Announcements

All of our community announcements are posted here. If you want to keep up to date about on UUCE, subscribe to our newsletter!

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…

Date Change for Workday/Bonfire

Due to vacation schedules, the Ethnic Eating group was scheduled for the same date and time as the workday and bonfire.  To keep the two events from competing against one another, we’ve decided to move the workday and bonfire to Saturday, October 28.  The time remains the same (3pm workday followed by 5:30 bonfire) Stephen Day, Revitalization Team

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…

Ethnic Eating Update

Since Kathy and I are traveling the first two weeks in October and because of the Thanksgiving holiday in late November, the next two Ethnic Eating events are going to be rather close together on the calendar. On Saturday, October 21st at 5:30, we will be revisiting Mariscos El Charco at 302 S McLean Boulevard, Elgin, IL to enjoy the Caribbean seafood of Barbados. Because of the quality (and quantity) of the food prepared there and the proximity of the location, on…

Fabric Drive

The qUUilters have volunteered to make a raffle quilt, in the old tradition, to raise funds for the church. To do this, we need fabric! All donations of 100% cotton quilting fabric are gratefully accepted. Fabric may be given to Darla Musson. Please make your donations before the group meets on Saturday, October 7, at 9:00a.m. Darla Musson, for the Quilt and Crafts Group

Supplies! Supplies! on October 7

The qUUilt and crafts group’s first meeting this year is October 7th from 9 am to noon. The qUUilters will be making a queen size raffle quilt to raise funds for UUCE. Crafters are invited to bring any projects they wish to work on. The qUUilters will assess supplies, make a plan for the year, and get started ironing and cutting fabric. Crafters are welcome to join in. If you can, please bring 100% cotton quilting fabric, rotary cutting equipment,…