Invitation to Chill
September 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Onlineand in-person Rev. Joyce Palmer
In a world that often seems to run on stress and urgency, how can we find and maintain a sense of inner peace? This sermon explores the Unitarian Universalist approach to living a stress-free life. We will delve into spiritual, emotional, and practical tools to help us manage stress effectively, and discuss how embracing mindfulness, self-compassion, and intentional living can lead us to a more serene existence. Join us as we uncover ways to align our daily lives with our values and create a sanctuary of calm amidst the chaos.
We will share the plate with Community Life Center of Rockford The Community Life Center Of Rockford will directly impact and improve the quality of life through promoting community in the City of Rockford. Our vision at the Community Life Center of Rockford is to always be an environment that has an enduring commitment to promoting community.
The Community Life Center of Rockford will achieve its mission and vision by following our foundational pillars, Life. Live. Love. The foundational pillars are the cornerstones of the CLC. These three pillars will instill the value of life, promote the importance of living and impact the community of Rockford through love!
Volunteers for Sunday, September 15th
Thank you to the Caring Team for volunteering for hospitality this Sunday!
Ushers: Dick & Myrna Lake Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org
Happy Birthday to: Ann Pellman (Sep 11), Gary Soper (Sep 12), Kullen Cravens (Sep 14), Ann Caskey (Sep 16), & Richard McKnight (Sep 16)!
LOST JACKET
Within the last few weeks, a medium blue men’s ORVIS brand rain jacket may have decided to go home with someone other than me.
If found please return it to church and/or contact Gaen McClendon at
815.222.3515
There may be only 56 days until the election, but there are only 52 days until the 2024 Church Auction.
Please start your creative engines. Think of creative offerings for our auction.
What kind of fun dinner party can you visualize?
Make it fancy. 5-course French dinner.
Make it simple. Do a takeout pizza comparison test.
A gathering of church people is never boring. Have fun.
Got any energizing excursions you would share with a fellow member?
Take us canoeing. Take us Christmas shopping.
Has your Holiday Baking urge started to tingle? Would you share?
Make pies. make cookies. Homemade ham?
Short Time Frame. Think now. Don’t put it off.
Let us know if you have an idea. Please email me (Steve Lewis) at lewissk@aol.com. Or Autumn at church, uurockford@gmail.com Fill out the form by clicking the button below.
Or just describe your idea in an email, and we will fill out the form.
It appears we have a dilemma on our September 10th meeting night. It’s the same night as the Harris-Trump debate! Like most of you, I’m sure, I don’t want to miss it! We are sending out this notice to let you know that we are cancelling the September meeting so everyone has an opportunity to watch the Presidential debate!
We are looking forward to our October 8th meeting when our guest speaker will be our pro-choice Congressman, Eric Sorensen. See you then!
Barb Giolitto, WCCC President
Starting Point
Begins Wednesday, September 11th at 3:00 – 4:30 pm
UU Church Library
Starting Point is four rich sessions of connection, exploration, and learning that continues from our Getting to Know UU sessions. The sessions won’t just talk about Unitarian Universalism, we’ll experience it! And rather than simply hearing about UU, participants will have a chance to practice deep listening and sharing. We will have an opportunity to honor the important insight, experiences, and perspectives of our fellow travelers.
The Starting Point series is offered two to three time throughout the year. We invite prospective and current members to participate. If you’ve been attending services or checking us out on the website and curious to learn more, or if you are already a member and wanting to renew your sense of community, join church leaders, other new folks, and members for meaningful and fun connection as well as information.
Please join us for the 2nd Annual Free Clothing Swap! Bring clean baby, kid, and adult clothes to Deale Hall to swap on Sunday, September 15 from 2-3:30pm. All types in wearable condition (including maternity, Halloween costumes, shoes, and swim) are welcome! Volunteers will be on hand to help you put your items in the appropriate sections. You are not required to bring clothes to participate. Choose some “new to you” items to take home; all items left at the end of the afternoon will be donated. If you have any questions or would like to help out, please reach out to Alexis Simmons or Rebecca Beneditz.
R.E. Grade K-1 OWL 2024 Parents
Hello Everyone!
This is a quick note to let you know that we will be offering the Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education curriculum to children in grades K-1 at church this fall. Sessions will be led by Amy Brandon and myself. The Parent Orientation will be held after service on Sunday, September 15. OWL sessions will be held after service from 11:30 – 12:15 from Sunday, September 29 through Sunday, November 17. A hearty snack will be provided. 😉
No commitment is necessary at this time. I just wanted to be sure the dates got on everyone’s calendars before they filled up with school year commitments. Feel free to reach out with any questions before the orientation.
We hope you join us!
Lindsay
You’re Invited!
Faith in Practice: Mission and Vision workshop
Sunday, September 22
12:30pm – 3pm
We are an ever-evolving church in a Living Tradition! Now is the time to join again and articulate who we are and where we are going, through exploring new mission and vision statements. It’s been eight years since we last created a mission and vision for ourselves. Our congregation continues to build on its journey of strong lay leadership as we come back to life in the wake of the pandemic in new ways; this workshop is what we have been planning and working towards. Whether this is your first or the thousandth, you’re invited to join in putting our UU Faith in Practice through this generative and energizing workshop. Your input and creativity will be part of the process towards crafting our congregation’s new Mission and Vision!
Our congregation is joining UUs nationwide to revive our commitment to climate justice! We are collaborating locally with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rock Valley to offer two days of free programming. Saturday’s event in Rockton, Climate Justice: From Conversation to Action, invites you to join the discussion about climate justice and actions we can take to make a positive change in our local communities! The weekend continues in Rockford on Sunday with 10am worship and an Organizing Hour following service in collaboration with UU the Vote.
September 28: 1-5pm at UU Congregation of Rock Valley in Rockton
September 29: 10am Worship and Organizing Hour at UU – Rockford
Register for the Saturday program HERE. Childcare is available! Additional printed information is available in the Narthex and in Deale Hall. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Beneditz.
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.
November 18th, Monday, at 3 pm
Jan. 22nd, Wednesday, at 9 am
April 24, Thursday, at 10 am
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.
Our UU Library has added this book to our collection: The Earthly Frame by David Sehat
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
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: Matt Menze
Clerk: Kim Lowman Vollmer
Vice-President: Wendy Bennett
Treasurer: Bob Spelman Trustees: Clark Logemann, Rebecca Beneditz, Neita Webster
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
