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

The Path of Resistance: An All Ages Pickup Service

Led by Jessica Dunn Safonof, UUCSJS Director of Religious Education

As we discover what it means to be on the path of resistance this month, we will explore the ideas of joining together, speaking truth to power, and the radical idea of self care as an act of resistance. In this all ages pickup service, you get to craft the service. What songs will we sing? What readings will we hear? What stories will we learn from together? The decisions are in your hands as you work with your group to put together all the worship elements.

Bio: Jessica Dunn Safonof has been a member of UUCSJS for 10 years and has served our congregation in many ways, including as an RE volunteer, RE Committee Chair, and as Secretary of the Board. She worked as a mental health case manager in children's residential treatment facilities before leaving that field to homeschool her children. She has been the Director of Religious Education at UUCSJS since 2018.

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.

March 5 to April 16, 2023

(March 29th Update)

The programs and services provided by UUCSJS each year are made possible through the generous financial support of our members and friends. Each year we have a season of stewardship to receive advance pledges from members and friends to indicate their anticipated level of financial support. This information assists us in planning our program operating budget in advance. We are currently

planning for the budget year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024. Our stewardship drive has begun and will run from until April 16th . Our Goal for this year is $135,000 in pledges. We currently have $101,250 in financial commitments from 27 families, or 75% of our goal. You can complete your pledge electronically using this link. Pledge cards and additional information is available on Sunday over the next month. If you have any questions about the stewardship process, you may contact me or other members of the Board or Finance committee. Each and every pledge is important because it is the collective generosity of our community that makes UUCSJS possible!

~ Karen York, Stewardship Chair

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

APRIL BOOK CLUB PICK:

THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig

Between life and death there is a library. When Nora Seed finds herself there, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels that she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change.

We will be meeting Friday, April 21 at 7:00 pm on ZOOM (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom) .

All are welcome and encouraged to attend

May selection is: FRESH WATER FOR FLOWERS by Valerie Perrin

The Margaret Circle will meet on Thursday, April 6, at 1:00 pm. The topic will be a discussion, led by Julie Spradlin, about the wisdom and knowledge that we have accumulated about navigating the tasks of our lives. With all of the years that we represent, this should be a lot, and will make a very interesting discussion. All the women in the congregation are invited to attend.

Join the UUCSJS Faith Action Environmental Justice task force on April 23rd for a viewing of "Nature's Best Hope," a film featuring Doug Tallamy.

Learn how our own backyards can be nature's best hope for helping to preserve our precious wildlife - and the planet for future generations. A Q&A led by Jesse Connor, Native Plant and Sustainability Activist and UUCSJS member, will follow this inspiring film.

Our second circle dinner of the season is being planned for Saturday, April 22. Signups begin on Sunday, March 19, and will continue through Sunday, April 9.

Circle Dinners are a program where people are assigned to a group of eight, who gather at the home of the person or couple designated as the host. All persons are assigned to bring one of the courses. You may sign up as a couple or as an individual The purpose is to enjoy a good meal in good company, and to get to know each other better. There is more information about these dinners at the signup table. Please come!

DON'T FORGET! - The clothing bin in our foyer is accepting your donations of clean and folded, gently used clothing of all kinds to include SHOES!

Donations benefit members of ESWA and never sold.

Now is the time to obtain your copy of Defunding Fear by Zach Norris, and possibly start reading. However, the discussion concerning this book will not take place until the third Sunday in June after the service. This is a UU common read. Jess has ordered three copies which can be borrowed. It is an easy short read loaded with facts. For example, a 2019 study in the American Journal of Medicine, found that guns kill more kids than on duty police and active military personnel combined. This book not only includes facts, but recommendations as well. It’s a very worthwhile read.

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.

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 Pomona Road Cleanup will be April 2. Meet at UUCSJS at 9am. Work gloves, safety vests, bags, and grabbers will be provided. The cleanup takes approximately 1and 1/2 hours. Any questions see Nancy Watson.

We have come to the end of our month on the path of vulnerability. I hope that you were able to look deeply within and out into our world through this lens. May finding your vulnerability lead you to hope, joy, and belonging. You are inherently worthy.

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 on the images below to read about these opportunities and many more from the UUA Central East Region.

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.

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