COVID-19 – Updates and Resources 

"HYGGE"

Sunday, January 3 at 10:15 a.m. via Livestream

For this first service of 2021, Rev. Caplow wants to share a little hygge with you, with help from Rev. Janet Elaine Guthrie. "Hy-what?" you may ask. Hygge is a Danish word (derived from Norwegian), generally translated as "cozy" or "well being." We all know that even with vaccines on the way, we have a long winter ahead. How can we settle in and bring a little hygge to our situation? Get yourself a nice cup of tea, a comfy blanket, and watch this service in your jammies. Our accompanist Juan may even play you some lullabies. To learn more about hygge, click this link.

Please send your joys or sorrows to joysandsorrows@uucuc.org any time before the Joys and Sorrows portion of the service. They will be read aloud.

Join our online Zoom Fellowship Hour after the service on Sunday (around 11:30 a.m.). Come chat with UUCUC members and friends! All are welcome.

If you have missed any of the previous live streamed services, you can view them at our past streamed services page. You can also view previous live streamed services on our YouTube channel.

"THE SHAPE OF A DOG"

Sunday, January 10 at 10:15 a.m. via Livestream

Dogs and humans impact one another’s lives in numerous ways. In this service, the Worship Committee will offer both a celebration of all the ways that a dog weaves itself into a human life, and a meditation on loss and grief. If you have a picture of a current or former dog whose memory you would like to honor, please send it, with the dog’s name, to Sam Beshers (beshers@illinois.edu) and we will include it in a special part of the service.

Bookmark our UUCUC Events and UUCUC Calendar webpages for future reference.

We were blown away by the generosity of those in the congregation and the community who donated to the Christmas Eve Shared Offering and the UU Utilities Fund after the News-Gazette and WCIA reported on it! Our initial tally and first check we sent to Cunningham Township totaled $7,042.83!

"Soul Matters" small group ministry has taken root in the rich soil of UUCUC and we're ready to branch out and make room for even more interested members! If you've ever wondered how you might make more meaningful connections within the UUCUC community, this is your chance - click through for more information: https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/1087c5

Holiday Greetings from Michele, Andy and Helena! We hope you enjoyed some moments of peace, inspiration and connection in this most unusual holiday season.

Michele is out of the office from December 29 to January 11 honoring one week of vacation and one week of study leave. If you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to Kendra Gibson, UUCUC’s religious education assistant at re-assistant@uucuc.org.

Watch for some great new programs and announcements once Michele returns to the office on Tuesday, January 12th. Great things are afoot!

New adult religious education offerings for 2021 have been announced in the Adult Religious Education Prospectus earlier this month. It promises to be a fun semester of classes, workshops, discussion and creative learning. If you are one of the 98 adults who participated in one of UUCUC’s adult learning experiences, please tell others about your experience. These classes are not restricted to UUCUC members and friends. The community is encouraged to attend.

Movies are entertaining and educational. This year, UUCUC will sponsor several movie nights for varying audiences. Captain Marvel and The Black Panther are two of the upcoming features. Read more.

Please consider donating to the Little Free Pantries run by Julie Laut and AJ Herzog, which they have kept active daily since late spring. In order to address increased and unique needs this winter, they have created an Amazon wish list. All items will be delivered to Julie's house and shared between the two pantries. Donations of all items will continue to be accepted as usual at both locations, if you want to bring them in person.

Thank you for your support and generosity ~ Julie and AJ

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 "BUDDY SYSTEM"

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.

JOYS AND SORROWS sent to joysandsorrows@uucuc.org for last Sunday, December 27.

From Paul Kaiser: Sorrow upon the untimely death of Neighbor Benny. You will be missed around the fire and garden. I regret we never took that fishing trip. Just let me know when you're ready.

From Cathy Ritchie: I was told a few months ago that a Dallas-based website for which I created and have written a monthly arts column for over 5 years was in danger of folding. But earlier this week I learned that the website, and thus my writing gig, will indeed survive. I am thrilled and relieved; it's the best combination Christmas and January birthday present I could have received.

From Beth Simpson: It was a joy to spend time with family from both coasts via zoom on Christmas: the first time I’ve seen my brother Steve on Christmas in years.

From David and Claudia Gross: She said YES! Our oldest grandchild, Andrea Michelle Gross, became engaged to Justin Wilever on December 26, 2020. They live in Tampa, Florida, where Michelle is a student at the University of South Florida.

Please send your joys or sorrows to joysandsorrows@uucuc.org any time before the Joys and Sorrows portion of the service. They will be read aloud.

UUCUC Social Action Offering. Each month a selected organization is chosen to receive offerings from our congregation. You may donate to the social action offering for the month in one of the following ways:

During the month of January, we will support Eastern Illinois Foodbank with our social action offering. The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is the primary food source for food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other programs working to feed the hungry. The Foodbank acquires millions of pounds of food and grocery product through purchase or donation and distributes it across our network of more than 160 feeding programs. Together, we’re working to create a hunger-free eastern Illinois. By partnering with EIF, emergency food programs are able to save millions of dollars each year in food purchase and handling costs. These savings allow them to focus their efforts and funds on more effectively working to alleviate hunger in our area. The Foodbank also operates programs targeted to children, seniors and veterans. Learn more about their programs here.

During the month of December 2020, our partner churches were selected to be the recipient of the shared offering. As of December 29, the UUCUC congregation has contributed a total of $2,000!

Dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit our UUCUC Calendar page.

As of March 2020, 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 virtual unless noted otherwise. At this time, we are strongly recommending that no groups meet in person.

Last day for content: Tuesday, January 5 by 5pm at the latest.

Read our policy on publications for details.

IMPORTANT! Send your submittals to pubs@uucuc.org

Please do not send to admin@uucuc.org.

Closed until further notice

Need reimbursement for a purchase or two made on behalf of a committee project? Fill out this online reimbursement form, which will go to the DCA, and submit your receipts via email, if applicable.