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Climate Crisis: Anxiety and Hope November 13, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
“Love is a teacher.” This is a service about anxiety and hope, with respect to the climate crisis and our relationships with the earth and with each other. How do we respond to our grief and anger about the climate crisis? What can give us hope and courage? We will welcome special guest musician Amanda Thomas and guest pianist Timm Adams. Don’t miss this special service.
We will Share the Plate with UUMFE
Mission
To be a wellspring of spiritual and educational grounding and practical support for bold, accountable action for environmental justice, climate justice, and the flourishing of all life.
Vision
A world in which reverence, gratitude, and care for each other and for the living Earth are central to the lives of all people.
Happy Birthday to: Cindy Stear (11/10), Kien Oehlke (11/10), Omega Burckhardt (11/10), Fred Stellema (11/11), Matthew Fields Huckstep (11/12), Denise Cole (11/13), Sharon Hartung (11/15), & Susan Caravello (11/15)!
Volunteers for Sunday, November 13
Ushers: Barb Wilson & Pam Wilson
Greeters: We Need 2 Volunteers
Guest Table: Rev. Joyce Palmer & Ann Caskey
Coffee Hosts: Tim Palmer & We Need 1 More Volunteer
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!
The folks who look at polls and trends and guess what will happen in an election are very cautious about predictions this year. Anything from the massive win for the Republican party (taking back both houses) to a narrow hold for the Democrats is possible. So if you are reading this and haven’t voted yet, do! Elections may be very close and your vote counts.
Regardless of how it goes, the work of making a world of justice, fairness, and decency continue. Though I think politics is important, I think we often ask too much of it. Building vital neighborhoods and communities, caring for each other, shifting hearts – this work must fundamentally happen outside of politics.
Here are things you can do: reach out. I recently heard a story about a neighbor who assumed, based on someone’s signs, that they would be a horrible, no-good, judgmental person. But it turned out the neighbor with the signs was kind, helpful, and decent. We often get what we expect. Can we work to claw back a sense of neighborliness? I hope so.
This seems like a good time to give you an update about our work at the church in our Faith in Action ministry areas.
We have three “issue/action” teams. These teams connect with our partners, help put on programing and do projects, and are planning ways to engage the congregation in this work.
One of these is our “Racial and Economic Justice team,” which is co-led by Kathie Mattison and Gloria Perez. Their regular meeting is this coming Sunday, and they will be learning about how they can be bond-court observers and help advance the work of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act. See below for details. Some of these folks are also traveling to Springfield next Wednesday for a lobby day on this bill. If you are interested, come to the meeting Sunday to find out more.
Another issue/action team is our Ecojustice Team, co-led by Allyson Rosemore and Doug Rix. They are hosting a set of “Climate Impact Sessions” – the first on Saturday. See below for more and attend if you are interested. The Ecojustice team meets monthly; be in touch with Allyson for details.
Our third issue/action team is the “Sex and Gender Justice team.” Dale was the lead of this team, so we are grieving her loss and planning to restart the efforts. If you are interested in this work, which includes justice work for LGBTQ+ folks, reproductive justice, and domestic violence prevention, please let me know.
In addition, we have an organizing crew who is working to support the campaigns of Rockford Urban Ministries and the Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois, as well as to inform those groups of the issues we are excited about. We did a little election-related work with them and will be participating with them in some initiatives each organization has coming up.
So if you are thinking, after today’s results become clear, that you want to get involved in the work to make your values real, please join one of the three-issue/action teams. We’d love to have you involved!
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 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.
Path to Membership
Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford is pleased to announce our Fall Path to Membership Class will gather on Sunday, November 13, after the service. 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: Sunday, November 13 after service
Where: UU Church Rockford Conference Room
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, membership, and meeting other newcomers
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Adopt an Angel Christmas Gift Drive
If you would like to buy a gift for a child in foster care, we have 15 gift tags for children. The gifts need to be wrapped and the contents identified. Gift tags are available by contacting Rev. Joyce at revjoycepalmer@yahoo.com
Gifts must be purchased and at church by Sunday, November 27, so caseworkers have time to deliver to children during their December visits. Hope you will help spread holiday cheer!
Photo of the Week! Enjoying meal and company at Pig Minds. Auction item provided by Peggy and Matt Menze.
Assist a refugee family
I am assisting a local Afghan family with their asylum applications and it has come to my attention that they are in need of community support. It is a family of five- a mother and four of her children- the youngest is in middle school- living in Rockford. They arrived in June and are in need of not just furnishings for their tiny apartment but mentoring on acculturating/navigating their new community and resources. The oldest son is 20 years old and fluent in English. He was a university student in Kabul and is extremely bright and talented (he really needs an advocate to help him figure out if and how he can resume his college education here). He currently applying for jobs but would like to resume his studies as well. They are a very lovely, well-educated family who are struggling to find their footing and in need of a warm welcome here.
Most immediate needs:
1. They do not have access to laundry in their apartment complex, no car, and no way to get to the laundromat- they are washing their clothes in the sink.
2. Transportation for shopping, appointments, etc.
3. Someone to assess exactly what furniture and basic living items (linens, cookware, dishes, cleaning supplies, etc.) they are in most need of (for example, there are five of them but their ‘furnished’ apartment came with only one couch that seats three).
4. New friends/mentors willing to spend some time with them, show them around, answer questions or help them find people to answer their questions.
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 Film Discussion
Friday November 11, 2022 6:30 p.m.
We will show the film Slaying the Dragon-Media Stereotypes of Asian & Asian American Women: A comprehensive look at media stereotypes of Asian & Asian American women.
Join us at the Baha’i Center 1650 N Alpine: Lower level in Highcrest Shopping Center.
We will show the film at The Baha’i Center in person with a facilitated discussion after the showing of the film.
Please note that the meeting time will be 6:30, not 6:00 p.m. the way the zoom viewings were.
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
Racial and Economic Justice Team Invitation Pre-Trial Fairness Act Presentation
David Black, from our congregation and Rockford Urban Ministries advocate for PTFA, Dorothy Reddic, have generously agreed to share their knowledge of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act with us. They will give us an overview, explain fears and misconceptions, Trailer bills, and answer your questions. All are welcome to attend.
Date: Sunday, November 13, 2022. Time: After Sunday service, 11:15 Location: UU church library
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 |
