Kairos October 7, 2025

Kairos 10/07/2025

Empathy is Not a Sin
October 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Joyce Palmer

In times of conflict and division, what does it mean to embody true compassion? This Sunday, we reflect on the life of Clara Barton, a nurse, humanitarian, and founder of the American Red Cross, and the radical lesson her actions on a Civil War battlefield still teach us today. Together, we’ll explore how empathy, far from being a weakness, can be a powerful response to human suffering and a source of healing for our communities and ourselves.

We will share the plate with WCCC Scotti’s Fund
Scotti’s Fund gives financial assistance for reproductive care.

Click Here to Donate

Happy Birthday to: Avery Lindstrom (Oct 07), Eileen Kegel (Oct 07), Terry Curtin (Oct 07), Toni Tollerud (Oct 08), Jon McGinty (Oct 09), Marvin Smitherman (Oct 09), Terry Simmons (Oct 09), Anastasia Haun (Oct 10), Alex Reisinger (Oct 11), William Schuyler (Oct 11), & Jesse Parker (Oct 13)!

On the Friday evening, October 10th, I invite you to join me for a special Startup Workshop hosted by MidAmerica Region’s Rev. Sharon Dittmar. This workshop kicks off the next two years of interim work together, so you won’t want to miss it! As a congregational life consultant, Rev. Sharon will lead a discussion exploring the hopes and fears of transition as well as some pivotal moments in the congregation’s history. There is a potluck from 6PM – 6:45PM before moving into group conversation. Although it’s always fun to join in person, we will offer the main discussion via Zoom. Please email Rev. Bret, minister@uurockford.org, for the link. Youth are encouraged to participate in the main discussion, and while not geared toward young children, Rev. Sharon says she like to include them before families might need to leave for bedtimes, etc. It is fine if people come late or leave early. See you there, Rev. Bret.

Call for Donations!

Our annual auction is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 15 and we need items to bid on! We encourage you to get creative – host a dinner, teach a class, put together a basket with a church group you are a part of, solicit a donation from a favorite local business/organization, donate tickets to a show – you name it! If you are new to the auction and are looking for inspiration, please reach out to Rebecca Beneditz or Alexis Simmons and we’d be glad to help you brainstorm! We prefer that you submit your donation directly on the website by clicking this link: 2025 UU Auction Donation Form, but paper forms are also available on the table in the Narthex and in the church office. Thank you for your creativity and generosity!

Wonderful Wednesday, October 15, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Meet at Midwest Reproductive Health Care, 4236 Maray Drive, for an update on the clinic now that they are operational. We will tour the clinic and find out how we can support them in providing abortion care for women and girls of all ages, life stages, and economic situations.

Building Repairs
Thank You

A very large Thank You to everyone who contributed to helping fund the building repairs. The building will be sustained for many more years thanks to your contributions.

If you did not get around to making a contribution, there is still time to help.

Sunday Morning Meditation
Now Every Sunday!
9:15 a.m. in the Library

We meet to meditate together and center ourselves for the day. Please join us for Sunday Morning Meditation.

Walk with Us to End Hunger!
Sunday October 19th
Join the UU Rockford CROP Hunger Walk Team and help fight hunger locally and globally. Can’t walk? You can still support by making a gift to our team! Every step and every donation makes a difference.

Sign-up in Deale Hall on Sunday or use the link below.

https://uurockford.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3191484

The fall scene currently hanging in the front of the Sanctuary is the work of a local artist: Margo Shryack-Pagh. The medium is batik. The artist characterizes the creation as a “Trickster Triptych.” Triptych refers to the three panels. The “trickster” is a coyote that is not depicted, but is the cause of the one panel being fertile and the other barren.

The artwork is a gift from the Eliseo family in memory of Delores Eliseo

UU Common Read 2025–26
This year’s UU Common Read is Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection by racial justice advocate Deepa Iyer. The book offers a powerful framework for individuals and communities to engage in collective action for equity and justice. Through ten social change roles from builder to storyteller you’ll discover ways to strengthen your impact.

Together, we’ll explore how to deepen our commitment to justice and strengthen our roles in collective action. Copies are available through inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop: https://uuabookstore.org/.

Come read, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversation with us!

Racial and Economic Justice Team

The Nonviolent Communication Practice Group will meet on October 22.

Community Events

Pilgrim Baptist Church
1703 S. Central Ave. Rockford, IL

The Countdown Is On!

Join us for The Gayla: A Celestial Celebration — an unforgettable night of Queer Brilliance under the stars.

Be part of the brilliance: givebutter.com/c/mbdZ2U

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: Wendy Bennett
Vice President: Diane Kuehl
Clerk: Scott Garwick
Treasurer: Bob Spelman
Trustees: Kendra Asbury, Clark Logemann, Neita Webster