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Heaven Knows Where We Are Going (General Assembly Recap) July 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
I’ll share the themes and questions that struck me from our national meeting. How do we face change when we don’t know what’s next? How do we heal our hearts and relationships? What does the Beloved Community feel like?
We will Share the Plate with Minister’s Discretionary Fund
The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is to help members in times of need and to help with leadership development. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Henry Fellars (06/25), Marilyn Paladino (06/27), Jamie Gaffke (06/28), Geraldine Carter (06/29), Jamie Johannsen (06/29), Pamela Moore (06/30), Billy Christensen (06/30), Ted Zobal (07/01), Emma Shackleton (07/01), Duane Wilke (07/02), Pamela Wilson (07/02), Steve Lewis (07/03), & Jim Spelman (07/04)!
Church member Lola M. Gustafson, 94, died Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Wesley Willows Healthcare Center. A memorial service to honor Lola will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023, at The Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner Street. Reception to follow service at the church.
Volunteers for Sunday, July 2 Greeters: Neita Webster & We Need 1 More
Guest Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
Ushers: 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. Spitty and others are happy to help you become familiar with how to handle this easy job. Sign Up Here
Matthew’s Memo
June 27 2023
I’m back from a wonderful General Assembly. I’ll share more about GA, and the state of Unitarian Universalist, on Sunday, but here are some key highlights to know.
We officially elected the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betencourt as the next President of the UUA. She will serve a six-year term. She is an ethicist and theologian who has served as a parish minister and as a professor. She is thoughtful and spiritually grounded in a way that will serve us well. Her key priorities include community care, building connections, and dealing with uncertainty together. She’s an Afro-Latina proudly Queer woman and I’ve been delighted to get to know her better through my role on the UUA’s election committee – I was the moderator for two panels with her, including one at GA.
We approved the new Article 2 revision for another year of discussion, setting up a final vote next year. The vote to move forward was 86% in favor, a strong mandate. Both the amendments I helped to write and spoke in favor of passed and many thanked me for my leadership on the issue. I’m very glad it is moving forward – I’m very ready for this change.
We also voted down a Business Resolution that would have required the UUA to divest from not just fossil fuel companies (which we mostly already do) but also from banks that finance them. This would have made the volatility and fees for our investments impossible to justify – so though we support the goal of ending fossil fuel dominance, our Board agreed to oppose this resolution. It was not close to the amount needed to pass, though it was painful to the activists and leadership who had pushed for it. But we will find ways to move forward that actually work.
On Sunday, I’ll talk more about the themes and conversations that I took away from this experience, and what it means for where Unitarian Universalist is and where we might be going.
In faith,
Matthew
Hi friends!
I’m absolutely THRILLEDthat we will be hosting the legendary Holly Near in concert, with her trio of musicians, on Thursday, July 20th, at 7 pm. Holly Near is a prolific singer/songwriter and peace and justice activist. You know her song, “We Are a Gentle Angry People.” This is a real treat to have her here. Please come and be part of this special event.
Please spread the word and invite your friends to come as well!
In faith,
Matthew
The office will be closed from July 3 – July 5th. We will be back in the office on July 6th. submissions for the July 4th Kairos are due this Friday, June 30th.
Building and Grounds Update!
Johnson Controls will be starting work on the alarm system and smoke detectors on July 5th.
On-Site Coordinators Needed
We are looking for 3 members who want to be our on-site coordinators for rental parties. This is a paid position. Your job will be to open the building for them and remain at the church during the entire event, go through a clean-up checklist making sure the rental party has done everything before leaving and locking up the building. Rentals are typically Saturdays and are done by 10:00 p.m. Please contact Autumn at office@uurockford.org if you would like to help out or if you have any questions.
Join us for a conversation on how to continue the learning from the stories in Mistakes and Miracles. We are meeting via Zoom at 4pm on Tuesday, July 13. If you would like to join us, use the link below. Questions? Contact Rev Joyce at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
Rockford UU Lunch Group
After coffee hour/meetings on Sundays, a group gathers for lunch at various locations. It’s usually Bob Babcock and Doug Rix, often with Sue and Scott Garwick. It’s a time to get to know each other deeper and form a better community. Tap any of us any Sunday and see what we’re doing if you’d like to join us. PLAN ON IT!!! Or Call Bob at 630.417.0042
Social Justice
Eliminate Racism 813
Film Discussion
Friday July 14, 2023 6:00 p.m.
We will watch Resolving Trauma and How We Can Be the Healingby Dr. Joy DeGruy – Spirit of Humanity Forum.
Join us at the Baha’i Center 1650 N Alpine: Lower level in Highcrest Shopping Center.
We will show the film at The Baha’i Center in person with a facilitated discussion after the showing of the film.
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
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
Drag Q+A Krystal Ball
FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023 AT 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Talcott Free Library
Join us in welcoming drag artist, Krystal Ball, who will be stopping in to show off makeup and costuming skills and to answer questions about the art of drag. This program is LGBTQ+ friendly and anyone interested can attend.
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 |
