COVID-19 – Updates and Resources 

"JUST OFFER SOMETHING"

Sunday, January 31 at 10:15 a.m. via Livestream

It has been ten months since we were urged to stay home to stay safe. At a physical distance from friends, colleagues, and family, we have been forced to adjust nearly every aspect of our lives. At times, it has been excruciating to stay hunkered down at home, especially while world events spiral out of control. UUCUC member Julie Laut has found ways to creatively use her gifts to serve the larger community during this time, and she and Rev. Caplow will reflect on how “finding something to offer” can provide hope for oneself and others, even – or especially – when things are tough.

If you or your kids want to contribute to the service, ElizaBeth Simpson will be singing a community song, and she welcomes your contributions! Just send her the one word answer to this prompt: "If I know one thing, I know I can..." Her email is elizacorps@gmail.com. Please send by Friday at noon.

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.

Sunday, February 7 at 10:15 a.m. via Livestream

Join us this Sunday to reflect on how this global pandemic has disrupted so many of the achievement-based milestones and metrics once taken for granted. Inspired by the work of Unitarian children’s author, Dr. Suess, Rev Sally will ask us to reconsider the possibilities found within chaos, and together we will reimagine the expectations we place on young people as well as the standards by which we measure ourselves. All ages welcome!

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

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. The adult religious education committee is working on new programs to be added to this semester’s program. Keep an eye here for updates! Also, updates will be included in the eNews and on the church calendar.

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, January 24.

From Tanja Hodges: Joy that people are signing up to perform in the Virtual coffee house. Asking for help has turned out to be a blessing.

From Alice Mullan: Sorrows for COVID, online classes. not having the college experience I expected. Joys for being able to connect to this wonderful church community, in real time. Realizing we are all connected, even if not face-to-face in person. True connection transcends the limits of the physical realm

From Amanda Feder: Thinking of my friend, Will and several other friends who have recently lost a parent. Praying for peace and healing.

From Beth Simpson: Joy for all the folks involved in the amazing “people’s inauguration” events, bringing much needed inspiration, skills, and connection in the first 10 days of the presidential term.

From Sam Beshers: For Joe, Kamala, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Amanda Gorman, and all the others who brought us leadership, sanity, beauty and hope.

From Tim Temple & Jerry Carden: Think of us this week as we prepare for three memorial services for Tim's mom, Florence Temple. A private service on Monday for her caregivers and a small family service and her burial in Cedar Falls, Iowa; plus a virtual service for family at a distance. Seems like a marathon...Thanks to those who've sent cards, memorials, called, brought goodies, etc. This truly is a community of generosity in all ways.

From the Pitcel Family: Joy that our family all passed our TaeKwonDo belt test yesterday. Liv got her Yellow Belt, Cam got his Orange Belt, and Michelle got her Blue Belt. We are excited to move one step closer to our Black Belts.

From Laura Haber: Please join Herb Hiestand and his daughters in celebrating the life of Herb’s beloved sister who died on January 16th.

From Julie Laut: I wish I had the perfect word to describe the powerful mix of joy, sorrow, and humility that I have experienced with the installation and dedication of the Open Hearts COVID memorial on our church property this week. I will continue to hold all of these emotions in my heart as I add new and personalized hearts to the space. May you find in this memorial a path toward healing and we continue to endure unimaginable loss of precious life every day.

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 $2,560!

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, February 2 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.