Kairos May 24, 2022 - The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford

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Kairos 05/24/2022

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
May 29, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Monica Kling-Garcia
What does it mean to live our lives with the end in mind – and what does cleaning have to do with it? This Sunday, we will use the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson to explore themes of life and legacy through this method of “decluttering.” Together we will reflect on what it means to let go of what no longer serves us: living our own lives to the fullest and keeping the next generation in mind.

Rev. Monica Kling-Garcia (they/them) currently serves as a chaplain at UnityPoint-Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI. As a chaplain, Rev. Monica’s theology is one which emphasizes relationships and storytelling with their patients, especially at the end of life. When not in the hospital, you can find Rev. Monica enjoying a good movie or video game with their husband Logan and energetic cat Yen.

If you have not filled out a pledge form for this coming fiscal year please click here!

We will Share the Plate with Inscape Collective
Inscape Collective is a new social enterprise in Midtown Rockford. Its mission is to support artists, program facilitators & community members in a unique Store space and Community Room that bring people from diverse backgrounds together to connect, innovate, co-create and grow.
For more information please go to http://www.inscapecollective.org .
Click Here to Donate

Happy Birthday to: Craig Shaver (05/24), Gaen McClendon (05/25), Susan Halvorsen (05/26), Rev. Linda Slabon (05/26), Angela Thibedeau (05/28), Traci Earhart (05/29), & Jennifer Lavasseur (05/31)!

Congratulations to Chrissie Fischer who graduated from Hiawatha High School on Friday, May 20th! She plans to attend Drake University in the fall; majoring in Music and Anthropology. Chrissie will have a recital at the church on June 11th at 1:00 p.m.

Volunteers for Sunday, May 29
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

Each June, I attend our denomination’s annual gathering, called “General Assembly.” This year, that gathering is in Portland, Oregon and I’m looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues, attending workshops and worship, and all the conversations I’ll have about the state and future of our faith and ministry.

General Assembly, or “GA” is now also offered online. It is a multi-platform event, with workshops and worship streamed from Portland, or from other locations, for both in-person and online participation. I used the online portal the last two years and it is robust and rich.

I encourage you to consider registering for virtual GA (or going in person if you like!). You can find out more at www.uua.org/ga.

Some of the program highlights include the Ware Lecture, which will be given this year be Ibram X. Kendi, author of “How to be An Antiracist.” There are lots of great workshops about theology, Unitarian Universalism, and how to live our values. There is wonderful worship, including the Service of the Living Tradition, which honors ministry, and the Sunday Morning worship, which is always very strong.

You can register to attend online for $250; if you’d like to attend online and that’s a burden, let me know and I can cover it. Please go! And if you’d like to be a delegate, and vote on issues on behalf of the congregation, let me know that too. We have seven delegate slots and they are not all spoken for.

Next year, by the way, GA will be both online and in-person in Pittsburg. Think about coming in person – it’s a marvelous and powerful experience to be with so many Unitarian Universalists.

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!!
The UU Church Auction website – Auctria – is now open for donations. Richness is found in relationships. It’s powerful to join with people to play games…enjoy a wine tasting…go paddling!!

We hope that you have been thinking about a social gathering to donate and host sometime this year. Let your creativity kick in, the possibilities are endless!! This is our goal for this year’s auction.
Below you will find the link to our auction website. You may now self-post your donations which 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 Sunday. They can be turned in to Autumn at the office or given to Wendy or Peggy.

Click here for the Paper Bidding Form

Nametags
We will be placing an order for nametags soon. If you do not have one or yours is broken or missing, please contact Rev. Joyce Palmer at assistminister@uurockford.org

Wonderful Wednesday at the Family Peace Center 315 N Main Street, Rockford May 25^th 5:15pm.
Join us for a tour and brief presentation regarding the work of the Family Peace Center as we learn about the Center’s mission to contribute to a thriving community by caring for domestic violence survivors and their work to prevent violence.

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.

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

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.

Film Discussion
Friday June10, 2022
6-8:30 p.m.
Islam, Violence and Islamophobia: This film looks at Islam and violence from different perspectives. Sheds light on the negative stereotypes common to discriminate against Muslims.
Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8 1211275487

The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.

Community Events

Womanspace’s Glitzy Garage Sale
Volunteers needed and donations being taken until 5/31/’22. For more info please go to https://womanspace-rockford.org/Glitzy
If you are missing our Trash & Treasure or even have an hour to spare-your help will be greatly appreciated! And it fits into the theme of the
sermon at church this Sunday!

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