Adult Programs

Fermenting a Social Justice Agenda
This learning-teaching group will meet throughout the year to explore and “give rise” to ideas for a social justice focus for the church. The group will function as a kind of yeast, learning on behalf of and sharing with the congregation. Activities will include presentations, guest speakers, field trips, and discussion. Experience with social justice issues is not required, just passion to begin. Facilitator: the Rev. Matthew Johnson-Doyle. Location: Connolly Library. Dates and Times: Usually the first Wednesday of each month, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with some exceptions. Dates are: Sept. 30th, Nov. 4th, Dec. 2nd, Jan. 13th, Feb. 3rd, Mar. 3rd, April 7th, and May 5th. Childcare will be available with advance request. Fee: There is a $10 materials fee (waived upon request).

Do Unto Others: The Charter for Compassion
Author Karen Armstrong has spearheaded the Charter for Compassion: "a collaborative effort to build a peaceful and harmonious global community." (charterforcompassion.com/about). In Armstrong's view, all religions place a high value on compassion as expressed in the Golden Rule. By focusing on this commonality among religions, she hopes to promote a more peaceful world. In this program, we will explore expressions of the Golden Rule in the world's major religions and discuss our views of Armstrong's efforts. Among the questions we will consider are what do we mean by "compassion" and is the Golden Rule the best guide for being compassionate. We will conclude with sharing our own experiences of compassion and reflect on ways we might become more compassionate. Facilitator: Jan Dunham. Location: Connolly Library. Dates and times: Monday, February 22nd and Monday, March 1st, 7:00—8:30 p.m. Childcare will be available with advance request. Fee: There is a $5 materials fee (waived upon request).

The Soundtrack of Our Lives
How does music inspire our spiritual lives? Participants will bring their favorite music and discuss its meaning and messages. Facilitator: Ruth Penticoff. Dates and Times: Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., October 7th through October 28th. Location: Emerson Room (lower level). Childcare is available with advanced request. Fee: There is a $5 materials fee (waived upon request).

Healthy Children—Healthy Planet (POSTPONED)
A discussion and learning group based on materials from the Northwest Institute. Facilitator: Bob Arevalo. Dates and Times: Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., starting Oct. 6th and continuing until Nov. 17th or 24th (TBA). Location: Connolly Library. Childcare is available with advanced request. Fee: There is a $20 materials fee (waived upon request).

Beginning Bridge
Basic bridge with approximately one hour of group instruction followed by an hour of practice. Facilitator: Evelyn Palm. Dates and Times: Tuesday afternoons from 3:00-5:00 p.m., beginning April 20th through May 25th. Location: Library or Deale hall, depending on attendance. Fee: There is a $5 materials fee (waived upon request).

UU Principles in Film
Watch and discuss films that raise questions related to our religious ideals: what is forgiveness and reconciliation? What is the good life? What is love? Justice? Family? Participants may attend all sessions or select their favorites. Facilitator: Ron Johnson. Dates and Times: Thursday nights, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Teens are welcome to attend with their parents as appropriate. Fee: A $2 donation is requested for each class. Location: Sessions will take place in the library or the chapel, depending on attendance.

Thursday, Oct. 8 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Gran Torino (116 min.) (2008) R
Thursday, Nov 12 - 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Chop Shop (85 min) (2007)
(Unrated - probably R)
Thursday, Jan 14 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wall-e (97 min.) G
Thursday, Feb 11 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Stalag 17 (120 min) (1954)
Thursday, April 8 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Secrets & Lies (136 min) (1996) R (for language)

2009 Ware Lecture:
Melissa Harris-Lacewell, “Faith and Reason: Race, Justice, and American Political Life”
We’ll screen and then discuss the fabulous lecture given by Dr. Harris-Lacewell at last year’s General Assembly. Facilitator: Teresa Wilmot and Sandi Campbell. Date and time: Sunday, January 24th, Noon. Location: Chapel. A box lunch is provided. Fee: A $5 materials fee is requested (waived upon request).

Theology for a Secular Age
At the 2009 General Assembly, Galen Gugenrich, Senior Minister of the Community Church of New York, gave a well received presentation on our theology. This group will watch the videos of this presentation and engage in discussion of the “seven questions.” Facilitator: Teresa Wilmot. Date and Time: Will meet for seven Wednesdays in March, April, and May (details TBA) from 7:00—8:30 p.m. Location: Emerson Room. Childcare available with advance request. Fee: A $10 materials fee is requested (waived upon request). Videos of Rev. Guengerich are at http://www.allsoulsnyc.org/publications/video/ScienceAndFaith.html. Who is this Rev. Guengerich? see http://www.allsoulsnyc.org/publications/video/ScienceAndFaith.html.


Classes and Courses

Path to Membership
An introduction to Unitarian Universalism and the UU Church in Rockford, facilitated by the Senior Minister, the Rev. Matthew Johnson-Doyle. Check the Kairos for upcoming dates.

Great Decisions
Great Decisions is a discussion group about current topics in US foreign Policy held during an eight week period beginning in late February. Each meeting consists of viewing a half-hour DVD on a specific topic, followed by a discussion based on the DVD, readings in a briefing book, and related materials. The cost is $20 per person, which includes the briefing book. Watch the Kairos for upcoming dates.

Ongoing Activities

The Unicantors
The Unicantors, our choir, is the centerpiece of music at the church. It is led by Music Director Tim Anderson. This group sings almost every Sunday morning from September through June. Rehearsals are on Thursday nights, 7:00-8:30 p.m., with a warm-up on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.. The choir welcomes new voices at any time, especially in the fall. The most important qualification is that you like to sing! Please contact Tim if you are interested.

Eye-Opener
Our Sunday morning adult class meets from 8:15—9:30 a.m. in the Emerson Room (lower level). Topics are announced in the Kairos each week. Contact Jim Overley at 815-539-9730 for more information.

Covenant Groups
Small groups of 6-12 people who gather monthly for intentional conversation about their own lives and spiritual journey’s. Contact the office for more information.

Ramblers
For 23 years, a group of intrepid individuals has scheduled a monthly walk—usually after church, but occasionally on a Saturday—in a beautiful park or conservation area. We walk at a relaxed pace, about 1 or 1-1/2 hours, enjoy birds, wildflowers, and each other’s company. As Francie Barnes says, “We try not to get lost!” Come with us! We announce each ramble in the Kairos, and we always welcome new walkers. Contact Pat Harker at 815-399-8476 if you’re ready to “RAMBLE!”

Silent Meditation
Please join us on the first Saturday of the month for a silent meditation. Silent meditation will last from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. in the church library. This is followed by a guided metta, loving kindness, meditation until 8:30 a.m. First time meditators or those wishing for brief instruction on sitting should arrive at 7:15 a.m. After the hour of silence we will share coffee, conversation and discussion. For more information contact Wendy Larson Bennett at 815-961-0164.

Men's Discussion Group of Rockford
The church is cosponsoring a Men's Discussion Group. This group was established by Morgan Cooper eight years ago and had been meeting in members homes. Discussion of various topics in society. Guest presenters are a regular feature. The group will be facilitated by Morgan Cooper and will meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00—9:00 p.m. in the Connolly Library.

Retreats
Annual weekend retreats for men (winter) and women (spring) are held. Details are publicized in the Kairos.

Adopt-A-Road
We meet at the NiCor parking lot near the corner of Linden and Alpine Roads. Our stretch of road is on Linden from Alpine to east-most of the I-39 overpasses. Following our search for trash, and the occasional treasure, we adjourn for breakfast and UU camaraderie at the Five Coins Restaurant on Sandy Hollow Rd. Do join us--so many hands make for light work. Check Kairos for dates. Contact Allen & Ruth Penticoff, Adopt-A-Road Coordinators, at 815-874-9604.

V.S.P. (Very Special Group)
Since 1983 VSP has offered opportunity for adult UU church members, friends of the church and guests to socialize and enjoy a very complete luncheon and a 30—40 minute program. Notices are made in the Kairos. VSP gathers the first Friday every month at noon. The cost is $5. Contact Shari Smallwood at 815-395-8663 or Barbara Smith at 815-282-9453 for more information.

CUUPS
The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Inc. (CUUPS) is an Interest Group of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) honoring goddess-based, earth-centered, tribal and pagan spiritual paths. Membership in CUUPS is open to Unitarian Universalists and those in sympathy with Unitarian Universalist Purposes and Principles. UU Paganism is a community instilled with specific UU values that include the celebration of diversity and respect for all. UU Paganism does not tie a person to any particular dogma in the earth-centered religious traditions. Each person is free to choose their own spiritual "truth." Contact Ernie Stephens, Facilitator, at EStep3202@yahoo.com for more information.