May Music Sunday
May 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Unicantors and Guest Musicians Missa Brevis Pro Serveto: A Mass for Unitarian Universalists
Rev. Frances Dearman, text
Tobin Stokes, music
This Sunday, we will celebrate our May Music Sunday by presenting this work, which takes the traditional short form of the Latin mass but replaces the traditional text with what Frances Dearman calls “words that Unitarian choirs could feel good singing in Latin.” Dearman describes this newly crafted Latin text as follows: “We lift up individualism, but also the beloved community. We recall Latin as an elitist language, but also international. We express yearning, but also affirmation and truth. We seek essence and permanence, but also diversity and the temporary…. We value the humanist, atheist, agnostic posture no less than the deist, theist, mystic. Using concrete imagery, and leaving room for folks to find their own way, we have attempted to craft a vehicle in which all can place some trust.”
We hope you will be able to join us as we present this piece in worship as a part of our month focusing on pluralism.
We will share the plate with Family Counseling Services Our mission is to foster stronger communities by providing individuals with accessible, professional counseling and mental health care that empowers them to thrive.
Family Counseling Services was founded in 1877 by a group of citizens concerned with the well-being of individuals and families in our community. Today, FCS continues to provide psychotherapy and family life education to individuals and families in Winnebago and Boone counties and surrounding area. Click Here to Donate
Volunteers for Sunday, May 19
Thank you Caring Team for volunteering for hospitality this Sunday
Ushers: Myrna Lake & Dick Lake
Coffee: Lia Gima Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org
Happy Birthday to: Hannah Kaytonah (May 16), Sara Dady (May 16), Linda Johnson (May 19), Sue Molyneaux (May 19), Alice Conrad (May 21), David Lantz (May 21), & Henry Smith (May 21)!
As many of you know, Randy Locke is in the hospital at UW Madison to learn the source of symptoms of serious concern. His Caring Bridge site from 2011 has been reactivated so that family and friends can know new developments as our son Randall posts them. You can learn more, and send us a note if you wish, by creating your own password at caringbridge.org/visit/randylocke
Matthew’s Memo
One of the privileges of my work is being with people near the end of their lives. And when folks have forgotten most everything, the one thing that folks usually still know is music. I’ve seen folks who don’t remember anything else still remember their songs and hymns from childhood. Music lives in a deep place in our brain.
It lives, too, in a deep place in our soul. The rhythm of the beat corresponds to our heartbeat. The joining of voices enacts the joining of community. Music is memory, love, hope, courage, and peace. As long as there has been worship, there has been music involved.
We’ll have two opportunities coming up to celebrate music in worship.
First will be our Spring Music Sunday. It is a beautiful piece – I have heard the choir rehearsing and they sound lovely. That is this Sunday – don’t miss it, and bring a friend or two. It’s a very special experience.
And second, we’ll be celebrating Tim Anderson’s 20 years of service as Music Director on Sunday, June 2nd. There will be special music and special guests. Be sure to come and join in the celebration.
In faith,
Matthew
P.S. If you haven’t already made your pledge for the coming year, please do so now!
Stewardship Update: As of Monday at 2pm, 65 households have told us their pledge for next year. Those 65 households have increased their gifts by an average of $22/month. This is fantastic, and if we can keep up that average we’ll reach our goals. Our goals, remember, are to pay our staff well and be good partners to the work of the UUA nationally.
New Database Update
We are moving to a new database at church, and need your help. Please go to uurockford.churchcenter.com and sign in. (It’s easy!) Update your information and look out for emails to fill in info and add yourself to the directory. You can also scan this QR code:
Do it today!
Who Makes a Difference in Our Community?
The Social Justice Team is seeking nominees for the Connolly Community Service Awards for 2023. 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, Mary 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, Bob Babcock, Shiraz Tata, Allyson Rosemore & Rebecca Beneditz.
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.
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 have done the work of justice in our community. Two years ago 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 3rd. The nominations will be reviewed and a selection made by the Social Justice Team before the annual meeting.
Get your Side of Love T-Shirt Before Pride!
We’ll be marching in Rockford’s first Pride Parade on June 1st. We encourage folks to consider buying and wearing a Yellow “Side of Love” t-shirt. UUs across the nation wear these and we are often known as “the yellow shirt people” – or, even better, the “side with love” people. You can get yours here:
WCCC’s May 14th meeting will feature videos on Fake clinics and break-out sessions with committees. We need everyone to be activists at this time. Lots going on! Please join us at the UU Church in Rockford on Tuesday, the 14th, at 6:30 PM
See you there!
Barb Giolitto, WCCC President
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 in our final session, we will discuss Sexual Pleasure. Folks are welcome to join for just this single session even if you missed the others.
Thanks to the Racial & Economic Justice for donating $150 to the following event. Hope you can attend – it’s at the Dari Fair on Kilburn just south of where Central intersects
On Sunday afternoon May 19, 3pm, there will be an informal afternoon coffee to meet candidate for 17th Circuit Judge, Nick Meyers. Wendy Bennett is hosting the event. This will be an opportunity to talk to the candidate and learn about his background and approach to the law. Circuit Judge is a crucial position in our local court system. I hope you will attend. Everyone is welcome. An RSVP would be appreciated.
Wonderful Wednesday Reproductive Justice May 22nd at 6pm
Let’s meet at the new Family Planning Center to hear about their progress and plans for opening. We’ll ask how we can support their work.
We will discuss our Unitarian Universalist faith and reproductive justice.
Our Sex and Gender Justice Team is helping organize this event.
Rockford Family Planning Center address: 4236 Maray Drive.
The Eco Justice Team invites you to our Wonderful Wednesday on the church grounds on June 5 at 6pm! We will introduce the new trail map that the Eco Justice team has put together and then walk the main church trail discussing native and invasive plants and getting a renewed appreciation for the natural world around us. We will also share information about restoration and nature access work being done by our community partners. Our walk will end at the bonfire circle for conversation, s’mores, and hot dogs for all – vegan options will be provided. All ages are welcome!
We are pleased to announce that the Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford will hold a Child Dedication during worship on Sunday, June 9, 2024. The dedication will be a simple ritual in which the congregation commits to the spiritual welfare and development of the child and their family. Though the ritual is not a baptism, some similar symbolism will be incorporated into the ceremony. Children of any age who have not previously been dedicated are welcome to participate in the ritual. Children who participate are welcome to have their parents and siblings as well as one or two sponsors join them at the front of the sanctuary during the dedication. If you would like to participate in the Child Dedication, please e-mail Lindsay Trank at reuurockford@gmail.com by Wednesday, June 5. We hope you will join us for this special occasion!
Supporting WNIJ-FM
I admit, I’m an NPR junkie. If you have your preset on 89.5 and listen to “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” you’re probably already donating to this station. But your dollars can go even farther if you donate to them through this church. One hundred percent of the dollars donated specifically to WNIJ on our website will go to WNIJ over time as we fund spot announcements of our Rockford congregation. It’s still a donation for IRS purposes, but to the church, and it supports our “addiction,” as well.
Submitted by Teresa Wilmot
Sunday Morning Meditation
Led by Mario Caputo
Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays starting June 2
Enjoy group meditation from 9:15 to 9:45, before the Sunday Service! Yogic meditation helps to strengthen and integrate body, mind and soul while bringing a sense of calmness, well-being, and ever deepening self-realization to the devoted practitioner.
Explore a low-impact energizing yoga, scientific healing affirmations and guided breathwork meditation in a small group setting led by Mario Caputo. Mario began studying meditation 28 years ago and has practiced twice a day for the past decade.” We will meet in the Library, possibly outside when the weather is nice.
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*
May 19 Living Our Faith with Lindsay and Faith in Action Hope to see you!
ER815 Book Discussion Thursday May 30, 2024 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of How to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss.Anti-Semitism now finds a home in identity politics. A hatred that was, until recently, reliably taboo has migrated toward the mainstream, amplified by social media and a culture of conspiracy that threatens us all.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
Looking for a copy of one of the books? The Rockford Public Library is pleased to offer the books for our discussion series in multiple formats. In addition to in print, RPL has many in the Cloud Library which may be accessed with your RPL card. Titles are available in audio and e-book formats.
ER815 Film Discussion
Friday June 14, 2024 6:00-9:00 p.m.
We will watch Native American Religion in Prison: Great Spirit within the Hole: Native American spirituality was once against the law in the US. Some have reconnected with their religion and spirituality.
Join us at the Baha’i Center 1650 N Alpine: Lower level in Highcrest Shopping Center.
We will show the film at The Baha’i Center in person with a facilitated discussion after the showing of the film.
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
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 May 21, 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
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 |
