When Hope and History Rhyme
March 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
We will Share the Plate with Natural Land Institute For 65 years, the Natural Land Institute has helped residents of northern Illinois conserve the land they cherish. We are one of the oldest private conservation groups in the Midwest.
We are a member supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land and natural diversity for future generations. Since 1958, NLI has protected, managed, and restored more than 18,000 acres throughout Illinois and southern Wisconsin. These include prairies, forests, wetlands, and river corridors.
Volunteers for Sunday, March 17 Thank you to the Caring team for volunteering for hospitality this Sunday!
Ushers: Myrna and Dick Lake
Greeters: Wanda Hoover and Martha Dunnegan Sign Up Here
Happy Birthday to: Stephen Blomgren (03/12), Dusahn Volk (03/12), Rebecca Beneditz (03/13), Pam J.H. Lonsway (03/14), Lerryn Gough (03/14), Randy Locke (03/15), Lia Gima (03/15), Grace Kruchten (03/15), Matthew Johnson (03/15), Heather Gunnell (03/16), Doug Rix (03/17), & Kathleen Mattison (03/19)!
Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, March 31
We hope that you will join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt that is lovingly planned and implemented for the children and youth of the congregation. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy each other and the beautiful church grounds. We look forward to having you share the joy of this event!
You can do the following things to help ensure the success of the event:
Remember to bring a basket or bag to collect Easter Eggs.
Be sure that at least one adult supervises each child during the event.
Dress appropriately for having fun outside.
Please contact Lindsay Trank at (815)398-6322 ext. 5 or reuurockford@gmail.com with any questions.
Drumming and Spirituality:
A Rhythm Workshop for All
Sunday, March 24
12:15 – 1:45
@ UU Church Rockford
A chance for people of all skill levels to participate in hands-on rhythm-making. Tour instruments from around the world.
Bring your own drum if you have one for those who don’t, drums will be provided.
Let’s play some music together! Bring your own lunch.
Workshop led by Matt Meyer who has led worship for hundreds of congregations. Traveling the country sharing a message of love and justice through rhythm and song.
WCCC
Please join us on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 PM at the Unitarian church, 4848 Turner St.
One of our main focuses is to elect and support, pro-choice candidates, which is more important now than ever if we want to keep our reproductive rights.
Our speakers will include a representative from the State Rep, Maurice West campaign, Nick Meyer, a city administrator who is running for judge, as well as others from the Winnebago county board. Hope to see you there!
Barb Giolitto
WCCC Pres.
Used Shoe Drive Now Over!
We have finished collecting used shoes for shipping overseas. You UUs filled four buckets to overflowing! They, along with hundreds of other shoes from other contributors, will be sent to underdeveloped countries to help locals start their own small businesses. Thanks for your help!
Kathy Spataro McGinty
UUA Common Read
March 21, 6pm Session 1
(Group will decide on additional session dates)
How do we make amends when we’ve created harm?
We are reading Repentance and Repair which offers a contemporary,livley interpretation of an ancient text, inviting people of any and all faiths toward accountability practices.
Books available for purchase at church for $18.
Thursday, April 4th 5:30 – 8:00pm
Kids are welcome to come play at church. We’ll have dinner ready. Maybe we’ll go outside!
Join Gloria Perez, trained Spiritual Director, and a small group of seekers for a spiritual direction group. The group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm on Zoom.
Spiritual Direction explores a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. Simply put, spiritual direction is helping people tell their sacred stories everyday.
If you are interested in joining the group, contact Gloria at gjp68@me.com for more information.
Getting to Know UU Sessions
Join us for our welcome program designed 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 any time. Sessions will repeat monthly.
*Watch 4 Introduction Videos Prior to In-Person Sessions*
March 17 Getting Connected with Rev. Joyce
March 24 Living Our Faith with Lindsay and Allyson
Hope to see you!
Video session takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Julie and Jane: The Story of Julia Lathrop & Jane Addams
Artists’ Ensemble scheduled their new play during March, Women’s History Month. Most people have heard of Jane Addams, the graduate of Rockford College, (Rockford Female Seminary) who created Hull House in Chicago, assisting many new immigrants to thrive. But we don’t remember Julia Lathrop, a Rockford-born activist who earned international fame.
I have season subscriptions to Artists’ Ensemble. I was curious whether this new production would be that different from last year’s pilot read-through. It was not only different, but enticingly improved. The full play version includes more than facts; it has emotions from anger to frustration to humor. The two main characters are fleshed out into personalities. And the third actor who plays 14 different characters, provides a lot of the humor in the play.
This play runs at Rockford University’s Cheek Theater through Sunday, March 24th. Tickets can be reserved at:
Our Faith in Action Team leaders encourage you to fill out this Community Health Assessment for Winnebago County. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is a way to have our UU Principles and values represented in local policy making on social justice issues such as housing and food access. Click here or scan the QR code to get started!
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 & Relationships, focusing on selecting partners, navigating potential miscommunications (what constitutes rape?), and considering obstacles to long-term relationships. Folks are welcome to join for a single session or sign up for all of them.
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 Collectiveis 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!
The next pick-up will be on March 19, 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!
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
Severson Dells Nature Center
Wednesday, March 13, 5:30-7:00 pm
8786 Montague Road
Rockford, IL, 61102
Seasoned Severson steward or an eager beaver ready to serve? Join us for a fun evening of community, snacks, and learning! We are looking to grow and strengthen our team of education volunteers! For the returning volunteers, we want to hear your voice and vision as we plan for an exciting season of programs. If you are new, learn all about the opportunities you have to help children connect with nature! Join us from 5:30-7:00 pm at Severson Dells on March 13; hors d’oeuvres provided.
On Wednesday, April 10, distinguished authors Richard Rothstein (The Color of Law; Just Action) and daughter Leah Rothstein (Just Action) will present a 45-minute lecture followed by Q&A focused on addressing residential segregation in our community. The Rothsteins’ lecture will be centered around their latest co-authored book, Just Action, which describes how we can begin to address segregation in our community, providing dozens of strategies local groups can pursue for racial housing justice.
This event is being co-hosted by Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity and Rock Valley College’s PAIC office as well as a collective of planning partners. It is made possible thanks to a generous Healing Illinois Grant through the Field Foundation and Illinois Department of Human Services. There is no cost to attend.
I hope to see you there, and I hope you’ll join us in committing to action around this issue! Please help spread the word to others in our community.
What: Housing Justice Symposium with Richard Rothstein and Leah Rothstein
When:Wednesday,April 10
5:00 – Doors Open
5:30 – Event Start
7:30 – Book Signing (ends at 8:00) A limited number of books will be sold on site
Where: Rock Valley College Physical Education Center (3301 North Mulford Road, Rockford IL, 61114)
Register: While not required, we would appreciate registrations at:
Rockford’s First Official Pride Parade will be held downtown on June 1st, 2024! We need lots of volunteers to make this a success. Please sign up to help out at https://www.rockfordareapride.org/contact-8
The MidAmerica Region is coming together – both online and at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 of 2024 for a multiplatform Regional Assembly!
Our Keynote address will be given by the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.
There will be workshops, the Annual Business Meeting of the MidAmerica Region, and opportunities to meet many UU Leaders from across our faith tradition.
For those who are in person, there will even be opportunities to tour this historic church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
But most importantly, it is a time for us to come together as Unitarian Universalists from across the MidAmerica Region.
Bayside UU Family Camp
Looking for a great summer experience? Join us at Bayside UU Family Camp held at Lutherdale Camp on the shores of Lauderdale Lakes in Elkhorn, WI. This year, camp will take place June 30th – July 6th. This special week includes adult workshops, activities for children, free time for family fun and relaxation, and intergenerational activities. For more information visit our website at baysideuu.wixsite.com/baysideuu or contactbaysideuu@gmail.com.
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: Spitty Tata
Clerk: Kim Lowman Vollmer
Vice-President: Matt Menze
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Clark Logemann, Sarah Greer, & Rebecca Beneditz
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
