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I Call That Church Free
June 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
We will reflect on what it means to belong to a free church. What does it say about us that our congregations are grounded in covenant, not creed? And that we govern ourselves, without bishops or outside authority – though we are in relationship with other UU congregations? And given this, how might this church meet the moment we face together?
We will Share the Plate with Juneteenth Celebration Rockford, Tommy Meeks
The Rockford Juneteenth Celebration is a celebration for all races commemorating the day the slaves were freed in the South. 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Join us for Rockford’s 35th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the Sinnissippi Park Music Shell — the longest-running Juneteenth observance in the state of Illinois. Founded in 1990 by local leader Tommy Meeks, this historic celebration honors African American freedom, culture, and community with a full day of live music, performances, educational activities, local vendors, and a community awards ceremony. As we mark 35 years of this legacy event, the Rockford Juneteenth Celebration continues to unite people of all backgrounds in remembrance, reflection, and joyful celebration. Click Here to Donate
Volunteers for Sunday, June 8
Thank you to the Racial and Economic Justice team for volunteering for hospitality this Sunday!
Barb Oehlke’s memorial service will be this Saturday, June 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the church.
The Rockford Area Pride Parade 2025 steps off at noon on Saturday, June 7, from the corner East State Street and Charles Street. We would love to have a HUGE group representing UU Rockford, wearing our yellow Side With Love shirts! Meet in the staging area on Market Street between 3rd Street and State by 11:30. There will be graduations going on downtown, so please allow plenty of time for parking. Parade map at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1HHZzouNZrMhsft11fS0H0gSP-z1dRTc&femb=1&ll=42.26744112861572%2C-89.08438888525171&z=19. We have not been informed of our place in the lineup, so just look for the yellow shirts. Or find a viewing spot along the parade route and cheer for us! Marchers love seeing familiar faces in the crowd. Contact Lia Gima for more information.
The Annual Meeting is this Sunday, June 8 after service.
The Vision is a short statement of “why we exist.” It should be memorable and communicate to the outside world. Your proposed vision is:
A loving, spiritual congregation that lives our values through belonging, reason, and action.
The Mission is a longer statement that says “what we do” at a high level. It should be aspirational. It is for us. Your proposed mission is:
Like the nature that surrounds us, we evolve as a habitat for spiritual development. · Our deep roots connect us to a wealth of resources that nourish our growth as a beacon for justice, inclusion, and liberation, especially anti-racism and gender and sexuality justice. · Our listening cultivates diverse and multicultural relationships that bridge divisions, strengthen our communities, heal hearts, and foster safety for all. · Our awareness of our interdependence inspires us to protect the shared environment and natural world in which we live.
From this mission, we have derived three ends, or major goals, what we will work towards. You will notice the correspondence between the mission statement and these goals. They are:
Our members grow in belonging by embodying our values and connecting with our spiritual lives. (Another way of putting this end is “I AM UU” or “WE ARE UU.”)
Our members widen the circle of belonging and advance justice and equity by practicing right relationships with our neighbors. (Another way of putting this is “WE SHOW UP AS UUs.”)
Our members are transformed by our interdependent relationship with our planet, the universe, the web of life – the sacred as we understand it. (Another way of putting this is “WE ARE INTERWOVEN” or “WE ARE CHANGED BY CONNECTING”)
Under each goal are strategies and tactics. The next page is a high level overview of those tactics. For more detail, see the annual report.
1. WE GROW IN BELONGING BY EMBODYING OUR VALUES AND CONNECTING WITH OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES.
1A: Faith formation for all ages.
1A1: Sustainable and reliable volunteers for Religious Education.
1A2: UU Identity development for all ages (CRE, ARE, and Worship/Music)
1A3: Grow Soul Matters Participation
1B: Caring, Membership and Belonging
1B1: Belonging and Membership Team
1B2: Pastoral Care Associates Program
1C: Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Oppression, and Belonging
1C1: Deepen cultural work on Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism, and Multiculturalism
1C2: DRUUMM Chapter (for BIPOC members/friends)
1C3: Sustain and Grow 20/30s group
1C4: Worship and Music that widens circle of belonging.
1C4: Justice and inclusion for LGBTQAI+ people.
1D: Generosity
1D1: Strong Annual Campaign
1D2: Volunteer!
1D3: Leadership Development
2. WIDEN THE CIRCLE OF BELONGING / RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH NEIGHBORS
2A. Accountable and Effective Coalition Partners
2A1: People participate in Faith in Action work.
2A2: UUANI partnership and Faith in Action training for leaders.
2A3: Use our building and resources to support partners.
2B: Show up as UUs.
2B1: Identify Ourselves (witness and outreach). (Swag).
2B2: Communicate opportunities to show up and show up together.
2B3: We do our work grounded in our values.
2B4: We celebrate all the diverse ways we show up.
3. TRANSFORMED BY INTERDEPENDENCE
3A: As a congregation, we care for the earth.
3A1: We care for the land on which we sit.
3A2: We use our funds in ecologically responsible ways.
3A3: The congregation engages in eco-justice work.
3B: Our members are good stewards of the earth in their own lives.
3B1: Members are inspired to live eco-just lives.
3B2: We are a hub for eco-justice.
3C: We cultivate awe, wonder, and an ethic of care.
3C1: In worship, music and faith formation.
3C2: Woodsong School
What is Juneteenth All About?
Rockford’s Celebration of Juneteenth
June 11th, 6:00 pm
Join the Racial and Economic Justice Team for a Wonderful Wednesday presentation by Tommy Meeks. Learn about the origins of this holiday and the creation of the Rockford celebration. We hope you can join us!
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: Matt Menze
Clerk: Kim Lowman Vollmer
Vice-President: Wendy Bennett
Treasurer: Bob Spelman
Trustees: Clark Logemann, Rebecca Beneditz, Neita Webster
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
