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Repairing the Souls of Men
November 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Many folks have identified a crisis in masculinity. Loneliness, rising addiction, decreasing educational attainment, rage and the turn to the right, and violence are some of the symptoms. I’ll give my reflections on this question – the nature of the crisis, and how we might respond. How might we tend to the souls of men?
We will share the plate with Severson Dells Our mission is to link people to nature through education and research in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area. We promote awareness of the natural world, fostering respect, enjoyment and preservation now and in the future.
Volunteers for Sunday, November 24
Guest Table: Rev. Joyce Palmer
Ushers: Pam Wilson & Barb Wilson
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Coffee Hosts: We Need 2 Volunteers
Contact Rev. Joyce to sign up at assistminister@uurockford.org
Happy Birthday to: Sandi Campbell (Nov 19), Teresa Palmeno (Nov 19), Ivonne Spelman (Nov 20), Barb Basaj (Nov 22), Jim Parrish (Nov 24), Linda Sandquist (Nov 25), & Ryan Vyborny (Nov 25)!
Please keep Sue Abare in your thoughts and prayers. Skip Abare died Sunday, November 10, 2024. A memorial service will be held on November 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Matthew’s Memo
A few things today.
First, you will see elsewhere in this newsletter about a survey from the Change Team. This team is appointed by the Board to evaluate how we are doing on our mission to be an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and multicultural congregation. The team has interviewed leaders, but they also want to hear from everyone about what you think. Please take a moment to fill out the survey – it will only take a few minutes. The link is also here: https://forms.gle/XB4tRvr7AS9LzpeW7.
Second, please know that most of the staff will be off over the Thanksgiving holiday week. Folks will be with family, attending to personal matters, and getting some much-needed rest. Your staff stepped up while I was on sabbatical, are managing many issues in their work, and are feeling the stress of the election too. They need a break. Please be gentle with them, and consider giving a gift to the staff holiday fund to show your thanks. That link is below as well – and here:https://uurockford.churchcenter.com/giving.
Third, we are trying to encourage folks to sign up for our online directory. This makes it easier for us to be in touch with each other. If you are a member, you have gotten an invitation – if it is still in your email, click the link and follow the instructions. If you can’t find that email, do this:
On your browser, go to uurockford.churchcenter.com.
If you haven’t logged in yet, do so – follow the instructions.
Once you are logged in, click on “Directory.”
Opt-in – you will decide what fields to share.
Once you are in Church Center, you can also check on your giving, add a picture, and do many other things.
Fourth, if you are interested in what we can do together as Unitarian Universalists to protect the vulnerable and fight fascism, I encourage you to attend the UUANI gathering tonight at 6:45 pm. Information is below in the community events section. It will be hopeful and forward-focused. And if you can’t make it, but are interested in getting involved in statewide work, contact UUANI directly and let them know.
In faith,
Matthew
Change Team Survey!
Please take a few minutes to fill out this important survey about our church! The Change Team and the Board need your thoughts. https://forms.gle/XB4tRvr7AS9LzpeW7. Thank you!
Join us in Deale Hall at 6pm on November 20th for the Eco Justice Team’s Wonderful Wednesday! In keeping with the November theme of Repair, we will have Ann Wasser from Severson Dells on hand to share more information about their Elliot Golf Course Rehabilitation project. We will also hear about local watershed restoration work from Rebecca Olson of Olson Ecological Solutions and Eric Tison and Estelle Adiaba from the Region 1 Planning Council. We encourage you to arrive at 5:45pm if you would like to grab some locally sourced snacks before the presentations begin. Q&A to follow. All are welcome!
The next Interfaith Women’s Potluck will be held on Monday, November 25 in Deale Hall.
All women are invited to attend. It will begin at 6:00 p.m.. Please bring a dish to pass. Plates, silverware, and beverages will be provided. Please join us!
Our own Renee McArdle, Psy.D., will be speaking about her book, “The Mother God Returns” – the rise, fall, and recovery of the feminine divine.
For more information contact Neita Webster – 815-541-3508
Keep an eye out for the MELD donation tree in the narthex! You will find an item requested by a family on the back of each ornament hung on the tree. Donated items should be placed 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 15.
Rockford MELD is 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.
Auction Item!
#29 New Year’s Champagne Brunch with the Board
Start the new year off right! Join the Church Board for a delicious New Year’s brunch. Lots of tasty food, friends and fun for all. Buffet brunch will take place at 11am at Wendy Bennett’s home on New Year’s Day. 3 spots Available – asking $30 donation for each. Contact Wendy Bennett or Kim Lowman Vollmer.
Board Recap
The board heard and auction report and made plans for its donations. They discussed the staffing situation for Woodsong and Religious Education given the departure of the RE Assistant / Woodsong Co-Director Lauren Smith. We discussed the nominating panel’s work and how to move forward with a task force of board and panel members. We discussed how to support the work of the change team and the schedule for hearing from them.
Blue Christmas Service
Wednesday, December 11th 6pm
The holiday season is a complicated time for many of us, especially those who are missing loved ones. Whether it is a first season or 10th season without our loved ones, we come to acknowledge the loss.
We come to be seen and accepted, to have our complicated feelings embraced, to know we are not alone. Our worship service will include beautiful music by harpist Nanette Felix.
You are welcome to join us.
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* November 24 Our Story with Rev Matthew
December 8 Getting Connected with Rev Joyce
Hope to see you!
Video session takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Wesley Willows Group
The Wesley Willows group will meet the following days and times this coming year in the reflection room at the Town Center.
Jan. 22nd, Wednesday, at 9 am
April 24, Thursday, at 10 am
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.
Our UU Library has added this book to our collection: Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks
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
UUANI Statewide Post-Election Online Gathering:
Democracy in Action
We need each other, now more than ever.
Join UUs across Illinois for a Statewide Post-Election Online Gathering to build on our UUtheVote/VoteLove work and put Democracy in Action! Grounding ourselves in the moment and our core UU value of love, we will outline ways to take action in solidarity with our community partners.
No matter the outcome of the elections, we need to keep defending and expanding democracy, holding elected officials accountable, and engaging our neighbors in order to “build a new world together,” as the above message from Side With Love invites us.
Please register in advance to get the zoom link. For those who can’t make it, here is the signup form to get involved.
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: Matt Menze
Clerk: Kim Lowman Vollmer
Vice-President: Wendy Bennett
Treasurer: Bob Spelman Trustees: Clark Logemann, Rebecca Beneditz, Neita Webster
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
