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Hope and Covenant
December 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Bret Lortie Soul Matters program minister Gretchen Haley reminds us that a covenant holds a whole vision for how to live in this complicated, beautiful, and broken world. It says we are most human when we bind ourselves in relationship of trust, accountability, and return to each other, which may not be the place from which we have come. For UUs, covenant is where we find common hope for ourselves and our future.
We will Share the Plate with the Minister’s Discretionary Fund
The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is to help members in times of need and to help with leadership development. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Renee Ekedahl (Dec 09), Jill Gnesda (Dec 10), Rhea Overley (Dec 10), James Starling (Dec 11), Victoria DeLaRosa (Dec 11), David Black (Dec 15), Leslie Mills (Dec 16), & Mike Ullrich (Dec 16)!
Listening to the Wind
You heard it correctly. I parked my camper in the church parking lot on December 5th. I’ve gotten more than a few comments, generous offers of housing assistance, concern, and questions.
First, the questions, just for fun. Yes, it’s heated–a hydronic in-floor system that’s better than the one in my house! And there’s a bathroom, shower, fridge, and kitchenette. We call our camper the U.U. T.A.R.D.I.S. Sleeping in parking lots isn’t my usual thing, but there was a lot of snow coming down, and it seemed like the best way to get to “church on time.” (Cue David Bowie.) But was I happy, you ask? Oh yes! Who wants to stay in a hotel when you can sleep in your own bed? And to sit there in the middle of a storm, with wrap-around windows, while it’s coming down all around? Magnificent!
Second, the meaning-making. In a time of transition, it’s OK to have unconventional stuff pop up (as long as it’s within the UUMA code of ethics!) that calls into question preconceptions about who ministers are. Your current one happens to have a Thoreauvian streak and would live off-grid in the woods if I didn’t have, you know, a spouse, family, or job. I’m inspired by stories like the one of John Muir, who once headed into a fierce Sierra snow storm with bread stuffed into his wool overcoat–and climbed a tree just to hear the wind. On Saturday, I walked through the church woods listening to the wind, but skipped the tree climb. Saturday night, I got to watch winter transform the church campus into a wonder.
Who knows what kind of minister might come next? What identities might they bring? What intersections do they inhabit? What interests have they cultivated? As this time of Advent reminds us, be ready for the wonder and surprise!
Keeping it real,
Bret
Another great Music Sunday on December 7!
Thank you to our Music Director, Dr. Tim Anderson, The Unicantors, and special guests Trish Rooney,
Stephanie Souza Rasmann!
Caring Team Holiday Cookies Sunday, December 14 After service
Help us share holiday warmth with members in need of extra cheer!
Bring cookies to share
Join us for packing on Sunday, Dec. 14
Volunteer drivers are needed for delivery
All are welcome to help spread some holiday cheer!
Submitted by Rev. Joyce Palmer
Many hands make light work – and we could use some more hands!
In order to keep the pantry stocked consistently, we need volunteers to take bags of items from the pantry table and use them to stock the pantry. There is a printed calendar above the pantry table in Deale Hall where you can sign up for the days that work best for you. You don’t need to do a long term commitment or the same days every week/month – every little bit helps and you can fit it to your schedule. If you have any questions, see Dawn Nimmo or Rebecca Beneditz.
Sunday, December 14 after Service
Let’s use the season of giving to give back to those that need it most in our community! Meet in the lower level after service to help pack sack lunches for Carpenters Place. If you have any questions, see Kendra Asbury or Rebecca Beneditz.
MELD Donation Collection
We will be holding our annual holiday collection to support Rockford MELD again this year. You are invited to choose an ornament from the tree with an item requested by a family listed on the back of it. You may choose more than one ornament. Once you have purchased the items listed on the ornament, place them in the bin in the narthex designated for MELD donations. Please do not wrap the items that you donate. Contact Lindsay with any questions reuurockford@gmail.com.
Donations will be collected through Sunday, December 14.
UU2030 Young Adults
Sunday, December 14th
After Service
We’re building a welcoming faith community where young adults can explore spirituality, share experiences, and support one another on life’s journey. Whether you’re new to UU faith or have been part of it for years, you’ll find a space to belong.
Come meet new friends, deepen your connections, and help shape what UU2030 can become together!
Non-violent Communication Practice Group
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, our next meeting will be on December 17 at 6:00 pm.
UU Christmas Eve Service
We will be having a Christmas Eve service on Wednesday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m.
OWL
OWL (Our Whole Lives) is looking for volunteers on January 4th at 11:30 AM. We are looking for approximately 4-5 people to be a part of an LGBTQIA panel. If you are part of the LGBTQIA community, interested, and available, please contact Julie Parks or Billie Callahan.
Rockford Icehogs vs. Chicago Wolves Saturday, January 18 at 4pm
Let’s all go cheer on the Icehogs together at the BMO Center! Tickets are available now and are $19.90 per person. Click on this link to purchase: https://www.gofevo.com/event/UUChurch If you would like to attend but the cost is prohibitive, please contact Rev. Joyce about financial assistance.
Hey there RRR friends and riders!
Sue and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the Christmas season. We’ve been helping with the Constance Lane Elementary School Bike Bus Program to help boost student attendance — and it’s working! In the Blackhawk Courts Housing Project, absenteeism has dropped from 75% to 30%!
Next year, we’ll also be helping Lewis Lemon Elementary and Lincoln Middle School launch their own Bike Bus Programs, and we’ll need some extra help to sustain all three. If you’re interested in being part of this effort or want to learn more, please reach out to either of us.
Sunday Morning Meditation 9:15 am
We meet on Sunday morning to meditate and center ourselves for the day. You are welcome to join us each Sunday morning.
Community Events
Rockford Urban Ministries The community is invited to this annual event, remembering those who lost their lives to opioid overdose, as we honor their memory by committing to harm reduction advocacy.
Vision:
A loving, spiritual congregation that lives our values through belonging, reason, and action.
Mission:
Like the nature that surrounds us, we evolve as a habitat for spiritual development.
Our deep roots connect us to a wealth of resources that nourish our growth as a beacon for justice, inclusion, and liberation, especially anti-racism and gender and sexuality justice.
Our listening cultivates diverse and multicultural relationships that bridge divisions, strengthen our communities, heal hearts, and foster safety for all.
Our awareness of our interdependence inspires us to protect the shared environment and natural world in which we live.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Wendy Bennett
Vice President: Diane Kuehl
Clerk: Scott Garwick
Treasurer: Bob Spelman
Trustees: Kendra Asbury, Clark Logemann, Neita Webster
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
