COVID-19 – Updates and Resources 

Sunday, January 17 at 10:15 a.m. via Livestream

How do we, as UUs, truly become the liberatory, anti-racist faith we long to be? The Commission on Institutional Change spent three years looking deeply at how we continue to perpetuate systemic racism within and outside our congregations, interviewing hundreds of UUs about their experience as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color within UU communities. From that work came a revolutionary document called Widening the Circle of Concern. Learn more about what it might mean for us here to “widen the circle of concern” and become the community we long to be. We will have a special musical guest, the local singer/songwriter Drake Materre.

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, January 24 at 10:15 a.m. via Livestream

Join us this Sunday as we ground ourselves in a history beyond our current chaotic moment, and remember that even in humanity’s darkest days, there have always been those who act with courage and compassion on behalf of others. May their example remind us that we can do the same!

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

THEOLOGY ABLAZE PART II

WIDENING CIRCLE OF CONCERN STUDY GROUP

Register: Pathway to Membership Class

The music committee is seeking performers! Deadline is February 1

Rev. Caplow will be on Study Leave from January 18th through the 25th, and won't be answering UUCUC emails or voicemails during this time of study and renewal for the new year. For any needs for support, please reach out to Rev. Fritsche at associate-minister@uucuc.org.

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 10.

From Melissa Schoeplein: Sorrow about the loss of Lucy Shair to breast cancer. Lucy passed away this week at age 43 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lucy was one of the two amazing "Shair Twins" along with her identical sister Sarah. While growing up in Champaign, she attended this church with her parents, Bob and Kyra Shair. Lucy, Sarah, and Bob participated in our 1990s youth week delegation to Camp Unistar. Lucy was a bright light in this world. She lived fiercely and fought hard. She leaves behind a loving husband, Steve Baker, originally from Urbana, and two children, Jane and Will, ages 12 and 10. Sending love to all the Shair and Baker family and friends. Also, joy for all the love and laughter that has been shared this week remembering Lucy. May her spirit live in all of us.

From David Gross: Lucinda (Lucy) Shair, 1977-2021, passed away January 6, 2021, age 43, from breast cancer. Lucy and her twin sister Sarah were active in the youth group of UUCUC from about 30 to 25 years ago. Her parents, Bob and Kyra Shair were members of UUCUC for several decades. Click here to view her full obituary.

From Andrea Herzog: As busy, first-time puppy owners, we forgot to send in a picture and blurb about our pup in time to be included in the service. After decades of being cat owners, having a dog is a brand new journey for us, and it’s been a wild ride these last 7 weeks. Though frustrating and exhausting at times, Benny’s energy and affection has brought an added layer of deep joy and fierce love to our family as well as a reason to slow down and just play. Certainly more good reminders and life lessons are in store for us thanks to this little ball of fur.

From Linda Owens: Joy that our dog Olive is responding well to the treatment for her autoimmune disorder. Sorrow for the chaos that is the COVID pandemic and the political upheaval we are now experiencing.

From Barbara Jauhola: I am greatly saddened by the death of Nan Ehrlich on New Year's Day. I will miss her friendship, her lively wit, and hearing her laugh.

From Rev. Florence Caplow: Joyous with the news that her mother Harriet McNeal will receive her first vaccine shot on Monday! Gratitude to the thousands of scientists who worked together at break-neck speed to make this possible.

From Christine Cahill: My ex-husband, Bob Gennis, is getting his first COVID vaccine tomorrow! My daughters and I are so happy for him and for everyone else who is getting this important vaccine.

From The Pitcel Family: Joy for the Pitcel family as our foster daughter has returned home. Positive thoughts for our friend Dave who is struggling to kick Covid.

From Sam Beshers: Thanks to the AV folks, especially to Chris Hannauer, who helped put things together on his birthday, and Paul Weston for jumping in on short notice.

From The Ellis Family: Sorrow that Jon’s mother Kaye and stepfather Ken have tested positive for COVID. Joy that they staying at home and feeling well.

From Patricia DeWalt: Our dear canine family member, Annie, had a lump removed. We are deeply grateful to learn that it was benign. She brings tremendous joy to us.

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 $2,415!

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! Donations continue to come in for the UU Utilities Fund and another update will take place down the road.

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 19 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.