Christmas Eve December 24, 2023, at 5 p.m. OnlyOnlineand in-person Rev. Matthew Johnson 5 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Our traditional service of lessons and carols. We tell the old story, and wonder together: “Can we have peace on earth today?” This is an all-ages service. Please note: There is NO morning worship service on Sunday, Dec. 24th. 5 pm ONLY.
We will Share the Plate with Shelter Care
Shelter Care Ministries started in 1984 as an outreach of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. A Saturday soup kitchen was the first program. The Jubilee Center, a drop-in center for adults with mental illness, soon followed. There are over 300 active Jubilee members.
In 1994, Shelter Care began its Supportive Housing program for families who were homeless. This program now includes 22 leased apartments and an additional 10-14 subsidized houses and apartments for families.
In 2005, Shelter Care became the managing partner of MAYA’S House (founded by the Junior League of Rockford in 2003), and began sole operation of the program in 2007. MAYA’S House was a day time Drop-In Day Center for homeless children. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing needs in the community, MAYA’S House closed in 2021.
Volunteers for Sunday, December 24, 5 p.m. Greeters: Neita Webster
Guest Table: Rev. Joyce Palmer Ushers: 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. Spitty and others are happy to help you become familiar with how to handle this easy job. Sign Up Here
Happy Birthday to: Misha Sanders (12/21), Ron Johnson (12/24), Magda Pandya (12/24), Roger Crook (12/24), & Kim Lowman Vollmer (12/26)!
Mary Anderson who is recovering from hip surgery at Saint Anne’s would love visitors.
Ruth Little is recovering from a fall and would love visitors at Wesley Willows.
Cynthia Johnson’s Memorial Service
Cynthia Johnson’s memorial service is scheduled for December 20, 2023, at 2 PM at UUFDC. The service will be live-streamed on our YouTube page – click this link to get to our YouTube page. Our YouTube page will also immediately save the video for later viewing.
Matthew’s Memo
Dec 19, 2023
Beloveds, as we enter the heart of the traditional holiday season – Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s – I offer up my prayers for your well-being and peace.
If you are feeling lonely or isolated this season, know that you are not the only one. That despite the carefully curated images around us, many folks are in the same boat. And that it is okay to be sad, to distract yourself, or to ignore the whole season as much as possible if that helps you. Feel the love that is larger than any one person or relationship, and I pray you will take good care of yourself and that moments of joy and release will find you.
If you are experiencing grief this season, especially those of you who have lost a beloved parent, spouse, or other loved person in the last year, may mercy and compassion attend you. Go gentle on yourself and others and give yourself space to grieve. May the sweetness of memory also be with you, and give you comfort.
If you are traveling, may traveling mercies and good fortune be with you. May the roads be clear, the flights on time, and the accommodations pleasant.
If you love this season, may your love and joy be returned. May you delight in the lights and songs and give yourself without reservation to your joy.
If small children are part of your life, may they get wonderful things, and may the magic of the season do its work on you, too.
If you are one to make resolutions, intentions, or vision boards, may they call you to your best self in the coming year.
Whomever you are, may love attend you, and may your season be safe and good for your heart.
In faith,
Matthew
P.S. My holiday schedule is as follows. I am working this week, and hope to see you on Christmas Eve at 5 pm – remember there is no morning service. I will be on vacation and out of town from Dec. 25th to Dec. 28th. I’ll be working on the 29th, 30th, and 31st (though not preaching, thanks to Rev. Linda Lawrence.). I’ll be off on the 1st-3rd, and then back and preaching on Jan 7th.
Board Update
The Board discussed the recent “Leaders Happy Hour” gathering. We heard a presentation from Lindsay Trank, the DRE, about the RE program and committed to helping spread the word about the need for volunteers. We voted to support the admittance of one amendment to article 2 of the UUA bylaws to the General Assembly ballot and voted to adjust Rev. Matthew’s Housing Allowance amount.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 10, 6PM
“Fascism and My Little Pony”
Watch or read the 2023 Berry Street Essay by Rev. Cecilia Kingman. We will discuss the essay and watch a TED Talk by Jason Stanley on the 10 tactics of fascism.
We have revised our newcomer and welcome program 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 anytime. Sessions will repeat monthly.
January 14 Our Story: UU History and Theology with Rev. Matthew. Hear the story of our congregation and tour the building.
January 21 Living Our Faith with Lindsay Trank, Director of Religious Education and Social Justice Team representative. We share our religious education program and ways we engage with our community.
January 28 Getting Connected with Rev. Joyce Palmer. Creating community is an important part of our being together.
The link for the videos and January’s session dates and topics are below.
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 we will discuss Sexuality and Aging, focusing on the stages of sexual life, abilities and the aging body including the effects of medication, as well as ageism. Folks are welcome to join for a single session or sign up for all six.
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 December 26, 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!
The Winter Solstice occurs when Earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year for those living in the Northern Hemisphere.
Join Side With Love and our partners at Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth and the Energy Democracy Project on Wednesday, December 20th at 4pm PT / 7pm ET for a Winter Solstice Worship Service. On this longest night, we’ll come together for music, reflection, meditation, and spiritual grounding as we work for light for all and a world where clean energy is a human right.
Register athttps://bit.ly/lightforall.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY RESOURCES
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
Book Discussion Thursday December 28, 2023 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Surrender White People: Our UncondiQonal Terms for Peace by D. L. Hughley & Doug Moe: Hilariously holds America to account for its wrongs and offers satirical terms for reparations and reconciliation.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
Looking for a copy of one of the books? The Rockford Public Library is pleased to offer the books for our discussion series in multiple formats. In addition to in print, RPL has many in the Cloud Library which may be accessed with your RPL card. Titles are available in audio and e-book formats.
Film Discussion
Friday January 12, 2024 6:00-9:00 p.m.
We will watch Healing from Hate: Battle for the Soul of a Nation: A stunning documentary of racism and white male grievance in America, and a powerful portrait of a group of people working together to de-radicalize hate groups and heal communities torn apart by white male insecurity, resentment, and rage.
Join us at the Baha’i Center 1650 N Alpine: Lower level in Highcrest Shopping Center.
We will show the film at The Baha’i Center in person with a facilitated discussion after the showing of the film.
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
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 |
