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What’s Broken and What Isn’t?
November 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
A strength-based approach to repair and change suggests that instead of always asking “what’s wrong?” we might start with “what’s right?” What has worked for us, and how can we build on that? We’ll consider what healing looks like, both for our own lives and the world, when we start with what’s still good and worthy.
We will share the plate with Natural Land Institute
For 65 years, the Natural Land Institute has helped residents of northern Illinois conserve the land they cherish. We are one of the oldest private conservation groups in the Midwest.
We are a member supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land and natural diversity for future generations. Since 1958, NLI has protected, managed, and restored more than 18,000 acres throughout Illinois and southern Wisconsin. These include prairies, forests, wetlands, and river corridors. Click Here to Donate
Volunteers for Sunday, November 17
Thank you to the Caring team for volunteering for hospitality this Sunday!
Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org
Happy Birthday to: Kelsey Oehlke (Nov 12), Matthew Fields Huckstep (Nov 12), Sharon Hartung (Nov 15), Susan Caravello (Nov 15), Barbara Chidley (Nov 16), Mary Newport (Nov 16), Bob Babcock (Nov 17), Joyce Palmer (Nov 18), Paul Goddard (Nov 18), Steve Gausebeck (Nov 18), Sandi Campbell (Nov 19), & Teresa Palmeno (Nov 19)!
Matthew’s Memo
At the event we had on Wednesday to process the election and our work, as well as on Sunday, I discussed the importance of solidarity with the most vulnerable. That we will love as best we can all we can, and will not throw the most at risk under the bus for short term political gain. On Wednesday, we shared some of the opportunities to get involved.
I think it’s important to support existing local organizations that are doing this work, rather than trying to create new things. There are folks already in good accountable relationships doing important work to safeguard and strengthen community.
For immigrants and refugees, there are three local organizations doing this work. One is Justice for Our Neighbors – they have a long backlog of cases and could use financial support. Speak to member Dave Black, who is on their board, if you want to get involved. Another is Rockford Action for Immigrants, which is providing direct aid to help folks get established. You can find them on Facebook and connect there. There is also Welcome with Dignity 815, which is focused on sharing stories and building connections – reach out to Pastor Violet Johnicker at Brooke Road United Methodist Church to get connected. They are on Facebook too.
For LGBTQ+ people, especially for trans and non-binary people, our local partner is the Liam Foundation. Lots of us just attended their fundraiser on Saturday. You can reach out directly to them to offer financial support, volunteer, or get yourself or your beloveds connected to their services.
For reproductive freedom, Winnebago County Citizens for Choice includes many church members and meets at the church. Contact Peggy Menze to get involved. They support the local clinics, work on legislation, and work to protect this in Illinois.
For addressing the climate crisis, our own Ecojustice team is probably the best place to engage. You can find out many ways to get connected to this long work.
And for building community and crossing boundaries to re-knit America, I’m a fan of the Belonging Initiative. You can contact our own members Billie Callahan or Ellyn Ahmer to get connected if this is for you.
Don’t give up hope. Don’t try to save everything by yourself. Choose a thing to focus on, a gift you can give, and do that. Breathe. Be of courage. The arc is long, and it is not always a straight line. But we keep at it.
In faith,
Matthew
UU Kitchen Cleanup Saturday, November 16th, 1-3pm
Join the RE Team and others as we help turn back the clock on the UU kitchen! We all appreciate the treats and coffee that come from the kitchen each Sunday, so let’s show our love by helping tidy, deep clean, and reorganize this much loved space. For this event, let’s throw out the phrase “too many cooks in the kitchen” in favor of “many hands make light work”! We’ll provide the guidance and supplies necessary for the task at hand so you can just come for community, camaraderie, and cleaning.
All ages welcome! Bring the whole family and a willingness to pitch in. When all the work is done, be sure to stick around for the cookie decorating party starting at 3pm!
All Ages Cookie Decorating Party!
Saturday, November 16th, 3-5pm
Come for an afternoon of fun at an all ages cookie decorating party in Deale Hall! Cookies and frosting will be provided. Please bring sprinkles, other cookie decorations, and containers to bring cookies home if you have them; however, you are not required to bring anything to attend. All are welcome! If you have extra time before the party starts, consider arriving early to pitch in at the RE Kitchen Cleanup starting at 1pm. Hope to see you there!
Join us in Deale Hall at 6pm on November 20th for the Eco Justice Team’s Wonderful Wednesday! In keeping with the November theme of Repair, we will have Ann Wasser from Severson Dells on hand to share more information about their Elliot Golf Course Rehabilitation project. We will also hear about local watershed restoration work from Rebecca Olson of Olson Ecological Solutions and Eric Tison and Estelle Adiaba from the Region 1 Planning Council. We encourage you to arrive at 5:45pm if you would like to grab some locally sourced snacks before the presentations begin. Q&A to follow. All are welcome!
Auction Item!
#29 New Year’s Champagne Brunch with the Board
Start the new year off right! Join the Church Board for a delicious New Year’s brunch. Lots of tasty food, friends and fun for all. Buffet brunch will take place at 11am at Wendy Bennett’s home on New Year’s Day. 3 spots Available – asking $30 donation for each. Contact Wendy Bennett or Kim Lowman Vollmer.
Board Recap
The board heard and auction report and made plans for its donations. They discussed the staffing situation for Woodsong and Religious Education given the departure of the RE Assistant / Woodsong Co-Director Lauren Smith. We discussed the nominating panel’s work and how to move forward with a task force of board and panel members. We discussed how to support the work of the change team and the schedule for hearing from them.
Post-election gatherings for UUs
DRUUMM Election Evening Gathering Space [BIPOC only] 7pm Central Tuesday November 5
A space of support and spiritual care for BIPOC UUs on the evening of Election Day.
Forward Together with UUtheVote: After Election Day 7pm Central Wednesday November 6
A time for spiritual tending, regional connections, and holding space for emotional responses.
Forward Together with UUtheVote: Meaning Making & Immediate Action 7pm Central TBD – The day after the election is called
A focus on immediate action steps, regional assessments, and spiritual nourishment.
UUANI Statewide Post-Election Gathering 6:45pm Tuesday November 19
We will celebrate what we’ve done, debrief the results, and pivot to our ongoing Democracy work in Illinois.
Getting to Know UU Sessions
Join us for our welcome program designed to provide newcomers with the opportunity to learn about the congregation and how to get connected. We hope you will find this community to be a religious home. There are 4 sessions, the first is a series of videos and the other three are in person on Sundays in the Sanctuary from 11:15 – 11:45. You can complete the sessions at any time. Sessions will repeat monthly.
*Watch 4 Introduction Videos Prior to In-Person Sessions* November 17 Living Our Faith with Lindsay and Gloria
November 24 Our Story with Rev Matthew
December 8 Getting Connected with Rev Joyce
Hope to see you!
Video session takes about 30 minutes to complete.
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: Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks
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 |
