Matthew’s Memo
 
Our annual meeting is Sunday after worship and I hope you will plan to attend.  In Unitarian Universalism, the ultimate governors of the congregation is the congregation itself.  The members of the church hold responsibility for the institution.  You elect leaders to manage the affairs of the church between annual meetings, but it is you who own this place.
 
I’m very grateful to Gary Lawrence, who worked hard to recruit folks for leadership for the coming year as a member of the nominating panel.  We have an excellent slate of leaders for you to approve.  Some of them have done these roles before, or similar ones, and were happy to come back and do it again.  Others are new to leadership and getting to know the congregation and how it works.  Thank you, Gary, for getting folks to say yes!
 
The budget of the church, which you can see a top level summary of by reading the agenda (a link is in this Kairos), reflects the priorities of the board and the church.  We have made significant increases in compensation for those employees who have taken on more and more responsibility, and who were underpaid according to the UUA’s fair compensation recommendations.  The advantage of long-term staff is immense – the built networks or relationships, understanding how things work, the wider perspective.  These things are worth paying for, and this budget does this.  It takes care of our administrative and building costs, and it increases our contribution to the UUA. 
 
All this is possible because of your generous giving.  If you haven’t made your pledge for the coming year, it’s not too late!  Go to uurockford.org and click on the Pledge Form link at the very top of the page in yellow.  Or pick up and fill out a form on Sunday.  If you haven’t pledged for next year, and usually give, we will carry forward your pledge at the same amount – so let us know if you want to change it!
 
We’ll also approve the allocation from the legacy funds, which is a good reason to offer thanks to all those who have given to the church in their will, bequest, or insurance.  These contributions carry forward the legacy of these givers, and we are grateful. 
 
A balanced budget, with raises and funded programs, and most of our UUA contribution – this is something to celebrate.  The hard work of staff, including Autumn Powell (office manager) and Lindsay Trank and Lauren Smith (Woodsong Co-Directors), is essential.  And I want to offer a special gratitude to Steve Lewis, the chair of the finance committee, whose dedicated and thoughtful management of the congregation’s resources is a gift to our mission and ministry. 
 
See you Sunday!
 
In faith,
Matthew

It’s not too late!  

Thank you to all who have already made their pledge for the coming year.  We have had a wonderful campaign, with so much support for our shared ministry.  If you haven’t told us about your gift yet, you can do that now by clicking on this link: https://uurockford.churchcenter.com/people/forms/706108

We want everyone to participate, so if you are a member or active friend of the church, please do so today!

Thank you.

Parents’ Night Out Thursday, June 6 5:30 – 8:00
Kids are invited to spend some time at church while you take some time to yourself. We will have a dinner/snack available and time to play.

Please sign up here.

This will be our last Parents Night Out until September.

We are pleased to announce that the Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford will hold a Child Dedication during worship on Sunday, June 9, 2024.  The dedication will be a simple ritual in which the congregation commits to the spiritual welfare and development of the child and their family.  Though the ritual is not a baptism, some similar symbolism will be incorporated into the ceremony.  Children of any age who have not previously been dedicated are welcome to participate in the ritual.  Children who participate are welcome to have their parents and siblings as well as one or two sponsors join them at the front of the sanctuary during the dedication.  If you would like to participate in the Child Dedication, please e-mail Lindsay Trank at reuurockford@gmail.com by Wednesday, June 5.  We hope you will join us for this special occasion!

Supporting WNIJ-FM
 
I admit, I’m an NPR junkie.  If you have your preset on 89.5 and listen to “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” you’re probably already donating to this station.  But your dollars can go even farther if you donate to  them through this church.  One hundred percent of the dollars donated specifically to WNIJ on our website will go to WNIJ over time as we fund spot announcements of our Rockford congregation.  It’s still a donation for IRS purposes, but to the church, and it supports our “addiction,” as well.
 
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot

Sunday Morning Meditation

Led by Mario Caputo

Meets 1^st and 3^rd Sundays starting June 2

Enjoy group meditation from 9:15 to 9:45, before the Sunday Service! Yogic meditation helps to strengthen and integrate body, mind and soul while bringing a sense of calmness, well-being, and ever deepening self-realization to the devoted practitioner.

Explore a low-impact energizing yoga, scientific healing affirmations and guided breathwork meditation in a small group setting led by Mario Caputo. Mario began studying meditation 28 years ago and has practiced twice a day for the past decade.” We will meet in the Library, possibly outside when the weather is nice.

The Nominating Panel is pleased to announce the slate of candidates to be approved at the Annual Meeting on June 9th, 2024.  

For the Board:
For President: Matt Menze (1-year term)
For Vice-President: Wendy Bennett (1-year term)
For Treasurer: Bob Spleman (1-year term)
For Clerk: Kim Lowman Volmer (1-year term)
For At-Large: Neita Webster (3-year term)
Note: Rebecca Beneditz and Clark Logemann continue as at-large Trustees.

For Covenant and Safety Team:
Alexis Simmons (3-year term)
Note: Matt Menze and Amy Brandon continue as members of the Covenant and Safety Team

For the Nominating Panel:
Spitty Tata (2-year term)
Katy Conrad (2-year term)
Reene Mealey (2-year term)
Larry Hughes (1-year term)
Note: Gary Lawrence continues as a member of the Nominating Panel.

We thank all those who have agreed to serve!

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.

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  |