UUCSJS Midweek Message
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Contents
- Upcoming Sunday Services
- Faith Development
- Announcements
- Notes From the Board
- Events This Week
- Last Sunday
- Caring Team
This Sunday
Outside Looking In
Presented by Laura Kushner
I have had the privilege of speaking at UUCSJS several times over the past few years. Let me share with you what I see when I walk through your doors.
BIO: Laura Kushner is a recent graduate of Drew Theological School where she earned her Masters of Divinity, with a focus on Social Justice Advocacy. She is a long time member of UU Montclair. Before seminary she wore many hats in her congregational life and found the work quite fulfilling.
Since graduating Laura has taken some time away from the ordination process to spend time with family and friends. She will continue her journey in the fall.
For over 30 years she has been a preschool teacher; much of her career has been working at the same nursery school 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.
April 7th: Whose Am I?
Presented by Jessica Dunn Safonof
Who needs you? Who loves you? To whom are you accountable? None of us can exist without the relationships we use to define ourselves. When we remember that we are connected to everyone and everything around us, we know that we are not alone in this world nor should we be.
April 14th: The Power of Words
Presented by Theresa McReynolds
Words are the most powerful force available to humanity; we can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement or destructively using words of fear and despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to make or break our life. What comes out of our mouths comes back to us in the form of tangible events. When you recognize the creative potential of the words you utter, you take care to speak only things that you wish to see come about. “Squawk! Squawk!” cried Chicken-little, “the sky's falling down”; and away she ran as fast as her legs would carry her. She ran until she came to the barnyard, and there was Hen-pen rustling in the dust of the barnyard. “Oh, Hen-pen, don't rustle – run, run!” cried Chicken-little.
Faith Development
Proposed Changes to Article II
Unitarian Universalism is in a new phase of growth and transition. This June, our Association will vote on amending Article II of our Bylaws. This is a new stage in a process that began in 2017, when General Assembly delegates expressed the desire to collectively explore and deepen our understanding of who we are. This spring, we may transform the statement of our faith and purposes as we vote on amending Article II.
Here are some questions to ponder/journal/talk with others about that will help you discern how you feel about this potential big change.
- Why do you attend Unitarian Universalist services on Sunday morning?
- Where does your own theology blend with UU theology? Where do you differ? Are there any areas of concern?
- Does working toward social justice align with your theology? Where and how?
- Where do you find the sacred in your life ?
- How do UU theological understandings of the sacred differ from those of our theological neighbors?
- What are some ways you can bring more sacred/holy into your life? Into Unitarian Universalism?
The video below is a bit lengthy (22 minutes) but I promise it will be worth your time to watch and learn about our theology. (Unitarian Universalism DOES have a theology - but you knew that already, right?)
Adult Religious Education
Article II Discussion Groups begin April 7th
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. And there are some BIG changes proposed that YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT!
In preparation for the next stage of the bylaws adoption process we will begin a series of discussion groups to be held following service on the first Sunday of each month. Our first meeting will be Sunday, April 7th.
These groups will help to prepare you for our congregational vote at the Annual Meeting of the UUCSJS on June 9th, 2024. Our congregation's delegates will then attend the UUA General Assembly June 20-23, 2024 where they will cast the votes for our congregation. Will it be a yea or a nay? Let's talk about it!
Announcements
Changes to the "Midweek Announcements"
Changes are coming in April 2024 in how our congregation communicates information to our members and friends. On April 1, 2024 we will begin sending two regular emails to our email list instead of one.
The first email will be "The UUCSJS Weekly Announcements." This email will be sent out each Sunday afternoon and will contain information on events taking place at UUCSJS in the next 7 days only. The deadline for information to be included in this email will be the Friday before.
The second email will be "The UUCSJS Monthly Message." This email will be sent out on the first day of the month. It will contain information on events scheduled for the next month, faith development items, social justice links and opportunities, and other information. The deadline for information to be included in this email will be the 27th day of the month.
Questions? Please feel free to contact admin@uucsjs.org. We expect there will be some hiccups as we transition to this new method but are working hard to make the changes as easy as possible.
Faith Action Meeting
On April 4 at 8 PM there will be a special Faith Action Immigration Justice zoom meeting. You are all invited. Actually you’re all invited every month.
Just so you know. However, this is a special meeting due to the fact several other Unitarian Congregations will be presenting concerning what they are doing to support immigrants coming into New Jersey. It’s always fun to network with other UU’s from other congregations and hear what they are doing concerning Faith Action. The meeting will be only an hour in length. Email admin@uufaithaction.org for the zoom link.
Contact Janet Longo for more information.
Margaret Circle
Margaret Circle will be meeting on April 4th , the first Thursday in April at 1:00. Denise O'Meara will be facilitating a Self-Care Bingo with PRIZES ! And also giving out a handout with self-care tips. Looking forward to our gathering.
Contact Barb Morell for more information.
Back to the Future: Annual Stewardship Drive
March 17 to April 21, 2024
The programs and services we enjoy each year are made possible through the generous financial support of our members and friends. While donations and pledges of support are accepted at any time, to assist with planning in advance for the year ahead we have a season of stewardship each spring. The goal in this period is to receive $145,000 in advance pledges of anticipated support from as many of our members and friends as possible. We use the information in developing the proposed
budget plan for July 2024 to June 2025.
Pledge cards and brochures are available on Sunday. Completed pledge cards can be returned
to Karen York. It is the collective generosity of our community that makes UUCSJS possible!
Karen York, Stewardship Chair
UUA Common Read Discussion - April 14th!
Our new common read is On Repentance and Repair by Rabbi Danya Rittenberg. We have ordered several copies which will be available in the lobby this Sunday. Discussion will take place April 14th after the service.
Danya Rittenberg’s book is rooted in traditional Jewish concepts and the work of medieval philosopher Maimonides, Born in Spain around 1135 AD.
When it comes to harmful situations, society has placed a great deal of emphasis upon forgiveness which places the brunt of repair on the wounded. Repentance and Repair turns to those who are struggling to take responsibility for their mistakes. Chapter one describes five steps of repentance based on Maimonides teachings. These teachings can be applied to personal transgressions and to our culture’s most painful and unresolved issues.
Notes From the Board
Please join us this Sunday when we welcome at least six new members to the congregation. They will be signing the book and the more people we have in the seats, the better the experience. We will have their pictures up in the foyer in the next few weeks. We will also have short bios out on our new members soon. If you haven’t met them already, please give them a warm welcome when you see them this Sunday.
We just found out today that our board member Paul Utts broke his leg in four places while skiing with his family in Colorado. Please keep the Utts family in your thoughts and/or prayers.
The Board will be meeting tomorrow night. Some of the things on the agenda will be our solar project, the search for a part time minister and the sponsorship of a local Boy Scout Troop. Please stay tuned for more information to come.
And finally, we are in the process of planning the Stewardship Dinner on April 20th. We have a great committee that is trying to make this event a super memorable one. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. It gives all of us a chance to talk with people in a non-service environment and get to know each other better. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Marty Quish
President, UUCSJS Board of Trustees
Events This Week
CLICK HERE to reserve the Zoom Room or to add your event to the calendar.
Last Sunday
Caring Team
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:
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
Denise O'Meara at (610) 316-7495 denome53@gmail.com
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.