Healing Traumas
November 28, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand In-Person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
We close our month on non-violence and begin our month on healing by learning how to heal trauma. The amazing news is that new insights into the body/mind/spirit connection show us concrete ways we can actually heal, individually and together. I’ll share this good news with you — because the practices produce health and well-being whether we have experienced trauma directly or not.
The office will be closed from Wednesday, November 24th through Friday, November 26th. We hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and we will see you Sunday!
Volunteers for Sunday Morning November 28 R.E. K and Under: Linda Lawrence & Volunteer Needed
R.E. Grade 1 and Over: Kim Vollmer & Jenni Lavasseur
Ushers: We Need 2
Greeters: We Need 2
Guest Table: We Need 2
Thank you to those of you who have volunteered already! Here is the google doc where you can sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_Ch323vqDurrzCrpFpCL-E__qBszopnimyHZ00w3zzM/edit?usp=sharing
Or just email me at office@uurockford.org and let me know and I’ll put you in the system for that day.
Thank you!
Happy Birthday to: Dan Fischer (11/24), Jim Parrish (11/24), Linda Sandquist (11/25), Rebecca Cole (11/25), Ryan Vyborny (11/25), Teresa Wilmot (11/27), Pam Arnold (11/27), Tom Little (11/28), Judy Gustafson (11/29), Vince Verkuilen (11/29), Tierra Polfliet (11/29), & Ann Marie Marshall (11/30)!
We will Share the Plate with Carrie Lynn Children’s Center The mission of the Carrie Lynn Children’s Center is to provide a comprehensive multi-disciplinary response to child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse allegations in a neutral, child-focused setting. The purpose is to coordinate and track the investigations, medical treatment, counseling referrals, prosecution and training in order to protect the best interests of the child victims and their families and to make sure the children get the help and protection they need. Click Here to Donate
Matthew’s Memo Nov. 23 2021
I wish you a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday if you celebrate. I hope that the people you are with are loving and kind, that the food you eat is delicious, and that the spirit of gratitude is with you.
The thanksgiving holiday – like most holidays – is based on a mythical version of history. The Wampanoag nation, who were the first to encounter the arrived settlers in Plymouth, are still fighting to be recognized and treated with dignity, 400 years after that first encounter. And the holiday often becomes about family drama or the adventures of travel in winter.
But the kernel of this is still good: to take time to give thanks. Gratitude is among the most powerful spiritual practices – it orients us toward abundance, reminds us of what is good, and gives us the courage to for the living of our days.
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful for this church. You, the people of this church, are good, decent, resilient, hopeful, funny, and caring. The staff are a treasure to work with – we are all very blessed by their service to this faith.
I am thankful for my family – my fiancé, Kari; her daughter, and my two kids. This Thanksgiving, Kari and I will celebrate by ourselves as she recovers from a breakthrough covid infection (so far, I am well – knock-on-wood; get your booster.). We’ll celebrate with our children, who are thankfully safe with their other parents when she is well and non-contagious. I’m also looking forward to seeing my family in Seattle after Christmas – my children have not seen their 101-year-old great-grandmother in 2.5 years.
The ongoing experience of COVID can sharpen our gratitude – remind us how valuable our family, friends, and/or community can be to us. It has for me.
I wish you a safe, joyous, and abundant time.
In faith,
Matthew
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 and takes 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.
At 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 15. Two ways:
Drop off a check to the office, or the Sunday offering, labeled “Holiday Gift Fund”.
Online. Click here to go to our giving page and make sure to select Holiday Bonus as the fund.
Path to Membership Class!
Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford is pleased to announce the 2021 PATH to Membership Class will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 9:30 – 2:00 at UU Church, Rockford. Library. 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: December 4, 9:30 – 2:00
Where: UU Church Rockford Library
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, membership, and meeting other exciting newcomers
The memorial reception committee sends a big Thank You to the following people who gave their time to help support the family of Maria Sciama last Sunday afternoon: Carole Hunter, Gaen McClendon, Wanda Hoover, Tom Walsh, Leslie Mahan, Duane Wilke, Alan Penticoff, and Brian and Judy Gustafson.
December 1st at 7pm in the library. Join Annie Hopson, Youth Services Director at the Rockford Family Peace Center, to learn more about prevention and youth services for young people impacted by violence. Ms. Hopson has made it her mission to end the cycle of violence and to show young people who have experienced violence that those experiences do not have to define their lives.
December 15th at 7pm Blue Christmas Service will provide an opportunity to share the losses, vulnerabilities, and despair brought on by the pandemic, loneliness, or death. We invite those who have a special need for comfort, hope, and healing at this time of year to attend with a friend. Music provided by harpist Nanette Fox. Services leaders, Rev Joyce and our Caring Team members. *If you would like to provide a ride or need a ride, please let Rev. Joyce know at assistminister@uurockford.org or 815-398-6322 ext. 3.
Social Justice Updates
R.U.M. Updates
Thanksgiving Interfaith Program on line at https://www.facebook.com/groups/498765954190092 or zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5546249951?pwd=WDZ1dEIrQWVSK255bXcvbjdkOXR0QT09 WHAT: Virtual 33d Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Program
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, beginning at 3pm, and then available on YouTube
WHERE: Available on Facebook page
Rockford Interfaith Council presents the 33d Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, this time zoomed through the courtesy of Third Presbyterian Church, Rockford Urban Ministries, and later on YouTube.
This event, free and open to the public, begins at 3pm, Sunday, November 22, at Third Presbyterian Church, or on line by registering with or by going to the “Rockford Interfaith Council” Facebook page.
Stanley E. Campbell
director, Rockford Urban Ministries
201 Seventh Street
Rockford IL 61104-1208
Eliminate Racism 815
Film Discussion
Friday December 10, 2021
6 p.m.
Native American Healing in 21st Century: Shows Native American ancient forms of healing and how they are now being embraced again and accepted by modern physicians and scientists.
Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487
The film discussions are presented in partnership with Tony Turner of Conscious Coaching, The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area, and Rockford Public Library.
Does My Vote Still Count?
Monday, November 29, 7:00-8:30 pm
Live Virtual Town Hall Plan to attend this important exploration of the future of voting and democracy in the US. What happens if the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act pass? If they don’t? How can we strengthen voting rights in Illinois to ensure equitable ballot access and protect all voices?
Keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Arnewine will discuss the importance of national voting rights legislation, followed by a panel discussion with Ami Ghandi, Senior Counsel, Chicago Lawyers for Civil Rights; Frederique Desrosiers, Policy Director, Chicago Votes; Dr. Barbara Arnwine, President, Transformative Justice Coalition; Jay Young, Executive Director, Common Cause. The panel will be moderated by Lance Gough, former executive director of the Chicago Board of Election.
Library Committee will meet December 12 after church service in the library
The Board of Trustees:
President: Amanda Tapfield
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Judy Gustafson
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Khanh Oehlke, Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
December 1st at 7pm in the library. Join Annie Hopson, Youth Services Director at the Rockford Family Peace Center, to learn more about prevention and youth services for young people impacted by violence. Ms. Hopson has made it her mission to end the cycle of violence and to show young people who have experienced violence that those experiences do not have to define their lives.
December 15th at 7pm Blue Christmas Service will provide an opportunity to share the losses, vulnerabilities, and despair brought on by the pandemic, loneliness, or death. We invite those who have a special need for comfort, hope, and healing at this time of year to attend with a friend. Music provided by harpist Nanette Fox. Services leaders, Rev Joyce and our Caring Team members. *If you would like to provide a ride or need a ride, please let Rev. Joyce know at 
