Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Fear permeates our culture. Movies, books, video games, news broadcasts, and many of our leaders seem to peddle fear as a matter of course. Sometimes the alarm must be sounded. However, the cost of fear mongering has been the corrosion of trust. Indeed, fear has been described as the opposite of trust. In this service, Rev. Karyn Marsh will explore how we can dispel fear by building trust.

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.

If you don't see "VERY END of REFLECTIONS for March 23, 2023"

at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.

To view it to the end please Click here

APR 02 | Meredith Hadaway & Rebekah Hock

APR 09 | Nevin Dawson

APR 16 | Philip Dutton

UUCR continues to be a vibrant and purposeful community. This past Sunday we welcomed two new members who bring their unique gifts and perspectives, and a renewal to our community.

The Stewardship Committee recently concluded our annual Pledge Drive, “Widening our Path – Welcoming All.” Although we did not meet the goal of $79,456, there were 53 members and friends who made a pledge of financial support, and we thank all of you. If you haven’t yet made a pledge, or are able to increase your pledge to help meet the goal, there’s still time. We will be adjusting the proposed budget for next year, to be presented to the congregation at our annual meeting on May 21.

The congregation recently voted to install a paved pathway to our Memorial Woodland Garden, making it more accessible and opening new possibilities for use of this beautiful space. The

pathway, together with the automatic door opener, will be significant and tangible enhancements to UUCR as a welcoming community.

Our newly formed Legacy Advisory Task Force is reaching out to many sources to learn how other UU congregations manage endowment funds, and has begun “Listening Sessions” for

UUCR members and friends to gather ideas on how we should use the generous Dorris Ellen Scott bequest. I urge you to share your thoughts with members of the Task Force.

Spring is a time of renewal, planting seeds, budding flowers and trees, finding new meaning in our lives. I encourage everyone to participate in our shared ministry - we need your energy, your ideas, your commitment. You will find a deepened sense of purpose and belonging.

In gratitude,

Our special collection for Sunday April 2 will go to ShoreRivers, the homegrown clean-water

voice for Maryland's Eastern Shore. Darren White Tilghman, director of community engagement, will speak briefly about ShoreRivers at the service.

Founded in 2017 by the merger of three environmental groups, ShoreRivers monitors and protects the Chester, Choptank, Miles-Wye, and Sassafras. Professional Riverkeepers conduct

weekly samplings April through October at more than 60 sites from Cecilton to Cambridge. Volunteers take part as they offer and are trained.

ShoreRivers’ data reveal the overall health of our waterways, including their safety for summer recreation. Other statewide groups and national agencies use this information to track trends, develop remediation strategies, advocate for stronger enforcement, and inform region-wide efforts toward clean water.

If you donate to ShoreRivers later in the month of April, there are several ways to do so. In church, you can write "Outreach Collection" or "ShoreRivers" on the "for" memo line on your check. Or, until April 30, you may click the donate button (click here) on the UUCR website. Then use the option Custom Amount and check the box Write us a comment. Please type that it’s for the monthly outreach or use the organization’s name.

The Legacy Advisory Task Force (LATF) wants to hear from you, the members and friends of UUCR, about your thoughts and aspirations for the generous bequest from Dorris Scott. If you have not already attended one of the scheduled discussions, please plan to join us in person on Sunday, April 2 following the service to share your ideas. 

Please use the sign-up sheets on the whiteboard if you can help as a:

There are many open dates and training is available. For any questions, please contact Diane Shields dashdiane@gmail.com.

We've only had two new donations to our Live Auction since last week and both are from the same donor. Both are day trips which include transportation and lunch. The first is to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in May and the other is to Longwood Gardens to visit the annual holiday display in December. No new Silent Auction items have been submitted this past week. Please submit your donations as early as possible to allow adequate time for further planning.

Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley

14 - Neenah Newell

18 - Jackie Mathwich

30 - Jan Sprinkel

-6 - Stan Salett

-7 - Tom Tontarski

-9 - John Ramsey

13 - Amy Warner

16 - Connie Schroth

17 - Jim Lavin

22 - Elisabeth Tully

30 - Kim Agee

We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email (click here).