Sunday, October 26 — 10 am

In-person and Zoom

"The Question that Remains:

Jonah and the Patient Work of Healing"

What do we do with anger that comes from real trauma—personal or generational? This sermon explores the Book of Jonah as ancient wisdom literature that refuses to offer easy answers about forgiveness, instead inviting us into the slow, patient work of holding both justice and mercy. Through the story of a prophet confronting his oppressors' humanity, we discover that healing doesn't require us to choose between honoring our wounds and remaining open to transformation.

• Rachel Evans, Guest Speaker
• Joan Caivano, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Music
• Eileen Kessler, Greeter
• Joy Kim, Coffee Host
• MQ Riding, Religious Exploration

Please CLICK HERE to join us via Zoom.

This week's music:

• "Meditation on Breathing" #1009 (teal hymnal)
• "Spirit of Life" #123 (grey hymnal)
• "For All That is Our Life" #128 (grey hymnal)

NOV 02 | "The Poetry of Joy," Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister

— In-person & Zoom

Inspired by the pragmatic and soul-grounding poetry of Ross Gay and the comforting poetry of John O'Donohue, let's bring and share our favorite poems of joy. Let us explore the joy that is our birthright as the days shorten in the cycle of life.

NOV 09 | "What Time is IT?," Rev. Greg Chute, Guest Speaker

— In-person & Zoom

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."

The book of Ecclesiastes suggests that there is a time and season for everything. Let's explore that idea together. 

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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
• Pre-order Your Memorial Brick
• Cyber-safety: iGive Account Reminder
• A Chalice Circle Starts this Month — OCT 27
• All Saints' Day Service — NOV 1
• Multigenerational Game Night — NOV 1
• Soup Sampler Supper Tickets Go on Sale — NOV 2
• No Kings/We the People Rally in Chestertown
• Democracy Corner
• First Thursday Conversations Canceled for November
• Birthdays

Friends,

People are mobilizing and making their voices heard as we insist on our human rights. At many of the No Kings events, there was singing, chanting, and joy... mine felt like a 4th of July block party. That makes sense to me, since we were celebrating the core attributes of America, including the freedom of speech and that the government derives its authority from the people.

I reflected this week on congregational singing. We (Unitarian Universalists) have a rich history and have evolved a lot over the years. There is a 5-part series on the Harvard Square Library describing this evolution. I feel called to reflect on this now for a few reasons. First, music is so important to worship. Second, we are playing with our virtual hymnal this year. Third, there is a lot of movement work happening, and music and movements go together!

I hope to chat with you about the evolution of our congregational singing as we cross paths.

Blessings on your journey.

UUCR's Woodland Memorial Garden brick circle includes engraved bricks for those UUCR members who have passed away. Previously, an individual's family covered the cost of engraving a brick with their name, but UUCR is now prepared to cover those costs. We will be ordering bricks soon for members who have passed away recently. Prices are lower for orders of five or more bricks, which also includes shipping. To take advantage of the reduced cost, we would like to "pre-order" some bricks. Please reach out to Diane Shields or a member of the Building and Grounds Committee if you would like to have your brick included in this order.

Please note: the pre-ordered bricks will be stored at UUCR until the time comes when they are needed to be placed in the garden.

Many years ago, UUCR registered as a charitable organization through a passive donation program with iGive. Members could create accounts designating UUCR as their charitable recipient, and a small percentage of their purchases from participating online retailers would be compiled in UUCR's iGive account and then forwarded as a donation to UUCR. UUCR has long withdrawn from the program, but be aware that if you had set up an account, your information is still in the iGive database and can be tracked and accessed. For security purposes, you want to delete your account that is associated with UUCR since iGive or other bots might still be tracking your online browsing and purchases. Go to www.igive.com and log in to your account. Once you see your dashboard page, click on the "Settings" button on the top tab. From there you can either delete your account, or (if you are still actively supporting other organizations through iGive) you can just delete UUCR as a recipient. This will help keep your information cyber-safe.

— Pat Bjorke

The survey sent out last week on times and dates to begin a Chalice Circle, here at UUCR, was successful. Monday, October 27^th at 10:00 am has enough participants to start a Circle! The Chalice Circle will meet at UUCR.

There is room for one or two more people, if that time can work for anyone else. Let either Michael Morris or M.Q. Riding know if you’d like to join.

Thanks to everyone for your interest and support in this endeavor.

It's once again time for First Saturday's Multigenerational Game Night, which will take place on November 1^st at 6:30 pm. If you're attending the All Saints' Day Service, please consider staying afterwards for this opportunity to enjoy some friendly competition with your fellow congregants.

Tickets are $25 each and will be on sale

after Sunday services, starting on November 2. 

This event is one of our major annual fund-(and FUN)raisers — support UUCR by purchasing your tickets as soon as possible. You’ll be delighted with the array of soups, breads, libations, and desserts on hand. Fill up in plenty of time to attend the Chestertown Chorale’s "A Celtic Christmas" holiday concert, which starts at 7:30, just down Gateway Drive.

Questions? Contact any of the Soup Supper Team: Linda Dutton, Jane Hardy, Joy Kim, and Mary Pritchard.

Thanks to all UUCR members and friends who came out to Fountain Park for the No Kings/We the People Rally this past Saturday. Several congregants joined in with the "Rapid Response Choir” to sing "God Bless America" and "This Land is Your Land." Photos of UUCR rally participants can be found on our UUCR Facebook Forum group page. Please join the FB group to see all the great signs that were created. On Sunday, October 19^th, UUCR’s Social Justice Committee led a roundtable on the local impact of immigration enforcement and members' reflections after the rally. Thanks to everyone who participated! For those who want to revisit highlights of the No Kings event, or for those who didn’t attend and would like to see texts of speeches and videos, please send me an email at  info@citizensconnectkc.org and I will send you a link to the rally resources page. Onward! — Eileen Kessler

Rev. Kathryn's office hours on the first Thursday will be canceled in November. Please call or text to set up an appointment as needed.

OCTOBER



11 | Cynthia Ramsey

17 | Catherine Brooks

NOVEMBER

02 | Kathy Lee

18 | Jan Brandon

24 | Diane Shields

29 | Paula Hubbard

We want to help celebrate your birthday!

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