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Sunday, September 25
Worship Service - 9:15 and 11:00am
"
Living our Covenant of Engagement"
When our congregation was developing our Covenant of Engagement in 2011, some said that the only covenant we really need is the historic one we read together every Sunday. This "newer" one provides detailed guidance on they ways we have decided to live in covenant with one another. How do we live our Covenant of Engagement, with help from our Congregational Relations Team? Rev. Connie Grant speaking.
The service will include a Dance of Universal Peace to honor International Day of Peace.
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. All begin in the sanctuary for the first part of the worship service before going to classes. The sixth-seventh-eighth grade class begins at 9:00am this week to watch "Contact." Senior high meets at 11:00am. Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 9:00-12:30.
UCE Addictions and Recovery Group
The Addictions and Recovery Group will be at the back of the sanctuary after both services to talk about our group and pass along information about addiction and recovery.
Bike the Ridge -
9:00am-1:00pm
Summer may be ending, but UCE members can look forward to Evanston's fall event: Bike the Ridge.This Sunday, September 25 from 9:00-1:00pm, Ridge Avenue between Howard and Church will be closed to vehicular traffic for "Bike the Ridge."
This event is an excellent community building opportunity for UCE. Hundreds of people will be biking by UCE's doorstep; let's give them a UCE welcome! We will have a tent set up on Ridge. Here UCE members can greet bikers, supply them with water and cookies, and provide information about the church. We need lots of friendly faces on Ridge to represent UCE!
For both our community members and UCE members, there will be bike decorating on the church lawn. Anyone who stops by can decorate their bikes with streamers, pipe cleaners, or ribbons.
Non-Fiction Book Group - 12:30pm
We will discuss
Saving Capitalism: For the Many Not the Few
by Robert Reich.
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Mass Immigration and the National Interest: the Case Against (mass) Immigration"
The usual media coverage of immigration issues concentrates on benefits to immigrants and commonly claims that mass immigration benefits all Americans. For example, David Brooks' editorial "The Great Affluence Fallacy" in the September 2 issue of the NY Times. We will discuss contrary views based on quotes from economists and Black Americans.Discussion leader: Jack Cooksey.
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
10:20am-10:50am
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 10:20am and 10:50am to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Each week, the reception has been a most affirming experience. We hope to continue this on a weekly basis with your help.
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 -
9:15am
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
or Brian Meister.
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From the Board of Trustees
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Name Change Circles will be held for 14 days starting October 2 through October 15. The Circles will be facilitated by the UCE Board of Trustees. The Circles will give our Beloved Community members an opportunity to share their thoughts/feelings on a name change, an opportunity to express empathy for those who think/feel differently about a name change, and an opportunity to propose a name. The Circles will be conducted similar to a Covenant Group. Deep Listening is an integral component of the process. After the closing words of a Circle members will be asked to fill out a form that shares the member's circle answers in written form. The forms will add options for next steps. For those that cannot make it to a circle we will offer other opportunities to fill out a form. We want to hear from as many members who choose to have their voice heard. We will accept forms until October 31.
Click here to read more.
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Recently Retired (but never retiring!) Women
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 5pm
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We begin with our Greet and Eat Potluck, followed by a lively discussion always related to our mission of offering support and developing community for women who are in this particular stage of their lives. This month's discussion centers around Memory. For more information, please contact Margie Rogasner.
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From the Syrian Refugee Family Team -
Khalaf Family
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The Syrian refugee family we are sponsoring are getting settled in. They are delightful: friendly, outgoing, eager to learn English, and to get settled in America. We have taken them shopping for clothing essentials, but we still need many specific items. If you can help, please bring your donations to the box under the coat rack at UCE.
Click here to see the list. Thank you!
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Curious about the world's refugee crisis?
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The food and shelter team is helping to sponsor a presentation by Tara Magner of the MacArthur Foundation & Scott Hibbard of DePaul University.
Join diverse faith communities in the Evanston area for an insightful presentation on the plight of refugees worldwide, and begin an interfaith discussion of what we can do to make this a truly welcoming community.
When: Thursday, September 29, 2016 7:30 pm
Where: St. Nicholas Church, Oldershaw Hall (behind church), 806 Ridge Avenue
More details on the FAST bulletin board.
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Mobilize your Green Team at the Field Museum!
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Meet the New Green Team at UCE!
- Discounted Parking
- Free Museum Access
- Guided Tours!
Sunday, September 25, 12 noon to 4pm
We're teaming up with other Illinois faith congregations to learn from Faith in Place and organize! Faith in Place has activities for your tweens and teens so you can focus on celebrating our sustainability journey and identify next steps for UCE. Meanwhile enjoy the Field Museum!
Interested? Please email
Michael Drennan for directions and to organize travel from Church after 11 am service.
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News from CRS, UUANI and UU Prison Ministry
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Another month of putting UU values into action!
The UU Prison Ministry of Illinois invites you to a workshop on radical hospitality on October 1 at Countryside Church UU in Palatine, 10am-4pm.
CRS (Community Renewal Society) is in advocating for our police accountability proposal, called FAIR COPS. It establishes an independent police auditor. Chicago City Council will vote soon.
UUANI (UU Advocacy Network of Illinois) took part in the National Moral Day of Action on September 12 in Springfield and 29 other state capitols to be religious voices for moral stances on many related issues of poverty, racial justice, imprisonment, health, and the environment.
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"Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War"
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Tuesday, September 27, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Discussion at UCE
Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War, directed by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky, is an account of a daring rescue mission that occurred on the precipice of World War II. It tells the story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, a Unitarian minister and his wife from Wellesley, Massachusetts, who left their children behind in the care of their parish and boldly committed to multiple life-threatening missions in Europe. Over two dangerous years they helped to save hundreds of imperiled political dissidents and Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi occupation across Europe.
We will focus on issues of interest to us as Unitarian Universalists including an exploration of the Sharps' motivations and reaction, and how we can relate their story to the demands of our own time. Facilitated by Dan Solomon.
Click here to sign up for the discussion at UCE.
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For those who are thinking about becoming a member of the church.
Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, October 16, 12:30 - 2pm
Led by Rev. Bret Lortie, we'll look at our history, our principles, the sources of our faith, and the meaning of covenant. (This is the first step in the membership process.)
Orientation Toward Membership
Saturday, November 12, 9 am - 12pm
Led by Rev. Connie Grant, Membership Director Eileen Wiviott, and members of the New Member Committee. An interactive class exploring our spiritual journeys, the diversity of our beliefs, and what it means to be a member of this congregation. (This is the second step in the membership process.)
Sign up at the Guest & Member Table in the lobby or email Eileen Wiviott.
There will be childcare available upon request in advance for both of these classes.
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Continued Learning Opportunities
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These continued learning opportunities are offered monthly by the New Member Committee, open to all who want to better understand what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, no matter where you are on the membership journey
Principles and Sources Class
1st Sundays 10:15 - 11am
Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or you would like to better understand the seven principles and six sources of our faith, join us for this rich 45-minute discussion led by members of the New Member Committee. We
'
ll use thought provoking metaphors to dive deeper into the foundations of being a UU.
Next Principles & Sources Class: October 2nd between services.
Spiritual Journeys - a 3-part conversation
2nd, 3rd, 4th Sundays at 10:15-11am
We
'll explore our religious and spiritual backgrounds, where we come from, what we want to cherish and what we want to release as we continue our journeys. This is a conversation open to all no matter where you are on the path
- exploring membership, new members and long-term members alike. You can participate in any one or all three in any order.
Next Spiritual Journeys Sessions: October 9, 16, and 23 between services.
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"Race: The Power of an Illusion"
Tuesdays, October 4, 11, 18
7:00-9:00pm at UCE
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We'll view and discuss this must-see three-part series that takes us through the history, science and day to day experiences undergirding how race impacts life in the United States.
October 4, Part One, "The Differences Between Us."
October 11, Part Two, "The Story We Tell."
October 18, Part Three, "The House We Live In."
Our hope is that this series can help us all navigate through our myths and misconceptions about race, and scrutinize some of the assumptions we take for granted. In that sense, the real subject of the film is not so much race but the viewer, or more precisely, the notions about race we all hold. We hope this series can help clear away the biological underbrush and leave starkly visible the underlying social, economic, and political conditions that disproportionately channel advantages and opportunities to white people. Perhaps then we can shift the conversation from discussing diversity and respecting cultural difference to building a more just and equitable society. Sponsored by our REAL team, and facilitated by Eileen Heineman,
Co-Director, Racial Justice Programs, YWCA Evanston/North Shore. Open to the public.
Click here to sign up.
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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
www.liberalfaith.org
.
Rev. Connie Grant is generally in the office during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and often has evening meetings on those days. She takes Mondays off and works at home on Fridays. Please email or call Connie for an appointment.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Sunday, Sept. 25, 9:00am
Bike the Ridge
Sunday, Sept. 25, 12:30pm
Non-Fiction Book Group
Sunday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm
Journeys Student/Parent Orientation
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 5:00pm
Recently Retired (but never retiring) Women
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 7:00pm
Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 7:00pm
Sing Thing
Thurs, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 2
Fall Weekend
Saturday, October 1, 12:00pm
Potluck/Discussion with UUA Presidential Candidate
Sunday, October 2, 10:15am
Principles and Sources Class
Tuesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 7:00pm
Race: The Power of an Illusion
Sundays, Oct. 9, 16, 23, 10:15am
Spiritual Journeys
Saturday, October 29, 7:30pm
UCE Coffee House
Thursday Nights, 5:30pm
Meditation Group
Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions Ministry Group
Sunday Mornings, 9:00am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga
Saturdays at 10:00am
Open Drumming Circles
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Save the Date!
Serendipity Auction
Saturday, November 12
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Sing Thing
Wednesday, September 28, 7pm
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! All are welcome!.
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From Peace and Justice
Our Peace Cranes remain on the flowering bush near the church entrance to honor the International Day of Peace.
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Soup Kitchens this Fall
Update on What's Needed
Please sign up online at the links below or at the table on Sunday. We especially need the following:
Lobby Beverages (3:45-6:00 pm)
Lunch and dinner food purchases
Casserole cooks
Clean up coordinator and volunteers (6:45-8:00 pm)
Lunch and dinner food purchases
Casserole cooks
We host these soup kitchens when our neighbor Beth Emet is celebrating Jewish holidays. We welcome about 100 people for dinner, a sack lunch and our best hospitality.
Mark your calendars: 2017 Soup Kitchens are April 12, September 20, September 27, October 4, October 11.
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Friendship Dinners
2016-17
Join a UCE tradition: a series of four dinners shared in the homes of fellow members and friends. Hosts provide the main dish; guests bring the other dishes. Sign up to host one time during the year. Come to enjoy the fun and fellowship. See the sign up table at church beginning Sunday, Sept. 11 or
click here
to sign up online.
Dinner dates are Oct. 22, Dec.10, Feb.25, April 22.
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The Coffee House is Coming!
Saturday, October 29
Do you sing, play an instrument, tell stories, tell jokes, recite poetry? If you wish to go onstage, e-mail Alicia Hempfling.
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Our Giving House for the month of September is collecting hearty soups and stews.
Donations will be matched by a Covenant Group or family or other group of sponsors. Donations are given to Connections for the Homeless for distribution at Hilda's Place pantry or the Entry Point program.
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Composting at UCE
At the south end of the parking lot, there are two green totes for compost. If you would like to participate in this composting program for church members and friends, please remember to contribute. We are asking for $60 per person, per year to be paid to UCE by check (put
"
composting
"
in the memo).
Thank you for caring for our planet by diverting waste from our landfills. A note to those composting in the bins outside - PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR COMPOST IN PLASTIC BAGS! It is not compostable that way. Stop by the compost station after church if you want to purchase an inexpensive kitchen counter container.
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Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
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