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To Begin or not To Begin…
September 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Heike Eghardt
… that is the question! According to our Unitarian Universalists values, we are called to ‘transformation,’ to being open to change, to new beginnings. And yet, sometimes that is easier said than done. Whether we are considering something major like a career change or something (relatively) minor like picking up a new hobby, leaning into starting something new can be quite challenging. Today’s service is an invitation to explore some of these challenges and to reframe our thinking around new beginnings.
Bio
Heike Eghardt (she/they) earned her M.Div. from Meadville Lombard Theological School and is a candidate for ordained ministry. When Heike is not busy causing “good trouble,” she enjoys cooking and baking, arts and crafts, spending time outdoors and gathering with friends and family.
Heike and her husband have lived and worked in the greater Chicago area for almost three decades. They currently call Evanston, IL their home. However, Heike is a transplant from the Ruhr-Region in Germany where her family of origin still lives. Staying connected to her roots is important to her, and she is always happy to talk about ‘all things German.’
Last Sunday, we raised $448.50 for Comprehensive Community Solutions!
We will Share the Plate with Shelter Care Ministries Who We Are:
Shelter Care Ministries started in 1982 as an outreach of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. A Saturday soup kitchen was the first program. A shelter for homeless families was the next program, followed in 1989 by the Jubilee Center, a drop-in center for adults with mental illness. There are over 450 active Jubilee members and over 200 adults and children housed each year.
In 1994, Shelter Care began its scattered-site housing program for families who were homeless. This program now includes 48 houses and apartments for families, and an additional 15 apartments for individuals were added in 2023.
In 2005, Shelter Care became the managing partner of MAYA’S House (founded by the Junior League of Rockford in 2003) and began sole operation of the program in 2007. MAYA’S House was a daytime Drop-In Day Center for homeless children. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing needs in the community, MAYA’S House closed in 2021. Click Here to Donate
One of the strengths of our faith tradition is its commitment to hearing all voices – which means that the search process includes a lot of different ways for us all to make our voices heard. We acknowledge that there is a lot to keep track of, so we want to highlight three important dates that are coming up this fall.
Friday, September 25, 5:30pm: Potluck/Town Hall
Sunday, September 27: Ministerial Search Survey closes at the end of the day!
Saturday, November 14: Break Barriers, Build Beliefs (B4) Workshop
More details will be shared as this gets closer, but for now – save the date!
Submitted by Rebecca Beneditz (Search Committee Communications Coordinator)
Solidarity Central UU Advocacy Network of Illinois
Saturday, September 26th 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Springfield, IL
llinois UUs – add your STAR to our CONSTELLATION of power for social change and bring our shared values to life! Starting with the strengths and needs of our Central Illinois siblings, we will converge at Abraham Lincoln UU Congregation for SOLIDARITY CENTRAL, our UU The Vote Solidarity Summit in Illinois!
During this one-day gathering, we will strengthen our mutual support networks and talk about ways to build a better future together. We are building a stronger interdependent web that can weather the storms of authoritarianism, dreaming BIG about what collective faith organizing can look like where we live! Come BUILD with us! See you in Springfield!
Past Sunday Services
Did you know you can watch past Sunday services anytime? We have them on our website under past worship services so you never have to miss a Sunday! Click here to find a service that you haven’t seen yet! You can also always go to our YouTube page.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Diane Kuehl
Vice President: Sandi Campbell
Clerk: Scott Garwick
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Kendra Asbury, Neita Webster, Jason Peckels
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
