“Seeds Are Stirring – Imbolc in the Style of Taizé”
February 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person Rev. Suzelle Lynch
By the time January turns to February, many of us are tired of winter’s dark and cold. The ancient Celtic celebration of Imbolc marks the “first stirring of seeds” in the cold, dark earth – a harbinger of hope for Spring! Today we honor this earth-centered holiday with reflective readings, songs and silence in the style of the humble, peace-loving French monastic Taizé community. Come enjoy this music-filled, earth-embracing gathering – a perfect antidote to the winter blahs.
The Rev. Suzelle Lynch (she/her) has served UU congregations in Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and California since 1994. Prior to ministry, she worked in public relations for a robot company, an artificial language laboratory, and a big insurance company. Now semi-retired, Rev. Suzelle writes songs, hikes, leads labyrinth workshops and does upcycle sewing. She lives in Janesville, WI with her husband Tom Ness.
We will Share the Plate with Remedies
Remedies provides critical and often times lifesaving services to adults struggling with substance abuse and to victims of domestic violence and their children or vulnerable family members. Remedies works to end the cycle of abuse and addiction through education, support, and community involvement. Click Here to Donate
Volunteers for Sunday, February 4 Thank you to our Board for volunteering this Sunday!
Wonderful Wednesday Tour February 7, 6 pm Tour the Family Peace Center
On average, 20 people per minute experience domestic violence by an intimate partner in the United States. In a year that adds up to more than 10 million people. Domestic violence comes in many forms and survivors require support, services, and space to heal.
Join our Sex and Gender Justice team at the Family Peace Center for a tour of the facility and an overview of the services provided locally.
There will be Childcare in the Kid Space at the center.
Following the tour, we will have a debriefing session at the Hart Interim Library.
For questions, see Allyson Rosemore or a member of the Sex and Gender Justice Team.
WCCC
Hello Everyone,
We have two exciting speakers lined up for our next meeting, on Tuesday, February 13th.
This has been a very exciting time for WCCC, as we have changed our structure, created a PAC (political action committee), and hired Litesa Wallace as a consultant to help us increase attendance, media,
fundraising, and more. Litesa will be speaking at our February 13th meeting.
Also, as you may know, we’ve been anticipating a new women’s center to open with full services in Rockford. Our other speaker will be a board member from this facility who will let us know when to expect it to open and what we can do to help its success.
So please join us at the Unitarian Church, 4848 Turner St. at 6:30 pm, on Tuesday, 2/13/24. We need you!
Liberation and the UU Church: Saturday, March 9th, 9:30 am-12:30 pm at the Church.
All members and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Workshop
Faith communities have been grappling for many years with the ways that cultural and congregational practices in church settings still reflect historical and institutional patterns of racism and white supremacy culture. This interactive workshop will provide an opportunity to feel and think together about opportunities and challenges for liberation and transformation in Unitarian Universalist congregations. Together, we will look at the frameworks that we are currently engaging in Unitarian Universalism to close the gap between the values we espouse and the values we practice with regard to anti-racism. We will consider some anti-racism tools, and how they can help us in this journey. Join us for an authentic exploration of the work we need to do to continue to bend the arc toward justice in our congregations and in our communities.
Julica Hermann de la Fuente is a coach, trainer and facilitator for liberation, transformation and justice, and is currently completing her path toward ordination in Unitarian Universalism. In addition to this freelance work, she also serves as the Special Advisor on Justice and Equity at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Born and raised in Mexico City, she first became committed to social justice when she came to the United States for college. Since then, Julica has been an anti-racism/anti-oppression educator and trainer in a variety of capacities over the past three decades. In addition to a Lay Community Ministry degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School, she also holds an MSW from the University of Michigan and is certified as a master life coach. Julica stubbornly believes that liberation is found at the intersection of joy and justice. When not on shift for the resistance, you will find her playing with fabric, planning her week-long costume extravaganza for Halloween, looking for more excuses to frost fancy cakes, and reading optimistic sci-fi and fantasy possibilities of a just and equitable universe.
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: Spitty Tata
Clerk: Kim Lowman Vollmer
Vice-President: Matt Menze
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Clark Logemann, Sarah Greer, & Rebecca Beneditz
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
