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When Things Fall Apart
February 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Bret Lortie
In a world that seems to be coming down around us, how do we maintain a disposition of forgiveness amidst age-old angers and wrongs? Maybe with forgiveness, we have to start small and work our way up. We may never learn to forgive the world until we start to forgive the small affronts right in front of us.
We will share the plate with WCCC Scotti’s Fund
Scotti’s Fund gives financial assistance for reproductive care. Click Here to Donate
Radical Welcoming and the role YOU play!
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10:00 – 12:30
Deale Hall
Help us strengthen how we greet, include, and care for newcomers and longtime members alike.
We invite everyone to come learn and practice welcoming together.
Unicantors rehearsal schedule
Please note the following change in the choir rehearsal schedule for the end of February:
Tuesday 24 February at 7:00 pm
We will resume our regular Thursday night rehearsal schedule in March.
Starting Point Sessions Thursday, February 26th at 6 pm 4-Session Program
Starting Point is four rich sessions of connection, exploration, and learning that continue from our Getting to Know UU sessions. The sessions won’t just talk about Unitarian Universalism, we’ll experience it! Sessions are ideal for newcomers, members, and friends who would like to learn more and go deeper into Unitarian Universalism.
Paying Attention with Listening Circles:
March 1st after the service
On March 1st during the worship service, the Rev. Marlene Walker will address the Soul Matters theme of the month,”Paying Attention.” Using the lens of Appreciative Inquiry, which encourages the practice of active listening, we will start to explore our congregation’s identity as the next phase of our transitional process. At the core of this exploration are your perceptions of this community, your hopes for it, and the ways it impacts your lives.
After church the Transition Team will offer Listening Circles as an opportunity to practice what we’ve just learned. You don’t need to sign up, but if you want to let us know you’re coming, it will help us plan. Just follow this link:
As we continue through our period of transition and transformation, your church leadership wants to listen to the stories and dreams you want to share through a guided discussion.
What does it mean to really listen to another? Passive listening is something we do everyday. Maybe someone is sharing a story and, while they’re speaking, we’re already thinking about an exit, next activity, or our own response. Or maybe we’re running so fast we can’t find space to settle into deep conversations, even when we want.
With active listening we attempt to turn off our own internal conversations to better hear another’s. It’s a mindfulness practice where we watch what our thoughts are doing and, when they drift away from the task at hand (let’s say, listening), we coax them back into focus. Away from us, toward another.
-Rev. Bret
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: 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 |
