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THIS SUNDAY'S VIRTUAL SERVICE
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Sunday, May 10, Rev. Sue Browning, "
Equity and Compassion: Perspectives During a Pandemic"
It is not too early to reflect on the lessons being learned about equity during the Covid-19 virus. How have the impacts of the virus varied for communities? How has our readiness for crisis shone a spotlight on underlying systemic disparities in society? At this virtual service with Rev. Sue Browning we’ll consider how our early learning might guide our next right actions in the broader community.
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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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
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
Sydney Brookes, May 29
John Ford, May 30
We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your May birthday, please contact Jan Whitney at
UUCR email
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UPCOMING VIRTUAL SERVICES
May 17, Rev Sue Browning, "Why Rites of Passage Matter"
May 24, Rev Sue Browning, "Collecting Our Stories"
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Bites—
nourishing spirit-filled families one bite at a time
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Affirmation for Families
:
I find something to be joyful about every day, and I create joy for others
Questions for reflection:
1. How do we as individuals express our joy?
2. How can we create joy in our family?
3. What would the world be like if we all created joy for others?
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From your Social Concerns/Social Justice Committee
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As with many of our regular church activities, we’ve missed our speakers providing opportunities to support local organizations through our Outreach Collections. Some of our members suggested that we consider a virtual Outreach Collection for you to consider. While this was not an exhaustive search, we did try to identify local resources that are targeting the amplified needs created by the pandemic. We encourage you to send your donations directly to these organizations. We’ve provided websites where available and donation information. We look forward to the time when we can join together and, once again, host in-person Outreach Collections. On behalf of the Social Concerns/Social Justice Committee, we thank you for your thoughtfulness and consideration.
Good Neighbor Fund—provides emergency funds for families and individuals, under the auspices of the Chester Valley Ministers Association, vetted by DSS. Make checks payable to the CVMA Good Neighbor Fund and send to PO Box 227, Chestertown, MD 21620 (no website)
The Community Food Pantry—Walk In pantry available to anyone in need of food and staples. Make and send checks to the Community Food Pantry, P.O. Box 346, Chestertown. www.thecommunityfoodpantry.com.
SACRJ’s Feed the Children and Elderly Initiative—A community coalition collecting and distributing food through community pick-up spots and delivery to housebound. Make checks payable to Sumner Hall, note SACRJ Food, 206 S. Queen St., Chestertown. www.garpost25.org.
Backpacks for Kids Outreach Program, sponsored by Centreville United Methodist Church serves children and many others in need in Queen Anne’s Co. Make and send checks to CUMC with “Backpacks” noted on the check, 608 Church Hill Road, Centreville, MD 21617. No website. The contact person is Kimberly Starkey, starkeykimberly@yahoo.com.
For All Seasons—Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center with offices in five Eastern Shore counties. On-line giving preferred at forallseasonsinc.org, or checks to For All Seasons, Inc., 300 Talbot St., Easton, MD 21601.
Animal Care Shelter for Kent County—Caring for animals and their families even while Shelter is closed. Checks payable and send to the shelter, 10720 Augustine Herman Hwy., Chestertown, www.kenthumane.org.
FarmersWagon.org—A new online farm-to-door market providing food from local food producers and care packages for those in need. Online only donations for volunteer PPE and Care Packages; see FarmersWagon.org.
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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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LAST SUNDAY'S VIRTUAL SERVICE
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From May 3 -
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.
Click the picture below.
Deep gratitude for
Words and Music
from Ellen Barry Grunden, Patty Rubin, Pat Bjorke, Nancy Holland, Ann Davis, Martha Hamlyn and ALL who shared images of flowers. 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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