THIS SUNDAY'S SERVICE
REV. SALLY FRITSCHE
Sunday, October 24 at 10:15 a.m. via Live-stream
If its detractors are to be believed, something called “critical race theory” (CRT) is threatening to destroy America as we know it! But what the heck is critical race theory, anyway? Join us this Sunday for a clarifying conversation on this much-discussed sociological theory and its relationship to Unitarian Universalism.

Rev. Sally will lead us in reflecting on our own identities, perspectives, and how we might continue to work toward more meaningful conversations and actions when it comes to race and racism.
SUBMITTING JOYS AND SORROWS

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 11:30a.m.). Come chat with UUCUC members and friends! All are welcome.

Everyone is invited to come together for in-person fellowship each Sunday from 12:30-1:30 on the South Lawn (or another spot on church grounds if there is RE&E programming taking place).

Please be sure to bring your own lawn chair/blanket to sit on during our fellowship time. Picnic tables will be limited to one household only. Please also remember to mask up. We look forward to seeing you in person on Sunday.

This is an event for the whole family!

In-person fellowship will only be held if it is not raining and the temperature is above 50º
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.

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.
UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICES
PAGAN PRIESTESS GINNY BRUBAKER
Sunday, October 31 at 10:15 a.m. via Live-stream

Samhain, the holiday that Witches mark on October 31, is a time when the veil between the worlds is thin and you have a chance to communicate with those who have left this world for the next. Join Pagan Priestess Ginny Brubaker to learn more about Paganism and how it fits together with Unitarian Universalism. We will have a bit of history, a bit about what Witches do in ritual, a sense of the Pagan Wheel of the Year, and some suggestions about bringing some Pagan elements into your own celebrations.
UUCUC LAUNCHES FAITHIFY CAMPAIGN TO HELP SEND
EMILY MCKOWN TO SEMINARY

UUCUC member, and former Youth Coordinator, Emily McKown begins her seminary journey in September 2021! She will be attending part-time (for 4-5 years), while continuing her position as Director at Channing-Murray Foundation in Urbana as well as her active membership at UUCUC! She is pursuing an inter-religious chaplaincy program, and following her passion for youth/young-adult, social-justice, and music ministries. Read More
UPCOMING MEETINGS, CLASSES & EVENTS
Bookmark our UUCUC Events and UUCUC Calendar webpage for future reference.
THURSDAY, OCT 28:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 OR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7:
CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT COVID

Join representatives from UUCUC's COVID Advisory Task Force in discussions regarding proposed updates to UUCUC's reopening framework. These discussions will include new language regarding hybrid worships options. Join us via Zoom Saturday, Nov 6 or in person Sunday, Nov 7. We hope to see you there!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7:

Join us IN PERSON for our All Souls Sunday service honoring all those who have come before us, at the Large Pavilion at Crystal Lake Park, 10:15 am November 7th. Wear your mask, and bring a photo or memento of any loved ones whose memory you would like to honor. Read more
RECURRING WEEKEND EVENTS
SUNDAY, OCT 24: MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to continue the practices that support our well-being and strengthen our community. With this in mind, the Sunday morning mindfulness group has moved online to Zoom.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MOVING FURNITURE!

The Director of Facilities, Tim Voelker, is requesting a handful of hardy volunteers to assist with moving some furniture around the church! It is a herculean effort and as much as Tim would like to think he is Hercules himself, he is not that strong to do it himself.

If you’ve got a strong back (and maybe a lumbar belt), Tim would love your help moving office furniture, some couches, and removing some things from the building. The date isn’t set in stone yet but the goal is to have the furniture that is being removed out in the parking lot for college students to adopt a week before classes resume in August. Please note: having multiple volunteers in the building at one time will take into account the current risk factors from Covid-19. The preference is that volunteers are vaccinated and everyone will likely be wearing a mask while indoors.

If you are interested, please reach out to Tim at facilities@uucuc.org and he will add you to the list!

We have had quite a few people respond to our (voluntary) vaccine registry. If you have not yet filled it out and want to, please go to this link. This will be helpful data for UUCUC's COVID-19 Advisory Group to review as they continue to discuss plans for reopening once the risk level for COVID-19 decreases. Your information is kept confidential amongst need-to-know staff members.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
OUR CARING CONGREGATION
JOYS AND SORROWS sent to joysandsorrows@uucuc.org for last Sunday, October 17, 2021.

From Tabitha Qualls: I have found a home within Unitarian Universalism. I have observed how you go about your services and immediately feel at ease here, thank you. 

From Elizabeth Simpson: I’m celebrating the life of Laura Weiskamp, who passed on Friday. Laura was an amazing woman whose bright spirit and frank humor was a gift to me and so many people. I have special memories of her inspirational devotion to celebrating women’s community. 

From Pamela Van Wyk: It’s a joy to have Bill Breeden back among us, even virtually. Also a joy to be outdoors and masked and singing with the choir again! 
Please send your joys or sorrows to joysandsorrows@uucuc.organy time before the Joys and Sorrows portion of the service. They will be read aloud.
GIVING AND GRATITUDE
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 October 2021, we will support DREAAM House. DREAAM embraces and engages with DREAAMers as early as the age of 3 with the commitment to remain in their lives until they are 24. They work with children and young adults who need DREAAM the most. Some of them face tough odds, needing to overcome challenges such as school suspension, anger issues, parental incarceration, and low academic skills. However, where others see problems, DREAAM sees potential. They reach out to families, community organizations, churches, schools, and service providers to produce caring, outcome-driven services for children and young adults..
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.
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. Please refer to the Building Reopening Framework for more information.
UPCOMING PUBLICATIONS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Next eNews: October 28, 2021
Last day for content: Tuesday, October 26 by 5pm at the latest.

Don't forget to publicize your meeting/event!

Please send your submittals to pubs@uucuc.org and not to the admin email.
UUCUC CONTACT INFORMATION
Regular Church Office Hours
Closed until further notice
Church Office
(217) 384-8862
Rev. Florence Caplow
Lead Minister
Rev. Sally Fritsche
Associate Minister for Congregational Life
Rev. Karen Bush
Consulting Minister
Juan Camacho
Accompanist
Brian Franklin
Director of Congregational Administration
Benjamin Hanson
Choir Director
Jamie Jones
Office Assistant
Avalon Ruby
A/V Technician & RE Assistant
Rose St. Clair
Coordinator, Religious Exploration & Engagement
Adrienne Summerlot
Consulting Director, Religious Exploration & Engagement
Tim Voelker
Director of Facilities