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

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

What Does It Mean to be a Living Tradition?

Led by Jessica Dunn Safonof, UUCSJS Director of Religious Education and Marty Quish, President, UUCSJS Board of Trustees

Unlike creedal religions, our faith is a living tradition; it changes and grows over time. We covenant to support and assist one another in our ministries and to hold each other accountable for doing the work of living our shared values. But how do we define and describe those shared values? The seven principles? The six sources? Or maybe something totally new? Join us as we explore our UU values and learn about the work of the UUA Article II Study Commission and the possible upcoming changes to the stated values and covenant of Unitarian Universalism.

Bios: 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.

Martin Quish was born and raised in Hartford CT, attended Central Connecticut State University, and worked in the financial/insurance industry. He wore many hats in his 42 year career with AFCO Credit Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Truist Bank. Marty started out in Marketing in the late 70s and early 80s, switched to operations, where he oversaw a standalone office and managed over 50 employees in the 90s. Then he spent almost twenty years in the sales office on Wall Street in NYC. He retired in 2020 from the company as a Vice President/Senior Business Development Officer. He lives in Galloway with his husband, Tony, and their 18-month-old Kerry Blue Terrier, Sadie.

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

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 March 5th to April 16th. Our Goal for this year is $135,000 in pledges. We currently have $70,990 in financial commitments from 13 families, or 53% of our goal. You can complete your pledge electronically using this link. Pledge cards and additional information will also be 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.

The first Circle Dinner of 2023 is on March 18th. The schedule has been sent out via email. If you signed up and did not receive it, please contact Marie Taylor at mariet@comcast.net or call 609-335-2486.

UUCSJS will hold a second collection on Sunday, March 26, 2023 to support the Eastern Service Workers Association. The ESWA is an all-volunteer, mutual aid association which provides programs for low income workers in our area including emergency food, clothing, medical and dental care, legal education and information, and advocacy. Your generosity in this second collection is greatly appreciated.

Spring means it will soon be grass cutting time at 75 Pomona Rd.! We have been very fortunate over the years to have volunteers like Steve Merkel, Richard Schurig, Scott Senn and probably others who keep the grass cut around our building. Richard Schurig is once again volunteering to do this. We would also like to enlist at least one more volunteer to spell Richard if needed. Please contact Richard if this is something you would be interested in. It will be much appreciated!

Punch Bowls!!

Going Once! Going Twice?? We have two sets that have never been used. One came with the mortgage and one left over from the last auction that didn't move. As we are headed for a Blue Jean Sunday in April and spring cleaning time feedback on what to do with these unused items would be helpful.

Thanks,

Richard S

March's Book: THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI by Akwaeke Emezi

What does it mean for a family to lose a child they never really knew? Propulsively readable, teeming with unforgettable characters, THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI is a novel of family and friendship that challenges expectations – a dramatic story of loss and transcendence that will move every reader.

Book club meets on ZOOM (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom) at 7:00 pm Friday, March 17th.

All are welcome to join the discussion.

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.

Last week I shared a Brene Brown video with you called "They Power of Vulnerability." This week I'd like you to consider if a bit of questioning is needed. Spend some time this week with some important questioners and their appeal for us to take another - and more careful - look at the culture of vulnerability.

Check out this article and the related video below: The Dangers of Courage Culture and Why Brene Brown Isn’t for Black Folk, by Dr. Carey Yazeed

Listen to this episode of the Different People podcast The Risks & Dangers of Brene Brown’s Vulnerability for People of Colour

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.

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