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December 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Our annual interactive telling of the nativity story. Participation welcome! All ages. We tell the old story and seek out meaning for our time. Lots of singing, too.
We will Share the Plate with Families in Transition
The Families in Transition program in our Rockford public schools does an excellent job of providing services for those students who have no permanent place to live i.e. homeless. One thing they cannot provide is school uniforms, and for many years we have helped to fill this need. Our Share the Plate this Sunday will ease this concern for a required uniform and foster many confident happy kids and grateful families. Thank you for your generosity.
Happy Birthday to: Aida Rosemore (12/07), Renee Ekedahl (12/09), Rhea Overley (12/10), Jill Gnesda (12/10), & Victoria DeLaRosa (12/11)!
Volunteers for Sunday, December 11
Ushers: Pam Wilson & Barb Wilson
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
Coffee Hosts: Phil Hjemboe & We Need 1 More Volunteer
Please note that if you volunteer for coffee host you will need to clean up afterward and run the cups through the sanitizer. Reminder to coffee hour hosts: please make sure the heater is off and the machine master switch is off when you leave. Thank you!
“Free Speech” is in the news. Elon Musk purchased Twitter because, in part, he thought it should have looser content moderation guidelines. Since he did so, transphobic, racist, and misogynist speech has climbed dramatically on the platform. Some left-leaning accounts have been suspended for unclear reasons. Yet, when Ye (aka Kayne West) tweeted a Nazi image, his account was suspended – which is a stricter “content moderation” policy than the First Amendment imposes on the government.
I took a fantastic class on the 1st Amendment – which includes the religious, speech, press, and assembly freedoms – back in college and have long been interested in these questions.
They are difficult and complicated questions and are always under negotiation. We generally understand that the government should make very few restrictions on speech acts – that for an agent of the state to tell us what we cannot say or must say, a very high bar must be cleared. Generally, that includes fraud (you can’t tell someone that your placebo cures cancer or their investment is guaranteed to double); it includes defamation of private citizens; it includes speech that incites violence or is likely to cause physical harm (“fire in a crowded theater”). I agree with this. History indicates that when the government restricts speech, it is almost always against liberals. I don’t want the government to tell us what we can say.
But that’s not what’s often at play today. Can a social media platform restrict not just fraud and defamation, but hateful speech? Can a private college? Can a news website choose which letters to the editor they publish? It seems that these private actors can make such restrictions and should –express their commitments to truth-seeking, kindness, and inclusion. Then users can decide where to put their energy and time.
What about between friends or in a community group, or in a congregation? Speech norms are often contested – people claiming they’re “not allowed” to say something offensive. I do believe that “calling in” is almost always better than exclusion, but the notion that we should be immune from the consequences of speech is absurd. Words matter, and when we use words that hurt others we should expect push-back and correction. Communities should be clear and explicit about their expectations. “This is how we talk here.” And friends can say “I wish you wouldn’t say that.” It isn’t about free speech in these arenas – it is about decency and empathy. Just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should.
I’ve been spending less time on Twitter, given the changes there, and it’s better for my well-being. Toxic speech makes us think that’s normal. But would you really say such a thing to someone in person? Probably not.
Freedom and responsibility are in constant balance. These are not easy questions. I try to be guided by my ordination vow: speak the truth in love. I don’t always succeed, but it’s good to try. I invite you to seek the same.
In faith,
Matthew
Church is More than The Big Picture
There are also small things.
Who runs around the office desk to open the locked door? With a smile.
Who plans to take the kids outside on bad weather Sundays? Not me.
Who finds singing masks to keep the choir safe? Have you heard them yet?
Who cleans up after Sunday service? Even if there is no coffee hour.
During this holiday season, would you like to remember the staff for the small details that make this church run? Add to the “Holiday Gift Fund” before December 14. Two ways:
Drop off a check to the office, or the Sunday offering, labeled “Holiday Gift Fund”.
On-Line. Go to Donate and make sure to select “Holiday Gift” as the fund.
Our MELD donation tree is back in the narthex this year! When you choose an ornament from the tree, you will find an item requested by a family listed on the back. You may choose more than one ornament. Once you have purchased the items listed on the ornament, place them in the bin in the Narthex designated for MELD donations. Please do not wrap the items that you donate.
Donations will be collected through Sunday, December 11.
If you are not able to select an ornament from the tree in person, you might consider ordering an item on Amazon and having it shipped directly to the MELD organization. Items can be shipped ℅ Terry Lynch 620 Kishwaukee St. Rockford, IL 61104. Items that are always in high demand are warm socks for babies, children, and adults.
Thank you for supporting Rockford MELD, a non-profit social service agency started in 1981. The organization provides programs and services for young parents and their children in the Rockford community. MELD offers emergency shelter and housing, parenting information, life and job skills training, support, resources, and prevention education.
Blue Christmas Service Wednesday, December 14 at 6pm
Prayers Harp Candles
Our Blue Christmas Service provides an opportunity to share the losses, vulnerabilities, and despair some of us experience at this time of year. We invite those who have a special need for comfort, hope, and healing to attend this service with a friend. Music provided by harpist Nanette Felix. Service leaders, Rev Joyce, and our Caring Team members.
If you would like a ride to the service, please let Rev Joyce know at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com or 815-398-6322 ext. 3.
Photo of the Week!
Music Sunday at UU Church Rockford
A beautiful and powerful performance of Magnificat by the Unicantors under the direction of Tim Anderson. Our guest singers and musicians added their talents to the service. The holiday season has officially started! Thank you to Kim Lowman Vollmer for the photo.
Finding Your Way with Starting Point
Starting Point is small group ministry especially designed for newcomers and those looking to discover Unitarian Universalism and their church all over again. This program will help participants live Unitarian Universalism more fully, bring our history and theology to life, and leave everyone feeling grounded, connected and renewed.
Join Rev. Joyce, newcomers, friends and members looking to make connections and “dig deeper” into Unitarian Universalism.
Starting Point is a 4-week program, we will meet Sunday afternoons from 11:30 – 1:30 pm. Session dates January 15, January 22, January 29 and February 5.
Thank you to everyone who has given assistance to the family from Afghan. Family members have work, access to a car and the young man has a driver’s license and laptop. They have received many of the household items they need thanks to your generosity. There are a few more items needed to assist with daily living and to create a feeling of home. If you can assist with any of the following items, either by donating the item or giving cash, please let Scott Garwick know at scottgarwick@gmail.com or (815) 703-4751.
Afghan Family Items Needed
Vacuum Cleaner (we would like to a purchase one)
Blender
Mixer
Blankets (5)
Large Area Rug (approx. 15 X 20)
WINNEBAGO COUNTY RESOURCES
List of resources that may be helpful to you or someone you know.
VICTIM/SURVIVOR SERVICES
Family Peace Center – 1-779-348-7600
Remedies Renewing Lives – 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-815-962-6102
OLDER ADULT SERVICES
Catholic Charities Long Term Care Ombudsman Program – 1-815-316-0040 or 1-800-369-0895
Mercyhealth at Home/Older Adult Services – 1-815-971-3502
Lifescape Community Services – 1-815-963-1609 or 1-800-779-1189
SERVICES/ADVOCACY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Center for Sight and Hearing – 1-815-332-6800 P
RAMP – 1-815-968-7467
The ARC – 1-815-965-3455
Film Discussion
Friday, December 9, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
We will show the film Alice’s Ordinary People: The Chicago Freedom Movement. Alice and her husband marched with MLK and they joined others to form Operation Breadbasket to create jobs for African-Americans.
Join us at the Baha’i Center 1650 N Alpine: Lower level in Highcrest Shopping Center.
We will show the film at The Baha’i Center in person with a facilitated discussion after the showing of the film.
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
Book Discussion
Thursday December 29, 2022 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of An Inconvenient Minority by Kenny XU. This book chronicles the political and economic repression of Asians and renaissance of a long ignored racial identity group and how they are central to reversing America’s cultural decline and preserving the dynamism of the free world.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Judy Gustafson
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Spitty Tata
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Sarah Greer & Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
