Sunday, September 22, 2024 - 10 a.m.

"The Hospitality of Listening"

Join us this Sunday as we focus on the listening heart, which is always open to the joy and pain of others. Rev. Libby Smith returns to our pulpit with a sermon titled, "The Hospitality of Listening." She’ll draw on the 20^th-century Dutch theologian, writer, and priest Henri Nouwen, who describes listening as spiritual hospitality—a way of welcoming people into our very beings. Drawing on Nouwen’s wisdom, we will explore the art of listening as a form of hospitality that allows others to feel known, valued, and accepted.

• Rev. Libby Smith, Guest Speaker
• Annie Lavin, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Joy Kim, Greeter
• Elisabeth Tully, Coffee Host
• Religious Education program available

Please CLICK HERE to join us via ZOOM.

This week's hymn numbers:

• "Here We Have Gathered" — # 360 (grey hymnal)
• "Come Sing a Song With Me" — # 346 (grey hymnal)

September 29 | "Truth & Reconciliation in Ireland" —

In-person & Zoom

We just returned from two weeks in Ireland, and I was much impressed with several conversations I had with locals about "The Troubles" and the aftermath. I was struck by the similarity with the problems in post-apartheid South Africa. There, too, there is much to learn about living with the past and focusing into the future. 

• Rev. Greg Chute, Guest Speaker
• Nancy Holland, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician

October 6 | "Welcoming the Still Small Voice of the Divine" —

In-person & Zoom

When we act in a deeply countercultural way, when we pause, breathe, and create space to hear that still small voice inside, it is a sacred act. We start our exploration of deep listening this month with deep listening to the divine within, deeply listening to each other, and practicing being beloved community.

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister
• Kim Agee, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician

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• This Week's Summer Discussion Service
• Upcoming Worship Services
• This Issue's Contents
• Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
• New Information Link for Service Citations
• Minister's Column
• Improving Visitor, Friend, & Member Safety at UUCR
• Outreach Collection for September & October
• Mosaic National Fall Conference
• Build Trans Justice & Safety Webinar
• Birthdays

Beloveds,

I am continuing to reflect on integration as the flow of information and energy between chaos and rigidity, as we talked about from Dr. Daniel Siegel^*, author and professor at UCLA. His work is a fascinating blend of science, mysticism, religion, and social justice. He offers that over-individualized societies are more vulnerable to "in-group domination creating social injustice and caste systems & racism; misinformation; loneliness and addiction; and environmental destruction."

This feels important to me this week as we start Hispanic Heritage Month, and I watched the Transforming Hearts podcast for how to support our beloveds in legislatively hostile states. Beloveds, no person is illegal. Not now, not ever. We have a human right to exist, survive, and thrive. Misinformation is rampant. Loneliness and addiction kill. Our earth is crying out for our care.

Many indigenous and contemplative traditions offer an understanding of the self as a process, an emergence... a becoming. Beloveds, this is part of the sacred work we do in religious community. This becoming is a way we embody the spirit of life.

Fuente de Amor, ven hacia mí. Y al corazón, cántale tu compassión.

Sopla al volar, sube en la mar, hasta moldear la justicia de la vida.

Arráigame, libérame, Fuente de Amor, ven a mí, ven a mí.

Spirit of Life, come unto me. Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion. Blow in the wind, rise in the sea, move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice. Roots hold me close, wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

May it be so, Beloveds.

*Siegel, D.J., Drulis, C. An interpersonal neurobiology perspective on the mind and mental health: personal, public, and planetary well-being. Ann Gen Psychiatry 22, 5 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-023-00434-5

The Building & Grounds (B&G) committee asked the board to consider a major improvement to our church in the form of paving a part of the parking lot. We have several members, friends, and visitors who have differing levels of mobility, and they currently struggle to cross our gravel parking lot.

The board wholeheartedly agrees that safe access to our building and our surrounding acreage is a priority.

The B&G committee received a proposal to pave part of the parking lot. The cost will be approximately $20,000. This level of spending will require a congregational meeting for a vote of the membership. We are asking for that meeting to be held on September 29^th, after the service.

Please look for an email from the board and B&G on Friday for more information. There will also be folks to answer questions after the service this coming Sunday (September 22^nd).

Thanks, MQ

The Social Justice Committee's outreach collection for September and October is the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (UULM-MD). This is a statewide action network of Unitarian Universalists who work to educate, engage, and mobilize UUs to advocate for specific issues before the Maryland General Assembly. 

Please make out any checks to UUCR, and then write in the memo that it's for the outreach collection. You may also go to UUCR's website, click on the donate button, and make a contribution there. 

Mosaic is a hub of connection, resources, and support for Unitarian Universalists dismantling racism and oppression. This multigenerational National Fall Conference is a dynamic, multi-platform gathering for congregational teams and individuals engaged in the work of building multicultural communities.

The Transforming Hearts Collective has a set of webinars for UUs on trans justice and safety in this political moment.

The webinars will equip attendees to understand the attack that trans/nonbinary people are currently facing, gain tools to advocate for trans rights, and ensure

welcoming and safe congregational spaces for trans/nonbinary people and our families.

• Monday September 16, 8-9:30pm Eastern / 5-6:30pm Pacific: for UUs in legislatively hostile areas
• Tuesday October 1, 8-9:30pm Eastern / 5-6:30pm Pacific: for UUs in legislatively protective areas

People are welcome to attend either or both webinars. The main content of the webinars will be recorded and shared with registrants, so folks who are interested in receiving a recording are encouraged to register. 

Sign up now for one of these webinars or get more information at tinyurl.com/build-trans-justice. And please help us spread the word! 

SEPTEMBER

04 | Rev. Kathryn Adams

08 | Linda Weimer

14 | Larry Schroth

16 | Mary Pritchard

We want to help celebrate your birthday!

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