Tip: There are clickable links throughout the eNews. Look for colored underlined words - click for an easy access of an email, address, web shortcut or further reading.
Happening This Weekend at UUCUC!
This Sunday's Worship Service: "Filling Up and Spilling Over"

Rev. Florence Caplow

10:15 am / Sanctuary

In this all ages service we will be celebrating the connections between love and generosity. We will honor St. Valentine's Day and love with a "chocolate and fruit communion"! Our UUCUC Choir and Youth Coordinator, Emily McKown, will be singing.This is also a "New Members Sunday" and the beginning of our annual pledge stewardship drive for the coming church year. Come welcome new members, celebrate, and enjoy some chocolate!

After service, look for your pledge packet in Fellowship Hall (unless you received your packet via email) and enjoy a sweet offering from the Stewardship Committee.
Our Call to Stewardship for our 2019/2020 church year begins this Sunday, February 10!

 Stop by the Stewardship table in Fellowship Hall to pick up your stewardship packet, or to speak with our friendly stewardship team.
Exploring Immigration at UUCUC
February 10, 2019 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm / Fellowship Hall

The Social Action Committee has agreed to move forward with a church-wide effort on immigration. This is exciting, given the immense need to respond to crises at the border and those that exist right here at home. Join the newly-formed immigration team at UUCUC as we talk with Ricardo Diaz, C-U Immigration Forum and Ben Muller, C-U FAIR (Friends & Allies of Immigrants & Refugees) about their work and how we might best assist immigrants and refugees. Information gathered during our time together will help us determine where we are best able to focus our efforts and support. Interested in knowing more? Call Pam (773) 556-3418 or Claire (217) 356-6710. 
UPCOMING SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES  
10:15 AM in Sanctuary
"Walking Each Other Home"
February 17, 2019
Members of Care Core Committee & Rev. Florence Caplow

Caring for one another is a essential part of our lives as members of this church. Come hear stories of the joy of helping and being helped. The choir will be singing, and we will hear a special musical guest.
"Closer than They Appear"
February 24, 2019
Michele Grove & Members of Religious Education Exploring the Future (REEF) Team

This congregation’s religious education history is rich in story! Each of these memories shapes our current identity. We often think of these memories as living far away yet, in reality they are a part of who we are today. Michele Grove and members of the Religious Education Exploring the Future (REEF) Team will lead us on a journey and memory and celebration. Bring your memories and join in the celebration!
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Bookmark our UUCUC Events and UUCUC Calendar webpage for future reference.
TODAY Wake Joy! Class Continues in 2019!
Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:30 pm until February 28th
Channing Murray Foundation on Campus

Join Rev. Caplow's Wake Joy class that focuses on practices for cultivating happiness. On Thursdays (until February 28th) from 4:30 to 6 pm at Channing Murray Foundation on campus. The class is open to those who attended in the fall, and for new students. All are welcome. There is no charge for the class, but please register at https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/e249ee
The Welcoming Congregation team invites anyone that’s interested to attend the Queering the Faith program at the United Church of Christ this Friday the 8 th at 7:30 pm. Bishop Yvette Flunder from San Francisco is the event speaker. The Queering Faith series explores the relationship between faith and LGBTQ+ identity and practice. We are co-sponsors of this event and will be providing an information table. Read details about the event and speaker here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1939408419701955/  
LGBTQ 101 Terms and Pronouns Workshop - Save the date: Sunday, February 24th at 2 pm. Taught by persons from the UP Center (Uniting Pride).

Come learn why pronouns are important and how to create welcoming spaces for LGBTQ people in any organization or congregation. Program by the Uniting Pride center hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana Champaign.
Childcare available on request (please email: jrock08@gmail.com ).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stories Wanted: "A Moment When We Were at Our Best"

Please tell us your story of a time when our UUCUC congregation was at its best. The Strategic Vision Team has heard your Dreams for the Congregation (look on Membership bulletin board for more info). Now please think back over the years, or months, you have been with us and tell us about a time when our church was at its best. Post your memory on UUCUC members and friends group Facebook page, write it in this form , or look for cards and a collection basket on tables in Fellowship Hall. Let’s all share a memory of a time when this UUCUC church was at its best. Our minister will write a reflection based on our responses for March 3rd service.
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!
Do all your banking on your smart phone? GivePlus is the app to use for your donations to the church. Stop by Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 10th and Amy Robison, our Financial Secretary, will give you a demo. If you prefer to use the church website to make online donations - it is still available. She will also be taking a survey - would you like to be able to pay donations, registrations, or Service Auction purchases using a credit card?  Finsec@uucuc.org or stop by in Fellowship Hall.
Thank You from Partner Church Committee!

Dear Congregation, The Partner Church Committee is very grateful for the shared offering from the December 2018. The collection was $3,450. This is a total record and we are very happy to send this to the two partner churches in Romania and India. 
We are also looking forward to our Partner Church Brunch (right after church service) on April the 7th , where we will share the results of our Indian cooking skills with all of you. It will a great event to eat together in this fundraising event.
General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association. Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates. The 2019 General Assembly will be June 19-23 in Spokane, Washington. Most General Assembly events will be held in the Spokane Convention Center.

The Power of We
What do we want Unitarian Universalism to be? It is a time when we are asking big questions in our faith, and GA 2019 will be focused on digging into those questions together. It is a critical chance for congregational leaders and passionate UUs to set new goals and aspirations for our religious community. Help begin to reshape our Association and our congregations in new and powerful ways.

This year’s theme is about collective power, “The Power of We,” as well as the possibility, the purpose, the struggle and the joy of what it means to be together in faithful community. In the past two years, Unitarian Universalism has recommitted to the work of liberation inside and outside our faith community. The antidote to a time of dangerous dehumanization is a love that connects us to our deeper humanity. Come to Spokane to experience what our shared faith can become when we embrace the Power of We.

Registration and Housing Open March 1
GA Registration and the GA Housing Reservation System open at 9 a.m. PST at www.uua.org/ga

Want to know more? Read more here.
You are invited! Yes, YOU!
 
What? Mindfulness meditation practice
When? Sunday at 9am
Where? YRUU classroom
 
Sometimes we get caught up thinking about the past or the future, and miss out on the present. All those interested in spending some time in the present moment are welcome at the mindfulness practice.
 
This invitation is especially for anyone who hasn't come before, or who hasn’t come recently. No meditation experience is needed, because we listen to a guided meditation (except for the 4th Sunday, which is unguided).
 
The door is always left slightly open during the practice. The hope is that anyone arriving late, no matter what time it is, can feel welcome to quietly enter and benefit from the remainder of the practice.
 
Practicing mindfulness with a group of people deepens the experience for everyone. Please consider checking it out!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator meeting
Sunday, February 10, 2019 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM. Classroom #1.

If you are a trained OWL facilitator, you are invited to join our first coordination meeting of 2019. We will meet with Sandra Greenfield, an OWL Trainer or trainers, who will facilitate a discussion about our current program and future needs. Lunch will be provided. Child care available on request. Please RSVP to Michele at re-director@uucuc.org.
Mark Your Calendars for the Upcoming Religious Education Opportunities
 
Workshop: Creative Models of Unitarian Universalist Religious Education. Sunday, March 31, 2019 from 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM. Watch for more information coming out soon. More information and easy registration found at https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/23c76e
 
Resolving Conflict, Finding Agreement, Part I. Saturday, April 27, 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. This class was a huge success in January! Thank you to everyone who participated. Gail Schiesser and Virginia Brubaker are willing to offer it again. Find more information and registration at 2019 https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/8bb551. 
And keep your eyes open for Part II coming late spring or early summer.
OUR CARING CONGREGATION
Kristi Mercer has been hospitalized this week for gall bladder surgery, and is now recovering at home.
Joys and Sorrows

Julie Laut - It is with joy that I share I am feeling better and want to thank everyone for their cards and thoughts for support over the last few months.
 
Kyle Kroha - There is a woman, Katie, awaiting sentencing for a crime that she honestly did not commit. Her children have been dispersed, her career, home, and life have been destroyed. Please hold her in thought and prayer that her appeal will be successful.
 
Christine Cahill - To all who struggle with anxiety. I hold you in my heart and breathe with you and send you love and blessings.
 
Carol Veit - My physical therapy trained brain is thrilled that it will be no longer having to watch people standing on stairs reaching for name tags. Thanks to all who are responsible for our new name tag rack.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
UUCUC Shared Offering. Each month a selected organization is chosen to receive half of our weekly Sunday plate collections, designated checks written to UUCUC with organization's name written in the memo line, cash envelopes designated for "Shared Offering" within the specified month and on-line donations through our give webpage .

During the month of February our Sunday services’ shared offerings will support Austin's Place (AP). AP is the only emergency shelter for single women in Champaign County. This initiative operates solely on volunteer effort - from volunteers who stay overnight, transport guests, do laundry, make phone calls, advertise, collect donations, etc. Dedicated service meets significant needs and provides valuable support to all the guests that come through the doors. Austin’s Place is a safe sanctuary for 11 hours overnight (8 pm - 7 am) for women who would otherwise be out on the streets. After being screened by Courage Connection, they are picked up in a van (provided by the First United Methodist Church) & welcomed by 2 volunteers, to a warm, safe space at AP, where they are offered snacks, basic toiletries and a warm space to sleep. Volunteers treat guests with care and respect, not trying to solve their problems, just relating to them as human beings & affirming their humanity. AP operates December 1 - March 15 in space provided by First United Methodist church in Champaign.
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 7
(Rental: Many Paths, an Agnostic AA) 6:00 pm / Classroom #1
Wake Joy Class with Rev. Caplow / 4:30 pm / Channing Murray on Campus
Worship Committee Meeting / 7:00 pm / Library
Finance Committee Meeting / 7:30 pm / Fellowship Hall

Friday, February 8
SVT/REEF Organization Retreat / 5:30 pm / Fellowship Hall

Saturday, February 9
SVT/REEF Organization Retreat / 9:00 am / Fellowship Hall
Loss of Life Partner Covenant Group / 11:30 am / Library
(Many Paths: an Agnostic AA Group) / 4:30 pm / Classroom #1

Sunday, February 10
Adult Discussion Group / 9:00 am / Library
Mindfulness Meditation Group / 9:00 am / Library
Worship Service / 10:15 am / Sanctuary
Young Adult Group / 11:30 am / Table in Fellowship Hall
UUCUC Trust Fund Trustee Meeting / Noon / Children's Chapel
Exploring Immigration at UUCUC / 3:30 pm / Fellowship Hall

Monday, February 11
Bridge Group / 1:00 pm / Children’s Chapel
Compassion & Choices Action Team Meeting / 7:00 pm / Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, February 12
Board of Trustees Business Meeting / 7:00 pm / Classroom #1

Wednesday, February 13
Last day for content for eNews & Order of Service by noon, the latest.
(Smart Recovery) / 6:00 pm / Classroom #1
CrUUners Rehearsal / 6:00 pm / Sanctuary
Choir Rehearsal / 7:00 pm / Sanctuary
Strategic Visioning / 7:00 pm / Children's Chapel
 
Thursday, February 14
Care Core Steering Committee Meeting / 11:00 am / Library
Safety Committee / Noon / Childre
Wake Joy Class with Rev. Caplow / 4:30 pm / Channing Murray on Campus
(Many Paths: An Agnostic AA Group) / 6:00 pm / Rm #1
Racial Justice Project Meeting / 6:30 pm / Library
Upcoming Publications - Mark Your Calendars!
Next eNews: February 14, 2019
Last day for content: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 by noon the latest.
Winter Uniter

Click to read the Winter Uniter .
IMPORTANT!! Send your submittals to pubs@uucuc.org - Please do not send to admin@uucuc.org.

Don't forget to publize your meeting/event!
UUCUC Contact Information
Regular Church Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Church Office
(217) 384-8862
Rev. Florence Caplow
Minister
Sherry Bohlen
Membership Coordinator
Michele Townsend Grove
Interim Director of Religious Education
Emily McKown
Youth Coordinator
Matt Sheppard
Music Director
Shornor Vineyard
Custodian and Building Caretaker
Rosalyn Maziarka
Office Administrator
Matthew Gladden
Accompanist
Kate Barton
Facilities & Events Coordinator
Building Related: facilities@uucuc.org

(Event Scheduling Only: events@uucuc.org)
Stephanie Cobb
Sunday Kitchen Helper
Kelsey Libert
Childcare Coordinator
‌