There’s so much information to get out this month that I’ve decided to provide a run down of what’s on my mind. Prepare for brain dump!
PHOTOS FOR INGATHERING
Please, send me a photograph from your summer, with name and location taken, for the Ingathering slide show. Even if it’s from your Evanston “staycation,” I’d love to include you in the service. My e-mail for sending pictures is: 
MEDITATION GROUP
A weekly “after work” Thursday meditation group will be starting September 17th, 5:30-7:00. To start, we will have a 20-minute sitting meditation,
followed by a half-hour discussion on a short provided text, and then a second sitting meditation. I will lead the group at least twice a month, with members of the group leading on other Thursdays. Generally this will be led in the Insight (or Vipassana) tradition, but other traditions will be respected and perhaps explored by participants. We’ll give it a three-month trial period and see where we go from there.
TINY HOUSE
Hey, where’s my tiny house? The short answer is that sometimes I just can’t do all the things I want to do, and this year is ramping up to be a busy and exciting time, with energy needed for the music program, the spiritual life of the church, community outreach, and other areas. My co-conspirator, Green Sanctuary Committee, has its priorities rightfully focused on climate change initiatives this fall, so our Tiny House (which would be a living workshop for voluntary simplicity, alternative energy sources, composting technologies, etc.) must wait for better timing. We did get clearance from the city to build, so when we’re ready, it can be a go.
MUSIC, AND MORE MUSIC
The Music Committee, working closely with me, chose Vickie Hellyer as our Interim Music Director. I’ve gotten many questions: How long will she be here? [Most likely this church year.] Can she apply for the permanent position? [Yes.] When does she start? [October 1.] What about Ingathering? [Our own Nick Wallin has graciously donated his time to get us through Ingathering.] If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
THEMES
Last year we had a theme each month: To be a people of… (and then a spiritual quality). This year, we will continue our themes, each
phrased like this, between September and June:
Our Congregation of Invitation
Our Congregation of Letting Go
Our Congregation of Ancestry
Our Congregation of Expectation
Our Congregation of Resistance
Our Congregation of Desire
Our Congregation of Liberation
Our Congregation of Creation
Our Congregation of Blessing
Our Congregation of Simplicity
This is certainly going to be a year many things, most of all a year of memories, service to the greater good, and the fine fellowship of UCE. See you in church,
