News (Page 3)
There is a Quickening at the Church
There is a quickening at the Church. Plans are being made to reopen as soon as it’s safe. (All of us have our own idea about what the requirements for safety are, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reopen when there’s a well-informed consensus.) Plans are being made. The hiring of a Religious Education Coordinator is proceeding apace. There is money in the budget for the position. I intend to offer two, possibly three Adult Education classes. To enable me to lead them,…
Join the Book Group
The Book Group has been meeting once a month continuously since 1993 to discuss a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. As the pandemic eases, the group is returning to meeting in a member’s home, where they host a potluck lunch. Each book is selected by the entire group, and membership is open to all members and friends of UUCE who enjoy a good book. For our June 28 meeting we’re reading “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The…
Upcoming Events Offered by the UUA MidAmerica Region
UU History Renaissance Module Date & time: Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST The UU History Renaissance module will be offered in an online format on Wednesdays July 7, 14, 21, 28, and August 4 and 11 at 12 – 2pm CST. The module will be led by Arran Liddel and Kirsten Hunter. Registration is limited to 15 participants and the fee for this 6-session module is $300, payable on a sliding scale according to availability…
Community Crisis Center
The Share the Plate recipient for the month of June is: The Community Crisis Center The Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center was founded in 1975 to meet the needs of individuals and families in crisis. Employees provide comprehensive services to individuals and families suffering due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or economic difficulties. The mission of the Community Crisis Center is to provide Safety, Hope, Advocacy, Respite, and Education for those impacted by crisis and violence in Illinois. Visit…
How do you feel about Jesus?
How do you feel about Jesus? It is difficult to separate the person from what Christianity made him into. But at heart Jesus was a liberal. He was kind and generous–and unconventional. The Rev. Scotty McLennan of Stanford University wrote a book titled Jesus Was a Liberal: Reclaiming Christianity for All. McLennan was the model for sensible, liberal, Rev. Scott Sloan in the cartoon series Doonesbury. Some of us have felt oppressed by Jesus as presented to us by the vast host of…
A Note from the Church Office
Dear members and friends, I will be out of the office June 10 – June 15. If you have anything to submit for the June 11 newsletter, please send it to me no later than end of the day Tuesday, June 8. While I am out of the office, the church phone will be forwarded to Rev. Leland. Thank you. Mila Brinker, Interim Administrator 847-888-0668Office Hours: Wednesday – Friday 10am – 2pm, Sunday – 10am – 12pm
Thoughts on Pandemic Progress
The nation is struggling with what to do about COVID precautions. The Center for Disease Control announced on May 13 that vaccinated persons can remove their masks in most settings. Many of us vaccinated people are happily unmasking and celebrating the beginning of a return to the normal. But many of us vaccinated people are still wearing their masks. I am one of those. The reasons for remaining masked include protecting family members who are not yet vaccinated, or cannot…
May Board Update
In Attendance : Tom Lesiewicz, Kevin Sweeney, Erica Lavine, Steve Stultz , Elizabeth Olson, Jamie Yucuis, Rev. Leland New Business Request for Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act Endorsement Elizabeth will be reaching out to the requestor to get more details and provide guidance. Ongoing Business Fundraising We discussed some ideas on how to fundraise to ease our budget crunch. Tom has reached out to the Grand Victoria Foundation to get help with fundraising and writing grant requests. Annual Meeting…
Upcoming Events Offered by the UUA MidAmerica Region
Small Congregation Check-In Date & time: Thursday, May 27, 2021, 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm EDT A time for leaders of small congregations in the MidAmerica Region and elsewhere to check-in about the challenges UU religious communities are encountering as we respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. This is part of a twice monthly connection opportunity. Please register for each date you wish to attend. For more information and registration: Small Congregation Check-In May 27 Congregational Leaders Check-In Date & time:…
PADS Lunch May Signup, Looking for New Scheduling Volunteer
I will be creating the June schedule for PADS lunches and am still looking for someone to take over the scheduling task for UUCE. Please contact me ASAP if you are interested. The time commitment for creating the schedule is minimal and does not require that you provide any lunches. Also, PADS has requested that we provide lunch on Memorial Day 5/31 if possible. I have updated the signup to include this additional date. This might be a good opportunity…
Fourth Sunday Styrofoam Collection!
Jeremy Fixemer has offered to collect the Styrofoam this Sunday afternoon, May 23, from 3:00-3:30 pm. The reason for the later time is due to the congregational meeting at noon. He will collect CLEAN Styrofoam to transport to Dart Container Corporation in North Aurora. Please separate your clean, food grade foam from your packaging foam. – Mary Alice Masonick
I Heard the News Today, O Boy
I didn’t think it would come this soon, but those of us who are fully vaccinated and have waited out the 14-day probation period are not required to wear masks anymore, nor observe social distancing, and we may mix and mingle without more than slight, self-created worries. That’s currently about 35% of our population and covers most of the most vulnerable, namely, those over 60 years old. I have mixed feelings about this. I’m glad to not have to wear…