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Incarnation! December 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Unitarian Universalists have adopted a stance towards “radical incarnationalism,” holding that the divine or sacred is present in all of life and every person. In this season when billions celebrate “God becoming flesh,” we’ll reflect on how it might make us live if we held that that flesh was all of us and all things.
We will Share the Plate with RUM Mission: To change lives and communities through social action
What we do: Listen and respond to the needs of the community. Take risks to advocate for meaningful change and proven policy initiatives, even and especially when they are unpopular Share our views with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels. Offer training and teach-ins about important issues. Partner with community organizations in the Rockford region
What we believe: Together, faith communities have the power to make a difference in building the beloved community.
Volunteers for Sunday, December 15 Thank you to the Caring team for volunteering for hospitality this Sunday!
Ushers: Myrna Lake & Dick Lake
Coffee Hosts: Lia Gima
Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org
Happy Birthday to: Jill Gnesda (Dec 10), Rhea Overley (Dec 10), Victoria DeLaRosa (Dec 11), David Black (Dec 15), Leslie Mills (Dec 16), Mike Ullrich (Dec 16), James Callahan (Dec 17), & Jeffery Fellars (Dec 17)!
Matthew’s Memo
Thank you for your kind words and notes. I had a lovely visit to Seattle over Thanksgiving.
A giant thank you and BRAVO! to Music Director Dr. Tim Anderson, the Unicantors, and their special guests for a wonderful Music Sunday. The pieces were beautiful and an invitation to be present and aware of the beauty around us.
What does it mean to see, hear, smell, touch, taste the beautiful world, and see their holiness, mystery, and love? To experience this in the nitty-gritty, everyday life we lead? How would it feel to notice and appreciate this presence?
One of the things I loved about the Camino was the deliberate nature of it. You are doing one thing – walking. And at that pace, you notice more of the world. Each rock, flower, tree, and cloud even. Slowing down, and taking time, is a great gift.
And it’s so hard. The world rushes by and there is so much to do. The national political situation seems deeply urgent, but maybe right now is an OK time to take a breath, find beauty and joy, and be ready. For there will be work to do, and some have begun. This will be a marathon, not a sprint.
I also believe firmly that loving the world in its concreteness is the way to bring more love into the world. I engage in spiritual practice, worship, reading, and all of this because I need these reminders. I can get in my head, get busy, and get lost. You too?
In this month of presence, and this season of expectation, how would it be to slow down, pay attention, and see the love that surrounds you?
In faith,
Matthew
The Non-Violent Communication Practice Group will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 18, the third Wednesday instead of the fourth Wednesday, which is Christmas Day.
Sex & Gender Justice Team to Facilitate UU Common Read: Authentic Selves
To quote uua.org: The Common Read of Authentic Selves is a sweeping compilation of life stories and portraits of trans and nonbinary people, as well as their partners, parents, children, siblings, and chosen family members. Through interviews and photo portraits, the subjects of Authentic Selves invite readers into their real lives–their revelations, challenges, joys, and networks of support. You will have an opportunity at Coffee Hour on December 15 to page through the book and pre-order it through the church if you are interested. Copies will be available sometime in January, and the discussion will be held in February.
Submitted by Lia Gima
Religious Education and Woodsong Staffing Note
For the Congregation
Hello all –
I want to give you an important update about our staffing for our Religious Education and Woodsong Programs.
If you don’t know about our Woodsong program, this is the weekday program we run for 2- and 3-year-old children. Each day from Monday through Friday, 16 little ones play, explore nature, learn to be with others, and experience our values and care. This program has brought many new families into the church. This program has been run by its Co-Directors, Lindsay Trank and Lauren Smith.
Lindsay has been our Director of Religious Education for almost a decade now, and Lauren was the Assistant Director, focusing on the K and under room, as well as supporting O.W.L. (our sexuality education program) and things like Parent’s Night Out.
Lauren resigned from her position at the end of her maternity leave in October, while I was on sabbatical.
This has made things very difficult. And we need your help.
First, we need more volunteers. Especially if you are NOT a parent of a young child, we need you to volunteer for our religious education program. We need consistent reliable volunteers who the children and parents can get to know. We provide the activity plan and there is great support. We make it simple. If we value the presence of children and families in our community, then we must have more folks help. It is put up or shut up time, to be frank.
Here is what we need:
We need at least one, and preferably two more people, to be O.W.L. instructors. This literally life-saving program is offered after church for various age groups, so you won’t miss worship if you do this. If you are comfortable talking about sex and relationships, and willing to do the training, we need you. Contact Lindsay at reuurockford@gmail.com if willing.
We need at least one, and preferably two more people, to be in the K and under room. These precious littles – mostly 3 and 4 years old – are fun and joyful. They play, hear a story, and do fun simple activities. We’d love folks willing to do 2 Sundays each month but can work with 1 reliable Sunday. Right now, Lindsay and I’s respective High School Seniors are filling in here – but that’s not sustainable and they are missing Youth Group to do this. Contact Lindsay at reuurockford@gmail.com to volunteer.
We need at least one more volunteer, and would prefer two more, for EACH of the 1st-3rd and 4th-6th grade rooms. We have an anchor staff person for each room, but need more adults to help out in each room. We are looking for one reliable Sunday each month from each volunteer in this group. They are curious, fun, and insightful kids – and you’ll learn about UUism and other topics too! Contact Lindsay at reuurockford@gmail.com to volunteer.
Thanks to Lindsay’s hard work, and with Rev. Joyce playing a role, we are staffed for the youth program.
What we do NOT really need is folks who say “call me if you need me.” We need reliable folks who do it regularly to build a relationship with the children. It is relationship, not content, that is the main goal of the program.
That’s the volunteer situation.
As far as Woodsong Staff goes, DCFS rules mean that we need to have a “Director-Qualified” person on site. Lindsay is all we have right now. We do have two great teachers who are working with her each day, but Lindsay can now not take a day off – let alone the 5 weeks we had promised in a short sabbatical to restore herself after covering for Lauren’s maternity leave. The finance committee has recommended to the Board some financial compensation in lieu of that sabbatical, and money is useful but it is not the same as time.
While Lindsay can’t really be absent from Woodsong, we can give her some Sundays off – so that she can actually have a 2-day weekend instead of just 1 day a week off. During December, we are making this happen. This means we especially need volunteers now to help cover these days. Please come forward to help and make this a truly shared ministry.
As we rebuild after Covid, we are seeing more participation in many programs. We are definitely seeing more children and youth participate in our church, and new families coming (half of which start from the Woodsong program). We need the volunteers to keep this program going. It is not fair, wise, sustainable, or just for us to put the full load on one staff person. It is a shared ministry, and we need you. Especially if you are not an overwhelmed parent – please consider doing this important ministry. Once a month of 1 hour of your time will make a huge difference.
Please join WCCC in our post-election work to keep electing pro-choice candidates and keep abortion safe and legal in Illinois. Newly elected Winnebago County Board Member, Christian Valdez, will share her campaign experience, amazing election results and the work she expects to do on the county board. We will also have an update on the new clinic- it is open! Democracy is not a spectator sport! We hope to see you 12/10 at 6:30pm at the UU!
Barb Giolitto
WCCC President
Annual MELD Donation
Keep an eye out for the MELD donation tree in the narthex! You will find an item requested by a family on the back of each ornament hung on the tree. Donated items should be placed in the bin in the narthex designated for MELD donations. Please do not wrap the items that you donate.
Donations will be collected through Sunday, December 15.
Rockford MELD is a non-profit social service agency started in 1981. The organization provides programs and services for young parents and their children in the Rockford community. MELD offers emergency shelter and housing, parenting information, life and job skills training, support, resources, and prevention education.
The Board met on Dec. 4th. They heard a report from the Change Team about their findings, which mostly indicate good progress with room for development on our anti-racism, anti-oppresion, and multicultural goals. We heard a report from the Mission and Vision writing team (see below) and made some small edits to their great work. We discussed the unhoused folks on or nearby our grounds and will come back to a policy on that issue. After executive session, the Board approved a motion to pay to Lindsay Trank, our DRE, a bonus in lieu of sabbatical as well as an increase in compensation to reflect increased responsibilities. They also made plans for the New Year’s Day Brunch. The next meeting is Jan 22nd, at which they’ll also hear a report from the Investment Panel.
Blue Christmas Service
Wednesday, December 11th 6pm
The holiday season is a complicated time for many of us, especially those who are missing loved ones. Whether it is a first season or 10th season without our loved ones, we come to acknowledge the loss.
We come to be seen and accepted, to have our complicated feelings embraced, to know we are not alone. Our worship service will include beautiful music by harpist Nanette Felix.
You are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, December 18th 5:30 – 8:00
Bring your children to church for snacks, playing, and fun while you have some time to yourselves!
UU 2030 Young Adult Group
Thursday, December 19th, 5:45 – 6:45 pm
Theme: Family, Friends, and Loves
UU2030 is a small group for adults in their 20s and 30s who are looking for a spiritual and religious community, without the dogma and baggage that can come with traditional religion. We can provide that home here!
We are looking to build a faith community and possibly other social events like potlucks, holiday celebrations, boardgame nights.
We hope to see you!
Upcoming dates January 16th and February 6th.
Co-leaders Sara Greer and Hailey Powell
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* December 22 Getting Connected with Rev Joyce
Hope to see you!
Video session takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Our church members have always enjoyed having a church directory. We have a new one to be safer and keep up with technology. This time, YOU have to actually put yourself into the directory, and the staff cannot do that for you. So let me give you some instructions, and maybe you can take a few minutes in the next few days to get yourself put into the directory.
Most of you will use your phone to do this, but you can also do it on the computer.
On your phone go to the App Store or Play Store. Search for CHURCH CENTER
Install it on your phone
You can enable FACE ID-so you don’t have to remember your password, or go the password route
Open CHURCH CENTER
There might be codes, emails and phone number you have to enter-each phone is different.
Click on the circle with your initials
Select – CONTACT & PROFILE
Go in and make any changes to the information
You can even add photo
When done select UPDATE in the upper right-hand corner
When all updated
In the lower right-hand corner select DIRECTORY
SHARE INFO might come up and select it so others see you in the directory.
Every phone is a bit different, so you might have to keep trying and use some guesswork, but this is the general plan.
After you have done this you should be able to find YOURSELF in the directory. Select the directory and see.
Some of us will be around at church on Sundays to help, besides me.
You can do this so please give it a try ASAP
let me know how it goes.
Kim Lowman Vollmer
Board Member
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.
Jan. 22nd, Wednesday, at 9 am
April 24, Thursday, at 10 am
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.
Our UU Library has added this book to our collection: Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks
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
There is little doubt that the results of the 2024 Presidential election have been disappointing and distressing to many of us. The incoming administration headed into the White House presents a clear, existential challenge to basic civil rights and civil liberties across the country. We see threats to free expression and bodily autonomy, as well as proclamations that the President-Elect will use the military in order to engage in a scheme of mass deportations. That reality has many of us, supporters of the ACLU, wondering what we can do to push back against abuses of basic rights.
While our collective response will evolve over time, it is critical that we find common cause to work together to create the kind of community we want at the local and state level. This is why several ACLU members in Rockford and Winnebago have come together in hopes of creating an ACLU group in your community.
We would love to have you be part of this effort. Please join us on Tuesday, December 10th at 6 PM at the Rock Valley College Student Center Atrium for an informational meeting. You will hear from your neighbors about their concerns for civil liberties, learn about strategies to extend and strengthen basic protections in Illinois from ACLU staff, and find out how you can play a role in protecting civil liberties.
Please join us for this event. Together, we can be stronger in our home counties. And, more important, we can be part of the solution for protecting those most vulnerable in our communities. Feel free to reach out with any questions or let us know if you are interested in being part of a local ACLU group but cannot attend to events@aclu-il.org.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
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 |
