Emergence November 6, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
We continue our year-long services on 10 Big Ideas I’ve learned, as part of my 15th year of ministry with you. Emergence suggests that phenomenon – like consciousness, justice, love, and community, and life itself – “emerges” from a mix of things and has not one but many roots. Emergent Strategy is a way of nurturing change that is based in this scientific revolution in thinking. It really will change the way you experience the world and your life.
We will Share the Plate with Sustain Rockford Mission
All people in our community are responsible stewards of our land, air, and water.
Vision
Advocate and educate for practices and policies that protect our community’s land, air, and water to benefit all.
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M. Don’t forget to set your clocks back!
Happy Birthday to: Ellyn Ahmer (11/01), Beverly Olpaka (11/03), Valerie Stenerson (11/03), Mary Anderson (11/04), Yvonne Beach (11/05), Crista Swanlund (11/05), Elly Ressue (11/06), Luke Welch (11/07), Will Boelcke (11/07), & Cynthia Simmons (11/08)!
Please keep Dale Dunnigan’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Dale died on 10/29/22. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, November 5th at 1:00 p.m.
Volunteers for Sunday, November 6
Ushers: We Need 2 Volunteers
Greeters: Neita Webster & We Need 1 More Volunteer
Guest Table: Rev. Joyce Palmer & We Need 1 More Volunteer
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. Reminder to coffee hour hosts: please make sure the heater is off and the machine master switch is off when you leave. Thank you!
One week from today is election day. If you can vote and haven’t yet, please do!
I think of elections as a harm-reduction strategy. It isn’t about getting some savior or wonderful change agent who will fix it for us. Thinking we are electing heroes is a pathway to disappointment and sorrow. Instead, elections are about reducing the harm that might be created, experienced, and maintained by political leaders. We are choosing the “least worse option” and that’s okay!
So I choose people who have a history of voting, and/or vocally supporting, things that matter to me. This history will make it easier to push them to keep doing that. I also choose people who have the sophistication to work in a political system. For example, in selecting someone for the County Board, I’ll choose someone who will be able to brawl in that dysfunctional body. In local races, I almost always personally know the person running and can assess both their integrity and their approachability. Will they take my call and listen?
But sitting it out because I don’t like my options is a privilege I do not exercise. I think I need to reduce harm and try to prevent the worst. And the stakes are very high: some candidates believe that trans people have dignity and some do not. Some people believe that elections should be free and fair – and some do not. Some people believe the climate crisis is real and needs action – and some do not.
So, if you can vote and you haven’t already, please do so! You have one week to vote early or go vote on election day.
In faith,
Matthew
Board Update
The Board discussed our Code of Ethics and how it might be rewritten. We reviewed Firearms and Transportation policies and decided what to include in ours. We reviewed our teams and committees and their progress toward inclusion best practices.
Wonderful Wednesday, November 2 6pm Exploring Plant-based Meals
Are you curious about adding more plant-based foods to your daily meals? If so, attend our next Wonderful Wednesday, November 2,
6pm with Peggy and Matt Menze and learn about their transition to eating more plant-based foods.
We will share samples of some of their meals!
Photo of the Week!
Church is More than The Big Picture
There are also small things.
Who runs around the office desk to open the locked door? With a smile.
Who plans to take the kids outside on bad weather Sundays? Not me.
Who finds singing masks to keep the choir safe? Have you heard them yet?
Who cleans up after Sunday service? Even if there is no coffee hour.
During this holiday season, would you like to remember the staff for the small details that make this church run? Add to the “Holiday Gift Fund” before December 14. Two ways:
Drop off a check to the office, or the Sunday offering, labeled “Holiday Gift Fund”.
On-Line. Go to Donate and make sure to select “Holiday Gift” as the fund.
Soul Matters Groups
Soul Matters group are a small group of members and friends who listen deeply to one another to help each person connect to their lives, inner wisdom, and one another.
We have Openings in the following groups:
Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford is pleased to announce our next Path to Membership Class will gather on Sunday, November 6, after the service. 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: Sunday, November 13 after service
Where: UU Church Rockford Conference Room
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, membership, and meeting other newcomers
Assist a refugee family
I am assisting a local Afghan family with their asylum applications and it has come to my attention that they are in need of community support. It is a family of five- a mother and four of her children- the youngest is in middle school- living in Rockford. They arrived in June and are in need of not just furnishings for their tiny apartment but mentoring on acculturating/navigating their new community and resources. The oldest son is 20 years old and fluent in English. He was a university student in Kabul and is extremely bright and talented (he really needs an advocate to help him figure out if and how he can resume his college education here). He currently applying for jobs but would like to resume his studies as well. They are a very lovely, well-educated family who are struggling to find their footing and in need of a warm welcome here.
Most immediate needs:
1. They do not have access to laundry in their apartment complex, no car, and no way to get to the laundromat- they are washing their clothes in the sink.
2. Transportation for shopping, appointments, etc.
3. Someone to assess exactly what furniture and basic living items (linens, cookware, dishes, cleaning supplies, etc.) they are in most need of (for example, there are five of them but their ‘furnished’ apartment came with only one couch that seats three).
4. New friends/mentors willing to spend some time with them, show them around, answer questions or help them find people to answer their questions.
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
Eliminate Racism 815 Film Discussion
Friday November 11, 2022 6:30 p.m.
We will show the film Slaying the Dragon-Media Stereotypes of Asian & Asian American Women: A comprehensive look at media stereotypes of Asian & Asian American women.
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.
Please note that the meeting time will be 6:30, not 6:00 p.m. the way the zoom viewings were.
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: Judy Gustafson
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Spitty Tata
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Sarah Greer & Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
