Yin and Yang March 20, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Our final service on Taoism. Yin and Yang are about balance, and about how we need both sides of a thing to have fullness. How do we live with balance? What happens when we get unbalanced and how do we get back? Also, thoughts about the relationship between Taoism and “The Force”, and some reflections on good and evil.
We will Share the Plate this week with Rockford Promise
Rockford Promise is a non-profit 501(c)(3) location-based scholarship program that offers full-tuition scholarships to deserving graduates of Rockford Public School District 205. Modeled after Promise programs around the nation, our goal is to increase educational attainment in our community while providing a powerful economic incentive for residents and businesses to locate in the Rockford region. For more information click here. Click Here to Donate
Memorial Service for Ann Haub, on March 19th at 1pm.
Refreshments to follow in Deale Hall.
Volunteers for Sunday, March 20 Ushers: Dick Lake & Myrna Lake
Greeters: Teresa Wilmot & We need 1 more volunteer
Guest Table: We Need 2
Coffee Hosts: We Need 2 Please note that if you volunteer for coffee host you will need to clean up afterward and run the cups through the sanitizer.
Email office@uurockford.org or assistminister@uurockford.org and let us know what you would like to volunteer for!
Thank you!
Matthew’s Memo March 15, 2022
Today is my 45th birthday, which is hard for me to believe. In my imagination, I’m still in my late 20’s, perhaps. Or 12, awkward and pre-teen. But no, I am now irrevocably “middle-age.” This has got me in a reflective mood.
My life has not gone exactly the way I expected – yes in some places, no in others – but I take much solace in noticing that the same is true of almost everyone I know. I take more vitamins and medications than I used to, and am glad for it – it makes me feel better! I get more sleep, most of the time, and try to really do the things I enjoy.
A few years ago, I went to a “life-review” retreat, where I looked at all I had done and learned and hoped for. I came away with a few key priorities, and that has helped me say “no” to things that were not core. (Or to say yes, but in a more limited way). We have to chose what matters most, and give that our focus.
When I came to you as your minister, I was 31. It was actually exactly 14 years ago today when the search committee called me to offer me the chance to be your candidate for ministry. They didn’t know it was my birthday – we had just finished cake. It was a great day to get such good news. I am grateful to spend so much of my life with you.
The church, the world, and I have all changed since then. We will keep doing that – learning, growing, and figuring out what matters most. What is worthy of our energy and our time? What is worthy of your energy and your time? Let’s do that.
In faith,
Matthew
P.S. I will be on vacation next week, from Sunday afternoon until the following Monday.
Sermon Discussion
The Justice For All Team is reinstating the Sermon Discussion every third Sunday in the Library. So, after the service, grab your coffee and join us to share your thoughts. (Wearing your name tag is always helpful.)
Path to Membership Class!
Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford is pleased to announce the 2022 PATH to Membership Class will take place on Saturday, April 9 from 9:30 – 2:00 at UU Church, Rockford. Library. Rev. Matthew, Rev. Joyce, and members of the Membership Team will provide an overview of the church and ways to connect. Come out and meet other newcomers and get your questions answered.
Details
When: April 9, 9:30 – 2:00
Where: UU Church Rockford Library
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, membership, and meeting other exciting newcomers
Join us for pickleball on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00. In cooler weather we play at Sports Factory; in warmer weather we play at Sinnissippi. Contact anyone you recognize or leave your email with Autumn office@uurockford.org. Look for upcoming announcements on lessons.
Book Discussion
Thursday March 31, 2022 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist’s Memoir of the Jim Crow South by Winfred Rembert. Rembert grew up in Georgia & joined the Civil Rights Movement as a teen-ager and was arrested after fleeing a demonstration. At age of fifty-one Rembert started drawing & painting scenes from his youth of Civil Rights Movement & chain gangs using leather tooling skills he learned in prison.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
TOMORROW the Illinois House Judiciary Committee-Criminal meets at 4 pm to consider SB3180, mandating accountability at the point of contact for interaction with families supporting their incarcerated loved ones. A DO PASS will move the bill out of committee so it can be voted on by the General Assembly. We need your help to be a PROPONENT of the bill by submitting a witness slip today.
Perhaps the most important element in the rehabilitation of incarcerated folks is reliable contact with their loved ones on the outside. And the most frequent complaint of their families and supporters is that they are prevented from visiting and other contact through arbitrary prohibitions leveled by the various institutions of incarceration.
SB3180 mandates that point of contact persons for prisons must report annually to the General Assembly the outcome of complaints lodged against the practices of their institution. SB3180 will allow for legislators to know on a regular basis how Illinois families are being treated by our carceral institutions, perhaps resulting in further legislation protecting these vulnerable communities.
Section 1: Fill in your info, register yourself as “self” or “UUANI”
Section 2: Register yourself as “self”, “citizen, “UUANI”
Section 3: Select “proponent”
Section 4: select “Record of Appearance only,” unless you plan to be there
Sign onto the ILGA terms of agreement (left corner), and “create slip” (right corner)
**While you’re at it, register your OPPOSITION to repealing the Safe-T Act (including no money bond). HR598 is also up for consideration TOMORROW at 4. Start HERE, remembering this time to join the OPPONENTS.
Partnered with UU Prison Ministry of Illinois and Restore Justice Illinois
Good Afternoon Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity Partners,
While it feels like the year has only just begun, we are already gearing up for our 2022 construction season which kicks off this May. In 2021 we built homes for six families and that is thanks to our volunteers and community partners like yourself. This year we are doing it all again and adding one additional home to the count, bringing us to building home for seven amazing families. Yes, SEVEN! We can’t believe it either. Rockford has shown us year after year that you are willing to support us and adding an additional home to the roster is only possible because of you. We have said it many times in the past and will continue to remind you that we are beyond grateful and blessed to have the community supporting us, so together, we can continue to build hope one home at a time.
This year we are looking for even more community support to fill roughly 80 build days. While that may sound intimidating, we know it is a request our community will fill. So, what exactly am I asking of you today? Sign up NOW for your 2022 build day. Come swing a hammer with us starting THIS May with your business, family, church, club or as a friend group. No experience, no problem! We have a group of talented house leaders to lead you through the day. All you need is a willingness to learn, work, have fun, and likely shed a little sweat.
CLICK HERE to take a look at our building schedule and read a bit more about what exactly a build day looks like. Have questions or concerns about volunteering? Reach out to me and we can discuss more.
We are counting down the days until we kick-off this year’s construction season and we cannot wait to do it alongside our community,
Greta Sanders, Volunteer Manager
Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity
5183 Harlem Rd. Suite 3 | Loves Park, Il 61111
Office: 815-636-4573
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 |
