NOTICE of Special Congregational Meeting
April 2^nd, 11am
 
The Board has called a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 2^nd, immediately following worship.  One item is on the agenda: to approve a contract with M. Spinello and Son Locksmith to change our office doors from a keyed system to a keycard system.  This bid, for $11,186.50, is very close to the 2% threshold of our operating budget that requires a special meeting, so the Board would like your approval.  The funds come from our Capital Maintenance Reserve fund, so no special fundraising is required.
 
More than 100 physical keys are currently out to church members, renters, and others – an unacceptable situation.  A modern keycard system allows us to turn off a keycard after authorized use and keep our building secure.  The bid also includes a switch for Autumn, our office manager, to unlock the Office doors from her desk instead of coming all the way around to let in a member, visitor, or delivery person.  The bid includes door hardware, electronics, wiring, and labor to install this cloud-based system. 
 
If you have detailed questions about this project, please ask Dave Schubert, building and grounds chair.  Please plan to stay after worship on the 2^nd for a few minutes for us to call the meeting to order and then to vote.  We do not anticipate a long conversation about the project at the meeting, so please get your questions, if any, answered in advance. 

Passover Seder:  Good Friday, April 7^th, 6 pm
 
I have a special memory of the 1982 Seder.  This was the first time my partner, Frank Dajka, attended any Unitarian Universalist Church.  He told me he was worried that lightning would strike the church; it didn’t.  In time he would admit that he had been a “closet Unitarian” for years and become a member.
 
I invite you to share our congregation’s celebration of this Jewish ritual and a UU plea for freedom for all.  Join us in asking the 4 questions, in learning the meaning of items on the Seder plate, in tasting Jewish traditional foods like matzoh. gefeltefish and macaroons, and sharing food and conversation with our members.
 
I need your reservations by Sunday, April 2^nd, the day I drive to Buffalo Grove to buy the special foods.  Children are welcome participants.  Included is a 5-course meal.  A vegan entrée is available.
 
You may reserve in person after the worship service on April 2^nd or you may email Autumn this week at at office@uurockford.org.  Copy and paste this into your email:
          ­­­­­­­­­­­­___________________________________________
 
Family Name:­­­­­­. _______________________________
 
          Number of adults (@ $12.00):                           _____
 
          Number of children 10 or over (@$6.00):           _____
 
          Number of children 5 to 9 (@$3.00):                  _____
 
          Number of vegetarian/vegan meals:                  _____
 
          Volunteer task; each family checks one option
 
_____ Set-up, arrive at 5:15 pm
 
          _____ Serve Food during meal
 
          _____ Clean-up after meal
          ____________________________________________
 
The cost can be paid at the Seder by check or cash.

Submitted by Teresa Wilmot

White Oak Grove CUUPs – Sunday April 2, 2023 at 12:30 in Deale Hall – Ostara – BUNNIES! Make and Take craft. Bring something chocolate to share (finger food preferred; bring plates and forks to share if needed.)
Please sign up at https://fb.me/e/5sshLaG13 so we make sure to have enough supplies for the craft!

We will be hosting our traditional Easter Egg Hunt for families on Sunday, April 9.  Please email Lindsay Trank, Director of Religious Education, at reuurockford@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer to help make the event possible.  We need help assembling gift bags prior to that Sunday as well as help with setting up before and cleaning up after the event.  Set up begins around 8:30 am – donuts provided!

UU Church Rockford Adult Program

$AVVY, Saturday, May 6, 3 – 5pm
RPL Nordlof Center 

One or our Adult Programs in May is showing the documentary $AVVY, an award-winning film aimed at empowering women to take control of their financial lives. My hope in sharing this film with the Rockford community is to start conversations and connect people with resources to support action. Financial knowledge can increase our emotional and spiritual peace as we become able to meet ours and our families’ needs. Financial freedom is important for women to have independence and choices about their future and to live with dignity and safety.

Although the focus is on women, director of the film Robin Hauser states, “$avvy is a film for women, by women, but by no means does the film exclude men or non-binary individuals in the audience.”

How can you help? We are looking for sponsors and financial experts to support the film and serve as a local resource for those ready to get their financial lives in order. We are planning to have bank representatives, financial investment companies, and community financial educators at the event. If you know someone who may have an interest in sharing their knowledge, let us know.

You can also help fill the auditorium at RPL Nordlof Center. Invite your mothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors to attend. 

Please contact Rev. Joyce or a member of the Racial and Economic Justice Team for more information. revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com

Link to the trailer for $AVVY
$avvy Documentary Trailer

 
Thinking of spring cleaning?  Think of Woodsong!  We are on the lookout for some items to add to our playground materials.  If you are in a position to donate any gently used items on the following list, please mark them WOODSONG and leave them near the mailboxes across from the elevators.  Thank you so much for thinking of us!
 
-small wooden bowls (up to 6 inch diameter)
-metal muffin tins/small cake pans/cake pans in interesting shapes (star, heart, flower, etc.)
-melamine dishes (cups, saucers, small plates, bowls)
-measuring cups (metal or plastic), scoops, small sand shovels
-plastic farm animals
-toy trucks/cars (bigger than a Hot Wheel/Matchbox vehicle – no ride-on toys, please)
-small playground balls (no basketballs, footballs, baseballs, please)
-Duplo building blocks (the larger type of Lego) 

And, of course, we are always in need of birdseed.

The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL  |   4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107   |   815-398-6322    |   uurockford.org  |