News (Page 3)

Neglected Aspects of Starr King’s Life and Work

In 2006, Unitarian minister Thomas Starr King’s statue in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall was removed by vote of the California legislature and the approval of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and replaced by a statue of Ronald Reagan. Each State gets two statues. California’s other honoree was and still is Father Junipero Serra a builder of missions in Spanish California. There has been a movement in California to banish Father Serra too, on account of his enslavement and mistreatment of native…

Summer is Over, Autumn has Announced Itself

The first arrival for me came Tuesday, when I emerged from my car, and was hit at mid-day with a gust of breeze that had a cool leading edge. The breezes have had warm or hot edges til now. The coolness was lovely and refreshing and it sent me off on a search for how to express the coming arrival poetically.  There are lots of springtime poems. One of my favorites for that season is G.M. Hopkins’ What is so…

PADS Signup for October

Thank you to all who volunteered to provide lunches for PADS, the homeless shelter in Elgin, in September. Here is the link to the PADS Signup for October. Dotty CarringiUUCE PADS Coordinator847-502-4835“Homeless Doesn’t Have To Mean Hopeless” — Elgin PADS

Joy and Woe are Woven Fine, Clothing for the Soul Divine — Wm. Blake

Last Sunday we experienced the entwining of joy and woe, in real time, simultaneously, as we rejoiced in congregating outdoors for the Sunday Service, on the lawn and under the trees on the west side of the Barn. We haven’t been together, in person, since Music Sunday, March 8, 2020.  By my count that’s seventy-eight virtual Services mounted between then and now. The Executive Team, the Worship Committee, and especially Music Director and show-runner Chelsea Musson have done a fine…

Another Outdoor Event Planned for Sunday, September 19th with In-Person Religious Education (RE)

Last Sunday’s outdoor event test case went very well so we are planning another outdoor/zoom hybrid service for this Sunday September 19th.  We learned a lot and will make a few adjustments which includes moving back a bit into the shade of some tree. The building will still be closed at this time. We invite those in the congregation who are interested to bring chairs and watch the Zoom service outdoors with masks and social distancing. This will be held during the regular Zoom service time. If you’ve been eager to meet…

PADS Signup for September

Dear Friends, There is still one vacant volunteer opportunity for next Monday, Sept. 20. Will you consider supplying one of the three courses: either main dish (and starch) or vegetable or fruit/dessert? Below is the link to the PADS Signup for September, where you can choose which one you’d like to offer. Feel free to contact me with questions. And remember, UUCE can reimburse you. Thank you so much! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054AABA82CA4FC1-pads2 Dotty CarringiUUCE PADS Coordinator847-502-4835“Homeless Doesn’t Have To Mean Hopeless” — Elgin…

Fourth Sunday Styrofoam Collection

The Fourth Sunday Styrofoam Collection will be on Sunday, September 26, from 12:00 to 12:30 pm in the church parking lot.  Please separate your CLEAN food grade from your packaging foam and put them in the car with the sign for food foam or packaging foam. No Styrofoam peanuts are accepted (take those to UPS store).  The Styrofoam collected will be taken to Dart Container Corporation in North Aurora. Thank you for recycling! Note: Please try to reduce your use of Styrofoam. More…

UU Virtual Retreat Event, Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion

Virtual Retreat Event Sat. Sept. 25th at 1 pm. Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion with featured speaker Alex Kapitan.    What does it mean to be a men’s group, woman’s group, community or congregation that affirms and embraces gender diversity? As Unitarians honor their commitment to practice “welcoming all,” it’s important to engage in what this practice calls on us to do. Alex Kapitan, a trans and non-binary UU leader, who has served as a consultant for Unity Temple on this topic,…

PADS Lunch Signup for September

Thank you to all who volunteered to provide lunches for PADS, the homeless shelter in Elgin, in August. Here is the link to the PADS Signup for September, where there are two vacant volunteer opportunities. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054AABA82CA4FC1-pads2

This Sunday’s Service

To lift our spirits, we are planning an outdoor event as a test case with the hope of having additional gatherings more regularly. The Executive Team (ET) has worked with the Worship Team to plan an on-site, in-person, outdoor event on the original reopening date of September 12th. We invite those in the congregation who are interested to bring chairs and watch the Zoom service outdoors with masks and social distancing. This will be held during the regular Zoom service time. If you’ve…

The Greatest

One our favorite documentarians, Ken Burns, has made Muhammad Ali, a four-part series (2 hours each segment) to be broadcast on PBS beginning nine days from now, Sunday, September 19th. Burns began work on the film the year Ali died, 2016. It is described as being comprehensive, because all previous treatments were focused on single events, or short spans of his life. Commentators are saying it is ‘mind-blowing.’ Muhammad Ali became a hero of mine while he was still Cassius…