Standard message and data rates may apply. You have the right to OPT-OUT receiving messages at any time. TO OPT-OUT, reply "STOP" to any text message you receive from us.
May I Suggest
April 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson What if this is the greatest time of your life? What if, instead of nostalgia or anticipation, we found joy in this very moment? Reflections on living in the moment and living with joy (and the dangers, too, of “naïve positivity”).
We will Share the Plate with LIAM Foundation
Which supports the Rockford area LGBTQIA+ community through advocacy, education, and legal help with name changes.
Volunteers for Sunday, April 27
Greeters: 2 Volunteers Needed
Guest Table: 2 Volunteers Needed
Coffee Hosts: 2 Volunteers Needed
Ushers: Pam Wilson & Barb Wilson
Please contact Rev. Joyce Palmer to sign up revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
Happy Birthday to: Scott Garwick (Apr 22), Jennifer Rose (Apr 24), Pat Littlejohn (Apr 25), Rian Larson (Apr 25), Robin Gausebeck (Apr 25), Sigrid Fedorowicz (Apr 26), Melissa Vyborny (Apr 27), Elizabeth Parker (Apr 28), Susan Wilke (Apr 28), & Vincent Nundahl (Apr 29)!
Matthew’s Memo
April 22nd 2025
Today is Earth Day, and yesterday, Pope Francis, the most ecologically minded pontiff in history, died. Many progressive people of faith celebrated Francis’ leadership – he was dramatically more inclusive and focused on liberation than any pope in living memory. I hope that the college of cardinals will choose a person who will continue this legacy, and extend my sympathies to those who mourn Francis’ death.
Francis understood, as do many others, that ecological stewardship is a core responsibility of faith. When we remember that we are not self-sufficient, but part of the interdependent web of life, embedded in life on this blue marble, then it should shift our choices and actions. Francis also often talked, as do many, about how the climate crisis was also a poverty and justice, and racism crisis – that it would be the world’s poor who would pay the price for the recklessness of the world’s rich. If we love our neighbor and follow the teachers of Jesus to love those excluded, to love the poor, then we must demand government and corporate action to address the climate crisis.
For these teachings, Pope Francis – like many other progressive faith leaders, myself included – was viciously attacked and belittled. Some said he wasn’t a real Christian. The Pope! Often, when people care about the earth and the poor, they are said to be “political, not religious.” But it is our religion that motivates our sense of wonder, responsibility, and love for the earth and all its people. That’s faith, not politics.
I’m grateful that Francis’ ministry made more visible the progressive elements of the religious world, both within and outside of the Catholic faith. It’s important for us to know that we are not alone, and that though we will disagree strongly on some issues, there are places where we can find common ground in our quest for justice.
In faith,
Matthew
Office Manager Autumn Powell will be out of the office from April 25 – April 27. Please contact Rev. Matthew or Rev. Joyce if you need anything during this time.
Nonviolent Communication Practice Group meets Wednesday, 4/23, at 6:00 pm in the Library.
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.
Calling All Fellow Knitters, Crocheters, Needleworkers
Community means so much right now and I crave the company of like-souls who enjoy creating everything and anything from yarn, thread, and fabric. Let’s gather and share ideas to benefit our own community, the community at large, and ourselves. Interested? Call and leave me (Libby Parker) a msg. at 425-736-1859 or email at singer1504@gmail.com.
The Sex & Gender Justice Team meets this Sunday at 11:30. We will be planning for the Pride Parade and for a visit to Midwest Reproductive Health.
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.
If you wish to borrow a t-shirt for the event, contact Lia Gima or the church office.
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!
Garden Planting Day at the Church Grounds! Saturday, May 17 at 10am
The mulch has been spread and the Spectrum/UU gardens on the church grounds are cleaned up and ready to be planted! Spend the morning outside as we plant our warm weather plants and get ready for the growing season. If you would like to continue to help maintain the gardens over the summer (watering, weeding, harvesting, etc.), please fill out this form: Garden Volunteer Survey. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Beneditz. I hope to see you there!
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
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10am at Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve winnebagoforest.org/events
If you can’t make any of these events, consider doing something on your own – go for a walk and pick up garbage, order some native plants from the Wild Ones Plant Sale, or call your congresspeople and voice your support for our national parks, national forests, and organizations like the EPA.
Submitted by Rebecca Beneditz
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 |
