Standard message and data rates may apply. You have the right to OPT-OUT receiving messages at any time. TO OPT-OUT, reply "STOP" to any text message you receive from us.
10 Big Ideas: Adaptive Leadership April 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson “The Zone of Productive Disequilibrium.” “Get on the Balcony.” “Technical Problems and Adaptive Challenges.” “Work Avoidance.” These jargony phrases sound like corporate consultant speak – and yet, the theory of Adaptive Leadership has changed my ministry and my life. It is a tool that can change your life and the way you think about the world too. Come find out how. Note: a brief congregational meeting will happen right after the service to approve the door key card system.
We will share the plate with Live Free Illinois
Live Free Illinois is a state chapter of Live Free USA that works to end this moral crisis by mobilizing Black churches the most powerful organizing institution within our communities to improve public safety and transform our criminal justice system. For More Information Click Here Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Dan Hatfield (03/29), Dianne Stenerson (03/31), Ayo Carter (04/01), Dan Wilkins (04/02), & Juliette Kula (04/04)!
Please keep the Heibner family in your thoughts and prayers. Doris Heibner died on March 22, 2023. A memorial service will be at the church on April 1st at 11:00 a.m.
Volunteers for Sunday, April 2
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
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. Spitty and others are happy to help you become familiar with how to handle this easy job. Sign Up Here
Matthew’s Memo March 28th, 2023
I had a wonderful vacation last week; it was great to see my family in Seattle. Thank you to Rev. Joyce and all the staff and leaders who held down the fort.
I look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday at the Come and Be Fed! Stewardship Celebration.
* * *
The vicious, political, cynical, and deadly attacks on transgender people has been on my mind and heart in recent weeks. I know it has been on your heart too. What is happening in these states is a violation of our most cherished values, values like love, pluralism, justice, freedom and kindness. I condemn the actions of these legislators, governors, and officials in the strongest terms.
We have an opportunity to show our solidarity and support for trans and gender justice this coming Friday. Our partners and friends at the LIAM Foundation are having a march for Transgender Day of Visibility. We gather at 5pm at the new LIAM foundation building, just south of the RPS 205 HQ building in Midtown. We’ll march at 5:30 to the Office, on E. State St. – about 8 blocks.
It’s so important we show, in numbers, that we are not okay with what is happening to ourselves and people we love. I will be there and I want to see you there too.
NOTICE of Special Congregational Meeting
April 2nd, 11am
The Board has called a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 2nd, immediately following worship. One item is on the agenda: to approve a contract with M. Spinello and Son Locksmith to change our office doors from a keyed system to a keycard system. This bid, for $11,186.50, is very close to the 2% threshold of our operating budget that requires a special meeting, so the Board would like your approval. The funds come from our Capital Maintenance Reserve fund, so no special fundraising is required.
More than 100 physical keys are currently out to church members, renters, and others – an unacceptable situation. A modern keycard system allows us to turn off a keycard after authorized use and keep our building secure. The bid also includes a switch for Autumn, our office manager, to unlock the Office doors from her desk instead of coming all the way around to let in a member, visitor, or delivery person. The bid includes door hardware, electronics, wiring, and labor to install this cloud-based system.
If you have detailed questions about this project, please ask Dave Schubert, building and grounds chair. Please plan to stay after worship on the 2nd for a few minutes for us to call the meeting to order and then to vote. We do not anticipate a long conversation about the project at the meeting, so please get your questions, if any, answered in advance.
Passover Seder: Good Friday, April 7th, 6 pm
I have a special memory of the 1982 Seder. This was the first time my partner, Frank Dajka, attended any Unitarian Universalist Church. He told me he was worried that lightning would strike the church; it didn’t. In time he would admit that he had been a “closet Unitarian” for years and become a member.
I invite you to share our congregation’s celebration of this Jewish ritual and a UU plea for freedom for all. Join us in asking the 4 questions, in learning the meaning of items on the Seder plate, in tasting Jewish traditional foods like matzoh. gefeltefish and macaroons, and sharing food and conversation with our members.
I need your reservations by Sunday, April 2nd, the day I drive to Buffalo Grove to buy the special foods. Children are welcome participants. Included is a 5-course meal. A vegan entrée is available.
You may reserve in person after the worship service on April 2nd or you may email Autumn this week at at office@uurockford.org. Copy and paste this into your email:
___________________________________________
Family Name:. _______________________________
Number of adults (@ $12.00): _____
Number of children 10 or over (@$6.00): _____
Number of children 5 to 9 (@$3.00): _____
Number of vegetarian/vegan meals: _____
Volunteer task; each family checks one option
_____ Set-up, arrive at 5:15 pm
_____ Serve Food during meal
_____ Clean-up after meal
____________________________________________
The cost can be paid at the Seder by check or cash.
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot
White Oak Grove CUUPs – Sunday April 2, 2023 at 12:30 in Deale Hall – Ostara – BUNNIES! Make and Take craft. Bring something chocolate to share (finger food preferred; bring plates and forks to share if needed.)
Please sign up at https://fb.me/e/5sshLaG13 so we make sure to have enough supplies for the craft!
We will be hosting our traditional Easter Egg Hunt for families on Sunday, April 9. Please email Lindsay Trank, Director of Religious Education, at reuurockford@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer to help make the event possible. We need help assembling gift bags prior to that Sunday as well as help with setting up before and cleaning up after the event. Set up begins around 8:30 am – donuts provided!
UU Church Rockford Adult Program
$AVVY, Saturday, May 6, 3 – 5pm RPL Nordlof Center
One or our Adult Programs in May is showing the documentary $AVVY, an award-winning film aimed at empowering women to take control of their financial lives. My hope in sharing this film with the Rockford community is to start conversations and connect people with resources to support action. Financial knowledge can increase our emotional and spiritual peace as we become able to meet ours and our families’ needs. Financial freedom is important for women to have independence and choices about their future and to live with dignity and safety.
Although the focus is on women, director of the film Robin Hauser states, “$avvy is a film for women, by women, but by no means does the film exclude men or non-binary individuals in the audience.”
How can you help? We are looking for sponsors and financial experts to support the film and serve as a local resource for those ready to get their financial lives in order. We are planning to have bank representatives, financial investment companies, and community financial educators at the event. If you know someone who may have an interest in sharing their knowledge, let us know.
You can also help fill the auditorium at RPL Nordlof Center. Invite your mothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors to attend.
Please contact Rev. Joyce or a member of the Racial and Economic Justice Team for more information. revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
Thinking of spring cleaning? Think of Woodsong! We are on the lookout for some items to add to our playground materials. If you are in a position to donate any gently used items on the following list, please mark them WOODSONG and leave them near the mailboxes across from the elevators. Thank you so much for thinking of us!
-small wooden bowls (up to 6 inch diameter)
-metal muffin tins/small cake pans/cake pans in interesting shapes (star, heart, flower, etc.)
-melamine dishes (cups, saucers, small plates, bowls)
-measuring cups (metal or plastic), scoops, small sand shovels
-plastic farm animals
-toy trucks/cars (bigger than a Hot Wheel/Matchbox vehicle – no ride-on toys, please)
-small playground balls (no basketballs, footballs, baseballs, please)
-Duplo building blocks (the larger type of Lego)
And, of course, we are always in need of birdseed.
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
Eliminate Racism 815
Book Discussion
Thursday March 30, 2023 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown. The book redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarization. Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection and introduces 4 practices of true belonging that challenges everything we believe about ourselves and each other. NY Times Bestseller.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
UUANI Environmental Advocacy Teach-In
Our new statewide Environmental Action Team is planning a UU Environmental Advocacy Teach-In on issues we’ll be advocating for at the April 19 IL Environmental Advocacy Day (see below). Presenters will include UUs who are co-leading the campaign to stop CO2 pipelines for carbon capture and storage in IL.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Judy Gustafson
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Spitty Tata
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds, & Rebecca Beneditz
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
