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Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. onlyOnline and in-person
Rev. Bret Lortie & Rev. Joyce Palmer Gather with us for our Christmas Eve service of carols and readings from scripture and modern sources. We’ll share the timeless story of hope and renewal with the gentle glow of candlelight and the promise of peace for all.
Many Hands, One Harvest
December 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Joyce Palmer Join us as we celebrate the principles of Kwanzaa with a reflection on Ujimaa—collective work and responsibility. Together we’ll explore how we build and sustain our communities through shared purpose, care, and commitment.
Empire and Epiphany
January 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Bret Lortie In times of empire, the journey of Christmas isn’t over until we find our way home “by another way.” SPECIAL RITUAL: Burning Bowl
December 28th, 2025
On Christmas Eve 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. Click Here to Donate
We Will Share the Plate on December 28 with Our Partner Church Our Partner Church is one congregation in two buildings in Nadas and Pipe, two miles apart. Located in the Transylvanian part of Romania, the country is in the worst economic slump in three decades. In their economy, your $20 donation is like a needed $80. Thanks for your continued support for over the last 30 years. Click Here to Donate
We will Share the Plate on January 4, 2026, with Second First Church Overnight Cafe in Rockford
At the Overnight Cafe, unhoused guests (and others needing warmth) are met with food, clean and warm clothing, and shower and laundry facilities. They spend the night playing cards, watching movies, and talking to others. Guests are treated with respect throughout their stay in an effort to restore their dignity and build rapport. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Wendy Vaughn (Dec 23), Magda Pandya (Dec 24), Bob Arevalo (Dec 24), Ron Johnson (Dec 24), Kim Lowman Vollmer (Dec 26), Maria Guerrero (Dec 26), John Ekedahl (Dec 27), Kamila Hamoudah (Dec 27), Steven Anderson (Dec 27), Carol Knodle (Dec 28), Sheila King (Dec 30)!
There will be no Kairos until January 6th
Many hands make light work – and we could use some more hands!
In order to keep the pantry stocked consistently, we need volunteers to take bags of items from the pantry table and use them to stock the pantry. There is a printed calendar above the pantry table in Deale Hall where you can sign up for the days that work best for you. You don’t need to do a long term commitment or the same days every week/month – every little bit helps and you can fit it to your schedule. If you have any questions, see Dawn Nimmo or Rebecca Beneditz.
OWL
OWL (Our Whole Lives) is looking for volunteers on January 4th at 11:30 AM. We are looking for approximately 4-5 people to be a part of an LGBTQIA panel. If you are part of the LGBTQIA community, interested, and available, please contact Julie Parks or Billie Callahan.
Rockford Icehogs vs. Chicago Wolves Saturday, January 18 at 4pm
Let’s all go cheer on the Icehogs together at the BMO Center! Tickets are available now and are $19.90 per person. Click on this link to purchase: https://www.gofevo.com/event/UUChurch If you would like to attend but the cost is prohibitive, please contact Rev. Joyce about financial assistance.
Sunday Morning Meditation 9:15 am
We meet on Sunday morning to meditate and center ourselves for the day. You are welcome to join us each Sunday morning.
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 |
