UUCSJS Midweek Message

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Email admin@uucsjs.org or call Jess at 609-965-9400 if you need assistance

• Upcoming Sunday Services
• Connect to the Monthly Theme
• Events This Week
• Announcements
• Call to Action
• Caring Team
• Last Sunday
• Connect to Our Faith

The Act of Self Care

Presented by Laura Kushner

How do we truly care for ourselves, a personal journey. We are in the beginning part of the new year; how can a little grace help create healthier expectations for ourselves.

Bio: Laura Kushner currently attends Drew Theological School. She will be graduating in May earning her Masters of Divinity, with a focus on Social Justice Advocacy. This is her second year as intern minister at UU Faith Action NJ, which has been a rich and fulfilling experience. She is a long time member of UU Montclair where before seminary she wore many hats in her congregational life. Laura is also a nursery school teacher. For the better part of the past 29 years she has worked at the same school that she attended as a child.

PLEASE NOTE: This service will be in person at UUCSJS and streamed live on our Facebook page. A recording will be available later in the day on our YouTube Channel.

*Masks are currently optional at UUCSJS.

Green Renaissance is the creative project of a couple from South Africa. Their goal is to inspire change and help people reconsider where meaning in their lives comes from. You will fall in love with their work. Especially their video projects on love.

So here’s your work: Drop one of their “love films” into your life every day for a week.

To make that easy for you, we’ve curated a playlist of their videos, on YouTube Videos here and also down below as a list.

You can keep it simple by just disciplining yourself to watch one a day and let that impact as you will. Another option is to use one or all of these strategies:

1. Watch/listen with the pause button and a pen handy. Keep an eye/ear out for the line that strikes you the deepest. Hit pause and write it down. Then take a few minutes after to reflect on why you think your inner wisdom wanted you to pay attention to that line. Ask yourself, “How is my inner wisdom trying to offer me a word of comfort or challenge through this line? This video?
2. After watching the video, take a moment to reflect on what you want to promise yourself because of the impact the video had on you.
3. As you watch/listen, ask yourself, “Where do I see myself in the video?”

The Playlist (Also on YouTube videos - click here)

• The Three-Legged Dog that Saved My Life
• LOVE, MUMMY" - Families Are Complicated
• DON'T LIVE IN FEAR - follow your heart
• BE WHO YOU ARE - Stop Judging Yourself
• The Secret To A Happy Marriage
• To create is a way of loving
• WE ARE ALL CONNECTED
• DO WHAT YOU LOVE

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.

The next Margaret Circle meeting will be held on February 2, 2023 at 1pm in the Sanctuary. We will have a one book exchange and a 2-3 item accessory swap (scarf, jewelry, belt). Please come prepared to share one inspirational nugget with the group. Baked goods will be served.

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

Thank you to all that made soup for our sale last Sunday AND to all that bought soup. Hope you are all enjoying some of your purchases this week – as I am.

Our total in sales was $700.00 !!! Not bad and thank you again for your efforts, this is always a fun and tasty event.

Barbara Morell

From the Kitchen: Due to the service time change this puts me, Richard, in a time crunch on Sunday morning as I work on Sunday. Requesting folks to help mostly with after coffee hour cleanup. This entails running the dishwasher, putting items away, wiping tables and service area, taking things to the compost bucket, checking the sanctuary to make sure left behind items are collected, orders of service recycled and hymnals returned to the rack. Easy to follow instructions will be provided.

You don't have to sign up for this. Just pitch in as needed each week. For every person that helps for just five minutes makes a huge difference!

From Building and Grounds: The Atlantic County Health Department has replenished our Naloxone / Narcan supply. Several years ago some members took the required free course instruction to be certified to administer this life-saving therapy for heroine / opioid overdoses. The protocols have changed vastly since then. This works as I have used it numerous times at my job. Everyone deserves a second chance and this is one of our seven principles. Anyone who is interested at being certified or re-certified can contact Richard Schurig. The Health coordinator advises me that this can be done virtually or in person. Those interested can contact me via email @ r.schurig2007Comcast,net. And, yes, I have found evidence of inter-venous drug use in our parking lot!

***Note!** The Narcan is in a RED pouch located on the wall with the AED on top of the wooden cabinet in the vestibule by the kitchen door.

Building and Grounds Meeting:

The Building and Grounds Committee will be meeting via Zoom on February 6 at 6:30pm (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom)

New members are welcome to attend.

Solar Power Upgrade:

We are beginning the process of updating our solar system in order to make it more efficient.

If you have interest or knowledge in either solar power or grant writing, please contact Richard Schurig or Barbara Miller - 609-602-0940

Are you interested in providing a multimedia presentation following Sunday service? Mike Hannisian is looking for people who are willing to share their hobbies, interests, and knowledge in a multimedia presentation. These presentations will take place after service on the first Sunday of each month.

Please contact Mike if interested.

THE DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS by Pip Williams

Set during the height of the women’s suffrage movement and with the Great War looming (1914 – 1918), this story reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men. Inspired by actual events, the author has delved into the archives of the Oxford English Dictionary to tell the original story.

Book Club meeting on line (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom) Friday at 7:00 pm on February 17th.

All are welcome to join the meeting.

March selection is THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI by Akwaeke Emezi

Questions: morellb@msn.com

On Sunday, Feb 12, following the service, we are inviting our newcomers to a gathering where we will get to know each other better and share some things about the congregation. After we introduce ourselves, we plan to talk about the following:

• Some bits & pieces from our proud history
• How our congregation actually works.
• Our current social outreach
• Ways one can become involved in the congregation.
• How one becomes a member

A light lunch will be served, and childcare will be provided. Invitations have gone out to those who we think might be interested. After we know how many of these invitees are coming, we will plan where the meeting will be. We will keep this meeting to 90 minutes. Anyone who would like to attend should contact our Administrator at admin@uucsjs.org.

We will hold an important workshop for all Worship Associates, and people who are considering becoming a Worship Associate, on Sunday, February 19, after the service. Worship Associates who have served for years, as well as newer ones, should attend this session. For anyone who wants to see what is involved, please also attend. This will NOT be a lengthy meeting.

Do you love the arrangements you see on the chalice table each Sunday? Are you feeling creative? Sign up to bring floral or other arrangement for our chalice table!

Let Colby know ahead of time or text 609-442-0967 to schedule your arrangements.

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
• Helen Utts at (609) 338-3391 email: HelenUtts@aol.com
• Tony Zitelli at (201) 463-2800 email: happy85a@aol.com
• Barbara Morell at (215) 805-7599 email: morellb@msn.com
• Janet Longo at (609) 748-8608 email: jilportnj@comcast.net

Caring Team is looking for members who are willing to attend monthly Zoom meetings and help out when congregants are sick or suffering from hardships. Please contact Tracey Catino if you can join our confidential group.

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.

The Article II Study Commission has completed its two year study. They submitted their report (PDF 26 pages) to the UUA Board of Trustees at their meeting held on January 20, 2023. The report includes the Study Commission's recommended revisions to Article II.

Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws, Principles and Purposes, is the foundation for all of the work of our UUA and its member congregations and covenanted communities. It is the covenant to which all of our congregations and covenanted communities pledge themselves when they become members of our UUA.

Click HERE to read more.

Sunday Services 11 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

Mailing Address: PO Box 853, Pomona NJ 08240
Phone: (609) 965-9400
Facebook: facebook.com/uucsjs
Twitter: @UUCSJS