River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
To grow and deepen in Community, Spirit, and Service
eWeekly
May 19-26, 2022
|
|
Spring Music Service: Spiritsong
Clif Hardin, Director of Music
TWO services, in-person and virtual:
Sun., May 22, 10am: Hybrid Service, also on YouTube
11am: Coffee Hour, both over Zoom and in-person
12pm: In-person Only Service
1pm: In-person Coffee Hour
Watch for two links in the Saturday email: a YouTube link for the service and a Zoom link for the virtual Coffee Hour after the service. 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.
Sanctuary Hybrid, Online and In-Person: First Service will be available via YouTube
Join us online or in person for worship at 10am, and in person at 12pm. By attending an in-person service, you are giving RRUUC permission to use your likeness in videos and photographs.
As always, masks are required in our building.
Come enjoy the world premiere of Clif Hardin’s Spiritsong: Voices of Many Faiths. This nine movement work features The River Road Choir, a thirteen piece orchestra, and soloists. Texts are sourced from faith traditions around the world. Spiritsong was written to celebrate the beauty of human aspirations to love, to seek what is felt to be divine, and to bring about a just and peaceful world. The work will be featured at two services: one at 10am and one at 12pm. The 10am Sunday service is broadcast live, and may include wide shots of the crowd in the sanctuary. If you wish to avoid appearing on camera, please plan to attend online for now, as our services will not include overflow seating.
We will be having in-person Coffee Hour on the plaza after both services. Bring your own travel mugs to be kind to the environment!
|
|
Support Action in Montgomery (AIM): May's ETO
Action in Montgomery (AIM) is a broad-based community power organization rooted in Montgomery County’s neighborhoods and congregations. AIM is non-partisan, multi-faith, multi-racial, and dedicated to making our county and state a better place to live and thrive. Inequity in Montgomery County intensified because of the pandemic, so AIM’s community organizing efforts are as critical as ever. AIM works to bring about more economic justice and racial equity, and to hold elected and corporate officials accountable. During this election year, we must convince our elected officials, as well as the candidates running for office, to take bold action on housing, education, health, and transportation/climate issues.
Please support AIM throughout the month of May by making online contributions, by making check donations to RRUUC (designate AIM), or by participating in our Extend the Offering for AIM on May 22 (during the annual music service).
|
|
Notices & Online Ministry Offerings |
|
A message from our COVID team
Music Service is a GO and The Bazaar is ON - with careful planning and attentiveness to safety (of course)!
As you might imagine, your COVID team, staff, and Bazaar planning team have been diligently at work monitoring the public health environment in preparation for our two largest congregational events of the spring. At our music service this Sunday, do note that all performers will be testing the morning of the service. Given a negative test, singers will have the choice to refrain from masking while attendees will remain safely protected by our universal masking policy.
At our annual Bazaar, we've taken a number of steps to mitigate risk, including masking for shoppers and volunteers. We won't be serving food indoors, have increased ventilation protocols in spaces where large groups tend to cluster, and will be supporting universal masking through volunteers dedicated to the task. We hope each and every person feels empowered to choose their own risk-tolerance in this complex time, and we look forward to a safe and healthy Bazaar experience.
|
|
The finish line is in sight! We are truly a community that nurtures its roots. We have raised $956,035 toward our goal of $970,000. (This includes a $10,000 challenge grant that we earned because at least 20 individuals and households made first-time pledges, or pledged after taking a pause of at least a year.) So, if we can raise just under $14,000 more, we will hit this important target!
If you have yet to pledge, please consider helping us finish strong! Pledges of any amount are appreciated. A reminder that pledges can be paid in a variety of ways between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Click here to pledge, here for more information on pledging, or send an email with your pledge or any questions to stewardship@rruuc.org.
Thanks to all who have pledged to support RRUUC in the coming year!
|
|
Bazaar 2022 - Sat., June 4
You’ve got just two weeks left to bag up your donations AND sign up to volunteer at the June 4 Bazaar. We need every hand on deck. Please visit the Sign-Up Genius to choose a slot! FAMILIES, we’d love your involvement! Several areas are great for families, especially Set-Up and Take-Down, Toys, Sports, Children’s Books, and Women’s Clothing. If you need help choosing or signing up, email bazaar@rruuc.org.
NOTE: We are taking COVID-19 seriously: all volunteers and all shoppers must wear properly-fitting masks (preferably N95 or KN95) at all times inside. Remember, no Chili Café this year; bring a bag lunch if you plan to work all day (and plan to take breaks outside!). We are doing the Bake Sale, so please get out your favorite cookie, cake, brownie, and muffin recipes and drop off the finished products on Fri., June 3 or bring them first thing Sat., June 4.
Lastly, don’t forget to spread the word to your friends and neighbors, per the mailing you received two weeks ago. We don’t have a Bazaar if we have no shoppers! You can even share our Facebook event!
|
|
Announcing 2022 Action in Montgomery (AIM) Candidate Forums
With the 2022 mid-term elections less than six months away, AIM is holding four County Executive and County Council Candidate Forums. All of the Forums will be available in person and via Zoom.
AIM’s issue agenda going into the elections was developed by listening to more than 2,000 people over the past six months. The overwhelming needs identified are affordable housing, equity in education, equity in healthcare, and climate change. Questions focusing on this agenda will be asked of all the candidates taking part in the Forums. Not only does AIM want specific commitments from the candidates on these issues, but AIM will hold the candidates accountable for promises made during their campaigns if they are elected.
Candidate Forums are scheduled as described below:
Forum #1: Tues., May 24, 7-9pm, B’Nai Israel Congregation, Rockville
Forum #2: Wed., June 1, 7-9pm, Harvest Intercontinental Church, Olney. This Forum is co-hosted by RRUUC
Forum #3: Sat., June 4, 10am-12pm, Wheaton Woods Elementary School, Rockville
Forum #4: Thurs., June 9, 7-9pm, Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Takoma Park
Please note that not all candidates will be at each Forum. For further information about which candidates will attend each Forum, you can consult the AIM website at actioninmontgomery.org.
Please attend one, some, or all of the Forums, with special attention to Forum #2 which is being co-hosted by RRUUC. Remember, AIM achieves power through its people.
Liz Purcell, Chair, RRUUC AIM Core Team
|
|
Final RE classes of the school year this Sunday! All children and youth go directly to class.
Classroom assignments
Spirit Play and Childcare: Fireside
Elementary School: Rooms 23/25
Middle School: Fiatfalva
Youth Group/OWL: Room 32
Summer Sundays!
Beginning June 5, we're offering a variety of opportunities for kids on Sunday mornings. Magic Summer Sundays will include lessons focused on service to others, silence and meditation, sunshine, and movement. Spirit Space Sundays will offer a space in the lounge connected to the Sanctuary with quiet activities for all ages to engage with during worship. The full schedule is here.
Summer Day Camps for kids!
All of our summer day camps are Monday-Friday from 9am to 1pm at RRUUC.
-
June 20-24 - Theater! Over the course of the week, we will create a theater production based on a book by RRUUC's Linda Ryden and perform on the final day. Register here.
-
July 18-22 - Art! Each day we will explore different forms of visual arts. Working with a professional artist, we will also create a mural in the hallway of the 20-series rooms. Register here.
-
August 1-5 - Service! This week is all about giving back to our community. Each day we'll engage in a project to serve others. Register here.
Teach Religious Education Classes in 22-23
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in RE beginning in the fall. Lots of levels of commitment; lots of different ages to inspire. All experience levels and stages of life encouraged to join in on a fun and enriching experience. Training will be provided. Contact Beth Irikura or Laura Piervincenzi to talk about options!
|
|
Friday Morning Book Group
The book group meets on the third Friday of the month beginning at 10am (via Zoom) to discuss a book selected by the group. Participants are invited to sign in as early as 9:45am to chat and socialize before the discussion begins at 10am. In the coming months we will be discussing the following books:
May 20: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
June 17: The Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley
July 15: Share comments about books you've read outside the River Road Book Group
|
|
Last chance to see our art exhibit!
There is an exhibition of nature photography by Mark Leatherman in the Fellowship Hall until May 23. Make sure to check it out while you're in the building!
|
|
Annual West Virginia Multigenerational Service Learning Trip
It's not too late to sign up for the WV service trip to McDowell County, WV (Aug. 6-12). This will be our 8th trip working with the people of Big Creek People in Action to repair and improve homes in the southernmost part of WV. We also spend time learning about the rich culture of the area. Participants incoming high school and older (yes, even adults) are welcome. Cost is $400 with scholarship available. There is a preparatory workshop on Sat., June 11. Registration here. Contact Beth Irikura with questions.
|
|
Social Justice Gathering HAS BEEN MOVED TO June 19 at 12pm
Join us for our River Road Social Justice Gathering Sunday after the service on Sun., June 19! This will be a time to connect, reflect, and vision with Social Justice leaders and friends. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic and adjust to our new normal, we have a tremendous opportunity to imagine, celebrate, and recommit to our core Social Justice values - and to have some fun with it!
All are welcome to attend!
|
|
The 2022 Annual Meeting of the congregational members will be held on Sun., June 12, 12:30pm to 2:30pm (online via Zoom). Town Hall sessions - to discuss Zoom registration and process, plus voting via Zoom – are scheduled on Wed., June 1 at 7pm and Sun., June 5 at 12pm. Zoom links will be in the May 28 Worship Links email. This year’s agenda includes:
- Election of new members to the Board and Leadership & Nominations Committee;
- Recognition of exceptional service by members;
- Reports from our ministers, Treasurer, and Board of Trustees;
- Report on our visioning/strategic planning; and
- Revisions to the bylaws to include virtual participation in meetings and remote voting; and to update sections on reporting, appointive officers, ministers, and lay-led groups.
If you are unable to attend the virtual annual meeting, or if you prefer voting by paper ballot, please request a paper or absentee ballot no later than May 27 and return the ballot no later than June 10. To request and return the ballot, contact Ana Lim or leave a message at the RRUUC office, 301-229-0400, ext. 101.
More information about the annual meeting can be found on the RRUUC website at rruuc.org/annualmeeting or through a link on the homepage slider.
|
|
Did you know that we recently discovered that the land RRUUC sits on was once part of a plantation where enslaved Africans worked? Our Land Acknowledgement Task Force blog shared that history in their most recent post: Slavery on our Land.
|
|
Rally for Poor People on Sat., June 18 on the Mall
Each of us again has the opportunity to join our racial justice teams in supporting the Poor People’s Campaign – and now’s not the time to let the Campaign down.
Let’s make sure we show up at 8:30am on June 18 at the Bethesda Metro station, and head down together to the Mass Poor Peoples and Low-Wage Workers Assembly and Moral March on the Mall at 3rd Street. Just find us at the top of the escalators leading into the Bethesda Metro station.
You can learn more here about this rally of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival in support of poor people and low-wage workers. And make sure you join us, either at the Bethesda Metro or on the Mall.
|
|
Lost to Gun Violence
As part of our ongoing commitment to the activists who are interrupting gun violence on the streets of our cities, we are saddened yet honored to memorialize the names of those in our area lost to gun violence over the last two weeks. These lives continue to matter:
Baltimore: Kennod Taylor, Chone Cummings, Samuel McKoy, Yahmell Montague, Angel Morgan Heather Smith, and two unidentified victims. District of Columbia: Christine Chase, Anthony Arter, Renard Thornton, Jordan Hill, Delonte Harrison, and James Curtis. Gambrills: Britrain Marcelus Gray. Germantown: Cesar Segovia. Every life lost to gun violence shatters the world for each of us, and every life saved by those who interrupt the violence helps knit us back together.
|
|
When an 18 year old white supremacist opened fire in a Buffalo grocery store last week, he aimed his hatred directly at the African American community. The people he killed - whose names we lift up today - were parents and nephews and organizers and advocates. They were neighbors and friends and the precious children of beloved parents. White supremacy killed them. The idolatrous love of guns in this country killed them. And so, together, we grieve, and in our work toward racial justice, we re-commit. |
|
RRUUC Land Acknowledgement
Acknowledging and remembering that we are situated on the traditional land of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway people, and on the land on which enslaved African people and their descendants labored and lived, we gather together in worship. May the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts and the actions of our hands point the way toward a more just future. May the memory of those whose love and labor went before inspire us to create a path of greater joy and justice for all who will follow.
If you would like to learn more about our land's history, please watch the service from June 13, 2021.
|
|
|
|
Deadline is Tuesday, midnight, for that week.
News is edited for clarity, brevity, and style.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe and receive River Road's eWeekly in your inbox.
|
We'd hate to see you go, but if you wish to unsubscribe from the eWeekly, please click here.
|
|
River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 | 301-229-0400 news@rruuc.org | www.rruuc.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
