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Healing the Heart of Democracy (Veterans Day)
November 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Bret Lortie On this Veterans Day, honoring with mere words those who honor us with their service seems insufficient. Since military service members themselves are under attack by our own government, our responses need more of us. And as we embrace more creative and engaged ways to counter the domestic forces threatening to divide us, we realize that the best way to honor our veterans is with a country worthy of their sacrifice.
We will share the plate with Nature at the Confluence Mission Statement:
Nature At The Confluence creates community connections by providing inviting spaces and engaging programs.
Strategic Goals 2023-2025:
Enhance facilities to provide more self-guided educational opportunities and accessible recreational spaces.
Engage a more diverse spectrum of our community through partnerships and programs.
Build a sustainable organizational structure and funding strategy. Click Here to Donate
Happy Birthday to: Clara McKee (Nov 03), Valerie Stenerson (Nov 03), Mary Anderson (Nov 04), Crista Swanlund (Nov 05), Will Boelcke (Nov 07), Cynthia Simmons (Nov 08), Monica Walk (Nov 08), & Kien Oehlke (Nov 10)!
Cynthia Simmons is sharing her birthday with us this Sunday, November 8th, for her 62nd birthday. Join us for coffee hour and wish her a happy birthday.
Please keep Tom Little and family in your thoughts and prayers. Ruth Little died on October 15th. A memorial service will be on November 21st at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Obituary
Building & Grounds Update
The elevator is currently out of service until further notice.
Small Group Questions:
What is most precious to you about our community and about Sunday service?
How will the new minister continue Rev. Joyce’s work of nurturing a support network within our church community?
When our new minister has been with us for a year, how will we know “Yes, this feels right—this is working” or “Something’s not working here—this feels off somehow”?
Thank you all for your participation in the search process!
– Submitted by Rebecca Beneditz, Search Committee Communications Coordinator(rebecca.beneditz@gmail.com if you have questions!)
9:30 am-2:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Doors Open at 9:00 am
Light Pastries and Coffee will be available before the workshop in Deale Hall.
We will break for lunch from 11:30 am-12:30 pm.
A variety of soups and bread/crackers will be available for lunch in Deale Hall.
Childcare is available!
This workshop is designed to help our congregation prepare for our ministerial search by examining conscious and unconscious biases around race/ethnicity, gender/gender identity, visible/invisible disabilities, health concerns, and sexual orientation. Our facilitator has asked members of our congregation to answer some questions ahead of the workshop so that he can better prepare for the needs of our specific congregation.
The questions can be found at the following link: Break Barriers, Build Beliefs Questions
About our B4 Facilitator:
Rev. Eric Kaminetzky (he/him) grew up in Unitarian Universalism. He’s an experienced Lay Leader and Parish Minister, now serving as the Interim Settled Ministries Director for the Unitarian Universalist Association. Eric leads the B4 workshop for congregations in transition. Rev. Kaminetzky will also be preaching for us on Sunday in support of and as an extension of the work we will be doing together during our B4 weekend!
Call for Donations
Our annual church auction is coming up on Saturday, December 12 and we need to fill the catalog!
Host a dinner, teach a class, offer a service, put together a basket, bake something delicious – we encourage you to get creative.
You can submit your donation directly on the website by clicking the link below: 2026 UU Auction Donation Form If you are new to the church and want to know more about how the auction works or need if you need help submitting your donation, please reach out to Spitty Tata or Kendra Asbury. Thank you for your generosity!
We invite folks who are raising school aged children and the children in their lives to join us for food and fellowship!
Thursday, November 19
5:00 – 7:00 pm (drop in any time!)
Deale Hall (please remain inside Deale Hall)
Bring your own reusable water bottle/beverage
*If you have the bandwidth and would like to bring a dish to share or a side such as fruit, veggies, chips and salsa, or a dessert, feel free. Reusable plates or utensils would be a bonus too.
*Can’t bear the thought of being responsible for one more detail but would love the company of other adults? We’ve got you! Show up as you are, we’d love to have you!
Choir Rehearsal Update
We have some changes to our rehearsal schedule leading up to our December Music Sunday.
Thurs 5 Nov @ 7:00 pm
Tues 10 Nov @ 7:00 pm
Thurs 19 Nov @ 7:00 pm
Tues 24 Nov @ 7:00 pm
Wed 2 Dec @ 7:00 pm
Music Sunday is Sun 6 Dec.
Join in the spirit of this Thankful Season as we act to help Rockford’s unhoused community and learn more about the Overnight Café.
Gather in Deale Hall at 6 pm:
The Eco Justice team will provide seasonal snacks. (You are invited to bring your favorite, too.)
Help us reach our goal of creating 100 Care Bags to share with unhoused Rockford citizens. We will pack compostable baggies with tissues, bus passes, handwarmers, and resource cards. You are invited to bring snacks or other small, useful items that will fit into a sandwich bag, but YOU are the most important element to bring.
Karen Hill will present about Rockford’s Overnight Café, a seasonal nighttime shelter that provides hot meals and safe sleeping at Second First Church. We regularly support their efforts from our Sunday collection.
Rev. Joyce will share information about how our church community intends to respond when unhoused individuals make their way onto church property.
This multigenerational evening will include music and words of gratitude and thanksgiving: All ages are invited and welcomed. We are grateful for all of us.
The REJ Team would like to invite you to the following events:
ER815 Film Discussion
Friday November 15, 2026, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
This month our film is “Talking Back”-One Call to Pentagon Ends Their Careers. 4 Star Marine Corps General Victoria Taylor is stopped and arrested for “obstruction” and “talking back” by officers. Victim of a discriminatory checkpoint program?
Join us at the Baha’i Center 1650 N Alpine: Lower level in Highcrest Shopping Center. We will show the film followed by a facilitated discussion.
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
ER815 Book Discussion
Thursday November 19, 2026 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Montague Branch Library, 1238 S. Winnebago St.
Join us for a discussion of Anti-Racism Ally by Sophie Williams: An introduction to activism and action. It gives you the information you need to begin, or continue, your understanding of what it means to be a true anti-racist ally.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library. Looking for a copy of one of these books? The Rockford Public Library may have a physical copy in their collection, or you may try CloudLibrary, Hoopla or Inter Library Loan. Please feel free to reach out to the Library if you need assistance accessing these resources with your library card. You can also find many of these titles at https://www.audible.com/ or https://www.chirpbooks.com/a
The UU Fourth Sunday Book Discussion Group meets at noon on the fourth Sunday of every month (Surprise!) in the church library.
The next meeting will be November 22 at noon.
This month, we will be reading “The Fountains of Paradise” by Arthur C. Clarke
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.
Community Events
Midterm Election Night ‘Wrap & Regroup’
Community Gathering
November 3, 2026 6:00 pm -8:00 pm
Online – Hosted by Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois
Need some company on Election Night?
Join us online for a time of spiritual centering, respite and community connection.
On Election Night, we will gather online, in community, to say goodbye to the midterms and step away from the intensity and anxiety of poll numbers.
UUANI will provide separate spaces to connect with others, take space for quiet reflection, or talk to others about what we think, feel and believe.
We hope you can join us!
Connect with community leaders and innovators to explore solutions for a more climate-resilient Rockford region. Enjoy inspiring talks, workshops, and networking opportunities. Register now at earthrise815.com. Speak to Rev Joyce for sponsorship opportunities.
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: Diane Kuehl
Vice President: Sandi Campbell
Clerk: Scott Garwick
Treasurer: Teresa Wilmot
Trustees: Kendra Asbury, Neita Webster, Jason Peckels
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
