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Why Can’t We Have Nice Things?
May 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Joyce Palmer In her book The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee asks a simple question about the American landscape that has haunted me for some time: “Why can’t we have nice things?” From public parks to community resources, she explores how the “zero-sum” myth, the idea that one group’s gain must be another’s loss, creates an environment where we all lose.
As we explore our theme of Awakening Curiosity, we look at this question through a spiritual lens. How does the legacy of racism keep us from the meaningful, joyous community we crave? Join us as we wonder together about the possibility of building and having nice things.
We will share the plate with Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling
Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling is a group of caring professionals who provide 24-hour counseling for victims of sexual assault and abuse in Winnebago, Boone, and Ogle Counties. All counselors and volunteers have received special training in working with victims and their families. Click Here to Donate
The Annual meeting will be on June 7th after service.
Eco Justice Team
The Eco Justice team will meet on May 31st instead of June 7th!
The Nonviolent Communication Practice Group will meet Wednesday, May 27, at 6:00 in the library.
All Ages Event! Saturday May 30 at 9:00 a.m.
Raised Garden Beds on the Church Grounds!
Join us in collaboration with Spectrum Progressive School as we prep garden beds and plant for another growing season! Dress to get a little messy. We will work for 1-1.5 hours or so, prepping the beds, planting seeds and seedlings, and adding defensive measures to hopefully keep out the deer. Pastries and breakfast snacks will be provided.
If you are interested in helping water the garden this summer, have ideas about how to keep the deer out, are curious about what we will be planting, or would like to sign up to provide some additional fruit/drinks for the planting day, please reach out to Rebecca Beneditz at
A few shirts are available to borrow. Talk to Lia Gima or Reverend Joyce.
Who Makes a Difference in Our Community?
The Social Justice Team is seeking nominees for the Connolly Community Service Awards for 2026. A bit of history of the awards and the nomination procedures follows. 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, Gloria Perez, Kathie Mattison, & Sara Dady.
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, 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 2nd. The nominations will be reviewed and a selection made by the Social Justice Team before the annual meeting.
The UU Fourth Sunday Book Discussion Group meets at noon on the fourth Sunday of every month (Suprise!) in the church library.
Next discussion is June 28th.
This month, we will be reading “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson
Admission if Free
Membership is Free No strings are attached
Sunday Morning Meditation 9:15 am
We meet on Sunday morning to meditate and center ourselves for the day. You are welcome to join us each Sunday morning.
Vision:
A loving, spiritual congregation that lives our values through belonging, reason, and action.
Mission:
Like the nature that surrounds us, we evolve as a habitat for spiritual development.
Our deep roots connect us to a wealth of resources that nourish our growth as a beacon for justice, inclusion, and liberation, especially anti-racism and gender and sexuality justice.
Our listening cultivates diverse and multicultural relationships that bridge divisions, strengthen our communities, heal hearts, and foster safety for all.
Our awareness of our interdependence inspires us to protect the shared environment and natural world in which we live.
The Board of Trustees:
President: Wendy Bennett
Vice President: Diane Kuehl
Clerk: Scott Garwick
Treasurer: Bob Spelman
Trustees: Kendra Asbury, Clark Logemann, Neita Webster
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
