Matthew’s Memo
December 12, 2023

It seems hard to believe that it is already the middle of December.  The unusually mild weather is contributing to the confusion, of course – but it also seems that this time of the year has arrived secretly.  It has snuck up on me.  I have not purchased a single present yet (that’s not that unusual for me, actually), but I did get my decorations up and have made some holiday plans.  

Time is strange.  I think it is quite common that when we are kids, it seems like everything takes forever.  Now, the days rush past most of the time.  When I had children, I was told “The days are long and the years are short” and that is true.  Just as it is hard to believe that it is mid-December, it is hard to believe that my children are teenagers, or that I’m rapidly approaching ½ century of living (I have a few more years, but still.). I know from talking with you that you have similar experiences.  We wonder where the days, weeks, and years have gone.  Peak experiences stand out more, and daily life recedes.  

This is one reason, I think, that rituals, holidays, and annual markers of time matter.  It orients us in this stream of time to say “Today is Sunday, we will worship,” or “This is the New Year’s Day” or “This is the fall harvest celebration,” or “This is my birthday.”  These events give a structure to time and allow us to reflect, remember, and imagine.  

We will celebrate Christmas twice together as a church.  This Sunday, Dec. 17th, is our annual no-rehearsal pageant. We enact and reflect on the ancient story, made fresh for today.  I hope you will come to sing and be a part of the story.  Then on Sunday, Dec. 24th, we will have a traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5 pm.  Please note there is no morning service this day – 5 pm only.  

Then Rev. Linda Lawrence will lead worship on Dec. 31st at 10 am to mark the turning of the year in ritual and hope.  

I hope you will take these times as an opportunity to orient yourself in the year, to commit yourself to peace, and to plant seeds of becoming for the year to come.

In faith,
Matthew

Church is More than The Big Picture
There are also small things.

• Who answers the phone with a smile when you don’t know how to get into the church database?
• Who takes a bunch of 2-year-olds outside Monday – Friday at Woodsong Nature School rain or shine? Not me.
• Who finds musicians to spice up our choir’s special music?
• 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:
 

1. Drop off a check to the office, or the Sunday offering, labeled “Holiday Gift Fund”.
2. On-Line. Go to Donate and make sure to select “Holiday Gift” as the fund.

Child Dedication
We are pleased to announce that the Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford will hold a Child Dedication during worship on Sunday, December 17, 2023.  The dedication will be a simple ritual in which the congregation commits to the spiritual welfare and development of the child and their family.  Though the ritual is not a baptism, some similar symbolism will be incorporated into the ceremony.  Children of any age that have not previously been dedicated are welcome to participate in the ritual.  Children who participate are welcome to have their parents and siblings as well as one or two sponsors join them at the front of the sanctuary during the dedication.  If you would like to participate in the Child Dedication, please e-mail Lindsay Trank at reuurockford@gmail.com by Wednesday, December 13.  We hope you will join us for this special occasion!

for  Adults

Do you people do anything but talk about sex? No. Not really. 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 as Wendy Bennett and Leah Krippner facilitate an adult exploration of sexuality in the 21st century. Anyone 18 and up is welcome to join. 

This month we will discuss Sexuality and Aging, focusing on the stages of sexual life, abilities and the aging body including the effects of medication, as well as ageism. Folks are welcome to join for a single session or sign up for all six. 

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 December 19, 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!

The first step to becoming an ally to transgender and nonbinary people is to learn more; thank you for taking that step with us!

It can be tough for trans and nonbinary people to bear the burden of educating others about their lived experiences.

This guide is an introductory educational resource that covers a wide range of topics and best practices to help you better support the trans and nonbinary folks in your life, to create a safer, kinder, more accepting world.

Our Vision: A loving congregation that connects with ourselves, one another, and the larger community.  

Our Mission: We care for ourselves, each other, and our neighbors while taking risks acting for justice. We are continuously building an inclusive, empowered, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, multicultural congregation. Our connections foster radical love for ourselves and others.

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