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UUCSJS Midweek Message

August 16, 2023

UUCSJS Midweek Message August 16, 2023

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

Contents

  • Upcoming Sunday Services
  • Announcements
  • Notes From the Board
  • Events This Week
  • Last Sunday
  • Connect to Our Larger Faith
  • Caring Team
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This Sunday

The Case Against Gratitude

Presented by Mark Bernstein


Poets, novelists, and self-help gurus tell us to count our blessings…to be grateful for what we have. But sometimes, gratitude doesn’t work, especially when life is hard, or things aren’t going our way. If we can’t draw on gratitude when we’re not feeling grateful, what other options do we have?


BIO: Mark Bernstein is a former staff member with the Central East Region of the UUA and currently serves as Adjunct Staff for the Region. He has been a grateful member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County in Media, Pennsylvania for nearly 30 years.


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.

Sunday Services at UUCSJS
Click HERE to view schedule online
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August 27th: The Trade-off of a Free Faith

Presented by Rev. Kim Wilson

One of the foundational elements of Unitarian Universalism is our commitment to the individual freedom of belief. Being a UU gives each of us the opportunity to participate in developing a faith that is personally meaningful. Yet it is not always an easy path. In making the choice to embrace this freedom, what are we sacrificing or giving up? And what responsibilities are we taking on?

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Sept. 3rd: Who Turned Up the Heat? A Worker’s Analysis

Presented by Kit Marlowe

Protecting workers from heat stress was part of Kit Marlowe’s profession. He worked hard at that part because heat causes many worker deaths. On Labor Sunday, Kit will share practical and political steps that control excess heat in your life.


Kit will share advice about keeping family members, workers, cars, houses, neighborhoods, and the world cool. Where individual efforts cannot control the risk, Kit will share his perceptions about what society should do, and who blocks those protective steps.

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Sept. 10th: Water Communion Ceremony

Presented by Minister Dana Moore

New: “Soul Work” For Creative Folks of All Ages

Have you noticed? We have been busy creating worship activity packets that help children (and people of all ages!) learn and focus during the worship service. Sitting still, with nothing to do but listen, can be hard for kids and even some adults. In fact, neuroscientists are learning that some activities actually help us focus in on what we are hearing or learning—especially activities with our hands. Sometimes called “fidget items”, classroom teachers know that activities like pipe cleaners, play-doh, and coloring can actually help listeners focus better. In particular, knitting, sewing, and coloring mandalas have been found to create the same brain patterns as those found during meditation--bestowing a calming, balancing effect. Often, busy hands = calm mind and body. Adults are invited to try an activity pack too. Pick some up on your way into the sanctuary, across the doorway from the hymnals. Get creative! It’s good for your soul, and that’s faith development.

Announcements

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

Attention Newcomers to the UUCSJS

There will be a meetup for Visitors to the UUCSJS on Sunday, August 27, right after the Sunday service.


From time to time, we offer newcomers the chance to get together over lunch (which we provide), with the opportunity to a) share background stories, b) learn a little about UUCSJS history, c) hear about our many activities and interest groups, and d) ask questions about Unitarian

Universalism and this congregation.


Though the meetup is prerequisite to membership, no one is expected to join until they are ready to make that commitment.


Kindly RSVP by email (or in person) to Betsy Searight (betsysearight@comcast.net) or Judy Pereira (jgpereira@comcast.net) by Friday, August 25. Childcare is available for those who so request, and lunch is included.


We hope you can make it!

Betsy and Judy

You are joyfully invited to our “Justice For All” Gala!


The 2023 UU FaithAction NJ Annual Gala will be on Saturday, September 9th, from 12 noon to 3 pm. Our Gala luncheon will be hosted at the beautiful Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.


We are pleased to announce Amy Torres (they/she) will be our featured speaker. As Executive Director to the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Torres is a leading voice for justice and plays a critical role in coalition work in our state.


We hope you will join us in Princeton, to celebrate and sustain our work together.


Purchase your tickets today! Prices vary from $50 - $250. Visit https://www.uufaithaction.org/justice-for-all-2023-gala/ to purchase.


Interested in attending this year's Faith Action NJ Gala? Contact Janet Longo for more information and carpool details.

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ESWA School Supplies Needed

It is that time of year again !!! ESWA is asking for school supplies to fill all the back packs that they distribute to students heading back to school. There will be a bin in the entrance of the UU building for items and here is a list some of the items requested.


  • Scissors
  • Index cards
  • spiral notebooks
  • pens
  • composition books
  • colored markers
  • flash drives
  • construction paper
  • rulers
  • folders
  • scotch tape
  • lined paper
  • sharpeners
  • binders
  • highlighters
  • crayons
  • glue sticks
  • colored pencils


Thank you for your help in meeting the needs of our students.

Notes From the Board

Events This Week

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.

View Congregational Calendar Here
CLICK HERE to view all congregational events

Last Sunday

Sunday August 13, 2023: Dragonflies and Damselflies, There's More to Them Than Most People See

Connect to Our Larger Faith

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.

August Opportunities for Connection in our Area

Click on the graphic above to read more about the following and more:

  • Featured Resource: Board Training Resources
  • Leaders: Mark Your Calendars for Next Year’s CER Skill Ups
  • Resources for Responding to Far Right/White Nationalist Threats
  • Leading from the Heart
  • UU Wellspring: Spiritual Dive into the Proposed Article II

♥️ Caring Team ♥️

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Need Help?

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:




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.

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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore

Sunday Services 10:30 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

Jessica Dunn Safonof
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