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Rolling Away the Stone and Coming Back to Life April 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson This Easter, we will reflect on what it takes to roll away the stone – of grief, loss, despair, confusion, “stuck-ness,” or self-sabotage, and to come alive again. How might we be provoked, encouraged, invited, and cajoled into aliveness and possibility? Today is a great day to invite a friend or family member to join you at church.
4/20 We will share the plate with The Midwest Reproductive Health Center
At Midwest Reproductive Health Care, we believe in fostering a community of support, understanding, and advocacy for reproductive rights. Your involvement can make a significant impact in supporting individuals seeking reproductive healthcare and in breaking down stigmas surrounding abortion.
Your involvement, whether through donation, support organizations, or being an advocate for an open and non-judgmental dialogue, can help create a more supportive and understanding environment for everyone.
Matthew’s Memo
Sunday, we officially kicked off our 25-26 generosity campaign, “Our Story Continues.” We talked about being brave, about the value of community, about our long history of not obeying in advance, and about being a place of belonging and hope. Many who were present filled out their pledge forms, and those who have pledged have mostly made a small increase or held steady. We’re grateful!
We’d love to hear from every member about what you will be able to give in the coming church year. Having a clear number helps us plan a budget, so we can pay our staff, for programs, and for all we do. Remember that because of our rental and legacy gifts, your gifts pay for ministry and program, and justice-making, not building upkeep. But we need your support and hope you can be generous.
If you haven’t already made your pledge:
You can click here:
https://uurockford.churchcenter.com/people/forms/886630.
OR
You can reply to this email with your intentions — “keep it the same”, or “increase by 10%”, or “make it $1200/year” or whatever you wish, and we’ll fill it out for you.
OR
You can call Autumn at 815-398-6322 and let her know.
Please do so TODAY. The sooner we hear from everyone, the sooner we can plan for our ministry together.
Thank you!
In faith,
Matthew
Share the Traditional Ritual and Meal Wednesday, April 16th, 6 pm
Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 20
We hope that you will join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt that is lovingly planned and implemented for the children and youth of the congregation. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy each other and the beautiful church grounds. We look forward to having you share the joy of this event!
You can do the following things to help ensure the success of the event:
❖ Remember to bring a basket or bag to collect Easter Eggs.
❖ Be sure that at least one adult supervises each child during the event.
❖ Dress appropriately for having fun outside.
Please contact Lindsay Trank at (815)398-6322 ext. 5 or reuurockford@gmail.com with any questions.
Camerata Emanon
Songs of the Road
Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Our April 26, 2025 concert will be at The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, at 4848 Turner Street, Rockford, IL 61107.
Tickets are $10 at the door, cash or check.
Getting to Know UU
Sunday, April 27th 12:00
Join church staff and other newcomers to learn about
our story, living our faith, and how to get connected.
Questions, email revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
Lead Like Lasso Wednesday, April 30th 6pm
Apple TV’s Ted Lasso is funny and uplifting
as he coaches a team in a sport and in a country
he knows nothing about.
Using Brene Brown’s work, we will see how
Coach Lasso successfully manages to be a
vulnerable and courageous leader.
Led by Kendra A., a professional development trainer.
Representatives from the American Red Cross will visit our church on Sunday, May 4th at Noon to share information about Red Cross services, how to volunteer, and spring severe weather readiness information. They will also offer a free 30-minute Hands-Only CPR class for anyone interested in learning this lifesaving skill. We hope you will join us to learn about the Red Cross!
Swap & Trade Barter Market Wednesday, May 21, 6-7:30pm in Deale Hall
Let’s imagine a world where money doesn’t exist and friends and neighbors participate in a mutual aid community, offering up what they can to trade and swap so everyone gets what they need. Join the Eco Justice Team to bring this idea to reality for an evening! For more information, check the flyers in Deale Hall or talk to Rebecca Beneditz and Dawn Nimmo. More information will be shared during the May pulpit announcements. Please note that registration is required and you can sign up here:Register for the Swap & Trade Barter Market
Our UU Library has added these books to our collection: Women in the Shade of Islam by Abdul Rahman Al-Sheba How We Die by Sherwin Nuland
Wesley Willows Group
The Wesley Willows group will meet the following days and times this coming year in the reflection room at the Town Center.
April 23, Wednesday, at 10 am
Peasant Revolt Farm is a small scale organic-practice produce farm in Cherry Valley, Illinois. We are very excited to offer weekly or bi-weekly Produce Subscription Boxes (sometimes called “CSA”) throughout the summer season. We’ll have a pickup location at the Edgebrook Farmers Market (Wednesdays 9a-1p) and also offer a home delivery option. We will make any spot with at least 10 full-season subscriptions a pickup spot (UU church, for example!). For more information, please visit our website: peasant-revolt.com/subscription-boxes.html
WINNEBAGO COUNTY RESOURCES
List of resources that may be helpful to you or someone you know.
VICTIM/SURVIVOR SERVICES
Family Peace Center – 1-779-348-7600
Remedies Renewing Lives – 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-815-962-6102
OLDER ADULT SERVICES
Catholic Charities Long Term Care Ombudsman Program – 1-815-316-0040 or 1-800-369-0895
Mercyhealth at Home/Older Adult Services – 1-815-971-3502
Lifescape Community Services – 1-815-963-1609 or 1-800-779-1189
SERVICES/ADVOCACY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Center for Sight and Hearing – 1-815-332-6800 P
RAMP – 1-815-968-7467
The ARC – 1-815-965-3455
Our Vision: A loving congregation that connects with ourselves, one another, and the larger community.
Our Mission: We care for ourselves, each other, and our neighbors while taking risks acting for justice. We are continuously building an inclusive, empowered, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, multicultural congregation. Our connections foster radical love for ourselves and others.
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 |
