River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
To grow and deepen in Fellowship, Spirit, and Service
eWeekly
February 20-27, 2020
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Sun., Feb. 23, 9:15 & 11:15am
Radical Imagination – Dreaming Liberation Into Existence
Rev. Amanda Weatherspoon, Minister for Justice & Community Building
In our quest for truth we often stick to fact-based reality over emotionally driven idealism, but in our shared human experience we witness the power of the imagined.What is the role of radical imagination in collective liberation? How can we intentionally create the future for which we long and dream? This is a Justice Sunday in which we explore Justice through a lens of Liberation. Guest musician Lea Morris will join us to share her joyful music.
Read more about our services
here
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Contemporary Issues Forum, 10:25am, Fireside Room
“Give Me Life!”– The Road to Falstaff
Edward Gero, Assoc. Prof. of Theater, George Mason University
Actor Ed Gero, a veteran of over 30 roles in Shakespeare’s plays, had never played Falstaff, as he did in the summer of 2019 for DC’s Folger Shakespeare Theatre King Henry IV- Part I. Having seen Stacy Keach, Ted van Griethuysen and others play Falstaff, and not until then having imagined himself doing it, Ed explored the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities in playing this beloved character. He will discuss how he thought to vary and enhance that role. Ed will also discuss what paving that path of playing the evolving Falstaff has meant in his own professional and personal evolution. Find upcoming Forums
here
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Shelter Week (Sun. March 22 – Friday, March 27)
Sign-up Sundays, after services, Fellowship Hall
It’s our turn to feed the homeless! You can help by cooking a dinner entree or vegetables, making bag lunches, providing a salad, bread, dessert, fruit, milk or kitchen supplies. Or transport the food from RRUUC to the Women’s Shelter in Rockville and/or help serve dinner one night. Join us in this terrific social justice activity. Sign up at our table after services. Questions? Send an
email
!
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Register
for Implicit Bias Discussion, Sun., Feb. 23, 12:30-2:30pm, Fireside Room
Explore the impact of hidden or “implicit biases”. Your willingness to examine your own possible biases is an important step in understanding the roots of stereotypes and prejudice in our society. Bring a bagged lunch. Childcare available if requested one week in advance. Find details and register
here
. Sponsored by Educating for Change (E4C) Pathway to Racial Justice.
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Six Continents, One Humanity,
Kathryn Mohrman, Artist, through March 22. Artist’s Reception, Sat., Feb. 29, 5-7pm, Fellowship Hall
Ms. Mohrman's photographs attest that beneath the specific characteristics of any society lie our common human goals: personal happiness, family stability, and a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Read more
here
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Sun., Mar. 1, 9:15 & 11:15am Services
Tr[us]ted Community
with Rev. Nancy Ladd, Senior Minister
Did anything good ever come from a religious leader standing in front of people and saying “just trust me?” Maybe not – but what about when a community commits to the beautiful and complicated work of trusting each other – trusting the interwoven fabric of community itself. This Sunday we’ll kick off our stewardship season with an invitation to connect, to give, and to trust in something we can only build together.
“All-In Sunday!” -- Stewardship Campaign 2020 Kick off Event!
We’ll kick off our stewardship campaign with something new to bring excitement and momentum to this annual event, and make it easier for the many who want to renew their support for RRUUC in the simplest way possible. At each service, we will distribute and collect pledge forms with options for renewing, increasing, or asking for more information. We'll also celebrate with special refreshments during Fellowship after each service.
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Plan for a Party! Saturday, March 21, 5-8pm
All-Congregation Celebration Supper!
Want to hang out, share good food, dance to the music, and
CELEBRATE...CELEBRATE
our community? We’ll cap off the success of our Stewardship Campaign with River Road revelry. More details and sign-up soon!
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Looking for an evening of fun this weekend?
Come to the Cabaret! Sat., Feb. 22, 6:30-9:30pm
This annual free event is entertaining and fun! Please bring potluck heavy hors d'oeuvres or desserts to share. Cash bar for beer and wine. We hope you can make it!
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This year's UUA Common Read asks participants across congregations to read and discuss a book in the same year, building community by giving people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversations. This is a significant read and highly valued. Led by Ed Heaton, and co-led by Charlotte Moser, the book is available in the RRUUC Bookstore. Register
here
.
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April 26, after the single 10am service, Sanctuary
Help pack thousands of meals with this international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable. Our multi-generational activity will last about 3 hours. Childcare for children 4 and under. Register, and make a donation if you like,
here
. Questions? Email
Rev. Kären Rasmussen
. Be part of the fun while feeding the hungry!
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Enroll in a Small Group through February!
Meet others, deepen relationships within the congregation, and find a dedicated place for spiritual reflection, study,or values clarification. Visit
here
to find groups that are looking for new participants.
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Register by Mon., Feb. 24 for Early Bird Rates
All-Congregation Retreat, April 18-19, 2020 (Sat. & Sun.)
Special guest program from the Center for Spirituality in Nature, boating, archery, workshops, music, challenge course, giant swing, minister’s porch chat, yoga, drumming, rocketry . . . and more.
- Register by Feb. 24 to take advantage of early registration rates.
- Already registered? Pay online by Feb. 24 to complete your registration, get the early bird rate, and preserve your registration priority. Enter the balance from your confirmation e-mail (search your email for “@cognitoforms”).
- For more information, go to the Retreat website or email us at retreat@rruuc.org.
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Compost Planning Group
As part of our Green Sanctuary update, we'll be improving our composting of food waste. There are many aspects to composting, from educating the members and the staff, to making sure we have the right sort of compost bins, to looking into commercial food composting for items we can’t do ourselves. If you want to be in a compost planning group, please email the
office
.
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Vegan Chili Fundraising Dinner, Sun., Mar. 1, 5-8:00pm, RRUUC
Join the RRUUC Animal Ministry & the nonprofit animal welfare organization
Montgomery County Community Cat Coalition (MC C³)
for a fun & educational evening to benefit the community cats in Montgomery County. Evening activities include: Bingo, raffle, and demonstrations of cat house construction and trapping. Suggested donation: $20. Let us know you plan to attend
here
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Make Hats for Khasi Hill Children, Drop off hats until March 1, Foyer
Help us make 110 hats for our partner church school in Mawblang India. Drop off hats of any size, color, or style at the collection box in the foyer. Thanks for helping,
Mindful Knitters.
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Let's Inspire Voters: GOVOTE2020
Next Letter Writing, after both services:
Sun., March 15, 10:15-11:15am, Room 25; 12:15-1:30pm, Room 25
Help bring more voters to the polls through letter writing and canvassing. We'll use an effective form letter we get from our partner Vote Forward, and VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement), nonprofit 501(c)(4) nonpartisan organizations. Find additional activities and dates to get involved
here
!
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Free Minds
Poetry Workshop, Sun., Mar. 29, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Fireside Room
Join us for pizza and poetry as we hear the personal stories of the Free Minds Ambassadors, formerly incarcerated young men now home in the community. The ambassadors will read their poetry, then we will have a unique opportunity to make a difference by providing valued feedback about their writing as well as poetry by Free Minds members who are still in prison. Following the presentation, we will talk about antiracism and the power of art in communicating the need for change. Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop uses books, creative writing, and peer support to awaken incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults to their own potential. Through creative expression, job readiness training, and violence prevention outreach, Free Minds members achieve their education and career goals and become powerful voices for change in the community. Sponsored by the Educating4Change Pathway to Racial Justice.
Free Minds Poetry Book Drive, through March 29, Foyer
Donate new and gently used young adult and adult level books for Free Minds, especially nonfiction (self-help, history, social justice, poetry). Bring donations to the workshop or drop them off in the box in the foyer. Sponsored by the Educating4Change Pathway to Racial Justice.
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February's Designated Gift Organization: Trans Healthcare MD
We are partnering with
Trans Healthcare MD
to assist them in their mission, “To provide trans wellness throughout Maryland by increasing access to affirming services and resources, while nurturing young trans leadership.”
You may donate any time during February or throughout the year:
- Online here;
- Check ("Trans Healthcare MD” in the memo line);
- Text-to-give (select “Trans Healthcare”);
- Phone the office.
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White, and Feeling Fragile? Training Sessions Suggested by Educating for Change (E4C) Pathway to Racial Justice
Join us for these anti-racist trainings in Washington, conducted by Robin D’Angelo, author of the best selling
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism:
May 1-3: “Seeing the Racial Water: An Anti-Racist 3-Day Intensive for White People” and July 20: “Seeing the Racial Water: a Half-Day Anti-Racist Workshop”. Find more info
here
, and
click on "Events". Supported by Prevent Gun Violence Ministry, and by Engaging Communities and Educating4Change for Racial Justice.
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Unitarian Universalist Mid-Atlantic Community (UUMAC), July 12-18
UUMAC
gathers together for one week each year to build intergenerational community and deepen their Unitarian Universalist faith through fun, friendship, music, dancing, learning and worship. They meet on the campus of DeSales University near Allentown, PA. Registration opens soon! Learn more at
www.uumac.org
Voices from the Holy Land Film Screening,
West of the Jordan River,
Fri., Feb. 21, 7pm (potluck dinner at 6:30 optional, no reservations required), Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD
Israeli filmmaker Amos Gitai traveled to the occupied territories to create this film diary, which describes the efforts of Israelis and Palestinians to overcome the consequences of the military occupation. Read more about this film and the others in the Voices from the Holy Land Annual Film Series
here
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Deadline is Tuesday, midnight, for that week.
News is edited for clarity, brevity, and style.
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River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation | 6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 | 301-229-0400 | office@rruuc.org | www.rruuc.org
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