Empathy and Rage part 2 August 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson Our longing to be seen and loved can turn to rage – towards others and towards ourselves – when we don’t have that core need met, or when we see the injustice and pettiness of the world. How do we deal with the rage in our heart? How do we have empathy for ourselves? We dive into the heart and soul today.
We will Share the Plate with Human Library The Human Library Greater Rockford is a project of the Racial & Economic Justice Team of our Unitarian Universalist church, Rockford. We work in collaboration with Human Library, Denmark and host HL events in Rockford at our public libraries and educational institutions like RVC & RU and other organizations in our geographic area. HL events are opportunities for folks/”readers” to sit down and hear a human “book”, someone sharing their story. The reader can also ask questions helping to increase their understanding of someone they may not have met otherwise and in this way break down some prejudices they may have had about that person or people with that identity, such as a “Refugee” or a “Black man” or “Vietnam Veteran” or “Alcoholic” or…We have about 30 “books”, volunteers from our church and the larger Rockford community who have made this endeavor enough of a success that we are now recognized by Human Library, Denmark as a “Book Depot” in our area. Funds donated help us to expand and spread the word about our events that we hope help to make this a more compassionate & just world, one meaningful interaction at a time. Do stop by our next HL event at RPL, East Branch on 9/17 from 11-3 and enjoy “reading” a human “book”! Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Robert Spelman (08/23), Eugene Duncanson (08/27), Sandee Poznan (08/28), Lynn Liston (08/29), Sarah Werhane (08/30), & Shavonne White (08/30)!
Please hold Wendy Bennett in your hearts. Her husband, Rod Bennett died today, August 19th. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2022, in McCorkle Funeral Home – Pecatonica Chapel 203 W. 5th St Pecatonica with The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson Unitarian Universalist Church officiating. Burial to be in Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday. Obituary
Volunteers for Sunday, August 28
Ushers: 2 Volunteers Needed
Greeters: 2 Volunteers Needed
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’ve been thinking a lot recently about “supposed to.” We have these stories in our head and heart about what life is “supposed to” be like. These stories are powerful – even when we a big part of us knows they are false, incomplete, or not for us.
It begins early, with developmental milestones. Are they walking and talking? These are of course useful – but it continues and deepens with more expecations. You are supposed to enjoy these toys, play these games, act like this, and so forth.
As adults, these “supposed to’s” can be very destructive. We think we are “supposed to” do this kind of work, have that kind of love life, have this sort of relationship with our parents or children or neighbors.
These supposed to’s are often created and maintained by advertising, entertainment, and structures of power. Even when we know that – and we know many examples of people who follow the “supposed to” and are miserable, and examples of people who don’t, and are happy – we can still internalize these expectations. We feel shame if we don’t fit in.
One thing I find really helpful – and a benefit of the internet and our instant connectivity – is that we can discover the wider variety of life. People can find others who have similar relationships with others, who have similar hopes and dreams, and discover that “majority” (or, more likely, “plurality”, does not mean “everyone.”
Many of us become or remain Unitarian Universalists because we value this independent thought. We value the chance to examine assumptions and take what works and leave what doesn’t. This is a great benefit to our community. I invite you to do that, not just in our religious life, but in all of it. What assumptions and expectations have you imported from others that don’t work for your life? Can you name them, and thus begin to let them go? And in so doing, remember that you are not alone.
In faith,
Matthew
Please note Autumn will be on vacation from August 29th – September 5th. Kairos submissions are due Saturday, August 27th by 8:00 p.m. If you need anything during that week please contact Rev. Joyce Palmer or Rev. Matthew Johnson.
Finding Your Way with Starting Point Starting Point is small group ministry especially designed for newcomers and those looking to discover Unitarian Universalism and their church all over again. This program will help participants live Unitarian Universalism more fully, bring our history and theology to life, and leave everyone feeling grounded, connected and renewed.
Join Rev. Joyce, newcomers, friends and members looking to make connections and “dig deeper” into Unitarian Universalism.
Starting Point is a 4 week program, we will meet Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Session dates September 13, September 20, September 27, October 4.
Memorial Patio Update
As part of the work to rebuild the Memorial Patio we would like to encourage members who want to order a memorial brick for a loved one who has died to submit a form with the information needed for inscription. We realize that there have been a number of deaths since bricks were last ordered and we would like to catch up as much as we can during this rebuilding phase. Please note that there is no need to do new forms for anyone who already has a brick in the current patio.
Forms are available from the church office or you may click the button below to print out the form at home. They should be submitted to the office. Our current policy is that bricks are engraved at no cost for members of the church. The engraving fee is $50/brick for non-member children, parents, spouses and life partners of members and $130 for former members and friends of the church. Payment should be made to the office.
If you have any questions about the orders or the patio please contact Pat Lewis at pryanlewis@gmail.com.
Common Read 2022: Defund Fear: Safety without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment by Zach Norris
Community Conversations Open to All Hosted by the Racial and Economic Justice Team
All Sessions Online at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 28 Part 1: The Unsafe World
Wednesday, October 26 Part 2: A Vision of Safety
Wednesday, November 30: Reimagined Realities
Register at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com The UUA Common Read offers us an opportunity to learn about an important topic and discuss how it relates to our Unitarian Universalist values. Zach Norris is a lawyer and the executive director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. His book offers a new blueprint for public safety that holds people accountable while still holding them in community.
You can purchase books at church with Li M Blacker. The books have been pre-purchased to receive the bulk discount. Please submit payment to Connection Victory for $15.
Thursday August 25, 2022 6:00 p.m.
Book Discussion
Thursday August 25, 2022 6:00pm
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don’t Want to Know by Tema Okum who speaks from extensive experience teaching about race and racism in classroom and community settings and from theory and practice of a wide range of educators, activists, and researchers committed to social justice.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
The Choir Starts Meeting this Thursday Night at 7:00 p.m.!
Community Events
The Board of Trustees:
President: Judy Gustafson
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Spitty Tata
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Shoko Chien, Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
