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River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
To grow and deepen in Community, Spirit, and Service
eWeekly
October 22-29, 2026
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- Upcoming Worship Service
- From the Board of Trustees
- River Road Notices
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The Good Old Days
Rev. Christine Robinson, Visiting Minister; The Rev. James Galasinski, Minister
One service, in-person and virtual
October 25, 10am: Hybrid Service, also on YouTube
11am: Coffee Hour, in person and online via Zoom
Watch for two links in the Saturday email: a link for the service and a Zoom link for virtual Coffee Hour. Recording will be posted on our YouTube channel. You can find our Order of Service online; if you are not watching in real time the Order of Service may not be available.
Join us in person for worship at 10am. By attending an in-person service, you are giving RRUUC permission to use your likeness in videos and photographs.
It’s always tempting, when things seem awry, to look back fondly on simpler, happier, easier times, and there’s some real good to be had in those flights of nostalgia (really… for instance, good memories actually warm us up!). However, those old times were rarely as good, even for us, as we remember them, and they were never great for everybody, so nostalgia, especially when a part of group-think, can be a terrible trap. Here’s how to escape the trap while still staying warm!
Rev. Christine Robinson grew up at RRUC in the 1960’s, entered the ministry in 1980, and served most of her career at the First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There she had the pleasure of supervising intern ministers, including Rev. James. She is married to William Baker. They are the parents of Kevin and grandparents of Neiladri.
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Religious Education
This Sunday morning is all about Halloween! Coming in costume is encouraged! The fun begins with a costume parade in the Sanctuary and continues in the classrooms with games and crafts. Per tradition, the highlight of the morning will be the Haunted House hosted by our middle schoolers. (Middle Schoolers are asked to arrive a little early to ensure the Haunted House is ready to go!)
Children in kindergarten–5th grade as well as preschool kids and any Youth Group teens who choose to will begin the morning in the Sanctuary for the costume parade. From there, everyone will go to their assigned classrooms.
Classroom Assignments:
Childcare/RE Play: room 20
K/1st: room 25
2nd/3rd: room 24
4th/5th: room 22
Middle School: Fiatfalva
OWL: Fireside Room
Youth Group: room 32
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Rev. James Galasinski's Installation
We will host the Installation of our new minister, Rev. James, this Sunday, October 25, at 4pm, here at River Road.
If you cannot make the Installation in person, we encourage you to join us on the YouTube livestream.
We look forward to celebrating this joyous occasion in the life of our congregation with you.
If you have questions, please contact the installation committee at installation2026@rruuc.org.
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October Share the Plate: UU Global Connections (formerly Partner Church)
You may notice that the Partner Church Committee is using a new name: UU Global Connections (Partner Church). RRUUC's support has enabled many Roma children in Fiatfalva, Romania, to stay in school. In Fiatfalva, a special after-school class encourages the children to continue in school by offering fun, food, and study help. In Mawblang, India, we supplement wages for three teachers at the village Unitarian school, which is open to all children regardless of their religion. Education is an important part of what your donations support.
If you were to participate in our partnership program, the experience would offer you connections and cultural engagement by befriending Unitarians in other parts of the world. We Zoom, email, travel, and WhatsApp with Fiatfalva and Mawblang. We welcome new members! Questions? Contact Ursula Scott at partnerchurch@rruuc.org.
The Share the Plate program gives one organization each month 50% of all donations made to the Sunday offering, including online, text, and mailed gifts. You may donate to UU Global Connections (Partner Church) through the month of October by making online donations, contributing to the Sunday offering, or by making check donations to RRUUC (designate Share the Plate/UUGC/PC).
| | From the Board of Trustees | | |
Tuesday evening’s Board Meeting
At the October 20 Board Meeting, the Board:
- Approved the Minutes of the September 15 meeting of the Board of Trustees. These will be available on the Board Minutes webpage (you must be logged in to www.rruuc.org to view this page) soon.
- Approved the allocation of the initial portion of a generous bequest from a recently deceased member. We are so grateful for such bequests, which the Board applies to RRUUC’s long-term needs, including the maintenance and improvement of our historic building.
- Heard reports from the Board’s new Fiscal Stability Task Force and the Membership Subgroup.
- Reviewed several policies recently approved by the Board and discussed several proposed RRUUC policies and procedures. Take a look at the reorganized RRUUC Governance webpage listing of RRUUC policies and procedures.
- Approved a resolution to designate the Rev. James Galasinski and Adrian Graham to officiate over membership book signings.
And Rev. James led the Board in a lively discussion of governance and ministry.
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RRUUC Bazaar: November 14, 2026
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help during setup week (Nov. 8-13) and on the day of the Bazaar!! Most departments are still in need of volunteers: consider signing up to work in sporting goods, children’s toys, and logistics (setup and takedown). (Toggle between the departments along the top of SignUp Genius to find the one that matches your skills and interests.) In addition, on the day of the Bazaar, we need even more volunteers, including for parking and public safety. And at the end of the sale, we especially welcome strong folks with lots of energy to help with logistics–taking down the Bazaar so that we can enjoy our results reception. Finally, if you have a couple of hours and a roomy vehicle, we need volunteers during setup week to bring donations from a storage site to RRUUC.
Please bring your donations to RRUUC starting on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2pm. until 7:30pm. (We can’t accept donations earlier that day because we will be setting up the departments.) We also will accept donations from 10am to 7:30pm Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 11. Please, no donations after Wednesday.
Questions? Email us at bazaar@rruuc.org.
Ann Bradley, Glen Peppel, and Sue Burnett, Co-Chairs
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Deescalation Training for Bazaar Volunteers
There are two opportunities to take a short deescalation training in preparation for being our best selves at the Bazaar. We'll learn a few tips and have a chance to practice.
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Game Night and Potluck, Pumpkin Carving and Fire Pit
This Friday, Oct. 23, we'll gather for a combo Game Night and Pumpkin Carving event from 6-9pm. Game Night and potluck dinner in the Fireside room, and pumpkin carving and fire pit on the patio. Bring your own pumpkins plus a game you love and something to add to the potluck table.
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Searching for Congregational Pictures
Do you have pictures of your team event, group meeting, or friends at Coffee Hour? We want to see them! Natalie (Communications Director) is accepting congregational photos (preferably current, or since 2020) via this form. Photos will most frequently be used for a slideshow on our "virtual boards" in the front lobby. We want to show off how dynamic and community-oriented this congregation is!
By submitting a photo, you are confirming permission for it to be used by River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in perpetuity. Please confirm consent from all parties pictured and from the photographer before submitting. The slideshow will run on a loop when no other announcements are shown - this means that rental groups may also see the photos. Photos may occasionally be used on the website or social media platforms.
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Next week's FLOW at River Road
October 28: Popcorn Theology – The Fellowship of the Ring | Register on Realm
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6-9pm. On the 4th Wednesday of the month, come watch a film and grapple with its theological, moral, or ethical implications and lessons for leading a well-examined and embodied UU life.
- October’s film: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [2001, Rated PG-13, 2h58m]
- Themes: overcoming temptation; evil
- In-person in the Fireside Room.
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Our one October public witness will take place next Friday, October 30. We welcome all ages to join us then, any time between 6 and 7pm, on the corner of River and Whittier. You may even feel inspired to wear a costume, or make a Halloween-themed sign such as "Who's Afraid of Diversity?" or "Profiling [or Gerrymandering] is Scary!"
Since there is no vigil scheduled for this Friday, take some time to light a chalice or candle and listen to or watch "Cops Shot the Kid" by Nas. CONTENT WARNING for violent imagery, especially in the (very well-done) video; please consider your capacity to engage with the material! Have a conversation with a friend about fear. Is fear of "the other" inherent in human nature? Is that fear deliberately instilled and enhanced in police training? How sincere do you find the societally accepted standard for when police can use deadly force with impunity: when they "fear for their lives"?
We hope to see you next week at the October witness! No sign-up is needed.
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New Adult RE Offerings
Check out these two new classes for adults coming up! And be on the lookout for Wi$dom Path, a money and values curriculum coming in January.
U, U, UU, and You
In this 4-part class, we’ll learn about pivotal Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist theologians and relate them to our own experiences as UUs.
Classes are Monday evenings, 7:30-9pm on Zoom.
- November 11: Universalism - deBenneville & Ballou
- December 7: Unitarianism - William Ellery Channing
- January 4: The Transcendentalist
- February 8: 20th century - James Luther Adams and Humanist Manifesto
Register for U, U, UU, and You on Realm.
UUA Common Read: Love at the Center
This year's UUA Common Read is the essay collection Love at the Center edited by Rev. Sophía Betancourt. Using excerpts from the book, we'll discuss our central value of Love, followed by Interdependence, Pluralism, Equity, Transformation, Justice, and Generosity. You can come to all of them or just the ones you're interested in.
Meeting on Sundays, 11:30am-1pm in the Fiatfalva Room.
- December 13, January 17, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 16, June 13
Register for each date of the class on our Adult Faith Formation Classes page.
For questions, contact Beth Irikura.
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Friday Morning Book Group
The book group meets online on the third Friday of the month from September through May to discuss a book selected by the group.
On November 20 at 10am, the group will discuss the book The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell. See more info below!
The book group does not meet in December.
Contact the River Road office to be put on the email list for the group.
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Local Author at River Road Book Group
The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A Story of Climate and Hope on One
American Street by Mike Tidwell
Friday, November 20, 10am
At the November meeting of the RRUUC Book Group, local author and climate activist Mike Tidwell will speak on Zoom about his book The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue, which documents a year of environmental changes on his own block in Takoma Park, MD.
Tidwell chronicles the devastating loss of mature oak trees on his street due to heatwaves and flooding. He blends this hyper-local look at climate change with personal narratives of his neighbors, who include a midwife installing geothermal energy and a congressman
battling both climate change and cancer.
Tidwell is the founder and director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and nationwide.
Sponsored by RRUUC's Book Group and Earth Ministry
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"Who Cares?"
Painted Portraits by Patricia Dubroof
📍 Fellowship Hall | Final two weeks: closes November 3
They lift us, steady us, and know what we need before we ask, yet caregivers almost never get their portraits painted. In “Who Cares?” Patricia Dubroof puts them at the center, and each portrait tells that person’s story.
Take Attentive: “A gentle soul in a white shirt. Being attentive in the moment is so important. Knowing the client’s preference and understanding their needs. Giving them joy and ease.”
See them before they come down, and take one home. 20% of every sale goes to the Fine Arts Committee fund that improves our exhibit space.
Order forms and price lists available in Fellowship Hall.
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Lost to Gun Violence
As part of the Prevent Gun Violence Ministry's ongoing commitment to efforts to reduce gun deaths and injuries, we are saddened yet honored to memorialize the names of those in our area lost to gun violence recently. These lives continue to matter.
From October 11 to 17, there were 19 incidents of gun violence in Maryland and the District of Columbia with nine people killed and 17 injured. DC saw eight incidents with two killed and nine injured. The dead were Mostafa Khermiche and Kevin Roberts, Jr. There was a triple shooting in which two juveniles were injured. Maryland had 11 incidents with seven deaths and eight injuries. For the third week in a row, there was a mass shooting in Baltimore; two were killed and three injured. No names were given for those who died and two of the injured were age 14 and 15. Two others were killed in Baltimore: Mark Lee, Sr. and a man whose name was not released. In Huntington (Calvert County), Alva Harrod was shot by her brother, while in Temple Hills one man was injured.
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The Rev. James Galasinski works to support us in the joys, sorrows, and transitions of our lives. If you would like to reach out for pastoral support, please contact him via email. You can also call the RRUUC office and leave a message.
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RRUUC Land and Labor Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the land on which we worship is the traditional land of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway people and the land through which other Indigenous Peoples traveled. We acknowledge that enslaved African people and their descendants likely labored and lived on this land. We recognize these and other people displaced, enslaved, or harmed by past injustices.
We pledge that we will follow our faith in love and work to make our congregation and our larger community more accessible, inclusive, and equitable. We pledge that we will be good stewards of the land by encouraging healthy ecosystems. We pledge to remember the past while building a more just and welcoming future for all.
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River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 | 301-229-0400 news@rruuc.org | www.rruuc.org
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