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The No-Complaint Church
October 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Bret Lortie Being a people who complain less makes more space for us to love the world more. It opens more heart capacity and flexibility, and a final promise: as we learn to judge others less harshly, we may even learn to judge ourselves with more friendly compassion. Wouldn’t that be a good thing for you, your families, for our communities, for our movement, for our world?
We will Share the Plate with the Forest City Rainbow Chorus
Established in 2025, the Forest City Rainbow Chorus uplifts and unites the LGBTQIA+ community—and all humanity—through the transformative power of music. Rooted in Rockford, they welcome all individuals (queer and ally) to be part of a growing, diverse community. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Audrey Hart (Oct 06), & Kate Hutchins (Oct 06), Avery Lindstrom (Oct 07), Eileen Kegel (Oct 07), Terry Curtin (Oct 07), Toni Tollerud (Oct 08), Jon McGinty (Oct 09), Marvin Smitherman (Oct 09), Terry Simmons (Oct 09), Renee Mealey (Oct 10), & Bill Schuyler (Oct 11)!
Small Groups & Focus Groups
It’s time to dive deeper and let our prospective new ministers know:
– What kind of relationship we want with our minister
– What we love most about our community and Sunday worship
– How they can best serve people like us
If you didn’t have a chance to take the survey, these groups are a great way to share your opinion with the Search Committee.
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)
Small Group Ministries & Connection at UU Rockford
Soul Matters Looking to dive deeper into monthly themes and connect with fellow congregants? Soul Matters groups offer a space to share reflections, personal experiences, and spiritual journeys in an intimate, supportive setting. Several of our existing groups currently have openings for newcomers. Whether you are new to the church or looking to reconnect, there is a place for you.
Evensong We are excited to launch Evensong, a warm and reflective gathering starting Thursday, October 1 at 6:00 PM for six weeks. Led by Gloria with support from Rev. Joyce, Evensong offers a familiar yet fresh opportunity to gather, share thoughts, and hold space for one another’s stories.
Interested in joining either group? Reach out to Rev. Joyce to get connected, revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
Wonderful Wednesday
October 7, 6 pm
How We See the Gray-Book Discussion
by Rachel Leon
Local author Rachel Leon writes a multi-perspective, documentary-style story set in Rockford, IL.
The story examines the perspectives of caseworkers, birth parents, foster parents, and foster children, creating a “community story” where each character’s fate is interconnected.
Come support a local author!
Forest City Rainbow Chorus presents their “This Is Me” concert at 3 pm.
Join us immediately following the Forest City Chorus concert for an evening of community, connection, food, and celebration.
Potluck Supper
Bring a dish to share if you’re able!
Pop-Up Drag Performances
Local performers will take the stage at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Come celebrate National Coming Out Day with LGBTQ+ community members, allies, friends, and family. Everyone is welcome.
Brought to you by:
Forest City Rainbow Chorus
Rockford Area Pride
The LIAM Foundation
Thursday, October 15th
5:00 – 7:00 pm (drop in any time!)
Deale Hall (please remain inside Deale Hall)
We invite folks who are raising school aged children and the children in their lives to join us for food and fellowship!
This one will be more of a traditional potluck, so please bring a dish to share and your own reusable water bottle/beverage. Your own reusable place setting is a plus!
*Can’t bear the thought of being responsible for one more detail but would love the company of other adults? We’ve got you! Show up as you are, we’d love to have you!
R.E. Grade 4-6 OWL Parents 2026/27
Hello Everyone
We will be offering the Our Whole Lives curriculum for grades 4-6 at church this fall. The parent orientation for OWL will be Sunday, October 18, from 11:30-12:30 in the Commons area downstairs. Liz Long, our Program Assistant, and I will be facilitating the parent orientation and the student sessions.
*Please note: this opportunity is open to first-time attendees as well as children who previously attended as a fourth grader. In our experience, a second round of the curriculum can be beneficial, since a child’s understanding of themselves and the world can change quite a bit in two years.
I’ve attached the content overview and parent commitment form for your reference.
We hope you’ll join us! As always, reach out if you have questions in the meantime.
Lindsay
On October 20, the Rockford University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa will welcome as its 2026-2027 PBK Visiting Scholar Tomás R. Jiménez, the Joan B. Ford Professor in the Department of Sociology at Stanford University and the founding Director of Stanford’s Institute for Advancing Just Societies. During his visit, Professor Jiménez will present a public address, offering an exciting opportunity for all to delve into a topic of particular interest in our nation today. We would be delighted if interested community members could join us for this event.
2026-2027 Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Tomás R. Jiménez from Stanford University
For the last 70 years, the United States’ self-understanding has included the idea that it is a nation of immigrants. How did that idea come about? And is it still relevant today?
The UU Fourth Sunday Book Discussion Group meets at noon on the fourth Sunday of every month (Surprise!) in the church library.
The next meeting will be October 25 at noon.
This month, we will be reading “The Fountains of Paradise” by Arthur C. Clarke
Admission if Free
Membership is Free No strings are attached
UU NIGHT WITH THE ICE HOGS
Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Gather friends, family, fellow Halloween haunters and join the UU Church Rockford at the afternoon Ice Hogs Game against the Texas Stars.
Point of contact: Sandi Campbell, 815-997-6891
Tickets are available now in Sections 223 & 224
$20. Per person
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
The Racial and Economic Team would like to invite you to the following film and book discussions presented by Eliminate Racism 815:
Join us Friday October 9th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. for a very special Film Viewing
We are thrilled to host Tiffany Lee, CEO of Think Black Cultural Media Group, to share her film I Bear Witness and lead our discussion. Lee’s visit is sponsored by Illinois Humanities.
ER815 Book Discussion
Thursday October 15, 2026 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Montague Branch Library, 1238 S. Winnebago St.
Join us for a discussion of Dear American: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Anjtonio Vargas: This book is about constantly hiding from the government, about passing as an American, and hiding from myself. Discussion led by Linda Zuba.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
Looking for a copy of one of these books? The Rockford Public Library may have a physical copy in their collection, or you may try, CloudLibrary, Hoopla or Inter Library Loan. Please feel free to reach out to the Library if you need assistance accessing these resources with your library card. You can also find many of these titles at https://www.audible.com/ or https://www.chirpbooks.com/
Earthrise 815 Sustainability Conference
Friday, Nov 6th at the Rockford Embassy Suites!
Connect with community leaders and innovators to explore solutions for a more climate-resilient Rockford region. Enjoy inspiring talks, workshops, and networking opportunities. Register now at earthrise815.com. Speak to Rev Joyce for sponsorship opportunities.
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: 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 |
