Matthew’s Memo 
 
I’m writing this on Indigenous People’s Day, Monday, Oct. 9^th.  I join in those who mark this day in this way and refuse to celebrate Christopher Columbus, whose ethical conduct was so horrific that people at the time were repulsed.  We cannot judge people of the past by the standards of today, but Columbus was known and judged at the time to be both cruel and foolish. 
 
Instead, we take the time to both grieve the attempted genocide of the Indigenous People of Turtle Island and learn about the history and current realities of these nations and people.  I’ll be preaching on this on this coming Sunday, as part of our theme of Heritage.  How do we grapple with this history? 
 
When we think about the occupation of the land and displacement of the people, we cannot help but think about other similar projects.  The English colonization of Ireland, for example, proceeded in much the same way that the English colonization of America took place.  The Japanese occupations of Korea and China bear similar markers.  The Roman dominance over everywhere from England to Egypt is likewise in their mix of erasure and brutality.  This was normal – until it wasn’t. 
 
Modern occupations are more rare.  Israel’s occupation of Palestine is a deeply complicated history. When a stateless and persecuted people create a state and displace the people living there, what is the right response?  When the displaced and their allies initiate a war against that state and lose, what then?  When the leaders of the displaced refuse to negotiate? When the leaders of the state deprive the occupied of food, water, and electricity? 
 
Occupations produce violence. Violence produces violence. Violence makes trauma and more violence.  Leadership is required – restrained, visionary, transformative leadership.  That leadership is absent. 

The Russian occupation of Ukraine is another modern example and a clearer moral issue.  State A seeks to dominate State B.  State B fights back, targeting military targets only – while State A attacks civilians.  Most conflicts are not so clear. 
 
I am not a policymaker with the power to make decisions about our policy in the Middle East. What I can do, and you can do, is learn more about the history of THIS land, where we live now.  And perhaps by learning about this, we can avoid repeating, again and again, the mistakes of the past.
 
In faith,
Matthew

What’s Really in the Bible?
Sunday, 11:45-12:45, Oct. 15, 29, and Nov 5 and 12
No advance sign up required.  Do bring a bible if you have one, but not required.  Any translation is fine. (we will compare).  

You do not need to attend all sessions, but it will be helpful, as they build on each other.  
In the sanctuary.  

Soul Matters Groups are small groups that meet for deep listening and support. We have group openings for new people to join existing Soul Matters Groups.
 
Groups meet at the following times:
Judy Johnson 2nd and 4th Mondays in the evening 6pm (Church Library)
 
Neita Webster 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 9:30 – 11:30 (Church Library)
 
Jami Edmonds 3rd Tuesdays 6pm (Church Library)
 
Roger Benedict 2^nd and 4^th Thursday 9:30 – 11:00 (Church Library)
 
Gloria Perez 2nd and 4th Thursdays 11am – 12:30pm (Online)
 
Teresa Wilmot & Matt Menze 2nd and 4th Thursdays 4pm (Online and In Person)
 
If you are interested in a group, please email revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com

Beginners Guide to the Prison Industrial Complex
Saturday, October 14 10 – 2pm
In person in the Sanctuary and Online

Feeling helpless in the face of the racial and economic injustice in our society?

Join the UU Prison Ministry of IL to explore injustices of the prison system and learn what we can do to change it. This workshop is intended to challenge participants towards growth & inspire ongoing work and action. Workshop held at UU Church Rockford.

Please register at: http://www.uupmi.org/pic-registration.html

Wonderful Wednesday
October 18^th at 6pm
“How I Started My Ancestral Journey”

We are excited to have Diane McCue, VP, Program Director, and Media Coordinator with the Winnebago Boone County Genealogical Society. Diane will discuss the process she used to explore her family history starting with papers she inherited from her great-grandfather. Diane will discuss tools like Ancestry.com, Find A Grave, and Facebook to help you learn how to explore your ancestry. Zoom and In Person.
Use this link for access to the Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87936245219?pwd=uI1ARaQ4pNtpn6EMbBtuNAe1SAkye5.1
 

WNIJ Fundraiser
 
Many of our members are loyal listeners and even supporters of WNIJ, our local public radio station.  But did you know that you can both support WNIJ and support our church congregation at the same time?
 
Many years ago, Rev. Weissbard encouraged donations from our members, earmarked for WNIU (back before WNIJ) that were donated to the station to provide spots during the broadcast day announcing the UU Church of Rockford.  These spots might provide the first notice of our liberal congregation to prospective members.  Several of our neighboring congregations followed suit.  Now you hear announcements from the Rockton, Elgin, DeKalb and even Stockton congregations.
 
Any money you earmark to WNIJ, either on-line or by the note line on your check, will all go to the station—not just 80% as with share-the-plate donations.  And the donation is still fully tax deductible.   The church doesn’t fund these WNIJ donations—only the money donated specifically for this purpose by our members.
 
Why not get 2 donations for the price of one:  one to the church and one to WNIJ?
 
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot

for Adults

Let’s talk about sex!!! (It’s not just for teenagers.) The Unitarian Universalist Association has developed a stellar comprehensive sex education curriculum known as Our Whole Lives. As the title suggests, it is not a one-and-done, but rather a topic to be revisited as we grow and mature. Join us this fall as Wendy Bennett and Leah Krippner facilitate an adult exploration of sexuality in the 21st century. Anyone 18 and up is welcome to join. 

Wendy and Leah are trained OWL facilitators and have been teaching OWL for nearly 20 years.

Sessions will be held once a month. Come and join us for an intro session either on Wednesday, October 25 at 6:00 p.m. (Bring a dinner!) or on Sunday, October 22 at 11:30 a.m. (Pack a lunch for this one!) At this opening session, we will decide on dates for the other sessions as well as topics to be discussed. Please contact the church office to sign up for one of these two initial sessions. Let them know if you will need assistance with childcare. Questions? Email Wendy or Leah.

The Zanzen Meditation group is meeting in the church library every Saturday from 8:00 am to about 10:00 am for silent meditation and friendly discussion. We would like to invite all who are interested to check us out. There is no need to sign up or commit to anything. If you show up and behave we will probably be delighted to have you join us.

Rare Earth Food Collective is an online farmers’ market featuring local food and products. We help producers work together to meet the growing demand for local, sustainable food in Winnebago, Boone, and McHenry Counties. Instead of you driving all over the countryside to buy from different farms, we collaborate to bring the food to you. You can choose home delivery or a nearby pickup location. We deliver orders every Tuesday, year-round. There is no minimum order, and no requirement to order every week. Ordering from REFC helps to build and support our local food community, preserve our agricultural land for future use, and reduce our carbon footprint. It also provides you with fresh food that tastes delicious and is good for you. 

For members who already attend UU regularly, we will be there on Tuesdays in Deale Hall to pack our orders for distribution – meaning you could place an order for Tuesday pick up right at the Church! 

To register as a customer visit: https://refc.localfoodmarketplace.com/

The next pick-up will be on October 17, 2:30 – 3:00. This time period may be adjusted.

The buying window on the website will go live with products (for shopping) from Saturday at Noon, until Monday at Noon, but you can sign up as a customer at any time!

We look forward to serving you!

Eliminate Racism 815 Book and Film Discussions
 

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