A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Join us for worship and religious education at 9:15 and 11:00am on Sunday Morning!
Holly Near in Concert at UCE -  Hosted by WomanSpirit 2018 -  Saturday, February 3, 2018 -  7:30pm
Tickets are $26.50 and available on the UCE website - ucevanston.org 
Click the Tickets/Giving tab at the top right on the home page
January 19, 2018
Sunday, January 21
"Sexual Liberation in the Age of #MeToo
9:15 and 11:00am
Sexual misconduct and abuse are present in every community and sector of society, causing harm to people of all ages, genders, and identities. This isn't news, of course, for much of the population. However, the sheer number of public figures accused of sexual assault recently has exposed the pervasiveness of the issue. Sexual morality has often been falsely equated with denying desire, limiting freedom, and stifling expression. As religious progressives - affirming the inherent worth and dignity of each person, promoting freedom of expression, and understanding sexuality as a sacred and integral part of who we are - how do we practice a sexual ethic that is life-giving, honoring, and empowering rather than harmful? Rev. Wiviott will lead worship and Henry Pleas will be our musical guest.

Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.

First-Ever Parent-Teacher Potluck  
12:30pm - 
Room 3
RE families, please come and bring your children -- we will begin with a shared meal, and then our awesome youth will offer childcare downstairs while the adults talk for a while upstairs. Please join us!
 
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Artificial Intelligence"
Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to have reached a tipping point. Machines are now better than human beings at: playing chess; at recognizing faces in a crowd; and in the near future - at designing certain kinds of learning machines. Wars will be won by the country with the best cyberattack and defense capabilities, and natural and human disasters may be anticipated and in some cases averted. At the center of all this is the digital elite - the 0.001% of scientists and engineers. Does all this spell calamity or progress for the human race? Who will set the priorities and control the abuses of technological development? Discussion leader: Jeremy Paradoe and Scot Campbell
 
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
From the Director of Lifespan Religious Education dlre
Dr. Mary Lamb Shelden
Bound Up

"If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time . . .
But if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

~ Aboriginal Activists Group, Queensland, 1970s

My first marriage came apart for many reasons that I won't go into here. When it did, though, I went from a 11-year relationship with a man to a brand new relationship with a woman. While I had identified as bi* since my teens, and had always been forthright about this with partners, family, and close friends - and actually, anyone who asked, and whenever the subject came up -- my bisexuality had been obscured to many in my social circle because I had been in a committed relationship with a man. Folks saw a man and a woman, and simply assumed that both of us were heterosexual. Click here to read more.
Child Dedications childdedications
We will be holding a dedication for our UCE infants and young children on Sunday, February 11th at the 11:00am service. In our congregation, this ritual involves the congregation expressing its dedication to the well being and development of this child. Members who would like to have their children participate in this rite of passage, please reach out to Rev. Bret or Rev. Eileen  to let them know
Sundae Bar and Puzzle/Lego Night
Friday, January 26, 7:00pm  sundaebar
Intergenerational -- kids, youth, parents, and random, free-floating UCE adults: come feel the warmth of community and hot fudge! Then get your puzzle on, or build that Lego landscape you've been dying to try. Free for Parents; $5 per kid or adult w/out kids. All children must have an adult in attendance. 50-seat capacity - come be part of it! (And don't worry if you didn't sign up for this at the auction. Come join us - we have plenty of room!)
Interfaith Action of Evanston's Annual Vision Keeper Dinner  visionkeeper
As UCE's delegate to Interfaith Action of Evanston, Barbara Butz is delighted to announce that Jane Bannor will be our Vision Keeper of the year. She will be honored at the annual banquet at 6 pm on February 18 at the Hilton Orrington. For 40 years now, Jane has been a role model in leadership at UCE, and across the denomination, in anti-war, peace, and justice work. To participate in this honor, you can reserve a space at the table by submitting a check for $75/person, payable to IAE, to the office. The deadline for reservations is January 31. Questions? contact Barb at bkbutz@sbcglobal.net .
Empty Bowls - What You Need to Know
Sunday, February 11, 12:00pm emptybowls
What? "Fill Your Bowl and Warm Their Hearts" Fundraiser
Who? Co-sponsored by the Food and Shelter Team and the Rainbow Alliance. Beautiful, handmade pottery bowls donated by our very creative members and friends
When? Sunday, Feb.11 after the 11am service. *NOTE THIS IS NOT SUPERBOWL SUNDAY
Where? UCE
Why? We have food insecure people in our community. Donations will help provide food for Interfaith Action Produce Mobile, Hillside Food Pantry, and the Youth Empowerment Performance Project (LGBTQ youth)
How? How can you help? Use the links to volunteer for food and/or helping. Everyone is invited to share in a delicious lunch of soups, chilis, bread and extras.

Special Guest - "THE BREAD MAN" will be there!

Reviving a tradition started by artist and UCE member Rosemary Zwick, The Rosemary Zwick Night of the Arts this year is Saturday, February 10 from 6-9pm. The cost is $5.00 per person, or $15.00 per family. The sanctuary will be filled with people of all ages enjoying a variety of art projects. Some projects will be individual for taking home, and some will be group projects for display. Make a valentine for your honey, enjoy music and noshes, and ward off the winter blahs. It may be cold outside, but we'll keep it warm and cozy inside making art. If you are interested in doing a project, helping or attending, contact Johna Van Dyke  or Will Van Dyke.
Are you interested in going to the UUA General Assembly next summer in Kansas City (June 20 through 24) but are not sure you'd be able to afford it?  UCE offers up to three $800 stipends to encourage attending GA, and maybe you can apply for one!  You can learn more about GA at https://www.uua.org/ga .   Applications for the stipend are available at http://ucevanston.org/denominational-affairs and on the Denominational Affairs bulletin board between Rooms 1 and 2 in the main hall off the lobby.  The deadline for completed applications is February 15, 2018.
Potluck followed by lots of learning about each other!  As this month is our first meeting of 2018, let's offer reflections on 2017. What is one thing you did that was unexpected? that made you proud? that surprised you? that led to something else? How did retirement enable that to happen? For more information, please feel free to contact Margie Rogasner. All women who are retired are welcome to attend!
As you may have heard, UCE and Women in Religion are hosting the Women's Spirit Weekend on February 2-3, 2018. It's a weekend to celebrate the feminine spirit with a variety of activities and seminars. It will culminate with a concert on Saturday night with Holly Near.  

We are looking for people to help support our efforts to raise funds for the church through the traditional Friday Night Soup Dinner.  We need to serve a lot of people a lot of soup and could use your help.  I've got the recipes and I'm hoping you can help make a batch or two to donate to our Friday night efforts.  We are also looking for extra help in the kitchen to prepare and serve both Friday night and Saturday lunches.  Please contact Liz Goodwin  with your willingness to help out!  Many hands make light work and we love many hands helping out!  Thank you in advance for your consideration.  
If you are available Monday evenings in March, specifically March 5, 12, 19 and 20, please save those dates. The Racial Equity Action and Leadership team has joined up with folks in UCE's Organizing Team, and with members of Beth Emet, Grace Lutheran and Lake Street Church, to present a four-part seminar series using a curriculum that was developed by national experts in racial equity training. The series will provide tools and strategies for making inroads on the role of white privilege in our community and institutions.  More information and registration will be available soon.  
We will discuss The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan. The book is available in several formats. You can find it at the Book H at UCE, public libraries, and online.  The book gives us a new way of looking at history and shows how the fate of the West has always been inextricably linked to the East. It was on the Silk Roads that East and West first encountered each other through trade and conquest, leading to the spread of ideas, cultures, and religions. We need to understand this history in order to understand what is currently at stake for the cities and nations built on these trade routes.  All are welcome to attend.
Join with other church members this year in using the church's composting service for a small annual contribution of $60 per person (up to a $180 maximum per household). You may have noticed the two green containers at the southeast corner of our church parking lot.  They are there for your use once you have committed to this service.

If you are interested in joining this movement for 2018, fill out this form and submit it to the church office (by mail or in person) and we will sign you up.  And for an additional $10, we will provide you with your very own kitchen counter composting bucket.  (Plastic bags are not acceptable containers because they are not compostable.)  If you have any questions about this program, please contact Compost Program Coordinator John LaPlante.
Presented by the REAL (Racial Equity) Team and OPAL (Organization for Positive Action and Leadership)

Save the date(s) for some enlightening videos and discussion. On January 23 we'll view some short films that provide new insight into where we've been and where can we go. These will include archival footage of an intense 1960's march in Cicero, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's marvelous "Danger of the Single Story," a Jay Smooth (hip-hopper) lesson on maintaining equity hygiene (you don't just brush your teeth once and they're done for life), and some other short and well-worth-it videos. On January 30 we'll watch the recently released "I Am Not Your Negro," with James Baldwin. If you haven't seen this before (or even if you have) it is an experience you will not regret.  FREE POPCORN! Click here to sign up.
We're talking about the Evanston Emergency Overnight Shelter, sponsored by Interfaith Action. We are participants at UCE and will host people during the weeks of Feb. 25, Mar. 4, and Mar. 18, providing the night time temperature will be 15 degrees or lower. 
 
I was curious, myself, so I took a short training in the Fall. Volunteers are needed for three time frames: set up 8-9:30pm; overnight 9:30pm-7am; cleanup 6-7am. I didn't intend to ever do the overnight shift, but when extreme temperatures were sustained during the holiday period, I decided I'd give it a try. Click here to read more.
Tearing Down Walls - Building Up - Connections, Community and Solidarity - A UU Justice Event

Join us at Countryside Church UU in Palatine - Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24. Register at UUPMI.org. Click here for more information.
The song, "I Am Willing," written by Holly Near, is the theme of Womanspirit this year at the Unitarian Church of Evanston on Feb 2-4, 2018. In the world we are living in, we need to renew our hope and strengthen ourselves within a community of kindred spirits. Holly's activism, music and very life inspire and model what we need to be nourished and emboldened.

Holly Near will be giving the plenary talk and running a workshop on Saturday morning. She will give a concert at UCE on Saturday evening - concert is open to all, even if they do not attend Womanspirit.

For more information and to register please go to: http://www.womenandreligion.org/,  or see Martha Holman, Amy Grabowski, Maggie Wilson for more information!  
Scientists Who Changed Our World
Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018
Facilitated by Jerry Stone & Dan Solomon

We Can Work It Out: Dealing with Conflict Constructively - Individually and in Groups
Tuesdays, March 6 and 13, 2018
Facilitated by members of the Congregational Relations Team

Daring Democracy in Today's Political Environment
Tuesdays, March 20, 27, April 3, 2018
Facilitated by Tom Ticknor

Paganism
Tuesdays, April 10, 17, 24, 2018 
Facilitated by Taryn Nelson Seawright and ministerial intern Susan Frances

Simplicity
Tuesdays, May 8, 15, 22, 2018
Facilitated by Dick Whitaker

Hannah Arendt and the Banality of Evil
Tuesdays, May 29, June 5, 12, 2018
Facilitated by Julia Takarada and Dan Solomon

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
Upcoming UCE Events

Tuesdays, Jan. 23, 30, 7-9 pm Inquiry into Racial Equity History, Courage and What Can We Do

Tuesday, January 23, 5:00pm
Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women


Saturday, February 3, 7:30pm
Holly Near Concert

Tuesdays, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 7-9pm
Scientists Who Changed Our World


Saturday, February 10, 6:00pm
Night of the Arts


Sunday, February 11, 12:00pm
Empty Bowls


Tuesdays, March 6 and 13, 7-9pm
We Can Work It Out: Dealing with Conflict Constructively

Tuesdays, March 20, 27, April 3, 7-9pm
Daring Democracy in Today's Political Environment

Tuesdays, April 10, 17, 24, 7-9pm
Paganism

Tuesdays, May 8, 15, 22, 7-9pm
Simplicity

Tuesdays, May 29, June 5, 12, 7-9pm
Hannah Arendt and the Banality of Evil

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.

Monday, January 29, 7:00pm
Workshop: Defending Immigrant Rights - Beth Emet Synagogue


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


This month we are collecting cans of tuna, salmon, and chicken for Connections for the Homeless. 

The Endowment Committee will sponsor with matching donations. Please place all donations in the little pink house just inside the west entrance.  Thank you for your continuing generosity!
Post Your Reviews of UCE on Social Media

Whatever app you use, post a review of your experience at UCE. We hope you find meaning, joy and healthy challenge in our community. And we hope that others who would benefit from a community like ours will find us. If you want to share the impact that our congregation has had on your life, consider writing a quick, positive review of our church on Facebook, Yelp, Google maps, Twitter, Instagram or whatever apps you use.
UCE Food With Spirit Group

Do you have a complicated relationship with food? Join us on Thursday, January 25 and Feb. 8 and 22 at UCE at 5:30pm (every other Thursday) to discuss nutrition, eating patterns, emotional triggers, recipes, or whatever comes up among the group members.  We have read a couple of helpful books together recently. Talk to Peggy Boccard  or Julia Takarada  if you want to know more. All are welcome.
Upcoming Membership Classes

Intro to Unitarian Universalism 
Sunday, January 28
12:30 - 2:00 pm
An overview of our faith, led by Rev. Bret Lortie 

Orientation Toward Membership 
Saturday, March 31
9am - noon
Even if you didn't sign up but would like to attend, please join us. This is a meaningful and engaging way to learn about what it means to be a member and how to become more deeply involved in the life of the congregation. Led by Assistant Minister, Rev. Eileen Wiviott. 

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.

Connecting UU 
classes will resume after the new year, on January 7th with Spiritual Practices


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.
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).
Opportunities
 for Spiritual Practice

UCE Board of Trustees meeting is held the third Wednesday of each month in Room 3. All members are welcome. 
| 847-864-1330 | uce@ucevanston.org | http://www.ucevanston.org
1330 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201