10 Big Ideas: The Intercultural Developmental Inventory March 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson The first time I learned about the IDI, I thought, “hmm, okay.” But when I really learned about it, it shifted the whole way I think about racism and anti-racism. As we begin a month on “vulnerability”, we explore what it means to be vulnerable enough to learn, and lay down our pretentions to righteousness. The IDI can help us but aside the false “woke/asleep” dichotomy and invite us into a journey of discovery.
We will Share the Plate with Angelic Organic Learning Center Angelic Organics Learning Center was established as the 501(c)(3) non-profit educational partner to Angelic Organics CSA farm in 1999. Executive Director, Tom Spaulding, and his wife, Neddy Astudillo, joined forces with biodynamic farmer, John Peterson, and a team of farmers and volunteers to establish a learning center that would foster a vibrant local food economy. Operating out of a renovated chicken coop, they offered workshops, coordinated farmer training programs, and launched educational programs in Chicago and Rockford. For More Information Click Here Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Susan Cooling (03/01), Daniel Fellars (03/01), Krysta Wasilewski (03/01), Keith Kruchten (03/03), Art Beneditz (03/03), Steve Booth (03/03), & Lawrence Hughes (03/07)!
Volunteers for Sunday, March 5
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: Neita Webster & We Need 1 More Volunteer
Guest Table: Gloria Perez & Ann Caskey
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. Reminder to coffee hour hosts: please make sure the heater is off and the machine master switch is off when you leave. Thank you! Sign Up Here
Matthew’s Memo
Feb 28th, 2023
Last year, the Board and the staff agreed that when we’d had two months in the “low” transmission risk for COVID-19, we would be ready to relax some of the safety measures we have taken at church. We wanted to make sure there was no winter surge – and there wasn’t. Winnebago County has been in “low” since Dec. 22nd 2022. So last week, the Board agreed to take the next step effective March 1st.
We have been more conservative than every other denomination and public place in the country, excluding hospital and medical settings. I’m glad we prioritized access and safety. And I’m aware that, as cases remain low and vaccines are widely available, we can give folks options about their choices.
Do remember that we have Ion generators on our HVAC units, which help filter and clean the air in the building.
So, the Board’s new policy is as follows:
“We continue to strongly encourage vaccination against COVID-19 and other diseases. If you haven’t gotten your bivalent booster, please do so. We expect that if you have any symptoms, especially fever or a cough, you will stay home and test. We encourage high-quality well-fitted masks in large gatherings. Masks are optional, but not required, throughout the church. The only exception to this is while singing – we expect all people to wear a mask when they sing, whether as part of the choir or the congregation. If you choose not to wear a mask during singing, please hum along or sing in your heart.”
You can get your bivalent booster, if you haven’t already, at your local Walgreens or another drug store.
Most Unitarian Universalist congregations that have gone to masks-optional are finding that 70-90% of their folks are still wearing their mask the whole time. And if you want to sing, you need to have your mask on – so even if wearing one for the whole hour is not in your plan, bring one to put on for that time. Thank you.
In faith,
Matthew
Congratulations to our Chili Cook-off Winners!!!! Sue Garwick-Best Tasting Chili
Matthew Fields-Huckstep Best Display
Matthew and Dan Fellars tied for second place for Best Tasting
Board Meeting Recap
The Board met on Feb. 22nd. We approved a new covid policy, which is posted below. We agreed to revisit the conflict policy and our capacity to do restorative justice work in the fall. We approved a revised registered sex offender policy and a revised Child Protection policy. We approved a new lease agreement with Spectrum School – a 2-year agreement, with 3 1-year options to renew. We’re thrilled that the relationship with Spectrum continues to be mutually positive and beneficial. We discussed the outlines of a social media policy and an IT security policy, which Matthew will draft before our next meeting. We decided we did not need a specific public health policy, and would rely on our values and the advice of experts in any future public health issues.
Covid Policy as of March 1, 2022: “We continue to strongly encourage vaccination against COVID-19 and other diseases. If you haven’t gotten your bivalent booster, please do so. We expect that if you have any symptoms, especially fever or a cough, you will stay home and test. We encourage high-quality well-fitted masks in large gatherings. Masks are optional, but not required, throughout the church. The only exception to this is while singing – we expect all people to wear a mask when they sing, whether as part of the choir or the congregation. If you choose not to wear a mask during singing, please hum along or sing in your heart.”
Help Wanted
A one time limited opportunity to help the church. Sometime this summer, we hope to have a all church party and auction fund raiser. But, we need volunteers to:
Plan a church event. A show, a wine tasting, a picnic, an art exhibition. Who knows. Run with an idea.
Organize an auction. Recruit donors. Organize the bidding action. The auction software makes it a doable task.
Sure it is a fund raiser. But, it is much more than that. More than 100 members will participate in social events with other members. Members will get a chance to share their artistic efforts. Members will offer to help other members with some assistance.
If you want to help, or even to ask about what it might mean, call Steve Lewis 815-979-5901
Tuesday, March 7, 5:00 – 7:30 pm
RPL Nordlof Center
118 N Main Street
Community leaders are working to make Rockford a trauma informed community
where individuals who have experienced trauma are treated with respect and care.
An important part of increasing our capacity to care is learning how to identify and respond
to trauma. Join members of the community for a free training on the “Impact of Trauma on Youth”
sponsored by the Winnebago County Health Department.
Wonderful Wednesday March 15 at 6 pm in the Library
Kim Lowman Vollmer will share tips, techniques,
and resources for introducing native plants to your
landscape.
Come with your ideas and questions!
CHURCH ACTIVITY FAIR Sunday, March 19
After service
Are you wondering how to get involved at church?
Come learn about classes, groups, events and volunteer
opportunities at the church. Come make a difference!
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
Film Discussion
Friday March 10, 2023
6:00 p.m.
We will watch My So-Called Enemy: Diversity, Interfaith, Intercultural Understanding – A film about not creating an “other” presents the complexities of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, & the possibility & hope that comes from listening to each other’s stories.
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.
The 2023 Book and Film Series dates and titles
can now be found on our website here:
Learning About Racism for a Change 2023
To register for “Rockford Summit on Racism” A flyer is attached with information about the Summit and how to register.
It is easy! Just go to the website EliminateRacism815.org to register!!!
Questions: Call Ann Rundall at 815-978
WRITTEN by Taylor Mac
DIRECTED by Epic Jones
Somewhere in the suburbs, Isaac has returned from the war in Afghanistan to help take care of his ailing father, only to find that his sister Maxine is now his brother Max and every expectation he had for a normal homecoming is turned upside down.
His mother Paige is inspired by Max’s transition to ride the tidal wave of shifting paradigms currently rolling through the traditional households of America!
Taylor Mac’s slyly subversive comedy will leave you gasping for breath between bouts of gut-busting laughter and incisive social satire that hits all too close to home.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Judy Gustafson
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Spitty Tata
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds, & Rebecca Beneditz
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
