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Doomscrolling
January 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, forwarded email or Cable News, so much of how we engage with the news of the world is designed to keep us on the “outrage treadmill.” Everything seems broken and terrible. Yet, historians and political scientists argue that we are living in the most peaceful and prosperous time in world history. How do we keep our center when we deal with the news of the world? How can we have healthier online habits? How do we stop “doomscrolling?”
We will Share the Plate with NAACP
Their mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color. Click Here to Learn More Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: William Carter (01/18), Meka Francis (01/18), Roberta Pietrzyk (01/18), Saundra Berglund (01/20), Eileen Stephens (01/20), Cheryl Delgado (01/20), Xap Esler (01/21), Nicole Ranz (01/23), Larry Swacina (01/24), Thomas Jones (01/24), & Scott Stear (01/24)!
A memorial service for Dan Fischer will be held at the church on Thursday, January 19th, at 5:00 p.m. Obituary
Volunteers for Sunday, January 22
Ushers: Li M Blacker & We Need 1 More Volunteer
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: Rev. Joyce Palmer & Gloria Perez
Coffee Hosts: Tim Palmer & We Need 1 More Volunteer
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 Jan 17, 2023
Over the years, this church has had many intern ministers. Interns, who are either in seminary or just finished, have been a blessing to our ministry. They’ve brought their gifts to our congregation, and we’ve been able to help them learn how to do ministry. I love have interns.
The way that seminary education works today has shifted. Thought students do internships, they do not generally move for them anymore (there are exceptions). Many internships are now part-time over a two-year period. We remain open to having an intern; if someone in the Chicago, Milwaukee, or Madison area needs an internship we are likely to be on their list. Nothing is planned for the coming year, but who knows.
But I thought you might be curious to know where our former interns (at least those who have worked with me) are currently serving and doing ministry.
The Rev. Omega Burckhardt is the Assistant Minister at our congregation in San Diego. She is the lead for their south bay Spanish-speaking congregation, as well as supporting the main campus.
The Rev. Christe Lunsford is serving our congregation in Gainesville, Florida. They are also very involved with the worship and music team for the UUA General Assembly and with TRUUST – the Transgender UU Religious professional organization.
The Rev. Michelle Lattanzio is the Minister of Pastoral Care for Soul.Fire, an online UU Ministry (find them on Facebook), as well as an affilitated community minister with All Souls UU Church in Miami (even though she lives in Chicago).
The Rev. David Kraemer is serving our congregation is Waukesha, Wisconsin – so I get to see him regularly at our local gatherings. He’s still kayaking and hiking on a regular basis.
The Rev. Morgan McLean recently moved to DC, where her husband got a job teaching (at the same Community College that Jill Biden teaches at) and has just become the International Engagement Program Manager for the Unitarian Universalist Association. She’s gotten very involved in our international and partner church work, so this is a great fit.
Interns who served here before my time include Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, who is the Senior Minister at River Road UU Church in suburban DC, and Rev. Phil Lund, who is on staff for the MidAmerica region, working with the small and lay-led congregations across the Midwest.
It’s a pretty proud legacy to be part of!
In faith,
Matthew
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 6PM SHARE & DISCOVER A HOBBY
The New Year is a great time to start or restart a hobby.
Join us for Wonderful Wednesday, January 18, 6pm to share your hobby, and get inspired to start pursuing a hobby.
Revs. Matthew and Joyce will share their hobbies. Learn about theirs and hobbies enjoyed by our members. Hope to see you there!
Finding Your Way with Starting Point Sunday, January 22, 11:30
Starting Point is small group ministry especially designed for newcomers and those looking to discover Unitarian Universalism and their church all over again. This program will help participants live Unitarian Universalism more fully, bring our history and theology to life, and leave everyone feeling grounded, connected and renewed.
Join Rev. Joyce, newcomers, friends and members looking to make connections and “dig deeper” into Unitarian Universalism.
Starting Point is a 4-week program, we will meet Sunday afternoons from 11:30 – 1:30 pm. Session dates January 22, January 29, February 5, February 12. Register by completing the form at the link below or email revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com https://uurockford.breezechms.com/form/aa23e8
UUA Common Read
What lessons and inspiration can we find in Mistakes and Miracles to guide our
striving for Beloved Community, today?
Let’s read together the story of congregations who are doing the work of
multiculturalism and antiracism.
Buy your book now and join us for Zoom Discussion Series on 4 Tuesdays.
Sign up at Guest Table or https://uurockford.breezechms.com/form/a4490a
January 24 at 6:30pm-Rev. Matthew
February 21 at 6:30pm-Rev. Joyce
March 21 at 6:30pm-Rev. Linda Lawrence
April 18 at 6:30 pm-Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
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
WCCC
WCCC is hosting a Fundraiser to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Roe vs Wade , which made abortion legal in all 50 states on January 22, 1973.
Place – IBEW Hall, 6820 Mill Rd.
Date – Saturday, Jan. 21st
Time – 5:00-7:00pm
Price – $30.00 per person
$15.00 Students
Speakers will include Jeanne Bissel, the administrator of the Maray Drive Family Clinic, and others who will inspire us all. Funds raised will go to WCCC and Scotti’s fund. Please join us for heavy appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite on the WCCC Facebook page under events, or at the door.
Barb Giolitto
WCCC President
Eliminate Racism 815
Book Discussion
Thursday January 26, 2023 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee: Powerful exploration of inequality & lessons that generations of Americans have failed to learn: Racism has a cost for everyone-not just people of color. NY Times Bestseller.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
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 |
