Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, May 17, 2025
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location
Rockford Grange

Categories

We all know that this is a very difficult time for our country—blatant attacks on immigrants and LGBTQ people, the elimination of DEI programs, looming draconian cuts in social service programs, full-scale retreat on climate change mitigation, ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and behind it all threats to the very nature of our democracy. Our UU values call on us to respond to these issues, but in this welter of outrageous administrative actions, it can be difficult to find a way forward. How do we prioritize responses to these many concerns? How do we involve more congregants in this important work? How might we most effectively work together with other faith groups and community organizations? How can our congregation best organize its social justice programs to support us in our actions? And what guidance can we receive from our UU principles and values?

To help us find more clarity on these issues, Rev. Barbara will be leading a Social Justice Visioning Retreat on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00 – 12:00 at the Rockford Grange. In this retreat we will have an opportunity to share ideas and perspectives. We will certainly not be able to answer all of these questions, but we will hopefully end the day with a clearer approach and some concrete next steps as we organize to respond to the current situation. Everyone is invited to attend, whether you have a long history of social activism, are looking for some ways to get your feet wet, or simply have some ideas to share. 

If you are interested in attending, please email Elaine Castles at [email protected] so we will have some idea of how many people to prepare for. Rev. Barbara will be sending out some background materials to look at prior to the retreat. Hope to see you there.