Sunday, September 8, 2024 - 10 a.m.

"Ingathering: Joining the Flow"

Beloveds, today we gather in our ritual ingathering, the ceremony that will start the congregational year. This is the origin of our ministry together. While it is an origin or beginning, it doesn't emerge from nothing. We each bring our stories, individually, communally, and the stories of this moment in time. Together we will join the flow of love.

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister
• Nancy Holland/Connie Schroth, Worship Leaders
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Gerry Edwards, Greeter
• Joy Kim, Coffee Host

Please CLICK HERE to join us via ZOOM.

This week's hymn numbers:

• "Love Will Guide Us" # 131 (grey hymnal)
• "When Your Heart is in a Holy Place" # 1008 (teal hymnal)

This week's Order of Service will be available at UUCR's website by noon on Saturday, September 7.

September 15 | "Inviting All that We Are" — In-person & Zoom

This Sunday we will gather with all that we are... that is part of what I love about Unitarian Universalism. I can bring all that I am to our religious community. It is bigger than the individual; we invite the question, Who is the "we?" This Sunday we honor and celebrate the rich diversity, joy, and healing that can be ours when we invite all that we are in ever-expanding circles.

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister
• Jan Sprinkel, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Judy Graham, Greeter

September 22 | "The Hospitality of Listening" — In-person & Zoom

Join us this Sunday as we focus on the listening heart, which is always open to the joy and pain of others. Rev. Libby Smith returns to our pulpit with a sermon titled, "The Hospitality of Listening." She’ll draw on the 20^th-century Dutch theologian, writer, and priest Henri Nouwen, who describes listening as spiritual hospitality—a way of welcoming people into our very beings. Drawing on Nouwen’s wisdom, we will explore the art of listening as a form of hospitality that allows others to feel known, valued, and accepted.

• Rev. Libby Smith, Minister
• Annie Lavin, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician

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• This Week's Summer Discussion Service
• Upcoming Worship Services
• This Issue's Contents
• Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
• Minister's Column
• Ingathering/Water Communion & Potluck Brunch — Sept. 8
• Welcome Rev. Kathryn Garden Party — Sept. 11
• Playset Deconstruction
• Social Justice Committee's Discussion and Luncheon
• Get-together to Write Postcards to Florida Voters
• UUCR Help Needed
• Reiki Share
• Birthdays

Beloveds,

This Sunday we start our ministry together with the returning to the community and our Water Communion Ritual. I will be in town for the interval week and would love to meet with the committees, communities, and individuals to get to know you and start our ministry together. Please let me know if you would like to connect, and we can work out a mutually agreeable time. I plan to be at the congregation Monday through Friday, with options for in-person time. 

Committee chairs, please let me know if you would like to gather a group; I can make appointments outside these times. For individuals, I have blocked time to welcome connection and collaboration:

Tuesday, Sept 10^th, 1:30pm to 5pm;

Wednesday, Sept 11^th at 6pm, there will be a garden party in the Woodland Memorial Garden;

Thursday, Sept 12^th, 3pm to 5pm.

One of my primary goals is to get to know you and the community so we can build a ministry of powerful meaning-making with joy, growth, transformation, and healing. Looking forward to our time together. 

In gratitude,

Kathryn

Please bring water from your summer (or virtual) travels or someplace more local as we come together for our first regular service this fall. We will welcome our new minister, Rev. Kathryn Adams, at her first service with UUCR. Please bring something to share for a brunch following the service, and please label your dish’s ingredients. Thanks and Welcome Back!

Beginning at 9 AM on Tuesday, September 11th, a work party will take place behind the building to deconstruct the playset. It has been deemed unsafe, irreparable, and must be dismantled and removed. You're welcome to join us if you'd like to help or pick up "useable parts."

Social Justice Committee's Sunday After Service Discussion on 9/15 Focuses on the November Election

This discussion will focus on two non-partisan topics and one opportunity that we hope will be of interest to our members and friends. First, we'll share information about the candidates for the Kent County Board of Education vacancies and why this election is so crucial to the future of Kent County Schools. Next, we'll talk about a very important referendum on reproductive rights that will be on the ballot in Maryland. Our last topic of discussion will be about an opportunity to write postcards to voters in Florida through the organization Reclaim Our Votes, which is partnering with UU the Vote.  

Please stay after the worship service on 9/15 for the luncheon provided by the SJ Committee and for this timely discussion.  

Kathy Lee and Amy Warner, coordinators

The Social Justice Committee has committed to writing 100 postcards to voters in Florida through "Reclaim Our Vote," an initiative by the Center for Common Ground, which is partnering with UU the Vote. The postcards are sent to people who have been inconsistent about their voting in the past and encourage them to use the power of their vote to make their voices heard. 

Amy Warner is hosting a postcard-writing get-together at her home at 127 Philosopher's Terrace on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 7-9 pm. Our goal is to have ten people write ten postcards each. Please RSVP to Amy at amylydia10@yahoo.com if you're on board to help out. 

Please help support UUCR's mission "to inspire, inform, and support all who seek spiritual and personal growth and a more equal and just community" by volunteering for one (or more) of the following positions. If none of these are your cup-of-tea, please consider assisting another committee as they all can use your help. A list of the current committees and their members is posted on the whiteboard in the lobby.

Thanks!

Volunteers are needed as Coffee Hosts and Greeters. Signup sheets are on the whiteboard in the lobby. Training is available. If you have questions, please contact Diane Shields.

Potluck Hosts are needed for our monthly potlucks beginning in November. Potlucks can be held at UUCR, the host's home, or at the host's choice of site. A signup sheet is on the whiteboard in the lobby. If you have questions, please contact Diane Shields.

Exciting career opportunity. Help bring the UUCR Service to the wider world. There are positions available on the Tech Team. It would involve overseeing the Zoom Service recording once every 3 weeks, with flexible scheduling. You don't need to be a techie, and training is available. Contact John Ramsey or Dave Hart (johnramsey1948@gmail.com or 443-480-9460, davehart@gmail.com or 410-810-4702).

The Committee on Ministry (COM) is looking for a 3^rd member to join John Ramsey and Lynn Geisert. The overall objective of this committee is promoting congregational health, supporting our new minister, enhancing committee and congregational life, and strengthening how we live into our mission. We meet monthly. If you’re interested in learning more, ask John or Lynn (johnramsey1948@gmail.com, lngeisert@aol.com).

Join us for a Reiki Share, a welcoming space where energy therapy practitioners come together to both give and receive healing energy. Whether you're trained in Reiki or any other form of energy therapy, you're invited to connect with our supportive community. We gather monthly here at UUCR, and we'd love for you to be part of it. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Deb Reid.

SEPTEMBER

04 | Rev. Kathryn Adams

08 | Linda Weimer

14 | Larry Schroth

16 | Mary Pritchard

We want to help celebrate your birthday!

If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email