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Sunday, August 28
Worship Service - 10:00am
"Liberating White Environmentalism"
Faith in Place is joining us on Sunday August 28th! A local nonprofit that empowers Illinois people of all faiths to be leaders in caring for the Earth, providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. Rev. Brian Sauder, a Mennonite Minister and President of Faith in Place, will guest preach at this service.
Sermon Follow-up Discussion - 11:30am - Room 3
Rev. Sauder will hold a sermon follow-up discussion in Room 3 at 11:30. Please come to discuss the sermon and how we can move forward together on environmentalism at UCE.
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
11:30am-Noon
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 11:30am and noon 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
11:15am
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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Meditation Workshop -
Deepening Good Practices
Saturday, September 10, 1:00pm
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This workshop will be a Review & Deepening of important aspects of meditation practice that make it more regular, enjoyable, easy, and liberating. We will examine posture, motivation & aims, attention to breath, mindfulness, and insight. Guided practices will be offered for each of these areas followed by collective investigation of the process & experience. The format will be experiential with plenty of time for test driving and clearing up questions. Suitable for beginners and experienced meditators. Bring your queries and challenges!
Click here for more information.
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Christianity Discussion Group
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Do you have an interest in exploring how Christianity has informed Unitarian Universalism? After all, Unitarian Universalists claim Jewish and Christian teachings as one of our six sources. Whether you identify as Christian UU or are simply curious to find out how Christianity and Unitarian Universalism intersect (or not), you are invited to join the new Christianity Discussion Group at UCE.
We will have our first meeting on Thursday, September 15 at 7:15 PM in Room 6.
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Women's circles are small, ongoing, self-run groups of UCE members and friends. At a Women's Circle, we create connections with other women and share our life journey in a caring and safe environment. The Womens' Circles still have space for additional members. Contact Gini Sayad if you are interested.
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Soup Kitchens this Fall
October 5 and October 12
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This fall we will host Wednesday evening soup kitchens while our neighbor, Beth Emet, celebrates the high holy days. We will welcome approximately 100 guests for dinner, a sack lunch, and our best hospitality. Please mark your calendars now and watch for sign up sheets online and in the lobby coming soon! Thanks, Janet Hartmann.
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A Circle of Opportunity
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The Board of Trustees invites our Beloved Community to a conversation on the exploration of the community's interest in a name change, during the month of October. The Board has structured a process that will be experienced in "Conversation Circles." The goal in the process is to have your voices/interests heard, while using our Covenant of Engagement as a model for civil, courageous, and loving conversation.
Depending on the outcome of expressed interests, we'll see if there is enough interest to go further in the name change exploration. If there does not seem to be a desire of the community to move forward with a name change, the Board would recommend that the discussion end for the year. If there seems to be a desire to explore the topic further, the Board has a process to proceed.
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"Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War"
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Tuesday, September 20, 8:00 - 9:30pm
Watch the documentary on PBS at home
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.
On September 20, the first night of this two week series, watch the broadcast of the film on PBS at home. On September 27, we will discuss the film at UCE, focusing on issues of interest to us as Unitarian Universalists. This will include 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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"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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UCE Accessibility and Inclusion Team
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UCE's newly formed Accessibility and Inclusion Team (AIT) has outlined an initial set of goals based upon the UUA's Accessibility Guidelines for Unitarian Universalist Congregations.
UCE-AIT focuses on welcoming, embracing, integrating, and supporting people with disabilities and their families in our congregation. The first goal will be development of an audit of our building and its facilities, programs, and events. The second goal will be the launch of an educational plan to acquaint the congregation with relevant physical needs and our existing accommodations.
We already provide large-print hymnals, large-print order of service, individual headsets for sound amplification during the Sunday service, entry ramp, etc. Eventually UCE may apply to the UUA for certification as an accessible congregation. For information, please contact Alma Woods.
The team meets on the second Saturday of each month at 9:30am at the church.
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News from the Syrian Refugee Family Team
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Want to learn more about the Syrian refugee family that UCE will begin sponsoring some time in September? Here is some illuminating material:
After Spring - This Jon Stewart-produced film is an effort to put a human face on the middle-class families who were forced to leave everything behind after being displaced by civil war. View trailer or short film
here. Shown at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Salam Neighbor - Netflix documentary by American filmmakers who lived in the Syrian Refugee camp Za'atari to chronicle the lives and true stories of their displaced neighbors.
The Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher. Written in 2003, the book looks at what's it like to be a refugee, from all over the world.
And remember the PBS Ken Burns documentary about the Sharps which will be aired in September:
More info here.
Want more? Please watch for a link to our web page in future newsletters and the order of service. We will also post it on the Food and Shelter Team (FAST) bulletin board in the near future.
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Living the Interdependent Web
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This year, our Sunday-morning religious education program for children and youth will focus on "Living the Interdependent Web." We'll broadly and deeply explore what it means to respect, revere, and participate in the interdependent web. Our curriculum and activities are structured across ages and grade levels to focus on our "seventh principle," which calls for "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part," in ways that are holistic, multigenerational, and multidimensional. Participants will have the opportunity to explore ideas, develop relationships, and put values into action. Click here to read more.
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From the REAL Team
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Meet Our Community: Inaugural Fifth Ward Festival of Music, Food and Job Opportunities
2016 Spotlight Issue: Youth Gun Violence
Saturday, August 27, noon to 8pm
at Twiggs Park
Meet Our Community: Fifth Ward Festival
is a food, fun and resource fair for all of Evanston, hosted by the Fifth Ward, to bring Evanstonians together.
UCE's Racial Equity Action Leadership team is supporting this festival. Visit our table while you are at Twiggs Park or volunteer to help us staff it.
A wide variety of booths by local organizations will address the need for jobs and job training, mental health care, voter registration, and more, all of which contribute to empowerment and can help reduce gun violence. Police and firefighters will be on hand to share information about public service jobs.
Submitted by Shirley Adams.
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Religious Education Teacher Orientation
Saturday, September 10, 9amÂ- noon
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Together with our community of volunteer teachers, share inspiration and ideas about lesson planning and classroom management, learn procedural information, and plan together. For religious education teachers for kindergarten through eighth grade classes. Childcare will be available if requested by September 5. RSVP to learning@ucevanston.org.
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Religious Education Classroom Open House
Sunday, Sept 11, 10:15 am and 12:00 noon (after both worship services)
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An opportunity for children and their families to visit classrooms, learn about religious education curriculum and programming, register for religious education classes, and meet classroom teachers. Please drop in!
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Upcoming Membership Classes
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Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, September 18, 11:30 - 1pm
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
Two Wednesdays, September 7 and 14, 7-8:30 pm
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 at
ewiviott@hotmail.com
. Childcare available upon request. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need childcare.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Sunday, August 28, 11:30am
Stand in Support of Black Lives Matter
Sunday, August 28, 5pm
Fiction Book Group Potluck and Discussion
Wednesdays, Sept. 7 and 14 , 7pm
Orientation Toward Membership
Saturday, Sept. 10, 9am
Religious Education Teacher Orientation
Saturday, Sept. 10, 1:00pm
Meditation Worship - Deepening Good Practices
Sunday, Sept. 11, 10:15 and 12:00pm
Religious Education Classroom Open House
Thursday, Sept. 15, 7:15pm
Christianity Discussion Group
Sunday, Sept. 25, 9:00am
Bike the Ridge
Sunday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm
Journeys Student/Parent Orientation
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 7:00pm
Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War
Thurs, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 2
Fall Weekend
Tuesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 7:00pm
Race: The Power of an Illusion
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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UCE Fall Weekend
Deadline Fast Approaching!
The final count for the Fall Weekend has to be submitted this Monday! If you want to come to this wonderful gathering in the woods of Wisconsin to celebrate the opening of the Fall season, now is the time to get your reservation in. Don't miss the fun and spiritual refreshment!
Let Peg Boccard
know if you want to come by close of business on Sunday, August 28. Come and Join us!
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Save the Date:
Sunday, September 25 is Evanston's Bike the Ridge!
Ridge will be closed to vehicular traffic between Howard and Church Street from 9:00-1:00pm.
Join fellow UCE members and bike to church. More details will follow.
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Summer Diaper Drive
Our Giving House will be collecting diapers all summer long. Diapers will be donated to the Bundled Blessings Diaper Pantry at First United Methodist Church. This program provides diapers to low-income families in Evanston. New as well as opened packages are accepted. All sizes needed. Let's fill our house for babies in need.
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Fiction Book Group Potluck and Discussion
Sunday, August 28
5-8pm at UCE
We will be discussing
The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally.
We'll also be choosing books for the fall so bring your ideas.
Open to members, friends and visitors.
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Gen X Family Friendly Campfire
Sat., September 17, 4-6:30pm
at the home of member Sarah Hendershot
If
you are in your 30's to 50's, with kids or without, come and enjoy an outdoor gathering with light refreshments, good conversation and space for the children to play. Please RSVP to
Eileen Wiviott
and
Sarah Hendershot
.
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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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Journeys: Boston and Beyond
Seventh- and eighth-graders and their parents are invited to an orientation meeting on Sunday, September 25 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm to learn more about our Journeys: Boston and Beyond program. Our Journeys program focuses on our young people's own spiritual and religious journeys as they develop and articulate their Unitarian Universalist identities. The culmination of the program will be the students' presentation of their Credo statements to the congregation and a trip to Boston in the spring. RSVP for the September 25 orientation meeting to Rev. Connie Grant at cgrant@ucevanston.org.
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Child Dedications Available
A ceremony of dedication of children will be included in our Sunday morning worship services on September 11. In this ceremony, children are named and blessed, parents dedicate themselves to the young lives entrusted to them, and the congregation dedicates itself to be a loving community in which all may thrive. This ceremony is appropriate for infants as well children who may be new to the congregation or have not previously been dedicated. Please contact Rev. Connie Grant at
cgrant@ucevanston.org if you would like your child to be included.
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Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
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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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