REV.
FLORENCE
CAPLOW
It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.
You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet,
there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.
-Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring
Our Soul Matters theme for May is “Thresholds”. Certainly we are experiencing a threshold unlike any of us have known before. What is this new world we are peering into? What does the future hold? How do we meet the thresholds in our lives with grace and willingness?
REQUEST FOR PHOTOS!
For this service, we're planning on sharing photos of doors to our congregant's homes or apartments, or gateways into their yards. People do not have to be in the photos. If you'd like to submit a photo to be shared during the service, please send to Brian at
admin@uucuc.org
by Friday, May 1st at 1:00 p.m.
|
|
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
Your contributions and support allow us to continue to respond with love and resources to the needs in our congregation and the wider community. We couldn’t do it without your support and we are grateful to each of you.
|
|
The
online "Zoom" Fellowship Hour immediately follows the live streamed service each Sunday. Please note the password to enter the meeting is
UUCUC. All are welcome!
|
|
REV.
FLORENCE
CAPLOW
This is a time of challenge for mothers of many ages at many stages. COVID-19 poses a great risk for our elders -- many of whom are mothers. And mothers of school aged children are experiencing whole new stresses with children home full-time. In this service we will honor mothers, young and old, and share stories about mothers and children.
We will also be introducing new UUCUC members during this service!
|
|
DR. MICHELE TOWNSEND GROVE
Human history in general and Unitarian Universalists history specifically maintains a complicated relationship with women, children and education. Our own congregation is a part of this history. In this worship experience, Michele Townsend Grove will outline her research on the topic through stories that lead us to better understand our own congregation’s relationship with lifelong learning.
|
|
UPCOMING MEETINGS, CLASSES & EVENTS
|
|
Mark your calendars for May 21, 22, 23 & get your creative juices flowing with ideas for goods & services that you can offer in this COVID-19 world.
Read More...
|
|
We have been actively in a search process for our Associate Minister for Congregational Life. Rev. Florence and the search team made up of Sam Beshers, Kathleen Holden and Holly Jordan are actively involved in the search process. We have received about 8 applications so far, and the quality and diversity of these ministers is truly impressive.
Read More...
|
|
Join speaker Karen Danielson on Saturday, May 2nd at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom to learn about the meaning behind the holiest month for Muslims across the world.
Read More...
|
|
UUCUC friend Burton Swanson
died on Thursday, April 23, following a long illness
. Burton was involved with many UUCUC activities over the years and we will miss him greatly. Online condolences to the family may be sent at
www.hilligossshraderfh.com
.
|
|
GROCERY DELIVERY AVAILABLE
If it would be helpful to have someone deliver groceries for you, we have several folks who have volunteered to do this. Contact Julie Laut at:
jlaut@hushmail.com
or 513-544-2682 & she’ll put you in touch with a volunteer.
|
|
UUCUC'S "WARM LINE"
If you find you could use some support or would like to talk with someone, please call the UUCUC “Warm Line” at 1-800-705-8158. One of the negative implications of “social distancing” is feeling isolated. There are volunteers from our church ready to talk with you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not have to travel this road alone.
|
|
UUCUC'S "BUDDY SYSTEM"
Staying connected while
UUCUC facilities are closed
During this time of social distancing, staying in touch and checking in with each other is going to be very important. We hope you will consider being part of our "Buddy System" so we can care for one another.
You can sign up here:
https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/2184f1. Buddies will check in with each other regularly by phone to provide connection, companionship, and connections to help if needed. This is a great way to help each other.
|
|
From Jerry Carden: Remembering my dad, Floyd, on what would have been his 96th birthday and also the day he died in 2006.
From Erin Dittmer:
Sorrow at missing my students. It’s been a joy to read their writing and stay connected online, but I miss our spirited conversations, the sound of their laughter, and the energy of bustling hallways. I feel a deep sense of loss in my heart.
From Ellen Jacobsen:
Joy at seeing more wildflowers this year than in my whole life-at the open part of allerton and Homer Lake and Meadowbrook. Spring still works despite everything!!
From Kyle Kroha:
Thankful that, during this transition to our new life...
- That it is spring in the Northern hemisphere
- For personal technology & internet infrastructure
- For Zoom
- For YouTube
- For social media, which CAN be a power for good
While thankful for first responders, am also especially thankful for the refuse haulers, the veterinary staffs, the fast food drive in staffs, & all those on the littlevorners who deserve thanks & to be held special in heart.
From Randy and Sandra Locke:
Joy that the congregation and staff of this church provide such meaningful and engaging church life that our dear Randall and Trisha and Alli and Lauren all fully embrace its many facets in their lives--including church school, choir and Owl. Melts our hearts as parents and grandparents!
From Mimi Ormerod:
For my colleague who is on a ventilator and whose husband passed away on Friday from COVID-19. For residents and staff at the Villas Senior Care Community in Sherman Illinois where there are 32 cases of COVID-19, and their family members, who are frightened and grieving.
From Karla Peterson:
Thank you to the amazing staff, members, friends, and leaders who make it possible to participate in UUCUC services each week.
|
|
UUCUC Shared Offering.
Each month a selected organization is chosen to receive half of our weekly Sunday plate collections. You may donate to the social action offering for the month in one of the following ways:
During the month of May, we will support
Sistering CU.
Sistering CU’s mission statement is to provide a realistic and compassionate postpartum support network for families in Champaign County and enable them to successfully navigate the challenges of life with a newborn. They envision a community where the transition to parenthood is acknowledged, valued, supported and new families thrive. All of this leads to greater potential to provide ease, equanimity and joy within the family unit and throughout our community.
Read more....
|
|
SUPPORTING LOCAL CAUSES AND STIMULUS CHECKS
The Social Action Committee has received a large donation from a church member to support local Covid-19 relief efforts. This person does not feel knowledgeable about what organizations might need support the most. We also heard from a few people within the SAC who plan to donate the amount of their stimulus check. Not everyone needs the extra money. We are still in the planning stages how this will work, but let us know if you’re interested in donating, or offering to help select appropriate organizations. Please contact:
social-action-leadership@uucuc.org
|
|
JOIN THE BUCKET BRIGADE!
Channing-Murray has been preparing a #bucketbrigade of essential grocery deliveries for extremely low-income families in Urbana who are recommended by
Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office. These buckets have beans, rice, cereal, soup, eggs, and more! We've sanitized each and every item, and we’ll be delivering these to drop off on doorsteps.
Also, if you don't have funds to donate, but want to support the cause, there are some low-no-contact ways to volunteer. Please message
Emily McKown for more information.
|
|
Food insecurity has skyrocketed among our C-U immigrant community as business closings have resulted in massive job loss. There are thousands of undocumented immigrants in our community that do not qualify for unemployment benefits, and they need our help.
The Immigration Justice Task Force is diverting $1,100 from our budget to send to CU FAIR’s Pandemic Response Fund. We are asking members and friends of UUCUC to join us in ensuring he most vulnerable in our community can feed their families.
Read More...
|
|
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.
|
|
Effective Monday, March 16, the UUCUC building closed as a preventative measure to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community.. All upcoming scheduled meetings and events at UUCUC listed on
the calendar should be considered tentative. If you are planning on participating in a recurring meeting, please verify with the facilitator that the meeting or event is still scheduled to meet and is shifting to an online format. UUCUC leadership and staff are working to move all recurring meetings to an online format, but this may take some additional weeks. Stay tuned for more information!
At this time, we are strongly asking no groups to meet in person.
|
|
UPCOMING PUBLICATIONS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
|
|
Next eNews: May 7, 2020
Last day for content: Wednesday May 6 by Noon the latest.
Please do
not
send to admin@uucuc.org.
Don't forget to publicize your meeting/event!
|
|
UUCUC CONTACT INFORMATION
|
|
Regular Church Office Hours
Closed until further notice
|
|
Church Office
(217) 384-8862
|
|
Rev. Florence Caplow
Minister
|
Kate Barton
Director of Facilities
|
Sherry Bohlen
Director of Congregational Engagement
|
Austin Cody
Choir Director
Brian Franklin
Director of Congregational Administration
|
Matthew Gladden
Assistant Music Director
|
|
Michele Townsend Grove
Interim Director of Religious Education
Kelsey Libert
Childcare Coordinator
|
Emily McKown
Youth Coordinator
|
Blake Preston
Religious Education Assistant
|
Shornor Vineyard
Custodian and Building Caretaker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
