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Juneteenth and the Meaning of Freedom June 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
The Holiday of Juneteenth, celebrated today, honors the end of slavery and the announcement of freedom. But what is freedom, and how do we protect it? Learning more of the true story of this holiday will help us understand that freedom is more complicated than we sometimes pretend, and give us some ideas about how to nurture freedom in our times.
We will Share the Plate with PFLAG
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families. PFLAG’s network of hundreds of chapters and more than 250,000 members and supporters works to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Mary Runestad (06/15), James Maier (06/15), Merrick Johnson (06/15), Deb Bridges (06/15), Carolyn Bailey (06/17), Ranay Ivan (06/17), Paul Jordan (06/17), & Joanne Johnson (06/22)!
Colleen McDonald completed her service to Rockford District 205 on June 9 and is now fully retired. (She spent the last two weeks of her career on medical leave, after a [surprise!] appendectomy on June 1; she is healing well.)
Volunteers for Sunday, June 19
Ushers: Dick Lake & Myrna Lake
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
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.
We had a wonderful Annual Meeting on Sunday after church. The congregation worked through each item and approved, unanimously in each case, the business of the church. That included:
Electing Judy Gustafson as the new President of the Board; Spitty Tata as VP, Bob Spelman for a second year as clerk, Steve Blomgren as the new Treasurer, Jami Edmonds to fulfill an unexpired at-large term on the Board (she’s been doing so since the fall) and Shoko Chien as the new at-large Board member (joining Sarah Greer). You also elected new members to the Nominating Panel and added Jessica Hodierne to the Conflict Management Panel (joining Amy Brandon and Matt Menze).
You approved the allocations from the Permeant Funds and the Budget. You also approved the proposal from the Memorials Committee to redo the Memorial Patio. The contract will be signed this week and that work should begin soon.
You approved the new mission and vision as well. They are: Vision
A loving congregation that connects with ourselves, one another, and the larger community. 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 Connolly Award was given to Allyson Rosemore, for her wonderful work for sustainable food justice, youth empowerment, and healthy communities. The UU of the Year was given to Duane and Sue Wilke, celebrating their service to so many parts of the church. And we remember those who have died since our last Annual Meeting: Dorothy Hill, Evelyn Johnson, Anne Haub, and Grandon Tolstedt.
Thank you!
In faith,
Matthew
P.S. I will be at General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, and then on vacation in Seattle, WA, from June 19th through June 29th. Contact Autumn or Joyce if you need anything during that time.
Justice for All
There will be two days of Juneteenth celebrations at the Sinnissippi Park Band Shell. Both on Saturday (18) and Sunday (19) will be programming from 3:00 to 8:45 pm. In addition, on Sunday there will be a church service from 11:00 to 1:00 and a Black Graduation from 1:00 to 3:00.
In lieu of a sermon discussion, join the festivities starting at 3:00 or whenever you get there. You may bring your own chair or sit on a bench.
Justice for All
Eliminate Racism Book Discussion
Thursday June 30, 2022 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of The Undocumented American. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio was on DACA when she decided to write about being undocumented using her own name. She embarked on a trip across the country telling DACA stories.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487 Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
Film Discussion
Friday July 8 2022
6-8:30 p.m.
Black in Minneapolis: A modern-day Malcolm X story, told through the eyes of a Black man who witnesses his brother’s murder by police during a routine traffic stop by generating a movement of Black people to fight against systemic oppression through community organizing, political policy, and force.
Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Amanda Tapfield
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Judy Gustafson
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Khanh Oehlke, Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
A modern-day Malcolm X story, told through the eyes of a Black man who witnesses his brother’s murder by police during a routine traffic stop by generating a movement of Black people to fight against systemic oppression through community organizing, political policy, and force.
