UUCSJS Midweek Message

This month we are exploring what it means to be a people of stillness. Rev. Dawn leads us in meditating on this theme with "Breathe" by Lynn Ungar.

If you missed a week or just want to watch a video again, a playlist of Rev. Dawn's Midweek Meditations can be found HERE. Videos on YouTube include closed captioning.

Take some time this week to see where in your life you could use a little stillness. Looking for more on this month's theme? Check out this music playlist for free on Spotify HERE.

Rev. Dawn is available for pastoral care appointments Wednesday through Friday 10 am - 3 pm. Email minister@uucsjs.org to make an appointment.

-Rev. Dawn Fortune

The tumult of the election season has passed and our attention now turns to the stillness of the shortening days and darkening nights. Times of deep stillness and contemplation are opportunities for renewal, but also for isolation. In these days of pandemic and anxiety, extended periods of stillness can leave us feeling alone and frightened. Join us as we explore how stillness works (or does not) during these shortened days and lengthened nights.

Join us Sunday at 10 am at www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom or call in to (929)436-2866 then enter: 2246776604#, 0#, 306591#.

Information on upcoming services can be found HERE.

For those hearing-impaired, pdf copies of Rev. Dawn's sermons are available on our website at the link above. Also, entire services are uploaded to our YouTube channel each Sunday afternoon where Closed Captioning is available.

Click on the graphic below or visit the calendar at uucsjs.org for more information on events and meetings.

As most of you are aware by now, we are not going to be able to hold our annual service auction. As this fundraiser provides a large portion of our operating budget, our Board President, Kit Marlowe, and our Board Treasurer, John Brilla, have sent out a letter requesting members and friends to make a special contribution to the auction fund. You can read this letter to the congregation HERE. There are a few additional ways you can support our fundraising campaign. Read more about these holiday opportunities below.

You are encouraged to make a donation in the amount of money you would have budgeted out to spend at the auction. You can send a check to our P.O. Box or make a donation online with "auction" noted on your check or in the notes section.

PO Box 853

Pomona NJ, 08240

DONATE ONLINE

If you provided a good or service last year and are willing to do so again this year (safely of course) please reach out to those who "bought" your listing last year and see if they would like to "purchase" your good or service again this year!

Colores de Pueblo is offering 10% back to UU congregations on all sales through their website now through January 1, 2021. This is a fantastic way to support Guatemalan weavers and artisans, get some holiday shopping done, and support UUCSJS! All you need to do is shop at ColoresdePueblo.com and enter "Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore" in the comments section during checkout.

New stock is being added daily, so check back (and shop) often!

Are you a sender of Christmas or Holiday cards? Want to send some with a bit of UU flair? Children's Religious Education has Chalice Holiday cards!

For a $20 donation, you will receive a 10 pack of Chalice Holiday cards with various chalices drawn, colored, and designed by the children and youth of UUCSJS. Donations can be made by check or online with "chalice cards" written in the comments section.

PO Box 853

Pomona NJ, 08240

DONATE ONLINE

You must complete this form to receive your holiday cards! Contact uucsjsdre@gmail.com with any questions.

To have your announcement placed in the Midweek Message, please send an email to uucsjsadmin@gmail.com by Noon on Wednesday.

Margaret Circle will meet on Thursday, December 3, 1:00 pm on Zoom.

The topic will be storytelling. All are invited to tell a story -or two – of something that occurred at one of the many winter holiday celebrations that you have lived through. It can be funny, heroic, poignant, enlightening, or sad. We know it will be interesting because it is about you.

Traditionally the Margaret Circle has celebrated our December meeting with a luncheon. Because of our need to meet by zoom, in lieu of a luncheon we have arranged to have a cookie exchange. Some members have volunteered to make a batch of cookies or a delectable something. All members will receive a package of these goodies by elf delivery.

Contact Betsy Searight or uucsjsadmin@gmail.com with questions or for more information.

Book Club will be held on Friday, December 18th at 7:00 pm on ZOOM.

LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS BY Gaynor & Webb

Beginning with heartbreaking gaiety at the start of the First World War, LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS follows a progression of letters between a spirited female journalist, a bookish new-minted soldier, and the various bright young things who make up their band of friends, charting the slow, heartbreaking passage of years as war and disillusion grind away youthful dreams and ideals.

Barb Morell will be leading the discussion and everyone is welcome to join the meeting. You are encouraged to wear your holiday finery for this meeting!

For questions: email Barbara Morell or uucsjsadmin@gmail.com.

During this time of isolation, what can we do to create a sense of community and celebration around the holidays? This is a time when we normally offer several holiday-related services, be they Advent, Hannukah, Winter Solstice, Christmas Eve, or our always fun Sunday morning pick-up pageant.

Rev. Dawn, DRE Jess Dunn Safonof, and Music Director Barbara Miller are proposing a series of videos, one released each day of December, that will culminate on Christmas Eve as a full-length YouTube playlist with carols, stories, and messages from our members.

Videos are still needed! Please submit the videos to uucsjsdre@gmail.com!

We ask that you submit a video of 60-90 seconds answering ONE of these prompts:

• Tell us about a favorite holiday tradition, song, or food
• Show us a piece of holiday-themed artwork you have made
• Show us your Christmas tree and talk about an ornament that you love
• Take us outside your house for a tour of your decorations
• Tell us what you will be doing during this holiday season.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on channel notifications so you won't miss a thing!

Sunday Services 10 am on Zoom at tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom

Email: uucsjsadmin@gmail.com
Website: www.uucsjs.org
Location: 75 S Pomona Rd, Egg Harbor City, NJ, USA
Phone: (609) 965-9400
Facebook: facebook.com/uucsjs
Twitter: @UUCSJS