THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
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"Being Transgender:
Challenges and Hope"
Rev. Sue Browning, Minister &
Tina Jones, Guest Speaker
Linda Dutton & Kathy Lee, Service Leaders
Michael Casey, Musician
In Person & ZOOM
Sunday, May 7, 2023 - 10 a.m.
What are the experiences of people identifying as transgender and non-binary in today's world? Where is there growing acceptance? What are the challenges? At this service led by Rev. Sue Browning and congregants Kathy Lee and Linda Dutton, we'll have a chance to learn together through a conversation with our guest from the transgender community, Tina Jones.
So we can begin the service promptly at 10 a.m., please arrive at the church, or sign into Zoom ( click here) by no later than 9:50 a.m.
Welcoming Families and Children on Sunday Mornings
Each Sunday, UUCR offers childcare and simple age-appropriate activities for children of all ages. If you have any questions about UUCR's programming for families and children, please be in touch with Rev. Sue.
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Upcoming Worship Services |
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Sunday, May 14 — In Person and ZOOM
"Creators of Peace"
Rev. Bran Lennox reflects on how Julia Ward Howe's famed pacifist Mothers' Day Proclamation of 1807 might challenge us to address the roots of violence where they begin.
- Rev. Bran Lennox, Guest Speaker
- Nancy Holland, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, Musician
Sunday, May 21 — In Person and ZOOM
"Predictability and Security"
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor." How much energy do we spend trying to keep life predictable? At this service with Rev. Sue Browning we'll reflect on the dynamics of predictability and security in our lives. The service will include our annual Flower Communion celebration.
- Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
- Marilee Taussig, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, Musician
- Dick Durham, Guest Musician
Sunday, May 28 — In Person and ZOOM
"Vacation or Pilgrimage"
- Rev. Greg Chute, Guest Speaker
- Annie Lavin, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, Musician
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So You Don't Miss Anything! |
- This Week's Worship Service Information
- Upcoming Worship Services Information
- Newsletter Index
- Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
- Upcoming Musical Guests
- Minister's Column
- Auctions Fundraiser
- May's Outreach Collection — Delmarva Pride Center
- Membership Directory Photos — May 7 and 21
- A Random Act of Kindness at UUCR's Yard Sale
- Weed Pickin' Day
- Annual Congregational Meeting Notice — May 21
- Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
- Birthdays
- UUCR Contact Information
- End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END
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If you don't see "VERY END of REFLECTIONS for May 4, 2023"
at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.
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This Week's
Worship Service
UUCR
UUCR Office Hours:
W, Sa, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
M, Tu, Th, F — CLOSED
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MAY 06 | Silent & Live
Auctions and Reception
MAY 07 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Sue Browning, minister
& Tina Jones, guest speaker
MAY 14 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Bran Lennox, guest speaker
MAY 2o | Weed Pickin' Day
MAY 21 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Sue Browning, minister
MAY 21 | Annual
Congregational Meeting and Luncheon
MAY 28 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Greg Chute, guest speaker
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If you know of another link or event that should be added, please contact
the UUCR office by email or phone 410-778-3440. Thanks!
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“The Rough Side of the Mountain”
The book, The Rough Side of the Mountain: Black Women’s Ministries in Unitarian Universalism was published in 2022. This collection of essays, edited by Qiyamah A. Rahman, includes stories of the call, experience and contributions, and many examples of barriers and obstacles encountered by these Black women in ministry.
Throughout the essays are statements of theology. I define theology as a process for making meaning and finding purpose in life. The writings are a reminder that Unitarian Universalism theology is anything but an "anything goes" faith, but rather it is faith that invites us to reflect deeply upon what we value and how we live out our personal and shared values in community.
A few excerpts from the essays:
Rev. Dr. Kristen Harper — ”Why I Have Stayed”
”I was still trying to find a way to clearly express my theology. I didn’t believe in an anthropomorphic deity, but I did believe that whatever was divine, sacred, holy become more potent when we moved together. I now most often describe myself as a spiritual humanist, and if someone is interested, I then explain, ‘I believe that which we call God – the energetic forces of love and creation in the universe – is within us and around us, connecting us and empowering us as we move toward one another and into the world.’”
Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley — ”Not By Ourselves Alone”
"in theological school I found a definition of faith that made sense to me. It is gaining confidence through relating to others that there is a sustaining grace in the universe, a power beyond ourselves that holds us, and that we experience this power through our relationships with others and they with us. In other words, faith is relational.”
Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore — ”Wade in the Water”
”I moved, and am still moving to align myself with the pluralist, caring Beloved Community that our Association (UUA) aspires to become. The Association is not there yet, and neither am I, but we aspire.”
I’ve purchased the book for the congregation’s library (available to check out after May 15), or the book may be purchased online. It's an important collection for understanding our faith and the work of deep inclusion.
In faith,
Rev. Sue
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Dear UUCR Members and Friends,
As you know, this Saturday, May 6 is our final fundraising event for this fiscal year and we really need your help. Please come join us and help support UUCR in its time of need. If you are unable to attend, and are interested in any of the donations up for bid in either the Silent or Live Auction, a proxy bidder can be appointed for you — just let us know. Both the Live Auction and Silent Auction Catalogs are available on the UUCR website (click here).
If you're not interested in bidding on anything offered, but still want to contribute to the cause, there will be a "Final Fundraising Event Donation Box" in the Silent Auction Room (RE) on the night of the auctions where you can insert a check (please specify "Fundraiser" on the memo line) or cash. Envelopes will be provided if you wish to write your name on it as a cash contributor. This donation box will also be on the wooden table in the foyer on Sunday, May 7 and May 14. You can also send a check to the office or use the "Donor Button" on the website (specifying "Fundraiser" in either method) by no later than May 14. Please remember when using the "Donor Button" that UUCR does not receive the full amount you donate as a percentage is deducted by the companies supplying this convenience.
Thanks and I hope to see you there,
Darlene
P.S. For your comfort and convenience, there will be a few tables and chairs at the back of the sanctuary and the entire lounge area will be available for you to sit and eat.
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The May Outreach Collection of the UUCR Social Justice Committee is for the Delmarva Pride Center.
The mission of The Delmarva Pride Center is to create a positive environment inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities. They support, educate, connect, organize, and provide outreach to the Delmarva LGBTQ+ community and its allies. This community service organization provides regular social events in safe spaces to encourage respect and dignity for all people. An important upcoming event is the Delmarva Pride Festival June 16 – 18, 2023 in Easton, MD.
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You never know when and where you'll witness random acts of kindness, and unfortunately, in today's world, they are all too rare. At UUCR's Yard Sale on Saturday, we were fortunate to witness the kindness of one family to another that they had just met. A very generous gentleman and his wife were so enthralled by two sisters playing with the antique dollhouse that was displayed that they offered to purchase it for them so that they could continue to enjoy it at home. Both the mother and the donor of the house were brought to tears at this act of kindness and generosity. The donor, a member of our congregation, revealed that her father had made it for her daughter, who is now 48 years old. "I've been trying to give it to some little person who would enjoy it as much as she did. This made my day complete." |
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Come out to UUCR on Saturday May 20 at 9 am; we are planning to have regular days to work on our beautiful grounds (clearing weeds as well as other tasks) monthly. We hope to be able to eliminate, or at least reduce the use of Roundup and other herbicides.
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Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, May 21
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The annual congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, May 21st following the Sunday Service.
The business to be conducted at the meeting will include presentation of the:
Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Slate of Candidates for elected offices
Committee Reports
Other Business as determined
The Budget and Slate of Candidates will be voted on by the congregation. This requires a quorum of 20% of the membership, so please plan to attend the meeting either in person or via Zoom (click here). Members who have signed the Membership Book prior to February 20, 2023 will be eligible to vote.
In gratitude,
Lynn Geisert
President
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If you don't see "VERY END of REFLECTIONS for May 4, 2023"
at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.
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Pastoral Care and Connection |
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You are encouraged to share your joys and sorrows with the UUCR Pastoral Associates (see below). This team is a mixed group — but all have had previous life experiences and a variety of professional training in counseling and philosophy. Please contact one, or several of us, if you “want to talk.”
Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien,
Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley
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MAY
-6 - Joy Mayfield
-7 - Sabine Harvey
-9 - Lynn Dolinger
10 - Tom Lippincott
10 - M.Q. Riding
14 - Rachel Perry
18 - Nancy Holland
25 - Ray Gomez
27 - Harry Hart
28 - Betty Kerr
29 - Sydney Brookes
30 - John Ford
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We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email (click here).
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Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River 914 Gateway Drive | Chestertown, MD | 21620
Phone: 410-778-3440
Office hours: W, Sa, Su — 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Closed — M, Tu, Th, F
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VERY END of REFLECTIONS for May 4, 2023
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