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 26, 2018
Sunday, January 28
"Along the Road of Good Intentions" 
9:15 and 11:00am
In these times of media blitzes, Facebook, Twitter, etc., claims that 'we didn't know' just don't cut it. Our words, actions, and inaction have consequences that sometimes block the efficacy of the hope we want to bring into the world. We are often on the Road of Good Intentions, but where does that lead us, Allies? Rev. Lynnda White speaking.

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

Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Haidt - Conservative and Liberal Morality Revisited"
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt has collected surveys showing that the morality of an American political "liberal" is based substantially on Care and Fairness; while American "conservative" morality relies not only on the foundations of Care and Fairness, but also Authority, In-Group Loyalty, and Sanctity. Here is a quote from one of his discussions of such matters: "Whenever Democrats support policies that weaken the integrity and identity of the collective (such as multiculturalism, bilingualism, and immigration), they show that they care more about pluribus than unum." Is "liberal" morality a divisive influence on society? Discussion Leader: Jack Cooksey. (you can test yourself as to how important each of the moral foundations are to you at: www.YourMorals.org).

Non-Fiction Book Group - 12:30pm
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.

Intro to UU - 12:30pm
An overview of our faith, led by Rev. Bret Lortie

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 Board of Trustees bot
Your Thoughts: "Black Lives Matter" Sign
Two Town Hall Meetings + Food!!

On April 12, 2015 UCE had a congregational meeting and voted to put up a temporary sign that says "Black Lives Matter." Since then we've had people standing in support of it each Sunday after the second service. We said at that time that it would be up for six months, then the congregation would once again decide about continuing with the sign. Thus, we are holding two Town Hall discussion meetings in preparation for a vote at our Annual Meeting on May 20th. The discussion dates are Sunday, February 11th at 12:45pm and Monday, February 26th at 6:30pm, both in Room 3. We'll be discussing the impact the sign has had, what it has meant to you, ideas for the future and how we should vote (public or private).

Food!!! -  There will be lovely desserts available in our meeting room to entice you to come to these conversations. February 11th is also our Soup-er Lunch to fill Empty Bowls day. So choose your soup, bring it to the meeting and have some lovely desserts while we discuss the Black Lives Matter sign. We will also have tempting desserts on the 26th.
 
Janelle Brittain, UCE Board Chair
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 .
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
Sing Thing singthing
Wednesday, January 31, 7:00pm
If you play a folk type musical instrument (or anything else that would blend with guitars and banjos), please bring it. Or just come and sing along! We supply words (and chords if needed). All are welcome! 
Radical Welcome Circle radicalwelcome
UCE is forming a Radical Welcome Circle to support individuals re-entering wider society after time in prison. Re-entry is difficult, emotionally, socially, and materially. Circle members will help by providing any of the following, as we are individually willing and able: emotional support, social interaction, material or logistical support. Please consider joining us. We will have an informational meeting in the second week of February; contact Taryn Nelson Seawright for more information.
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!)
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!

UCE Organizing Team news and  organizingteam opportunities - CRS, UUANI, Prison Ministry 
CRS (Community Renewal Society) - UCE brought 55 people to the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Faith in Action, Jan. 15.   We showed our support for police accountability to Chicago Alderpersons and progressive change to gubernatorial candidates, and were inspired.  Can you work on the CRS platform?  Join an issue team carrying out work in one of four areas (contact Dale Griffin for more info):
 
1. Police accountability
2. Restoring opportunities and justice reform
3. Community Development (Housing and Jobs)
4. Just Economy for Safe Communities
 
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) continues to advocate in the areas of race, income inequality, and climate change. Sign up for  Action of the Week emails to receive weekly emails that make it easy to join other UUANI supporters on timely advocacy on racial, economic and environmental justice, and more!  Or plan on participating in one of several events:
  • Springfield budget action February 14 (governor's speech)
  • April 17 Springfield trip on CRS platform
  • April 24 Springfield trip on Faith in Place environmental issues
  • Poor People's Campaign events May 13-June 21
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois is setting up a Radical Welcome Team and support circles for returning citizens.  To be involved with this project please contact Taryn Seawright or Dale Griffin. 
 
Come to a joint UU Justice Event with UUANI and UUPMI, March 23 (evening)-March 24 at Countryside Church UU in Palatine.  Learn and take action!  
The Sanctuary Team invites you to join them at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue on Monday, January 29th from 7-8:30 for a Defending Immigrant Rights Workshop. Attorneys from the ACLU will train participants on how to advocate and support those whose stats makes them vulnerable to deportation and harassment. Contact abacker@bethemet.org for more information.
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.
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.  
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)

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.
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 . 
UCE Board of Trustees meeting is held the third Wednesday of each month in Room 3. All members are welcome. 
Upcoming UCE Events

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

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

Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24
Tearing Down Walls - Building Up - Connections, Community and Solidarity - A UU Justice Event

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

The Rosemary Zwick 
Night of the Arts

Saturday, February 10, 6-9pm

Reviving a tradition started by artist and UCE member Rosemary Zwick, 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.
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, 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

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