Homecoming!
September 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Online and in-person
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson Come one, come all. We’ll celebrate and remember why church matters, and why we matter to church. See you there.
Happy Birthday to: Ann Pellman (09/11), Gary Soper (09/12), Glen Pietrzyk (09/12), & Eugene Gustafson (09/13)!
Jack and Diana Berti’s new cell number is 779-771-1630.
Volunteers for Sunday, September 11
Ushers: Sue Molyneaux & We Need 1 More
Greeters: Scott & Sue Garwick
Guest Table: Ann Caskey & Rev. Joyce Palmer
Coffee Hosts: Phil Hjemboe & Spitty Tata
Please note that if you volunteer for coffee host you will need to clean up afterward and run the cups through the sanitizer.
It’s time! This Sunday is our Ingathering/Homecoming service. We have a great service planned and I hope you come. The choir will sing, Rev. Joyce and I will speak, there will be a backpack blessing for our kids before they go off to their programs, we’ll have a modified “mingling of the waters” ceremony, and there will be some special guests. Don’t miss it!
In fact, do more than that. If you’re reading this, you are among the 40% or so of our members who do so. So think of someone you haven’t seen at church regularly recently, and give them a call. Ask if they want to go to lunch with you after service, or would like a ride. Bring another member or friend of the church along with you.
It’s time. It’s time for us to gather again, to feel the strength of our vibrant community. To see one another’s eyes and hear one another’s voices lifted in song and speech. Spread the world and come on home. We’ve got a place for you.
In faith,
Matthew
P.S. The CDC and FDA have approved Omicron-specific boosters for all people over 12. Get your appointment and get fully boosted. Get your flu shot while you’re at it, and keep yourself and others safe this winter. Thank you!
Board Update
The board checked in, discussed the consent agenda, discussed the upcoming board retreat, and reviewed our covid policies.
Wonderful Wednesday, Sept. 7th, 2022
6 PM. <– Note new time!!! Wonderful Wednesdays this year will be at SIX P.M. and end by 7:30.
“Interrupting Microaggressions.” The #1 request from you for anti-racism and anti-oppression learning was how to interrupt microaggressions in yourself and others. What are they and how do we know? How do we correct ourselves or others when they make them, whether we experience them ourselves or as a “bystander” — hopefully, without escalating and in a way that helps, rather than destroys, a relationship? We’ll look at interrupting microaggressions around race, culture, gender, sexuality, and disability. Rev. Matthew will share key insights, practices, and habits that help do this. Feel free to bring friends/and family — open to the public.
Finding Your Way with Starting Point Starting Point is small group ministry especially designed for newcomers and those looking to discover Unitarian Universalism and their church all over again. This program will help participants live Unitarian Universalism more fully, bring our history and theology to life, and leave everyone feeling grounded, connected and renewed.
Join Rev. Joyce, newcomers, friends and members looking to make connections and “dig deeper” into Unitarian Universalism.
Starting Point is a 4 week program, we will meet Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Session dates September 13, September 20, September 27, October 4.
Common Read 2022: Defund Fear: Safety without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment by Zach Norris
Community Conversations Open to All Hosted by the Racial and Economic Justice Team
All Sessions Online at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 28 Part 1: The Unsafe World
Wednesday, October 26 Part 2: A Vision of Safety
Wednesday, November 30: Reimagined Realities
The UUA Common Read offers us an opportunity to learn about an important topic and discuss how it relates to our Unitarian Universalist values. Zach Norris is a lawyer and the executive director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. His book offers a new blueprint for public safety that holds people accountable while still holding them in community.
You can purchase books at church with Li M Blacker. The books have been pre-purchased to receive the bulk discount. Please submit payment to Connection Victory for $15.
Memorial Patio Update
As part of the work to rebuild the Memorial Patio we would like to encourage members who want to order a memorial brick for a loved one who has died to submit a form with the information needed for inscription. We realize that there have been a number of deaths since bricks were last ordered and we would like to catch up as much as we can during this rebuilding phase. Please note that there is no need to do new forms for anyone who already has a brick in the current patio.
Forms are available from the church office or you may click the button below to print out the form at home. They should be submitted to the office. Our current policy is that bricks are engraved at no cost for members of the church. The engraving fee is $50/brick for non-member children, parents, spouses and life partners of members and $130 for former members and friends of the church. Payment should be made to the office.
If you have any questions about the orders or the patio please contact Pat Lewis at pryanlewis@gmail.com.
Eliminate Racism 815 Film Discussion
Friday September 9, 2022
6-8:30 p.m. Pine Ridge- The Lives and Dreams of Today’s Native American Youth: filmed on the Native American reservation in South Dakota where Americans with native blood live a life in the middle-yet outside of American society. Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81211275487
The film discussions are presented in partnership with The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area and Rockford Public Library.
Community Events
The Board of Trustees:
President: Judy Gustafson
Clerk: Bob Spelman
Vice-President: Spitty Tata
Treasurer: Steve Blomgren
Trustees: Shoko Chien, Sarah Greer, Jami Edmonds
The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL | 4848 Turner St., Rockford, IL 61107 | 815-398-6322 | uurockford.org |
