Skip to content

6301 River Road
Bethesda MD 20817
(entrance on Whittier Blvd.)
Directions

(301) 229-0400
office@rruuc.org

RRUUC is an easy-access facility.

Resolution on Racial Justice
As individuals, we commit to a new level of engagement, to continually seek ways to use our voices, our privilege, our standing in the community to effect change.
As a congregation, we commit to turning a new page. We declare the obvious—that Black lives matter to our beloved community. We affirm the need for powerful words and collective action, both to call out injustice and to call in love.

RRUUC Land and Labor Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that the land on which we worship is the traditional land of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway people and the land through which other Indigenous Peoples traveled. We acknowledge that enslaved African people and their descendants likely labored and lived on this land. We recognize these and other people displaced, enslaved, or harmed by past injustices.

We pledge that we will follow our faith in love and work to make our congregation and our larger community more accessible, inclusive, and equitable. We pledge that we will be good stewards of the land by encouraging healthy ecosystems. We pledge to remember the past while building a more just and welcoming future for all.

Home » Grounding » Late Afternoon: Early December

Late Afternoon: Early December

December 2, 2020 • Joseph Saliunas

Hi River Roaders,

Most of the photos I’ve taken for this blog over the year were taken in early or mid-morning. This week for a change of pace I went around 3:00 on a sunny afternoon to experience the low-angle light from the west.

Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) is probably the most common shrub in front of the building. This one in full glory is along the entrance drive. It was so bright and red that I had to check to make sure it wasn’t an invasive burning bush.

We planted four Red Chokeberries (Aronia arbutifolia “Brilliantissima”) at the entrance to the upper path.

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is also a common tree in front of the building. The larger trees have already dropped their leaves, but this smaller tree keeps hanging on.

I did a double take when I saw this photo – “What lake is that?” Then I realized it was the three hollies to the left of the plaza. Seeing things in a new light changes everything.

The Memorial Garden looking toward the bridge. The red shrub is a Korean Spice Viburnum, and the white branches are Crepe Myrtle.

Late afternoon shadow from the Crepe Myrtle.

The last leaves on a maple tree.

A different view of the bell tower, after the leaves are off the trees.

Side light on the trees in the native plant garden.

Enjoy your week and get outside if you can!

Joe