Sunday, March 17, 2024 - 10 a.m.

In-Person & ZOOM

“The Challenges of Pluralism” 

Over and over, we proclaim our core commitment to valuing difference. How do we live well in a pluralistic society? At this service with Rev. Sue Browning, we'll reflect on the responsibilities and compromises needed to continually make space for others' religious and cultural practices. 

• Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
• Annie Lavin, Service Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• M.Q. Riding, Youth & Teen Welcome
• Mindy Miller, Greeter
• Diane Shields, Coffee Host

Please CLICK HERE for the link to join us via Zoom.

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. 

So You Don't Miss Anything!

• This Week's Worship Service Information
• Upcoming Worship Services Information
• Newsletter Index
• Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
• Minister's Column
• UUCR Grounds Cleanup — Saturday, March 16!
• Sock Burning & Spring Equinox Celebration — March 22
• New FUNdraiser - Pizza & Trivia Night — April 12
• March's Outreach Collection — Sustain Ukraine
• Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
• Birthdays
• UUCR Contact Information
• End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END

A few weeks ago, my sermon considered ways we periodically "reboot" our personal lives and reflected on the process over the last 3+ years to "reboot" our UU faith. The UU principles were adopted 40 years ago, and the bylaws require a periodic review. I've presented and preached on the potential UU updates to the principles a few other times this year, and several guest ministers have offered perspectives. A copy of my March 3 sermon is here.

During the discussion, people shared stories about times they'd rebooted their lives and the impacts. At coffee hour, I heard more stories about how long ago 40 years seemed, complete with fun anecdotes of what folks were up to 40 years ago.

On the update to the UUA bylaws, there was general agreement that a thorough re-examination of the principles after 40 years made sense. During the discussion, we talked about the ways anti-racism and anti-oppression commitments are directly included in the value statements and the associated expectation of accountability in the proposal. One person shared appreciation for the centering of love in the values. Another had hoped "truth" would be emphasized more (it is part of the pluralism value). I sensed gratitude for the process used to review the principles. 

Thanks to all for the heartfelt discussion on the topic. We'll schedule time after a few upcoming services to continue the conversation.

If you have questions on the next steps at the UUA on these changes, have input, or would like to be a delegate from UUCR "at" General Assembly (it's virtual this year!), please let me or a Board member know. 

In anticipation,

Rev. Sue

Grounds Cleanup — Saturday, March 16! (This is the "rain date" from last Saturday's planned cleanup.) Please come out and pull weeds, pick up downed limbs, and rake leaves from the brick Memorial Circle! Arrive by 9 a.m., or come when you can.

Sock Burning & Spring Equinox Celebration

Ah, spring! The perfect time to burn socks!

There may be many ways to celebrate the arrival of spring, but one group will again follow a maritime tradition native to the Chesapeake region—burning their socks. UUCR has been following this tradition for over 10 years, and it’s time to wiggle our toes once again. Join us on Friday, March 22, at 5:30 in UUCR’s Memorial Woodland Garden, where we will again recognize millennium of honoring the change of the seasons. We ask that socks made of synthetic materials not be burned.

There will be a potluck in the church following the burning of the socks. Please bring something to share. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. All are welcome!

PROCC is looking for help with setup and cleanup. Contact John Ramsey at johnramsey1948@gmail.com.

On Friday, April 12, from 6–8 p.m., Sue and Bill Browning will host an all-church trivia night at UUCR, 914 Gateway Dr., Chestertown! Come for an evening of pizza and salad, and a few rounds of creative (and not too hard!) trivia questions. We'll play in teams, and there will be a few prizes! Tickets are $20 per person and will be part of the auction proceeds. All ages are welcome. (With advance notice, we can have childcare available.) 

On Sunday, March 3, the Social Justice Committee launched its March Outreach Collection for Sustain Ukraine, an initiative founded by local residents, Neal and Sandra Jackson. The Jacksons led a discussion after the service which detailed how they work with people they know in Ukraine to purchase supplies such as drones and night vision goggles. They spoke about how their contacts manage to get these needed supplies and equipment across borders at great peril to themselves. 

Sustain Ukraine has no bureaucracy, and 100% of every dollar contributed goes to support the volunteer fighters. Your support goes directly to the Ukrainian Territorial Defense and Border Guards volunteers fighting to keep their nation free.

We will be running this collection differently than usual, in that members and friends will give donations directly to Neal. 

Here’s how to contribute throughout the month of March: 

1. By check, payable to Neal Jackson, and mailed to him at 470 Gull Ct., Chestertown, MD 21620
2. By Zelle electronic transfer from your online banking. Create a Zelle account (super easy), then “Add New Recipient” for Neal Jackson, using either this email address (nealjackson@3creekfarm.com) or his mobile phone number (202-365-4070). You can then send money directly to him for free.
3. By PayPal, if you have a PayPal account, you can send money to nealjackson@3creekfarm.com. Make sure it is designated as “sending to a friend.” 

Please do not write, send, or give checks to UUCR for this month's outreach collection, and do not donate via the website. 

Please note that Sustain Ukraine is not an entity — it is simply a conduit of caring people that enables you to support Ukrainians defending their nation, so your contribution is not tax-deductible. 

We hope that you will give generously to this very worthwhile cause. 

Amy Warner