THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
|
|
|
"Procrastination"
Vida Morley
In Person, In Sanctuary
Summer Service and Discussion
August 8, 2021
10 am
Join us for another UU Summer Session on August 8th on the topic of “Procrastination." Perhaps you are among those one in four Americans who admits to being a procrastinator; or as a friend, teacher, or relative have helped a procrastinator become happier and healthier.
To share is good, and all personal disclosures will be “left at the door.”
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Aug 15 - John Ramsey
In Person, In Sanctuary
Aug 22 - Joy Kim
In Person, In Sanctuary
Aug 26 - A Chance to Learn: About Unitarian Universalism
(see details below)
Aug 29 - The Annual Poetry Reading Opportunity!
In Person, In Sanctuary
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
Upcoming In Person, In Sanctuary -
Summer Discussion Services
|
|
Sunday, August 15
"Looking for God in All the Wrong Places"
- In Person, In Sanctuary - Summer Service and Discussion
- John Ramsey
Sunday, August 22
“Calling Forth Baruch Spinoza”
- In Person, In Sanctuary - Summer Service and Discussion
- Joy Kim
|
|
|
Partial List of Current Guidelines for
Sunday Summer Services
|
|
-
A face mask must be worn at all times while indoors. Outdoors a face mask is optional.
-
Everyone must check in on the preprinted sheets on the foyer table (for Contact Tracing if necessary).
-
Social distancing of three feet (one chair) is required with an exception for families or pods.
-
Only use the church if you are non-symptomatic for the Covid-19 virus or any other transmittable disease that could compromise the health of another congregant.
For the complete Guidelines List and Reopening Letter
The Reopening Taskforce will continue to monitor Covid conditions
and may need to modify UUCR guidelines accordingly.
|
|
So Close
When we look back at "Covid times" (and eventually we will!), one shared memory will be: “It was just so hard to plan.”
The recent news about the virus has been unsettling. Just when many of us were getting more comfortable being with one another and resuming our pre-pandemic routines, we find the Covid numbers are up about everywhere. While not uniform across the country, virtually every community has increased caseloads. As scientists learn more about viral load and transmission patterns, the CDC’s guidance is changing. We are hearing of more children and younger adults getting sick, especially in light of the Delta variant.
It’s not how I’d pictured August would get started.
Just a few weeks ago I was hopeful that the path out of the pandemic would be a bit less rocky. I’d hoped for higher vaccination rates and less volatility in the spread of the virus. And yet, here we are. I sense we’re a bit deflated and frustrated, and at the same time grateful to have substantially more freedom than we did last summer.
I have confidence we’ll each keep sorting through the risks and will make safe choices accordingly. Masks are inconvenient, but wearable. Where masking makes sense, it is not that big a deal if it means we help keep one another safe. We'll look ahead and schedule visits and celebrations, and begrudgingly make changes if need be. For families with children too young for vaccinations, they’ll make choices on school for the coming year, and then adapt as school policies shift.
I sense most of us are doing ok. At the same time, it is tiring to plan and re-plan in the shadow of the virus.
There is some solace in knowing we are all working through this stage of the pandemic together. It’s an important time to check in with, and take care of, one another.
In connection,
Rev. Sue
|
|
|
If you don't see "END of REFLECTIONS for August 5, 2021" at the very end of this email, you're not seeing the entire email . To view it to the end please Click here
|
|
|
🎂 Joan Blume will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Friday August 6th.
Come wish Joan a happy birthday and enjoy a slice of birthday cake on Friday, August 6 from 9:30 - 11:00 am outside at
Evergrain, 201 High Street in Chestertown. No gifts please, just birthday wishes. (Psst... it's a surprise). 🎂
|
|
|
Update on Carl Gallegos:
Carl is to be discharged from Rehab to home on Friday and he will continue physical therapy at home. You can send your good wishes to Carl via email or cards mailed to his home address.
|
|
|
Many of you already know that our UUCR Friend, Marilee Taussig, had a bad fall a month ago and broke her right arm and right leg. The good news is that she came home last Saturday and continues to heal. She isn't ready for company yet and is still trying to determine how the UUCR folks might be helpful. Right now, she suggested small freezable meals. Please let me know if you would like to contribute food or help later. I hope to see her next week and can deliver food. I don't currently know of any dietary restrictions, but please contact me if you are interested in helping. Thanks for your support, Lynn Dolinger, lynn.thirdwish@gmail.com or 215-872-5773.
|
|
|
Leadership Development Committee |
|
|
The recently elected Leadership Development Committee (LDC) met for the first time on July 23rd. Members Amy Warner, Diane Shields, and M.Q. Riding talked about our understanding of our priorities and aspirations for the LDC.
There are the basics, a bottom line responsibility to find candidates for the slate of officers as well as committee chairs and the LDC. However, there’s more to it than those important tasks. We would like to share our belief that service (in the form of human contributions) to UUCR is its own spiritual practice. The team would also like to demonstrate how supporting UUCR through committee or board work helps members expand their connection to the community and can provide enrichment, growth, and fulfillment.
Have you thought about your connection with UUCR? What makes you feel good about being a friend or member? Our team is looking forward to listening to the answers, from each of you. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to any team member.
|
|
|
Beginning on August 8, the new UUCR office hours will be:
Monday and Tuesday — Closed
Wednesday through Saturday — 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Sunday — 8:30 am to noon
The Office Administrator will continue to monitor the UUCR email, and voicemail, outside of regular business hours and on days off.
|
|
|
"Summer Reading" List
from Last Week's Service
|
|
The Sunday, August 1 “summer reading” book talks showcased the wide variety of interests of our friends and members. Thank you to everyone who shared a pitch for the book(s) that have inspired, entertained, or enlightened them recently. Here’s the list, given in hopes that there’ll be several titles that will peak others’ interests.
Amy Warner
⋘⋙
-
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (Bob Bjork)
-
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (Bob Bjork)
-
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson (Nancy Holland)
-
At Home on the Earth, D.L. Barnhill, editor (Lynn Geisert)
-
Restoration by Rose Tremaine (Linda Weimer)
-
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander (Kevin Brien)
-
The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt (Kevin Brien)
-
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee (Sabine Harvey)
-
Three Keys and Front Desk (two books) by Kelly Yang (Peggy McKee)
-
I Candidate and I Congressman (two books in a series of four) by Mikael Carlson (Lynn Dolinger)
-
The Greatest Thing in the World by Henry Drummond (Bob Coleman)
-
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (Denise Tontarski)
-
Robin by Dave Itzkoff (Linda Dutton)
-
In the Woods by Tana French (Gayle Folger)
-
The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President—and Why it Failed by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch (David Biehler)
-
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (Annie Lavin)
-
The Price of Peace by Zachary Carter (Guy Edwards)
-
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson (Gerry Edwards)
-
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (Vida Morley)
-
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (Amy Warner)
|
|
|
A Chance to Learn:
About Unitarian Universalism
|
|
Thursday, August 26 at 6:30 pm at UUCR |
What is Unitarian Universalism? What are the core values of the UU faith tradition? What are common UU spiritual practices? Are all UUs engaged with social justice? How do UUs approach Religious Education? On Thursday, August 26 at 6:30 pm, UUCR will offer an "About Unitarian Universalism" session to answer these and any other questions you may have about our faith. We invite all who are curious to join us for an evening with Rev. Sue Browning and several leaders of the congregation. We'll begin with a brief presentation, will have time for questions, and will end with informal social time. Visitors, friends, and members welcome!
Guidelines: We do plan to meet in the sanctuary. Masks will be required for all. See detailed Covid protocols here.
|
|
|
Pastoral Care and Connection |
|
We are here for you! We will focus on staying directly connected with our members and friends, especially those who may need assistance or support. The caring teams from our congregation is staying in touch, but if you need to reach out, please be in touch with any of the contacts below to stay connected (and see additional contacts below for RE families).
Please know your congregation is here. We can help you find connections. Please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know what is helpful for you in this time.
Rev. Sue Browning, and the Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien,
Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley
or for more information, contact:
|
|
|
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
-3 - Kevin Brien
-6 - Joan Blume
18 - Joan Biehler
19 - Bob Fox
27 - Margo Long
30 - Liz Salett
|
|
|
We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email (click here). |
|
|
Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River 914 Gateway Drive, Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: 410-778-3440
|
|
|
END of REFLECTIONS for August 5, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
