Matthew’s Memo
Feb 14, 2023
 
It was 15 years ago, on Feb. 14^th, 2008, when a gunman killed five others and then themselves at Northern Illinois University.  This was not the first mass shooting at a school or university, and not the last – just last night, a gunman killed three and injured five others at Michigan State University. 
 
One student at MSU, whose dorm is across the street from one of the shooting locations, was a student at Sandy Hook Elementary when six adults and twenty children were killed there 10 years ago. 
 
As Rep. Eric Sorenson put it on Twitter last night, “Tonight is a time for prayers. The time for action was yesterday.”  We should have acted long ago.  In no other country – none – does this happen.  Why haven’t we done anything? 
 
In Illinois, the legislature passed a bill to restrict assault weapons – and Republicans and gun-shop owners sued to stop it (it will be decided in the federal courts, so who knows what they will say and how long it will take).  But without national action, guns will just flow across state borders.  And it is the combination of guns and angry disconnected men that is the cause of the vast majority of these shootings.
 
So why don’t we do anything? 
 
Because mass shootings serve the interests of the conservative agenda.  They keep people afraid.  Sporadic and random violence works, psychologically, to keep people in fear.  Every ounce of energy that women, LGBTQ people, young people, black and brown people, and religious people – especially religious minorities – spend worrying about mass shootings, security, and violence is energy we cannot spend building the world we long for. 
 
Mass shootings also serve the interests of firearm manufacturers and sellers – every time there is a shooting, gun sales go up. 
 
Follow the money.  Follow the power. 
 
I do believe change is possible.  The generation – my children’s generation – who has lived through active shooter drills their whole lives has had enough.  They are beginning to exercise political power.  If you are in that generation, speak up.  If you are not, support them in their fight. Join. 
 
For a long time, we thought “there’s nothing we can do.”  But that’s just not true.  A better world is possible, but we will need to be clear about what we are up against.  This isn’t a “natural disaster” that is inevitable.  It is a choice that certain people have made, and it is in their interest to continue to sacrifice our children on the blood altar of their profit.  When we are clear about what we’re up against, then we have a chance to win. 
 
In faith,
Matthew

Wonderful Wednesday
February 15, 6pm
Church Library
 
Join author Sharon Nesbit-Davis for a discussion of her memoir Intended: A Marriage in Black and White.
 

Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, February 25 4 – 7
Deale Hall
 
ENTER contest: bring a crockpot of chili and any toppings or fixings.
BRING place setting and games for playing inside or outside
PROVIDED power strips, cords, coffee and water
AWARDS Best Display & Best Chili (latter wins a parking space)
 
COME ONE, COME ALL!
 

We Need YOU
We are updating and adding photos to the Church Directory. You can upload your own photo onto Breeze or send a photo to revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com.

The directory is a great tool for helping us get to know one another, connecting names and faces is an important part of church life. 

We will publish a hard copy of the Directory soon. We would like to have you in it!

Thank you,
Rev Joyce

The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL  |   4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107   |   815-398-6322    |   uurockford.org  |