RUM

“Rockford Urban Ministries is open to God’s Shalom by establishing new and special ministries, especially in the urban areas of Rockford, IL. We support our member churches in promoting peace, mission and justice ministries, especially through growth and outreach.”

Rockford Urban Ministries
201 7th Street
Rockford IL 61104
Executive Director Stanley Campbell
Contact rockfordurbanmin@aol.com
or call (815) 964-7111 for more information.

Upcoming RUM programs

Thurs., October 26, 7 p.m. Anita Bedell of ILLCAP will be with us to talk about anti-gambling initiatives. We will meet at 2^nd Congregational Church, downtown Rockford.

Thurs., November 15, 7 p.m. RUM will meet in the Community Room at JustGoods, 201 Seventh Street, to hear the director of
A Greater Gift, one of the largest fair trade supplies.

Hey, gang, Stan made the news!

http://www.rrstar.com/specialreports/peaceman/

email the Just Goods store at: justgoods_rockford@yahoo.com

Dear Friends of Rockford Urban Ministries,

Miracles occur! Walk into the new abode of Rockford Urban Ministries, or JustGoods - the fair trade marketplace, or THAT Place, the Total Health Awareness Team! You will not believe what you see!! You will see people working together for the good of others. You will see the blessings these groups bestow on our Rockford community through God's good grace.

You can be so proud of what you and many others have created through your wonderful support of RUM! So we ask for your continued financial donations. In just a few months, we will celebrate RUM's 45th Anniversary! We have a proud record and a rich history. Best of all, we look forward to new ministries. Join us. Please, make as large a donation as you can to Rockford Urban Ministries. Your gift helps to pay the director's salary, rent, office & newsletter supplies as well as RUM's excellent programs and ministries. Over 60% of our support comes from you - our loyal friends, supporters and member congregations.

RUM's mission is to bring God's shalom to the city through programs, ministries, the work camps and much more. RUM's new location [201 7th Street] at the gateway of Seventh Street provides public visibility enabling us to reach out to people in need, both here and abroad. Your gift works that way every day! We invite you to shop at JustGoods we have one and a half tons of fair-trade items for your shopping delight. After shopping, stop in to chat with Stanley Campbell, our executive director (celebrating 22 years in April '07). Finally, light a candle, say a prayer, and wish the RUM community well as we adventure into a great future in '07.

Stanley Campbell - Executive Director Rev. Ray Rhoads - President Lee Schreiner - Treasurer

The Children's Area

Follow this link to hear some of our recent speakers including Sheriff Meyers talk from
the January 28, 2002 RUM meeting on the Winnebago County Jail
http://www.prolix.tv/

1. Harm Reduction Outreach (THAT PLACE), trying to stop the spread of the HIV virus to IV drug users.
2. Outreach to women who are prostitutes; distributes information, materials and counseling.
3. Work Camps for United Methodists. We've gotten over 20 groups, from youth to adult, who came to Rockford from the NI Conference to work on projects. We hope to expand this to other religious communities.
4. The Shalom Zone on Seventh Street. Focuses a lot of U.M.C resources in one small area around Seventh Street, Rockford. Just approved by the General Board, U.M.C.
5. Since we helped shut down the pornographic bookstore, then moved into the building, we've spent a considerable time rehabbing this white elephant (I can see why Jesus never had a building). Our commitment to bring shalom to this neighborhood includes much more than just fixing one building.
5. Supports rehabilitating houses through Rockford New Hope, Rockford Neighborhood Redevelopment, Habitat for Humanity, and Zion Development Corp. Rockford has a number of boarded-up houses that can be turned into affordable homes.
6. Rockford Urban Ministries started the Hunger Walk in 1985. It is now a yearly event sponsored by RUM and local churches. Last year the Hunger Walk raised over $14,000 for CROP and local food pantries and soup kitchens.
7. Sets up anti-racism programs and discussion groups in churches and the community. Works for tolerance of different cultures. Also supports local Black and Women's History Months, Hiroshima Peace Commemoration, and Memorial Day services.
8. Encourages and enables the wealthy and comfortable to aid the poor.
9. Helped establish and fund Promised Land Employment Service, a professional employment agency for the long-term unemployed that has successfully served over 1,000 people per year in finding full-time employment.
10. Lobbied for improved programming for the kids of the Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center. Encouraged the construction of a new facility and the funding of rehabilitation programs for the kids.
11. Raised the concern of the inadequate police protection for the Lao Buddhist Temple after repeated fire bombings.
12. Educated people on responsible investing and purchasing environmental products.
13. Encourages the hiring of minorities through Project Equality and local efforts.
14. Founded Rockford Interfaith Council and encourages ecumenical efforts.