The Beauty and Renewal of Beloved Community: Our Annual Flower Communion

The work of the world can be rough, like digging into hard, stoney ground. It’s easy to get discouraged. We plant the seeds of possibility in our shared garden and hope that something lovely will emerge, but we never fully know what will come from our efforts. We honor the commitment to keep planting and sowing and we celebrate what comes from our shared purpose. Rev. Eileen Wiviott leads this service, with Rev. Susan Frances and Kathy Underwood as Worship Associates. Soloists Jenn Wisegarver, Kiley Korey, Jay Liddell, and the UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano and Sarah Bloethe on violin, grace us with music.

Children and youth will remain in the worship service for our annual flower ceremony.

Mark your calendars for this annual gathering on UCE's South lawn. We have fun activities planned for all ages, including games and decorating for the Evanston Pride car parade!

Bring a blanket or chair, and a dish to share!

UCE is providing the protein with meat and vegan options.

Tour a Piece of UCE History

Join Rev. Eileen at 11am Saturday 6/1 for a tour of the house UCE & 3rd Unitarian architect, Paul Schweikher, built for his family and have a bento box lunch among the peonies.



Although Paul Schweikher lived in the house for a few years, UCE member and artist Martyl Langsdorf and her husband, Alexander, were the true stewards, living there for 60 years. See the studio barely big enough for Martyl to create the soaring UCE mural, “Darkness into Light” and see how Paul Schweikher's design ideas helped create the church building that has nurtured our community since 1958. The Schweikher House is located at 645 Meacham Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193. Click here to reserve your space, tickets are $65.  Click here to learn more about the Schwiker house and the amazing peony garden that we will get to see in full bloom. 

Why Values and not Principles? Join Us to Discuss the What and Why of Article 2 Revisions.

Eight UCE members will serve as delegates to the UUA General Assembly June 20-23. Under consideration are proposed revisions to Article 2 of the UUA Bylaws, which describes our UU principles. The revisions replace the current UU Principles with the six Values of generosity, justice, equity, transformation, interdependence, and pluralism, with Love at the center as the power that holds us. This change calls out that we are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. These proposed Values statements reflect an evolution of our Principles including the 8th Principle.

So why is it necessary to evolve our 8 Principles into the proposed Values of generosity, justice, equity, transformation, interdependence, and pluralism - all centered in Love?

Join the UCE delegates and Denominational Affairs Team via zoom on June 3 at 7 pm or in-person/zoom June 9 at 12 pm in room 3 to discuss the what’s and why’s of the proposed changes. The delegates are eager to share information and discuss Article 2 , and understand what members think about the proposed changes.

Zoom link for June 3 and 9 sessions:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81668335293?pwd=0JEXsB7opczyhJsdsiZUawqohbEhOX.1

Meeting ID: 816 6833 5293 Passcode: 318292

To read more about Article 2 on the UUA's website, click here.

Judy Widen Celebration of Life

Friday, June 7, at 11 am, we will celebrate the life of Judy Widen, beloved friend of many. Margaret Shaklee is organizing hospitality. If it would please you to take on a small role or bring a favorite food, log in HERE, make your selection and click SignUP! 

If you want to opt out of the technology, e-mail Margaret Shaklee with your offer to help.

Beer 101 with Sean Talmage

Beer 101 with Sean Talmage 2pm Sat 6/8! Spaces still available. Join beer aficionado and acclaimed home-brewer, Sean Talmage, for an afternoon in his backyard of beer tasting and education. Each participant will bring a chilled 6-pack of any beer of their choice for the group to share. (Sean is providing some of his own home-brew.) Together, with his expertise, we will evaluate each beer by type, smell, taste, look and other qualities. Snacks will be provided. *Each participant will need to bring a 6-pack of chilled beer to the event, Sean brings his expertise and some snacks. Tickets are $20 and benefit the 2024 Serendipity Fall Fundraiser. In the case of rain, hosted at UCE. Click here to purchase a ticket.

HARMS WOODS WORK DAY!

Join us on Sunday, June 9th for an afternoon in beautiful Harms Woods, led by the very knowledgeable long-time stewards, John and Jane Balaban. We will be doing the critical work of removing invasive plants that crowd out native plants needed by birds and insects.

It’s enjoyable and rewarding, and is appropriate for all ages, including young people (should be 12 or older and youth must be accompanied by an adult) and senior citizens. We each work at our own pace, but the ground can be uneven and muddy. Dress for the weather and possible muddy conditions and bring your own water bottle. Bring gardening gloves if desired (although gloves and other equipment will be provided). For more information or to reserve a spot: contact Susan at Susan.L.Comstock at gmail dot com or Dale at dalecgriffin at comcast dot net. 

Evanston Garden Walk

UCE has been chosen by the Evanston Environmental Association to be part of their garden walk next year in 2025. Sandra Robinson attended a few years in a row and spoke with them about inclusion of our UCE gardens. This is exciting news.

We now have six mature gardens at UCE - west lawn, south

parking lot, peace pole and wing gardens, east lawn 

Intergenerational Playscape, Northeast Marjorie Fisher Memorial Rain garden and the Southeast Bill Fischer Memorial Rain Garden.

The event is sponsored by the Evanston Environmental Association. Proceeds for the event benefit full scholarships for youth to attend Evanston Ecology Center's Camps. This includes counselor in training positions which provide hands-on job training for middle schoolers. 

This year's walk is Sunday, June 23rd noon - 5. Tickets are available through EEA here. Sandra encourages you to attend and see the many beautiful examples of gardens in Evanston.

Shared Offering Program Nominations Due June 30, 2024

Each year the Social Justice Council selects 13 organizations to receive half of our collection from our Sunday worship service. The time is now to nominate a non-profit organization to be part of the 2024-25 Shared Offering Program. Contact Rev. Susan at sfrances at ucevanston dot org if you have any questions.

Click Here to Submit Nomination.

Young Adult Gathering

June 30th at 12:30

Bagel Art in Evanston

Join UCE young adults and Rev. Eileen at Bagel Art in Evanston after the worship service Sunday, June 30th.

We will talk about a plan for spiritual deepening for young adults within our faith community and how we can shape that together.



Please let Kiley Korey [kileyekorey at gmail dot com] know if you plan to attend or have any questions.

Sign Up Is Open for Summer Friendship Meals

Sign ups are open for Summer Friendship Meals! The online sign up sheet (click here to access) contains meal details; browse the choices and select the one that works best. Summer session includes two all-ages meals that welcome children and various outdoor options. Ask questions or get sign-up help at the back of the sanctuary after worship on June 2nd and 9th. Or contact Lina Hilko (LHilko at aol.com) or Margaret Koreman (Margaret.Koreman at gmail.com). Summer session meals are:

•    Sun, July 7th 5pm in-home appetizer and dessert potluck
•    Sat, July 13th 11am Farmer’s Market Brunch
•    Sat, July 13th 5pm all-ages yard games & potluck (children welcome!)
•    Sat, July 27th 1pm split-the-bill restaurant outing
•    Sat, Aug 3rd 5:30pm NielsenPalooza backyard grill & potluck
•    Sat, Aug 10th 4:30pm Cityscape Terrace Picnic
•    Sat, Aug 17th 4pm all-ages end-of-summer picnic (children welcome!)
•    Sat, Aug 24th 5:30pm in-home grilled salmon potluck

The UCE Endowment Committee is pleased to announce that a total of $33,380 is available for Community Project grants for the coming church year (starting July 1). Grant application forms are available HERE on the Endowment Fund page of the UCE web site.

The next deadline for grant application submissions is May 31st. Additional grant application submission deadlines are October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2025 if funds remain available.

For more information, contact Bob Seyfried, Endowment Committee Chair through the Realm Membership Directory.

Discover the Impact of Endowment Community Partner Grants for 2024-2025

As detailed in the May 24 edition of the UCE Newsletter, the Endowment Committee diligently reviewed eight grant applications for fiscal 2024-25. These applications were from the Community Partners that tirelessly support the ongoing work of the recipient organizations. UCE members, who are active volunteers with all Community Grant organizations, played a crucial role in this process. All grant applications were accepted because they met at least one purpose of Article 4, Section 2 of the UCE Endowment Fund bylaws (unanimous vote of Endowment Trustees).

Recommended for funding at the total amount requested (unanimous vote of the Endowment

Trustees), the UCE Board approved the eight grants of Trustees. Each grantee will

receive $ 2,610 of unrestricted funding to use however they deem necessary.

Read the summaries of the four remaining grants in this category here. Read about the other four Community Partner grants in the May 24 edition of the UCE Newsletter.

Beyond Our Walls…

For parents and educators: United Church of Christ and the UUA are hosting a webinar, OWL Taking Flight: Raising Kids Beyond the Binary, June 5, 11a-Noon. For details and to register, go to https://www.ucc.org/event/owl-webinar/.

The Well, a multiracial family camp at Ferry Beach, Maine: July 24-27th

The Well is an intentional gathering space of spiritual healing for individuals and families who are directly impacted by racism. It is a culturally proud, welcoming, and unapologetic space that centers the experiences and expressions of communities of color.

Join us for the inaugural Interfaith Family Pride Festival in Evanston!

Save the date for the Interfaith Family Pride Festival, a joyous celebration of Pride month for families on June 2, 2024, from 2-5pm, at Raymond Park in Evanston, IL. Organized by 15 diverse faith communities, this event will honor LGBTQ+ families, while recognizing the importance of repairing relationships and building bridges between faith communities and the LGBTQ+ community.

This family-friendly festival will feature captivating performances by renowned artists including Flamy Grant, Artemis Singers, and The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, along with engaging activities for children. Additionally, don't miss the inspiring Youth Showcase, highlighting the talents and voices of our younger generation. All are welcome to an afternoon filled with love, acceptance, and celebration of diversity. Stop by the UCE table for a glitter blessing!

For more information, visit the Facebook Event page.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Please click on this link to sign up!

Support UU Values at the Polls

UCE postcarding started in February, as we contacted BIPOC citizens in Georgia and Virginia with messages encouraging them to vote in their key primary elections. Now, we turn to voters in North Carolina and the November 5th General Election!

For this NC campaign, Reclaim Our Vote has partnered with Team Unity NC leveraging an approach successfully used in Georgia in 2020 - measurably increasing Black voter turnout. We’re excited about their new strategy!

Join us by taking a packet or two of postcards, write them, embellish them with color and mail them by July 1st. We  encourage you to involve your friends and groups at UCE and even outside of UCE! Need a large order of postcards? Need more information?

See Greg Grabowski, UCE Postcard Lead, at UCE, or reach him at gregwgrabowski at gmail.com or 847-772-0766.

Wisconsin voter registration is on “pause”.  We’ll be back to you on that when our partner relaunches!

Join the UCE Team in the YWCA Race Against Hate

Some of us run, some walk, some roll! How ever you roll, please be a part of our Race Against Hate by joining the UCE REAL Team on June 16, 2024.

Register by May 26th to receive early bird pricing. Register for the Race here. Be sure to join the UCE REAL Team. CLICK HERE.

If you can’t be with us in the Race, but want to join in spirit, support the team through your donation. Be sure to apply your donation to the UCE REAL Team.

DONATE HERE.

More information on the race can be found at: Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate. Questions? Contact Dana Deane.

Evanston Youth Pride Car Parade -  June 2nd at 1pm

ALL ARE WELCOME!

The 2024 Parade Route is here! Below you can find our starting spot if you’re driving in the parade, or meeting spots to watch the parade and cheer on the participants! 



Let us know if you’ll be joining us! RSVP here.

1. Evanston Township High School Parking lot 2 and 2a - Meet us here for events, snacks, car decorating, and the kick-off!
2. Robert Crown Community Center
3. Chicago Main Newsstand
4. Fountain Square
5. Ingraham Park (Simpson and Asbury, behind the Civic Center) - The end of the parade! Feel free to bring your own chairs, blankets, snacks, and activities if you want to chill. We will not be hosting any after-parade events but you can join us at Double Clutch brewery (2121 Ashland Ave) for a hang out.

We can’t wait to see you there! This parade should be the best yet!

SAVE THESE DATES!

• June 9th Evanston Pride Candle Lighting Ceremony at 7:00 pm in St. Paul Park, 760 Chicago Ave, Evanston
• Queer Market - July 11. get some shopping in and support queer makers!
• Pride Community Picnic - July 27th. Ridgeville Park, 11am - 3pm.



We will update you with more information as the dates approach!