Thursday, December 15, 2022 |
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THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
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"Wonder, Awe, and
the Darkest of Nights"
Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
Jan Sprinkel, Service Leader
Al Martinez, Musician
In Person and Zoom
Sunday, December 18, 2022
What do you most pay attention to when it is really dark out? The stars, the quiet, the sounds? Have you recently been in awe of pictures coming back from the new Webb telescope? At this service with Rev. Sue Browning we'll gather and consider this quote from Albert Einstein: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." As a part of this service we will light the menorah in celebration of Hanukkah. If you would like to assist with the lighting of the menorah, please contact Rev. Sue in advance of the service.
So we can begin the service promptly at 10 am, please arrive at the church, or sign into Zoom ( click here) by no later than 9:50 am.
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.
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IMPORTANT COVID NOTICE
PLEASE READ
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Dear Members and Friends,
We have been notified of two recent covid cases among attendees at a recent Sunday Service and the Soup Sampler Supper & Sale. Both individuals are following quarantine protocols. We are reaching out to everyone who may have attended one or both of these events so that we let as many people know of their possible exposure.
If you feel ill, please be in touch with your healthcare provider. If you wish to be tested, please contact the health department, your healthcare provider, or pharmacies that are offering testing.
If you have any questions, please let me know and I can connect you with a member of the Re-Opening Task Force.
In care,
Lynn Geisert Jim Lavin
President Reopening Task Force Chair
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Upcoming Worship Services |
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FRIDAY, December 23 at 7 PM — In Person & ZOOM
"Eve of the Eve — A Christmas Candlelight Service"
Join us for our annual Christmas "Eve of the Eve" service (that's right on Friday, Dec. 23!) At this service led by Rev. Sue Browning and other members of the congregation we'll share story, song (many songs), a brief message and end with Silent Night. This is a service for all ages!
- Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
- Congregation members, Service Leaders
- Michael Casey, Musician
Sunday, December 25 & January 1 — NO SERVICES
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So You Don't Miss Anything! |
- This Week's Worship Service Information
- IMPORTANT COVID NOTICE
- Upcoming Worship Services Information
- Newsletter Index
- Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
- Holiday Office Hours & Newsletter Schedule
- Minister's Column
- "Holiday Sharing" Program
- Thanks-a-Million!
- Winter Solstice Celebration & Potluck
- Eve of the Eve Candlelight Service
- Changes to the UU Principles Conversation
- Another "Orientation to UUCR" Session to be Scheduled
- Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
- Birthdays
- UUCR Contact Information
- End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END
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If you don't see "VERY END of REFLECTIONS for December 15, 2022"
at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.
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This Week's
Worship Service
Last Week's Worship Service Recording
UUCR
UUCR Office Hours:
W, Sa, Su — 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
M, Tu, Th, F — CLOSED
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DEC 18 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Sue Browning, minister
DEC 21 | Winter Solstice
Celebration & Potluck
in Rock Hall (see details below)
DEC 23 | Eve of the Eve
Worship Service — 7 PM
In Person & ZOOM
Rev. Sue Browning, minister
(see details below)
DEC 25 | No Worship
Service
JAN 01 | No Worship
Service
JAN 08 | Worship Service
In Person & ZOOM
Bob Clegg, guest speaker
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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!
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Holiday Office Hours and
Newsletter Schedule
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The UUCR office will be closed on December 24, 25, & 31 and on January 1.
This newsletter (Reflections) will not be published on December 29.
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A Turning Tide – Gun Safety
This week is the 10-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting. The anniversary stories are sobering, particularly the interviews with children who survived who are now in high school.
When the Sandy Hook murders happened I was the intern minister at our UU congregation in Rockville Maryland. The shooting was on a Friday and I was scheduled to lead our holiday service that Sunday, complete with a pageant and the lighting of the menorah. Working with the minister, Rev. Lynn Strauss, we adjusted the service some, mostly making time to name the tragedy and to reflect together in quiet. When a member of the congregation lit the menorah that morning, and he led the candle lighting blessing in Hebrew, it was a profound moment.
After Sandy Hook, I chose to center my internship project work around gun violence. Working with Rev. Lynn, we hosted panels of speakers that spring, and worked in the community with law enforcement and interfaith groups. There was hope for change, and yet changes in national policy didn’t happen. If not after Sandy Hook, when? There was a clear sense that change was impossible.
Over the years we’ve continued to speak out and work for change. We have had vigils and rallies on the Eastern Shore and in DC. We stood together after Orlando and Parkland. I recall helping lead a service of action we titled, “It's Not OK," at Temple B’Nai Israel after shootings in Dayton and El Paso in 2019. Many of us have joined Moms Demand Action and other groups. I’ve stood in protest with other UUs in front of the NRA on the anniversary of Sandy Hook. UUFE and UUCR members have been to Annapolis. Letters have been written. Not knowing if change is possible or not, we've continued.
In an editorial this week by Dave Cullen (NY Times, Dec. 13) is titled, “Gun Safety: Yes, There’s Actually a Reason to Have Hope,” he shares that while the NRA has felt invincible for so long, “Gun safety was not buried in Newtown, Conn. The modern safety movement was born that day.” Cullen's opinion provides a robust summary of the work over the last 10 years to organize power through coalitions, and recaps how recent elections and policies are changing as a result. It's a reminder that what seems impossible, is actually possible.
Bit by bit something is shifting for the better. Our continued efforts in partnership with so many others have mattered. Our continued commitment to gun safety is still needed going forward.
A sad anniversary, and a reminder that change is possible.
In reflection and hope,
Rev. Sue
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"Holiday Sharing" Program |
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Thanks to our very generous Members and Friends, each member of our Holiday Sharing Family will get wonderful gifts. All requests have been filled. If you missed signing up for a gift and still want to contribute to Holiday Sharing, you can contribute by bringing a check to the church by December 18, made out to UUCR specifying "Holiday Sharing" in the memo line, or you can donate online at the church website using the "Donate" button ( click here) and "Custom Amount," specifying "Holiday Sharing" in the comment section.
Wrapped gifts need to be returned to UUCR by Sunday, December 18 with tags specifying Family #8, as well as the age and gender of the recipient! Any monetary donations must be made before December 18 to allow time for us to purchase gift cards for our Kent County family as well as for needy families in Queen Anne's County! Questions? Ask Linda Dutton or Lynn Dolinger. Thanks!
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Our church was the setting for a fine event on Friday, December 9, our Soup Sampler Supper and Sale. Over 60 people enjoyed soup, bread, and fellowship topped off by stunning dessert cakes prepared for us by our administrator, Darlene Wiggers.
Thank you Darlene, and thanks to the many others who made this fun evening happen:
Soup-Makers — Lynn Dolinger, Linda Dutton, Gayle Folger, Lynn Geisert, Terry Goldzier, Jane Hardy, Nancy Holland, Joy Kim, Mary Pritchard, Phyllis Roberts, and Diane Shields
Bread-Makers — Guy Edwards, Nancy Holland, Vida Morley, Connie Schroth, and Amy Warner
Music-Maker — Philip Dutton, who played piano for us throughout the evening
Setter-Uppers and Cleaner-Uppers — David and Joan Biehler, Lynn and Ralph Dolinger, Philip and Linda Dutton, Lynn Geisert, Jim Lavin, Mary Pritchard and Herm Bloom, and John Ramsey
Our first projections about how much cash we raised were overly optimistic; it turns out our bottom line will be closer to $900 rather than $1200. However, the consensus is that the event is well worth repeating! Stay tuned for next year.
From your Fundraising Task Force: Lynn Dolinger, Linda Dutton, Jane Hardy, and Mary Pritchard
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Winter Solstice Celebration & Potluck |
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The UUs celebrate the Solstice Again
on Wednesday, the 21st of December at 4:15 p.m.
with Fun, Food, and Fellowship.
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As in pre-covid days, the celebration will be at the home of Anne Bricker - 4870 Huntingfield Road in Rock Hall. Please bring a “Pot Luck Dish” to share and dress warmly as the flowing Chesapeake Bay might beckon.
Call Vida Morley for more information.
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Changes to the UU Principles —
January 15 Conversation
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Mark Your Calendar — January 15 — An After Service Conversation about Changes to the UU Principles
After service on January 15 (at 11:30 a.m.). Rev. Sue will share an update on the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA) ongoing process to review and update of our principles and sources. After a year plus of gathering input, the group commissioned to complete the review has an early draft of the proposed changes available for conversation. At this session we'll talk through the draft, the review process, and the role our congregation will have in adoption of any UUA bylaw changes. Ultimately any changes will be voted on at the General Assembly in June, 2024. This meeting will be in the sanctuary room and will last for about 45 minutes.
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Another "Orientation to UUCR" Session
to be Scheduled
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The Membership Committee plans to hold another Orientation session in February or March. Please let the committee know if you are interested in attending, and we will pick a date that works for most. Committee members are: Diane Shields, Nancy Holland, Margo Long, and David Biehler. |
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2023 Winter Shelter
Volunteers Needed
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The Samaritan Group of Kent County is preparing to host the 2023 Winter Shelter again and we need your help! We are happy to announce the return of pre-pandemic shelter operations -- including family-style meals and evening volunteers. These opportunities to engage with those in our community experiencing homelessness are such an important aspect of what we do.
In this year's volunteer sign-up sheet you'll see THREE options for volunteering:
- Evening volunteers (5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.; 2 volunteers per shift)
- Meal volunteers (prepares and delivers shelter dinner by 6 p.m.; with option to stay and share this meal with the guests), and
- Overnight volunteers (10 p.m. - 8 a.m.; separate sleeping quarters provided).
With the return of our expanded operations comes an increased need in volunteer support. We hope you will join us this year!
TO SIGN UP, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
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Pastoral Care and Connection |
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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
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DECEMBER
7 - Pat Bjorke
8 - Lynn Donahue
9 - Carol Dobson
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We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email (click here).
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Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River 914 Gateway Drive | Chestertown, MD | 21620
Phone: 410-778-3440
Office hours: W, Sa, Su — 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Closed — M, Tu, Th, F
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VERY END of REFLECTIONS for December 15, 2022
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