• Minister's Midweek Meditation
• Announcements
• Notes From the Board
• Events This Week
• This Sunday
• Call to Action
• Explore Our Monthly Theme
• Connect to Our Faith

The UUCSJS Pandemic Response Team met and has provided the following recommendations:

Small groups will be allowed to meet back in the UU center building starting February 1st, 2022. Team members will be reaching out to groups that normally meet in the first few weeks of the month (Margaret circle, Every Day spirituality, Mens group, buildings and grounds, buddhist Sangha, book club) to make sure everyone follows protocols, including:

-Everyone signs a health pledge on entry (being updated by the team this week)

-Everyone wears a mask and practices social distancing

-No indoor food or drink for now

Sunday AM services will be allowed to meet back in the UU center building starting February 20th.

-health pledge/masks/no indoor food/drink as listed above

-Recommendation to take the podium plexiglass barrier down- pulpit speakers will be allowed to speak from the main podium un-masked (sufficient space between podium and first row of chairs and adequate circulation)

-Prior to that Sunday the pandemic team will be meeting again to make sure that "all systems are a go"

-We will continue to track important data around the pandemic including case load, transmission rates, ICU/hospital bed capacities, state and local guidelines, etc.

-No indoor coffee hour allowed yet; however, Janet Longo is working out a plan to have outdoor coffee hour after services (more details to come from Janet)

- the team continues to support multi-platform worship and meetings

Please email admin@uucsjs.org if you have any questions.

Notes from the Minister’s Study

This morning, as my coffee was brewing, I watched small birds flock to the branches of the large holly tree in my back yard. The branches are heavy with bright red berries, and apparently, they are perfectly ripened (aged? I do not understand holly berries) and at prime deliciousness for birds. The branches were filled with these small birds, and there appeared to be a waiting room of sorts in the bare branches of the scraggly little peach tree on the other side of my yard. Birds would swoop in, see that the good landing places on the holly were filled, and flit over to the peach tree until an opportunity to get at the buffet opened up. I watched as some birds went from one tree to another, as though taking multiple trips to the low-budget all-you-can-eat buffet.

I have no idea how old my holly tree is, or who planted it, but it is a delight at this time of the year. The birds bring a lively and cheerful chatter to my yard in a time when so much of the outdoor palette is smeared in the dull grays and browns of a snowless winter. Bright red berries and chattering birds make me smile.

I wondered this morning if the person who planted this tree intended for it to be a midwinter feeding station for birds in Egg Harbor City, of if they simply wanted a decorative tree that stayed green all year. The next door neighbor has a holly tree as well, but it is shorter, bushier like a fir tree, and it gives no berries. I suspect the two trees have a relationship of some kind that is invisible to me, but that allows my tree to bear fruit to feeds birds in January.

Thinking about the people who planted these two trees so long ago, and not knowing what their intentions might have been, caused me to think about what I might be doing each day that will have an effect that lasts long after I am gone. What might have been the reasons for planting these decorative trees with painfully sharp leaves and bright red berries? Perhaps to please the builder’s new bride as they moved into their first home? Perhaps the young saplings were free and planted as an afterthought.

I’d like to think that someone a hundred years ago planted them with the idea that they would grow strong and tall, beautiful and green, and that they would attract birds with their bright red berries in the bitter cold of winter. Whatever the intention, the result is quite beautiful, and, if the birds are any indication, delicious as well.

This musing has caused me to pause a little in my daily routine to think about what might happen as the result of the things I do today. I can make some guesses about the immediate future, but what will be my mark on the world? How might I set my intentions today to leave the kind of lasting legacy that feeds the hungry when they need it most?

There is so much to ponder in this world.

Blessings,

Rev. Dawn

Rev. Dawn is available for pastoral care appointment Wednesday through Friday 10am to 3pm. Email minister@uucsjs.org to schedule an appointment.

Contact a member of the Caring Team

Team members can provide you with support during/after an illness, a death in the family, or other loss or hardship. They can find you resources, run errands, or provide meals in time of need.

Reach out to:

• Tracey Catino at (609) 674-8721 email: Traceysnaps@msn.com
• Denise O'Meara at (610) 316-7495 email: denome53@gmail.com
• Helen Utts at (609) 338-3391 email: HelenUtts@aol.com
• MaryLou DeMaria-Berhang at (201) 247-5635 email: MLberhang@gmail.com
• Tony Zitelli at (201) 463-2800 email: happy85a@aol.com

To have your announcement placed in the Midweek Message, please send an email to admin@uucsjs.org by Noon on Wednesday.

Planning a special event? The Communications Team can help. Visit https://uucsjs.breezechms.com/form/42685e for more information.

Because no matter what happens during these tough times, we are still in the game!

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened an already dire situation for South Jersey's low-income working families. Even before the pandemic, 17% of residents skipped meals so their children could eat. Subsequently, parts of our area experienced the highest year-on-year unemployment increase in the country - 379%! Meanwhile, our state and national capitals consistently prioritize boosting corporate profits to the detriment of the living wage jobs and basic services that working people throughout our communities need to survive and live decent lives. Join Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA) Winter Survival Campaign to help us fight for policies that put the lowest-income workers first!

ESWA is an all-volunteer membership association uniting low-income workers with concerned residents throughout South Jersey. Together, we fight to end our poverty conditions. For more than 44 years, our self-help membership benefit program has provided members emergency food, clothing, preventative medical care, legal advice, non-emergency dental care and more - all without a dime of government funding. These benefits make it possible for the lowest-income workers to participate in organizing for long-term solutions.

Join our annual Super Bowl Sunday Tamale Benefit to support our Winter Survival Campaign as we organize distributions of supplemental food, blankets, heaters, and winter clothing; conduct a Winter Watch to stay in contact with elderly and disabled shut-in members; and fight profiteering policies like state-approved utility rate hikes that take money and lives from our communities.

Donations from UUCSJS are being collected by Colby Tippins. Please place your orders or make a donation HERE.

You can pick up your tamale order at UUCSJS on Feb 13th, 9 am - 11am. Call Colby at 609 442 0967 if you wish for other delivery arrangements.

Margaret Circle will meet on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 1:00, ON ZOOM.

The topic will be the “The Prophet”, by Khalil Gibran, led by Betsy Searight.

Many of us acquired this small book in our younger years, and often heard it recited at weddings. It sits on our bookshelves, and there is little buzz about it. We will explore our favorite bits of its beauty and wisdom, learn more about Khalil Gibran, and the quiet phenomenon of his opus.

All are invited to join our Zoom Meeting. We encourage you to find and reread the book and be ready to share some of what you have found especially meaningful.

If anyone has any empty Ice melt shaker containers I could use a few for ice melt storage. They don't have to be clean. When we open up again just bring them with you and put them in the kitchen.

Thanks,

Richard S

From Debbie Costa, FEMA Region 2, Community Preparedness Officer

Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, or those who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, should get tested to reduce the spread of the virus. New Jerseyans can get tested by:

• Ordering a free at-home saliva test, shipped directly to your home at no cost
• Ordering four free at-home COVID-19 tests from COVIDtests.gov
• Visiting a free public testing location in your county
• Using the COVID-19 Test Site Finder to find a test nearby

A free federal testing site is now open at 421 Chris Gaupp Drive in Galloway. Please click on the image below for more information about this site.

Covid – 19 and the “Market” for Religion

Many of you have expressed concern about attendance at our Sunday services. I share that concern and welcome any suggestions about how to include more people. The pattern is, however, worldwide as shown by an article in last week’s Economist. That article appears at this link.

Changes in Ministry

As you know, the Rev. Dawn Fortune will leave UUCSJS on June 30th. How will we support programs and spiritual leadership next year? Two options are contract ministry and operation as a lay-led congregation.

The UUA offers two kinds of contract ministry. Contract ministers provide specific services that the congregation requests. Interim ministers ALSO help congregations address issues that might harm their relationship with a future minister. A lay-led congregation involves making decisions much more often.

The board will soon meet to discuss these alternate pathways. If you have thoughts about the best path forward, let me know. E-mail is my favorite form of communication.

Audiovisual Improvements

The Rev. Dawn Fortune will continue to manage the Audiovisual Improvement project. The central piece, an audiovisual mixing board, is scheduled to arrive in mid-March. We have every hope that the new system will be fully functional shortly thereafter.

Misunderstanding

Many of you have heard that a few large donors used their pledges to make the congregation change. The shortfall in congregational income actually derives from members who left UUCSJS.

Kit Marlowe

UUCSJS Board President

Click on the graphic below or visit the calendar at uucsjs.org for more information on events and meetings.

CLICK HERE to reserve the Zoom Room or to add your event to the calendar.

Dear friends please join us as we continue our online group meditations in 2022.

Every Evening 7pm except Saturdays

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2219690745?pwd=dDlsdzZITEtqeXJ0T1Q2bFVWcHJTUT09

Every Morning 7:00AM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84669268376?pwd=VHFTQmhCTStrZEtHY0NyR0tMWjJTdz09

Rev. Dawn Fortune

We are each granted one life with which we are to learn, experience, and accomplish all that we might. What will you do with that life you have been given? Will you create community? Will you explore the stars? Will you make a million dollars? What are your intentions?

To Join ZOOM Meeting ON COMPUTER:

Click here for Zoom link

(Meeting ID: 224 677 6604, passcode 306591)

To Join ZOOM Meeting BY PHONE (you do NOT need to have a Zoom account or app):

Dial:

1-929-436-2866 and wait for the prompt. Then dial 224-677-6604#

When prompted, enter passcode 306591

PLEASE NOTE: Sunday service will be livestreamed on Zoom only. There is no in person gathering.

Volunteer to be a worship associate! Contact Sheila Stoner or Rev. Dawn today!

Multitasking is king. All of us do it. As I write this I am drinking my morning coffee, eating breakfast, listening to music, I have at least 10 tabs open on my computer browser, and I am talking to family members wandering through the room. Multitasking has become a habit. Just the way things are. In other words, we are now multitasking unintentionally! So this month, let’s intentionally try doing one thing at a time, or as some people say, let’s try single tasking!

Here’s your challenge in a nutshell:

Pick one thing you usually do while multitasking and instead do it, and it alone, each day for a week!

So many options to choose from. The obvious one, of course, is eating. That’s right, pick one meal a day and do nothing but eat. No watching TV at the same time. No checking your email as you chomp down. Just intentionally eat and focus on your food. Or maybe narrow it a bit more and single-task with your first cup of coffee or tea each morning. For ten minutes just do nothing but sip. Ten bucks says you will notice the aroma in your nose and heat on your tongue in a way you’ve not in a long time. Some of us will choose to do a chore without our usual distraction of listening to a podcast while wash the dishes or sweep the floor. Others may apply this practice to our morning commute and just sit and ride. No newspaper reading or headphones in. When you walk the dog, just do that! When you shower, just shower. When you shave, just shave. When you pet your dog, just pet your dog. You get the point. The challenge is picking the one thing you will do each day for a week.

Researchers say that when we single-task, even for just ten minutes a day, depression decreases and happiness increases. We also remember and notice more. In other words, when we intentionally focus on what we are doing, our lives don’t just become happier, they become richer. Not a bad deal for ten minutes a day!

- Jess Safonof

Director of Religious Education

Here you will find ways to learn about and connect with our faith and opportunities to connect with other UU's from outside our congregation.

Click on the images for more information.

Click the image above to learn more about:

• The UUA Disaster Relief Fund
• Music Recordings for Worship
• General Assembly 2022
• A Second Slice of Pi: An Online Conference for Smaller Congregations
• Widening the Welcome: A Virtual Workshop for Your Congregation's Greeting Team
• Jubilee 3 Online Anti-Racism Training
  
• Winter Institute
• Better Together Blog
• News from the UUA
• and the Full Calendar of Events for the Central East Region

Sunday Services 10 am in person and livestreamed on Facebook.

Email: admin@uucsjs.org
Website: www.uucsjs.org
Location: 75 S Pomona Rd, Egg Harbor City, NJ, USA
Phone: (609) 965-9400
Facebook: facebook.com/uucsjs
Twitter: @UUCSJS