Rockford Urban Ministries

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“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.

Rockford Work Camps Site

Calendar Member Churches

Visit the JustGoods web site!

Allow me to introduce you to the Rockford Work Camp Staff:

from left to right,

Pat Littlejohn, worked last year, counselor and Unitarian Church member Pamela True also worked last year returns again to run individual crews, of course our director for her fourth year (and part time JustGoods co-manager) Michelle Ryan, and Glenn Gibson is our new work camp project director from Christ The Carpenter U.M.C. He voluntarily worked with crews last year, now he gets to oversee all our projects (he's a great carpenter and will work on your projects in the off season). They need help: covering the costs of materials and overseeing some of the more difficult work. Any gifts (time or money) will be appreciated.

contact rockfordworkcamps@hotmail.com, or Michelle Ryan, 815-315-3957.

Upcoming RUM programs

Looking Back: 50^th Anniversary Celebration

WHEN: Thursday, May 24, 2012, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: JustGoods, Fair Trade Store, 201 Seventh Street, Rockford

RUM celebrates its 50^th anniversary with two programs. The first is a reflection by a former RUM council president, the Reverend John Allen Boryk, on Thursday, May 24, 7:00 p.m., at JustGoods Fair Trade Store, 201 Seventh Street.

There will be a dedication of an outdoor sculpture celebrating 50 years of RUM, as well as the presentation of the Bob Holland Award. The Reverend John Allen Boryk will regale us with stories about his tenure as the RUM council president from 1991-96.

The program is free and open to the public.

During the business meeting, we will elect a new Chairman and Vice Chair.

Founded in 1962, RUM was the outreach of 16 United Methodist Churches. RUM worked on desegregation, integration of the schools, community development, youth advocacy, and peace and justice. In its 50 years RUM has had four clergy directors. During the last 26 years, lay director, Stanley Campbell, has directed 19 United Methodists Churches as well as five congregations of other denominations. RUM is housed at the non-profit fair trade store, JustGoods, where the first program will take place.

The second program will be a full-fledged church dinner on Friday, June 22, at Christ United Methodist Church (more information will follow).

Hey, gang, Stan made the news!

Click here!

and here!

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

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Dear Friends of Rockford Urban Ministries,

Miracles occur! Walk into the new abode of Rockford Urban Ministries, or JustGoods - the fair trade marketplace! 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.

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 25 years of service). Finally, light a candle, say a prayer, and wish the RUM community well as we adventure into a great future.

Stanley Campbell - Executive Director Coralee Hardwick - President Lee Schreiner - Treasurer

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The Children's Area

Visit the JustGoods web site!

PROJECTS OF ROCKFORD URBAN MINISTRIES

1. The Shalom Zone on Seventh Street focuses the meager resources of the church in one small area around Seventh Street, Rockford. Miracles happen and RUM now sponsors one of the best fair trade stores in the country:

2. JustGoods fair trade market at 201 Seventh Street began in 2007 after RUM helped shut down the worst liquor store in town.

3. RUM installed a wind generator on top of the fair trade store in 2009.

4. Rockford Work Camps finds meaningful volunteer opportunities for groups, from youth to adult, who came to Rockford from all over the country. Check out www.RockfordWorkCamps.org

5. Educates people on responsible investing and purchasing environmental and fair trade products.

6. RUM helped shut down a pornographic bookstore, then moved into the building, and spent a considerable time rehabbing that white elephant (we can see why Jesus never had a building). RUM’s commitment to bring shalom to this neighborhood includes much more than just fixing one building, which is why RUM has rehabbed 201 Seventh Street.

7. RUM supports rehabilitating houses through Rockford New Hope, Habitat for Humanity, and Zion Development Corp. Rockford has a number of boarded-up houses that can be turned into affordable homes, and Work Camps help with volunteers.

8. Rockford Urban Ministries started the local CROP Hunger Walk in 1986. It is now a yearly event sponsored by RUM and local churches. Last year raised over $32,000 for CROP and local food pantries and soup kitchens.

9. RUM works for tolerance of different cultures and also supports local Black and Women's History Months, Hiroshima Peace Commemoration, and Memorial Day services. RUM plans and sets up anti-racism programs, peace & justice, environmental discussion groups in churches and the community.

10. Encourages the wealthy and comfortable to aid the poor.

11. RUM 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.

12. Worked 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.

13. RUM fights increasing gambling, casinos and video slot machines, as well as other governmentally approved addictive businesses.

14. Raised the concern of the inadequate police protection for the Lao Buddhist Temple after repeated fire bombings. Founded Rockford Interfaith Council and encourages ecumenical efforts.

For more information about anything call Stanley Campbell at (815)964-7111.

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/

Contact rockfordurbanmin@aol.com for more information.

The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church.

about this page...

The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board
of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church . The content of these
home pages is the responsibility of Rockford Urban Ministries. Please send feedback to rockfordurbanmin@aol.com.

Last updated December 2, 2011