Kairos May 10, 2022 - The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford

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Kairos 05/10/2022

Music Sunday: Jazz Mass
May 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Please join us and bring a friend for Music Sunday!

We will Share the Plate with Pairie State Legal

The mission of Prairie State Legal Services is to ensure equal access to justice and fair treatment under the law by providing legal advice and representation, advocacy, education, and outreach that serve to protect basic human needs and enforce or uphold rights.

Prairie State envisions a community where all low-income, elderly and vulnerable people have ready access to legal services to meet their basic needs and where everyone knows, understands and can exercise their rights and be treated fairly in their pursuit of justice.
Click Here to Donate

Happy Birthday to: Colleen Smitherman (05/12), Janet Wasson (05/12), Molly Soper (05/12), Stephanie Burt (05/12) Sandra Locke (05/13), Allison Cummings (05/13), Hannah Kaytonah (05/16), Sara Dady (05/16), & Mary Kate Herriges (05/16)!

Volunteers for Sunday, May 15
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: We Need 2 Volunteers
Coffee Hosts: We Need 2 Volunteers
Please note that if you volunteer for coffee host you will need to clean up afterward and run the cups through the sanitizer.

Sign Up Here: https://uurockford.breezechms.com/form/74f73a

Thank you!

Matthew’s Memo May 10, 2022

As you heard Sunday, I tested positive for Covid on Saturday. I don’t know where I got it, but I’m glad to be vaccinated and boosted – Sunday was rough, but I’m feeling better today (Monday). I’m so grateful to Rev. Joyce who took over for Sunday and Monday’s memorial for Grandon Tolstedt, and to Keith Krutchen who did the sound and tech on Sunday so Autumn could spend Mothers Day with her kids – and to Autumn who came in on Monday, her day off, to do the tech for Grandon’s service. You have a good team. And thanks for your good wishes.

We have plans for a fun ice-cream party on Sunday to conclude our stewardship campaign, but you can make your pledge for the 2022-2023 church year right now. Our theme, as you’ve noticed, is “Lighten Up!” and it’s all about bringing more light and joy to the world. Our church depends on your generosity. The rising inflation means we need to keep up with our staff. So please consider increasing your gift to help us make that happen. You can pledge using this form: https://uurockford.breezechms.com/form/20b2b470

Thank you.

In faith,
Matthew

From the Nominating Committee:
We have the following nominees for your consideration the Annual Meeting on June 12th, 2022
Pres: Judy Gustafson (one-year term)
VP: Spitty Tata (one-year term)
Clerk: Bob Spelman (one-year term)
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren (one-year term)
At large: Jami Edmonds (to fill unexpired one-year term)
Shoko Chien (three year-term)
Nominating: Judy Johnson (two-year term)
Dan Fellars (two-year term)
Amanda Tapfield (two-year term)
Conflict Resolution: Jessica Hodierne (three-year term)

Let’s Get Together Again!!
Richness is found in relationships. It’s powerful to gather people around a table to share a meal or play a game, or at some other social setting, sharing time with each other. Take some folks to lunch and a movie, get a group to go paddling, go to a park or museum or host a wine or beer tasting. Let your creativity kick in, the possibilities are endless!! This is our goal for this year’s auction.

We hope that you have been thinking about a social gathering to donate and host sometime this year.

Below you will find the link to our auction website. You will be able to self-post your donations next Monday, May 16. Donations will be accepted through Tuesday, May 31. Bidding on items will begin on Wednesday, June 1 and continue until the night of the Annual Meeting – Sunday, June 12 at 9 p.m.
https://auctria.events/UURockford2022LetsGetTogetherAgain.com

If you have any questions or need assistance in entering your donation, you can reach out to Wendy Bennett – 815-218-0082 or Peggy Menze – 360-485-8324. If you prefer, manual donation forms will be available in the Narthex the next 3 Sundays. They can be turned in to Autumn at the office or given to Wendy or Peggy.

Bring a Friend Sundays
Do you have a friend or neighbor who might be interested in learning more about our spiritual community?

Sunday, May 15 is Music Sunday-share the gifts and talents of our wonderful choir and Music Director Tim Anderson with the music lovers in your life.

Sunday, May 22 is Rev. Matthew preaching on the Courage to Be which promises not only to inspire and challenge us, but also provide encouragement to practice our faith in meaningful ways.

Our Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry Team is hosting a training on Microaggressions and Disability on Monday, May 23 at 11am. The Oops/Ouch presentation will be presented by RAMP. Our congregation is engaging in the certification program with the Unitarian Universalist Association to improve our welcome and support of people with disabilities and their families.

We need at least 7 people to register to proceed with the training. Please email Rev. Joyce Palmer at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com with questions and to register.

Downton Abbey at the Movies! Friday, May 20 at 4pm
Downton Abbey is back and the Crawley family goes on a grand journey to the South of France. If you are interested in attending the movie as a group and going out for a meal at Thunder Bay Grille, please email Rev. Joyce Palmer. We will purchase tickets on May 18th and meet at AMC 16 Rockford, 8301 East State Street, Rockford.

Path to Membership
Membership is an important step in building a relationship with UU Church Rockford community. If you have been attending services and feel like this church might be a good fit for you, we invite you to come to our next Path to Membership class on Saturday, June 4 from 9:30 – 2:00 at the church. Rev. Matthew, Rev. Joyce and members of the congregation will provide an overview of the church and ways to connect. Come and Meet other newcomers and get your questions answered.

Details
When: Saturday, June 4 9:30 – 2:00
Where: UU Church Rockford Library
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, membership and meeting other newcomers

**Childcare provided upon request

Who Makes a Difference in Our Community?

The Social Justice Team is seeking nominees for the Connolly Community Service Awards for 2022. A bit of history of the awards and the nomination procedures follow. If you know someone – or a group of people — you think should receive one of these awards, please turn in nominations to the church office.

History: In 1993 the church initiated a community service award to recognize a member of the congregation for significant contributions to the community. The award was named for Dr. Charles Parker Connolly, minister of our congregation from 1913 to 1942, and a recognized community leader.

To date the award has been presented to the following individuals: Walt Lewis, Marky Caskey, Martha Logemann, Pat Tollefsrud, Sandra Locke, David Weissbard, Lynn Liston, Pat Lewis, Jon McGinty, JoAnn Shaheen, Leigh Lakey, Roger Oehlke, Lola Gustafson, Allen Penticoff, Colleen McDonald, Jackie Dehler, Bob Arevalo, Dave Black, Myrna Lake, Dave Lantz, Barb Giolitto, Duane Wilke, Ellyn Ahmer, Dale Dunnigan, Nikki Ticknor, and Bob Babcock.

More recently an award was established to recognize a young person, 8th grade through high school, for service to the church and community. Recipients to date are Emma Stocker, Katie Whitworth, Sandra Hill, Jackie Whitworth, Emily Pfleiderer, Max Freund, and Ari Almonaci.

For the second year, the Social Justice Council has decided to have a “group” award. This award will be for a group of people, formally or informally organized, who has done the work of justice in our community. Last year the award went to the Cornucopia Group.

The awards are presented at the annual meeting of the congregation.

The nominations should include:

A detailed description of volunteer and/or professional involvement and accomplishments, tasks, performed and issues addressed impact on others, and other relevant information.

A signed statement that the nominee is willing to be nominated.

A nomination should include the name of the nominator and is due in the office (Send to Autumn uurockford@gmail.com) by June 7th. The nominations will be reviewed and a selection made by the Social Justice Team before the annual meeting.

Lighten up!
Generosity Campaign 2022

Ice-cream Social! It’ll be great. Sunday, May 15^th, after church.

Your generosity team: Ruth Little, Wendy Bennett, Linda Johnson, Sara Dorner, Sandi Campbell, and Matthew Johnson

Click Here for Literature Link from Dale

Click Here for Teresa’s Tablet

Click Here to view Ministers and Staff: Duties, Hours, Contact

Social Justice Updates

Eliminate Racism 815

Film Discussion
Friday May 13, 2022
6-8:30 p.m.
What’s Race Got to do with it? Social Disparities & Student Success: Despite years of diversity programs, campuses remain hamstrung in their efforts to become more welcoming of all.
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.

Book Discussion
Thursday May 26, 2022 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America by John Lewis. The book draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom for anyone interested in inspiring real change toward a freer more peaceful society.

Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487

Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.

Community Events

The Board of Trustees:
President: Amanda Tapfield
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Judy Gustafson
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Khanh Oehlke, Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds