December 24, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Song, story and candlelight accompany our reflection on what it means to have and long for “peace on earth.” When violence and oppression seem everywhere, how can we make peace real in this world?
Celebrate Christmas Together
December 25, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in person (Please note this service will not be live-streamed)
Rev. Joyce Palmer & D.R.E. Lindsay Trank
Come together to participate in readings, prayers, and fellowship. Following the brief service, we will enjoy delicious offerings from Mary’s Market.
New Year’s Day
Finding Our Center: The Labyrinth
January 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (Please note this service will not be live-streamed)
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
The Labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool that helps us come back to our center. We’ll learn a little about the labyrinth and then experience the journey in the sanctuary, where a labyrinth will be set up for today.
We will Share the Plate with Shelter Care on 12/24 & 12/25
It is the mission of Shelter Care Ministries to provide shelter, awaken hope, and honor dignity for every person who seeks assistance through our programs. Our focus is on individuals living with a chronic mental illness and families that are experiencing homelessness in the Winnebago and Boone county area. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Misha Sanders (12/21), Ron Johnson (12/24), Magda Pandya (12/24), Roger Crook (12/24), Kim Lowman Vollmer (12/26), John Ekedahl (12/27), & Steven Anderson (12/27)!
Volunteers for Sunday, December 24
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers Sign Up Here
Volunteers for Sunday, December 25
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: Gloria Perez & Joyce Palmer
Coffee Hosts: We Need 2 Volunteers
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! Sign Up Here
Matthew’s Memo
It seems likely that we will get a major storm on Thursday and Friday mornings here in Rockford. Please make sure that you have what you need and stay safe. Very cold temperatures will follow, and most of us know how to handle that. We will see you on Christmas Eve at 5 pm, if you are in town and not busy – bring your friends and family.
There will also be service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, both Sundays, at 10 am.
PLEASE NOTE: The Christmas Eve service will be streamed – though it will be a basic video and sound, with no slides. If you want to sing along, be sure to get the order of service from Friday Update. However, the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day services will NOT be streamed. If you are looking for worship online on those days, you can search for another UU congregation. I suggest All Souls Tulsa, which you can find athttps://allsoulschurch.org/live/. (They are about six times our size, so the production quality and resources are quite high).
Whether we see you over the next two weeks or not until January 8th, I hope you have a safe, warm, and loving holiday season. Sending many blessings to you all.
In faith,
Matthew
Special Holiday Services at UU Church Rockford
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service – Saturday, December 24, 5 pm On this special evening we gather to celebrate the enduring power of love and hope, sing traditional carols, and share the light and joy of the season with one another.
Celebrate Christmas Together – Sunday, December 25, 10 am Come together to participate in readings, prayers and fellowship. Following the brief service we will enjoy delicious offerings from Mary’s Market.
New Year’s Day – Sunday, January 1, 10 am Rev. Matthew will lead this service as we enter a New Year. A time of reflection and looking forward.
UUA Common Read What lessons and inspiration can we find in Mistakes and Miracles to guide our
striving for Beloved Community, today?
Let’s read together the story of congregations who are doing the work of
multiculturalism and antiracism.
Buy your book now and join us for Zoom Discussion Series on 4 Tuesdays.
Books for sale in Deale Hall on Sunday mornings for $20.00, make checks payable to Connection Victory.
January 24 at 6:30pm-Rev. Matthew
February 21 at 6:30pm-Rev. Joyce
March 21 at 6:30pm-Rev. Linda Lawrence
April 18 at 6:30 pm-Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
Explorers On A Journey, 2nd Wednesday, 6pm starting January 11
We all are invited into a spiritual life. But what is a spiritual life? One answer to that question is, it is a journey. This journey happens through the everyday moments of our lives. It is an inner journey of getting to know who we are and noticing the wonder, awe, and mystery of life.
My name is Gloria Pèrez. I am a trained spiritual companion/director and I will be facilitating a new small group, Explorers On A Journey. In the group we will reflect and share on various themes, we will sit in silence, and receive invitations to explore what lies deep inside our hearts and spirits. This group will meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00pm via zoom. Please sign up using the linkhttps://uurockford.breezechms.com/form/4bab2a. Questions? Contact Gloria Perez atgjp68@icloud.com
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.
Photo of the Week!
Our Rehnberg Window has been fixed and is back in its place!
Afghan Family Thank You, Update and Request
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
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 |
