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THIS SUNDAY'S VIRTUAL SERVICE
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May 3, Rev. Sue Browning, "The Opening and Closing of Doors"
Often our energy is spent moving forward to “the next thing.” What if we rested at the thresholds during our journey for a little longer, without pressure to let go or to move forward? At this virtual service with Rev. Sue Browning we’ll consider learnings from our Unitarian Universalist ancestors on the art of pausing with purpose. The service will include our annual Flower Communion celebration.
To view this service (it will be uploaded by Sunday morning), click
here
to go to the UUCR's Youtube channel. You may also to to the church's webpage,
uuofchesterriver
, and find the service by clicking on the tab at the bottom of the "Keeping In Touch" column on the left side of the page.
If you would like to have a Joy or Sorrow included in the service, please submit it in writing to Rev. Sue's
email
by 12 p.m. Friday and she will read them each as a part of the service.
We will also have written versions of the service available that we can email to you or mail to you by US postal service.
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Requesting pictures of flowers please!
This coming Sunday, May 3, our virtual service will include Flower Communion in a virtual format.
For those new to Flower Communion, in a traditional service we invite folks to bring flowers from their gardens, we collect the flowers at the beginning of the service, and distribute them at the end. For this year’s service we’re inviting you instead to email us a picture or two of flowers from your garden (email to
sue.browning2@gmail.com) by 8 p.m. on Wed. and we’ll create the ceremony using your emailed pics. You may choose to include a picture of you or your family as a part of your submission.
Yes, we’re improvising and invite you to the service on our YouTube channel on Sunday to see what becomes of the pictures.
Thanks in advance for your participation!
Sue
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
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Due to the distancing requirements currently in effect, this year's annual meeting will follow a virtual format. We plan on electronically distributing the proposed annual budget, a slate of officers, and reports from officers and committee chairs for members to review and comment. This will be completed in the month of May in accordance with the UUCR Bylaws.
We will be distributing a .pdf copy of the budget and a link to a video by Jim Lavin of the Finance Committee, describing, in detail, the Revenues and Expenses. Members will have the opportunity to submit written questions or comments. After this review, members will be able to vote on acceptance.
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BIRTHDAYS
Tom Tontarski, April 7
John Ramsey, April 9
Amy Warner, April 13
Jim Lavin, Apr 17
Elisabeth Tully, April 22
Kim Agee, Apr 30
Sabine Harvey, May 7
Lynn Dolinger, May 9
Tom Lippincott, May 10
Rachel Perry, May 14
Nancy Holland, May 18
Ray Gomez, May 25
Harry Hart, May 27
Betty Kerr, May 28
John Ford, May 30
We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your April or May birthday, please contact Jan Whitney at
UUCR email
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UPCOMING VIRTUAL SERVICES
May 10 - Equity and Compassion: Perspectives During a Pandemic
- Rev. Sue Browning
May 17 - Why Rites of Passage Matter
- Rev. Sue Browning
May 24 - Collecting Our Stories
- Rev. Sue Browning
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Bites—
nourishing spirit-filled families one bite at a time
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Family Activity:
Go geocaching!
If you're new to this hi-tech "hide and seek" treasure hunt, get started at
www.geocaching.com
. No special equipment needed other than your cell phone, the app, and a pencil! This is an enjoyable family activity for all ages.
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What's Been Happening at UUCR
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Worship Committee virtual meeting April 18
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Seeing faces in real time is uplifting
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COUNTY'S COMMITTEE ON RACIAL JUSTICE'S "FEED THE CHILDREN AND ELDERLY" INITIATIVE
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More than 150 volunteers from every corner of Kent County and the SACRJ (Social Action Committee for Racial Justice) have delivered thousands of meals to children and seniors. Click
here to see the full Press Release. UUCR has contributed $725 to this effort since its inception.
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DICK HAWKINS MEMORIAL AMERICAN CHESTNUT TREE
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The tree pictured is a non-hybrid American chestnut. There is a smaller tree to be dedicated to Dick as well, not pictured, a B2F2 hybrid, which Green Sanctuary Committee member, Carl Gallegos, obtained from Gary Carver in Frederick, MD.
The Green Sanctuary Committee hopes to dedicate these trees to Dick’s memory at a later date when appropriate. Below is some information from Carl, who acquired the seedlings, and planted them (with a little help from Diane Shields).
American chestnut
Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh. was one of the most valued and beloved eastern hardwood species due to its use as a timber tree, its abundant nut production, and its secondary wood products. American chestnut grew straight and tall, reaching up to 5 feet in diameter and 120 feet in height, and the species could live for several hundred years.
American chestnut is gone from the forests, a victim of the chestnut blight (
Cryphonectria parasitica) caused by an introduced fungus. This disease began in New York City in 1904, spread rapidly, and within 40 years had virtually wiped out this once abundant species. Currently extensive research is being conducted to produce blight resistant chestnuts using breeding techniques, biological control, and genetic engineering. There is great hope that someday the American chestnut will be restored into the forests of eastern North America.
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Maryland’s Primary Election will be held on June 2, 2020, 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. [NOTE: You must be
registered with a political party to participate in the primary election--registration closes May 27]
However, this election will be primarily a “vote by mail” election. This means that the Board of Elections will automatically mail a ballot to all eligible voters. You should receive your ballot in early- to mid-May. You do not need to ask for a ballot to receive one.
The Board of Elections will mail your ballot to the address it has on file. If you want your ballot mailed to another address or to download it from the Board of Elections’ website, please visit the B of E
Absentee Voting page. All mailed ballots will include a return envelope and prepaid postage.
To reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, the Board of Elections recommends that voters who can vote by mail do so. Voted ballots must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Voters who prefer to drop off their ballots can do so at
designated ballot drop off locations from - Thursday, May 21, 2020 through Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Drop off locations in Kent County are: the Kent County Public Library, 408 High St., Chestertown, and the Kent County Board of Elections, 135 Dixon Dr., Chestertown.
If you are unable to vote by mail, you may vote in-person on election day, June 2, 2020, at
a vote center in the jurisdiction where you live. Voting center locations in Kent County are: the Kent County Public Library, 408 High St., Chestertown, and the Kent County Board of Elections, 135 Dixon Dr., Chestertown.
For further information call the Kent County Board of Elections at 410-778-0038.
You may find information about all candidates, national and local, on
VOTE411.org, the League of Women Voters’ online guide for voters. The three Leagues of Women Voters on the Eastern Shore have also prepared a printed
Voters’ Guide for the Primary Election, as well as a special insert for this Guide to address the new voting process; copies of the
Guide will be distributed throughout Kent County; look for them displayed at food stores and other locations starting in mid-May.
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LAST SUNDAY'S VIRTUAL SERVICE
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From April 26 - A Restlessness In Our Souls
Rev. Sue invites us to reflect on h
ow we are doing as physical distancing continues? Might restlessness, defined as the inability to rest or relax as a result of anxiety or boredom, capture at least a part of your reality? Click the picture below.
Deep gratitude for
Words and Music
from Annie Lavin, Ellen Barry Grunden, Dave Moore, Bozena Lamparska, Liz Hausburg, Philip Dutton and Scott Clausen. Our grateful thanks as well to the
Tech and Communications Team
of
John Ramsey, David Biehler, Don Barker, Bozena Lamparska, Jane Hardy, Jan Whitney and Bill Browning
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Pastoral Care & Connection
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We are here for you! We will focus on staying directly connected with our members and friends, especially those who may need assistance or support. The caring teams from our congregation is staying in touch, but if you need to reach out, please be in touch with any of the contacts below to stay connected (and see additional contacts below for RE families):
Please know your congregation is here. We can help you find connections. Please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know what is helpful for you in this time.
Rev. Sue Browning, and the Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien, Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and
Vida Morley
or for more information, contact:
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Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River
914 Gateway Drive, Chestertown, MD 21661
Phone: (410) 778-3440
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