Recorded UUA GA Worship Service
"Ever Willing: Becoming the People
Our World Needs"
Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister of the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, MI — Key Speaker
On UUCR's YouTube Channel ONLY
No In Person Service this Sunday, July 2
The pandemic has wrought change and created uncertainty for institutions, like our Unitarian Universalist congregations, and our wider world. Who and what are we becoming, individually and collectively? Our GA Sunday service explores these themes as we gather in community to celebrate the best of who we UUs are.
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Upcoming Discussion Services |
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Sunday, July 09
"Poetry: Read Some — Hear Some"
July 9th is the annual “Poetry Sharing at UUCR." Please join in with poetry, song, or free verse of your choice that brings pleasure, meaning, or familiarity to you.
John Ramsey and crew presented a memorable Solstice Service in our Woodland Memorial Garden on June 18th. I suggest that we meet in the Sanctuary for the readings and then move to the Memorial Garden (weather permitting) for coffee and scones! I’ll make the coffee and bring the scones.
Thanks from Vida, who will contribute readings from Mary Oliver (which you may also do).
- Vida Morley, Discussion Leader
Sunday, July 16
"Mentoring"
- Gayle Folger, Discussion Leader
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So You Don't Miss Anything! |
- This Week's Discussion Service Information
- Upcoming Discussion Services Information
- Newsletter Index
- Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
- Minister's Column
- General Assembly 2023
- Notice from the Building & Grounds (B&G) Committee
- Thank You Michael!
- Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
- Birthdays
- UUCR Contact Information
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End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END
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If you don't see "VERY END of REFLECTIONS for June 29, 2023"
at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.
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UUCR
UUCR Summer Office Hours
W, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
M, Tu, Th, F, Sa — CLOSED
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JUL 02 | UUA General
Assembly recorded Worship Service — UUCR YouTube Channel ONLY
JUL 09 | Discussion Service
Vida Morley, Discussion
Leader
JUL 16 | Discussion Service
Gayle Folger, Discussion
Leader
JUL 21 | Potluck at UUCR,
hosted by Mary Pritchard & Margo Long
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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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Reflections on General Assembly
(and on Being UU)
Last week I attended the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly ("GA"). It was a chance to experience what it means to be UU in 2023.
Before sharing thoughts on GA, today is a milestone for me — our youngest son’s 30th birthday. It strikes me that 30 years ago I only vaguely knew of "Unitarians," had no plans to attend a UU service, and I can guarantee you that in my wildest dreams I had never considered becoming a minister in any tradition. Life unfolds in unplanned ways!
This year GA was in Pittsburgh, and it was fully multi-platform, so there were attendees from everywhere.
While I’ve rarely masked this past year, the conference was a "mask-required" event. All attendees agreed in advance to mask (there were good collective reasons why) and while masks made it a bit challenging to spot friends and colleagues, we figured it out.
Highlights of the week included the election of Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt as our new UUA president, the vote to move the new statement of values (aka "Article 2") to the next stage of review, and many presentations on challenges faced by congregations as well as the profound possibilities for UU congregations to meet the needs of the world.
Among my favorite quotes from programs during the week...
- "the blessing of failing forward"
- "our core purpose is to welcome those ‘othered’"
- "courage takes trust"
- "What we want is a net so strong, so satisfying, that no one can fall through it." (quote from adrienne maree brown)
- "stumble into larger love"
- "where are you placing yourself on the gradient of risk?"
I’ll set up conversations in July for a more detailed review of GA and will invite the other GA attendees — MQ Riding, Ann Davis, and Rev. Paul Boothby — to join.
Being UU in 2023 is different than when I ventured into what became "our" congregation when our youngest was one. It took a while, but at some point I learned to be UU and sensed belonging. I knew the hymns and routines. I was "in."
This post-GA week, I'm reminded that there is no "in" and "out." As we draw the circle wider and wider still — even as an ordained UU minister — in many ways, my own faith feels less familiar to me. Formats change. Music changes. I know fewer in attendance at big events.
And something feels bold about the trajectory of Unitarian Universalism — it feels relevant (or can be with work) and has me feeling grateful for the journey with each of you and for our faith.
More to come...
In care,
Rev. Sue
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The General Assembly (GA23) was jammed with sessions, assemblies, services, inspirational speakers, and meetings all centered on Unitarian Universalism. It was interesting, even though I couldn’t attend in-person. GA23 was set up so that the virtual experience was very good.
Items of business at GA23 included elections and consideration of amendments to the Article II Study. The first was election of our new UUA president, Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt (photo at right) and new board members.
The second, a vote to continue the work on the Article II Study
that Reverend Sue reviewed with us earlier this year. The report
summarized two years of work with UU individuals, groups, and
leaders from across the UUA. There were amendments to the
Article II document that were accepted and the study of Article II will continue for another year.
Thanks for letting me be your Delegate to the Assembly! If you
have any questions, feel free to reach out. — MQ Riding
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Notice from the
Buildings & Grounds (B&G) Committee
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The B&G Committee maintains our indoor and outdoor spaces. The committee chairs will be creating a list of chores and projects for the summer to improve the functionality and beauty of our property. If you have ideas, special skills, or just want to help, please contact Jim Lavin or Diane Shields. Planned work days will also be announced in Reflections.
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Many thanks to Michael Casey, UUCR's pianist, for providing the community with a delightful piano recital at his home/studio in Rock Hall on Sunday afternoon. He flawlessly performed selections from Mozart, Schubert, and Chopin and treated us with stories about the composers, their histories and quirks, and his impressions of their work. It was a pleasure to meet Michael's parents, Judy and John, and his sweet dog, "Wendy," in their lovely home. We are very fortunate to have Michael provide UUCR with music during the regular church year. — Diane Shields
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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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JULY
-3 - David Biehler
-3 - Mary Ford
16 - Gayle Folger
17 - Annie Lavin
28 - Waverly Ford
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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, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Closed — M, Tu, Th, F, Sa
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VERY END of REFLECTIONS for June 29, 2023
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