Thursday, February 2, 2023 |
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THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
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"Widening Our Path — Welcoming All"
Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
Jan Sprinkel, Service Leader
Michael Casey, Musician
Sombarkin, Guest Musicians
In Person & Zoom
Sunday, February 5, 2023 - 10 a.m.
What does it mean to be "of generous spirit?" What is it like to experience a community full of generous spirits? At this service with Rev. Sue Browning we'll consider the many ways UUCR is just such a community, and we'll reflect upon the ways UUCR matters in the lives of its members and friends, and in the wider community. The service is a part of our pledge campaign kick off Sunday.
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.
REMINDER: Immediately following the service, pick up your Pledge Packet and partake of hors d'oeuvres during Coffee Hour. After this, Jim Lavin will present the Proposed Fiscal Year '24 Budget and you will be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
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, February 12 — In Person & ZOOM
"The Secret Six: A Clash of Principles on the Eve of the War of the Rebellion"
Sedition is again in the news. One hundred and sixty-three years ago, six founders of hospitals, schools, and other philanthropic institutions, all of them either Unitarians or followers of liberal religion, supported and financed John Brown’s Harpers Ferry raid, an armed rebellion against the United States. Come hear their stories and their reasons, and consider with Rev. James Gibbons Walker, Affiliate Minister of First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, questions about means and ends, morality, and the greater good.
- Rev. James Gibbons Walker, Guest Speaker
- Annie Lavin, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, Musician
Sunday, February 19 — In Person & ZOOM
"Something Greater than Ourselves"
Decades ago Dr. Abraham Maslow defined a hierarchy of human needs with "living into one's full potential" being the pinnacle of human development. Did you know that later in life he amended this model adding a need we have to go beyond "the self?" At this service with Rev. Sue Browning we'll explore the power of looking out as well as in.
- Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
- Nancy Holland, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, Musician
- Nevin Dawson, Guest 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
- Updated COVID Guidelines
- Minister's Column
- Valentine Cookie Questionnaire Deadline - Friday, Feb 3
- Pledge Drive Kick Off
- February's Outreach Collection — Sumner Hall
- Need more "Cookie Cupid" Box Packers
- February Third Friday Potluck — Need Host(s)
- Kent Attainable Housing Open House
- UUCR Yard Sale & Auctions on Saturday, April 29
- 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 February 2, 2023"
at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.
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This Week's
Worship Service
Last Week's Worship Service Recording
Not Available
UUCR
UUCR Office Hours:
W, Sa, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
M, Tu, Th, F — CLOSED
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FEB 05 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Sue Browning, minister
FEB 05 | Pledge Drive Kick
Off. Pledge Packet Pick Up, and Budget Presentation
(see details below)
FEB 12 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. James Gibbons Walker, guest speaker
FEB 12 | Great Valentine
Cookie Giveaway
(see details below)
FEB 17 | Monthly Potluck
(***HOST NEEDED***)
FEB 19 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Sue Browning, minister
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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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FEB 05 | Sombarkin
FEB 19 | Nevin Dawson
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Guidelines for 2023 Building Use
Updated January 24, 2023
When Inside
All persons must sign in by putting a check next to their name on the attendance sheets located on the foyer table upon entering the church for Sunday Services. Upon entering the church on other days and/or times, all persons must sign in the book located on the counter near the side ramp door even if the time inside is only to be a few minutes. This is important and there are no exceptions. This information will be used for Contact Tracing in the unlikely event that an attendee or someone close to the attendee is exposed to the virus.
- Face masks are now optional.
- Congregants may sing and use the hymnals.
- The sound system will be used in such a manner as to allow for "Joys and Concerns" without touching the mic. Also, a brief discussion period, using the same mic, will follow the service. A stationary mic will be available near the piano to facilitate the foregoing.
- Live instrumental music may be played. Vocal musicians may sing with masks optional.
- Restrooms may be used. (Please clean up after use.)
- Coffee and food may now be served in the church.
- There is no limit on participation.
- The service will be Live Zoomed for those who cannot attend.
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Please DO NOT use the church if you are symptomatic for the Covid-19 virus or any other transmittable disease that could compromise the health of another congregant.
- UUCR expects all who attend in-person services to be fully vaccinated and boosted, if eligible. We understand that a few people may have a medical exception to being vaccinated, yet for the majority and to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, we ask others to be fully vaccinated and boosted.
- Passing of the collection basket is permitted.
- Please avoid using the office if at all possible.
If there are any questions regarding these guidelines, please feel free to contact a member of the Re-Opening Task Force: Rev. Sue Browning, Lynn Geisert (President), Gayle Folger, Jackie Mathwich, Pat Bjorke, or Jim Lavin (Chair)
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Centering Love
In an after-service session on January 15, I reviewed proposed revisions to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) statement of purpose with UUCR members and friends. Using this graphic, I asked, "What do you notice?" … "Where is your attention drawn?" … "What are your questions?"
After this initial sharing, we reviewed the history of the UUA’s statement of purpose, the changes that have been made over the years, and the path that led the UUA to propose changes to the current principles and sources. We then read the definition of each proposed value and the revised (more generalized) description of the sources of wisdom and inspiration of our faith.
Attendees at the session were curious. There was an openness to emphasizing our shared values. As with anything new, there were questions about the meaning of each provision, how these descriptions might be synthesized for common use, and next steps in the process.
I keep wondering what it might mean to have Unitarian Universalism center love? Love is hard to define with precision, yet something feels clarifying to see these shared values connected by the power of love. Might centering love somehow simplify our lives? Could centering love along with these interrelated values guide us as we set the congregation’s priorities? Might centering love point us toward a communal rather than individualistic outlook?
These potential revisions open many doors to many conversations.
The "Article II Commission" (the group charged to propose these changes) summarized the history, the proposed changes, and the next steps in a report provided to the UUA Board on January 17, 2023. It’s a worthwhile read (click here for link).
I’ve scheduled a next conversation to review these changes with anyone interested on Tuesday, February 21 at 7 p.m. on Zoom (click here for Zoom link).
In shared learning,
Rev. Sue
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Valentine's Day Cookie Questionnaire Due Tomorrow — Friday, February 3 |
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You should have received the following email from UUCR on Friday, January 27. In case you missed it, or haven't returned the questionnaire yet, here it is again (you don't need to be a member to receive cookies):
We are reaching out to our congregation with a Valentine’s Day box of cookies for every person, couple, or family. You can opt to pick up your box of cookies at the church on Sunday, February 12 after the service, or we can deliver, or you can choose to opt out.
Please click on the link below to be taken to the questionnaire form so we know how you'd like to receive (or not) your cookies. This information will greatly help us in planning how many cookies, boxes, packers, and deliverers are needed. Please fill out and submit the form to us by no later than Friday, Feb. 3.
Thanks!
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Widening Our Path — Welcoming All
This Sunday, February 5th will kick off UUCR's Pledge Campaign! Come hear the amazing harmonies of Sombarkin and Rev. Sue's sermon touching on why UUCR matters. After the service, delight in the hors d'oeuvres that your Stewardship Committee is preparing for coffee hour, pick up your Pledge Packet, and flow into the Budget Presentation by our own Jim Lavin. This will be your opportunity to ask questions about how your pledge will support the ongoing work of UUCR, both practical and aspirational! We look forward to seeing you there.
Your Stewardship Committee,
Jackie Mathwich (chair), Catherine Brooks, Joy Kim, and
Peggy McKee
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UUCR Social Justice Outreach Collection for February 2023 |
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Black History is celebrated year long but highlighted in February. In honor of our ongoing work and local relationships, your Social Justice Committee has chosen Sumner Hall to be the recipient of our February Outreach Collection. We look forward to hearing about Sumner Hall's exciting new plans for 2023 this coming Sunday and hope you generously support them throughout the month beginning Sunday, February 5th. Please send, or give, a check to the church office made out to "UUCR" and specifying "Sumner Hall" in the memo line, or donate online at the UUCR website using the "Donate" button (click here) and "Custom Amount," specifying "Sumner Hall" in the comment section. Please make your donation before February 28. Any questions, please contact Gayle Folger, co-chair of the SJ committee or the church office.
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The Monthly Potluck is scheduled for Friday, February 17 at 6 p.m. but we still need someone willing to be the host(s). Hosts set up tables, etc. and clean up afterwards. Please sign-up on the list posted on the whiteboard if you are interested in hosting February's Potluck or any of those in future months. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Shields. |
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UUCR’s 2023
YARD SALE and AUCTIONS
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 at UUCR
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We are combining our auctions and our yard sale this year! So, we will need your donations of:
Yard Sale items (no clothing, please, but accessories, e.g., scarves, ties, and purses, are okay). The sale will be in our parking lot, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Finer objects for our Silent Auction; bidding will start at 6 p.m.
Dinners, excursions, happenings, lessons, services, etc., for our Live Auction, starting at 7 p.m.
Stay tuned for more information about yard sale and silent auction donation pick-up.
But, if you have Live Auction donations, please send them to Jane Hardy at janewhardy@gmail.com. All questions welcome as well.
From your Fundraising Team: Lynn Dolinger, Linda Dutton, Jane Hardy, and Mary Pritchard
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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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FEBRUARY
24 - Philip Dutton
25 - Les Palmer
27 - Laura Mitchell
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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 February 2, 2023
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