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Caregiving Starts From Within: Self-care for Those who Care for Others
February 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Joyce Palmer & Dr. Teresa Barnes Burn out is real! This message is for those who hold the reality and pain for others while needing this same holding. Dr. Teresa Barnes will talk about the importance of self-care for those who minister and attend to others’ needs while sharing simple strategies on how to do this by addressing the needs of the mind, body, and soul.
Teresa Barnes, PhD, LCSW, is a holistic psychotherapist, speaker, and bestselling author.
Dr. Barnes’ career in mental health spans almost 30 years, working in social service agencies, hospitals, schools, and private practice. Dr. Barnes is passionate about “healing for the healers” and has built her brand around promoting mental wellness for healers who are also mothers. Because her mission was birthed from lived experience, Dr. Barnes incorporates the message of “mothering your own mind” as her platform for speaking engagements, consultations, and training centered around self-care for providers.
We will Share the Plate with Midwest Reproductive Health Care We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports the Midwest region, including Northwestern IL , Iowa, and Wisconsin. We believe that everyone deserves the right to exercise their full bodily autonomy, and that comprehensive reproductive healthcare is a human right that should be accessible to all. We work through grant making and fundraising to support access to family planning services, research, advocacy, and policy development, with a focus on reproductive health services and education, and empowering individuals and communities to make informed choices about their reproductive lives. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Ana Maria Warner (Jan 28), Nancy Hyzer (Jan 29), Xander Brandon (Jan 29), Kendra Asbury (Jan 30), Sue Garwick (Jan 31), Martha Zinn (Feb 02), Andrew Larson (Feb 03), & Carla Towns-Gifford (Feb 03)!
Celebration of Life Jesse Parker
Please join us to celebrate Jesse on Saturday, January 31, at 11 am. We will meet at the UU Church. Reception to follow.
Need some things to do in the new year? There are a few events from our annual auction back in November that still have open spots! The events that are available are listed below with the Buy It Now price.
If you are interested in joining any of these events, please email Steve Lewis (lewissk@aol.com) or Rebecca Beneditz (rebecca.beneditz@gmail.com).
The NVC Practice Group will meet Wednesday, 1/28, from 6:00 – 7:30 in the Library.
Saving Energy at Home: A Presentation by Barb Basaj Sunday, February 1
After Service in the Library
We all know that saving energy is helpful for the planet as well as our budget. Most of us have done some things to reduce our energy usage, but what if there’s something we’ve missed? Or what if we know we have a drafty, poorly insulated home, but don’t know where to start? And what about those new technologies that are out there–do they live up to the hype? If these questions are on your mind, you’re likely to learn something useful during this presentation. Information will also be provided on local rebates and incentives.
The cost is $12 per person with 6 people per lane. You can sign up with friends or share a lane with other church members. Sign up ends at 12:00pm on February 8, 2026.
Don’t want to bowl? Come hang out or have dinner at the bowling alley!
Two Ways to Sign Up:
1. Sign up virtually
here.
2. Sign up in person on Sunday, February 1st (Look for Art & Rebecca Beneditz) or Sunday, February 8th (Look for Kendra Asbury) after church in Deale Hall.
Two Ways to Pay:
1. CASH – Have exact amount
2. Venmo what you owe to Kendra Asbury Kendra-Asbury-1 (815-979-1432)
Getting to Know UU
Newcomers Welcome!
Sunday, February 8
11:30 – 1:00
Curious about Unitarian Universalism or new to our congregation? Join us for Getting to Know UU on Sunday, February 8, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. This friendly session offers a brief look at our history, theology, religious education programs, and simple ways to get connected in the life of the church.
Come learn, ask questions, and meet others, whether you’re brand new or just ready to find your next step. All are welcome!
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.
Community Events
The Sierra Club, along with many others, makes up the Clean Jobs Coalition that was responsible for passing a lot of clean energy legislation
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 |
