Thursday, December 9, 2021
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THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
"Sit in stillness and listen to what your heart prays." ~ Ruth Jewell
Join us as we pause in the midst of this holiday season.
In community may we find a stillness to nourish our minds and hearts.
"The Gospel of Unitarian Universalism:
Two Kinds of Good News"

Dr. Mike Franch
Annie Lavin, service leader
Ford Schumann, musician

In-Person and Online Worship Service

December 12, 2021 | 10 am

The word "gospel" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for "good news." We don't use it much in our denomination, especially those of us who tend humanist, but it's a good word, and we've got good news to proclaim. In fact, we have some upper-case Good News and some lower-case good news. They're both good, but I think it's important to know which is which. — Mike Franch

So we can begin the worship service promptly at 10 am, please arrive at the sanctuary (if attending in person) or sign into Zoom (click here) by no later than 9:50 am. Thanks!

If not attending the service, please submit "Joys and Concerns" and "Announcements" in advance by emailing them to the UUCR office (click here) by 9 pm Saturday or share them in the Zoom chat.
Helpful Links
Upcoming Events
This Week's
Worship Service



Previous Worship Service Recordings

are available on the UUCR YouTube channel


UUCR

DEC 12 | Worship Service
In-Person and Online
Dr. Mike Franch, Guest Speaker
Annie Lavin, Service Leader
Ford Schumann, Musician

DEC 19 | LAST DAY FOR
HOLIDAY SHARING DRIVE

DEC 19 | Worship Service
In-Person and Online
Rev. Sue Browning
Catherine Brooks, Service Leader
Philip Dutton, Musician

DEC 22 | "Winter Light: a
Solstice Celebration"
UU Ministry for Earth
Zoom Online Event
(see details below)

DEC 23 | Eve of the Eve
Christmas Service
7 pm
In-Person & Online
Rev. Sue Browning
UUCR Members
Philip Dutton, Musician
DEC 26 | No Worship
Service in any format
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 Services
Sunday, December 19 — In-Person and Online

"The Enduring Beauty of the Shortest Night"

As we approach the winter solstice, where might we focus? Join Rev. Sue Browning and members of UUCR as we take time together to acknowledge this annual moment of stillness, transition, and possibility. 

  • Rev. Sue Browning
  • Catherine Brooks, service leader
  • Philip Dutton, musician


Thursday, December 23 — In-Person and Online

"Eve of the Eve Christmas Service"

On December 23, at 7 pm we will hold our traditional service — well as traditional as we can in these times. We will have an evening story and connection and will end with Silent Night. Rev. Sue Browning and members will lead the service and music will be provided by Philip Dutton. 

The service will be available in person and on Zoom. For those attending in person, we will follow our UUCR Covid protocols. All attending will be required to wear a mask for the service. 

  • Rev. Sue Browning
  • UUCR members
  • Philip Dutton, musician


Sunday, December 26 — No Worship Service in any format
If you don't see "END of REFLECTIONS for December 9, 2021" at the very end of this email, you're not seeing the entire email. To view it to the end please Click here
For Your Musical Entertainment
The First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City's "Not-Ready-For-Either-Service-Players" energetic presentation of "Modern Unitarian" to "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" from "Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Social Concerns/Social Justice Committee
IT'S NOT TOO LATE
TO SHARE YOUR HOLIDAYS!

The deadline for gifts and funds to support our community's most needy is fast approaching, but you still have time to express your support and generosity.

Once again, we are working with Kent and Queen Anne's Counties' Departments of Social Services to provide personalized gifts and gift cards for our community's most vulnerable families. We have been matched with a family of six in Kent County, which includes a mother and five children ranging in age from 2 - 17 years. While there are still gifts that are not spoken for, we know that it's difficult to shop locally for gifts or to find the gifts requested, so be assured that your cash donations are welcomed to purchase gift cards. Don't hesitate to call or email Lynn Dolinger if you can't get to the church to find a gift match. Checks or cash are welcomed at Sunday services or by sending a check to the church office. Please specify "Holiday Sharing" in the memo line or envelope. You can also donate online at the church website using the "Donate" button (click here) and "Custom Amount," specifying "Holiday Sharing" in the comment section. The deadline for all donations or gifts is Sunday, December 19. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Dolinger, lynn.thirdwish@gmail.com, or call 215-872-5773.
Leadership Development Committee
Something to Think About – Nexus

The Leadership Development Committee continues to work together to find ways to bring
spirituality into investing (giving) time in our church.

I was given a gift earlier today when I was thinking through personal priorities of mine to offer to UUCR. Two elements I believe really strengthen a membership are inter-connections and community outreach. Working with Amy & Diane on the LDC fosters the first, as I get to know our membership better and build connections within our community. Thank you all for that opportunity! The second element is supported through the new work with UUFE, announced recently on small group ministry. It will be an interesting and spiritual way to explore ourselves and each other.

While doing research on the topic, I found a ten-year-old document in my file, which is the “nexus” gift I alluded to earlier. From my perspective it seems to me to bring the LDC work and Small Ministry work together in one place: Giving the Sacred Art – a Study Guide for Small Groups.

If you are interested in learning more about how you might find something sacred in giving, please reach out to Amy Warner, Diane Shields, or me for more details. ~M.Q. Riding
Only Two UUCR Slots Remaining
Online Events
You are invited to a Zoom Webinar!

“I Choose Joy: ‘Tis the season to feel jolly and blue!” — facilitated by D. Fredrica Brooks-Davis, M.A., M.A., Psy.D.

During this workshop, Dr. Fredrica will:
  1. Explore why many people feel jolly and blue during the holiday season.
  2. Explain the importance of embracing joy when you are feeling blue.
  3. Provide tips on creating new traditions and celebrating the “yet” during the holiday season.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Undoing Structural Racism in Our Lifetime!
Dear Antiracist Organizers and Friends,

We have upcoming events in December organized by working groups in the Antiracist Alliance for those involved in the undoing racism movement:

Thursday, December 9, 2021 | 02:00 pm ET Human Rights Town Hall meeting celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights register here. We are recommitting ourselves to this empathic work with you, and hope you will join us to exchange ideas on the next phase of this important movement for justice.

<<<>>>

Ending Qualified Immunity for Police creating a Zoom discussion series to following the viewing of “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.” on HBO Max.

Join us on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at noon for a conversation with Colorado State Rep. Leslie Herod about what it took to get that bill* passed and how we can pursue similar legislation in our states of residence. She will be joined by Ms. Lauren Bonds, Legal Director of the National Police Accountability Project, and 24-year police veteran, Capt. Lawrence Hunter (Ret.) of Hunter Police Consulting.
 
* On June 19, 2020, Governor Jared Polis signed The Police Integrity Transparency and Accountability Act, also known as Senate Bill 217 (“SB217”) into law, effectively ending police qualified immunity in Colorado. Read SB20-217 - https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20-217

Register for the December 22 Zoom discussion here or live on Facebook @ RaceTalkRevolution. We look forward to seeing you for another informative and inspiring conversation!

Antiracism Alliance training schedule and registration for December and January are posted here.
Join Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen and UU Ministry for Earth for a special Zoom service as we gather for Winter Light, a celebration of the Solstice on December 22, 2021, at 8:oo pm ET.

This sacred gathering reminds us of our interdependence with Earth, life, and the universe. Enjoy an hour of music, reflection, ritual, and meditation as we gather in the sacred darkness of Winter to honor all that life brings.
Pastoral Care and 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.”

For your information, The Washington Post of November 9, 2020, had an interesting article (link here) on coping with love and loss by Zibby Owens entitled — "After losing two loved ones to Covid-19, I turned to books. Here are 15 titles that helped me cope." Included in the list is Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself by our First Lady Jill Biden. Another book Vida feels is worth examining (not on the list) is by UUCR member Marilee Taussig entitled — Old Enough: Making the Years Between 50 and 75 the Best Chapter of Your Life.

Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien,
Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley
Birthdays

DECEMBER

7 - Pat Bjorke
7 - Pat Kobes-Gomez
8 - Lynn Donahue
9 - Carol Dobson
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
Office hours: W - Sa, 8:30-10:30 am |
Su, 8:30 am-noon | Closed, M & Tu
END of REFLECTIONS for December 9, 2021