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\ Moving On: Stories of Arrival, Struggle, and Faith
October 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Paul Goddard
Moving on. What fear does the need to move strike in your heart? What difficulties will you face? We’ve all had to move, and most of us will again. How is moving complicated by having to move to another country? It is so often repeated that this is a nation of immigrants, but, on a personal level, what does that mean? Hear American origin stories of three families in our congregation and reflect upon what your own family, and those around you have gone through to be here in America.
Last Sunday we raised $422.84 for the Liam Foundation
We will Share the Plate with the Midwest Reproductive Health Care We believe that everyone deserves the right to exercise their full bodily autonomy, and that comprehensive reproductive healthcare is a human right that should be accessible to all. We work through grant-making and fundraising to support access to family planning services, research, advocacy, and policy development, with a focus on reproductive health services and education, and empowering individuals and communities to make informed choices about their reproductive lives.
The Search Committee understands that this process asks a lot both of our team and of the church community at large, and with that there can come some fatigue and overwhelm. But because the news of Rev. Joyce’s departure came after the survey was completed, we want to make sure we have an updated understanding of what the congregation needs as we move forward. Below are the questions for the small groups and focus groups:
When our new minister has been with us for a year, how will we know “Yes, this feels right—this is working” or “Something’s not working here—this feels off somehow”?
What is most precious to you about our community and about Sunday service?
How will the new minister continue Rev. Joyce’s work of nurturing a support network within our church community?
For Focus Groups:
If you are a __________, we want to hear from you. What should our new minister know about how best to serve your needs?
If you have thoughts on these questions that you would like to share, sign up for a small group or focus group (links to sign up will be at the end of this announcement). If you are having trouble with the sign-up process or have questions, please talk to any of the Search Team members and we will help you out. If another meeting doesn’t work with your schedule but you have something to say, we understand that too! You can talk to a member of the Search Team or put your thoughts in the form below:
Thank you all for your participation in the search process!
– Submitted by Rebecca Beneditz, Search Committee Communications Coordinator(rebecca.beneditz@gmail.com if you have questions!)
Call for Donations
Our annual church auction is coming up on Saturday, December 12 and we need to fill the catalog!
Host a dinner, teach a class, offer a service, put together a basket, bake something delicious – we encourage you to get creative.
You can submit your donation directly on the website by clicking the link below: 2026 UU Auction Donation Form
If you are new to the church and want to know more about how the auction works or need if you need help submitting your donation, please reach out to Spitty Tata or Kendra Asbury. Thank you for your generosity!
9:30 am-2:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Doors Open at 9:00 am
Light Pastries and Coffee will be available before the workshop in Deale Hall.
We will break for lunch from 11:30 am-12:30 pm.
A variety of soups and bread/crackers will be available for lunch in Deale Hall.
Childcare is available!
This workshop is designed to help our congregation prepare for our ministerial search by examining conscious and unconscious biases around race/ethnicity, gender/gender identity, visible/invisible disabilities, health concerns, and sexual orientation. Our facilitator has asked members of our congregation to answer some questions ahead of the workshop so that he can better prepare for the needs of our specific congregation.
The questions can be found at the following link:
About our B4 Facilitator:
Rev. Eric Kaminetzky (he/him) grew up in Unitarian Universalism. He’s an experienced Lay Leader and Parish Minister, now serving as the Interim Settled Ministries Director for the Unitarian Universalist Association. Eric leads the B4 workshop for congregations in transition. Rev. Kaminetzky will also be preaching for us on Sunday in support of and as an extension of the work we will be doing together during our B4 weekend!
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 |
