Posts from 2023

We are so very proud to share that almost all items for our two Apartment Welcome Kits have been pledged. As a reminder, UUCE has been invited to join a coalition led by Elgin Cooperative Ministries to support Elgin’s Centro de Información’s work to house 50 asylum seeking families as they await hearings, receive case management and legal services, work permit processing, and workforce development support. The community coalition is providing essential needs for these individuals and families, who are…

The All Peoples Interfaith Food Pantry is an important resource for people in need of help in Elgin.  In 2022 the Pantry served 3,455 families with 11,790 family members.  Through October 2023 compared to the same period last year the total families are up by 927 and family members have increased by 4,577. The needs list continues to be cereal most of all, with canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, mac  ’n cheese, juice and anything else your generosity inspires.  The…

Mark your calendars for Saturday December 2nd, 5:00pm – 6:30pm Deck the Halls followed by a Holiday Potluck starting at 6:30pm. We could sure use your help decorating the church for the holidays and we would love to share a meal following the decorating. Attend one or both, whatever works best for you. Hosted by the Revitalization Team.

Did you know that UUCE maintains a small inventory of durable medical equipment for the use of UUCE members and friends? Durable medical equipment is “any medical equipment used in the home to aid in a better quality of living.” Our “loaner” closet, located on the third floor, has the following items available: There is a simple sign out/return list to keep track of the items, and there is no fee for using them. The church administrator or members of the Care Team can assist anyone…

We’re proud to source our pecans from Cypress Pond, a for-profit farm affiliated with a network of civil rights and community organizations working in southwest Georgia since the 1960s. These pecans are grown on land once owned by the largest slave owner in Georgia, now owned by descendants of slaves. New Communities was founded in 1969 as a farm collective to provide a safe haven for black farmers, and became one of the original models for community land trusts in the United…

Dear Friends, Many of you have served the Elgin PADS shelter during 2023 and before. Unfortunately, you often don’t get to see the results of our service and how people get back on their feet and move to their own place.   I thought you would like to read part of a letter from Angie DeLeon, the PADS Volunteer Coordinator: “Happy Friday to you all! We had a great time volunteering at the Nightmare on Chicago Street last Saturday night.…

The church office will be closed Monday November 21st – Tuesday November 28th. If you have an emergency, please email the Executive Team at ET@uuce.org or the Board of Trustees at bot@uuce.org. There will be no Unichord Update newsletter on Friday November 24th. Please visit our website www.uuce.org for information on upcoming services and events. Happy Thanksgiving. Mila Brinker

After church on Sunday, we will be visiting Belarusian Restaurant Visilki at 250 McHenry Road, Wheeling, IL at 3:30. On December 10 at 3:30, it’s Belgium. At the Hopleaf Bar at 5148 N. Clark Street in Chicago, we will be enjoying Belgium-style mussels and Belgium-style frites along with Belgium beers and ales. I hope you can join us for that.  Please let me know of your interest by December 3rd either by text at 847-243-3820 or by email at dwhislip@gmail.com. This should be a treat along…

Michele Ramsey’s sermon on Nov. 5 pointed out the importance of and need for food.  Here’s a simple way to make a difference in our community. UUCE supports Elgin’s All Peoples Interfaith Food Pantry, and we have for decades, but lately their large wicker basket in our entryway has had little in it.  Cereal of any kind is their biggest request, but tuna and any kind of canned food is also needed.  Can we make an ongoing effort to fill their basket? …

Don’t forget his Sunday, November 5, 2023, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned backward 1 hour. Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on Nov 5, 2023 than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.