Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

During the course of the pandemic many of the ways we connected formally and informally in our communities were interrupted. What in our relationships needs to be restored and revitalized? Why? At this service led by Rev. Sue Browning we'll explore the ways our congregation can serve as roots and wings as we imagine our vision for connection for the coming year. The service will include our annual Water Communion services.

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

Sunday, September 25 — In Person & ZOOM

If you don't see "VERY END of REFLECTIONS for September 15, 2022"

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

To view it to the end please Click here

I am pleased that many of you were able to enjoy our ingathering worship service, “Where do you Belong?” with Rev. Greg Chute. His inspiring sermon led to many people sharing their stories of searching to belong, and the many paths that have brought us together at UUCR. We begin this new church year with children in our classrooms, a new pianist, and relaxed Covid protocols for in-person gatherings. This Sunday our own Rev. Sue Browning returns to the pulpit for our water communion service, “Finding the Light.”

September marks UUCR’s 30^th anniversary, which we will celebrate on October 2^nd. We will look back to where we began, how our congregation has grown and changed over the years, and acknowledge the contributions of those who have helped create our extraordinary spiritual community.

In August, your new board of trustees held a retreat workshop to discuss the status of programs and activities, recognize our strengths and challenges, and establish plans for the year ahead. The board agreed that our focus this year will be to:

I am grateful to our committees and task forces who carry out the mission of UUCR every day, and to our members and friends who work together to create a vibrant and purposeful community. I encourage everyone to participate – we need your energy, ideas, and commitment. You will find a deepened sense of purpose and belonging.

In gratitude,

It all started with a phone call between two moms with young children, Pat Bjorke and Leslie Roche, who were looking for "a religion that would allow them to express their own beliefs honestly and authentically, to pass on to their children. Independent of one another, they had each discovered Unitarian Universalism; but found, to their dismay, that there was no congregation in existence on the upper Eastern Shore of Maryland.” [Check out our “Our History” page (click here ) on our UUCR website for the full story! This webpage, and the entire website, are in the process of being updated.]

We need volunteers for set up and clean up. Please contact one of our public relations team if you’d like to help:

John Ramsey, johnramsey1948@gmail.com,

David Biehler, dabiehler@aol.com,

Jane Hardy, janewhardy@gmail.com,

or Elisabeth Tully, elisabethtully@gmail.com.

Twenty-one members were present on Sunday to listen to proposals to improve the accessibility and usability of UUCR by installing an automated door opener on the side door entrance and installing a paved pathway to the Woodland Memorial Garden. Jim Lavin presented details of how the automated door opener would work and posted a drawing of our property showing where the pathway would be installed. We had a lively discussion around both projects, with many good questions and suggestions. The congregation voted to approve installing the automated door opener at a cost not to exceed $5,700, making sure it is in compliance with County codes. B&G will also check on ADA compliance, door opening sensors, and closing pressure. The congregation voted to table approval of the paved pathway, recommending more research and alternatives for other types and designs of paving materials. If you would like to join Penny McCrea and Terry Goldzier on a task force to consider possibilities for our walkway to the Memorial Garden, please contact Jim Lavin, jmlavin@gmail.com.

The Social Justice Committee is looking for partners — Please check out the easel in the foyer to lend your support to the social justice issues that matter to you. A member of the SJ Committee will contact you to see how you might support these efforts in the coming year. Thanks for lending your voice!

The Committee on Ministry (COM) is a resource to you and our minister, Sue Browning. If you have a need or would like to talk about the ministry of UUCR, feel free to reach out to one of us (John Ramsey, Jackie Mathwich, or M.Q. Riding), we will be happy to offer a listening ear.

We will keep our membership up to date on the ongoing activities of the committee through the newsletter and in person at Sunday services. The committee is reaching out to the UU Fellowship at Easton to understand how their COM works. Our thought is that working together we may be able to learn about what ministries we have in-common and share what works here and there.

Finally, this month UUCR celebrates our 30^th anniversary! Congratulations to that start-up team for lighting a chalice in 1992 and the entire membership for continuing the flame these 30 years since — here’s to the next 30!

Faithfully,

The UUCR Membership Committee is enthused to learn that many of the UUCR Covid restrictions have been lifted. This means that we will begin serving coffee (and maybe even treats) after Sunday services! And hopefully scheduling monthly potluck dinners again soon.

There will be signup sheets posted on the "white board" for both "Greeters" and "Coffee Makers." Please sign up for a Sunday!! Training is available if you have not done it before.

It is with great pleasure that we announce hiring a new pianist/piano accompanist, Michael Casey. Michael is a classically trained musician who also loves to sing. He graduated from St. Mary’s College and moved to Rock Hall last year. He performs locally and also gives private piano lessons. Michael will begin playing at our September 18^th Sunday service. Please give him a warm welcome (and check out his website here.)

Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley

-8 - Linda Weimer

27 - UUCR's 30^th Birthday

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