Matthew’s Memo
January 9, 2024
 
Happy New Year!  I hope you are ready to dive into the spiritual life, the work of justice-making, volunteering, engaging, and learning together.  I hope that you are ready to nurture your heart and feed your soul. 
 
The new year is a good time to ask yourself “What makes me come alive?”  And then do more of that and less of what isn’t that.  This is my form of a resolution.  Not “change me” but “do more of what feeds my soul and less of what doesn’t.”  So, I’ve recommitted to strength training, which makes me feel stronger and healthier.  I’ve put some fun and creative events on my calendar and said yes to some small trips.  These aren’t things I’m not doing, but things I want to do more of. 
 
What about you?  What feeds you?  What do you want more of in your life?  Are there things you want to let go of to make space for those things? 
 
Here at the church, we are diving into the new year with gusto.  We know a lot of folks are concerned about the rising threat of fascism, and tomorrow’s Wonderful Wednesday program will be a great opportunity to learn how it works – and how to fight it.  We anticipate a large effort through “UU the Vote” to engage in this fall’s election on behalf of our values, so look for more of that to come.  We invite you to join one of our Faith in Action Issue/Action Teams – the Racial and Economic Justice Team (2^nd Sunday after church), the Sex and Gender Justice Team (4^th Sunday after church), and the EcoJustice Team (meeting on zoom during the winter, contact Allyson Rosemore for link).  These are ways to engage the work – and connect with others!
 
We also have Soul Matters group, to make connections and grow your spirit.  Rev. Joyce can get you signed up for one that meets your schedule. Love to sing?  Join the choir!  They rehearse Thursdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 9:15 am.  We continue to need volunteers for our Religious Education Program (see Lindsay to fill out the forms) and for Sunday hospitality – see Rev. Joyce if you’d like to pick a regular Sunday. 
 
If the new year includes getting more connected and growing your spirit, I hope engaging with the church in one of these ways, or another is on your list. 
 
In faith,
Matthew

WCCC
Hello Everyone,

Our monthly WCCC membership meeting is this Tuesday, January 9^th at 6:30 PM.  This month’s subject will be…

Identifying Fake Clinics: Crisis Pregnancy Centers… a Planned Parenthood Teach-in, presented by Rhiannon Fox, Volunteer, and will be VIRTUAL ONLY, via Zoom.  Please respond by sending an email back to this address (winnco4choice@gmail.com) if you would like to attend and we will email you the Zoom log in information.                                                   
Hope to “see” you then.

Barb Giolitto, President

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.

Link to the essay https://uuma.org/berry-street-essay/2023-berry-street-essay-the-reverend-cecilia-kingman/

“Musica Sacra:  Liturgical Song,”
Camerata Emanon Singers Winter Concert

Saturday, January 20, 2024, 7:30pm
Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 N. 1st St., Rockford

The Camerata Emanon Singers, led by Tim Anderson, will perform “Musica Sacra:  Liturgical Song,” an evening celebrating the rich choral tradition of setting liturgical texts to music.

The program includes works by Victoria, Mozart, Durufle, Murrill, Lauridsen and Halmos, culminating in the Rockford-area premiere of the new setting of the “Missa Brevis” for choir and organ by renowned British composer John Rutter. Accompanist for this concert is organist Jean Anderson.

 Tickets:  $10 at the door, cash or check

Getting to Know UU Sessions

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. 

Video session takes about 30 minutes to complete
1. A History of Unitarianism: BaseCamp: 5 Minute History of Unitarianism
 

BaseCamp: 5 Minute History of Unitarianism

2. A History of Universalism: BaseCamp: A History of Universalism in 5 Minutes
 

BaseCamp: A History of Universalism in …

3.   UU theology video by Rev. Matthew Johnson: (12 minutes): UU theology by Matthew Johnson
 

UU theology by Matthew Johnson

4. After you’ve watched Matthew’s Theology video, watch this video of “Holy Now” by Peter Mayer: Peter Mayer “Holy Now” (with lyrics in captions)
 

Peter Mayer “Holy Now” (with lyrics in…

Questions, email Rev Joyce at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com

for  Adults

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 Collective is 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! 

To register as a customer visit: https://refc.localfoodmarketplace.com/

The next pick-up will be on January 16, 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!

We look forward to serving you!

Eliminate Racism 815

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 Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL  |   4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107   |   815-398-6322    |   uurockford.org  |