Sunday, April 14, 2024 - 10 a.m.

In-Person & ZOOM

“In Praise of Bewilderment” 

I stole this sermon title from an article by Professor Alan Levinovitz. True interdependence requires that we be willing to connect with people who are very different from ourselves. We need to acknowledge the complexity and ambiguity of life and enter a state of "bewilderment" where we are humble, open, and flexible enough to learn from others — instead of thinking we already have all the answers. Levinovitz argues that such an approach could provide hope for America's ailing soul. But it's hard to put into practice. 

• Rev. Libby Smith, Guest Speaker
• Annie Lavin, Service Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Fantaye Kehm, Youth & Teen Welcome
• Mark Handschuh, 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
• Sharing Our Parking Lot with Law Enforcement
• Pizza & Trivia Night — April 12
• Legacy Task Force Listening Sessions — April 14 & 28
• UUCR Member Stan Salett Featured Author — April 17
• Summer Session Discussion Leader Signup
• Sustain Ukraine Outreach Collection Reaches UUCR Record
• From Your Social Justice Committee
• "To Greg the Nap Thief" by Harry L. Hart
• Philip Dutton Concert to Benefit UUFE — April 20
• 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

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.

Please join the Legacy Task Force members, MQ Riding, Bob Bjork, and Amy Warner, after the worship service on April 14 and 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 sessions will be no longer than one hour. Please make an effort to be there, to listen, and to share your ideas. 

Bookplate Author Event hosts Stan Salett and “The Edge of Politics: Stories from the Civil Rights Movement” on April 17th at 6 p.m. at The Kitchen and Pub at The Imperial Hotel. Please CLICK HERE for the link to the April 10, 2024 article in The Chestertown Spy, which gives details.



I know it seems so far away, but it's time to put on your thinking cat, I mean cap, and come up with a topic you'd like to lead a discussion on during our Summer Session (June 2 - September 1). For those new to UUCR, these are informal discussions all led by members and friends of the congregation and are not in the typical Sunday service format. If you have any questions, please contact Annie Lavin or Nancy Holland. Please sign up on the sheet provided on the whiteboard.

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

Thanks again to Nick Garcia, who offered us so many thoughtful concepts about our environmental justice concerns as part of our 1st Sunday lunch and discussion in April. Remember, we are collecting donations throughout this month for Shore Rivers. 

Next month, 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. Several paperback copies are circulating among the congregation, and we are sure you will be impressed by this amazing young leader from Delaware. Read the book and enjoy following her story for many years to come!

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, and our committee is YOUR UUCR resource to help us all learn to be better local stewards for justice in our world.

Greg Chute is a man of deep, deep thought.

He is disturbed when things be not as they ought.

Greg understands both sinners and saints, he knows when people are good and when they just ain't.

He makes us consider what our heart does annoy,

and how to change it into a thing of great joy.

But his sermons have a major defect it seems, for they interfere with our chance to nap and to dream.

Although we miss these ecclesiastical naps, we still want this strange fellow to keep coming back.