WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2020 |
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Join us tonight, Wednesday, August 5, at
7 pm, for Support and Feedback on Our Individual Efforts to Make a Difference
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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.
Click this Zoom link to join the discussion tonight, August 5, at 7 pm.
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Our friend Susan Brittain -- at the right-hand end of the banner -- at a Black Lives Matter protest in her home in Washington State. She tells us "you taught me well!"
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Sunday, August 9, at 10 am,
Rev. Sue Browning,
A Tree Dedication In Honor of Dick Hawkins
In the Memorial Garden at UUCR
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On Sunday, August 9, at 10 am, we will gather on the grounds of UUCR, 914 Gateway Drive, Chestertown, to conduct a special service in remembrance of Mr. Dick Hawkins, who passed away suddenly last November, and was a founding member of UUCR’s Green Sanctuary Committee. In Dick’s honor we will dedicate two new American Chestnut trees, recent additions to our Memorial Woodland, where we will be seated for the service. Our service will be shot as a Zoom presentation from within the Memorial Woodland for people who cannot attend in person.
We will have Joys and Concerns at the beginning of the service. Please send any Joy or Concern you would like to share to Jan Whitney at uuofchesterriver@gmail.com before Thursday afternoon, August 6.
In order to assure everyone’s safety as much as possible, we are asking you to agree to a “Covenant for Regathering,” which is modeled on one drafted by a nearby Episcopal Church. You have been sent an electronic copy of this covenant by email, and you, and all those in your family unit who will be attending, will be required to sign the covenant before you will be allowed to join the service. Extra copies of the covenant will be available on the table at the gathering as well.
Three important things to remember about the service:
1) You must bring your own folding chair(s), to be placed on red dots, marking spots 6 or more feet apart, within our Memorial Woodland. A family unit sitting together may cluster around a red dot.
2) Our building will be closed, so there will be no bathroom access. Sorry, no exceptions.
3) And, as described above, a table will be set up outside the building near the back entrance of the sanctuary for people to leave their signed copy of the “Covenant for Regathering” if you weren't able to fill out the online version. Extra copies of the Covenant will be available for those who need them.
Thanks for your understanding about the precautions we must take to put on this service. We sincerely hope to see you there on August 9.
David Biehler, President, UUCR Board of Trustees
Carl Gallegos, Past President
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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
We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your August birthday, please contact Jan Whitney at UUCR email
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UPCOMING VIRTUAL SERVICES
Sunday, August 16, Philip Dutton, Summer Zoom Discussion on "Racism"
Sunday, August 23,
Rev. Sue Browning, Summer Zoom Discussion
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ABOUT THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT |
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The 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. It was one of the most versatile trees on the continent, historically used for construction lumber, shingles, fence posts and rails, poles, paneling, trim, furniture, firewood, and extracted tannins drove the leather tanning industry in the Northeastern United States (USDA FS. 2013. General Technical Report SRS-173).
The 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. Fortunately, there is no threat of extinction; sprouts continue from roots until killed back by blight, and cultivated trees grow in western states and other areas where the fungus is absent. 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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It’s time to plan for the fall. And it feels strange. And it’s exhilarating, in an odd sort of way.
Church life more or less follows a school calendar. Traditionally (and nothing about 2020 feels traditional), I work with a group to look ahead to all of the fall Sundays and fill in the calendar. We start with anchor events – Water Communion and holidays. We consider themes. We invite guest speakers and musicians. As we fill in these specifics together, we imagine times of connection and newcomers checking us out. We get excited about new twists to our routines.
This year I am starting to work with members and friends to do all of the above, and we are doing so assuming Sunday services and other chances to gather will be mostly virtual for a while. We’re imagining new possibilities and outreach for all ages. What might we do to create relevant, renewing opportunities for connection? How can we find more chances for interactive moments? Where (and how) will our community be a loving presence in the world?
While I’m sad about the limitations we face for fall 2020, the deeper we get into the planning work, the more excited I get. There is joy in being a part of a community that is open to creatively experimenting with new twists on our traditions.
If you have ideas for the fall – for Sunday services, or other programs or events – please be in touch soon. You may email me at sue.browning2@gmail.com.
In anticipation,
Rev. Sue
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Bites—
nourishing spirit-filled families one bite at a time
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FAMILY AFFIRMATION
I communicate with others freely and openly
Questions for Reflection:
- Why is it important to be able to communicate freely and openly? What happens when we can't?
- How can I improve my ability to communicate freely and openly?
- How can we, as a family, improve our communications with one another?
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Help us promote our special UUCR “brand” and tout our services and community work by “liking" UUCR’s Facebook page. Not a UUCR Facebook page “follower" yet, or even a Facebook user? Click the Facebook icon in this article or at the bottom of this newsletter. We need as many “likers” and “followers” as possible as we navigate these strange on-line times! Jane Hardy
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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 21620
Phone: (410) 778-3440
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