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Gathering the Waters
September 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Joyce Palmer & Rev. Bret Lortie
All Ages Service: Our annual ingathering service brings the community back together after the summer break. Our Soul Matters theme of “Beginnings” captures the energy of this second transitional year and a hope for society striving to “begin again” amidst the chaotic and backward trends of our times. Return again.
Last Sunday we raised $383.38 for Family to Family
We will Share the Plate with Rockford Promise
Boosting education and economic opportunity to build a stronger Rockford community. Click Here to Donate
Choir Rehearsals
Sunday morning choir rehearsals will start on September 13th at 9:15 a.m.
Backpack Blessing
We will be offering a backpack blessing during the service on Sunday, September 13. Children and youth are invited to bring their backpacks to church with them and participate in the ritual of wishing them well as they begin a new school year. We hope you’ll join us!
*Please note this will be an all-ages service, so children and youth will remain in the sanctuary for the entire service. Ms. Liz will be in the nursery as usual for children of any age at any point in the service.
Meetings this Sunday!
The Racial & Economic Justice team will meet in the Library after service
The B & G committee will meet in the office after service
Search Committee
Members, friends & visitors—we want to hear from you! Help shape the next chapter of our congregation by taking our 10–15 minute Ministerial Search Survey.
Our Search Survey is an important opportunity to help shape the next chapter of our congregation. Your honest, anonymous responses will help us better understand who we are today – our experiences, hopes, needs, and priorities – and what we dream of for the future as we search for our next settled minister.
Answer soon – the survey closes at the end of the day Sunday, September 27!
Your voice matters. Add yours to the conversation!
Take the survey by clicking on this link or scanning the QR code below: https://bit.ly/UUsurvey2026
* Printed copies of the survey are available in the office for those who prefer to submit their answers in writing.
A Prayer of Remembrance on the 25th Anniversary of September 11th
Courtesy of In Good Faith: Stories from the Association
On September 12, 2001, the Rev. Bill Sinkford, who recently had been elected to the role of president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, wrote to our people: “This tragedy tests our faith. Where is God in this? Where is the Spirit of Life?” and calling upon UU “congregations [to] be centers of support where we can bring our questions and our fears, where we can find the presence of the holy in our coming together.”
Today, we share Rev. Sinkfoard’s prayer marking the 25th commemoration of that solemn day.
Spirit of Life and of Love,
We remember, some of us, and the rest of us have heard the stories, of that day 25 years ago when the world seemed to shift.
September 11, 2001.
The world did shift, but it did not shift equally or even in only one direction.
9/11
The first time since that other day that will live in infamy that US soil had been attacked by foreign actors.
The day when thousands of innocents died, when this nation felt vulnerable, felt violated.
The day when America First was reborn, a War on Terror was created, a stronger foundation for Make America Great Again laid.
The day it became clear that much of the world saw America not as a dream of equality and opportunity, but America as Empire.
The day when Islamophobia was moved to the top of the long list of reasons to fear our neighbors.
The day when Arab looking people replaced Black folks as the most dangerous faces in America.
Great spirit, help us remember 9/11 and the many lessons we need to learn.
Help us become those who expand our circle of caring, not contract it to those who seem most similar to ourselves.
Help us resist both the calls to hate and the invitation to see ourselves as innocent.
Help us hold more of the truth.
We are not asked to be perfect, but we are called to be honest,
We are called to build a community worthy of being called Beloved.
Ase and Amen
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: Diane Kuehl
Vice President: Sandi Campbell
Clerk: Scott Garwick
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Kendra Asbury, Neita Webster, Jason Peckels
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
Members, friends & visitors—we want to hear from you! Help shape the next chapter of our congregation by taking our 10–15 minute Ministerial Search Survey.
Answer soon – the survey closes at the end of the day Sunday, September 27!
