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What is Public Safety?
November 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand In-Person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
In our month on non-violence, we turn to the question of what makes us safe from violence? Is violence necessary to hold other violence at bay? What actually reduces crime? (and what is crime, anyway?). A little Michele Foucault, a little Angela Davis, and some other ideas too.
Volunteers for Sunday Morning November 7 R.E. K and Under: Volunteer Needed & Lauren Smith
R.E. Grade 1 and Over: Tracy Koppen & Lindsay Trank
Ushers: Dick Lake & Myrna Lake
Greeters: We Need 2
Guest Table: We Need 2
Thank you to those of you who have volunteered already! Here is the google doc where you can sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_Ch323vqDurrzCrpFpCL-E__qBszopnimyHZ00w3zzM/edit?usp=sharing
Or just email me at office@uurockford.org and let me know and I’ll put you in the system for that day.
Thank you!
Happy Birthday to: Mary Newport (11/16), Barbara Chidley (11/16), Bob Babcock (11/17), Cheryl Stockwell (11/18), Paul Goddard (11/18), Rev. Joyce Palmer (11/18), Steve Gausebeck (11/18), Sandi Campbell (11/19), Teresa Palmeno (11/19), & Ivonne Spelman (11/20)!
We will Share the Plate with Family Counseling Services
Family Counseling Services of Northern Illinois strengthens our communities by providing individuals and families with quality counseling and education that is affordable, accessible, and confidential. Click here for more Information. Click Here to Donate
Matthew’s Memo Nov. 16 2021
Friday, I attended the GreenTown Conference here in Rockford. Many church members were also present – as sponsors, leaders, and attendees. We were very well represented!
I was particularly thrilled that we made it possible for 150 Rockford Public School High School students to be present. Joanne and Tom Shaheen left the church a gift to be used, each year, to engage youth in important issues. I asked our team for ideas around climate this year, and Rebecca Quirk, who was on the GreenTown planning team through Sustain Rockford, suggested the conference. I loved the idea, because the mere presence of these youth would serve as a moral obligation to the adults. Though the cooperation of Brad Roos, the lead planner, and Bridget French, the director of college and career readiness at RPS 205, and with the environmental and engineering teachers, we made it happen.
And it worked – the students asked questions, participated, and were engaged. And indeed, the speakers needed only to reference their presence to remind us, as one said, that we “do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
This is something the church can be very proud of.
But critically, we must make sure that the talk and energy becomes action.
For the community, a meeting will be held in January to start a community sustainability plan. We will surely have some of our folks on that team, and we’ll use our leverage to make sure that youth and others who are sometimes excluded are there too (but, frankly, the GreenTown conference was one of the more diverse I’ve been too; the organizers have embedded a racial and economic justice frame from the get go).
For the church, I’m inspired to accelerate our efforts to do advocacy and action. I want to find out what it would take for us to be net zero on our land. Can we do it? I want us to provide spiritual, material, and moral support to front-line activists and organizers. I want us to draw connections and educate the public.
I’m also going to take more action personally – though I already don’t eat meat and drive a hybrid, I’m going to look into additional steps we can take to reduce our carbon use at home. I urge you to do the same.
Be proud of our work. And get ready for more to come.
In faith,
Matthew
Path to Membership Class!
Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford is pleased to announce the 2021 PATH to Membership Class will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 9:30 – 2:00 at UU Church, Rockford. Library. Rev. Matthew, Rev. Joyce, and members of the Membership Team will provide an overview of the church and ways to connect. Come out and meet other newcomers and get your questions answered.
Details:
When: December 4, 9:30 – 2:00
Where: UU Church Rockford Library
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, membership, and meeting other exciting newcomers
November 17th Join former professional basketball player, sports trainer, and teen mentor Ashraf Amaya as he shares the ways he has coached and mentored youth. Join us as we take an in-depth look at how we can respond to violence from a faith perspective to turn lives around. Mr. Amaya will share his experience from a Christian perspective and invite all to examine how their theology informs their work to address violence in the world. We will meet in the church library.
December 1st Join Annie Hopson, Youth Services Director at the Rockford Family Peace Center, to learn more about prevention and youth services for young people impacted by violence. Ms. Hopson has made it her mission to end the cycle of violence and to show young people who have experienced violence that those experiences do not have to define their lives.
December 15th Blue Christmas Service will provide an opportunity to share the losses, vulnerabilities, and despair brought on by the pandemic, loneliness, or death. We invite those who have a special need for comfort, hope, and healing at this time of year to attend with a friend. Music provided by harpist Nanette Fox. Services leaders, Rev Joyce and our Caring Team members.
Social Justice Updates
Eliminate Racism 815
Film Discussion
Friday December 10, 2021
6 p.m.
Native American Healing in 21st Century: Shows Native American ancient forms of healing and how they are now being embraced again and accepted by modern physicians and scientists.
Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487
The film discussions are presented in partnership with Tony Turner of Conscious Coaching, The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area, and Rockford Public Library.
Library Committee will meet December 12 after church service in the library
The Board of Trustees:
President: Amanda Tapfield
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Judy Gustafson
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Khanh Oehlke, Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
November 17th Join former professional basketball player, sports trainer, and teen mentor Ashraf Amaya as he shares the ways he has coached and mentored youth. Join us as we take an in-depth look at how we can respond to violence from a faith perspective to turn lives around. Mr. Amaya will share his experience from a Christian perspective and invite all to examine how their theology informs their work to address violence in the world. We will meet in the church library.
December 1st Join Annie Hopson, Youth Services Director at the Rockford Family Peace Center, to learn more about prevention and youth services for young people impacted by violence. Ms. Hopson has made it her mission to end the cycle of violence and to show young people who have experienced violence that those experiences do not have to define their lives.
December 15th Blue Christmas Service will provide an opportunity to share the losses, vulnerabilities, and despair brought on by the pandemic, loneliness, or death. We invite those who have a special need for comfort, hope, and healing at this time of year to attend with a friend. Music provided by harpist Nanette Fox. Services leaders, Rev Joyce and our Caring Team members.
