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We Quit Vanlife: Moving through Freedom to Deeper Belonging
September 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person Rev. Bret Lortie
Rev Bret will share a little of the story that brought him to Rockford. After sojourns in places as far-flung as Texas, Chicago, California, and Japan (and most recently, trying out vanlife for the better part of a year), he will share some tips and tricks for nomadic life. Surprisingly, many are the same needed, metaphorically, to start our year exploring the “five focus points of interim ministry.
We will share the plate with the Rockford Area Crop Walk
No one in this world should be hungry. That’s why the Rockford Area CROP Hunger Walk is more than just a gathering of people in a place. We’re part of a movement, taking steps and raising funds together to provide meals for those in our own community who need them – and supporting programs that create greater food security in communities all around the world.
Please join us in the fight against hunger. The steps we take and funds we raise will make a difference in the lives of others. Click Here to Donate
The Sex & Gender Justice Team will not meet this Sunday but will meet on September 28 at 11:30 a.m. in the Youth Room.
This Sunday:
Sunday Morning Meditation Group at 9:15 a.m. in the Library
Sermon Discussion Group in the Library at 11:30 a.m.
The parent orientation for Our Whole Lives (grades 7-9) will be held in the Commons (downstairs), 11:30 – 12:00
UU 2030 Young Adult Group at 11:30 a.m. in the Youth Room
Let’s Welcome Rev. Bret! Reception
Sunday, Sept. 21, After Service
Join us as we warmly welcome our Interim Minister
Food. Fellowship. Cake.
Let’s gather in community to share conversation, celebration, and a sweet beginning to the new chapter together.
Sustain the Shell – We Need Your Help
Church – For sure, it is searching for the Spirit. For sure, it is building Community. For sure, it is bettering the World. But the Sustaining Shell of all this Church is the Building. By now, you know that we have several unexpected building expenses this month. As the guys were pulling the siding off the building, they found some additional unanticipated problems that need fixing now. We need your help to donate to help with these repairs.
You probably recall that we drew on our Permanent Building Reserve Fund to cover the significant expense of the new siding. Good fiscal advice suggests keeping Permanent Funds permanently invested. Then, distributing only the earnings from them each year, going into the future. So, rather than further reducing these reserves, how about we, the current members, the current users of this great church building, help to make these additional repairs. Can we all step up to take a piece of responsibility for getting this church building into great shape?
Window Frames and Caulking the Sanctuary – Those 12 windows at the top of the sanctuary are rotten and leak cold air. $10,797 fixes them. $899 per window.
Preacher Killing Wall – you know that the NW wall segment is loose and blowing in the wind. Right above the pulpit. $2,817 will stop it from falling on the preacher.
Concrete Patching – to prevent the total collapse. $23,762 to patch up 47 spots where the rebar shows and is rusting. There are small $100 holes to patch. And larger ones. Some down low, some 40 ft up.
How to donate. Use your normal method and designate it to the “Building Reserve Fund” in the drop-down menu. Here is a link that will get you to the Give button on the UU Rockford web page – https://uurockford.org/connection/donate/
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 Facebook and YouTube pages.
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 |