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I Call That Nation Free?
June 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Juneteenth celebrates an advance of freedom, but not its completion. Their remains work to do – and now, in this precarious moment, we are called to the work of freedom once again. We’ll reflect, too, on Fathers day.
We will share the plate with Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors Northern Illinois Justice For Our Neighbors (NIJFON) provides free high-quality legal services to low-income immigrants, engages in education and advocacy efforts and builds cross-cultural relationships.
In addition to legal services provided by skilled attorneys at clinics across Northern Illinois, staff and volunteers provide hospitality and needed childcare, assist with requisite paperwork and offer a free legal consultation for every immigrant who comes to the clinic.
Rooted in the United Methodist Church and moved by our faith to welcome immigrants, we are a non-profit organization that welcomes people of all background and faiths.
Happy Birthday to: Diane Kuehl (Jun 12), Fred Rogers (Jun 13), Glenda Shaver (Jun 13), Victoria Powell (Jun 14), Blakely Asbury (Jun 15), Deb Bridges (Jun 15), James Maier (Jun 15), Mary Runestad (Jun 15), Carolyn Bailey (Jun 17), Cecily Hansen (Jun 17), & Ranay Ivan (Jun 17)!
Matthew’s Memo My eldest child graduated from High School on Saturday. On one hand, it was hard to believe – I remember holding this infant in my arms like it was yesterday. On the other hand, of course, it makes perfect sense – they have lived, learned, grown, and become their own person and are very ready for their next adventure.
It has me thinking about time. In middle age, time is hard to measure. The years roll by, and you look around and wonder where it went. The growth of children is the marker for the time that has passed. When I think of the years gone by, I remember a thing about each year – that’s the year I went to Israel, or that’s the year that relationship began or ended, or that’s the year that I started running, and so forth.
Milestones are an invitation to intentionality. Next year, I will be 50. Now that IS hard to believe! When we step back, we remember that time is not infinite. I have memorialized enough to know that. And what we remember – the experiences, the learnings, the growth, the moments of change – these are the things that make a life. Sometimes we need to not rush and be present. And other times, it is useful to remember that we must make meaning and joy of the days we have. Blink, and you miss it.
What milestones are shaping your life? How do you want to measure these things? What do you want to change? Is now the time?
What is Juneteenth All About?
Rockford’s Celebration of Juneteenth
June 11th, 6:00 pm
Join the Racial and Economic Justice Team for a Wonderful Wednesday presentation by Tommy Meeks. Learn about the origins of this holiday and the creation of the Rockford celebration. We hope you can join us!
Sunday Morning Meditation
1st and 3rd Sundays
9:15 in the Library
The next session is June 15
We meet to meditate together and center ourselves for the day. Please join us for Sunday Morning Meditation.
Our UU Library has added these books to our collection: Final Gifts by Maggie Callahan The Essence of Sufism by John Baldock
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 Board of Trustees:
President: Matt Menze
Clerk: Kim Lowman Vollmer
Vice-President: Wendy Bennett
Treasurer: Bob Spelman Trustees: Clark Logemann, Rebecca Beneditz, Neita Webster
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
