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The headlines of the past few years require that we ask ourselves if we have crossed a line past the run-of-the-mill anti-Semitism, long present in American culture. Is a new more virulent strain of this ancient hatred brewing? What are the current efforts to avert such a change? Retired President and Professor of Middle East Studies at Gratz College in Philadelphia, and founding Cantor and Religious Leader of the Chestertown Havurah, Dr. Gary Schiff returns to the UUCR pulpit and shares a talk on this urgent issue.

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.

Sunday, January 29 — ZOOM ONLY — No In Person Service

"The Deeper We Go"

Religious educator Connie Goodbread says, "Faith formation is all that we do." As we move forward in "post-pandemic" times, let's imagine together a future where intentional faith formation is happening in faith communities for all ages all the time. At this service with Rev. Dayna Edwards, we’ll explore the opportunities, challenges, and spiritual implications of centering faith formation in all that we do with adults and children.

NOTE: This is a 5^th Sunday in the month, and on 5^th Sundays we hold our services on Zoom only (i.e., there is no service at the church). The service will be a chance to gather with our sibling congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Easton.

Sunday, February 05 — In Person & ZOOM

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FEB 05 | Sombarkin

FEB 19 | Nevin Dawson

If you’d like to learn about ways to engage at the state level — from monitoring legislation, making calls, writing letters, visiting Annapolis during the session, and more — you are invited to participate in the UU Legislative Ministry of MD “New Day Dawning “ kickoff session this Saturday, January 21, from 9 a.m. — 1 p.m. (Note - you can participate in person or online. Registration and more information at the following link https://www.uulmmd.org/ .)

Last week both the Chestertown Spy and Talbot Spy published an op-ed she submitted (click here) reminding us of the need for ongoing attention to LGBTQ+ rights (the legal and policy framework) and the need for ongoing support for the local LGBTQ+ community, especially for youth with LGBTQ+ identities and questions. At the end of the op-ed there also is a link to a recent article in the New Yorker about her.

If you'd like to connect with Kathy, please reach out through the church office (uuofchesterriver@gmail.com) and we'll pass on your message.

Please use the sign-up sheets on the whiteboard if you can help as a:

Please contact Jane Hardy if you can help with the annual "Great Valentine Cookie Giveaway" as a:

There are still many open dates available on the sign-up sheets for the above positions. Training is available for new volunteers (please contact Diane Shields dashdiane@gmail.com).

Very few have contacted Jane to offer help with the cookie event so most openings are still available (see details below).

Sunday, January 22^nd &

Thursday, January 26^th

Session 1: Sunday January 22 at 7 p.m. (ZOOM LINK)

Session 2: Thursday, January 26th at 7 p.m. (ZOOM LINK)

An orientation to UUCR and information about membership will be held on Sunday January 29 at 11:30 a.m. by ZOOM (click here for link). If you are interested in joining please contact Diane Shields at 410-490-0492 or dashdiane@gmail.com, or call the church office at 410-778-3440

Looking for a new way to volunteer in the community? Two opportunities you might consider. Rebuilding Together is having a Volunteer Training Session on January 25 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown. There are lots of fun ways to get involved helping those in need of home repairs.

The Kent County Winter Shelter, which provides a warm place for the homeless to sleep and get nourished January through March, needs volunteers to provide meals and support staff at night.

Please check out the Social Justice bulletin board in the lobby for details.

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The Social Justice Committee’s first outreach collection for 2023 is on the theme of Reproductive Justice and our beneficiary is the Baltimore Abortion Fund.

You can continue to make donations to this organization throughout January before the 31^st. Please send, or give, a check to the church office made out to "UUCR" and specifying "Baltimore Abortion Fund" in the memo line, or donate online at the UUCR website using the "Donate" button (click here) and "Custom Amount," specifying "Baltimore Abortion Fund" in the comment section. Any questions, please contact Marilee Taussig, co-chair of the SJ committee at marileetaussig@gmail.com. 

The Sunday, February 5th service 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,

Black History is celebrated year long but highlighted in February. In honor of our ongoing work and local relationships, we have chosen Sumner Hall to be the recipient of our February Outreach Collection. Plan to give generously on Sunday, February 5 as we reintroduce this important partner to our congregation.

UUCR will be conducting its 3^rd Annual Great Valentine Cookie Giveaway on Sunday, February 12. The congregation can collect a carton of these Valentine’s goodies after the service. We will deliver to those who weren’t in attendance.

Please email Jane Hardy, janewhardy@gmail.com, to volunteer.

Start planning for the annual UUCR Auction, which will be held this year on Saturday, April 29. Stay tuned for more details in upcoming issues of Reflections.

Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley

11 - Vida Morley

12 - Ralph Dolinger

13 - Melinda Lippincott

14 - Dianne Turpin

14 - Judy Graham

20 - Al Mathwich

22 - Clark Bjorke

29 - Zoe Panas

We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email (click here).