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.
August 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
State Representative Dave Vella
Join us on Sunday morning to hear from State Representative Dave Vella on the state of labor in our community and hear updates on our state’s legislative budget and services.
Representative Dave Vella is a lifelong resident of Rockford. He attended RPS 205 schools before graduating from Boylan Catholic High School. He has represented the 68th district since 2021. The 68th district covers parts of Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Rockford, and Roscoe. Representative Vella has extensive experience as an attorney, representing people from many different backgrounds. Representative Vella lives in Rockford with his wife Michelle and their daughter Grace. Their son Ryan also lives in Rockford.
We will share the plate with UUANI
UUANI empowers Unitarian Universalists across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice. We provide leadership training, build congregational capacity and organize statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with our partners. Our Actions of the Week make it easy for UUs to make a difference. Together, we seek to bend the arc toward justice. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Emma Burchardt (Aug 26), Eugene Duncanson (Aug 27), Lorna Tapfield (Aug 28), Sandee Poznan (Aug 28), Thom Miles (Aug 28), Lynn Liston (Aug 29), Mike Stopka (Aug 29), Shavonne White (Aug 30), Barb Giolitto (Sep 01), & Charlotte Fellars (Sep 01)!
Unitarian Universalists from out of town are moving here and need a short-term rental while they settle in. If you have a space that might work, let Autumn know, and she’ll put you in touch.
A Message from Your Board President
Dear Friends,
And so it begins. A new chapter in the ever-evolving story of Unitarian Universalism here in Rockford.
First, I want to thank the people who stepped up and created the weekend-long celebration of Matthew Johnson’s ministry. Kim Lowman Vollmer and her Celebration team, including Linda Spelman, Billie Callahan, Sue Garrick, and Teresa Palmen,o with the help of Bob Spelman, Steve and Pat Lewis, to name just a few. These folks, in particular, turned a disaster (the caterers forgot to show up!) into a magical celebration of our minister, our church, and the impact Matthew has had in our community. (The best moment might have been when I saw Mayor Tom McNamara pitching in to carry two cases of beer into Edgewater Events!)
Next, I want to share what I know about this transition from a full-time settled senior minister to a half-time interim senior minister. As you know, Rev. Bret Lortie will join us for our homecoming Sunday, September 7. He is very excited about leading us during this interim period, which will extend for the next two years.
You may be wondering how he can possibly take on this role if he is only here part-time. I am so pleased to tell you that our beloved Rev. Joyce Palmer will be moving to 2/3rds time, which means we will see her with much greater frequency up in the pulpit—probably once a month. And you can expect many interesting guests in the pulpit over the foreseeable future.
Additionally, a new part-time position has been created to give added support both to Rev. Joyce and to our R.E. Director, Lindsay Trank. With this added support, these key professionals will have more time to do the things that they do best.
There will be much more to share with you over the coming weeks. Some of those things involve the siding project, the new projector system, etc.
In particular, I want you to save the evening of Friday, October 10, 2025, from 6 pm-9 pm. Rev.Sharon Dittmar of the MidAmerica Region will lead a ‘Start Up’ workshop to help us move into this transitional period successfully. There will be food (potluck, of course) and child care. I hope you can attend.
Love,
Wendy Bennett
President, Board of Trustees
NVC Practice group meets Wednesday, 8/27, from 6:00 -7:30 pm, in the Library.
The Sex & Gender Justice Team meets Sunday, August 31, at 11:30, in the Youth Room.
Sacred Reading: An Invitation to Slow, Reflective Spiritual Practice
Wonderful Wednesday
September 3, 6:00 pm
Library
In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to rush through words without letting them nourish us. Sacred reading—also known as lectio divina or contemplative reading—is a spiritual practice that invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and engage with texts that awaken the heart and spirit. In this session, we’ll explore sacred reading in a Unitarian Universalist context, using selections from poetry, scripture, and wisdom literature.
We’ll experiment with simple methods of reflection and sharing, allowing the text to speak to us and through us. If you like, bring titles of your favorite readings. All are welcome—no prior experience needed.
Unicantors Choir Rehearsal Begins!
Sunday, August 31 at 9:00 am
Sunday, September 7 at 9:00 am
1 in 6 people in America sing in choirs. Singing in groups has been linked to better mental and physical health, a sense of belonging, and feeling connected to others, among many other benefits.
Choir will begin evening rehearsals on Tuesdays, September 9 and 16, at 7:00 pm.
The choir will rehearse on their regular Thursday night beginning on September 25.
You are invited to join the choir and make something beautiful happen for yourself and the congregation!
Questions, see Tim Anderson, Music Director, or any member of the choir.
6385 Kilburn Ave., Rockford, IL 61101
September 13th, 9 a.m.
We will meet at Curran’s Apple Orchard for apple picking, animal visiting, and donut eating! All ages welcome.If you have questions, see Kendra Asbury, Katy Conrad, or Rebecca and Art Beneditz.
Sunday Morning Meditation
1st and 3rd Sundays
9:15 in the Library
The next session is September 7
We meet to meditate together and center ourselves for the day. Please join us for Sunday Morning Meditation.
Community Events
Send a letter to Governor Pritzker calling on him to stand strong in defense of the Pretrial Fairness Act! Click here to add your name.
Vision:
A loving, spiritual congregation that lives our values through belonging, reason, and action.
Mission:
Like the nature that surrounds us, we evolve as a habitat for spiritual development.
Our deep roots connect us to a wealth of resources that nourish our growth as a beacon for justice, inclusion, and liberation, especially anti-racism and gender and sexuality justice.
Our listening cultivates diverse and multicultural relationships that bridge divisions, strengthen our communities, heal hearts, and foster safety for all.
Our awareness of our interdependence inspires us to protect the shared environment and natural world in which we live.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Wendy Bennett
Vice President: Diane Kuehl
Clerk: Scott Garwick
Treasurer: Bob Spelman
Trustees: Kendra Asbury, Clark Logemann, Neita Webster
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
