Friday Update June 2, 2023

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Friday Update


10 Big Ideas: Happiness Studies
June 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person 
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
The last of the year-long series on 10 big ideas that are shaping my ministry.  Researchers have been studying happiness and reaching profound conclusions about what actually produces joy, meaning, and satisfaction.  What will actually make us happy?  And how do we make that more real in our life?  We will also celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Flower Communion – please bring a flower (or two) to share. 

Order of Service


We will share the plate with LIAM Foundation
To encourage, assist, heal and empower our LGBTQIA+ community through respect, advocacy, and passionate hearts to promote thriving in society.
Click Here to Donate

Volunteers for Sunday, June 4
Greeters: Sue Molyneaux & We Need 1 More Volunteer
Guest Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Coffee Hosts: Li M Blacker & We Need 1 More Volunteer
Please note that if you volunteer for coffee host you will need to clean up afterward and run the cups through the sanitizer. Spitty and others are happy to help you become familiar with how to handle this easy job.
Sign Up Here

WCCC will be hosting two pro-choice political leaders on June 13th at 6:30pm at the Unitarian Church.  Sen. Steve Stadelman will discuss the main issues of the recent session in Springfield including S.B. 1909 which is the new law that deals with the “Crisis
Pregnancy centers” which deceive women seeking abortions. There are over 1,000 in our state, one is just around the corner from our new clinic.
We will also be happy to welcome City Council Member Karen Hoffman, who will discuss current laws on the local level of interest to us.
Don’t miss this very interesting meeting! 
Barb Giolitto, WCCC President

Who Makes a Difference in Our Community?

The Social Justice Team is seeking nominees for the Connolly Community Service Awards for 2023. A bit of history of the awards and the nomination procedures follow. If you know someone – or a group of people — you think should receive one of these awards, please turn in nominations to the church office.

History: In 1993 the church initiated a community service award to recognize a member of the congregation for significant contributions to the community. The award was named for Dr. Charles Parker Connolly, minister of our congregation from 1913 to 1942, and a recognized community leader.

To date the award has been presented to the following individuals: Walt Lewis, Mary Caskey, Martha Logemann, Pat Tollefsrud, Sandra Locke, David Weissbard, Lynn Liston, Pat Lewis, Jon McGinty, JoAnn Shaheen, Leigh Lakey, Roger Oehlke, Lola Gustafson, Allen Penticoff, Colleen McDonald, Jackie Dehler, Bob Arevalo, Dave Black, Myrna Lake, Dave Lantz, Barb Giolitto, Duane Wilke, Ellyn Ahmer, Dale Dunnigan, Nikki Ticknor, Bob Babcock, & Shiraz Tata, & Allyson Rosemore.

More recently an award was established to recognize a young person, 8th grade through high school, for service to the church and community. Recipients to date are Emma Stocker, Katie Whitworth, Sandra Hill, Jackie Whitworth, Emily Pfleiderer, Max Freund, and Ari Almonaci.

The Social Justice Council has decided to have a “group” award.  This award will be for a group of people, formally or informally organized, who have done the work of justice in our community. Two years ago the award went to the Cornucopia Group.

The awards are presented at the annual meeting of the congregation.

The nominations should include:

 A detailed description of volunteer and/or professional involvement and accomplishments, tasks, performed and issues addressed impact on others, and other relevant information.

 A signed statement that the nominee is willing to be nominated.

A nomination should include the name of the nominator and is due in the office (Send to Autumn uurockford@gmail.com) by June 6th. The nominations will be reviewed and a selection made by the Social Justice Team before the annual meeting.

Annual Meeting
June 11th, 2023, 11:10 AM
 
This serves as notice of The Annual Meeting, which will take place after worship on June 11th.  A agenda will be included in the Friday update this week and in next week’s Kairos. 
 
Included on the agenda will be election of officers.  The Nominating Committee presents the following slate to be elected:
 
For President, 1 year term: Spitty Tata
For Vice-President, 1 year term: Matt Menze
            (The Vice President is elected President the following year)
For Treasurer, 1 year term: Steve Blomgrem
            (The Treasurer serves 2 1-year terms, this will be Steve’s second year)
For Clerk, 1 year term: Kim Lowman Vollmer
            (The clerk serves 2 1-year terms, this will be Kim’s first year).
At large trustee, 3rd year: Sarah Greer will continue in this role. 
At large trustee, 2nd year: Rebecca Beneditz, to fill the unexpired term for the next two years. Rebecca was appointed to this vacant seat in the fall.
At large trustee, 1st year: Clark Logemann, for a three-year term. 
 
Safety and Covenant Team:
This new team replaces the “Conflict Resolution Panel” and the “Safe Congregation Response Team.”  Three members will serve three year terms.  For the first year, the terms are staggered – going forward, one new member will join each year.
1-year term: Amy Brandon
2-year term: Matt Menze
3-year term: Wendy Bennett
 
Nominating Panel:
Leslie Mahan and Amanda Tapfield will continue for one more year.
New members, for two year terms:
Judy Gustafson
Aida Rosemore
Gary Lawrence

Child Dedication
We are pleased to announce that the Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford will hold a Child Dedication during worship on Sunday, June 11, 2023.  The dedication will be a simple ritual in which the congregation commits to the spiritual welfare and development of the child and their family.  Though the ritual is not a baptism, some similar symbolism will be incorporated into the ceremony.  Children of any age that have not previously been dedicated are welcome to participate in the ritual.  Children who participate are welcome to have their parents and siblings as well as one or two sponsors join them at the front of the sanctuary during the dedication.  If you would like to participate in the Child Dedication, please email Lindsay Trank at reuurockford@gmail.com by Wednesday, June 7.  We hope you will join us for this special occasion!


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: Judy Gustafson   
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Spitty Tata
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds, Rebecca Beneditz

The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL  |   4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107   |   815-398-6322    |   uurockford.org  |



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