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Wu-Wei March 13, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
We continue our series on Taoism. Wu-Wei, roughly translated to “non-action” is not a passive stance. Instead, it is about being very intentional with our energy. Instead of rushing in, what does it mean to wait for things to be ripe? How do we cultivate patience and invite others to join in, instead of doing it all right away by ourselves?
Happy Birthday to: Mary Caskey (03/09), Bob Sharp (03/09), Ken Ring (03/09), Brian Gustafson (03/09), Madeline Arnold (03/10), Stephen Blomgren (03/12), Shirley Spilmon (03/13), Rebecca Beneditz (03/13), Pam Lonsway (03/14), Lerryn Gough (03/14), Randy Locke (03/15), & Matthew Johnson (03/15)!
Memorial Service for Ann Haub, on March 19th at 1pm.
Refreshments to follow in Deale Hall.
Today I attended Mayor McNamara’s press conference regarding Rockford’s connection to Brovary, Ukraine. Brovary is Rockford’s first sister city and the location of the first Kids Around the World “playground”. The Mayor of Brovary responded via email to Mayor McNamara’s attempt to reach out to him. The emotionally moving email asked Rockford for help and support.
It was announced that there are 2 secure ways to donate to the Brovary, Ukraine relief fund:
1. Kidsaroundtheworld.com
2. cfnil.org. (Community Foundation of Northern Illinois)
Donations can be made on line or by check.
Thank you, Linda Johnson
Volunteers for Sunday, March 13
Ushers: Larry Hughes & Wanda Hoover
Greeters: Judy Johnson & Kathy Scarpaci
Guest Table: Rev. Joyce Palmer & Gloria Perez Coffee Hosts: Sue Garwick & 1 more volunteer needed 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!
I wanted to give folks an update and make a request. As COVID cases continue to fall dramatically, we are working on reopening and restarting more and more of church life together. We are restarting the things that make community and joy happen. But we need your help. Over much of the last two years, we reduced our volunteer requests dramatically. But now, to offer the fullness of the church to all, we need you to restart, or start for the first time, your participation in our shared ministry.
So here is the update:
We are worshipping in-person! We continue to offer online worship as well, on YouTube, Facebook, and now Twitter. But we have in-person worship. Masks are required, but everyone is welcome.
We are singing in-person! Cases dropped enough that we have started singing together in person – with our masks on. It’s lovely.
We are starting coffee hour up again! This Sunday, March 13th, we will restart coffee-hour after church. Masks can be removed during this time. Come, chat with your old and new friends. But: we need hospitality volunteers to keep this happening. If you are willing, fill out this form: https://uurockford.breezechms.com/form/74f73a.
We are working on restarting Religious Education. Our Birth-Kindergarten room will reopen this Sunday, March 13th. 7th-9th Grade O.W.L. will restart on March 27th. And we are aiming to restart Religious Education, with four age groups (including a dedicated youth group) after RPS’s spring break, on April 3rd.
We absolutely need more volunteers for Religious Education. It’s fun! Leading these groups is a great way to grow your own faith. If you are willing to be a Religious Education volunteer, please fill out this form: https://uurockford.breezechms.com/form/4771f3. This is our most essential need. Please participate!
Any questions? Let me know.
In faith,
Matthew
Kitchen Clean-Up day
We hope you’ll consider helping! Come help clean up on March 12 at 11 a.m. so we are ready to do coffee hour the next day. Please email Autumn at office@uurockford.org to sign up/lead this clean-up day.
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
With the Illinois legislative session in full swing, Equality Illinois asks us to SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! for LGBTQ equality and inclusion during the 2022 Virtual LGBTQ Advocacy Day on March 16, 2022.
To ensure the state of Illinois continues to demonstrate its values of being fully equal and inclusive and to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ siblings across the country, it is more important than ever that we SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! massing our voices on LGBTQ Advocacy Day
This is a great opportunity to virtually engage with fellow supporters of LGBTQ equality and let your voice be heard on issues that affect us all.
Individuals who register will hear about the issues we are engaging this year, participate in a virtual lunch program and a virtual early evening reception, and be invited to take 5-6 civic actions throughout the day (30 seconds each).
TAKE ACTION to register for the 2022 Virtual LGBTQ Advocacy Day TODAY!
Film Discussion
Friday March 11, 2022
6-8:30 p.m.
Freedom Summer: Over 10 memorable weeks, more than 700 student volunteers joined with organizers and local African Americans in an historic effort to shatter foundations of white supremacy in Mississippi.
Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
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 |
