"Showing Up Anyway: Building Courage in Times of Fear"

This week we are Sharing The Plate with the Rainbow Youth Alliance (RYA). RYA supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning teens and their friends, families and allies. RYA envisions a future where those “rainbow teens” are able to live as themselves in safe, supportive and nurturing environments, and are respected for who they are and given access to valuable information and skills guidance. UUCR is a committed sponsor of RYA and regularly hosts RYA events. Especially when intolerant forces are aligned to deny basic civil and human rights to LGBTQ youth, RYA’s work is critical.

RYA provides adult-facilitated peer support for high school-age youths between 13 and 18. This includes group meetings that follow a relaxed format with a focus on safe spaces where rainbow teens can be themselves and interact openly with their friends and peers. Through guided discussions, games and other constructive activities, teens can connect with one another in a supportive atmosphere and share any thoughts, goals or concerns that they may have. Trained adult facilitators help the groups examine expectations and move on to sharing questions or experiences that can spark healthy group discussion. RYA is a forum for rainbow teens to find a community of mutuality and support, and to learn important information that can contribute to living fully and with confidence.

In addition to UUCR, RYA is sponsored by the BHT Foundation, a community-based organization that provides financial support to non-profits serving the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities in the greater Baltimore-Washington area, and the Safe Spaces Project, an organization that as its name implies supports programs throughout the Nation.

Online giving options include: Realm or Paypal, at https://www.uucr.org/give;

Or you may mail a check to UUCR at 100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville MD, 20850

HOMILY - Rev. Shari Quan

CLOSING HYMN #131 “Love Will Guide Us” - Congregation and Justin Furnia, Piano

BENEDICTION & CHALICE EXTINGUISHING - Rev. Shari Quan

POSTLUDE “Keep On Pushing” by Curtis Mayfield - HALO and Friends

Lyrics

”Roar” by Katy Perry

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath

Scared to rock the boat and make a mess

So I sat quietly, agreed politely

I guess that I forgot I had a choice

I let you push me past the breaking point

I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

You held me down, but I got up

Already brushing off the dust

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder, gonna shake the ground

You held me down, but I got up (hey)

Get ready 'cause I've had enough

I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter

Dancing through the fire

'Cause I am a champion,

and you're gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

'Cause I am a champion,

and you're gonna hear me roar

Now I'm floatin' like a butterfly

Stinging like a bee, I earned my stripes

I went from zero, to my own hero

You held me down, but I got up

Already brushing off the dust

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder, gonna shake the ground

You held me down, but I got up (hey)

Get ready 'cause I've had enough

I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter

Dancing through the fire

'Cause I am a champion,

and you're gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

'Cause I am a champion,

and you're gonna hear me roar

Here Together

We are here, here together, in this holy

moment, and we’re grateful for the

winding road that brought us to this place

(x2)

#118 This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

“Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel”

Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel,

deliver Daniel, deliver Daniel?

Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel,

then why not every man?

He delivered Daniel from the lion's den,

Jonah from the belly of the whale,

And the Hebrew children from the fiery furnace - then why not every man?

The wind blows east and the wind blows west, blows like the judgement day,

And every soul that never did pray

will be glad to pray that day

set my foot on the gospel ship

and the ship began to sail,

It carried me over to Canaan's shore

and I'll never go back no more

“Courage” by Ahlay Blakely

Courage

is not the absence of fear

it is the feeling of this fear

being afraid

and showing up anyway

#131 Love Will Guide Us

Love will guide us, peace has tried us,

hope inside us will lead the way

on the road from greed to giving.

Love will guide us through the hard night.

If you cannot sing like angels,

if you cannot speak before thousands,

you can give from deep within you.

You can change the world with your love.

Love will guide us, peace has tried us,

hope inside us will lead the way

on the road from greed to giving.

Love will guide us through the hard night.

“Keep On Pushing”

I've got to keep on pushing, I can't stop now

Move up a little higher some way, somehow

'Cause I've got my strength,

and it don't make sense

Not to keep on pushin'

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Keep on pushin'

Now maybe some day I'll reach that higher goal

I know that I can make it with just a little bit of soul

'Cause I've got my strength and it don't make sense

Not to keep on pushin'

Now look-a look (look-a look) A-look-a yonder

What's that I see - a great big stone wall

Stands there ahead of me

But I've got my pride and I'll move on aside

And keep on pushin'

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Fall Art Show Reception - TODAY in Founders Hall following the service - The Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association has blessed our halls with their beautiful art for our Fall Art Show! Join us after the service to celebrate the beauty of their pieces. All are welcome.
Environmental Action Survey - UUCR's Environmental Action Group is repeating an environmental footprint analysis that was last done in 2024 to track our progress in living out our commitment to the interconnected web of life. A key part of this is a congregation-wide survey designed to measure UUCR-related transportation and food impacts, as well as gather your input on UUCR's future environmental initiatives. The survey will be open during the month of October and will be most accurate if everyone of driving age at UUCR takes the survey individually. Take the survey today!
2026 Action Auction - Two reminders! 1. Donations are being accepted through October 17th on our website, so make sure to put your donations in soon! And 2. don’t forget to register for our Action Auction Dinner and Live Bidding on Sunday, November 7th at 5p. Visit uucr.org/actionauction to do both today!
Midweek Vespers - This Wednesday at 7:30p in our Sanctuary and on Zoom - Join us for 45 minutes of readings, meditations, music, and community. All are welcome.
Common Read Discussion Group - Begins Wednesday, October 7th at 6p in Rm 44 and on Zoom - Chloë Ockey and UUCR congregants will co-lead this 5 part discussion group. All are welcome! Register on Realm or at the Events table after the service.
UUCR's Book(ish) will meet on Friday, October 9th from 6:00-7:30 in Room 44 and on Zoom. This year, we are choosing books to read based on monthly Soul Matters themes. For "Beginnings", we will read 'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine' by Gail Honeyman. In this story, Eleanor Oliphant embraces a transformative new beginning by breaking through isolation and opening up to unexpected friendships despite a painful past. Come join us! Reach out to Lee Scott or Lexy Chadd for more information.
UUCR Second Saturday Hike - October 10th at 10a - The UUCR Second Saturday Hiking Group returns to Rachel Carson Conservation Park, at 22201 Zion Road, Brookeville, MD 20833 on Saturday, October 10th, meeting at 10 a.m. to wander the meadows and woods above and along the lovely Hawlings River. All are welcome! RSVP on Realm or at the Events Table following the service.
RE Family Breakfast - Sunday, October 11th at 9a in Founders Hall - The Family Faith Formation Team invites families with infants, toddlers, and school-age children through the end of high school to gather for our Family Breakfast!
Kentlands Oktoberfest - Come and represent UUCR at this year’s Kentlands Oktoberfest! Join us on October 11th from 12p-5p at the UUCR booth and talk to the community about why you love UUCR. Sign up with Chloë at the events table in Fellowship Hall.
Day of Action to Support Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless - Saturday October 17th from 10a-1p - UUCR will be partnering with MCCH for a grounds clean-up day at 2 of their veteran's homes located in Laytonsville. Work will include raking, garden clean out, mulching, and planting. If you have even an hour to spare, please consider joining in as we support MCCH in their work to end homelessness in Montgomery County. Please contact Karen Pittleman to sign up.
Newcomers Breakfast - October 18th at 9a in Founders Hall - All Newcomers, Visitors, and New Members to UUCR over the past year or so are invited to attend our Newcomers Breakfasts with Rev. Shari! If you’ve come to UUCR in that time, please take this opportunity to meet (or re-meet) and be in conversation with staff and congregants! If you’re able to join, please do register to let us know you’re coming so that we can be sure to have enough food to go around! Come, even if you haven’t registered, and even if you’ve attended another breakfast recently...we’d love to have you join us again!
Fall Board Town Hall - October 18th at 11:45a in the Sanctuary and on Zoom - Join Rick Simpson and our Board of Trustees. The Board will update the congregation on the board’s priorities for this year as well as other topics. To be sure all voices are heard, the final 30 minutes of the Town Hall will be “open mic” where we encourage congregants to share their wisdom and suggestions with the Board of Trustees and all attending.
Fall Activities Fair - Sunday, October 25th - Wondering what groups, committees, and teams make our UUCR Community such a wonderful place? Wander the campus and meet the humans leading and participating in the various aspects of UUCR. This is great opportunity for newcomers and congregants alike! We hope you’ll join us.
Ian Keith would like to invite all of the members and friends of UUCR to attend his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Sunday, October 25 at 3 PM in the Sanctuary! The Court of Honor will feature the presentation of the eagle award, recognition of his family and mentors, acknowledgment of his journey from Tiger Cub to Eagle Scout, and the administering of the Eagle Scout oath. All ages are welcome.
Trunk or Treat - October 31 at 2p - Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of Halloween treats, costumes, and community at UUCR! Kids and families are invited to come trick-or-treat, watch some movies, and play some games. Want to join the fun and decorate a trunk? Sign up with Chloë in Fellowship Hall and help make this a spooktacular afternoon for everyone!
New2UUCR - November 14 at 9a - a class both for those of you who are new to our congregation and are interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism broadly speaking and about its particular expression here, and also for those who have been around a little while and have decided to deepen your commitment to UUCR by joining as members.

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