Friday Update May 3, 2024

•








*|MC:SUBJECT|*







View this email in your browser

Friday Update

 

Sounding the Alarm
May 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Jim Winkler
Jim Winkler is the Chair of the Board of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.  He recently retired as President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, the nation’s leading ecumenical organization. Prior to that role, he was General Secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, their justice arm.  He lives in Byron, IL, and we are honored to have him as our guest preacher to kick off our month on pluralism.  Few Americans are more qualified to speak on this issue, and the threat of Christian Nationalism to our civic and religious life. 

Order of Service

We will Share the Plate with Missouri Faith Voices
Compelled by our faith MFV is committed to transforming the lives of ordinary individuals and families  who have been historically impacted due to racism and injustice by equipping them to challenge the systems that create those conditions and inviting community stakeholders to co-create a moral vision for Missouri and engage in the prophetic action necessary to make it a reality.
Click Here to Donate


Volunteers for Sunday, May 5
Thank you to our Board for volunteering for hospitality this Sunday!
Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org

Getting to Know UU Sessions
Join us for our welcome program designed to provide newcomers with the opportunity to learn about the congregation and how to get connected. We hope you will find this community to be a religious home.
There are 4 sessions, the first is a series of videos and the other three are in person on Sundays in the Sanctuary from 11:15 – 11:45. You can complete the sessions at any time. Sessions will repeat monthly.
 
*Watch 4 Introduction Videos Prior to In-Person Sessions*
May 5 Getting Connected with Rev Joyce
May 12 Our Story with Rev Matthew
May 19 Living Our Faith with Lindsay and Faith in Action 
Hope to see you!

Video session takes about 30 minutes to complete.
 
Video session takes about 30 minutes to complete
1. A History of Unitarianism: BaseCamp: 5 Minute History of Unitarianism
 

 

BaseCamp: 5 Minute History of Unitarianism

2. A History of Universalism: BaseCamp: A History of Universalism in 5 Minutes
 

 

BaseCamp: A History of Universalism in …

3.   UU theology video by Rev. Matthew Johnson: (12 minutes): UU theology by Matthew Johnson
 

 

UU theology by Matthew Johnson

4. After you’ve watched Matthew’s Theology video, watch this video of “Holy Now” by Peter Mayer: Peter Mayer “Holy Now” (with lyrics in captions)
 

 

Peter Mayer “Holy Now” (with lyrics in…

Questions, email Rev Joyce at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
 

Construction at the Church
DPI Construction will be staging materials and equipment for the canopy construction beginning Monday 05.06.24. Consequently the following will occur.

1. The driveway area from the fence between the Office entry and the Library will be closed off with safety cones during the normal work hours of 7:00 AM–4:00 PM. 

2. The area of the driveway from the island sidewalk to the Southeast corner of the planted area in the Atrium will also be closed off to vehicle traffic during the same period.

3. The upper, Spectrum School, Deale Hall/stairway door will be accessible at all times.

4. The Library door that opens into the Atrium area and the main entry doors will be restricted to emergency use only.

5. Areas of the Atrium sidewalk along the Library and along the sidewalk adjacent to Deale Hall may be restricted by materials and or equipment.
 
The construction project should probably be completed by the end of the week Friday, 05.10.24 unless delayed by weather.


New Database Update
We are moving to a new database at church, and need your help.  Please go to uurockford.churchcenter.com and sign in.  (It’s easy!)  Update your information and look out for emails to fill in info and add yourself to the directory.  You can also scan this QR code: 

Do it today!


Our 2024-2025 Stewardship Campaign is underway!  We are collecting your pledges for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st.  We need EVERYONE to play their part so we can nourish our roots and open our wings. 
 
What does that mean?  Nourishing our roots means paying our staff a fair wage and keeping up with rising personnel costs.  The vast majority of the money you give goes to pay our staff salary, health insurance, and retirement.  Nourishing roots also means doing our part to help the Unitarian Universalist Association thrive. 

Opening our wings are all the things we do with that staff and our programs and activities. Music, worship, small groups, faith in action, and so much more.  If you value these things, and our community, please contribute. 

We strongly encourage you to sign up for a Stewardship Gathering.  You can do that on Sunday or through this form: https://uurockford.churchcenter.com/people/forms/727071.  You’ll get to spend time with other UUs, make new friends, and have a good time while giving.
 
If you can’t make a gathering, you can fill out your form online by clicking this link: https://uurockford.churchcenter.com/people/forms/706108
 
Please, either sign up for a gathering or fill out your form today!
 
Thank you – your generosity team and Board.

Camerata Emanon honors Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
Saturday, May 4, 7:30pm

Temple Beth-El

In partnership with Temple Beth-El,
Camerata Emanon Singers presents

Music for Remembrance,
Hope, and Healing

Directed by Tim Anderson

  • Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m.
  • At Temple Beth-El, 1203 Comanche Drive, Rockford, IL
  • Tickets are $10 ($5 for students) at the door, cash or check only
 

In conjunction with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), the Camerata Emanon Singers will present Donald McCullough’s Holocaust Cantata: Songs from the Camps. This poignant work comprises songs written by prisoners in Nazi concentration camps in Majdanek, Buchenwald, and Brzezinka, along with readings based on Holocaust archival materials.

Following this remembrance of the Holocaust will be a selection of contemporary choral works and traditional Jewish pieces as a musical offering for healing, hope, and peace.

Wonderful Wednesday Worship In Person and Online Choosing Joy! Annual DRUUMM Public Worship
Wednesday, May 8th at 7pm

Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) is the oldest and largest Unitarian Universalist People of Color ministry and anti-racist community organization based in North America. Each year they hold a public worship that is open to both members and to white anti-racist allies and members of multiracial families. Join this virtual worship at 7pm on May 8th – register here to view from home online: https://www.druumm.org/events/ or come to UU Church Rockford to worship together.

Questions to Rev. Joyce Palmer at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com


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  |



This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*

why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

*|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|*

*|REWARDS|*