UUCR Reflections - May 25, 2023

Thursday, May 25, 2023

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THIS SUNDAY'S

WORSHIP SERVICE

"Vacation or Pilgrimage"

Rev. Greg Chute, Guest Speaker

Annie Lavin, Service Leader

Michael Casey, Musician

In-person & ZOOM

Sunday, May 28, 2023 - 10 a.m.

Wikipedia notes this difference:

"A vacation is either a leave of absence from a regular job or an instance of leisure travel away from home."

"A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about themselves, others, nature, or a higher good through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life."

So as we enter this summer season of travel, we may well ask ourselves not only where are we going, but why?

Are we going away, or toward? Might we open ourselves up to a more profound or even transformative experience.

So we can begin the service promptly at 10 a.m., please arrive at the church, or sign into Zoom (click here) by no later than 9:50 a.m.

PLEASE NOTE: This is the last of our regular worship services for this fiscal year. Our Summer Session discussion services begin on June 4 and will NOT be available on Zoom.

DISCUSSION LEADERS NEEDED!

Welcoming Families and Children on Sunday Mornings

Each Sunday, UUCR offers childcare and simple age-appropriate activities for children of all ages. If you have any questions about UUCR's programming for families and children, please be in touch with Rev. Sue.

Upcoming Discussion Services

Sunday, June 4 — In-person ONLY

M.Q. Riding, Discussion Leader

Newsletter Index

So You Don't Miss Anything!

This Week's Worship Service Information
Upcoming Discussion Services Information
Newsletter Index
Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
Minister's Column
"Get on the Bus" Private Premier Showing — May 26
Summer UUCR Office Hours — May 28 - September 3
May's Outreach Collection — Delmarva Pride Center
National Music Festival — Recitals & Rehearsals at UUCR
Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
Birthdays
UUCR Contact Information
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Helpful Links

Upcoming Events

This Week's

Worship Service

May 28 | Zoom link to Service

Last Week's

Worship Service

May 21 | YouTube link to

Recorded Service

UUCR

Calendar

Office email

Facebook (public)

Facebook Forum (private)

Website

Website donate button

YouTube channel

UUCR Office Hours:

W, Sa, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

M, Tu, Th, F — CLOSED

May 26 | Private Premier

showing of "Get On The Bus" at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown at 6:30 p.m.

MAY 28 | Worship Service

In-person & ZOOM

Rev. Greg Chute, guest speaker

JUN 04 | Summer Session

Discussion Services Begin

In-person ONLY — until Fall

DISCUSSION LEADERS NEEDED!

If you know of another link or event that should be added, please contact

the UUCR office by email or phone 410-778-3440. Thanks!

Minister's Column

A Refrigerator Magnet Challenge

Last week I preached on predictability and security. (A link to the sermon is below.) The sermon considered Eleanor Roosevelt’s perspectives on fear. Right after service two different people came up to me and excitedly shared, “I have a magnet on my refrigerator that says: 'Do one thing every day that scares you - Eleanor Roosevelt.' ’’

What’s your reaction to this challenge? Is it a helpful guidance for you? Where might it lead?

The poem below offers perspectives on risk, courage and sacrifice and builds on the questions raised by Eleanor Roosevelt.

"All That We Share Is Sacred" by Rev. Andrée Mol

As we gather together,

May we remember

When you share with me what is most important to you,

That is where listening begins.

When I show you that I hear you,

When I say your life matters,

That is where compassion begins.

When I open the door to greet you,

That is where hospitality begins.

When I venture out to bring you to shelter,

That is where love begins.

When I risk my comfort to ease your suffering,

When I act against hatred, violence, and injustice,

That is where courage begins.

When we experience the full presence of each other,

Because of our shared humanity,

Because of our differences,

That is where holy gratitude begins.

May this space be a table

that is not complete

until all are welcome.

May this table be a space of beauty

where together

we create a series of miracles, and

where all that we share is sacred.

(This blessing was written in honor of two Unitarians, Martha and Waitstill Sharp, who during WWII dared to risk their own comfort in order to help save the lives of those in desperate need.)

Words to consider as we enter this Memorial Day weekend.

In respect,

Rev. Sue

(Sermon - Predictability and Security, May 2023)

"Get On The Bus"

Private Premier Showing — May 26

Private screening of the film, “Get On The Bus”, for the congregations of UUCR and PCC on Friday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Chestertown Presbyterian Church. The James Taylor Justice Coalition, the Sumner Hall Board and Minary's Dream Alliance board are also invited.

There will be a brief introduction, the 1:08 film, a short question and answer period, then a time for fellowship.

Here is a short description of the film...

For five days in August of last year, 46 youth and adults from the Chestertown area went on a pilgrimage together to major civil rights sites in Alabama and Atlanta. The congregations of UUCR and the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown were major financial sponsors of this trip. A professional documentary film of the trip has been produced and the congregations of UUCR and PCC will be the first to see it. Follow along and experience the impact of this trip on a 9-year-old and his 80-year-old uncle. Listen to the participants talk about their feelings from visiting the 16th Street Baptist Church or walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

— Philip Dutton

Summer UUCR Office Hours

This year's summer office hours will be Wednesdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. beginning May 28 through September 3. This is to partially compensate for my overtime hours, holidays, and vacation time that has not been taken.

— Darlene Wiggers, Office Administrator

May Outreach Collection

The May Outreach Collection of the UUCR Social Justice Committee is for the Delmarva Pride Center.

The mission of The Delmarva Pride Center is to create a positive environment inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities. They support, educate, connect, organize, and provide outreach to the Delmarva LGBTQ+ community and its allies. This community service organization provides regular social events in safe spaces to encourage respect and dignity for all people. An important upcoming event is the Delmarva Pride Festival June 16 – 18, 2023 in Easton, MD.

Website: Delmarva Pride Center https://www.delmarvapridecenter.com

— Linda Dutton

National Music Festival

Recitals & Rehearsals at UUCR

The National Music Festival is being held in Chestertown this summer from June 4 - 17. They will hold three free lunchtime concerts at UUCR each beginning at 12:30 p.m. On June 9^th, there is a piano-only recital, and the other two are chamber group concerts. On June 14, Thuille's "Sextet for Piano and Woodwind Quintet in Bb," and on June 15, Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time."

They will also be using UUCR for some of their rehearsals but have not yet given dates or times. Please be aware of this when planning the use of, or access to, the buildings and grounds. Thanks!

— Darlene Wiggers. Office Administrator

Pastoral Care and Connection

You are encouraged to share your joys and sorrows with the UUCR Pastoral Associates (see below). This team is a mixed group — but all have had previous life experiences and a variety of professional training in counseling and philosophy. Please contact one, or several of us, if you “want to talk.”

Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien,

Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley