Sunday, April 21, 2024 - 10 a.m.

In-Person & ZOOM

“A Link in the Chain” 

Do you feel that sacrifice has a central role to play in addressing the climate crisis? If so, what might that look like? Are there other ways to stem the changes? Join Rev. Sue Browning and UUCR Member Kim Agee for this Earth Day service, where we'll reflect on the personal dilemmas related to the climate crisis and environmental justice.

• Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
• Nancy Holland, Service Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Fantaye Kehm, Youth & Teen Welcome
• Diane Shields, Greeter
• Mindy Miller, 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
• Apologies for Service Zoom Link Issue Last Week
• Sharing Our Parking Lot with Law Enforcement
• Legacy Task Force Listening Sessions — April 28
• Sustain Ukraine Outreach Collection Reaches UUCR Record
• From Your Social Justice Committee
• Gratitude Celebration, Save the Date — June 11
• Primary Election Dates & Presentation
• Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
• Birthdays
• UUCR Contact Information
• End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END

Review and Reflection on

UUA's "Article 2" Changes



Wed., May 1 & Tues., May 7

from 7 - 8 p.m. on Zoom

Over the last year, Rev. Sue and others have shared updates on the proposed changes to the UUA bylaws (aka "Article 2"), including the new values statements. She last preached on the proposal in her sermon "A 'Reboot' of Our Faith" on March 3 at UUCR and on March 10 at UUFE. (Sermon Here) As part of our ongoing education on these changes, Rev. Sue will host sessions for conversation on Wed., May 1 and Tues., May 7 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Each session will begin with the same material and include time for comment and reflection. If you have questions, please contact Rev. Sue.

Join Zoom Meeting (May 1) 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88261558869?pwd=cqtoJNOFvsrsYD9ZqrNERBLyuKyK2U.1

Join Zoom Meeting (May 7) 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85628595339?pwd=5oiu5R9VZ152uOQ5lRkfZhFhmRXYwx.1

Apologies to anyone who tried to gain Zoom access to the service last week and received an "Invalid Meeting" message when clicking on the link. Apparently the link did not save when it was copied and pasted from the Zoom site into one area of Reflections. Two more accuracy checkpoints have been put in place, and hopefully this will not occur again.

If you miss a service, you can always access the recorded service from the link in Reflections under the section "Helpful Links," "Last Week's Worship Service Recording"—or by going directly to the "YouTube Channel" (see above). You can also go to the UUCR website and access it from there: https://uuchesterriver.org/worship/past-worship-services,

We are fortunate to have a nice place for our congregation to meet every Sunday and many other days of the week. Of late, there has been speeding activity on the roadways of our Crestview Neighborhood. Our own Diane Shields is on the board of the Crestview Homeowners Association and has asked if UUCR would accommodate our local law enforcement personnel parking in our parking lot. To support our neighbors, we will allow police cars to park in our lot, to possibly slow down the speeders.

Don’t be surprised if you see a police car in our lot; know that they are supporting our community, neighbors, and friends.

If you missed the first session, please join the Legacy Task Force members, MQ Riding, Bob Bjork, and Amy Warner, after the worship service on April 28 for a discussion about the progress of our weekly meetings concerning the Dorris Scott legacy and other future legacy gifts. 

We will discuss this year’s intentions for using the funds and the pros and cons of shortening the lifespan of the Scott fund from 20 to 15 years. We have also been investigating how other churches set up and use legacy funds, with the intention of setting up policy and procedures that will go into UUCR's Manual of Operations. 

We want to keep members and friends informed about the emerging plans for this $400,000 gift to our congregation, and we want to hear your input about our decisions and proposals. 

The session will be no longer than one hour. Please make an effort to be there, to listen, and to share your ideas. 

March's Social Justice outreach collection yielded $1,890 for Neal and Sandra Jackson's initiative, Sustain Ukraine. That's a new record for the committee's collections, and a tribute to the generosity of our members and friends. On behalf of the Jacksons, I want to thank you for your contributions.

Amy Warner

In May, we will be focusing on LGBTQI justice and education. Our beneficiary will be the Delmarva Pride Center, the same organization as presented last year by the wonderful Tina Jones. Plan now to join us on Sunday May 5 for our lunch and discussion of the book Tomorrow will be Different 

by Sarah McBride. Paperback copies are circulating among the congregation, and we are sure you will be impressed by this Delaware State Senator who is now running for the U. S. House. Here are some questions to consider for the discussion:

• What was your experience reading the book? What, if anything, surprised you? What parts of the book did you find most compelling, and why?  

• What parts of the book left you with more questions? What were they? 

• The book ends just as Trump is elected president. In your view, what are the challenges right now in the area of LGBTQI justice? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brLZvqiGHMs  (2016 Democratic National Convention)

https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/jHcvQVOF4tkZ89R0Dh4UI44yC91J2AJ7/ (CBS Sunday Morning 2021 interview)

From Kathy Lee, a member of the Social Justice Committee: I had students in my Women in American Politics class read this book. For many, this was the first book they had ever read by a trans person. We had the opportunity to skype with Sarah just before she announced her candidacy in 2019. She inspired many students. 

We would love to hear from you about other topics of interest for summer discussions or next fall's 1st Sunday Social Justice lunch and discussion series. Just reach out to Marilee, Amy, or Linda with a personal message or through the church office. We will be planning next year soon and our committee is YOUR UUCR resource to help us all learn to be better local stewards for justice in our world.

Maryland Primary Election Dates to Remember

Tuesday, April 23: Last day to register to vote in this year’s Maryland Primary Election AND last day to change your party affiliation

Early Voting is from May 2 to May 9, 7 am - 8 pm, at the Kent County Public Library, 408 High St., Chestertown

Tuesday, May 14 (7 am - 8 pm) is Primary Election Day in Maryland

For more information about registering to vote, locating your polling place, etc., contact the Kent County Board of Elections at 410-778-0038. Or, visit their webpage: https://www.kentcountyelections.org/

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Special Presentation on "Election Misinformation and Disinformation in Maryland” 

by Jared DeMarinis, State Administrator of Elections,

Maryland State Board of Elections.

Wednesday, April 24, 7 pm

Chestertown Presbyterian Church

905 Gateway Dr., Chestertown

This event is sponsored by the

League of Women Voters of Kent County.

This event is free of charge and open to the public.

Mr. DeMarinis will discuss the types of misinformation and disinformation circulating in Maryland, their origins and purposes, and how they affect campaigns and elections.