The UU Church-Rockford, IL

Intolerant Unitarians
Stanley Campbell
We rarely think of ourselves as intolerant bigots, but our subconscious actions and responses can hurt people we don't even know. "And I should know!" says Stanley Campbell, director of Rockford Urban Ministries, which the UUs support, will share some thoughts on how not to offend those we might disagree with, nor even notice.
Mr. Campbell has worked for 32 years as "the only paid peace activist" in Rockford and says, “As a Vietnam veteran, I learned to hate war. I found healing by organizing.”
A long-time Rockford IL resident, he established the Rock Valley Food Pantry while a student at Rock Valley College in 1976. Since hired by RUM (as it is affectionately called) Mr. Campbell has started non-profit organizations including JustGoods fair trade, and the Rockford Work Camps volunteer program.
He speaks out against war, urban sprawl, and treating the poor poorly. He speaks in favor of immigrant rights, safer communities, and getting involved in issues.

We complete our series on joy. On Father’s Day, I’ll share something of what I learned from my father, and try to teach to my children as their father, about what it means to live a joyful life.  What is important? What is worthy? What does happiness mean, really?

What does it mean to say we are a church of joy? On “annual meeting Sunday”, how might we reflect on the purpose of the church and the qualities of beloved community that we seek to embody?

We begin a three sermon series on joy — first, what it means to be guided by a joyful spirit and see, in the divine, joy and passion.  We’ll also celebrate Flower Communion! Bring a flower (or two) from your home to share.

How do we embody peace in our daily living, civic life, and spiritual practice? Thoughts.

Mothers of the Movement
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
What does it mean to follow the fierce love of those mothers and other parents who take on the struggle against racial injustice?  In line with the original purpose of Mother’s Day, how can we sustain and summon our inner “Momma Bear” to dismantle systems of white supremacy, patriarchy, and militarism?  A celebration of all of those who give birth to justice and who fight for their children and the world. 

"Spiritual Healing"

 Intern Minister Michelle Lattanzio

In my work of performing pastoral care as a hospital chaplain, I have found that it is not only the patients who lives change during times of sickness and health, but mine as well. In this sermon, I will share some some of my experiences as a hospital chaplain and hospice volunteer, and talk about the ways in which I have both witnessed and experienced spiritual healing take place among folks dealing with various life changes, and sometimes, even in myself.

A celebration and affirmation of transgender, non-binary, and gender queer people in our faith and in the world. We’ll explore about what transgender means, how those of us who are cisgendered can be good allies and friends, and the liberation that can come for all of us when gender norms are not quite so strict.  (If you are trans, or have a family member who is, and would like to send me a paragraph or so of your thoughts, please do — uurockrev@gmail.com.  Let me know if you’d like me to quote you by name or anonymously. Thank you!)

​The Peace of Wild Things
 Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson 
We’ll explore the meanings of Earth Day, Spring, Joy, and Resistance through the poetry of Wendell Berry, who invites us to recenter our lives around what has true value, and not be distracted by consumerism, power, and control. ​

What does it mean to celebrate Easter today? As skeptics, humanists, believers, and wonderers, how might we “practice resurrection” for our time?