Interdependence and Intimacy April 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
One of the deep human hungers to connect with others on a deep level. This longing for intimacy expresses itself in friendship, sexuality, conversation, and play. We’ll explore this hunger and how to align our practices of intimacy with our values in a world that does not do so very well.
We will Share the Plate with RAMM
Rockford Association for Minority Management (RAMM) started in May 1980. The purpose of the organization was to correct the lack of diversity in Business Management. The mission of this non-profit organization has since been revised to address the need to invest resources in helping gifted minority high school students pursue a college education. Click Here to Donate
Volunteers for Sunday, April 28
Greeters: Neita Webster & We Need 1 More Volunteer
Welcome Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
Ushers: Pam Wilson & Barb Wilson
Coffee Hour: We Need 2 Volunteers Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org
Happy Birthday to: Jennifer Rose (4/24), Pat Littlejohn (4/25), Robin Gausebeck (4/25), Melissa Vyborny (4/27), Libby Parker (4/28), & Susan Wilke (4/28)!
As many of you know, Randy Locke is in the hospital at UW Madison to learn the source of symptoms of serious concern. His Caring Bridge site from 2011 has been reactivated so that family and friends can know new developments as our son Randall posts them. You can learn more, and send us a note if you wish, by creating your own password at caringbridge.org/visit/randylocke
Matthew’s Memo
I’m writing this from the Newark airport (which is really nice!) on my way back from an amazing Preaching conference this weekend. In addition to the preachers who were there, some of whom (including myself) presented, there were many seminarians present. Mostly these were Union students based in New York, though some were from other schools who are remote but live in the area.
I was so impressed by the questions and conversations with these seminarians. This very diverse group of students are thinking deeply about our faith, and how to serve congregations and the world. When we keep hearing that ministers don’t want to serve congregations, these folks came to learn how to preach well and to think about this craft. I leave so hopeful about our faith.
I also had long and good conversations with ministers from New Jersey, North Carolina, Vermont, and California who made the trip. It is so good to remember that we are doing this together. And I was deeply honored by all the thanks and appreciation that folks had for my workshop on the theological roots of preaching. And I was inspired and learned some ideas from other workshop leaders too. I love preaching and look forward to putting some of what I learned into practice with you!
In faith,
Matthew
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.
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!
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.
For Adults
Do you people do anything but talk about sex? No. Not really. The Unitarian Universalist Association has developed a stellar comprehensive sex education curriculum known as Our Whole Lives. As the title suggests, it is not a one and done, but rather a topic to be revisited as we grow and mature. Join us as Wendy Bennett and Leah Krippner facilitate an adult exploration of sexuality in the 21st century. Anyone 18 and up is welcome to join.
This month in our final session, we will discuss Sexual Pleasure. Folks are welcome to join for just this single session even if you missed the others.
Join Gloria Perez, trained Spiritual Director, and a small group of seekers for a spiritual direction group. The group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm on Zoom.
Spiritual Direction explores a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. Simply put, spiritual direction is helping people tell their sacred stories everyday.
If you are interested in joining the group, contact Gloria at gjp68@me.com for more information.
Calling all Small Group Leaders!
We are updating our database and entering small group leaders and participants. If you are a small group leader, please email me with your contact information, brief description, and the names of people who participate in your group.
Small Groups gather to connect and pursue shared interests. I have Soul Matters, Spiritual Direction and New Moon group leaders.
We are pleased to announce that the Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford will hold a Child Dedication during worship on Sunday, June 9, 2024. The dedication will be a simple ritual in which the congregation commits to the spiritual welfare and development of the child and their family. Though the ritual is not a baptism, some similar symbolism will be incorporated into the ceremony. Children of any age who have not previously been dedicated are welcome to participate in the ritual. Children who participate are welcome to have their parents and siblings as well as one or two sponsors join them at the front of the sanctuary during the dedication. If you would like to participate in the Child Dedication, please e-mail Lindsay Trank at reuurockford@gmail.com by Wednesday, June 5. We hope you will join us for this special occasion!
Supporting WNIJ-FM
I admit, I’m an NPR junkie. If you have your preset on 89.5 and listen to “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” you’re probably already donating to this station. But your dollars can go even farther if you donate to them through this church. One hundred percent of the dollars donated specifically to WNIJ on our website will go to WNIJ over time as we fund spot announcements of our Rockford congregation. It’s still a donation for IRS purposes, but to the church, and it supports our “addiction,” as well.
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot
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*
April 28 Our Story with Rev. Matthew
Hope to see you!
The Zanzen Meditation group is meeting in the church library every Saturday from 8:00 am to about 10:00 am for silent meditation and friendly discussion. We would like to invite all who are interested to check us out. There is no need to sign up or commit to anything. If you show up and behave we will probably be delighted to have you join us.
Rare Earth Food Collectiveis an online farmers’ market featuring local food and products. We help producers work together to meet the growing demand for local, sustainable food in Winnebago, Boone, and McHenry Counties. Instead of you driving all over the countryside to buy from different farms, we collaborate to bring the food to you. You can choose home delivery or a nearby pickup location. We deliver orders every Tuesday, year-round. There is no minimum order, and no requirement to order every week. Ordering from REFC helps to build and support our local food community, preserve our agricultural land for future use, and reduce our carbon footprint. It also provides you with fresh food that tastes delicious and is good for you.
For members who already attend UU regularly, we will be there on Tuesdays in Deale Hall to pack our orders for distribution – meaning you could place an order for Tuesday pick up right at the Church!
The next pick-up will be on April 30, 2:30 – 3:00. This time period may be adjusted.
The buying window on the website will go live with products (for shopping) from Saturday at Noon, until Monday at Noon, but you can sign up as a customer at any time!
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
If you have questions please contact Katy Conrad conradkathren@gmail.com
The MidAmerica Region is coming together – both online and at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 of 2024 for a multiplatform Regional Assembly!
Our Keynote address will be given by the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.
There will be workshops, the Annual Business Meeting of the MidAmerica Region, and opportunities to meet many UU Leaders from across our faith tradition.
For those who are in person, there will even be opportunities to tour this historic church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
But most importantly, it is a time for us to come together as Unitarian Universalists from across the MidAmerica Region.
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: 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 |
