New Church Directories Now Available

The 2013-2014 Church Directory, which contains contact information for friends and members of the church, is now available. You may pick up your household’s copy this Sunday, November 10^th after both services from the literature table in Fellowship Hall.

Going to be out of town? Contact office administrator Brittni Ballard at admin@uucuc.org and ask for your copy to be mailed. Prefer your directory in an electronic format? Contact Brittni to request a PDF copy via e-mail.

If you discover an error, please send the correction to Brittni so it may be reflected in the next printout and PDF.

A Night of Chocolate, Film, and Discussion

The Religious Education and Social Action Committees held A Night of Chocolate, Film, and Discussion on Thursday, November 14^th at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. They showed the documentary “The Dark Side of Chocolate,” which reveals shocking evidence of child and forced labor in the cocoa industry, and they took some simple actions to help end this exploitation. Children in attendance watched “Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” 

Did You Join Us for Stewardship Workshop?

A special worship service was held on November 17^th  featuring UUA consultant Thom Thomas, who spoke on “Renaissance.” Following the second service, at 12:30 p.m., Thom led a stewardship workshop. He wrote, “The workshop is going to be an afternoon focusing on Evangelism for UU's. We will explore how to ‘sell’ our mission, and how to put a foundation under our ‘City in the Clouds.’ In other words, we will learn how to talk to UU's about monetizing our dreams.”

Childcare and light lunches were provided.

Storytelling Benefit for Eastern Illinois Foodbank

The Social Action Committee, in partnership with the Champaign-Urbana Storytelling Guild, hosted a benefit for the Eastern Illinois Food Bank at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 16^th.  "Feeding Body and Soul", a storytelling celebration, was held in Fellowship Hall.

The evening was a feast of stories that entertained and engaged the mind and heart with a sampling of tasty treats for the body as well. Our own Sue Searing was one of the featured storytellers. 

The suggested donation was $10, with all proceeds going to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank.

Partner Church Sunday is Almost Here

Do you want to learn more about “Water in India,” sing along to a great spiritual with the CrUUners, and support our partner churches at the same time?  Then join us for our Partner Church Celebration during both services on Sunday, December 8^th!

Marriage Equality Celebration

Marriage equality legislation has finally passed in Illinois! The UU Church of Urbana-Champaign celebrated this civil rights victory between services on Sunday, November 10^th at the Second Sunday Potluck. Attendants were invited to bring a rainbow-colored or themed dish in honor of the new legislation.

October Forum: Society's Need for Retribution

While it is clear that the corrections industry is a source of tremendous profits for some, that alone doesn’t explain the billions spent each year on policies and practices that are for the most part abject failures. Grace Bauer, interim Executive Director for Justice for Families, will argue that Americans support this industry with our appetite for harsh retribution and punishment.

This event was held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October. 31st in Room 404 of the Illini Union.