News (Page 3)
From the UUA’s Braver/Wiser Courage and Compassion for Life As It Is
Unlearning the RulesRev. Dr. Laura Solomon “Radical self-love summons us to be our most expansive selves, knowing that the more unflinchingly powerful we allow ourselves to be, the more unflinchingly powerful others feel capable of being. Our unapologetic embrace of our bodies gives others permission to unapologetically embrace theirs.”—Sonya Renee Taylor, The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love When I was ten years old, I learned that I needed glasses. While I remember the shock of seeing leaves…
Have a Fair Trade Halloween!
Do you know where your chocolate comes from? It is probably produced by West African child labor. Over a million children are forced to work in chocolate production. Some are taken from their home, and many cannot attend school. The major chocolate companies like Hershey, Mars and Nestlé are aware of this problem but have not ended forced child labor in the production of chocolate. “U.S. Report: Much of the World’s Chocolate Supply Relies on More Than 1 Million Child Workers.” The…
UU Church Chocolate is Fair Trade & Organic
The chocolate industry has become increasingly consolidated by a few multinational corporations while child labor remains a terrible problem in the industry (link to short video below). Equal Exchange proudly sources organic cacao and sugar from small farmers in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Togo and Paraguay, and has built an alternative model that works for farmers, consumers and the planet we all share. This model helps farmers be owners of their businesses, have economic control over their lives, as well as access…
OCTOBER = TIME TO ORDER CHOCOLATE!
We begin ordering chocolate again in October when temperatures are cool enough to avoid using the insulated packaging required to keep chocolate from melting. All our chocolate products are organic and fairly traded. They come from small farms. Check out this photo of a chocolate plant! Our products are inexpensive because we buy them wholesale and don’t pay tax or shipping. We pass on the savings to you. Pay with cash or check made out to UUCE with “Equal Exchange”…
Circle Supper Kickoff: Save the Date October 20
From November/December through April, UUCE members and friends will meet once a month in groups of six to eight for an evening of good food and lively conversation. You are cordially invited to join this congenial program as a host or alternate. Sign up as a “host” and you will be scheduled to host one dinner at your home and to attend dinners at other members’ homes each month of the program. The host(s) is only responsible for preparing a…
Help Needed to Burn Brush Pile
Next week’s weather looks promising for burning the messy brush pile behind the church. It will be done on a weekday (TBD) in the early afternoon and take about 1 to 2 hours. Wear non synthetic clothing that won’t melt, an old hat, eye protection and gloves. Tools and a hose for water are provided. Contact Mary Alice Masonick by email or text.
ReUUse Table Announcement
Next time you’re in Fellowship Hall, you’re invited to visit the new ReUUse table. This initiative was led by several members whose goal is to reduce our carbon footprint and save money, by reusing household items rather than buying new when possible. It works like this — members and friends contribute items they no longer need; others take them home and put them to use. Think of it as a free pop up thrift store! Items on the table are FREE!…
Green Team Summit Event
Faith in Place’s 2023 Green Team Summit! will take place from October 8-11 as a unique hybrid experience featuring keynote by Leah Thomas, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist and recognized by Time Magazine as one of the world’s top 100 rising stars. The event is fully accessible virtually, but you may prefer to join an in-person watch party to connect, reflect, and gather together with like-minded individuals to envision and foster a more inclusive and intersectional environmental movement. REGISTRATION: Joining is easy! Select Countryside Church UU…
Landscaping and Bonfire – Saturday!
This is a reminder that we have a Landscaping Workday followed by a Bonfire this Saturday (October 28). The weather looks like it’s going to be perfect for outdoor work and a bonfire – partly cloudy and 52! We’ll be starting at 3pm and focusing on taking care of some weeding around the Meditation Garden and the building. If we have enough people, we can spread some woodchips as well. Around 5pm we’ll start lighting the fire so that it’ll…
From the UUA’s Braver/Wiser Courage and Compassion for Life As It Is
The Journey of ForgivenessLynette Yetter “Forgiveness does not relieve someone of responsibility for what they have done. Forgiveness does not erase accountability.… We are not responsible for what breaks us, but we can be responsible for what puts us back together again.”—Desmond Tutu, The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World Forgiveness. It’s an ongoing journey. In the early years of my practice and study of Nichiren Buddhism, my understanding of the concept of esho-funi (the oneness of self and…
Gifts from the CommUUnity Garden
As fall begins its descent, I find myself reflecting on my summer experience as part of UUCE’s CommUUnity Garden team. We’re all aware that gardening enhances one’s well-being on many levels. It may reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. Being outdoors in light and fresh air contributes to health, and the physical nature of tasks help maintain fitness and mobility. My involvement over the past three months extends beyond these benefits. Gardening can be a powerful conduit for personal…
Did You Know?
Did you know UUCE has a Facebook Group and Page There is one Facebook group. There is one Facebook page. They are completely separate, with different purposes. Facebook Group – for church members, UUCE Member Facebook Group (ELGIN ILLINOIS) Not for people who want to learn more about the church. The reason this group exists is because several years ago, the email server went down, and there was no way to get church information out. It serves as a source…