UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

February's theme in our children's program, Religious Exploration (RE), is The Practice of Inclusion.

Description from the Soul Matter's team:
"Inclusion can be a challenging word/concept for some children. So, in all of our sessions this month, we make it more kid-friendly and developmentally appropriate by getting at it with the idea of people and things that get 'left out'... This month, at its core, is about noticing and feeling the pain that comes from being left out and unseen."

Another important note this month from our RE curriculum creators: "February, as we all know, is Black History Month. We engaged this in a particular and deliberate way. We did not restrict Black History
Month to just one session since our faith calls us to lift up racial oppression all the time. Instead, we wove engagement with Black History throughout all of this month's sessions."

Ms. Bernie and the children will explore "The Practice of Inclusion" with the following sessions:
Session One: The Practice of Not Leaving People Out,
Session Two: The Practice of Not Leaving Stories Out, and
Session Three: The Practice of Not Leaving Love for Ourselves Out.

The last Sunday of this month, and every month, willcontinue to be an unstructured "RE Play Day".

Hope you can join us!

Michelle DiLorenzo, RE Chair

Let’s keep our values alive in the world! Have some ideas? Join us as we jumpstart our mission into 2025. Contact Nancy or Nan

We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm. via Zoom.

For our February 6 discussion, we have selected The Hitchhiker, which is available for free with an Amazon Prime membership. Two fishermen pick up an escaped convict who tells them he will kill them when the ride is over. Directed by Ida Lupino, this is an early example of film noir.

Use the Zoom link below or on the uucrt.org website to join the discussion.

https://zoom.us/j/96634364686?pwd=akly
NStYMVN1T0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate

Join by phone: 1 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: 8282691

We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 pm via Zoom.

On Thursday, February 20, North Woods by Daniel Mason was chosen for our discussion. “A house in the Massachusetts woods becomes home to a succession of characters across the centuries, each with their own story of love, madness and mystery.” Join us for a discussion of this acclaimed novel.

On Thursday, March 20, Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto has been selected for our discussion. The author will be a guest at the annual Moffat Library’s Authors’ Luncheon on April 6. Subtitled “The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony that Shaped America”, this book “uncovers a lost world and offers surprising new perspectives on our own”. We would welcome your opinions.

Use the Zoom link below to join the discussion.
https://zoom.us/j/96634364686?pwd=akly
NStYMVN1T0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate

Join by phone: 1 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: 8282691

If inclement weather forces the UUCRT to cancel services, a notice will be sent via eBlast Sunday morning. No notice will be posted on the website.

Let’s keep our values alive in the world! Have some ideas? Join us as we jumpstart our mission into 2025. Contact Nancy or Nan

What we do! The Caring Ministry provides short-term, physical help to individuals and families within our congregation who are in need. While we cannot offer emergency or ongoing services, we can offer our collective love through support with:

-short term meals
-rides for medical appointments
-check-ins / for those who feel isolated
-cards for celebrations as well as hardships
-connection for those going through a difficult time

Because it is sometimes difficult to ask for help, the Caring Ministry relies upon our entire congregation to identify and communicate the needs of our parishioners. We work with Rev. Diane in confidence, to coordinate care.

If you, or if you know of anyone needing help, please reach out to Linda Manglesdorf or Rev. Diane, please contact: aa.uucrt@gmail.com or info.uucrt@gmail.com

Rev. Diane Diachishin is available to offer pastoral care for people who are struggling with loss, grief, or other challenges. Pastoral care differs from therapy or counseling in that it does not attempt to fix problems or address mental health issues. Rather, it provides a loving, accepting, hopeful presence, and, in doing so, makes it easier for people to get in touch with their own inner wisdom and strength. Most of all, pastoral care is simply being present for you. It brings the love and care of our entire congregation to those in need.

Contact Rev. Diane aa.uucrt@gmail.com or info.uucrt@gmail.com if you, or you know of someone who might benefit from pastoral care.

Can Spring be far behind? We certainly hope so, and hope is central to each day!

This frosty February finds us looking forward to many things in our own life and also in the life of this, our Faith Community.

For many of us, coming to the UUCRT provides a respite from the busy—ness of the world. We treasure the connections, conversations, and comfort we find here. And we don’t always see eye to eye about everything. Here we can differ and discuss, knowing that each of us holds the other in a place of respect and caring. We can agree to disagree—and often do. Adherence to our Covenant binds us together.

One thing we agree on, though, is the necessity of keeping our doors open. Here, in this place, we boldly stand for love, learning as we go to deepen our connections with ourselves and with one another. No one tells us what to believe or how to live our lives. The Principles upon which Unitarian Universalism is based are time honored, as well as currently updated. What does not change is the
central core belief that Love is at the heart of all we do.

We can ‘do’ because our friends and members give generously of their Time, Talent and Treasure. Again, there are no ‘Musts’ or ‘Shoulds’. It is a fact that we have for decades been an ‘honor congregation’ member of the UU  Association that binds us together. No matter our local circumstances—and they have sometimes been dire —- our ‘Little
Congregation That Could’ has found a way to be give our Fair Share—roughly $100 for each member—in return for support, inspiration and materials such as the beautiful Soul Matters curriculum used by Rev. Diane in small groups and Ms. Bernie with our growing (!!!) Religious Exploration program.

And so, we ask for a Pledge from friends and members—-knowing that for some $100/year is such a stretch that it just doesn’t work… Fortunately, others are able to pledge enough dollars that we grow in community. And while Treasure—dollars, that is—is important, it is only one leg of the ‘Trinity’ that supports our faith. The giving of Time— showing up to make coffee, set up tables and chairs, tend the
building inside and out—-is essential, as the sharing of Talent—-and here at the UU YOU may discover talents you didn’t know you had!

Serving on a Ministry (we don’t call them Committees because of the deeper connections and growth we experience here)—anyone—member or friend can serve. There are enough Ministries that surely each of us can find a place to get involved. Ministry Chairs are members who can help guide the newer members as we explore together the true meaning of service.

This is background, folks. In March and April we will conduct a Pledge Drive. It is a time to explore and consider how each of us can add to the whole. More about that later.

With gratitude and love,
--Alan Horne, SueAnn Peck and Linda Mangelsdorf
Stewardship and Finance Ministry.

We are thrilled to announce that UUCRT will welcome a new member, Anne D’Amore in March.

If you have been attending for a while and are curious about membership, please contact Jim Tarvin or Markly Wilson.

The UUCRT Board, in conjunction with Elizabeth Mehling, will produce a short video for our website and social media platforms to highlight why people visit and then decide to make UUCRT their spiritual home. Members and Friends are asked to think about their responses, and if so moved, to speak with Elizabeth or Nan. Elizabeth will set up her camera and recording devices on particular Sundays in Jan-Feb (TBD).

Sanctuary Group will meet on Friday, Feb 14 at 2.30 pm

New Zoom Group on Wednesday, February 12 at 7pm

Contact Rev Diane for more information.