Sunday, February 9, 2025 — 10 am

"Weaving with the Fates Series—Part Three:

Knowing the Time and Day"

The myths say that Atropos, the third Moirai, was the sister who cut the threads of destiny at the end of a human’s appointed life. If we knew how long our thread would be, what—if anything—would we change? What about the threads of the things or systems we are woven within? Finally (pun intended!), what threads do we need to wield Fate’s shining scissors for?

• Leika Lewis, Guest Speaker
• Nancy Holland & Connie Schroth, Worship Leaders
• Michael Casey, Musician

Please CLICK HERE to join us via ZOOM.

This week's hymn numbers:

• "Gathered Here" #389 (grey hymnal)
• "Spirit of Life" #123 (grey hymnal)

FEB 16| "Belong, Belief, Behave" — In-person & Zoom

"Belonging Brings Hope" - Our Stewardship theme speaks to the power of belonging. Belonging invites an active hope, an active love, and creates a powerful community.

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister
• Jan Sprinkel, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician

FEB 23| "When is Black Future Month?" — In-person & Zoom

A celebration of Black History Month would be incomplete without examining the cultural touchstone of Afrofuturism, which posits the simple assertion that black people exist in the future. What can we learn from this movement and what is our role in imagining this future for all people?

• Rev. Kimberley Debus, Guest Speaker
• Kim Agee, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician

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• This Week's Worship Service
• Upcoming Worship Services
• This Issue's Contents
• Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
• Personal Security Measure
• Minister's Column
• Financial Matters
• Pledge Drive Campaign
• Thank You!
• Membership Orientation Session — Feb 15
• UUCR Social Justice Team Honors Black History Month — Feb 16
• UUCR Annual Fundraiser Auction — Mar 1
• Social Justice Outreach Collection Continues until Feb 14
• National UU Social Justice Enews
• Birthdays

You may have noticed that we no longer include an individual's personal email or home address within this newsletter. We have adopted this policy for security purposes. Please use your UUCR Directory to obtain an individual's contact information or send a request to the UUCR office email uuofchesterriver@gmail.com, and your email will be forwarded to them. If you don't have a copy of the UUCR Directory, please contact the UUCR office, and we'll make sure you obtain one. A new, updated directory is in the works.

Where do you truly belong? When you truly belong, how does it feel? 

I have been reflecting on the work of john a powell (he doesn't use capital letters in his name) and the Othering & Belonging Institute. I find their work insightful and inspiring.  The scholarship, discussions, and ideas are a wellspring of imagination of how all the energy in our systems of change can go to create a society that aligns with our values. This work resonates strongly with my understanding of Unitarian Universalism. 

For those wishing to have a copy of the UUCR financials, please email the UUCR office at uuofchesterriver@gmail.com, and a copy will be given to you.

If you need a letter documenting your donations to UUCR to file with your income taxes, please contact the UUCR office at uuofchesterriver@gmail.com, and a letter will be sent to you via email.

We’re off to a great start with our ’25-’26 Stewardship Drive. In our first week, the Board of Directors led us by pledging a total of $12,800. That’s 17% of our goal of $74,022. We need $20,000 each of our next 3 weeks to meet this goal.

To inspire you to make your commitment to UUCR’s future, here is another member’s story of the meaning of our church to them:



I belong to UUCR because it is a congregation of smart, informed, sensitive people who are searching for peace, truth, and meaning in their lives. The people here are welcoming, warm, and accepting. We have a wonderful new minister and talented, generous people on the committees that keep the church going. We are known in the community as a church that speaks out for justice and freedom of conscience. Unitarian Universalists, as a denomination, stand for truth, love, democracy, and justice among all people. Chestertown is fortunate to have this congregation and I am happy to be part of it.

For those of you that missed our Kick Off with the presentation of our proposed 2025-2026 budget of expenses, it can be viewed on a secure YouTube link by contacting John Ramsey, David Biehler, or the UUCR office at uuofchesterriver@gmail.com.

We only have three more Sundays in this year’s campaign. If you haven’t already, please drop your Pledge Form into our wooden Pledge Box in the foyer. We need your support to keep UUCR here in our community.

The Membership Committee will host an information session about Unitarian Universalism and the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River (UUCR) on Saturday, February 15, at 10 am. A light lunch will be provided. If you have been visiting for a while, have just dropped in, or want to learn about what being a member of a UU congregation is about, please plan to attend.

Diane Shields

The Sunday, February 16^th UUCR service will include our outreach offering and program to Sumner Hall in honor of Black History Month. We are hosting three leaders involved in current programs. They also may share some history of Sumner Hall. We want everyone to stay for the presentation! Instead of lunch, you will be encouraged to grab a cookie and coffee and join us immediately after the service. During the service, please give generously to Sumner Hall through our outreach collection or through the website, noting Sumner Hall as the recipient. Hope to see you there! 

Our Live and Silent Auctions will be held

on Saturday, March 1, 2025, 6 p.m.

Don’t forget to email descriptions of your donations for both auctions to Jane Hardy or the UUCR office uuofchesterriver@gmail.com

Here are some more live auction donations:

306 — Garden Consult/Work, One-Half Day.  Take advantage of the expertise and energy of a Master Gardener.  Connie Schroth

307 — I Will Bake You an Apple Pie! Delivery date at a time of your choosing. $15 minimum bid.  Mindy Miller

308 — Learn to Play “Mexican Trains” Dominoes.  It’s an easy game to learn and fun to play.  Afternoon to be determined, 2-4 PM at my home at Heron Point or at UUCR.  Beverages and snacks will be provided.  For up to four people. $10 minimum bid. Terry Goldzier     

309 — Improve Your Scrabble and Words with Friends Games!  A devotee of Scrabble for almost 60 years will spend an hour or two to teach you basics as well as more advanced techniques and strategies to help you make the most of your “racks” (letters) and ultimately win every game!  Will also provide resources, such as lists of Scrabble-acceptable two- and three-letter words for you to memorize/refer to. We will meet at my home at Heron Point, or at UUCR if you prefer, at a mutually agreed upon date prior to Diane Shields’ Scrabble Tournament date – see below. (Note: you don’t have to take part in Diane's tournament to participate in this session). Limited to five or fewer players. Beverages and snacks provided. $10 per person minimum bid.  Jane Hardy.

310 — An afternoon “Deluxe Scrabble Challenge,” for up to 4 participants (observers welcome); beverages and snacks provided; date to be determined; location at our Crestview home or at UUCR (our home is not handicap accessible).  $10 per person minimum bid. Diane Shields

And among the treasures for our Silent Auction are hand-knitted and hand-crocheted items by local craftswoman Ronnie Edelman. Look for a full catalog coming soon! 

Social Justice Committee's Outreach Collection to

the Baltimore Abortion Fund Continues

The committee launched its first outreach for 2025 on Sunday, Jan. 19 with a focus on reproductive justice. As customary, the collection from the offertory is going to an organization associated with this issue, which is the Baltimore Abortion Fund. If you were unable to contribute on the 19^th, you can still make a donation by going to our website and clicking on the donate button. Please indicate that it is for the "BAF Outreach" when doing so, and please contribute before 2/14.

Did you know that the National UU Social Justice organization, based in Washington, DC, is a stand alone but related organization to the UUA? Their logo above is the beginning of the news extract they send out by email. CLICK HERE for their latest email from Wednesday, February 5. PLEASE subscribe (CLICK HERE) to keep aware of suggested actions during these ****uncertain**** times. Don't forget that we are citizens who need to speak up for our democracy!

FEBRUARY

24 | Philip Dutton

25 | Les Palmer

We want to help celebrate your birthday!

If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email