Sunday, June 9, 2024 - 10 a.m.

In-person ONLY

"Annual Poetry Share"

Please bring poetry to share; if you have favorite words but would prefer someone else to read them, that can be arranged. If the “dog ate your words of wisdom," you might have to listen to one hour of Robert Frost and Mary Oliver!

Vida Morley, Discussion Leader

So You Don't Miss Anything!

• This Week's Summer Discussion Information
• Upcoming Summer Discussion Services Information
• Newsletter Index
• Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
• Minister's Column — It's Transition Month
• Reverend Sue Looks Back on Seven Years
• National Music Festival Concerts at UUCR — June 5 & 13
• Deadline for All FY 24 Pledge & Auction Payments, and Reimbursement & Payment Requests — June 19
• UUA General Assembly — Totally Virtual in 2024, June 20-23
• Summer Solstice Potluck at UUCR — Friday, June 21
• Undoing Racism Training Sessions — June 27 & 28
• Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
• Birthdays
• UUCR Contact Information
• End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END

It’s finally actually hitting me that my ministry serving the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River will conclude at the end of this month. While far from a surprise to me or the congregation, I am realizing it is here. It's a first for me—this leaving a congregation "thing."

While I know there is no perfect or easy path to wind down my role, I have confidence we’ll figure out this "good-by" together.

I’m especially appreciative of the ways rituals will help us through this transition. Rituals are intentional ways of naming times of change and serve as markers throughout our life’s journeys.

I’m excited for the party on June 11 (please come if possible!). I am so grateful for those who have imagined this gathering into being. It will be a special chance to honor our past seven years together in a spirit of celebration.

My final sermon on June 16 will be a chance to reflect on the realities of "good-byes" in the context of a Sunday service. I share in advance appreciation for Annie Lavin and Nancy Holland who are co-creating this service with me.

I am also open to meeting with anyone who would like to connect in these last weeks. I’ll plan to be in Chestertown on June 13, 18, and 20. Please reach out to set up time if you are interested. We can also meet on Zoom or by phone on other days if that is more convenient.

Yes, we’ll walk through this transition in love together—one party, one service, and one meeting at a time.

Blessings,

Rev. Sue 

by Linda Weimer

       Luckily for UUCR, a woman who had worked full-time while co-parenting a family of three children believed that serving two churches 40 miles apart was not the leap it would be for many folks.

       The Rev. Susan Tobin Carlson Browning took on the job as minister of the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River on July 1, 2017, after having served almost four years as half-time pastor of the UU Fellowship at Easton. Our position was also half-time; she had no doubt she could handle both congregations.

       “As someone who had been in the corporate world for 30 years (for Verizon), dealing with two boards of trustees was within my skill set,” she noted with typical aplomb. Offsetting the two boards was drafting “only half as many sermons.” One talk could be used at both churches.

      Sue’s entry into ministry was not an escape from the business world. “I followed the adage, ‘Leave when you’re happy.’” She had no immediate plans for seminary; Sue volunteered more at her home congregation in Arlington, Virginia, for her kids’ PTAs and sports…..until the day a UU seminarian asked her to visit one of his classes. Five years later, a Master of Divinity was added to her BA in math and MBA. 

(To continue reading please CLICK HERE.)

The National Music Festival (NMF) will once again hold some of their presentations and rehearsals at UUCR.

There will be two "Lunchtime Chamber Bites" held at UUCR beginning at 12:30 on Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 13. There will also be rehearsals during this period, but they have not been scheduled yet.

CLICK HERE for NMF schedule

The deadline for all Fiscal Year 24 pledge & auction payments and reimbursement & payment requests is June 19^th to allow time for processing prior to the end of the fiscal year,

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.

GA will be held June 20^th–23^rd and is totally online this year.

The PROC Committee will host a special Summer Solstice Potluck at UUCR on Friday, June 21^st, beginning at 6 p.m. Come to enjoy the fellowship and please bring a dish to share. Please contact John Ramsey johnramsey1948@gmail.com if you have any questions or if you can help with the set up and/or clean up. Thanks!

The Social Action for Racial Justice is sponsoring the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB)’s, two and a half day training.

This training will take place on June 27^th from 4 - 7 p.m, June 28^th, and June 29^th from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. PISAB's expectation is for all attendees to commit to ALL three sessions.

This event will be held at Minary’s Dream Alliance located at 9155 American Legion Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Food and childcare will be available at no cost. This is a free training.

If you would like to attend this event please complete the registration form: Undoing Racism Registration