A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Join us for worship and religious education at 9:15 and 11:00am on Sunday Morning!
November 10, 2017
Sunday, November 12
Worship Service  -  9:15 and 11:00am
"A Desire to Serve "
The grandfather of Ralph Waldo Emerson - the Rev. William Emerson, a Unitarian, - became the first recognized chaplain of the American Army as he ministered to Soldiers on the battlefield of Lexington and Concord, Mass., in April of 1775. The Unitarian Universalist Military Chaplain Corps now has more UU chaplains in uniform than in the history of our movement. UU military chaplains are resources to their chaplain colleagues; provide comfort and guidance to the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen they serve; and are reminders of the theological diversity within the ranks for all who seek the holy in its many forms. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.

This Sunday, the music will feature guest musician Henry Pleas. Henry H. Pleas, III  has appeared as leading tenor in operatic productions throughout the United States and Europe. He has appeared as soloist for Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Grand Rapids, Skylight Opera Theater, Chicago Opera Theater and South Shore Opera Company of Chicago. Click here to read more.

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 Start in the sanctuary for the first part of the worship service before going to classes. The sixth-seventh-eighth grade and senior high youth group meet from 11:00-12:15. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.

Connecting UU: a path to belonging at UCE 
10:15am in Room 12
These sessions are open to all, no matter where you are on the journey. Click here for more information on Connecting UU. 

Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"The Moral Foundations of Liberals/Progressives and Conservatives"
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt has studied morality around the world and finds empirically six moral foundations: care, fairness, loyalty, authority, sanctity and liberty. In surveying Liberals and Conservatives in the United States, he finds that Conservatives value all six ideas to a much greater extent than Liberals (Progressives), whose moral matrix consists primarily of care and fairness and much less on the other four. In brief: Conservatives have moral foundations which Liberals/Progressives may not even consider as moral issues. Does this framework provide for an understanding of some of the conflicts in America today? Discussion Leader: Jack Cooksey

Click here for information about upcoming crackerbarrel 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 -  9:30am
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
Sanctuary Resolution Q&A

The first of two Question & Answer sessions was held Sunday, November 5 to explain the proposed sanctuary resolution, which members will vote on December 17 at 10 a.m. The presentation was made by Eileen Wiviott, Assistant Minister, and members Dennis Wilson and Sally Parsons. Our senior minister, Bret Lortie, participated as well. Discussion began with Roberto Ramirez explaining his family's journey across the border from Mexico when he was a youngster. He had shared his immigration experience with our 3 rd - 5 th grade class that morning. The next Q&A session will be Wednesday, November 15 th at 7pm.

Upcoming Crackerbarrel Topics  crackerbarrel
Sunday, November 19, 2017, 9:30am
"Public Goods, Externalities & the Common Fields Problem"
Facilitated by Gordon Mallett & Scot Campbell
 
Sunday, November 26, 2017, 9:30am
"Thanksgiving"
Facilitated by Gordon Mallett

Sunday, December 3, 2017, 9:30am
"The Disappearing Middle Class"
Facilitated by Scot Campbell

Click here for descriptions of upcoming crackerbarrel topics.
Serendipity Auction
Tomorrow night at 5:30pm  auction
Serendipity is almost here!  We're excited about all the new offerings our members and local businesses have donated, and look forward to seeing you Saturday night starting at 5:30.  If you didn't make a reservation, no problem, you are still very welcome and we hope you come (adult dinner is $5 higher at the door).  Please bring your calendar-we have nearly 30 group events this year!  And please take a look at our Lodging Offerings here  and our Art Offerings here ahead of time and think about what might work for you.  Bring your checkbook to avoid a 3% credit card surcharge-but credit cards are welcome if you don't mind that extra fee. See you there!
Evanston Faith and community leaders have proposed a resolution to build solidarity and unity in response to the Trump administration's actions and intent to increase deportations, end DACA, ban immigrants from certain countries, and put many families at risk. Our congregation is being asked, along with other Evanston faith communities, to sign onto this resolution and commit to actions that promote welcome, inclusion and safety for those at risk. The congregational vote on this resolution will be Sunday, December 17, at 10 a.m. (voting members were sent an electronic notification of that meeting on Monday 10/30). A question and answer session will be held on November 15 at 7pm. Please join us. If you are unable to make it to this session and would like to speak to one of the ministers about the resolution, please contact us via email to set up a time to meet. Here is a link to the resolution.
Join Evanston Interfaith Clergy and Leaders, your Ministers, and many Evanston friends and allies at Lake Street Church on the Chicago Ave. yard. You'll hear diverse and inspiring speakers, live music, learn about the Evanston Sanctuary Community Resolution and opportunities for action. Sponsored by Evanston 4 All.
We are looking for volunteers to help at the Mitten Tree tables on Sundays and to work sorting, wrapping and delivery of gifts.  If you wish to volunteer please contact Aidan Strueber or sign up here. 

Mitten Tree Schedule:
Mitten Distribution on November 12, 19 and 26. Gifts are due on December 3 or before. We will sort the gifts the week of December 3 and they will be wrapped on December 10. Please plan to take a mitten and do your shopping before December 3. A reminder that all gifts must be new.

Organizations:
This year we are donating to Curt's Café South student interns and their children, Renaissance Social Services (LBGT clients), Residents of the Rice Center of Children's Home and Aid Society,  Hillside Food Pantry, Ajayi brothers, El Rescate-LBGTQ housing youth ages 18-24, The Vet Center, and UCE's Refugee family.

If you have questions about Mitten Tree please contact Carol Nielsen

Mark your calendar now to begin your planning for Guest At Your Table (GAYT) this year. An annual program of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), this program raises crucial funds for UU social justice work in the United States and around the world. The idea is take home a GAYT box and make a small daily contribution, an amount perhaps equal to what we would pay to host a guest at our dinner table. Click here to read more.
As we give thanks for our blessings in this season of abundance, our Sharing Bread event this year will focus on the idea of enough - that we have enough, that we are enough, that enough is as good as a feast. Please bring a loaf or other form of bread representing the traditions of your family, along with delicious accouterments: jam, honey, cheese, pickles, special butters - whatever you'd like to share with your bread. We'll share of a portion of the bread during worship, with a simple feast of bread and garnishments to follow.
Coming on Music Sunday, December 3, 2017
Many members and friends of UCE have made donations over the years for special purposes. These donations have been consolidated into a number of Dedicated Funds, including several especially intended to support Social Justice initiatives.
 
On December 3rd, following Music Sunday Services, the Social Justice Council and its associated teams will provide a Potluck and Raffle to help replenish three of the Dedicated Funds. Click here to read more.
Join us for Yoga on Sunday evenings! Jessica Tomell-Presto and Doug Erickson will offer yoga on Sunday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm on Sunday, November 19, December 3, and December 17 in Room 2 at UCE. Yoga is great for increasing flexibility, providing stress relief, and offering time for reflection. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica.
Join us in Room 3 on the 19th for a gathering of those interested and involved in social justice. We have many opportunities to engage in service, education, advocacy, witness, and community organizing on a number of different issues that challenge our progressive values, so many that it can be hard to know where to plug in. If you are interested in what's happening through the UCE Social Justice Council and want to discover where your passions and interests are needed, join us for an interactive reflection on our efforts toward creating a more just world. All are welcome!
You are cordially invited this year to join your UCE community for our annual Thanksgiving Day celebration!
 
This year we will again share our table with recruits from the Great Lakes Naval Base.    Come for breakfast at 9 or come for dinner at 3, come to share our wonderful UCE fellowship with some sailors far from home.
 
Opportunities for participation include contributing food, helping to prepare our meal, and hosting our guests.  You may sign up electronically by visiting our signup page  at "volunteer opportunities, " or sign up to host/bring food here, sign up to attend   here ,
UCE Military Bridge Builders
invites you to participate in Winter Chicago Standdown standdown
Held at the Northwest National Guard Armory on Thursday-Friday November 16-17, Standdown offers a day of hospitality and support to indigent and homeless vets, serving breakfast and lunch, offering health support, and distributing warm clothing, shoes, toiletries, sleeping bags and blankets .

You are invited to donate gently used winter-worthy clothing - especially jeans!  A box is in the lobby for that.

UCE Military Bridge Builders will coordinate a team to help out and welcomes your participation.  Click to sign up Thursday, 10-2pm and Friday, 8-noon. 
Great American Freethinkers: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass
Concludes Tuesday, November 14, 7:00pm  freethinkers
The past is relevant! It gives perspective to our present lives.  Frederick Douglass was a former slave, abolitionist, sometimes champion of women's rights, orator, and diplomat. He wrote an account of his experience of slavery, and escape. Suggested reading: The Portable Douglass; Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom; Douglass, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.  Elizabeth Cody Stanton was a champion of women's rights, and a long-time but contentious friend of Susan B. Anthony. She co-authored The Women's Bible, a major critique of the Scriptures. Suggested reading: Ellen Carol Dubois, The Elizabeth Cady Stanton-Susan B. Anthony Reader.  Facilitated by Rev. Jerome Stone, UCE's Affiliated Community Minister. Click here to sign up. 
Do you or someone you know come from a fundamentalist or otherwise authoritarian religious background? If you would like to talk about your experiences with others who understand, please join us at our discussion group. For more information, contact Taryn Nelson Seawright. 
The nonfiction book group will meet at 12:30pm on Sunday, December 3 to discuss A merican Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. 

Author Colin Woodard believes that eleven "nations" within North America have different historical roots and that there has never been one America. Rival regional cultures continue to uphold distinguishing ideals today, as can be seen in the U.S. Congress. Copies of the book are available at the Book H and at area libraries.
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 at 7:30pm at UCE. Questions?  Contact Joyce Lofstrom  or Renee Hoff .
Upcoming UCE Events

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

Saturday, November 11, 5:30pm
Serendipity Auction

Wednesday, November 15, 7pm
Evanston Sanctuary Community Resolution Q&A Sessions 

Sunday, November 19, 12:30pm
Journeys 2 Justice

Monday, November 20, 7pm
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil

Thursday, November 23
Thanksgiving with the Navy

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.

YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
Third Thursday of the Month 
Serendipity Auction

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Transgender Day of Remembrance 

A Candlelight Vigil and Communion of Light

November 20 at 7pm at UCE


Co-sponsored by UCE and the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches
Greenwood Group
Thurs., November 16, 7:30pm

UCE's personal investment club meets 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30pm. Meet with the club and learn how to value stocks for 5yr growth potential.

Throughout November we are collecting coffee, tea, and cocoa for the Interfaith Action Hospitality Center to serve during the cold winter months. Please place your donations in the Giving House box in the lobby.
Upcoming Membership Classes

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

Orientation Toward Membership 
Saturday, January 13
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.
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 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.

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 three UCE groups that members can join - the UCE Member to Member Group, the UCE Children and Youth Religious Education 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.
Connecting UU: a path to belonging at UCE

45 minute discussions; Sundays at 10:15 in Room 12
These sessions are open to all,
no matter where you are on the journey. 
Childcare available. No need to sign up in advance.

UU Principles  - Understanding the seven principles, an enlightening discussion led by members of the New Member Committee.

UU Sources -  A discussion of the six sources from which we draw wisdom and spiritual nourishment.

Spiritual Journeys (4 parts) - take any one or all of them in any order. Explore your religious and spiritual background, where you come from, what you want to cherish and what you want to release, and how you practice your spirituality.

How to Get Involved  - Learn how to become more engaged in the life of the church, find groups and activities of interest, discover the way things get done, answer your questions about belonging in our community.

UCE History and Tour - Learn more about the history, architecture and art of our building through a guided tour led by one of our long-term members. Tour begins at the back of the sanctuary near the large mural.
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. **Note - The board meeting in November has been moved to November 30 in room 6.
| 847-864-1330 | [email protected] | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201