Thursday, October 12, 2023 | |
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THIS SUNDAY'S
WORSHIP SERVICE
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"Immigration Stories"
Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
Jan Sprinkel, Service Leader
In-Person & Zoom
Sunday, October 15, 2023
All life journeys each come with twists, turns, and uncertainty. Immigrants face more than their share, often being treated as pawns in our political debates while at the same time being hired for deeply challenging work. At this service with Rev. Sue Browning, we’ll reflect on the realities of being an immigrant in 2023 and consider where support is useful and needed as we live into our commitments for justice and compassion.
- Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
- Jan Sprinkel, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, Musician
- Fredy Granillo, Guest Musician
- Amy Warner & Fantaye Kehm, Youth & Teen Welcome
- Judy Graham, Greeter
- Elizabeth Tully, 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.
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Upcoming Worship Services | |
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Sunday, October 22 — In-Person & Zoom
"Existentialism Simplified"
Søren Kierkegaard (the "father" of Existentialism) asked:
"How did I get into the world? Why was I not asked about it and why was I not informed of the rules and regulations but just thrust into the ranks as if I had been bought by a peddling shanghaier of human beings? How did I get involved in this big enterprise called actuality? Why should I be involved? Isn’t it a matter of choice? And if I am compelled to be involved, where is the manager—I have something to say about this. Is there no manager? To whom shall I make my complaint?
[T]he thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die."
- Rev. Greg Chute, Guest Speaker
- Marilee Taussig, Service Leader
- Michael Casey, Musician
- M.Q. Riding, Youth & Teen Welcome
Sunday, October 29 — Zoom ONLY shared service with UUFE
On Sunday, Oct. 29, the 5th Sunday of the month, we'll continue our practice of having a Zoom-only service (i.e., no service in the building) with the UU Easton congregation at 10 a.m. Sharing the service with Easton allows us to keep alive the partnership begun during the pandemic to share worship. We'll include the speaker and topic in next week's newsletter (still working out a few details).
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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
- Minster's Column
- New Members & Friends Directory Available
- Social Justice Committee
- Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
- Birthdays
- UUCR Contact Information
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End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END
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If you don't see "VERY END of REFLECTIONS for October 12, 2023"
at the VERY END of this email, you're not seeing the entire email.
To view it to the end please Click here
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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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The Violence
Since the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel this past weekend, I've found myself glued to my news feeds. I'm reading articles, editorials, and opinions. I listened to the powerful speech by President Biden yesterday and have read many personal stories of Israelis and Palestinians who are angry, terrified, grieving, and at continued risk.
I feel on alert, as if there is something I should do or that we should do. Maybe, once again, I'm reaching for a quick path for the violence to end. Yet, I know that is not likely.
It's tempting to look away from one more international crisis and move on. Yet, I encourage us not to look away. It's not that we need to continually digest news, but there is value to paying deep attention.
In her statement in response to the attack, Unitarian Universalist Association President Rev. Dr. Sofia Bentacourt said this: "Be gentle with yourselves when you need to be, but do not turn away unless you must. We are one global family living tenuously on the same human-impacted Earth. Let us center ourselves in justice as we call for peace."
In her call to not turn away, Rev. Bentacourt reminds me that the role of witness matters. Being a witness is not a passive role. In the role of witness, we listen to those closer to the experiences of others and let ourselves feel something. As active witnesses, we observe closely, care for, and sense our shared humanity.
It may lead us to our next right step. We may be reminded to check in with friends most directly impacted—those likely struggling. We may name issues. We may join vigils. While the issues are daunting and it's tempting to look away, our care and attention are needed.
If you or your family need support in these times, please reach out.
Terrorism is evil, and we can’t turn away from the consequences.
In faith,
Rev. Sue
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New Members & Friends Directory Available | |
The new Members and Friends Directory is available. Check out the updated photos. Be in tune with the current addresses and phone numbers. See our new members and friends. The directory will be available again in the lobby this Sunday, October 15th. Please limit one per household.
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Our Social Justice Outreach Offerings continue throughout the month of October, focusing on the topic of strengthening our democracy. We had a robust and inclusive discussion after service this past Sunday about three particular areas:
- Ending gerrymandering
- Getting dark money out of politics
- Reforming elections (via tools such as ranked choice voting)
Contributions this month will go to the Education Fund of the organization, Represent.us. If you missed the service and/or discussion, we highly recommend you view the short 12-minute video here. If you would like to be a part of the continuing "Conversations on Democracy" that those in the after-service discussion agreed to be a part of (via email and other meetings), send your email to Marilee Taussig at marileetaussig@gmail.com to be included on the list.
Your UUCR Social Justice Committee will be meeting this Friday, October 13, at 10:45 a.m. at UUCR. Everyone is invited to attend. We will be discussing both our prior and future events and activities.
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Pastoral Care & Connection | |
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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OCTOBER
11 - Cynthia Ramsey
17 - Catherine Brooks
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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). | | |
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 October 12, 2023 | | | | |
