Reverence for the Dead
October 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.Onlineand In-Person Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
The ancient Celts held that on the night halfway between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice, the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead would grow thin, and the dead would come to visit. This holy night marked the beginning of the new year, a time to remember where we come from and to experience that profound connection to the generations. This day, we mark this ancient holiday and will reflect on what it means to have reverence for the “choir invisible of the immortal dead.”
Volunteers for Sunday Morning October 24 R.E. K and Under: Susan Caravello & Lauren Smith
R.E. Grade 1 and Over: Dave Black & Lindsay Trank
Ushers: Barb Wilson & Pam Wilson
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: Tom Hauser (10/28), Linda Lawrence (10/28), & Ellyn Ahmer (11/01)!
We will Share the Plate with UU Ministry for the Earth
Their mission is 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. Click Here to Donate
Matthew’s Memo October 26, 2021
This coming Sunday, October 31st, at 2 pm, we will ordain Omega Burckhardt to The Unitarian Universalist ministry. You are invited, and I hope you will attend – in person at church, or online.
An ordination is a big deal. It only happens once in the life of a minister, and it is what actually makes a person into a Reverend. It comes after many years of theological education, internships, field study, evaluations, and approvals by denominational committees and authorities. It is the celebration of all of that – and the beginning of a new life as an ordained minister.
Omega had a very unusual internship. She began serving Olympia Brown UU Church in Racine, Wisconsin, working with the Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker, who was serving as the interim there. But Marlene was leaving that interim spot and Omega needed to finish her two-year internship elsewhere – and after some good conversations, I invited her to work with us. About two weeks later, the pandemic began. She served her whole time with us while we were remote. And I’m so glad she was here – I could not have taken my sabbatical last fall without her (Marlene acted as her supervisor in my absence), and having a colleague-in-training to work with during our online year was a blessing. But she hardly got to meet many of you in person.
So coming to her ordination is a gift back to her for her great ministry with us. Omega was hired by our congregation in San Diego to serve their bilingual campus as well as their congregation overall. Her career will take her to wonderful places, and we are lucky to have been part of it.
The preacher for the service is the Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, a dear friend of mine who serves as Senior Minister at First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee – and one of the finest preachers in our association. You’ll also get to hear from the Rev. Kimberlee Carlson. It’s going to be a great service. So please do come – 2 pm on Sunday.
In faith,
Rev. Matthew
Our Whole Lives for the 2021-2022 School Year
We will be offering Our Whole Lives (the UU sexuality education program) this school year for grades K-1st, 4th-6th, and 7th-9th. Families with eligible children were sent details via email. Anyone who is interested that did not receive an email should contact Lindsay at reuurockford@gmail.com for more information.
Grades K-1: Sessions will be 11:30-12:30 on Oct. 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, and 19.
Grades 4-6: Will be offered later in the school year, exact dates TBD.
Grades 7-9: Sessions will be 3:00-4:30 on Nov. 7, 14, 21, and Dec. 5, 12, and 19. Students in 10th-12th grade who have not previously attended 7-9 OWL are welcome to attend as well.
November 3rd, 5:30pm at the Family Peace Center at 315 N Main Street, Rockford. Join us for a tour and brief presentation regarding the work of the Family Peace Center as we learn about the Center’s mission to contribute to a thriving community by caring for victims of domestic violence and working to prevent violence. If you would like to meet at the church and carpool together, contact Rev. Joyce at assistminister@uurockford.org
November 17th at 7 pm. Join Ashraf Amaya, former professional basketball player, trainer, and youth mentor for a conversation about reducing youth violence through mentorship. Mr. Amaya will speak about the ways he has worked with youth from a faith and sports perspective and invite dialogue about the ways our theological perspective can inform your justice work. The plan is to meet at the church.
Social Justice Updates
Eliminate Racism 815
Book Discussion
Thursday, October 28, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, the NY Times Fiction Best Seller of 2019. The life of a young girl named Kya grows up in North Carolina from 1952-1969. A 2nd intertwined timeline follows a murder investigation of a local celebrity. 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.
Film Discussion
Friday, November 12, 2021, 6 p.m. Constructing the Terrorist Threat-Islamophobia: The Media & War on Terror: Argues US media have turned Arabs/Muslims into the face of terror, while terror attacks by homegrown violent extremist groups have far outnumbered Muslim/Arab attacks. Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487The film discussions are presented in partnership with Tony Turner of Conscious Coaching, The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area, and the Rockford Public 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 |
