A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Join us for worship and religious education at 9:15 and 11:00am on Sunday Morning!
The UCE Office will be closed on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Thanksgiving! 
November 22, 2017
Sunday, November 26
Worship Service -  9:15 and 11:00am
"Awake, Aware, Alert"
According to Br. David Steindl-Rast, "To be awake, aware, and alert are the beginning, middle, and end of gratitude." How can this idea ground us in living our UU faith? Special Guest Rev. Darrick Jackson, UU Ministers Association Interim Associate Executive Director.

Music this week is from guest musician McKinley Carter. McKinley Carter has been working professionally as a singer and actor in Chicago for over 20 years. She has performed at all of the major theaters in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. She was last seen in The Book of Will at Northlight Theatre and Fun Home at Victory Gardens. McKinley is also a cabaret performer of her own one-woman shows, often featuring local songwriters. She's a resident of Rogers Park and an avid kayaker.
Religious Education
This Sunday    our preschool, kindergarten-first-second grade, and third-fourth-fifth grade classes will meet from 9:15-10:30 and 11:00-12:15 Children will start in the sanctuary for the first part of the worship service before going to classes. The sixth-seventh-eighth grade and senior high youth group meet from 11:00-12:15. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.

Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Thanksgiving"
The Story of Thanksgiving has mythological, historic, emotional, religious and deep personal meanings for many Americans. Please come to discuss each of these perspectives. Facilitated by Gordon Mallett

Click here for information about upcoming crackerbarrel topics.
 
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
12:10pm-12:30pm
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 12:10pm and 12:30pm to support the Black Lives Matter movement.  Signs and buttons are available for purchase at the back of the sanctuary. Signs and song lyrics will be provided for use.  Sponsored by the REAL team.

The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group -  9:30am
The group is open to anyone facing cancer, either personally or through a family member or friend. This lay-led group is a safe place for sharing and hope. Interested participants are encouraged to drop in any time. Questions? Contact Renee Hoff. 
Music Sunday  musicsunday1
Sunday, December 3, 9:15 and 11:00am
"Villagers all this frosty tide, Let your doors swing open wide,  Though wind may follow and snow beside, Let us draw in by your fire to bide;
Joy shall be yours in the morning!"
 
So sings a choir of field mice in Kenneth Grahame's
"The Wind in the Willows."
 
A nimals figure prominently in the story of the birth of J esus as well as in many carols of the season.  R ather like "spotting W aldo," you may find it fun to spot the references to winter's chill and/or to animals in our menagerie of C hoir and I nstrumental pieces, H oliday C arols, and R eadings at this H olidays S ervice.
 
P lease join us  for Winter's Chill and The Friendly Beasts: Cold, Critters, Carols, and Compassion

We are looking for volunteers to help at the Mitten Tree tables on Sundays and to work sorting, wrapping and delivery of gifts.  If you wish to volunteer please contact Aidan Strueber or sign up here.

Mitten Tree Schedule:
Mitten Distribution on November 12, 19 and 26. Gifts are due on December 3 or before. We will sort the gifts the week of December 3 and they will be wrapped on December 10. Please plan to take a mitten and do your shopping before December 3. A reminder that all gifts must be new.

Organizations:
This year we are donating to Curt's Café South student interns and their children, Renaissance Social Services (LBGT clients), Residents of the Rice Center of Children's Home and Aid Society,  Hillside Food Pantry, Ajayi brothers, El Rescate-LBGTQ housing youth ages 18-24, The Vet Center, and UCE's Refugee family.

If you have questions about Mitten Tree please contact  Carol Nielsen.
 
We need to feed ourselves, of course, but we also need to feed our Dedicated Funds. So what better than a Potluck and Raffle to fill both needs?
 
On December 3rd, Music Sunday, following the second service, the Social Justice Council and its associated teams will provide a Potluck and Raffle for the benefit of hungry Unitarian Universalists and for the replenishment of three of our much-used and increasingly depleted Dedicated Funds. Click here to read more.
Tuesdays: Nov 28, Dec 5, Dec 12, Dec 19
7:00 - 9:00pm
In this four-part series Rev. Bret Lortie and Dr. Mary Shelden will lead us through a broad overview of the Bible suitable for UU study: 
  • how the Bible is organized;
  • how the collection of books that comprise the Bible came to be chosen;
  • different approaches to studying the text;
  • what archaeology has to tell us about the text and its stories.
Whether we understand the Bible as a sacred scripture or simply a cultural record, these sessions should help participants begin to come to terms with ways to approach this ancient text and gauge its significance for our own lives.
 
Required texts: 
  • Bible (your chosen version); 
  • What Is The Bible, Rev. Anne Robertson, Massachusetts Bible Society, 2012
    ISBN 978-0-9907212-0-8
Evanston Faith and community leaders have proposed a resolution to build solidarity and unity in response to the Trump administration's actions and intent to increase deportations, end DACA, ban immigrants from certain countries, and put many families at risk. Our congregation is being asked, along with other Evanston faith communities, to sign onto this resolution and commit to actions that promote welcome, inclusion and safety for those at risk. The congregational vote on this resolution will be Sunday, December 17, at 10am. (voting members were sent an electronic notification of that meeting on Monday 10/30). We will have an abbreviated worship service at 9:15 that morning, ending at 9:50, with the congregational meeting and then the Pageant at 11am. Here is a link to the resolution.
All are invited to attend and participate in Ornament Sunday on December 10 after the service. There will be a variety of stations for crafting of ornaments -- to take home and to trim our UCE Christmas tree! The Mitten Tree folks will also host wrapping for Mitten Tree gifts. If you're joining us, please bring a dish to share for the potluck between the service and the start of ornament crafting. Come and be part of the holiday bustle!
November is drawing to a close, and with it our Giving House collection of coffee, tea, and cocoa for the Hospitality Center at St. Mark's Church.  If you haven't yet donated, stop by the Fair Trade Cart on Sunday. There you'll find all three items. The proceeds will go to help families in need, right here in Evanston, so you'll be giving twice.  This month the Giving House is sponsored by the Board of Trustees.  Thank you!
Join us for Yoga on Sunday evenings! Jessica Tomell-Presto and Doug Erickson will offer yoga on Sunday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm on Sunday, December 3 and December 17 in Room 2 at UCE. Yoga is great for increasing flexibility, providing stress relief, and offering time for reflection. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica.
The nonfiction book group will meet at 12:30pm on Sunday, December 3 to discuss A merican Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. 

Author Colin Woodard believes that eleven "nations" within North America have different historical roots and that there has never been one America. Rival regional cultures continue to uphold distinguishing ideals today, as can be seen in the U.S. Congress. Copies of the book are available at the Book H and at area libraries.
If you are in a caregiving role of any sort, we invite you to drop in at the next Caregiver Support Group. We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:30pm at UCE. Questions?  Contact Joyce Lofstrom  or Renee Hoff .
Ministers' Schedules

Rev. Bret Lortie  is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and by appointment. Monday is sabbath and Friday devoted to writing. To send a message or read Rev. Bret's blog, visit

Rev. Eileen Wiviott has office hours most Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, and  Thursdays, and often evening meetings on those days. Mondays are sabbatical days and Fridays she works from home. Please contact her via email at ewiviott@ucevanston.org , or via phone at (847) 864-1330 x111 (office), or (224) 565-3952 (cell).
UCE Board of Trustees meeting is held the third Wednesday of each month in Room 3. All members are welcome. **Note - The board meeting in November has been moved to November 30 in room 6.
Upcoming UCE Events

Thursday, November 23
Thanksgiving with the Navy

Tuesdays, November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 7:00pm
What Is the Bible?

Sunday, December 3, 12:00pm
Replenish the Funds Potluck and Raffle

Sunday, December 10, 1:15pm
Ocean of Devotion Gong Meditation

Tuesday, December 19, 5:00pm
Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women

Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions and Recovery Group

Sunday Mornings, 9:00am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga
Community Involvement
Click each event for more information.

YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
Third Thursday of the Month 

Throughout November we are collecting coffee, tea, and cocoa for the Interfaith Action Hospitality Center to serve during the cold winter months. Please place your donations in the Giving House box in the lobby.

Ocean of Devotion Gong Meditation with Preston Klik

Sunday, December 10, 1:15pm at UCE

Donations accepted
Free Performance

Mordine & Company Dance Theater

Saturday, December 9, 7:30pm 
at UCE

for more information.
Upcoming Membership Classes

Intro to Unitarian Universalism 
Sunday, December 17
12:30 - 2:00 pm
An overview of our faith, led by Rev. Bret Lortie 

Orientation Toward Membership 
Saturday, January 13
9am - noon
Led by Assistant Minister, Rev. Eileen Wiviott. An interactive class exploring what it means to be a member of this congregation.

Sign up at the guest table in the lobby or email Rev. Eileen Wiviott at  ewiviott@ucevanston.org. Childcare available upon request for both of these classes.
Things to Know About our Community

Interested in knowing more about UCE? How to submit something to Joys and Sorrows? How to get a nametag, or a rainbow or pronoun sticker for your nametag? Interested in bringing flowers and lighting the chalice on a Sunday? Click here for more information about our community!
Yoga at UCE


Join us every Sunday at 8:15am and every Wednesday at 9:30am.

Yoga at UCE is designed to reduce stress, bring relaxation, increase range of motion, and find balance - restorative yoga. If you never have done yoga before, this is your opportunity. Drop in, wear comfortable clothing for stretching, and try it. Yoga is learned by doing. Community yoga mats provided if needed.

Add Your Photo to the Photo Member Directory

Remember that there is a directory of members that includes photos on our website. This is a password protected document. Contact the office if you don't know the password. If you would like to add your photo to the directory, or update your photo, please send  a photo to  Carli Magel , or let her know you'd like your picture taken on Sunday morning. 
UCE Facebook Groups
Did you know that, in addition to the UCE Facebook Page, there are three UCE groups that members can join - the UCE Member to Member Group, the UCE Children and Youth Religious Education Group and the UCE Social Action Group?  

These are closed groups that allow members to post directly to each other. If you have an event you want members to know about, or have a cause you hope to bring attention to, in addition to the newsletter and order of service, you can post to the Facebook Group. Click the links above or search for the groups by name when you are on Facebook and ask to join.
Connecting UU: a path to belonging at UCE

45 minute discussions; Sundays at 10:15 in Room 12
These sessions are open to all,
no matter where you are on the journey. 
Childcare available. No need to sign up in advance.

UU Principles  - Understanding the seven principles, an enlightening discussion led by members of the New Member Committee.

UU Sources -  A discussion of the six sources from which we draw wisdom and spiritual nourishment.

Spiritual Journeys (4 parts) - take any one or all of them in any order. Explore your religious and spiritual background, where you come from, what you want to cherish and what you want to release, and how you practice your spirituality.

How to Get Involved  - Learn how to become more engaged in the life of the church, find groups and activities of interest, discover the way things get done, answer your questions about belonging in our community.

UCE History and Tour - Learn more about the history, architecture and art of our building through a guided tour led by one of our long-term members. Tour begins at the back of the sanctuary near the large mural.
Opportunities
 for Spiritual Practice

| 847-864-1330 | uce@ucevanston.org | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201