Sunday, January 28, 2024 - 10 am

In-Person & ZOOM

“Joy in Connection” 

As a congregation, we nurture the joy all around us. Even when times are trying and we offer care, there is joy in the support. At this Stewardship Sunday service with Rev. Sue Browning, we'll reflect on the ways joy emerges from our connections in life and consider the deep ties between joy and a spirit of generosity.

• Rev. Sue Browning, Minister
• Marilee Taussig, Service Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Linda Dutton & Fantaye Kehm, Youth & Teen Welcome
• Nancy Holland, 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
• Message from UUCR's President
• Pledge Drive for Fiscal Year 2025 — Kick Off February 4
• Social Justice - February Outreach
• Medical Aid In Dying Legislation Help Needed
• Annual UUCR Auction Fundraiser Donations Needed
• Potluck Host(s) Needed — Feb 16
• Orientation to Unitarian Universalism & UUCR — Feb 25
• Philip Dutton & the Alligators Mardi Gras Concert — Feb 13
• Get on the Bus! Documentary Premiere — Feb 14
• Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
• Birthdays
• UUCR Contact Information
• End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END

Toward Sensible Gun Policies

On Tuesday, I joined the Moms Demand Action for Advocacy Day in Annapolis with Suzanne Todd, Susanne Scott, and many from the eastern shore. Moms Demand Action supports sensible gun laws to protect our families and communities. An estimated 400 of us gathered in our red shirts to hear from the governor, survivors, and community partners and to meet with as many state legislators who would take an appointment.

In the small meetings, we encouraged support for legislation to address the firearm industry’s legal accountability and to create a path for gun violence victims and survivors to access justice. It's in the one-to-one connections that we see that change is possible and that we feel connected. There was joy in coming together in hope and solidarity to work on meaningful change.

My deepest gratitude goes to the local leaders who have spent these last years building the Moms Demand Action Eastern Shore group. They maintain lists, communicate regularly, and show up at events all year long. Advocacy Day is part of a larger picture — relational work that is done at local and national levels. Among these leaders are Suzanne Todd, Susanne Scott, and others from our congregations.

If you would like to be added to the Moms Demand Action list so you receive information and know of opportunities to work on sensible gun policies, please be in touch with Mary Hunt-Miller at maryhuntmiller29@gmail.com.

In gratitude and hope,

Rev. Sue

Creating a Patchwork Quilt

Sometimes, when I’m busy in the middle of the week I completely forget about UUCR and all the things that are happening at our church. There’s a lot happening in my domestic/work life too, but it isn’t that the priorities compete, it is more like they are woven together, like fabric.

When I watch the members of UUCR who integrate our church needs with their own priorities, I feel like I am observing their own type of weaving. Ultimately, when we all work together as individual contributors, in teams, and on committees we create a beautiful patchwork quilt, like the one in our sanctuary. It is a wonder to behold.

Our membership is at a place where we need to pull together to rebuild committees, to support stanchions of the community, and to prepare for a new minister in the coming year.

I’m asking everyone to consider what you can do to help. If we work together, no job is too big and no contribution is too small.

In faith,

MQ

UUCR’s Pledge Drive

Kick Off

this

Sunday, February 4^th

Please join us as we joyfully focus on our commitment to UUCR to kick off our Pledge Drive for FY 25! Pick up your pledge packets, including our letter, pledge form and proposed budget, during coffee hour and THEN…

Sunday, February 11^th

Luncheon at coffee hour provided by your pledge committee,

followed by a budget question and answer session.

Your chance to support the work of our UUCR community!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Your Stewardship Committee,

Jackie Mathwich, Catherine Brooks, Joy Kim, and Peggy McKee

February's upcoming Social Justice Outreach Offering and topic will be Racial Justice. The Social Justice Committee invites you to a light lunch after service on February 4th.

We've invited Jill Tolbert, who is, among other things:

• a public school math teacher,
• a member of another local (predominantly white) congregation who is committed to the value of racial justice
• one of the people who took the bus trip (along with Philip and Linda Dutton and many of our Chestertown community members).

We know Jill to be an articulate, committed educational professional and community member, and we look forward to the insights that an informal, thoughtful Q&A session may bring to UUCR's continuing search for ways to contribute to racial justice. Please plan to stay and share a sandwich and your thoughts with us after our February 4^th Sunday service. Our outreach offerings during the month of February will go to Minary's Dream Alliance.

Marilee Taussig

Medical Aid In Dying (MAID) legislation is being considered once again in the Maryland General Assembly this year. It's got a very good chance of passing if we get enough support. Lynn Dolinger, who now lives in Easton, is representing our "sister" congregation, UUFE, in efforts to advocate for this legislation with support from the UU Legislative Ministry. She's looking for a partner at UUCR to raise awareness and support. Please contact Lynn at lynn.thirdwish@gmail.com. The Maryland Legislature is only in session until April 9, so this is an urgent but short-lived assignment.  

Our Annual Auction Evening!

Saturday, March 2, 6 pm at UUCR

We need more donations! Please send a description of what you would like to offer to Jane Hardy at janewhardy@gmail.com. We need your contributions as soon as possible!

Here are just a few live auction items that we have already received:

Be a Riverkeeper for a Day! Join a Riverkeeper for a day on the water to learn how ShoreRivers uses science to protect and restore our waterways. Riverkeepers are the eyes, ears, and voice for their rivers; there are over 350 riverkeepers around the world. Spend a day, 9 am through 2 pm, with one and you’ll help measure and record water quality parameters, monitor for violations, and learn more about the unique ecology, and history of Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Bring lunch and friend and make a day of it! Chose a Wednesday between April through October (weather permitting). Donated by ShoreRivers

National Music Festival Pass for 2024 (June 2-15).  One pass available, a $260 value. Enjoy every moment of the National Music Festival with this festival pass, which provides guaranteed admission and preferred seating at all ticketed events during the 2024 Festival, invitation to exclusive pass-holders events, and a souvenir Festival Guide. $150 minimum bid.  Anonymous donor.

Paint Night at Mary Pritchard’s Studio with wine and cheese provided. Join Mary in her studio to create your own original acrylic painting inspired by Van Gogh’s floral masterpieces but depicting a local flower arrangement. Wine and cheese will accompany this colorful, fun and fearless evening (leave that inner critic at home along with the straight lines). All materials provided: paints, brushes, canvas. Just bring an apron and enthusiasm. Date to be determined.  Donated by Mary Pritchard

Got some ideas for meals, excursions, services or special occasions your could offer? Have some questions? Please email Jane Hardy at janewhardy@gmail.com. Click on the “Auction 2024” link at the top of the UUCR website, www.uuchesterriver.org, to see the latest catalog. Updates to the catalog will be made periodically as new items come in, so please keep checking back prior to the auction date.

Please mark your calendars for March 2 and be sure to join us for an evening of fun and fellowship.  

Please sign up as the potluck host (or hosts) for February 16 on the list provided on the whiteboard. The months of March, April, and May are also currently available if the February date doesn't work for you.

The Membership Committee will host an information session about Unitarian Universalism and the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River (UUCR) on Sunday, February 25, after service. A light lunch will be provided. If you have been visiting for a while, have just dropped in, or want to learn about what being a member of a UU congregation is about, please plan to attend.

Diane Shields

Tuesday, February 13 @ 7 PM

A MARDI GRAS Celebration

at The Mainstay

with Philip Dutton and the Alligators

Join us on Fat Tuesday as we celebrate Mardi Gras and "laissez les bon temps rouler," with Philip Dutton and the Alligators leading the march. Share in the joy of their authentic New Orleans spirit and their zany zydeco, swamp pop, and R&B.

For tickets and information: (410) 639-9133 or CLICK HERE.