UUCSJS Midweek Message

• Announcements
• Notes from the Board
• Caring Team
• Events This Week
• Explore Our Monthly Theme
• This Sunday
• Last Sunday
• Connect to Our Faith

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

Planning a special event? The Communications Team can help. Visit https://uucsjs.breezechms.com/form/42685e for more information.

Click on the image above for more information about the UU Faith Action NJ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

The March for Our Lives in Ocean City is taking place this Saturday (June 11) and we need volunteers!

The March begins at 12pm and volunteers are needed to come around 10:30 and help in all different ways, from providing direction along the route to handing out water. It's so important to show that even in republican areas the majority wants common sense gun control to fight the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our nation. This march has been organized quickly to show support for the victims of the Uvalde school shooting. Please sign up to volunteer and spread the word. A link is provided below to sign up for the March!

https://secure.everyaction.com/Vo-sa4QqBUS-sXBuSfTeJQ2

We will be meeting on Friday, June 17th at 7:00pm by ZOOM (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom) .

All are welcome to join the discussion !!!!!

THE ADDRESS BOOK by Deidre Mask

This book is a deeply-researched dive into the surprising histories and meanings that lie behind the seemingly mundane way we name our streets and number our houses and buildings. Powerful insight into the ways these addresses not only structure our lives but function as a tool to classify and track people, reflecting the divided of class, race and power.

Diane Dreby will lead discussion.

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
• Denise O'Meara at (610) 316-7495 email: denome53@gmail.com
• Helen Utts at (609) 338-3391 email: HelenUtts@aol.com
• MaryLou DeMaria-Berhang at (201) 247-5635 email: MLberhang@gmail.com
• Tony Zitelli at (201) 463-2800 email: happy85a@aol.com
• Barbara Morell at (215) 805-7599 email: morellb@msn.com

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.

June 12 at 0815 will be our first road cleanup under my watch. Please consider joining us before the service to help keep our sides of the road clean. Gloves, safety vests, grabber tools and bags will be provided.

Thank you,

Nancy Watson

There will be a second collection THIS SUNDAY, June 12, 2022 to benefit the Eastern Service Workers' Association.

When it comes to counting your blessings, just about everyone recommends the practice of keeping a gratitude list. After all, adding up all of the blessings in our life surely leads to happiness, right?

Well, it turns out it may be a bit more complicated than that.

Recent research suggests that a contrarian approach to the blessings in our lives is even more impactful. Instead of reflecting on the presence of a positive event (“I’m grateful I met my spouse”), these researchers recommend that we reflect on its absence (“What if I had never met my wife?”).

It’s a counterfactual meditation on our lives, inviting us to imagine a world where our most treasured blessings never occurred. It’s basically what the angel in It’s a Wonderful Life famously asked George Bailey to do.

So give it a try. You could do it each day for a week, but it’s also impactful to just set aside one morning for it.

1. Pick a blessing or two from your life
2. Meditate on and imagine what your life would be like without that blessing in it
3. Reflect on how other aspects of your life would have played out differently if that blessing wouldn’t have occurred.
4. Capture your thoughts. Journal. Jot some notes. Maybe even write a poem or draw a picture.

Here’s an article about the “George Bailey effect” to help you along your way:

“Don’t count your blessings. Do this instead.”

Cynthia Grzywinski, Guest Speaker

Oftentimes our self-directed inner voice can be harsh and judgmental. How often do you find yourself thinking self-disparaging thoughts, such as: “I’m an idiot.”; “I don’t measure up.”; I’m always getting (fill in the blank) wrong.”; etc. These types of negative self-criticisms rarely help, and often serve to reinforce low self-esteem, which in turn may lead to depression, anxiety, anger, et al. Let’s stop beating ourselves up and explore mindful ways to treat ourselves with the loving kindness and compassion we would extend to a friend, family member, or someone in need. Compassion begins with you.

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.

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.

Sunday Services 10 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
Phone: (609) 965-9400
Facebook: facebook.com/uucsjs
Twitter: @UUCSJS