Matthew’s Memo
 
One of the congregation’s main goals is to work to build an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and multicultural world.  We aim to put these commitments into practice in our own congregation and to join with partners who are doing the work in our wider world. 
 
This means learning, growing, pushing ourselves – and showing up at events, marches, and moments in our community.
 
There are two upcoming events I’m very excited about that are focused on this, and if you are able, I hope you will come to both.
 
On April 27^th, the David Caskey Memorial Lecture will take place at Rock Valley College.  David Caskey, a life-long member here until his death and grandson of our previous minister, Dr. Connolly, was a strong advocate (like the rest of his family) for racial justice.  Thus it is wonderful that Tim Wise is the speaker for this lecture.  Tim Wise is among the most important white anti-racist teachers and advocates in the United States.  That he is coming to Rockford is frankly amazing.  He is insightful, dynamic, and powerful.  Moreover, this event is free and open to the public!  It is at the Physical Education Center at RVC on Thursday, April 27^th, at 6 pm.  I am very excited about this and hope to see you there. 
 
On May 4^th, our partners at Eliminate Racism 815 will hold a “Rockford Summit on Racism.”  This event is from 8:15 to 4:15 pm at the UW Sports Factory.  There is a small cost to attend ($35) – if you would like to go but this cost gets in your way, let me know and the church will cover you.  There are discussion tracks on criminal justice, education, relationships, and health, and economic opportunities, as well as general programs and lots of time for making connections.  The goal is to leave the day with a set of priorities in each area and a plan for moving forward.  I think it’s vital that we show up – so if you can be there, please join us.  You can register at er815.org/event. 
 
See you there!
 
In faith,
Matthew

Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 9
 

 
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.

Strictly Sondheim April 15

The Camerata Emanon Singers and Tim Anderson invite everyone to their spring concert, “Strictly Sondheim,” to be held at our church on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 pm.

The evening will celebrate the legendary composer Stephen Sondheim and include classics from some of his best-known Broadway shows.

As a special treat, performing arts students from Rockford University will present solos and duets from favorite Sondheim musicals. 

Admission is $10 ($5 for students).  Cash or check only, please.

Darn near the only tax break for ordinary people.
If you enjoy paying Taxes, ignore this advice.

Consider donating to the church from your IRA by using a QCD.

The QCD (Qualified Charitable Deduction) is a mechanism of withdrawing money from your IRA to be used as a donation to a charitable organization (like the church). This way you do not have to pay income tax on that withdrawal, unlike every other IRA withdrawal on which you do have to pay taxes. There are several technicalities:

• Your investment company or mutual fund company will help you, and know what is required.
• You must be over 70.5 years old. But a QCD is especially helpful if you are 73 and must take Required Minimum Distributions.
• The QCD donation can be used against the amount you are required to take from your IRA as a Required Minimum Distribution. You will have to keep track of how much you may still need to remove each year. If you set up standing instructions for RMDs, you will probably have to stop those instructions and do it manually.
• Your IRA investment company will probably have a separate form to fill out to request the QCD.
• Investment companies vary. Some will demand to mail the check direct to the church. Some will make the check out to the church, but demand to mail it to you.
• The investment company will probably include the charitable donation amount in your 1099 tax form. You will be responsible for remembering and claiming the deduction when you prepare your taxes.

After all these complications, this is still just about the only tax break most people can take advantage of. So, why not use it.
If you have any questions, you can call me at 815-979-5901. But, it is best to talk to whoever has your IRA investments.
 
Steve Lewis

Our Caring Team is a support network within UU Church Rockford that seeks to provide compassionate and caring assistance to members on an as-needed basis. Here are just a couple of the many ways we can connect volunteers to members who have a specific need:

• We organize the preparation and delivery of meals and the completion of errands for members following surgery or during an illness.
• We set up rides for members of our community to attend worship services and go to medical appointments.

You can contact Rev. Joyce f you need assistance or know someone who needs support in one of these or other ways.
We would love for you to join our Caring Team. If you are able to help by preparing a meal, dropping off carry-out, running an errand, providing a ride, or something else along these lines for one of our members, feel free to reach out to Rev. Joyce at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
The strength of our community is reflected in the ways we support each other and our aim is to continue to grow this important ministry!

 
Thinking of spring cleaning?  Think of Woodsong!  We are on the lookout for some items to add to our playground materials.  If you are in a position to donate any gently used items on the following list, please mark them WOODSONG and leave them near the mailboxes across from the elevators.  Thank you so much for thinking of us!
 
-small wooden bowls (up to 6 inch diameter)
-metal muffin tins/small cake pans/cake pans in interesting shapes (star, heart, flower, etc.)
-melamine dishes (cups, saucers, small plates, bowls)
-measuring cups (metal or plastic), scoops, small sand shovels
-plastic farm animals
-toy trucks/cars (bigger than a Hot Wheel/Matchbox vehicle – no ride-on toys, please)
-small playground balls (no basketballs, footballs, baseballs, please)
-Duplo building blocks (the larger type of Lego) 

And, of course, we are always in need of birdseed.

WCCC
Rally for Truth:  Winnebago County Citizens for Choice (WCCC), in partnership with Women’s March Rockford (WMR), is holding a Rally for Truth outside of Rockford Pregnancy Care Center (4108 Morsay Dr., Rockford) on Good Friday, April 7, 2023 at noon.  The purpose of the Rally for Truth is to shed light on the deceptive practices of, and stop the misinformation distributed by Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs), and help educate the community on Senate Bill 1909, which aims to legislate truthful marketing and messaging practices of CPCs to pregnant people.
What to expect on Friday, April 7 at Pregnancy Care Center Rockford:  We will be gathering in front of Rockford Pregnancy Care Center with signs, and information on CPC’s and SB1909.
Sara Loos, WMR

Barb Giolitto WCCC

Urinetown the Musical
Sunday, April 30 at 2pm
 
Buy your $5.00 ticket while they last!
 
Join us for an afternoon at the Rockford University Maddox Theatre to experience Urinetown. Winner of three Tony Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself! Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective on one of America’s greatest art forms.
We have 10 tickets available for the Sunday matinee. After the show join members and friends of the church for refreshments at church. See Rev Joyce for tickets.

The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL  |   4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107   |   815-398-6322    |   uurockford.org  |