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.
UPCOMING SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES  
10:15 AM in Sanctuary
Sunday, May 6, 2018
"The Technology of Hope"
Sam Beshers and Chris Hannauer

Communication and technology have changed dramatically from when baby boomers were pre-teens. Many of us, not just baby boomers, feel anxiety because of how much things are changing with technology. How do we keep our humanity – which is connected to relationships – in the face of this new culture? How do we keep our humanity as we use new technology and create and maintain relationships? The sermon topic was
chosen by Marilyn Ryan and Umeeta Sadarangani, who purchased the sermon at the
2017 Service Auction.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
"Just as a Mother..."
Rev. Florence Caplow

In this Mother's Day service we will explore how the world's religions honor the "inner mother" - the qualities of compassion, care, and protectiveness that are part of the human spirit, and we will also acknowledge the sometimes difficult actual relationships between mothers and children. We will have a UU Child Dedication as part of the service, and the Children's and Adult Choirs will be singing
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Bookmark our UUCUC Events webpage for future reference.
Attention UUCUC Voting Members!
Join us on Sunday at 11:45 am in the Sanctuary for our Annual Meeting .
Your attendance is encouraged, as we will vote on next year's budget, the slate of candidates for officers and the Board, changes to the bylaws, and the next two-year Social Justice Initiative. Our bylaws require that 20% of our voting members are present for a quorum, or 62 people.

We will have printed copies of the 2017-2018 Annual Report and if you would like a printed copy for your files, please add your name to the list. To save on paper, we are only printing what we need. There will also be copies of the detailed proposed 2018-2019 budget available. You can also visit our Members & Friends webpage to view or download both documents.
For the detailed budget, click here, for the Annual Report, click here.
Meditation at Channing Murray Foundation. Meditation will continue for the spring through the spring at Channing Murray, 1209 W. Oregon St., every Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. All are welcome, no experience necessary, by donation. 
UUCUC Mindfulness Meditation Group Join fellow UU's in a mindfulness meditation 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.
The UUCUC Care Core invites you to attend a workshop framed around   Sensitive Conversations . The care, conversation and nurturing of a person with any chronic disease (cancer included) comes with the proviso to cause no harm.

Casual conversations laced with platitudes or meaningless "thoughts lacking compassion" do not help. So what DO you say when talk to a person with a dreadful diagnosis?

The Reverend Deborah Slack, Chaplain for Carle Hospice has graciously agreed to lead our workshop "Sensitive Conversations".

Saturday May 5, 2018 from 10-12 am here at the church Fellowship Hall. Will you join us to learn to listen?
Join your UUCUC Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 8, 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm  (Fellowship Hall) for a webinar " Justice-Making as Faith Formation: Social Justice Ministry With Children & Youth".

From a young age, our children and youth are learning what being a Unitarian Universalist means—not just in theory, but in practice. In this webinar, we will talk with experts in the field of religious education and faith development about how justice-making can be a primary pedagogical tool and spiritual practice for children and youth in our Unitarian Universalist congregations. We will pay special attention to faith formation and identity development for children and youth of color, as well as LGBTQIA+ young people.

Executive Director of the Minnesota UU Justice Alliance, Rev. Ashley Horan and Statewide Organizer, Pastor Danny Givens will help all our congregations prepare themselves better for social justice work. Click  here  to read more. Join Us!
A Whirlwind Tour of UU History
Wednesday, May 9th 5:30-7:30 pm

Rev. Caplow will offer a two hour introduction to Unitarian Universalist history. Come learn about how we came from "the marriage of two great heresies," our social justice heritage, and why Transylvania matters to us more than just being the home of Count Dracula. 

Photo of Frances Harper (1825-1911), Unitarian poet, activist
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Recommendation to UU Board of Trustees from Informal High Street House Task Force

Prepared 27 March 2018 and subsequently reflected in the agenda for the UUCUC Annual Meeting on May 2018.
 
The Board of Trustees faces a budget recommendation decision concerning the current state of repair for the house at 310 W. High Street (the small white house at the end of the parking lot). Since the house was purchased in 2001, the Roland Realty management company has been making only minimal repairs, probably because it lacks direction on whether the house is scheduled for demolition. To help disentangle this year’s budget recommendation decision from a broader set of issues concerning the church properties, an informal Board task force (Cliff Singer and Johnny Robinson) has created a decision tree that allows for pressing questions to be decided promptly and other related questions to be addressed as soon thereafter as practicable. 
 
Concerning this year’s budget, it is suggested that the board include an option for the existing $15,000 "set aside" for demolition of 310 W. High St. be made available for renovation if and as needed, along with the $8,500 "Church and/or High Street House Maintenance” line item in the draft budget. This is  unless  the Board has sufficiently confidence of proceeding to demolish the house that the Board does not want to keep open the option of renovation during the coming fiscal year.
 
Prepared by Cliff Singer and Johnny Robinson after consultation with Libby Tyler.
 
Background: As a result of the above-mentioned “minimal repairs” approach, the High Street house has come to the point where a decision process was needed to address questions dealing with both the external appearance and property maintenance. The board discussed implications of options including demolition for parking lot construction, conversion to open space, sale, continuing open market rental, and conversion to other uses. Those implications included compliance with existing zoning regulations, prospects for obtaining zoning variances and special use permits, alternative arrangements for parking, and legal restrictions on property use and maintenance arrangements. After this review, the Board did not come to a consensus on demolition without a period of ownership involving additional maintenance; and the Board agreed with the recommendation to allow for the possibility of such maintenance in the annual budget proposal.  It is to be emphasized that the Board has not come to a decision on which option for the house should be pursued, only a consensus that options should be kept open for a decision in the upcoming fiscal year on what type of maintenance, if any, should be done.
Racial Justice Initiative Resolution 2018

Background: In May, 2016, the congregation voted to support a two-year initiative titled: “In Solidarity with Black Lives Matter: Examining White Privilege and Dismantling White Supremacy.” The tasks of this effort have been organized by a group named the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI).

Because of the importance of these issues, RJI decided to reapply for another two-year initiative when the proposal process started in January/February, 2018. However, RJI also applied for regular funding in the budget process and was grateful to learn funding as an ongoing working group has been included in this year's budget. RJI thus no longer needs the funding reserved for the next two-year initiative and has decided to no longer ask for this designation (i.e., being the next two-year initiative).

However, because of the high importance of racial justice issues and the difficulty of this work, RJI would like a vote of continuing support from the congregation for these activities, which are outlined in the document titled:  “ Carrying Forward the Racial Justice Initiative to Dismantle White Supremacy.”

The resolution that we would like the congregation to vote to support is as follows:
We, the members of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign, affirm the importance of our efforts to educate ourselves about racial injustice, white privilege, and implicit racial bias, and to work to dismantle white supremacy in our schools, our church, our workplaces, and our communities. We are all impacted by racial injustice regardless of our racial/ethnic backgrounds and we wish to lift up the importance of this difficult work for the betterment of our church and society. We support the Racial Justice Initiative to organize this important effort as an ongoing working group within our church.
CARE CORE NEWS
UUCUC member Victor Feldman died this week after a brief illness with advanced liver cancer . Our thoughts are with his wife Judy and his family. Those who knew him will miss this thoughtful man. There will be a brief graveside service this Friday, May 4th, with a Celebration of Life in a few weeks. His obituary can be read here.

Virginia Brubaker had successful cancer surgery last week , and is home with Gail and recovering well. She will be starting chemo again in a few weeks. Wishing her a speedy recovery! 
[Click the photo above for a link to our birthday page.]
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE NEWS
Thanks Hospitality Team B and to Libby Tyler and AJ Herzog , Hospitality Team Leaders for the month of April. Thanks to all the Hospitality Team B volunteers who assisted Libby and AJ each Sunday during the month.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
Our May Shared Offering is supporting FirstFollowers. FirstFollowers is a community-based re-entry program located in Champaign. The program provides services and guidance to those impacted by the criminal justice system. Their advocacy and outreach initiatives aim to build healthy relationships that impact communities positively.  

Although it's not a religious program, Bethel AME Church's pastor, Larry Lewis, and his congregation has provided this program with a safe nurturing space that allows them to administer to the needs of the community and FirstFollowers operates a drop-in center there.

The mission at FirstFollowers is to build strong and peaceful communities. In order to accomplish this, they provide support and guidance to the formerly incarcerated, their loved ones, and the community as a whole.  First Followers offers a safe environment, peer-mentoring, assistance with employment searches, job training, advocacy for people with felony convictions, family reunification and service referrals.

For more information about FirstFollowers, visit their website and like their Facebook page.

Shared Offering Note: All designated checks and half of the Sunday plate offerings in May will be sent directly to FirstFollowers. Thank you in advance for your generous support.
Part 7 in a Series from the Welcoming Congregation Assessment Team

Racing toward justice; A newcomer learns what Welcoming Congregation means.
by Debbie Rugg
 
Joining the Welcoming Congregation Assessment Committee was my effort to become more involved in the Church. It turned out that I did not really know what the UUA Welcoming Congregation designation comprised. I knew it was to provide welcome to all LGBTQ population, but knew not its history nor what improvements possible.

Though the heavy lifting for our committee came from others, being new to the serious discussion of making our Church more welcome, I could see need for clarity of some of the ever expanding lingo and how we could help others in the Church with some of the complex issues – issues around gender identity and sexual orientation which sometimes us heterosexual folks don’t always pay attention.

Most important is that people and institutions operate differently: even if every one of our congregants is welcoming to all others, that does not make the Church Welcoming. Institutions have to work harder to put policy and procedure in place to make it happen.
Do you have concerns about our church displaying the Black Lives Matter banner?
At the annual meeting on Sunday, May 6, we will be asked to vote to display the Black Lives Matter banner on the outside of the church, facing Green Street. The Racial Justice Initiative group has been collecting concerns voiced by members of the congregation about issues displaying this banner might raise. We have also solicited responses to these concerns. The concerns and the responses are all contained in a Google Doc that you can reach at this URL: http://bit.ly/RJIBLMFAQ

If you have concerns that are not covered in the FAQ’s of this document, please share your concerns with elizaBeth Simpson or one of the coordinators of the Racial Justice Initiative: Deanna Hence and Karla Peterson .
"Write a postcard to a local incarcerated person." Have you seen this sign during fellowship? The Social Action Committee is excited to announce that we are now a RIPPLe Effect Extension site! Ripple ( Reaching into Prisons with Purpose and Love ) Effect CU is a community-based group providing emotional support to individuals and families impacted by incarceration. Our extension participates by writing letters to local incarcerated people each week during fellowship. In addition to providing support, this helps us reflect on the realities of incarceration in our community, and to stimulate consideration of the problems of the prison industrial complex through caring action. We are looking for people to support this project by: pre-addressing postcards, volunteering to set up the table, or bringing the letters to the drop off point. We are also looking for donations of postcards. To help, please email elizaBeth Simpson.
Volunteer at a Habitat Build on Saturday June 2 nd . UUs have 7 skits of which 4 are not yet taken. Think of someone you’d like to invite to join you working 8 to 2:30. Site TBA. Signup Sunday on a list at the SAC Table, not via computer/smartphone. Print e-mail carefully - it’s what H4H uses to contact you. No prior experience needed. The staff teaches each step. Fun!   Wear a UU tee shirt. Restrictions: Ages 18 & older (16 min with guardian/parent). Closed-toed shoes or boots.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) NEWS
Upcoming RE Dates

Sunday, May 6th
Regular RE classes.

Sunday, May 13th
Regular RE classes. Children and Youth will begin in Service.
Children's choir will be singing.

Sunday, May 20th
Last day of regular RE classes. Children and Youth will begin in Service.
Teacher recognition!

Sunday, May 27th
Bridging Service.
Middle school and older youth are particularly encouraged to attend this service. 
Still Looking for RE Teachers...

You’ve been thinking about it all month - through the teacher testimonials and pleas in the Order of Service and eNews . Now is the time to take the plunge and commit! We have had lots of people sign up to teach next year already; please come and join a dedicated group of people who have heard the calling to work with our children. The coming RE year is bound to be exciting as Michelle Grove begins with us as Interim DRE.

Both the K/1 and 7th/8th grade classes have full teaching teams now - thank you! There are many openings in the other grade levels:

PreK - 3 slots
2nd/3rd - 2 slots
4th/5th - 3 slots
6th - 4 slots
YRUU - 2 or 3 slots

Come visit the RE table in Fellowship Hall next to the Hub table. Printed versions of the chosen curriculums are available, and someone will be there to answer questions.

If you are not ready to commit to a full year, how about teaching for one Sunday over the summer? Please see Jody Hanger if you are interested!
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, May 3
Meditation Class with Rev. Florence / 4:30 pm / Channing-Murray
(Rental: Many Paths: an Agnostic AA) / 6:00 pm / Classroom #1

Saturday, May 5
Care Core Workshop "Sensitve Conversations" / 10:00 am / Fellowship Hall
Hannum Band Rehearsal / 11:00 am / Sanctuary
(Rental: Many Paths: an Agnostic AA) / 4:30 pm / Classroom #1

Sunday, May 6
Children's Choir Rehearsal / 9:15 am / Classroom #1
Mindful Meditation Group / 9:20 am / YRUU Classroom
Worship Service / 10:15 am / Sanctuary
Annual Meeting / 11:45 am / Sanctuary

Monday, May 7
Bridge Group / 1:00 pm / Children's Chapel
Moving Forward Divorce/Separation Group / 7:30 pm / YRUU Classroom

Tuesday, May 8
(Rental: DSC Playgroup) / 9:00 am / Nursery
Board of Trustees Presents Webinar " Justice-Making as Fatih Formation / 5:45 pm /FH

Wednesday, May 9
eNews & OOS content is due to pubs@uucuc.org no later than noon
UU History Class / 5:30 pm / Fellowship Hall
CrUUners Rehearsal / 6:00 pm / Sanctuary 
Adult Choir Rehearsal / 7:00 pm / Sanctuary
 
Thursday, May 10
Meditation Class with Rev. Florence / 4:30 pm / Channing-Murray
(Rental: Many Paths: an Agnostic AA) / 6:00 pm / Classroom #1
BOT Business Meetings / 7:00 pm / Children's Chapel
Finance Committee Meeting / 7:00 pm / Fellowship Hall
Upcoming Publications - Mark Your Calendars!
Next eNews: May 10
Deadline for content: Wednesday,
May 9 by Noon the latest.
Next Uniter: June 1
Deadline for content: Wednesday, May 23 by Noon the latest
UUCUC Contact Information
Church Office
(217) 384-8862
Rev. Florence Caplow
Minister
Jody Hanger
Interim RE Coordinator
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