UUCR Reflections - August 31, 2023

Thursday, August 31, 2023

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THIS SUNDAY'S

DISCUSSION SERVICE

"Freedom"

Kevin Brien, Discussion Leader

Sunday, September 03, 2023 - 10 a.m.

This discussion will focus on the meaning of the term “freedom.” Think of the differing meanings of these phrases: being free from; being free to; being free for; being free at.

Think, too, of the possibilities of one person or group seeking to be free in ways that might dynamically interfere with the freedom of others.

Upcoming Worship Services

Sunday, September 10 — In-Person & Zoom

UUCR Homecoming

"The Courage to Evolve"

Science and spirituality both teach us that there is nothing unchanging in the universe. Even Unitarian Universalism has evolved and continues to do so. Are we prepared to live into the larger love our movement is embodying in this generation? What is the tension between the greater possibilities at hand and the resistance, even hostility, to our progress? On this Ingathering Sunday, we celebrate the power of community to save lives in a hurting world.

Rev. Paul Boothby, Guest Speaker
Annie Lavin, Service Leader
Michael Casey, Musician

Sunday, September 17 — In-Person & Zoom

Water Communion

"Doors Wide Open, Hearts Wide Open"

How might we continually welcome one another and welcome the stranger? How might a vision of radical hospitality guide our coming year together? At this service led by Rev. Sue Browning, we'll reflect on the "gift of welcome" as a foundation in our Unitarian Universalist faith. The service will include our annual Water Communion ritual. All are welcome!

(Keep an eye on the newsletter and website for more details on Water Communion.)

Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
Marilee Taussig, Service Leader
Michael Casey, Musician

Newsletter Index

So You Don't Miss Anything!

This Week's Discussion Service Information
Upcoming Discussion Service Information
Upcoming Worship Services Information
Newsletter Index
Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
Thank You from the Worship Committee
List of Books Shared at 8/27 Discussion Service
Legacy Advisory Task Force Update
Hospitality Help Needed — Greeters, Coffee, & Potlucks
Social Justice Cmte. Meeting Invitation — September 8
Potluck in Woodland Memorial Garden — September 22
UU Author Event — September 13
Sumner Hall Book Club Invitation — September 21
Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
Birthdays
UUCR Contact Information
End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END

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Helpful Links

Upcoming Events

UUCR

Calendar

Office email

Facebook (public)

Facebook Forum (private)

Website

Website donate button

YouTube channel

UUCR Summer Office Hours

W, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

M, Tu, Th, F, Sa — CLOSED

SEP 03 | Discussion Service

Kevin Brien, Discussion Leader

Regular Worship Services

begin — In-Person & Zoom

SEP 10 | Worship Service

UUCR Homecoming

Rev. Paul Boothby, Guest Speaker

SEP 17 | Worship Service

Water Communion

Rev. Sue Browning, Minister

SEP 22 | Potluck in UUCR's Woodland Memorial Garden

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!

Thank You!

The Worship Committee wishes to thank all the wonderful members and friends who volunteered to be discussion leaders this summer. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, concerns, and ideas with the congregation over 14 summer Sundays. And thanks, also, to all the participants who contributed to the lively discussions. With one more Sunday discussion to go, we also look forward to resuming our regular services on September 10.

Summer Book Discussion

— books shared on 8/27/23

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe (Peggy Christie)

The Hidden Life of Deer by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas (Linda Weimer)

Jefferson’s Daughters by Catherine Kerrison (Harry Hart*)

Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom (Bob Bjork)

Sing, Memory by Makana Eyre (Vida Morley)

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (Sydney Brookes)

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf (Gerry Edwards)

Oppenheimer by Martin Sherwin (Guy Edwards)

A Most Intriguing Lady: A Novel of the Victorian Era by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (Debra Woodruff-Capper)

Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum (David Biehler)

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (Marcy Dunn Ramsey)

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham (Mindy Miller)

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Christopher Murray (Annie Lavin*)

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Lynn Geisert)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Joy Kim*)

The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple (Bob Coleman)

TransAtlantic by Colum McCann (Amy Warner*)

*will loan out

Legacy Advisory Task Force Update

The Legacy Advisory Task Force (LATF) submitted its report to the UUCR Board of Trustees, as charged, and the Board reviewed it at its August retreat.

The LATF report included several recommendations, as highlighted below.

A. Decide if endowment funds are to last in perpetuity or to have a finite life span, such as 10, 20, or 30 years? A defined life span would allow principal as well as interest to be used on a structured basis.

B. Form a Legacy Committee comprised of three (3) individuals to continue the management of the bequest funds and to develop a Legacy Program for UUCR. This committee would report and make recommendations to the Board.

C. Consider allocating the bequest funds in the following or similar manner:

Make a one-time allocation of $XX to be used to upgrade the AV system at UUCR, or for a use determined by the congregation.

----2. On an annual basis:

XX% of the funds from the endowment fund can be used for operating budget projects/programs for our church and in our community.
XX% of the gift can be used for annual scholarships in Kent and Queen Anne’s County Schools to recognize Dorris Scott’s gift.
XX% of the gift to sustain a viable ministry at our church.

The Board has asked the LATF to conduct a more in-depth exploration of the congregation’s wishes regarding the LATF recommendations. It is understood that ultimately there will be a congregational meeting with a quorum and member vote. You will soon be receiving more information on this, so keep a lookout as we move through this important process.

Hospitality Help Needed

Volunteers needed for Coffee Hosts and Greeters, beginning Sunday, Sept. 10, our first regular church service following the summer Sunday discussions. Signup sheets are on the white board in the lobby.

We also need Potluck Host(s) for our monthly potlucks beginning in October, as PROCC is hosting the September potluck. A signup sheet is on the white board in the lobby.

Please consider sitting in on our

UUCR Social Justice meetings!

Friday, September 8, 10:45 a.m. at UUCR

Your UUCR Social Justice Committee invites you to join in on our meetings! We plan to meet on the second Friday of the month at 10:45 a.m. at UUCR. Our committee members include Marilee Taussig, Bob Bjorke, Kathy Lee, Linda Dutton, Vida Morley, and Gayle Folger. Rev Sue and Lynn Dolinger join us when their schedules permit.

There is no need to RSVP unless you want an agenda item included. Just stop in and see how we have chosen to do our work, and share as we consider these challenging times. Questions? Contact Marilee or Linda.

SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6 PM

Beer Garden Potluck in

our Woodland Memorial Garden

Your Public Relations Committee hopes to turn our outdoor space into a lighted eating area. Be thinking of German-themed dishes and beverages to bring!

UU Author Event

Ned Tillman, UU from Columbia, MD, will speak on his book Good Endeavor: A Maryland Family's Turbulent History 1695–2002, a story of 300 years of struggle for the environment and justice that mirrors Maryland's history and UU values. Sponsored by the Bookplate on Wednesday, September 13^th at 6 p.m. in the back room at The Kitchen and The Pub at The Imperial. For more information https://savingtheplaces.com

Sumner Hall Book Club

The newly formed Sumner Hall Book Club is inviting all to attend its next meeting on Thursday, September, 21, 4:30 - 6 p.m. at Sumner Hall, 206 South Queen St, Chestertown. Join to enjoy great books and follow up discussions. All are welcome!

For more information CLICK HERE.

Pastoral Care & Connection

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