It’s Mardis Gras time!
The Religious Exploration and Education Team is coordinating an all-ages gathering on February 26 after the service. If you’re interested in helping, contact Kathy Underwood, Vickie Kilgore, Ann Kremer, or Brandi Talaga.

Pagan Unity Meeting
Pagan Unity is having a Quarterly Planning Meeting including a short Imbolc Ritual on Thursday, Feb 9th in the Fellowship Hall.  We will be looking at the 2012 Calendar to select Ritual dates and asking for volunteers to lead and co-lead this year's rituals.  It is still cold out.  It is still dark out.  But, the beginning of the beginning of Spring is near as the Goddess prepares to give birth to the Sun.  Candles and snacks will be provided.  Contact is Sandy Russel.

Community Crisis Center Tour
This Sunday, February 5th, at 1:00pm.
Lisa Winchel will be leading our tour with discussion and questions/answers about the Crisis Center's programs and history. The Community Crisis Center is at 37 South Geneva in downtown Elgin, east side, near Villa street and Chicago avenue. No additional RSVP's are needed. Children are welcome.  Allow 30-45 minutes for the tour.  Any questions see Bob Jackson, 847-791-8505  eversrj@yahoo.com

Scrip Cards for Valentine's Day
It's not too early to be thinking about Valentine's Day.  When you  purchase Fannie May Candies with scrip cards, UUCE gets a 25%  rebate.  Or there are a great many dining options available with  scrip cards, such as Bonefish Grill, Red Lobster, Macaroni Grill, and  Outback Steakhouse.  You can order scrip cards at the scrip table in  the downstairs lobby every Sunday after the service from 12:00 until 12:30, and pick them up the following Sunday.  Please support this UUCE fundraiser.

Landscape & Grounds Sunday
 There will be a work party on Sunday, February 5. Please come out and join us.

End of Year Statements
Please pick up your end of year statements/pledge updates. They are on the table out side the sanctuary.

World Hunger Project
The REE Team is sponsoring an all-ages social action project dealing with world hunger. On Saturday, June 2, we will send a 25 member team to participate in a food packing event at Feed My Starving Children (www.fmsc.org) in Schaumburg. To defray costs, the REE classes will be holding bake sales and collecting quarters. Each quarter will pay for one child's meal! Anyone age 5 or older can volunteer at the packing. Let us know if you are interested and available to help on Saturday, June 2, from 9 to 11 am, by sending an email to Vickie Kilgore at vlkilgore@gmail.com

Spring Time is Almost Here
And you know what that means-time to get busy thinking about the landscape and grounds! The UUCE Landscape Team will be meeting on February 12 at 12:30pm in room 301 (the couch room) to make plans for the 2012 growing season.
All are welcome. Feel free to bring a sack lunch or snack. We will end by 2pm.

Becoming a Member of UUCE
Membership at the Unitarian Universalist church of Elgin is open to anyone who wishes to join us in building a caring and open community by supporting the church and its efforts. A brochure on church membership is available on the visitor information table downstairs. Our minister, Dan Brosier, is always happy to answer your questions about membership. Contact him at the church at 847.888.0668.

Building Security
The Executive Team is working on plans to improve our building security. We ask that when groups are meeting in the building the doors are locked after your members have arrived. This is especially important for meetings that take place on the second and third floors. This means some one will have to wait at the doors and lock up. Please make sure group members share cell phone numbers in case some one arrives late and is locked out. Thank you.

Funny People Wanted!
The UUCE Improv Comedy Troupe is looking for participants.  No experience necessary.  We have trained lots of people with and without prior stage and/or improv experience.  If you have the ability to listen to others and allow yourself to act foolish in front of people, you can be successful at improv comedy.  Members and friends of UUCE are welcome to attend.  We meet on Sunday evenings at 7:30PM on the third floor.  Please contact Bridget Laflin at 206-384-6001 or bridget_laflin@msn.com with any questions or comments.