Until We Reckon November 20, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Joyce Palmer
A small group of us have been reading and discussing the UUA Common Read Defund Fear: Safety Without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment by Zach Norris. The failure of mass incarceration to keep us safe is becoming increasingly clear. There are better ways to hold individuals accountable and increase safety in our community. Making changes to improve safety will require we rethink our understanding safety and justice. How can we invest in policies, practices, and programs grounded in a culture of care.
We will Share the Plate with NW River Valley Sierra Club
Northwest River Valleys Group is committed to the protection of wild places, natural resources, and environmental education in northern and northwest Illinois. The Group covers a major portion of Illinois from East Dubuque to Harvard on the northern Illinois border to Sandwich to Serena to Mendota to Amboy to Sterling to Savanna. The region touches the Mississippi on the western edge, the Fox on eastern edge, and encompasses much of the Illinois portion of the Rock.
In addition to numerous state parks, including Lowden State Park, home of The Black Hawk Statue, four counties also contain the highest capacity Canadian tar sands pipeline in the United States.
Happy Birthday to: Susan Caravello (11/15), Mary Newport (11/16), Barbara Chidley (11/16), Bob Babcock (11/17), Cheryl Stockwell (11/18), Paul Goddard (11/18), Joyce Palmer (11/18), Nova Young (11/18), Steve Gausebeck (11/18), Sandi Campbell (11/19), Teresa Palmeno (11/19), & Ivonne Spelman (11/20)!
Volunteers for Sunday, November 20
Ushers: Dick Lake & Myrna Lake
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: Gloria Perez & Neita Webster
Coffee Hosts: Tim Palmer & 1 More Volunteer Needed
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!
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.
Please note next week the church staff will not be in the office. From all of us here at the UU Church in Rockford we hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. If you need anything please email office manager Autumn Powell at office@uurockford.org.
UUA Unequal Helpings Click here to read about What Really Happened at the First Thanksgiving? The Wampanoag Side of the Tale
Our MELD donation tree is back in the narthex this year! When you choose an ornament from the tree, you will find an item requested by a family listed on the back. You may choose more than one ornament. Once you have purchased the items listed on the ornament, place them in the bin in the Narthex designated for MELD donations. Please do not wrap the items that you donate.
Donations will be collected through Sunday, December 11.
If you are not able to select an ornament from the tree in person, you might consider ordering an item on Amazon and having it shipped directly to the MELD organization. Items can be shipped ℅ Terry Lynch 620 Kishwaukee St. Rockford, IL 61104. Items that are always in high demand are warm socks for babies, children, and adults.
Thank you for supporting Rockford MELD, a non-profit social service agency started in 1981. The organization provides programs and services for young parents and their children in the Rockford community. MELD offers emergency shelter and housing, parenting information, life and job skills training, support, resources, and prevention education.
Pretrial Fairness Act Action Items
Go to the link below to send a letter to your legislator letting them know you want them to stand strong against calls to roll back or repeal the Pretrial Fairness Act! You can also sign up for the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice’s Newsletter.
Photo of the Week!
Racial and Economic Justice Team Invitation Pre-Trial Fairness Act Presentation had a great turn out!
Blue Christmas Service Wednesday, December 14 at 6pm
Prayers Harp Candles
Our Blue Christmas Service provides an opportunity to share the losses, vulnerabilities, and despair some of us experience at this time of year. We invite those who have a special need for comfort, hope, and healing to attend this service with a friend. Music provided by harpist Nanette Felix. Service leaders, Rev Joyce, and our Caring Team members.
If you would like a ride to the service, please let Rev Joyce know at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com or 815-398-6322 ext. 3.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY RESOURCES
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 Book Discussion
Thursday November 17, 2022 6:00 p.m. *****Important Note!! Due to the Thanksgiving holiday the Book Discussion is EARLY this month!*****
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America by Eugene Robinson: Instead of one Black America, now there are four : 1.Middle-class 2. Abandoned 3.Enormous wealth 4. Mixed race & recent black immigrants. This all makes us wonder what “Black” is even supposed to mean. 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
“And the Angels Sang” Concert November 18
Rockford University’s fall choral concert will feature RU’s Regent Singers and Vocal Collective and special guests Camerata Emanon Singers. The mostly-sacred program includes Vivaldi’s Gloria for chorus, soloists and chamber orchestra, Mendelssohn’s Psalm 98, Pablo Casals’ “O Vos Omnes,” and an array of Spanish songs, early hymns, and spirituals.
Directed by Timm Adams and Tim Anderson, the concert will take place at 7:30pm Friday, November 18 in Maddox Theatre at Clark Arts Center on the RU campus, 5050 E. State St. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students and seniors and may be purchased through the box office (815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu).
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 |
