Thursday, October 7, 2021
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THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
"The Helpless Healer"

Rev. Robert (Bob) Broesler, guest speaker
Vida Morley, service leader
Dick Durham, musician

In Person and Online
Worship Service

October 10, 2021
10 am

Join us for guest speaker Rev. Robert (Bob) Broesler's sermon entitled "The Helpless Healer" — an exploration of mutual care in light of the uniqueness and freedom of each individuals’ life journey. His text will be from a children’s book entitled The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood and he will be drawing on his experience in meditation and as a Grief Therapist.

So we can begin the worship service promptly at 10 am, please arrive at the sanctuary (if attending in person) or sign into Zoom (click here) by no later than 9:50 am. Thanks!

Please submit "Joys and Concerns" in advance by emailing them to the UUCR office (click here) by 9 pm Saturday, share them in the Zoom chat, or for those at the service, they may be jotted down on notecards which are available on the table between the lounge and RE doors.
Helpful Links
Upcoming Events
Oct 9 | Back in the Day
BLOCK PAR-TAY
(see details below)

Oct 10 | Worship Service
In Person and Online
Rev. Robert (Bob) Broesler, Guest Speaker
Vida Morley, Service Leader
Dick Durham, Musician

Oct 12 | Thomas Jefferson
and Race
Online Event
(see details below)

Oct 17 | Worship Service
In Person and Online
Rev. Sue Browning

Oct 24 | Worship Service
In Person and Online
Bran Lennox, Guest Speaker
Amy Warner, Service Leader

Oct 31 | Worship Service
Online ONLY
Paula Cole Jones, Guest Speaker
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!
Upcoming Services
Sunday, October 17

"Many Have Inhabited These Lands"

Do we know the history of the land where the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River call “home?" Do we know the stories of the Indigenous people historically or currently inhabiting that land? At this service with Rev. Sue Browning we'll consider how answers to these questions might shape our understanding of community and commitment. 

  • In Person and Online
  • Rev. Sue Browning


Sunday, October 24

"Webs of Connection"

Did you know that in 2008, scientists discovered that spiders use their webs to think? From bees to trees, we are constantly discovering exciting new ways that thought, communication, and perception happen in the natural world which would have seemed alien to us a short time ago. How do we humans perceive the world through our own connections?

Bio from Bran: Bran Lennox finds the sacred in the wonders of the natural world, and the gifts that music brings to life. A queer and nonbinary minister, they seek to explore new ideas of the divine through the ever-presence of transformative change in human experience. They believe in the healing power of compassion to bring needed growth to our world's realities around justice and equity. Bran has recently completed the process of becoming a fellowshipped UU minister and is eager to discover where their path of service will lead them next.

  • In Person and Online
  • Bran Lennox, guest speaker
  • Amy Warner, service leader


Sunday, October 31

"Intentional About Our Actions — the 8th Principle"

Join Paula Cole Jones, a national advocate for racial justice, for a service on the emerging changes to UUs commitment to anti-racism and the power of our collective voice. (More details coming shortly.)

NOTE: This will be a joint service with the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton. This will be a virtual service on Zoom (no in person worship this day).

  • Online ONLY
  • Paula Cole Jones, guest speaker
Sunday Hybrid Services Notes
SERVICE ATTENDANCE

October 3

In Person — 25

Zoom Online — 9

Please remember that with current Covid guidelines,
sanctuary seating is limited to 30
and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Minister's Column
Change is Hard (and possible!)
 
I am amazed at what a focused few can do. Since the beginning of the pandemic, from our earliest recorded service to our current Zoom services, the worship and tech leaders have found a way for each congregation to connect on Sundays.
 
Late this summer we wondered, could we make the next leap and figure out some way for some to be in person in the sanctuary and for some to be online (simultaneously) for 10 am services? We quickly learned these "hybrid" services have many of the characteristics of Double Dutch jump rope — i.e., lots of moving parts that need to align just right!
 
With multiple laptops, carefully placed mikes and power cords, and many settings selected, we are doing it! Both in Chestertown and Easton, there are workable hybrid setups designed by our amazing volunteers Jim Lavin (UUCR), Bozena Lamparska (UUFE), and a few other tech volunteers. A shout out of thanks to these dedicated folks. 
 
It has been a challenge. I’m watching each congregation model patience and good humor as we adjust each week. We’re learning to be "ok" with a pause during the service — to check with those on Zoom and those in the sanctuary to be sure all are "ok."
 
In our small sanctuaries, we’re still masking everyone, social distancing, and having the speaker or service leader read “Joys and Concerns” that have been submitted in advance.  On behalf of the Re-Opening Teams, thank you for modeling patience and good humor as we gather together in adjusted ways and work to keep risks low, especially for our most vulnerable.
 
So many adaptations. Change is hard.
 
Some yearn for services back to just the way services used to be. Others are grateful for being able to join from home. Others still don’t have a way to access the service easily, and we’re working to address their needs.
 
So many experiences of one another that we are invited to hold as we walk together one week at a time.
 
In connection,
Rev. Sue
If you don't see "END of REFLECTIONS for October 7, 2021" at the very end of this email, you're not seeing the entire email. To view it to the end please Click here
Leadership Development Committee update —
October 5, 2021
The LDC has met with the Worship Committee members to learn more about their needs and aspirations. One of the identified needs was more committee members and service leaders.

We are happy to announce that two new Service Leaders have stepped forward to join the committee: Jan Sprinkel and Catherine Brooks. Please thank these members for their willingness to contribute their talents to UUCR!

We have updated and revised the Worship Committee documents related to Service Leader duties and have made recommendations to the Worship Committee that may help them to function more efficiently.

We encourage UUCR members to see "service" to their church community as an integral part of their spiritual journey.

Another aspect of a spiritual journey is continuing education; the LDC will communicate opportunities for members and friends to continue their UU education; an upcoming opportunity is a webinar provided by CERG (Central East Regional Group of UUA) – “Widening the Welcome”: It is an online program on Saturday, November 6, 2021, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm EDT (two sessions, 10 am to noon, and 2 to 4 pm EDT).

Our LDC members are planning to attend, and the "congregation team" cost is just $5 per attendee if part of a congregational team.

Please contact us if you would like to attend, or register directly at: https://uua.wufoo.com/forms/m1wnuybg0n0ofzr/
Housing Needed
Matt Mielnick, the incoming executive director of the Mainstay in Rock Hall, is looking for affordable housing (something around $1000/mo) in the area. Because Matt and the Mainstay have agreed to an initial three-month trial basis period (starting October 25), he will be unable to sign a long-term lease and the housing will need to be furnished. He will be living alone, has no pets, and prefers something more than a room rental with cooking privileges.

Do you or someone you know have rental space? Matt is a Unitarian Universalist, and is hoping to attend our services when he moves to Kent County.

If you have ideas for housing for Matt, please contact our office, uuofchesterriver@gmail.com, or 410-778-3440.
Online Events
Much has been written about Thomas Jefferson and his impact, but what did African Americans think about this founding father? Join us for a thought-provoking Zoom conversation with Mia Bay — leading scholar of African American history — about her current book project on Jefferson. Bay is in residence at Washington College this academic year, as the 2021-2022 Patrick Henry History Fellow.

Starr Center Director Adam Goodheart will chat virtually with Bay about her current work, as well as her other fascinating research on the history of race and transportation, race and retail, and her recent documentary work with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. A Q & A session for audience members will follow the discussion. Claim your seat for this free, virtual event here.

This event is co-sponsored by Washington College’s Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and the Rose O'Neill Literary House.
Local Events
Pastoral Care and Connection
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 area 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 at this time. 

Rev. Sue Browning, and the Pastoral Care Associates: Kevin Brien,
Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley
or for more information, contact:
 UUCR office - phone: 410-778-3440 | email:uuofchesterriver@gmail.com

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

11 - Bill Lindsay
16 - Denise Tontarski
11 - Cynthia Ramsey
17 - Catherine Brooks
We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email (click here).
Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River 914 Gateway Drive | Chestertown, MD | 21620
Phone: 410-778-3440
END of REFLECTIONS for October 7, 2021