Workshop
Feb. 9^th, 12:30-2:30, Deale Hall.  What are our Goals?
After a brief review of the draft mission and vision, we’ll start working on goals.  What should we accomplish in our lives, in the church, and in the wider world over the next 3-5 years?  What difference will we make?  Come be part of this very important conversation as we shape our collective future. 

Mission and Vision Update
 
One of our main goals this year is to update our vision, mission, goals, and strategic plan.  It has been many years and the world has changed a few times since then.  We’ve changed to.  What is our work now?  What is the church for?  What difference will we make in the world and in our lives?
 
You kicked off this work with a mission and vision workshop, led by Rev. Allison Farnum, on Sept. 22^nd.  About 20-25 people attended and shared what they valued about the church and their sense of purpose for us.  A writing team, consisting of Teresa Wilmot, Teresa Palmeno, Barb Basaj, Sue Molyneaux, and Gloria Perez, took the notes from that meeting and created a vision and a mission statement.  The Board received that draft at its Dec. 4^th meeting, and made some minor changes. 
 
The vision is a short statement of who we seek to be.  It is almost like a motto.  The mission is a statement of our purpose – why we exist. 
 
Here is the current draft:
 

 
The next step in this process is a workshop on Feb. 9^th after church.  Mark your calendars and plan to attend!  There will be a time for feedback about this vision and mission, and then a turn to begin to articulate our goals or “ends.”  Given this purpose, what will we accomplish in the next 3-5 years?  What difference will we make in the lives of those we serve and in the world?  How we will use our wealth of resources to nourish our community? You will begin to articulate 2-5 major goals.  This will incorporate the insights from the change team, which has focused on our anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multicultural goals. 
 
At the last workshop, on March 9^th after church, you will refine these “ends” and brainstorm tactics and strategies.  Given the goals, what action steps, programs, shifts in culture and policy, and so forth should we make? 
 
In April and May, the staff and lay leaders will refine this plan, select tactics to achieve the goals, identify needed resources, timelines, and accountabilities, and finalize a draft.  You’ll be asked to vote on the mission and vision, and to give your general endorsement to the strategic plan, at the annual meeting on June 8^th, 2025. 

Our Wonderful Wednesday on January 29 at 6:00 pm will be a Drag Queen Story Time for the whole family in the church library!  Half an hour of children’s books read by a drag performer, followed by refreshments. This event is open to the community, so invite your friends!

UU Who’s Who?
                    featuring Katy Conrad (current Nominating Panel member)

Question 1: What do/did you enjoy about being a member of the Nominating Panel?
Answer: By joining the Nominating Panel, I’ve gotten a glimpse of how the church operates, and it makes me realize how many people work (for free) to keep this church going. I think it makes me appreciate things more because of it.

Question 2: How did you get your position?
Answer: I started my current position on the Nominating Panel because Gary Lawrence reached out to me, and I’d been wanting to get more involved in the church. 

Question 3: What was the first position you volunteered for at the church?
Answer: My first position was as an RE volunteer (which I still am) because I wasn’t sure where to start. I have an education background, so I thought that would be a good use of my skills. 

Please nominate someone to help serve the church at: nominating@uurockford.org

Change Team Summary
Change Team: Rev. Linda Lawrence, Renee Mealey, Scott Garwick, Ariana DeNevau, Billie Callahan, and Joey Stoyas.
The change team conducted dozens of interviews to assess our placement on a 16-item rubric – between “committed to the status quo” and “actively anti-racist” (with “multi-culturally aware” in the middle.). We also did a survey that got 31 responses.  This is the high-level summary.  We’ve converted this to a 5-point scale, with 5 as a strong unified effort to be anti-oppressive in that area.  In order of strength:
 
Mission, Purpose, and Leadership                                            Most Common Rank: 5
               We take this seriously as a church. Need for more diverse leadership.               
Partnerships with the Community                                            Most Common Rank: 5
               We have strong partnerships in many places, others can grow.
Theology                                                                                                   Most Common Rank: 5
Human Resources                                                                              Most Common Rank: 5
               Follow UUA recommendations and put anti-racism in staff goals.
Administration                                                                                      Most Common Rank: 5
Facilities                                                                                                    Most Common Rank: 5
 
Public Witness and Prophetic Voice                                       Most Common Rank: 4
Worship                                                                                                     Most Common Rank: 4
               Appreciate diverse sources. Desire for more embodied movement and energy.
Pastoral Care                                                                                         Most Common Rank: 4
               Staff and leaders doing good work, room for more learning and sharing of the work.
Faith Formation for Adults                                                             Most Common Rank: 4
               Gratitude for worships and opportunities, seek to make sure folks take advantage of chances to learn more and practice.
Faith Formation for Children and Youth                                Most Common Rank: 4
Finances and Purchasing                                                               Most Common Rank: 4
               Proud of how we invest our money, need to encourage members to do the same.
 
Membership and Welcoming                                                       Most Common Rank: 4 and 3
               Good intentions, but not as diverse membership as we seek.
Small Group Ministry                                                                         Most Common Rank: 3 and 4
               Though materials are good, groups can be uneven in using resources and inclusion.
Communication Style                                                                       Most Common Rank: 3 and 4
              
One can see that we have made clear commitments to the work (Theology and Mission) and that we embed it in policies and our faith in action work (HR, Admin, Facilities, Partnerships).  There is more work to deepen and enliven the work in programs (Worship, Faith formation, Pastoral Care), and we are further from our goal when it comes to deeper cultural things like communication and membership. 

Are You Interested In Dropping Off Compost At Church?
Based on feedback from our Eco Justice meeting with Nettle Compost, we want to know how many people are interested in having our building be a drop-off point for their compost service. If you are interested, please fill out this quick, one question survey by clicking the link below. Thank you!
CLICK HERE

Sabbatical Part 2 guide
 
Here is important information about the Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson’s upcoming Sabbatical (part 2 of this year’s 4-month sabbatical – he took 6 weeks in the fall and will be taking 10 weeks from Jan 23^rd to April 7^th). 
 
Sabbatical is a time of renewal and refresh for a minister.  Matthew takes short sabbaticals – 3 or 4 months every 4 or 5 years – to refresh, grow his skills, and renew his spirit.  Sabbaticals are also a vital time for the church to grow its leadership and capacity and move toward a more shared ministry, which is a central goal of our post-covid life together.  So embrace this time of creativity and possibility!
 
Authority in Matthew’s absence is shared by many other staff and leaders. 
 
Governance – Board President, Matt Menze or Vice President, Wendy Bennett.
Finance – Finance Chair Steve Lewis
Personnel – Matt M and Steve L
Worship – Rev. Joyce and Tim Anderson, with our sabbatical preachers Rev. Allison and Rev. Bowie.
Pastoral Care and Rites of Passage – Rev. Joyce
Day-to-Day management – Office Manager Autumn Powell.  Autumn is who you go to if you don’t know where to go – she’ll direct you. 
Faith in Action – the Faith in Action Team leaders; Rev. Scott Aaseng with UUANI and Rev. Violet Johnicker with RUM, as well as Rev. Joyce and Rev. Marlene Walker with the Rockton UU congregation, can provide clergy support and connection. 
 
The Worship Schedule is as follows:
26: Rev. Allison — the Great Story
Feb 2: Putting the I in DEI with Keith Barns
Feb 9: Rev. Allison. – a mission/vision/goals workshop follows.
Feb 16: Rev. Bowie
Feb 23: Rev. Allison
March 2: Youth-led Led Worship Service
March 9: Rev. Allison a mission/ vision/ goals workshop follows.
March 16: Rev. Joyce
March 23: Rev. Bowie
March 30: Rev. Allison
April 6: Rev. Allison
April 13: Rev. Dr. Matthew returns. 
 
We’ll be making plans for a Stewardship campaign that will run quickly after I return. 
 
What will I be doing?  Reading, writing, some teaching.  I’ll be reading about and revising my doctoral project on UU Homiletic Theology, teaching a class on worship, and reading some other materials on clergy life today.  I’ll be in town for some of the time and with family and friends at other times.  I’m looking forward to this vital time to work my mind in different ways. 

UU 2030 Young Adult Group
February 6th 5:45 – 6:45 pm
Theme: Family, Friends, and Loves

UU2030 is a small group for adults in their 20s and 30s who are looking for a spiritual and religious community, without the dogma and baggage that can come with traditional religion. We can provide that home here!

We are looking to build a faith community and possibly other social events like potlucks, holiday celebrations, boardgame nights. 
We hope to see you!

If you need childcare, please email Rev Joyce at revjoycpalmer@yahoo.com.

Co-leaders Sarah Greer and Hailey Powell

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 – 4 pm.  The film “Too Sordid,” a queer comedy will be presented in the church library, by the LIAM Foundation Elders Group.  Admission is free.

UU COMMON READ:  Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families.  Join the Sex & Gender Justice Team in reading and discussing this beautiful and positive book.  Last chance to purchase the book during coffee hour this Sunday 26th. Or you can buy it online through the UU Bookstore or Amazon. It’s also available on Kindle. We will have our book discussion on Sunday, February 23, from 1 – 3 pm

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.

April 23, Wednesday, 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 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  |