Wednesday, March 10, 2021 |
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THIS SUNDAY'S
VIRTUAL WORSHIP SERVICE
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"So What's All This About Pronouns?
(A chance to reflect on the tip of the iceberg of changing gender identity issues.)"
Marilee Taussig, Worship Service Leader
UUCR Zoom Worship Service
March 14, 2021
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When you hear the term "my preferred pronouns," what is your response ("Huh," "Finally!," "That's ridiculous!," or "Help me understand...")? A new lens through which we view gender (and language) is on the horizon. This Sunday's discussion topic of "preferred pronouns" (in the style of our summer services) hopes to introduce the topic from a framework of curiosity and generosity, preventing one from getting knocked for a loop, as it sometimes can, the first time the topic comes up casually.
This discussion will make an educated guess that the the topic of "preferred pronouns" (and its larger context, gender identity) are relatively new to many of us. (For some of you, that's not true; you're way ahead of most of us.) While a Sunday morning discussion is far too short a time to cover this complex and changing topic, the goal is for all of us to get our "feet wet," becoming less fearful, more curious and giving us a few tools for learning more.
We'll begin from the framework offered in this graphic :
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If you'd like to know more before Sunday, attached is a reading list to begin to break the ice on this large, and largely undiscussed topic. click here
Join us by clicking the Zoom worship service link here on Sunday, March 14 before 10 am, immediately followed by UUCR Coffee Hour. Please sign in by 9:50 am so we can begin the worship service promptly at 10 am.
If you have a joy or sorrow for the March 14 worship service, please share it during the discussion or if you're not planning to attend, email the UUCR office at UUCR email by Friday, March 12 at noon.
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Come Join Us for Coffee Hour |
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Please come join us for UUCR Coffee Hour at 11:00 am, on Sunday, March 14 immediately following the worship service (continuation of the worship service's Zoom link.)
It's a time to see and talk to one another, and the next best thing to being there!
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This Week's
Worship Service
Last Week's
Worship Service
UUCR
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Mar 14 - Daylight Saving Time Begins 🕒
Set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night!
Mar 14 - Zoom Worship Service UUCR followed by UUCR Coffee Hour
Mar 15 - Board Meeting
Mar 20 - Spring Equinox 🌷
Sock Burning Party - See below for more about this event.
Mar 21 - T-Shirt Sunday Zoom Worship Service UUCR & UUFE
Mar 28 - YouTube Worship Service UUCR & UUFE
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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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Upcoming
Virtual Worship Services
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Sunday, March 21
"Wearing Our Commitments! T-Shirt Sunday"
Zoom Worship Service
Rev. Sue Browning
Do you have a T-Shirts with a logo of a favorite group? Do you have coffee mugs and bumper stickers with favorite sayings? Join Rev. Sue for a service where we'll share with one another how we share our commitments in public spaces. Please wear your favorite T-shirt or have your coffee mug ready!
(Pictures of T-shirts, coffee mugs, hats, signs welcomed in advance! Please email the picture to the UUCR office email or to Rev. Sue).
Sunday, March 28
“Dancing With Anxiety”
YouTube Worship service
Rev. Abbey Tennis, guest speaker and Annie Lavin, worship service leader
Spring has arrived bringing optimism and hope for many. Yet for others, fear and anxiety remain to diminish life’s joy. In today’s service, Rev. Abbey Tennis, minister of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, presents a sermon titled, “Dancing with Anxiety.” She offers ways to harness anxiety’s power and use it as a spiritual tool in counteracting fear. She shares her own journey and ends with a personal story that will change your perspective and touch your heart. Come join us!
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Last Sunday we considered what holds us back from making commitments. We talked about worries of being spread too thin, or not feeling competent, or ending up holding the ball with no one to help.
It's easy to come up with the "why I won't commit" list.
Where do we find the courage to step up and make commitments which are a fit for us? Where might we be called to go "all in" and give something a try? What else holds us back?
Sometimes I sense we hold back because we don’t want others to see our imperfections. We know doing anything perfectly is impossible, yet we don’t want others to see our limits. We don’t like to make mistakes.
This isn't an empty fear. Judgments can feel harsh. It hurts when our efforts to step up are critiqued. It takes the fun out of trying something new.
I’ve wondered about the ways we extend grace to another as they try a new commitment. When we extend grace we can start by expressing gratitude. When we extend grace we may offer to assist. In a spirit of grace, we value relationships over perfection and we extend honest feedback with care. With grace there is an honoring of the other's humanity, in all its imperfection.
This past year I've learned much about grace. As our congregations have figured out new ways to worship and communicate, I’ve worked with amazing teams who are deeply committed to serving UUCR and UUFE. As we’ve made mistakes (and we have!), we’ve learned together and built relationships we could not have imagined a year ago.
One of my biggest learnings in this year of pandemic is about grace, and the gentle learning that comes with commitment.
In gratitude,
Rev. Sue
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*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Sometimes due to the length of Reflections, some committees' sections are on a second page in some members' emails. If you don't see a "Follow Us," in the middle of the page, at the very end of this email, you need to click at the bottom where it says "[Message clipped] View entire message" (or something similar in whatever email service you use.) Or, you can click below.
The "Birthdays" Section is now at the end of the newsletter.
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Having trouble viewing the entire email? Click here
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56 Years: Remembering (Some of) Our History in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement |
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We Unitarian Universalists need to be proud of the role our faith has played in supporting the rights of the oppressed and disadvantaged. Tomorrow marks the 56th anniversary of the death of James Reeb, a UU minister who was murdered by white segregationists in Alabama on March 11, 1965. Reeb died of head injuries two days after being severely beaten while participating in the Selma to Montgomery marches. Three men were tried for his killing, but were acquitted by an all white jury. His murder remains officially unsolved. Reeb had served as assistant minister in All Souls Church in Bethesda, and was at the time of his death working in Boston in a program focusing on desegregation.
Four days after Reeb's murder Martin Luther King, Jr., eulogized him at a ceremony at Brown's Chapel in Selma: "James Reeb symbolizes the forces of good will in our nation. He demonstrated the conscience of the nation. He was an attorney for the defense of the innocent in the court of world opinion. He was a witness to the truth that men of different races and classes might live, eat, and work together as brothers.”
Stay tuned to future “Reflections” for more about UU heroism in the struggle for civil rights in this country.
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UUCR Pledge Drive – We Made Our Goal!
Thank you, members and friends who pledged support for renewing our faith, renewing our connections, and renewing our commit. We exceeded our goal of $76,169 by $2,981! This will allow us to keep our UU faith community strong and connected, continue our programs, and plan for returning to in-person gatherings once again.
Pledge Drive Committee
Jim Lavin (Chair), Carl Gallegos, Jackie Mathwich, Lynn Geisert
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Come to a Sock Burning Party!
Celebrate the
Spring Equinox:
Saturday, March 20, 5 pm
UUCR Parking Lot, 914 Gateway Dr., Chestertown
Time for our usual Salute to Spring, but this year we will hold our gathering at UUCR.
What’s our schedule?
- 5 - 5:15 pm – Arrive at UUCR, sample some libation and finger food
- 5:30 - 6 pm – Enjoy a short ceremony marking the (most welcome) Change of Season, followed by the burning of those grungy ol’ socks!
- 6 pm onward, Observing social distancing guidelines, gather round the fire and visit with friends, old and new!
What should I bring?
- Your mask for wearing when not eating!
- Finger food to share – we will have lots of utensils for serving and small plates
- Wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverages of choice – we will supply box wine
- Socks that you don’t mind saying goodbye to
- Optimism and good cheer!
- A portable chair if you’d like to sit
Is there a rain date?
- Yes, Sunday, March 21, 5 pm
Do I need to RSVP?
- No, no need to reserve a space; just bring a dish to share.
Save the date! See you March 20.
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Social Concerns/Social Justice Committee |
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Social Concerns Social Justice Meeting |
If you want to know more about racial justice, homelessness, or legislative advocacy for the minimum wage or gun control, we invite you to participate in the next Social Concerns and Social Justice meeting via Zoom on Friday, March 19 at 10 am. We encourage lively discussion and new perspectives. If you're interested, please contact Lynn Dolinger for details at lynn.thirdwish@gmail.com.
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We want to share the joy of the Kent Attainable Housing's first family in their new home. After many months of planning and construction, Randy, Michelle and their three children are now enjoying their new home near Garnett Elementary School in Chestertown. A great team of UUCR volunteers and donors helped the family furnish their new home and we hope to continue the partnership as they transition into their new home and life. |
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Public Information Act – Personnel Records – Investigations of Law Enforcement Officers (Anton’s Law)
Many of you may remember the tragedy and resulting public outcry after the death of Anton Black, a nineteen-year-old from Greensboro, who died after an encounter with police in 2018. Legislation to open up officers’ discipline records to the public and other measures to increase police accountability is now moving through the General Assembly, entitled “Public Information Act – Personnel Records – Investigations of Law Enforcement Officers (Anton’s Law.)” Last week the Senate passed the bill, and now it will go to the House of Delegates, where it is likely to be considered by the full House this week. Here’s a link giving more information about Anton’s Law and other police reform bills being considered;
Action Item #4 in our Strategic Plan Goal III, “Undertake a church-wide focus and community activism regarding racism and racial equality,” for this year is to advocate for the passage of Anton’s Law. Please contact the offices of our State Delegates in District 36, either through phone calls, emails, or letters, to express your support for this important bill, HB 120.
Delegate Jay Jacobs
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3449, (301) 858-3449
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3449 (toll free)
Delegate Steven Arentz
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3543, (301) 858-3543
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3543 (toll free)
Delegate Jeff Ghrist
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3555, (301) 858-3555
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3555 (toll free)
fax: (410) 841-3434, (301) 858-3434
Thank you!!
Amy Warner,
Co-chair of the Social Concerns/Social Justice Committee
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For All Seasons Outreach Collection
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We're all experiencing stress and anxiety in the world today, and many need support services to cope. Four in ten adults have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression this past year compared to one in ten in 2019. And, certainly, our children and essential workers are particularly vulnerable during this crisis. This month our Outreach Collection will support "For All Seasons", a non-profit counseling service that provides behavioral health and rape crisis services on the Eastern Shore for families, adults and children. With an unprecedented number of folks in need of services, the Social Concerns Social Justice Committee is asking you to consider giving a generous contribution that will help provide these services for those who are unable to pay for them on their own. I invite you to visit the organization's website, forallseasonsinc.org for more information about services and locations. You can contribute by sending a check to the church office, made out to UUCR specifying "For All Seasons Outreach Collection" in the memo line, or you can donate online at the church website using the "Donate" button (click here ) and "Custom Amount", specifying "For All Seasons Outreach Collection" in the comment section. Any questions, please contact Lynn Dolinger, SCSJ Co-Chair, lynn.thirdwish@gmail.com.
Thanks so much for your continuing and generous support of our church's outreach mission.
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Pastoral Care and Connection |
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We are here for you! We will focus on staying directly connected with our members and friends, especially those who may need assistance or support. The caring teams from our congregation is staying in touch, but if you need to reach out, please be in touch with any of the contacts below to stay connected (and see additional contacts below for RE families).
Please know your congregation is here. We can help you find connections. Please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know what is helpful for you in this time.
Rev. Sue Browning, and the Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien,
Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley
or for more information, contact:
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MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Mar 14 Neenah Newell
Mar 18 Jackie Mathwich
Mar 30 Jan Sprinkel
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We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact Darlene at UUCR office email
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Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River 914 Gateway Drive, Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-3440
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