Wherein Lies the Heart of the Matter? July 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Onlineand in-person Rev. Linda Slabon & Dr. Toni Tollerud
Covid-19 presented us with challenges that we did not anticipate. These include isolation, social awkwardness, depression, apathetic inertia, and multiple losses without the presence of a community to hold us. The impact of Covid lingers. As we reorient ourselves in this time, wherein lies the heart of the matter for our identities?; wherein lies the heart of the matter as we seek healing from the traumas that have left their mark on us?; wherein lies the heart of the matter as we consider our UU church home and communities of faith?
Rev. Linda Slabon,M.Div., MSW, M.A., LCSW, is the Minister Emerita of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb and is an Affiliated Community Minister with the UU Church in Rockford. Linda serves as a Board Member on the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois and she maintains a small private practice as a Clinical Social Worker.
Dr. Toni Tollerud is a Distinguished Teaching Professor Emerita of the College of Education at NIU. She serves as president of the Northern IL University Annuitants Board, and she leads state-wide seminars on supervision and trauma. For 26 years Toni served as music and choir director at the UU Congregation of DeKalb, IL.
In addition, Bionic Nana Linda with her titanium hips, and Grandma Toni are spouses of 34 years who enjoy travel, a passion for gardening, and time spent with their 8-year-old granddaughter Amelia.
We will share the plate with UUANI
UUANI empowers Unitarian Universalists across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice. We provide leadership training, build congregational capacity and organize statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with our partners. Our Actions of the Week make it easy for UUs to make a difference. Together, we seek to bend the arc toward justice. Click Here to Donate
Volunteers for Sunday, July 14
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Welcome Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
Coffee Hour: We Need 2 Volunteers Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org
Happy Birthday to: Matt Menze (Jul 09), Myrna Rowe (Jul 10), Rev. David Weissbard (Jul 10), Barb Joyner (Jul 11), Eleanor Adkins (Jul 11), Chuck Elliot (Jul 13), Maria Arreaza-Coyle (Jul 15), & Betsy Urbik (Jul 16)!
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson will be on study leave from July 5th – 13th. If you need help with anything please contact office manager Autumn Powell atoffice@uurockford.org
UU the Vote: Deep Canvassing
As I spoke to people in Deale Hall last Sunday, I heard over and over, “I’m afraid to knock on doors and talk to people.” We don’t know what we are capable of until we try. Deep canvassing will stretch my comfort zone, but the payoff is amazing.
So, what is deep canvassing? Here’s one definition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHpc5NvsLQ&t=2s
There are tasks for people who want to test the waters. You can write post cards. This is constructive, but you won’t see the person who reads your post card. You can participate in a phone bank.
Start your journey. Join our congregation’s UU the Vote Team. E-mail me at teresa.wilmot@gmail.com. I’ll send you a link from “The Unitarian Universalist Church – Rockford, IL.” You click the “Join” link. You can make a difference!
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot
New Database Update
We are moving to a new database at church, and need your help. Please go to uurockford.churchcenter.com and sign in. (It’s easy!) Update your information and look out for emails to fill in info and add yourself to the directory. You can also scan this QR code:
Do it today!
Supporting WNIJ-FM
I admit, I’m an NPR junkie. If you have your preset on 89.5 and listen to “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” you’re probably already donating to this station. But your dollars can go even farther if you donate to them through this church. One hundred percent of the dollars donated specifically to WNIJ on our website will go to WNIJ over time as we fund spot announcements of our Rockford congregation. It’s still a donation for IRS purposes, but to the church, and it supports our “addiction,” as well.
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot
Sunday Morning Meditation 9:15 – 9:45
Join Mario Caputo and a small group for an energizing morning meditation on this Sunday morning. Yogic meditation helps strengthen and integrate body, mind, and soul.
Meets in the Library this month on the 21st.
Wesley Willows Group
The Wesley Willows group will meet the following days and times this coming year in the reflection room at the Town Center.
August 22nd, Thursday, at 9 am
November 18th, Monday, at 3 pm
Jan. 22nd, Wednesday, at 9 am
April 24, Thursday, at 10 am
Getting to Know UU Sessions
Sessions are designed for newcomers to learn about our church and meet other newcomers. We meet in the Sanctuary from 11:15 – 11:45. If you are curious about and considering membership, this is a great place to start.
Sunday, July 21 Getting Connected with Rev Joyce
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.
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
SOLAR CONFERENCE AND EXPO ADVANCES THE ADOPTION OF SOLAR IN THE ROCKFORD REGION
ROCKFORD, IL-Anyone with an electric bill will want to attend the 2024 SOLAR CONFERENCE & EXPO, July 18th, 8:30 am-4:00 pm, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center, Rockford. The Expo offers inspiration and education to become a more sustainable community. Learn more at
Multiple breakout sessions are geared towards solar for residents, businesses, farms and rural businesses, institutions, nonprofits and churches. Plenary sessions will address: Financial Incentives for Solar in Illinois; Solar for Disadvantaged Communities-the Illinois Solar for all Program; A Holistic Approach-Solar and Resiliency in the Rockford Region.
The conference will feature: presentations by renewable energy subject matter experts; resources for solar financial incentives; valuable industry connections and business expo to talk with solar installers.
The Solar Conference and Expo is a project of Sustain Rockford, a local nonprofit, grassroots organization working collaboratively to help make the Rockford region more sustainable. For more information visit
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 Board of Trustees:
President: Spitty Tata
Clerk: Kim Lowman Vollmer
Vice-President: Matt Menze
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Clark Logemann, Sarah Greer, & Rebecca Beneditz
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
