River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817301-229-0400 www.rruuc.org

eWeekly Newsletter: March 8 - 17, 2018Our Vision: to grow and deepen in Fellowship, Spirit, and Service for all ages

Here's What's Happening Sunday, March 11two services at 9:15 and 11:15am

Cultivating CompassionRev. Nancy McDonald Ladd

Senior MinisterThe Vietnamese teacher and monk Thich Nhat Hanh

once wrote, "Compassion is a Verb." It is a thing you do, and a keyaspect of a way of being. How can we cultivate compassion in

ourselves? What about cultivating compassion in the world aroundus?

Contemporary Issues Forum (CC&C), 10:25am, FiresideFrance and the Dreyfus Affair

Margery Elfin, Author & History Chair, Hood CollegeWhen France tried the Jewish army officer Alfred Dreyfus for treason,the media spotlight put the nation on trial and coined the moniker "theDreyfus Affair." Media coverage and realist writer Emile Zola's fierycritique of French society played an important role in transforming

public discourse in the 20th century, as does the internet in ourtimes. Elfin believes the French are learning that culture evolves as

demographics change. And it seems that it's something we, asAmericans, are struggling with. Who is American? Who do we wish toallow to become Americans? We have a lot to learn from this history.

Social Justice Giving in MarchMarch's Designated Gift Organization is Shepherd's TableCultivating Compassion by Feeding the Hungry

Cultivating compassion means looking out for others,hearing them, helping them, being there for them. Oneof the ways we can help those less fortunate than weare is to feed those who are hungry. RRUUC, together

with 29 other congregations, participates in theShepherd's Table soup kitchen, where we serve and interact with

people who need and very much appreciate our help. You canvolunteer to join us there and you can contribute to funding

Shepherd's Table. Our collection during this Sunday's service willgo to Shepherd's Table. Or you may click here to give now. Pleasegive generously. See us in the Fellowship Hall after the service to

volunteer.

Daylight Savings Timestarts on Sunday, March

11!Change your clocks

Saturday night; move onehour later.

It's also a good time tochange your smokedetector batteries!

Activity Groups News

Mindful KnittersMonday, March 12, 7:30pm

Fireside Room

Evening BookGroup

Tuesday, March13, 7:30pmRoom 30

The book isLeaving Berlin

by Joseph Kanon

International DinnerMarch 14

Penang Malaysian Rest4933 Bethesda Ave.Contact Ursula Scott

before Tuesday March 13. ALLare welcome!

Morning Book GroupFriday, March 16, 9:45am

Community Events

Our Rise Against Hunger Serving Together Projectthis Sunday, March 11!

What a great group of volunteers we have -a big thank you to all who have registered.Here are some reminders before Sunday:

RRUUC Youth Group will be offering a light lunch! They will beaccepting donations for lunch and anything over the cost of thefood will be donated to Rise Against Hunger. How cool is that?Don't worry if standing at a table for a couple of hours is achallenge; you can take breaks and we'll have others that canfill in to help.When we start setting up at 12:30, it will seem a little chaotic,but don't worry! Rise Against Hunger has done hundreds ofthese events and once we start rolling, it really moves alongfast.We'll have tables and stations to work at and the RAH staffperson, Joe, will get us all organized.Thank you for registering. Every meal we make together onSunday matters to the person who receives it and we'll bemaking over 20,000.

See you Sunday after the second service!Questions? Contact Rev. Kären.

Congregational Care NotesHave a pastoral care need? Wondering how toconnect? Rev. Nancy has moved intoleadership in our pastoral care programs, and is grateful to sharethat work with the Congregational Care Team and our wonderfulintern Alexa. Some of you may be wondering how to connect to Rev.Nancy and other pastoral resources when you need them most. Hereare a few tips:

For non-emergencies, you can email care@rruuc.org Thataddress is checked frequently and we will get back to you assoon as we can. For more urgent matters, you can call Rev. Nancy's line in theoffice, which is forwarded when appropriate for quicker access.This number is 301-229-0400x106

Stewardship Campaign for 2018-2019 Pledge Now!

From the Co-ChairsThank you - as of this week $385,450 has been

pledged, putting us 40% of the way to our goal of$970,000! Of course, that means we have 60% to go - but we havemade a good start. Our thanks to the 114 congregants/households

who have pledged; if you have not yet done so, please remember thecampaign is shorter this year, ending on April 1. Only 3½ weeks to go

- please pledge now!

As we talk with people about the campaign, it is abundantly clear

4th Annual Voices from theHoly Land 2018 Film SeriesSunday, March 11, 2:30pm, St. John's NorwoodEpiscopal Church, Second films - two shortsGaza: A Gaping Wound andBethlehem: Hidden fromView

An opportunity tolearn about andenter intoconversation

about justice, human rights andpeace in the Holy Land.Sponsored by a coalition ofinterfaith/interdenominationalorganizations, including RRUUC.More information here on fullschedule of films andlocations. All films are free.

Jim Scott in Concert,Saturday, March 17, 7pmThe UU Congregation ofColumbia, Owen BrownInterfaith CenterOne WorldCoffeehouseconcert, featuringbeloved UUcomposer andsinger-songwriter, Jim Scott.Over a dozen songs in our"Singing the Journey" bluehymnal are attributed to him aswell as the celebrated "MissaGaia - Earth Mass" written incollaboration with the PaulWinter Consort. Proceeds fundUUCC's charitable outreach.More info.

Get Your Tickets Now for"Equipping Resistance"!Register here.2018 UU ChristianFellowship Revival is March16-17

First UU Church ofRichmond, VirginiaThe theme is "EquippingResistance" and we will providetheological and spiritualgrounding for people engaged inany way in the Resistance. Inaddition to incredible speakers,we'll have a hymn-sing, adocumentary screening, plusdelicious food and time to reflectand connect. We're honored tohave the powerful gospel choirRev. D. Kay Logan & Nu

that pledge decisions are not simple. They are rooted in eachperson's life situation - financial resources available, involvement with

River Road, commitment to the congregation. We know that tocompare any two pledges is to compare apples and oranges: a

pledge of $300 from one person can represent the samecommitment to River Road as a pledge of $3,000 from someone

else. We honor and appreciate pledges of any size.

You may recall the bird cutouts from last year's campaign. Theywere put on the glass of the bridge to represent pledges received;

everyone we have spoken with thought they were beautiful, that theycaught the light and created a special atmosphere on the bridge.

The birds were used to acknowledge those who pledged, with each

bird having the name of an individual donor. Some congregants havetold us they thought this was inappropriate. The tension, of course, isthat it is important that we acknowledge all donors - those pledging alarge amount and those pledging less. This year the birds will go on

the glass without individual names, and at the close of the campaignwe will recognize all donors by donor category. A reminder: you may

request that your pledge remain anonymous.

Following each service this Sunday, March 11, we will be in Room32, available to discuss the stewardship campaign with those who

care to join us.

Peter & Mimi

Events at RRUUC

Newcomer Brunch, Sunday, March 18,after each service, Fiatfalva RoomNew to the congregation? Come to meet

ministers, enjoy a light brunch, meet others new to RRUUC, and haveyour questions answered about our faith and congregation. If you arenew to RRUUC, looking for a spiritual community, and are curious tosee if you may have found one here, please join us for conversationand brunch. Activities for the kids. Gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-freeoptions available. Sign up here, contact Sheri, or drop in. We'd loveto meet you!

RRUUC supports MARCH FOR OUR LIVESThe "OUR" here is interesting - teenagers organizingthis March on Washington on March 24 to do whatadults haven't yet been able to do. The March willbegin at Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd and12th street NW at noon. You are invited to join theshort-term March For Our Lives Welcoming Groupto figure out how RRUUC can support this effort. RRUUC can andshould do this! We will meet after services this Sunday, March 11 -check the monitor for location - to figure out what needs doing andwhere we can help. One of the things we can do has already beenidentified:

Home HospitalityWe are excited to be able to offer home hospitality for people coming

Beginning lifting up up hearts,along with the powerhousepreaching of Rev. NancyMcDonald Ladd . Two daysthat will make your entire year!

West Virginia ServiceLearning TripNow is the time to register forthe life-changing experience thatis the West Virginia ServiceLearning Trip. This year's tripwill be from August 4-10 and isopen to entering high schoolfreshmen and older(INCLUDING parents and otheradults!) Mandatory workshopis April 29 at 11:15am. We'llalso have a basic skillsworkshop in June, dateTBD. This multi-generational tripto War, WV in McDowell Countyto work with Big Creek Peoplein Action is a week of comingtogether to make homes safer,dryer, and warmer. It's also anopportunity to get to know thepeople and learn about theculture of the area. Many youthand adults have gone multipleyears! The cost is $450 whichcovers meals, lodging,transportation, and materials. Scholarship available onrequest. Please register byApril 1.

Meet Our Ministers

Rev. Nancy McDonald LaddSenior Minister

to participate in the March. Can you host visiting marchers? Pleasecheck out this link on our RR website and complete theform. Questions? Send an email. We're also hoping to offer a potluckdinner on Friday night, March 23. Stay tuned!

Shelter Week this year is Sunday -Saturday, March 18-24. It is our turn tofeed the homeless! Join us in this terrificsocial justice activity that is open to allmembers and friends of River Road. Stopby the table after servicesstarting Sunday, February 18, or sign up via your ACS account.Questions? Send an email.

Art Exhibit through March 25 - Featuringbackcountry landscape photography by RRUUCmembers Leigh Scott and Mark Cohen. All of thephotos included in the exhibit are intended toevoke emotions, tell stories, and transport theviewer to national parks, alpine trails, rocky cliffs,

historic ruins, and coastal villages.

Passover Seder, Saturday, March 31, 6pmBeth Chai, The Greater Washington Jewish Humanist Congregationwho shares our space, welcomes families and friends to attend thispotluck event - you may sign up to provide a dish. RSVP. Sedercosts are $20 per family or $10 per individual; however Beth Chaiwelcomes anyone regardless of ability to pay.

The Ordination of the Rev. Sadie LansdaleSave the Date! Sunday, May 13, 4pmMark your calendars for this important event in the lifeof RRUUC. One of our own, Sadie grew up in ourcongregation, sang in the youth choirs and activelyparticipated in our youth group before going on toseminary. If you would like to donate to help defray the costs ofSadie's ordination, please submit a check made out to RRUUC with"Sadie Lansdale's Ordination" in the memo line. If you would like tovolunteer to help with the festivities, please send an email. Forquestions, please contact Petrina Hollingsworth.

Got news?Please send submissions to news@rruuc.org by Tuesday for

Thursday publication.

Dr. Alexa FraserMinisterial Intern

Rev. Kären RasmussenServing Together Minister

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