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The Transcendentalists
April 24, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson We’ll conclude our series on the theological roots of Unitarianism with the folks who line up best with Earth Day: The Transcendentalists. Their insights into nature, the self, wonder, and art have deeply shaped our faith and our country. We’ll talk about what they believed and why, and how we can bring the spirit of Fuller, Emerson, Thoreau and the rest into our lives.
We will Share the Plate with MELD
MELD is a non-profit social service agency started in 1981. Through our programs and services, MELD offers emergency shelter and housing, parenting information, life and job skills training, support and resources and prevention education. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Grandon Tolstedt (04/21), Hollis Hanson (04/21), Sandy Perpignani (04/21), Scott Garwick (04/22), Pat Littlejohn (04/25), Robin Gausebeck (04/25), & Alicia Oczus (04/26)!
Sara Hotchkiss, who grew up in the UU Church of Rockford, has been honored byas one of five new Fellows of the Ecological Society of America. Sara is a professor of botany at the University of Wisconsin–Madison who studies the long-term development of forests and other ecosystems as they respond to human activity, climate change, and species invasion. The society honors her for a career “uniquely enriched by commitment to empathic understanding, not only of students and colleagues, but also of ecosystems and landscapes.” (https://www.esa.org/blog/2022/04/12/ecological-society-of-america-announces-2022-fellows/)
Partner Church News
Reverend Orban Dezso from our partner Unitarian church in Transylvania, Romania writes, “We wish you, your family, and the congregation a Happy Easter!”
All Unitarian congregations in Hungary and Romania have communion at Easter and three other times a year.
Volunteers for Sunday, April 24
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: Kathy Scarpaci & Teresa Wilmot
Guest Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
Coffee Hosts: We Need 2 Volunteers
Please note that if you volunteer for coffee host you will need to clean up afterward and run the cups through the sanitizer.
I’m sitting in a coffee shop in downtown Rockford, and out the window are the traces of the overnight snow. It’s the middle of April, and I’m not okay with more snow. It has been a long winter – not a particularly brutal one (we’re under budget on snow-plowing, as one data point), but Spring has been very late in coming.
But it is coming. It’ll be warmer tomorrow when you read this. And even warmer over the next few days. And at some point, it will really be spring. Some will start digging holes for plants in their gardens, some will open up their windows, some will start their allergy medicine, and some will get outside and breathe deep. I can’t wait.
As things warm-up, this is a good time to think about getting involved in things. If you are anything like me, you’ve done less over this winter, especially during the Delta and Omicron surges. We stayed home, stayed warm, and stayed safe. But the other day, we made a list of things we want to do – plays, Art scenes, and, soon, hikes and adventures. It felt great. I want the world, to experience it and be in it.
If you are ready to get connected and involved, one possibility is a small group at church. Our Touchstones groups are beloved by those who are in one. It’s a great way to connect with others, have deeper conversations, and grow your faith. Let Rev. Joyce know if you are interested and we’ll get you signed up. And come to other things – Wednesday programs, special events, and so on. Those who do seem to really enjoy it.
I hope you’ll join me in shaking off this long winter and jumping into Spring. It really is coming.
In faith,
Matthew
Are You a Caregiver?
Do you regularly help someone who:
* is over 60
* has a disability (physical or mental)
* has a chronic or progressive health problem
* has trouble taking care of him or herself at home
Do you do any of the following:
* Take meals to ensure nutritious food is available
* Help with cleaning and laundry
* Assist with weekly grocery shopping
* Arrange medical appointments and provide transportation
* Feel the need to check up on the person to be sure they are okay
* Receive frequent phone calls with requests for help
* Provide on-going care to someone such as feeding, bathing, dressing, or any other care
If you answered YES to one or more of the above questions, you are a caregiver. We would like to invite you to a Caregiver Support Group to discuss self-care for caregivers. I know you realize taking care of someone can be a joy, and it can be hard too.
Join this new group at UU Church Rockford to meet other caregivers and to share information on how to take care of yourself. It will also provide you with an opportunity to let the Caring Team know if you have a need we can assist with meeting.
If you have a more immediate need, please let Rev. Joyce or a member of the Caring Team know.
Our first meeting will be on Zoom, Tuesday, May 3rd at 10am. Please use this link to attend:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98699473003
The AIM Team is our Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry at the church. Our team met in February to review our earlier assessment and set some goals for the next few months.
The main purpose of the the team is to keep track of the big picture regarding the congregation’s welcome and accessibility, address issues of concern and develop strategies to address concerns. At our next meeting we will discuss possible training led by RAMP and schedule an audit of our church building for accessibility.
We are welcoming new members to this team. Our next meeting is Thursday, April 21 at 6pm via Zoom.
It’s time to Lighten Up! To celebrate, to be joyful, to have fun, and to turn up our light as a church. We’re about to begin our generosity (aka stewardship, aka pledge drive) campaign for the coming fiscal year. We hope every member will attend ONE of the following events. Each event is designed to highlight something fun and good about our church. There will be a brief stewardship presentation at each event, but the focus will be on having fun and doing good together. More information to come. But for now, select one event and put it on your calendar.
Concert! Join Music Director Tim Anderson for a daytime concert. Friday, April 22nd, 12pm.
Our History Scavenger Hunt! Begin at Ingersoll Centennial Park (Madison and Oak near downtown Rockford). Follow the clues through our history and join at the Olympic Tavern with your completed clues. Saturday 23rd, 3pm start.
Write for Justice! Meet in Deale Hall to write letters thanking Reps. West and Vella for their support of the Criminal Justice Reform bill and encouraging them and Sen. Stadleman to resist roll-back efforts. Wednesday, April 27, 7pm.
Wesley Willows Happy Hour! Meet on the driveway at the home of Myrna and Dick Lake. BYOB. Contact office if you need address. Friday, May 6th, 4pm.
Woods and Prairie at the Church! Meet in the parking lot to hike our woods and prairie with a naturalist guide. Saturday, May 7, 2pm.
Ice-cream Social! We’ll get an ice-cream truck. It’ll be great. Sunday, May 15th, after church.
See you at one of these events!
Your generosity team: Ruth Little, Wendy Bennett, Linda Johnson, Sara Dorner, Sandi Campbell, and Matthew Johnson
12 miles SW of the church.Take bypass 20 around Rockford to the west & go S on Montague Rd
Severson Dells Nature Center 8786 Montague Road Rockford IL 61102 (map)
Birds do it. Bees do it. Moths and Butterflies do it. Flies do it, and even the wind does it! What are we talking about? Pollination! We get excited about pollination here at Severson Dells, and we hope you will, too, after you’ve come out to enjoy our celebration of all things pollinator. Visit a variety of booths to learn how your actions can support native pollinators. Build a bee hotel for leaf-cutter bees and grass-carrying wasps. Learn how to design a pollinator garden that will impress the neighbors as well as the bees. Our pollinator-themed games and craft stations entertain visitors of all ages. Free event! No registration necessary. Activities
How to Use Your Cell Phone to Photograph Pollinators – with Hans Rupert
Make a Bee Hotel
Make Seed Bombs
Plant a native plant to take home
Story Walk
Pollinator Midway – pollinator-themed games you can play
Photo Opportunities
Pollinator Costumes and Crafts
Music with David Stocker
Food Vendors
Guided Walks
Have Fun with our Pickleball Group!
Depending on the weather, we play at Sinnissippi or inside at Sports Factory every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:00. Contact Ed to get on the mailing list: thistletwo@aol.com
Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 4 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Live stream will be available. Go to UUFG.org and select service Live stream or go to the UUFG Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/UUGainesville
Book Discussion
Thursday April 28, 2022 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Threading My Prayer Rug: One Woman’s Journey from Pakistani Muslim to American Muslimby Sebeeha Rehman. Beginning with a moving account of her arranged marriage, it offers the refreshing view of an American life through Muslim eyes. Filled with humor & hope, balances heritage and overcomes religious barriers.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Amanda Tapfield
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Judy Gustafson
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Khanh Oehlke, Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
