Sunday, January 19, 2025 — 10 am

Weaving with the Fates Series—Part Two:

"When the Stars Align?"

Lachesis, the allotter, measured the threads of life and wove them into the fabric of fate. If Lachesis still sits at her loom as the legends tell, what would the fabric of our time look like, and how can we weave the path we want to travel?

• Leika Lewis, Guest Speaker
• Kim Agee, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Sydney Brooks, Greeter
• , Coffee Host
• Fantaye Kehm, RE

Please CLICK HERE to join us via ZOOM.

This week's hymn numbers:

• "We Are" #1051 (teal hymnal)
• "Hush" #1040 (teal hymnal)

JAN 26 | "Our Life is but a Story" — In-person & Zoom

Let's reflect on our lives as a story... a story we are writing. As a congregation, community, and even a nation, the same is true. Today we will have the opportunity to reflect on a core story, one that we hold as part of who we are, and another story that no longer serves us and it is time to let it go. Come, let us share our stories and weave them into the story of our community.

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

FEB 02 | "The Value of Generosity" — In-person & Zoom

Our UU values offer us the opportunity to engage Generosity theologically. As we start our Stewardship campaign with the theme "Belonging Brings Hope." Our newly adopted UU Value of Generosity is "We cultivate a spirit of generosity and hope".

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister
• Annie Lavin, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician

FEB 09 | Weaving with the Fates Series—Part Three:

"Knowing the Time and Day" — In-person & Zoom

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

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• This Week's Worship Service
• Upcoming Worship Services
• This Issue's Contents
• Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
• Minister's Column
• Coffee Host Needed for Sunday
• Potluck at UUCR — Jan 17
• SAY CHEESE THIS SUNDAY: UUCR Directory Photos — Jan 19
• Social Justice Cmte. Luncheon & Discussion — Jan 19
• Donations Needed for UUCR Annual Fundraiser Auction
• Orientation to Unitarian Universalism & UUCR Session
• People's March in Chestertown — Jan 18
• People's March in DC — Jan 18
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration — Jan 20
• Seminary for a Day at UU Church of Arlington — Feb 1
• Birthdays

Today, I am reflecting on living life, just as it is. I have been reading Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground by Mirabai Starr and am sitting with the invitation to breathe, notice, and be fully present to our life, just as it is. Right now, I seek to live this one life. I am feeling my feelings and honoring their wisdom. Listen to my spirit, body, and soul in this moment and take a reverential pause to acknowledge my soul friends.

Most importantly, I appreciate her insight to let our communities hold us when we need it. When we are hurt, can we ask for help? Can we let ourselves receive? On Wed, Jan 29^th, at 3 pm, we will offer our next Vespers service and practice being community. All are welcome.

No one has signed up to be the coffee host for this week, so, someone is needed. There are also available slots as greeters and coffee hosts on future dates. Please sign up on the sheets provided on the whiteboard. Please contact Diane Shields if you would like to help but have questions.

This month's potluck will be held at UUCR on Friday, January 17, beginning at 6 PM, and will be hosted by Joan & David Biehler. Come join us for good food and conversation. Please bring a dish to share and your appetite. If you can help with set-up or clean-up, please contact David. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Please plan to attend the Social Justice Committee's first after-service luncheon and discussion of the new year on Jan. 19^th. The focus for this month's outreach is reproductive justice. The program will focus on the book The Turnaway Study, a year's-long research project by the demographer Diana Greene Foster, whose findings provide insight into the ways getting an abortion—or being denied one—affects a person's mental health and economic well-being. You may remember Rev. Kathryn facilitated a discussion about the book for several weeks in the fall. She and the participants in the book study will give a summary of the study and share their takeaways from their discussions about the book. 

The recipient of this month's outreach collection will be the Baltimore Abortion Fund, whom we've given to before. The Baltimore Abortion Fund (BAF) is a grassroots nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance and practical support to people who live in or travel to Maryland for abortion care. The offertory collection, except for pledges, will go to BAF on Jan. 19^th. Please make checks out to UUCR and indicate that it's for BAF. In addition, you'll have until mid-February to donate through our website. 

Please join us as we discuss this timely issue that affects many people's lives, especially in light of the 2022 Dobbs decision.

Save the Date:

Saturday, Mar 1, 6 PM at UUCR

2025 Live (Services) and Silent (Goods) Auction Fundraiser

We need your donations!

Please contact Jane Hardy or the UUCR office uuofchesterriver@gmail.com

The Membership Committee would like to schedule an orientation session soon. If you would like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and the workings of the church community of UUCR, or are considering joining as a member, please let Diane Shields (Membership Committee Chair) or the UUCR office uuofchesterriver@gmail.com know that you are interested in attending.

March in solidarity with people across the U.S.

The future is OURS — fight for it!

March from Memorial Park to Wilmer Park

January 18, 2025, 1 - 3 PM



Link to register to participate in the march and for more information: https://map.peoplesmarch.com/events/people-s-march-chestertown

Join us on Saturday, January 18^th at 10 AM

at the Northwest corner of Farragut Square, the intersection of: K Street NW, & Connecticut Ave. NW, & 17th Street NW. (Please note that this is a time & location change.)

Link to register to meet-up with other UUs

to participate in the march:

https://uusj.salsalabs.org/2025PeoplesMarch/index.html

Link from the national organizers that gives more information

on the purpose of the march: https://www.mobilize.us/womensmarch/event/742704/

Introducing Seminary for a Day

February 1, 2025; 9am-4pm

A day-long program at the Unitarian Universalists Church of Arlington offering seminary-level education for ANYONE interested in progressive theological and spiritual development. This is a day of learning for anyone curious and open to learning more about progressive values and theology. Through a series of workshops, fellowship, and spiritual practices, we are offering the opportunity to explore and connect with like-minded individuals in community. Come learn about and contemplate the issues that matter most to our faith today.

Our faith was built for times like these.

For more information, and to register go here:  

https://www.uucava.org/seminary-for-a-day/

JANUARY



01 | Vida Morley

04 | Dianne Turpin

14 | Judy Graham

20 | Al Mathwich

22 | Clark Bjorke

We want to help celebrate your birthday!

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