This Sunday
A Pandemic of the Spirit
Rev Cynthia Cain
It's been nearly seven years since I was last at UUCSJS! Trump hadn't yet been elected and covid was four years away. So much has happened: wars, mass shootings, climate disasters. How do you keep the spirit of love and hope alive? How do you practice compassion for the world, for one another, and for yourself? I look forward to sharing time and a few reflections with you.
BIO: Rev. Cain attended Pacific School of Religion and ministered in California, Virginia, and Lexington KY before completing a two year interim at UUCSJS. From 2019- 2021 she was a developmental minister with Greater Nashville UU Congregation where she often bragged about UUCSJS. A native of Burlington County, she also has an MFA in Fiction and is finally publishing some of her stories!
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.
May 7th: Creativity and Connection
Presented by Jess Dunn Safonof
"The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need those who can dream of things that never were." (John Keats) Bring your doubts, your worries, and your insecurities to this all-ages makerspace service. Creativity can be difficult when done alone and the world's problems look so big. The secret to creative self-expression? Staying connected to each other! So join us for a service of problem-solving, creativity, and community building.
May 14th: The Dangers of a Static Faith
Presented by Pauline Nijander
One thing that remains constant in our world is change. What happens when we, or our faith traditions, don't change with an ever changing world? What are the dangers that a static faith can pose to those inside and outside of a faith tradition?
May 21st: The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals: Join Us in Fighting for their Implementation!
Presented by Andy Cowgill and John Sherfey
In 2015, all nations agreed on a goal statement for sustainable development. By 2030, the goals the world would have achieved include ending poverty and hunger, gender equality, affordable and clean energy, climate action, and more. Unfortunately, our federal government, across multiple administrations, has done little to publicize the goals, and even less to implement the recommended targets. To take a single example: our commitment was to END poverty in the U.S. by 2030, but the gap between rich and poor has reached an unprecedented level! Eastern Service Workers Association's organizing efforts -- in which many UUCSJS members play an important part -- are uniting people across south Jersey to build a groundswell of involvement and action demanding full implementation of the goals. Learn additional steps you can take to fight for our collective future. If we don't do it, who will?
Book Club for May
Due to various conflicts, last month’s BOOK CLUB was canceled – sad news. But now the GOOD NEWS !!!! We will be doing two books in May !!!! Pretty sure we can handle it and there is actually kind of a connection between both books.
FRESH WATER FOR FLOWERS by Valerie Perrin
Violette Toussaint is the caretaker at a cemetery in a small town in Bourgogne. Her life is lived to the predictable rhythms of the often funny, always moving confidences that casual mourners, regular visitors, and sundry colleagues share with her. Violette’s routine is disrupted by the arrival of Julien Sole – local police chief –and their lives intertwine. Judy Pereira will lead discussion.
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. Marsha Hannah will lead discussion.
We will be meeting Friday, May 19, at 7:00 pm on ZOOM (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom) .
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Questions: Barb Morell
June 3rd Circle Dinner
The last Circle Dinner of the Spring will be held on June 3rd. Sign-ups will begin this Sunday, April 30th , and continue until May 21st. If there is enough interest another dinner will be scheduled for the Fall.
Sign-up sheets along with a complete description are available at the back table in the Sanctuary. In brief, dinners are generally 8 people. Each couple, or singles grouped as a twosome, are assigned a course. Hosts hold the dinner in their home and provide an appetizer. Other assignments are Main Course, Salad and Bread, Dessert.
The schedule with course assignments will go out shortly after the May 21st deadline. You may also sign up my emailing mariet@comcast.net , be sure to include your name, preferred email, address, and phone number.
Circle dinners are a great away for newer members and friends to get to know us in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The feedback from the dinners has been very positive. Please consider joining us.
Marie Taylor
Blue Jean Sunday
We will hold Blue Jean Sunday on May 7th, right after the service. The work needed includes dusting, scrubbing, windows, yard work, and mulch spreading. Folks who are comfortable with heights are needed to help with some tall items. Contact Barbara Miller or Richard Schurig for more information. There will be NO Coffee Hour that week but lunch will be provided to the volunteers.
Need Help?
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.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore
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