Letters from Leadership
Each week, our leadership publishes a message to keep the congregation informed about what’s happening at UUCE.
Summers at UUCE
Once upon a time, when the Sanctuary we reside in today was first being built – both our yearly operations and climate were different from what we’re used to today. Our building was originally constructed without air conditioning because it was typical for UU Ministers and the congregation to take the summers off, and the surrounding months were predictably cool enough to keep the building at a tolerable temperature throughout the year. As things change, we’ve remained a resilient bunch…
It’s Time to Tend to Our Grounds!
While it may seem that our beautiful prairie grounds do a great job of maintaining themselves, taking care of our shared outdoor spaces takes the dedicated work of many hands! This Sunday, 7/12, from 11:30-1pm Mary Alice and hopefully many others will join in the task of weeding around our Meditation Garden. We currently have many thistles flowering so the plan is to collect them in wheelbarrows and we will dispose of them later so they don’t spread their seeds.…
Chair Force One has taken off!
Great news everyone – Chair Force One has taken off! Now we would like your input. If you have opinions on seating and what you think we should look for in new sanctuary chairs, now is the time to share that with the team. Please reach out to Erica Khan, Beth Cooper-Zobott, Krista Wagner, Sharon Fincher, or Kevin Sweeney with your feedback by July 20.
2026 Spring Directory
The 2026 Spring Directory will be available for pickup in the volunteer office beginning this Sunday, 1/25/26. If you would like a digital copy, please email Sarah Stultz at administrator@uuce.org.
An Update from the UUCE Endowment Fund
As we look ahead to Giving Tuesday on December 2nd, the Endowment Committee wanted to take a moment to remind everyone about our UUCE Endowment Fund. Back in 1998, our congregation created this fund as a long-term, legacy investment – something that would help secure the future of our church for generations to come. The hope was that, over time, it would grow into both a financial safety net and a source of support for UUCE. And it has grown!…
An Update from Our Director of Religious Education
During November, my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. I have so much to be grateful for — not the least of which is my new role as Director of Religious Education at UUCE. Our RE program is off to a wonderful start, and I’m deeply thankful for the volunteer teachers and subs who make this program possible, as well as for all those who support our children and youth in so many ways. A lot is happening in the world around…
A Letter From Our Board President
Happy Halloween & Samhain to all! Since I last wrote, we’ve been fortunate to have hired our new Director of Religious Education (DRE), Michele Ramsey, and are benefiting from her efforts to get our R.E. program running smoothly. Our young people and leaders are enjoying it already! We held our 2025 UUCE Board Retreat at Ann Kremer’s home on October 18. I was thrilled to have such a collaborative and open session, using strategies suggested by the Unitarian Universalist Association…
A Note From Your DRE – We Need Your Voice!
🌿 We Need Your Voice! Thank you to the folks who’ve already completed our RE survey — we’re so grateful for your input! 💛 If you haven’t yet, please take a few minutes to share your thoughts. Your feedback will help shape a joyful, inclusive, and engaging Religious Education program for 2025–26 and beyond. ✨ Every response makes a difference! SURVEY 🌿We’re looking for additional volunteer RE teachers and substitutes to help our program grow and thrive. Whether you love…
2025-26 Religious Education & Childcare Registration
We are delighted to share that Religious Education (RE) classes will begin on Sunday, September 21st! This year, we’re excited to create an RE community that is meaningful, joyful, and welcoming for every child and youth. Together, we’ll explore UU values, grow in mind and spirit, and build lasting friendships. We’re offering two RE groups: one for children in grades K–5 and another for youth in grades 6–12. Registration is now open! Please pick up a paper copy the next…
A Letter of Introduction from our Incoming Director of Religious Education, Michele Ramsey.
Dear Members and Friends of UUCE, It is with great joy and gratitude that I introduce myself as your newDirector of Religious Education. My name is Michele Ramsey, and Ibring more than twenty years of experience as an educator to thisrole. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on creating spaces wherechildren and families can learn, grow, and feel a true sense ofbelonging. Some of you may know me from sermons I’ve shared or assistedwith. I’ve been a member of UUCE for…
A Letter from Our New Board President
Hello! Please allow me to introduce myself as your new Board of Trustees President. I’ve served on the Board before, but this is my first time as President. I probably know most of you, but for those I don’t, my wife and I started attending UUCE in the late 70s, while we were in high school. We were married by UUCE minister Bill Metzger, and were lucky enough to have raised our three kids in the church. It has been…
A Message from the UUCE Green Sanctuary Team on Reusables.
Once upon a time, our congregation was a brand new Green Sanctuary, accredited in 2003, the first UU church in the state of Illinois! From 2002 to 2019, our Green Team was very active in exploring how UUCE could be ever more Earth-friendly. One of the first things we did was encourage members to use the reusable dishes, silverware, etc. that were in ample supply in the kitchen. We wanted to minimize single-use items. Why? Single-use plastic items are made…