Posts from May 2026

July & August Share the Plate: The Progressive Turnout Project 2026

Postcards to Swing States started in a volunteer’s garage. In just four years, their volunteers in all 50 states, D.C. and U.S. territories have sent more than 99 million handwritten messages to voters – more than any other organization. In 2024 The Progressive Turnout’s postcards added an estimated 200,000 votes. Keep in mind that the presidential election in 2020 was decided by fewer than 43,000 votes – so your postcards are making a difference! The UUCE Social Justice Team has…

Sanctuary Chair Replacement Task Force

As you may have noticed over the last bit of time, our sanctuary chairs are on their last legs and are in need of replacement. Erica Khan, as a member of the Executive Team, has volunteered to lead a task force to get this done. We will need to select new chairs (we have a head start on this), determine how to responsibly dispose of the old chairs, and while this is budgeted for out of the maintenance fund, we…

June Ethnic Eating: Costa Rica

June will provide the Ethnic Eaters a change of pace as we will move from the various cuisines of central Africa for the flavors of Central America and we will visit Irazu restaurant to sample the foods of Costa Rica. On Sunday, June 20th, our destination will be 1865 N Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago to enjoy the casados, palm wine and other foods of Costa Rica. If you are interested, please let me know at least a week before the…

Sunday, May 31, Heart to Heart: A New Small Group for Deep Connection

Looking for deeper connection and meaningful conversation? A new small group called Heart to Heart is beginning to gather, using the Deep Connections Series as a guide. Together, we’ll explore heartfelt conversations on topics such as compassion, boundaries, trust, play, and more. This is a welcoming space for listening, reflection, laughter, and genuine connection – a chance to slow down and truly get to know one another. Our second gathering will be:Sunday, May 31, at noonThird-floor couch room For those…

UUCE Rummage Sale

UUCE will be hosting a rummage sale on Saturday, June 27th from 9am – 3pm. If you are interested in participating (selling) in the sale, please register using this online form: https://forms.gle/upDCeRw86U7J6PHp9  10’x10′ spaces are $25 (with additional spaces for $15) and a limited number of folding tables are available to rent for $10. All rental proceeds will go to UUCE. If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephen Day at sday1975@gmail.com

This Week in Religious Education

Dear Friends, I hope you are doing well! During this week’s service, we will acknowledge our RE teaching staff. Dan, Kathy, Brenda, Todd, Paul, Elizabeth, Amanda, and Kari have shared their time and talents with our children, youth, and adults this year, and I am so thankful for them. They truly help us learn, grow, and live our shared values and principles. A heartfelt thank you to each of them! I’d also like to thank Todd and Jen A for…

Free Milkweed Plants on Mother’s Day!

Monarch mamas lay eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves. Eggs become caterpillars and can only eat milkweed until they become butterflies. Common Milkweed is a native perennial and will grow for years to come. On Mother’s Day, I will give away Common Milkweed plants (Asclepias syriaca) at UUCE.Plant in sunny, well-drained soil and water as needed this summer. It will come back year after year. Enjoy the Monarchs!

Volunteers Needed to Mow UUCE Lawn

We are looking for volunteers to help mow the grass at UUCE. We need some people to operate the riding mower to cut the large sections of the lawn and some to use the Toro push mower to cut the grass in the ditch and around the labyrinth. If you would like to help, please contact Joe Masonick. Thank you!

This Week in Religious Education

Dear Friends, I hope you are doing well! Below you will find the RE offerings for May, along with a Mother’s Day blessing. Please note, we will celebrate our UUCE RE teachers at the beginning of the May 31st service. Bright blessings! Michele Building Your Own Theology Class “Building Your Own Theology,” led by Kathy and Dan Hislip, will run through May 17th (subject to change), Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:15 AM in the third-floor ‘couch room’.  See Kathy or Dan for…