Thursday, January 5, 2023 |
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THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
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"The Audacity of Hope"
Bob Clegg, Guest Speaker
Michael Casey, Musician
In Person and Zoom
Sunday, January 8, 2023 - 10 a.m.
News and views about the world climate crisis can be hard to bear. Sometimes it just seems so overwhelming! This service will focus on a pragmatic, science-based environmental optimism through the lens of the novels of Kim Stanley Robinson. The bottom line, according to Robinson? "Yes, the world can be saved -- but only at a cost we have been unwilling to pay so far."
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.
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, January 15 — In Person & ZOOM
"At the Heart of Justice Work"
Our faith calls us to be an integral part of creating a more just world. In the swirl of information overload, how might we identify the next step on that journey? Where does common sense fit in? At this service with Rev. Sue Browning on this MLK weekend we’ll explore the power of centering common decency, respect and compassion in all we do.
- Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
- Marilee Taussig, Service Leader
- Michael Casey and Jeff Davis, Musicians
Sunday, January 22 — In Person & ZOOM
"Have We Crossed the Line? Anti-Semitism in America Today"
- Dr. Gary Schiff, Guest Speaker
- Marilee Taussig, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, 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
- New Year's Epiphany Event
- January's Outreach Collection — Baltimore Abortion Fund
- Changes to the UU Principles Conversation
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
- Stewardship Campaign Kick-off
- Great Valentine Cookie Giveaway
- 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 January 5, 2023"
at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.
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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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Calling all good people to view the rising of the full moon on Jan. 6. We apologize for the short notice, but the cancellation of our Solstice celebration left us looking for an alternative.
When — Jan. 6th. Gather at 4:30 pm. The moon rises at 5:12 p.m. and reaches full illumination at 6:09 p.m.
Where — 160 Bright Meadow Ln, Chestertown. This is in Queen Anne’s County. There is a short walk on grass over level ground to reach the riverbank. Parking is mostly on grass.
What — Everything will be outside, for COVID concerns. Bathrooms (inside, one step up) will be available. Hot mulled cider will be provided. Guests are invited to bring refreshments and finger food. There are some chairs, but please bring more.
After moonrise we will hold a “letting go” ceremony with fire. We invite participants to let go of something that has been holding them back or weighing them down, either by writing it down on paper and feeding it into the flames; or adding a small stick to the fire symbolizing what they wish to release. This should be done in silence, respecting and acknowledging the deeply personal – and often emotionally painful – nature of what is being let go.
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January's Outreach Collection |
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The Social Justice Committee’s first outreach collection for 2023 launches on Sunday, January 8th on the theme of Reproductive Justice and our beneficiary is the Baltimore Abortion Fund. We chose this organization because of its reputation as an invaluable and principled resource for people seeking abortions, its Maryland focus, and its emphasis on practical help. They help their callers in multiple ways including:
- Transportation to and from the abortion care appointment
- Lodging to access an abortion care appointment
- Translation assistance
- Financial assistance to cover a portion of the caller's care.
Since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision the need for safe, affordable reproductive care has increased greatly. Maryland now serves as a place where people from neighboring states who no longer have access to legal abortions may come for care; the Baltimore Abortion Fund helps these individuals as well. To learn more, or get involved, including the possibility of volunteering to provide rides, please go to their excellent website: https://www.baltimoreabortionfund.org. (The need for rides is greater on the Eastern Shore, as there are fewer health providers here, and people seeking an abortion often must travel longer distances — yet another hurdle among the many economic, social, and personal hurdles they are already facing.)
You can contribute via the offering plate on the first Sunday service, January 8 th. We're also happy to continue to receive donations to this organization throughout the month of January. You can send, or give, a check to the church office made out to UUCR and specifying "Baltimore Abortion Fund" in the memo line, or you can donate online at the church 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. Please make your donation by January 31st.
The SJ Committee is pleased to add an educational component to our reproductive justice outreach this month. Lauren Harton, CNM, will be the speaker at two Zoom sessions on Sunday, 1/22 and Thursday, 1/26 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Among other topics, she will talk about her job as a reproductive health provider at Planned Parenthood of Easton and the current legal aspects of abortion rights since the Dobbs decision and its effects on women's access in Maryland. More info and the links will be provided in upcoming editions of Reflections.
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Changes to the UU Principles —
January 15 Conversation
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It's that time of year again to start planning for the "Great Valentine Cookie Giveaway" and your communications committee (PROCC) needs your help. Once again we will need volunteers to:
Bake a batch or two of cookies;
Help fill the boxes on the Friday or Saturday before;
Deliver boxes of cookies to those unable to pick them up at the church after the service on Sunday, February 12th.
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Pastoral Care and Connection |
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JANUARY
11 - Vida Morley
12 - Ralph Dolinger
13 - Melinda Lippincott
14 - Dianne Turpin
14 - Judy Graham
20 - Al Mathwich
22 - Clark Bjorke
29 - Zoe Panas
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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 January 5, 2023
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