class exploring what it means to be a member of this congregation.

Sign up at the guest table in the lobby or email Rev. Eileen Wiviott at  [email protected]. Childcare available upon request for both of these classes.

*Our next New Member joining Sunday will be Sunday, September 10. If you have taken or will be taking the classes and would like to join the church on the 10th, please contact Rev. Eileen.
Things to Know About our Community

Interested in knowing more about UCE? How to submit something to Joys and Sorrows? How to get a nametag, or a rainbow or pronoun sticker for your nametag? Interested in bringing flowers and lighting the chalice on a Sunday? Click here for more information about our community!
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.

Add Your Photo to the Photo Member Directory

Remember that there is a directory of members that includes photos on our website. This is a password protected document. Contact the office if you don't know the password. If you would like to add your photo to the directory, or update your photo, please send  a photo to  Carli Magel , or let her know you'd like your picture taken on Sunday morning. 
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

Rev. Eileen Wiviott has 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 [email protected] , or via phone at (847) 864-1330 x111 (office), or (224) 565-3952 (cell).
UCE Board of Trustees meeting is held the third Wednesday of each month in Room 3. All members are welcome.
| 847-864-1330 | [email protected] | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201