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December Music Sunday: “Music Hath Charms”
December 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand In-Person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson As most of us already know, music has a profound ability to affect our well-being. Music can provide a healing touch to the mind, the body, and the soul. This Sunday, we will celebrate the healing power of music in word and melody as dear friends violinist Rachel Handlin and cellist Michael Beert join us in worship. We hope you will be able to join us!
Volunteers for Sunday Morning December 5 R.E. K and Under: Lauren Smith & Shiraz Tata
R.E. Grade 1 and Over: Lindsay Trank & Tracey Koppen
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!
A reminder that all Religious Education classes will be held inside from now on. Parents are encouraged to come to the office doors where someone will be there to let them in. Thank you.
Happy Birthday to: Peggy Menze (12/01), Sally Walker (12/02), Jack Berti (12/03), & Jack Rosemore (12/07)!
We will Share the Plate with UUPMI We equip UU’s in Illinois to transform institutions and support people harmed by the prison industrial complex. For more information click here. Click Here to Donate
Matthew’s memo November 30, 2021
I want to thank you for your congratulatory messages at my engagement – and for your good wishes for health after my fiancé’s breakthrough covid infection. I’m glad to report that she’s on the mend (though her sense of taste isn’t back yet) and that a combination of her vaccination and my recent booster shot seems to mean (knock on wood) that I fully escaped it. So – get your booster! It works. Especially with new variants and high community spread, I strongly recommend getting the booster. And if you have a child over 5, please do get them vaccinated if you are able to do so.
I’m very grateful to both Rev. Joyce and Autumn, who managed my virtual-only availability on Nov. 19th with skill and grace. It’s so great to be part of a team.
As we close out November, I’m very much looking forward to what’s coming in December. Music Sunday is this week, and Tim has arranged for special guests Rachel Handlin and Mike Beert to join us. This is not to be missed. Rev. Joyce and the caring team are organizing a Blue Christmas Service on Dec. 15th, at 7 pm, for folks who might feel the need to have their grief or sorrow more explicitly acknowledged during this season. Nanette Felix will play the harp as well as this service.
And then on December 19th – the pageant is back! The children are back! Based on the gleeful and relieved Facebook posts, I know that almost all our children five and up will be fully vaccinated by now, and so it’s perfect timing to welcome our children back to the sanctuary. We’ll have our no-rehearsal pageant and celebrate the power of story to shape our lives. Come on back!
December 24th, Christmas Eve, we will have our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 5pm. All ages are welcome. We will reflect together on the power of love and hope. Bring your friends and family.
Happy Holidays.
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 Gift 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
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 12.
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.
December 1st at 7 pm 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 7 pm 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 Felix. 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
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.
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 |
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. 
December 1st at 7 pm 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.
