UUCR Reflections - July 28, 2022

Thursday, July 28, 2022

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THIS SUNDAY'S

WORSHIP SERVICE

"Reinterpreting and Rethinking:

Rituals and Rosaries"

Cassie Montenegro, Guest Speaker

Zoom ONLY

Sunday, July 31, 2022

At our service with seminarian Cassandra Montenegro we'll consider, "What does it mean to reengage religious and spiritual practices that we grew up with, that meant something to our ancestors, and might mean something to us?"

So we can begin the worship service promptly at 10 am, please sign into Zoom (click here) by no later than 9:50 am.

About Our Guest Speaker

Cassandra “Cassie” Montenegro is a third year Master of Divinity student at Harvard Divinity School and is a Resident Tutor at Harvard College. She is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami and is active in the First Parish in Cambridge People of Color Caucus. Cassie is a recipient of the Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley Scholarship by the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation and is a Harvard Divinity School Billings Preaching Prize Finalist. You can find more of Cassie’s writing in two Skinner House publications, Shelter in this Place, and the upcoming Multi-Religious Voices in Unitarian Universalism. Cassie enjoys spending time reading poetry on her hammock, walking her dog Foxy, or baking her abuela’s flan.

Upcoming Summer Session Discussions

Sunday, August 7 — Summer Discussion, In Person ONLY

"Home Sharing"

Have you thought about it? If you dismissed this option quickly, what were your concerns? If you've given it deep thought, what about this life choice draws you to it?

Catherine Brooks, Leader

Sunday, August 14 — Summer Discussion, In Person ONLY

"Excellence and Perfection"

Many of us have grown up placing a high value on excellence. We've been taught to dream big and then pour our energies into the perfect execution of plans. Is setting high standards useful? Are there pitfalls? At this summer discussion service with Rev. Sue Browning we'll explore the role of excellence and perfection in our lives.

Rev. Sue Browning, Leader

Newsletter Index

So You Don't Miss Anything!

This Week's Discussion Information
Upcoming Worship Service & Discussion Information
Newsletter Index
Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
Minister's Column
Invitation to UUFE Picnic on Sunday, August 21
Social Justice — Kent County Food Pantry Items Needed
Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
Birthdays
UUCR Contact Information
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Helpful Links

Upcoming Events

This Week's

Worship Service

JUL 31 | Zoom link to Service

UUCR

Calendar

Office email

Facebook (public)

Facebook Forum (private)

Website

Website donate button

YouTube channel (previous Worship Service recordings)

UUCR Summer

Office Hours:

Sa, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

M through F — CLOSED

JUL 31 | Worship Service

jointly with UUFE

Zoom ONLY

Cassie Montenegro, guest speaker

AUG 7 | Summer Discussion

In Person ONLY

Catherine Brooks, leader

AUG 14 | Summer Discussion

In Person ONLY

Rev. Sue Browning, leader

AUG 21 | Summer Discussion

In Person ONLY

Harry Hart, leader

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!

Minister's Column

Follow-up on Sunday's Discussion of the Supreme Court

On Sunday we discussed the Supreme Court and its recent decisions on guns, abortion, prayer and the environment. I started with the question, "How are you feeling about the US Supreme Court?"

The responses: "Threatened, Disheartened, Scared, Angry, Depressed, Sad, Discouraged, Called to understand rather than demonize, Cynical, Unsurprised, Hateful, Heavy-hearted, Bewildered, Devalued, Sense of going backwards, and Worried for future."

As feelings were shared, it felt like a collective sigh crossed the sanctuary. It was quiet.

I then asked folks to share questions about the Supreme Court. Among your questions:

How does the faith of the conservative justices impact their decisions/agendas?
Should there be term limits for justices?
Do the decisions of today’s Court reflect the values of Americans?
What can be done to depoliticize the nominating process?
How might some of the justices mature (change) in the role?
Are justices prioritizing Christian views/rights?
What are the biases in our system on fairness?
Is there a way to broaden who is heard (who testifies) in the approval process?
Who do current justices feel accountable to?
Could the latest Court decisions jump start the stuck legislative process?

I encouraged us to begin with our questions rather than opinions. When we start with questions we are reminded of the power of curiosity. Questions help us approach challenges with an openness to learn, grow and change. Questions help us find the next steps for our actions.

I hope our reflections on the Supreme Court will continue at UUCR in some form. What would you like to see as our next steps?

In connection,

Rev. Sue

P. S. During the discussion I recommended a short book written by recently retired justice Stephen Breyer, The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics (2021). Breyer offers background on the Court's role in US society and insight on the Court's processes of deliberation and decision making. After the service, I was reminded that community member John Christie is a local expert who has long offered courses on the Supreme Court through WC-ALL.

Invitation to UUFE Picnic

All-Fellowship Picnic – August 21^st

The All-Fellowship Picnic on Sunday, August 21 will be held at the Doughty’s home on the Choptank River in Caroline County. Their address is 6280 Bell Creek Rd. Preston, MD 21655. The rain date is Sunday, August 28^th. Driving directions are shown below – driving time from Route 50 in Easton is 15-20 minutes.

The Potluck Picnic will start at 4:00 pm. Folks who prefer to bring their own separate food as a Covid precaution are welcome to do so.

Swimming or other outdoor activities will start at 2:00 pm. Two canoes and a kayak are available for general use. Feel free to bring your own small boat to launch.

Please bring a lawn chair for your personal use. Jugs with fresh water, paper cups, paper plates and utensils will be provided.

Directions: Proceed on Dover Bridge Rd. (MD 331) from Easton toward Preston, MD. Cross over the Choptank River and continue to the small town of Bethlehem, MD Turn left onto Route 578 in Bethlehem after you pass the Exxon gas station on

the left. In approx. 2 miles turn left on Bell Creek Road. Continue straight on Bell Creek Road past the intersection with Hog Creek Road. The road then makes a 90-degree right bend. Just past the bend, turn left on a dirt lane marked with number 6280. Continue ¾ mile straight down the dirt lane and then turn left at a dirt cross lane marked with the number 6280. Continue on the lane to the house.

Social Justice Committee

Kent County Food Pantry Items Needed

The Social Justice Committee is launching a collection of personal supplies and limited food items for the Kent County Food Pantry. Most in need are personal care and cleaning items, as well as a few special requests for food items. Some of the items requested include soaps, toothbrushes, shampoos, toilet paper, disinfectants, and deodorant. Food items include coffee, olive oil, and vinegar. Please check the UUCR lobby bulletin board for a complete list of needed items. Donated items can be deposited in the bin located in the UUCR lobby. Thanks so much for your consideration!

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.”

Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien,

Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley