WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
THIS SUNDAY'S SERVICE
Sunday, August 23, at
10 am, Zoom Summer Discussion, Led by
Rev. Sue Browning, "About Anything But Covid"

Where are you finding joy this summer? What are you looking forward to this fall? Join Rev. Sue for a conversation focused on the good things which may be possible in the months to come. (While we can't eliminate a pandemic, we can do our best to push it aside for an hour!)

Join us by clicking the Zoom link here on Sunday, August 23 at 10 am, followed by coffee hour.

If you have a joy or sorrow for the August 23 service, please share it during the discussion or if you're not planning to attend, email the UUCR office at UUCR email by Friday, August 21 at noon. Thanks for everyone’s flexibility.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Kevin Brien, August 3
Joan Blume, August 6 "#90!"
Joan Biehler, August 18
Bob Fox, August 19
Harvey Wigder, August 23
Margo Long, August 27
Liz Salett, August 30

We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your August birthday, please contact Jan Whitney at UUCR email

UPCOMING VIRTUAL SERVICES


Sunday, August 30,
Catherine Brooks, Summer Zoom Discussion on "Systemic Racism of Historic Preservation"

Sunday, September 6,
Lynn Dolinger, Summer Zoom Discussion on "Racism"
MINISTER'S COLUMN
Election Fears
During this time of the pandemic I try to keep my ear to the ground for the tender spots in members’ lives. Where have there been job losses? Who has health worries? Who is lonely? I see pockets of challenges, and, too, I see the beauty of a caring community rising to meet needs during these times of unforeseen stress.

As I listen, one topic of worry which prevails is the upcoming election. Across the community I hear: Will we be able to vote? Will our votes be counted? Will the results be honored? Is there hope we can solve issues in a polarized country?

The stress around the election feels broad and, frankly, well-founded.

While our shaken confidence in the post office feels recent, our waning trust in the democratic process is not new. Four years ago I wrote a sermon about democracy (and religion) which began, “Do you trust democracy? In your bones, do you trust it? Do you trust yourself and your fellow citizens?” It was the summer of 2016 and there was a profound angst about democracy in the air then.

I was reminded of this sermon when it was selected in early 2020 for publication in the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship’s monthly magazine, Quest. When I asked if the sermon still seemed relevant, the editors reassured me that my message linking democracy to our UU principles had value four years later.

The sermon is a reminder that democracy beats other governing alternatives, and that in order to survive democracy needs citizens to engage. (Click this link for that Sermon) https://www.questformeaning.org/quest-article/the-heart-of-democracy/

I repost this sermon in hopes that each of us will take the time to name what we value most about democracy, and then to use those values as an incentive to engage with heart and soul in the election before us. Our faith calls us to do so.

Rev. Sue
UUCR on Facebook
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ...

Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River now has two Facebook pages. Our original UUCR Facebook Page now has a new look. This is thanks to Kate Livie, of Alosa Communications. (Click the image below to go to our original UUCR Facebook Page.)

  • Frequent posts are desirable not only because they keep our page updated with fresh content, this new content is carried forward into our followers’ newsfeeds. That’s an example of the interconnectedness of all things. We want our page to reflect a balance of news and information, not skewed too much in one direction. So far the bulk of our content is about upcoming services, ideas for family activities, and our work on racial justice. It would be helpful if we could expand our postings into other areas.

  • Pat Bjorke has been posting from UU World about Unitarian Universalism so that folks not familiar with us will get some idea what we're about. 

  • Pat has also been posting her “BITES” on this Facebook page, as well as putting them in Reflections newsletter.

  • PLEASE visit ... maybe once a week to see what's new even if you're not going to post.

  • As well as our Website, our Facebook page is our public face in the now mostly virtual world. Do not post personal information about yourself or anybody else.

  • If a Facebook page isn’t seen in the virtual universe, does it exist?


Our UUCR Facebook Forum is the new more personal space. Again, created by Kate Livie. (Click the image below to go to our UUCR Facebook Forum.)
  • This is a private Facebook page/group for UUCR congregants and friends only.

  • One has to be admitted by someone already in the group.

  • Only members can post.

  • The intention is to give us a means of sharing experiences and possibly connecting in this time of distancing.

  • Content posted to the private UUCR Facebook Forum group offers greater latitude than on the public Facebook page, and can include thought-provoking discussion topics, fun asides, and current local topics of interest. It is highly advisable to keep a definite boundary between the two Facebook pages.

  • DICK HAWKINS MEMORIAL SERVICE -- A picture of the service has been posted on the Facebook Forum. This is your chance to join the group, if you have not already done so. Add your own pictures and remembrances. Feel free to start your own post.
100 Years Later
Telling Our Story: U.S. Women Won the Right to Vote
100 Years Ago
On August 26, 1920, after 72 years of grassroots organization, clever advocacy, and relentless agitation conducted by three generations of U.S. women, the struggle was finally won and the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was certified. The amendment states: “The right of citizens of the United States shall not be denied or abridged in account of sex. “

Eight days earlier, on August 18, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, making it the law of the land once certified. (In 1920 there were only 48 states, so the magic number for state ratification was 36!)

On this coming August 26 buildings and landmarks all over the country, including the Library of Congress and the National Archives, will light up in purple and gold in honor of the suffrage movement. Purple, gold, and white were the colors used by suffragists for their costumes and campaigns.

The League of Women Voters of Kent County has planned an event to celebrate the 100 years: They have rented the Chester River Packet for an evening sail. They will attach banners to the sides of the packet, touting women's right to vote in this country as they cruise down the Chester, wearing white and waving to onlookers. If you live on the river, keep an eye out on the 26th around 6 pm so you can cheer them on as they come into view! Jane Hardy
From UUCR's Social Concerns/Social Justice Committee
Redner's Receipts
For all of you hoarders of grocery receipts from Redner's, help has arrived! While the church is closed as a collection point, Upper Shore Aging is still serving seniors and welcomes your receipts.  You can deliver in person by driving up to the Amy Lynn Ferris Center and calling someone to come out and get your collection (410-778-2571); or you can mail them to Upper Shore Aging, 200 Schauber Rd., Chestertown, MD 21620.

Thanks go out to Margo Long from the Social Concerns Social Justice Committee for making this happen!
Lynn Dolinger
Check in Every First Wednesday at
7 pm for Support and Feedback on Our Individual Efforts to Make a Difference
Dear UUCR Members and Friends,

During my sermon on Sunday, June 21, I encouraged each congregant to make one specific commitment to support ending racism. As I explained, I will host a Zoom call on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm, where we will be able check in with one another on our progress. The call will be brief, and will focus on encouragement and learning. Rev. Sue Browning

 If you have questions, please be in touch with Rev. Sue at email.
Pastoral Care & Connection
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:
Jan Whitney (Office) p: 410-778-3440 | e: uuofchesterriver@gmail.com
Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River 914 Gateway Drive, Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-3440