Sunday, October 13, 2024 - 10 a.m.

"Awe Struck: The Power of Amazement"

Try to remember a time when you were awestruck—filled with wonder or amazement. How did you feel? What impact did this experience have on you? One certainly hears the awe and wonder felt by the writer of Psalm 8 in the Hebrew Scriptures: “When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars that you set in place, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, earth’s peoples that you care for them?” Drawing from the book Awe by UC Berkeley Psychology Professor Dacher Keltner, Anne will cite various sources of awe and suggest ways we may seek its transformative power in our everyday lives.

• Rev. Anne Ledbetter, Guest Speaker
• Jan Sprinkel, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Judy Graham, Greeter
• Joy Kim, Coffee Host
• Rev. Kathryn Adams & Theo Kehm, RE

Please CLICK HERE to join us via ZOOM.

This week's hymn numbers:

• "We Sing of Golden Mornings" — # 44 (grey hymnal)
• "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — # 149 (grey hymnal)

October 20 | "Deeply Listening to Our Siblings in Our Human Family"

— In-person & Zoom

Beloveds, our stories are always grounded in our own experiences. These stories shape how we see the world. Deep listening to stories grounded in different experiences gives us the opportunity to see just a little more truth. Deep listening can be apocalyptic—a path to true uncovering.

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister
• Nancy Holland & Connie Schroth, Worship Leaders
• Michael Casey, Musician

October 27 | "The Good-Bad Old Days" — In-person & Zoom

As the saying goes, "Nostalgia just ain't what it used to be." In this sermon, I examine the rose-colored glasses through which we so often examine the past, try to put that into perspective, and think about why it might be important to our ever-changing faith tradition. We’ll look at some of our past UU practices and see how our faith continues to evolve, reflecting the needs and beliefs of today’s world. 

• Rev. John Wright, Guest Speaker
• Annie Lavin, 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
• Minister's Column
• Pizza & Postcarding October 13
• The Turnaway Study Book Discussion begins October 17
• UUA Disaster Relief Fund
• Operation Green Light
• Members' Daughter Needs Apartment
• Rev. Chute's Glasses are Still Missing
• Tree Planting in Crestview Open Space, Gateway Drive
• Mark Your Calendars!
• Birthdays

Beloveds, 

It has been wonderful to get to know more of your stories and connect last weekend. I have been reflecting on waves—they transmit the energy in a direction, while the water at a given spot actually travels in a circle.^* The deeper the water, the smaller the motion associated with a wave.

This is resonating with current events in a few ways. First, the significant weather; one hurricane has come through, and a second is on the way. That is a lot of energy. A lot of damage, evacuations, and more.

Second, we are less than four weeks away from a critical election in the history of our nation with a possible state constitutional amendment for reproductive justice. There is a lot of motion in these metaphorical waves. Last Sunday, we talked about the small still voice inside. That is about as deep as it gets. Small movements there can change our lives. 

Beloveds, I am glad to be with this community through this period of transformation. I don't know where or how things will be... and I do know that the status quo isn't an option. The planet is changing, we are changing, and society is changing.

Per Octavia Butler - 

All that you touch, you change

All that you change, changes you

The only lasting truth is change

God is change.

Let us ride the waves of change, be transformed by the energy and pass it on. Together, we can do anything.

^*Veritasium video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pir_muTzYM8

Rev. Kathryn

We are in the last week to help support voters with Reclaim Our Vote, the mailing date is October 15^th. There are 10 bags with 10 cards each in the office. If you take one, please email Amy Warner and Rev. Kathryn. This Sunday after service, there will be an opportunity for fellowship with Pizza and Postcarding, I am grateful for our work to support democracy.

Rev. Kathryn

ACTIVE LINKS FOR ABOVE

Registration Google Form: (https://forms.gle/WRqAhR1WbopB4Bwe8)

Order The Turnaway Study book: (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Turnaway-Study)

Beloveds, giving in disaster is a tradition in our faith. The UUA Central East region has offered some direct links to how to help impacted congregations.

How can people give?

Individuals can:

• Contribute online using this link https://www.uua.org/giving/disaster-relief.
• Mail checks to UUA, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210. ATTN: Gift Processing. Donors should note the DRF in the memo line of their check.
• Text-to-give by texting DISASTER to 51555
• Initiate a gift of securities by contacting Gift Processing Manager Tom Klein at tklein@uua.org.

Rev. Kathryn

In support of veterans this year, we'd like to participate in Operation Green Light by lighting up UUCR with green lights. If anyone has outdoor floodlights or other outdoor temporary lighting they would be willing to lend us during this time please let the office know. Solar lights would be great if possible. THANKS!

Connie & Larry Schroth's daughter needs an inexpensive, one-bedroom apartment near Chestertown beginning January 1. She does not have pets. Please contact Connie at cws1943@icloud.com or 410-708-2708 if you know of any availabilities.

Rev. Chute's glasses are still missing. Somehow at September 29^th's service Rev. Chute's glasses were switched to a pair of Republica brand glasses, as in this photo. He left these glasses at UUCR but needs his glasses back. If you happened to pick up the wrong pair and left yours behind, please return his and take yours. They are in the UUCR office. Thanks. 

The Crestview neighborhood, through a grant with Shore Rivers, will be planting 38 native trees in a mowed grass area of Crestview on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 10 AM. Students from the Washington College baseball team will do most of the digging and planting, but volunteers are needed to "supervise" to assure Shore Rivers' planting procedures are followed. Shore Rivers staff and "tree stewards" will be on site as well. If you are interested in helping, contact Diane Shields 410-490-0492 or dashdiane@gmail.com.

UUCR’s Fundraising Team Announces Two Dates for Upcoming Fundraisers:

Friday, December 13, 5:30 pm — Our Third Annual Soup Sampler Supper, a perfect meal to enjoy before the Chester River Chorale’s “Feast of Carols” at the Chestertown Presbyterian Church at 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 1, 6 pm — UUCR’s Live and Silent Auction Night

Stay tuned for more info!

OCTOBER

11| Cynthia Ramsey

17| Catherine Brooks

We want to help celebrate your birthday!

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