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The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair
THE GAZETTE Our Newsletter for June 2020
Vol. 123 Issue 10
Our Mission:
Grounded in faith, we come together to nurture the soul, inspire hope and bring into being a more just and loving world.
“The purpose of the journey is compassion. When you have come past
all the pairs of opposites you have reached compassion.”
—Joseph Campbell
2
The Gazette is a monthly publication of: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair 67 Church Street, Montclair NJ 07042 (973) 744-6276 Website: www.uumontclair.org At the time of this printing, all UUCM staff are working re-motely from home. We can be reached at the emails listed below.
OUR MINISTERS AND STAFF: Senior Co-Minister: Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Ext. 0011, [email protected] Senior Co-Minister: Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, Ext. 0011, [email protected] Intern Minister: Antonia Bell-Delgado, [email protected] Director of Music Ministries: Markus Grae-Hauck, Ext. 0015, [email protected] Administrator: Danielle Carlo, Ext. 0012, [email protected] Office & Communications Manager: Jaclyn Puleo, Ext. 0010, [email protected] Director of Family Ministries: Lily Rappaport, Ext. 0016, [email protected] Religious Education Administrator: Judith Hogan, Ext. 0016, [email protected] Bookkeeper: Emilia Sadonis, Ext. 0019, [email protected] Technology Systems Consultant: Bruce For, [email protected] Lead Custodian: Dawn Coleman, [email protected] Affiliated Community Minister: Rev. Jacqueline Lahey Minister Emeritus: Rev. Charles Blustein Ortman Minister Emerita: Rev. Judy Tomlinson
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2019 –2020
President: Susan Raufer, [email protected] Vice President: Denise Rodgers Treasurer: Chris Corbett, [email protected] Secretary: Shannon Gattens, [email protected] Trustees-At-Large: Peter Arian, Lauren Carlton, Brian Crooks, Kitty Cullina-Bessey, Elaine Gibson, Michael Hetrick, Ramona Hilgenkamp, Matt Silverman, Laura Wilson
THE DEADLINE FOR
THE SUMMER GAZETTE IS
FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ministers’ Columns………………….…………………………...……..……....…page 3
Theme of the Month………………………………………………...…………….page 6
Family Ministry………………………………………………...……...………...….page 7
FAQ’s……………………….………………………………….….……………….…....page 10
Worship & Celebration…………………………..…….………………..……..page 11
Welcome & Engagement………………………….……....…………………..page 13
Governance…………………………………………………………………………..page 14
Service & Justice…………………………………………..…..…………….…….page 14
Care & Connection………………………………………...…….………..……...page 17
Upcoming Services…………………….……….……………..….…………back cover
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Uncertainty and Possibility From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister
There are many jokes about Unitarian Universalists and
some of them are even funny. Many revolve around our
comfort with uncertainty. Here are two:
Visitors on a tour of Heaven noticed a group of Unitari-
an Universalists, who were arguing about whether or
not they were really there.
Unitarian Universalist prayers:
“Dear God, if there is a God, please save my soul, if I
have a soul.”
“To whom it may concern...”
Well… if Unitarian Universalists are comfortable with uncertainty - if we root our faith in the font
of unknowing - than we are well poised to make it through this trying time together. This is a time
of uncertainty - a time when we can make plans, but we must hold them gently. This doesn’t mean
that this time is easy for us - only that we are a part of a tradition that has prepared us for the un-
certainty of this journey.
Recently UUA president, Susan Fredrick Gray, shared a letter with our member congregations.
In it she said we would do well to prepare for virtual gatherings continuing through May 2021.
(Deep breath) This is in no way what I would wish for us. If however, this turns out to be the wise
and compassionate choice, I imagine our congregation’s leaders will follow this recommendation.
We don’t really know what tomorrow may bring. We are, however, seeking with vigilance to
make the most ethical decisions possible - for our members, friends, and for our wider communi-
ties.
And that reminds me of another Unitarian Universalist joke which supposedly derives from a real
conversation between a Methodist and the great Universalist preacher, Hosea Ballou. The Meth-
odist asserted, “If I were a Universalist and feared not the fires of hell, I could hit you over the
head, steal your horse and saddle and ride away, and I’d still go to heaven!” Ballou answered, “If
you were a Universalist, the idea would never occur to you!”
In these times of uncertainty, we are held by our faith - a faith that has prepared us for this jour-
ney - and a faith that instills in us the call to be, in every way, ethical. It is an honor to be on this
journey with you. It is my solemn promise that wherever this journey leads, your ministers and
your congregation will be there to support you.
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iPonder: Compassion
From Antonia Bell-Delgado, Intern Minister
At a memorial service held for her husband, Coretta Scott King said that we come closer to the world that her husband envisioned when we reach out a hand to help each other. “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its mem-bers.”
The U has shown our greatness in so many ways over the years, and yet in our current time we have shown that we can work in amazing ways to top even our best efforts of the past. I am filled with joy and pride as I see you band together to help each other grocery shop, wish each other happy birthday, have social distanced yard visits and check in to just say hello.
This compassionate community is the community that we inhabit and the community that we are growing. We are moving beyond the embarrassment of not knowing how to do all of the new things that are re-quired of us and leaning into the vulnerability that it takes to ask for help and stay connected. It is beauti-ful to see us practicing the unpolished care that we all need. I am so happy to be living in community and creating community with you.
When I was considering compassion I came across this video. https://youtu.be/34M3d3mLqn4. I hope you enjoy it.
I also hope you join me for Chat and Chew on Fridays at noon thru June 19, 2020. I will bring my own lunch, a check in question, a conversation starter (if needed) and a willingness to get to know each other better. You bring your own lunch and a willingness to get to know each other better. Everyone is welcome. Children under 10 need parental participation to be able to join in, fully.
Compassionately, Intern Minister Antonia
Hello from your UUCM staff! Here we are at a recent staff meeting.
We are looking forward to being together again
with each other and all of you soon!
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How Can We Connect in This Time of Social Distancing? From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister
There is a two part answer to this question. The first part of the answer is that we will connect over the phone and computer, by streaming worship and by gathering in Zoom rooms, and by posting pas-toral messages on Realm and Facebook. All of this is true, but this is only part of the answer to “How.” How do we use this technology that may be very new to many of us. What follows is the answer to this second question. Please note the offer to connect you with a Buddy to help you navigate these new technologies. I personally need an aid to guide me through any new computer program or appli-cation. If you are like me, I hope you will reach out for a Buddy. You will make a connection with a member of our congregation, while helping yourself make more connections in the future. Assistance for Virtual Programming • Streamed worship services on Facebook Live—Every Sunday we will
stream our worship service on Facebook Live at 9:30am over our UUCM Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/uumontclair/live. You do not need a Facebook account to access this link live or later. Once on the page, click on “Videos.” You can choose to ignore the invi-tation to log in. Logging in will allow you to comment on the video or chat during the live streaming, but it is not necessary for watching the worship service.
• UUCM's YouTube Channel—Our Sunday service and other important video
messages are also uploaded to our Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair YouTube page weekly. You do not need to subscribed to the page but if you do (by clicking the bell on the top of the page) you will be notified when new videos are available.
• Zoom—Zoom is a free, easy-to-use platform that we will use to connect in small
groups, covenant groups, virtual Connection Cafe, meetings and more. To learn about Zoom, please explore these helpful and quick videos (tinyurl.com/wpsrsg2). Zoom can be used on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smart phone. (Note: if you do not want to download the Zoom app, you can always use the provided phone number to access the virtual program.)
• Realm—Realm is our secure online database. Now, more than ever, Realm
will help us connect in a secure and efficient manner. On Realm we can share information that the general public should not see, like links to our online Zoom programs. In addition, on Realm, you can connect directly to groups, our Board, and our Staff. If you are not already engaging on Realm, please follow these instructions to engage: tinyurl.com/ybozkymx.
We have several volunteers in the congregation who can act as a ‘Buddy’ to help you navigate thru
Virtual Programming, Zoom and/or Realm. If you would like a Buddy to help you learn any of these
platforms, please send Administrator Danielle Carlo an email ([email protected]) and she will
connect you to one of our willing Buddies.
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MATERIAL PREPARED FOR OUR CONGREGATION BY THE UUCM STAFF FROM THE THEME OF THE MONTH, JUNE 2020
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COMPASSION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does it mean to be a people of compassion?
Guerilla Compassion
During this time of COVID-19, struggle is ubiquitous. Whether it comes in the form of sickness or job loss or loneliness or stress and worry, struggle has taken up residence in so many of our homes. Compassion is needed now more than ever. And yet be-cause of social isolation, it’s harder than ever for us to extend our kindness and care to those who need it. Or is it? There are always creative, irregular and even sneaky ways to of-fer our compassion to others, to let them know they are seen and not alone. You might even call it “guerilla compassion.” Imagine leaving an unexpected vase of flowers on a neighbor’s porch to brighten their day. Or stealthily going to the house of a neighbor who’s been sick and surprising them with a pre-dawn weeding of their flower bed. What about sending a random “You Rock!” note to your child’s teacher who is doing their best to learn new online ways of teaching for the sake of your kid and so many others? Are you a photographer? How about inviting folks on your block to step outside their front door for a family portrait with their home that has now become their entire world? (It might at least get peo-ple to shower and get out of their pajamas!) Or maybe it’s organ-izing a flash mob-like carpool that drives over and sings Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary or Happy Graduation to that person who’s been cheated out of a real celebration. All of these things can be done while honoring social distancing. None of them require the removal of our masks. All it takes is some creativity and guerilla tactics. So, what will your act of “guerilla compassion” be? Our monthly themes will resume in September 2020. September’s Theme is…RENEWAL!
Musical Meditation for Self Care: https://soundcloud.com/aly-halpert/loosen-loosen?fbclid=IwAR3scFP1MPfBXTBGuIugutlRBuC1lcX6p5pxMcfhpvAV6j60jEqHFCvV6RU Meditation to speak upon sleep or waking: from the poetry of Dana Faulds: It's enough to be and breathe, to feel the touch of wind on the skin. It's enough to take the day as it comes... It's enough to be buffet-ed by the winds of change and not blown over. I and you and all of us, more than enough. Watch: Reimagining Compassion as Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_guy-i2BTE Read: Books on Compassion - “Against Empathy: The Case for Ra-tional Compassion,” Pal Bloom; “The Compassion Book: Teachings for Awakening the Heart,” Pema Chödrön; “The Inner Work of Racial Justice," Rhonda V. Magee
Word Meaning: “Compassion is the heart’s response to suffering. Compas-sion — from the roots passio (suffering) and com (with) — means to suffer with another. Compassion is an innate part of human response to suffering, which is comprised of a three-part experience of noticing another’s pain, feeling with another, and responding in some way.
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FAMILY MINISTRY
Soul Matters for Family Ministries: Creating Sabbath Space
Creating Sabbath Space aims to help families carve out “Sabbath space” in their homes and home life during this time of COVID-19. The weekly packets include guidance for building a home altar (“Chalice Home”), family worship scripts and 2-3 after-worship activities to help families lean into the Sabbath experiences of resting, playing and connecting more deeply with each other. Co-authors are Katie Covey, Teresa Honey Youngblood and Rev. Scott Tayler.
This weekly family-focused resource was developed to help families carve out “Sabbath Space” in their homes during COVID-19. HERE are more details about the vision and logistics.
The theological underpinning rests in two ancient ideas held in various forms across many religions: • In times of trouble, be extra sure to keep the Sabbath (i.e. make space for worship, rest and connection). • Home altars help bring your faith into your daily life.
This program is structured as five weekly installments and a special add-on packet on grief. Each weekly in-stallment includes three components: • Guidance for building a family home altar, growing it each week by adding a new component one by one. • A family worship to honor those weekly additions to your altar • A couple of “after-worship” activities to continue your family Sabbath time by connecting and relaxing to-
gether.
Each packet is built around the sources of nourishment in our lives. Download sessions here:
Creating Sabbath Space Sessions
Download In .docX format
Download In .pdf format
Week One: Building Your Chalice
Home
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Week Two: Nurturing Ourselves by
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Week Three: Honoring What’s Spe-
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Week Four: Honoring the Natural
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Week Five: Celebrating Your Con-
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Special Packet: Navigating Grief
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Family Ministries—Preparing for the Future From Lily Rappaport, Developmental Director of Family Ministries
My time as Developmental Director of Family Ministries at UUCM will be con-cluding at the end of this month. Beginning in July, Judith Hogan will be leading the RE program as the Director of Religious Education. Together, along with the RE Committee, we are working diligently to prepare for next year’s programming and to ensure a smooth staff transition. We are still seeking team leaders and teachers with the goal of fully staffing our program before the end of June. Doing this means that we can enter the new congregation year ready to go. Please con-sider volunteering in the Religious Education program and to welcome Judith in her new role. Over the past two years we have done significant work moving toward family ministries, focusing on needs of UUCM families. There have been changes to the Sunday morning experience, with strengthening classroom support and holding regular children’s chapels. We have monthly all age worship services with a new family friendly seating in the Sanctuary, in addition to maintaining the child friendly environment in the Narthex. We hope to continue to find ways for children and families to be connected in the life of the congregation and to create inclusive op-portunities for faith development and worship. As we continue to shelter-in-place, we are committed to discovering ways to better serve our children and families by exploring at-home faith development and building a network for parent support. Online Religious Education classes have been going well and are scheduled to continue through mid-June. Additionally, we have weekly Zoom meetings for parents and caregivers and are developing a list of faith development resources for families to use at home. A Note from Judith Hogan: While there are a great many things that are uncertain as a result of COVID-19, one thing that is certain is that plans are in the works for creative and engaging RE pro-gramming for both the summer and fall seasons. Collaborative efforts are being made with numerous UU congregations to find the best possible ways to serve our communities. Proactive teams from UUs far and wide are working together to find options for RE programs that will bolster our UU faith and expand our virtual UU community. So, stay well, stay safe, and stay tuned. Religious Education Calendar We will be offering the following classes and meetings online. Sunday Religious Education: Grades K-3 @ 1:00 pm Grades 4 & 5 @ 11:00 am Grades 6 & 7 @ 12:00 pm Grade 8 @ 12:00 pm Grade 9 - New Day & Time TBA Senior Youth - New Day &Time TBA Wednesdays @ 4pm Check-in/Covenant Group for senior high youth and adults Wednesdays @ 8pm Check-in for Parents/Caregivers First Fridays @ 7:30 Soulful Sundown
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FAQ’S
How do I schedule a meeting with a minister? Contact Rev. Scott ([email protected]) and Intern Antonia ([email protected]) di-rectly. To schedule a meeting with Rev. Anya please use this application: calendly.com/revanya. How do I submit an announcement? For Sunday announcements, all requests need to be sent to our Office & Communications Manager Jaclyn Puleo ([email protected]) by Wednesday. We also send out our weekly email blast on Wednesday. All announcements are included in the blast and also added to our website and social media pages. UUCM-related events take precedence over outside events but we do our best to accommodate all requests. How do I make a monetary donation to UUCM, especially during this difficult time? You can visit our website at www.uumontclair.org. Our homepage has buttons on how to donate electronically. You can also text UUCM Plate $5 or UUCM MESH $5 (or the dollar amount of your choice) to 73256. Standard text message rates do apply. Checks may also be made out to UUCM. Please use the memo line to indicate to us your intentions (i.e., Annual Pledge, Plate Collection, MESH). You can also make donations via electronic funds transfer (EFT). Can I get a Member Directory? If you are a member, you can access the UUCM directory via Realm. If you are not currently on Realm, please let us know when any changes are made to your address, phone number, and/or email address so we have the most current information. Who Should I Contact? Oftentimes, many members confuse the duties of our Administrator Danielle Carlo and our Office & Communications Manager Jaclyn Puleo. We’ve created this helpful chart below that can help clarify our duties. And as always, please reach out to us if you have any questions.
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WORSHIP & CELEBRATION
On That Note... From Markus Grae-Hauck, Director of Music Ministries
Recently I learned about the Tibetan word tonglen. It refers to a meditation practice in Tibetan Buddhism and roughly trans-lates to “giving and receiving.” The concept is that we visual-ize with every inhale taking in the suffering of others, and with the exhale sending out love and healing to them. My initial response to that idea went something like this: “I’m not going to take in anyone else’s trouble! I have enough of that on my own. Why would I want to poison myself with more negativity? Sure, bringing relief to others is nice, but if it comes at the cost of my own well-being, what good will I be to others at the end of this process?” The image I had in mind was a filter cartridge: it purifies the water but gets more and more dirty until it needs to be discarded. That didn’t seem like a great way to live. Of course I soon found out that the tonglen meditation does not come from this zero-sum paradigm. Instead, we use the pain to grow our spiritual heart; in fact, our spiritual development depends on taking on other people’s distress. The word compassion comes from the Latin cum (with) and pas-sion (suffering). Through suffering with others we are healed and redeemed. Here are some songs for the month of June: • Milkman of Human Kindness - Billy Bragg www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mMUJFAd4rQ • The Weight - Little Feat www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Z2A1XwgSw • Shelter from the Storm - Bob Dylan www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quk63tzMXi8 • Ubi caritas - Maurice Duruflé www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PzS7rVTgKE • Brother’s Keeper - India.Arie www.youtube.com/watch?v=86EotkfrFRk • Sing Me Your Blues - Yay Blynn www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I-Kq721tUI • Easy Silence - Dixie Chicks www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wriTNRHlBI
Friday Night Soulful Sundown We will be hosting this special Friday night programming the first Friday of each month at 7:30 PM. Our next Soulful Sun-down will be held on Friday, June 5, 2020. It will include vespers services, music hours, Sing-a-Longs, Poetry Slams and more.
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UUCM Leaders Ritual Our congregation is sustained by the commitment of our leaders. Thank you for all you do. Especially now our lay leaders have been doing extraordinary work to ensure that our congregation sustains and our members remain connected, through this crisis. Leaders keep our congrega-tion strong, but the only way that leaders stay strong is by taking breaks from leadership or swapping leadership roles. To honor our lay leadership, we have a ritual at the Sunday service on June 21, 2020. This ritual will invite all the leaders that are leaving their role or moving to a new role, to participate in a ceremony of letting go. Please let us know ([email protected]) if you or someone you know is step-ping down or moving to a new leadership role.
Listening, Honing and Celebrating Your Call
Are you considering or pursuing theological educa-tion? Are you already a minister? Are you wondering how to live your call? Join us on the remaining date at 1:00 PM via Zoom.
June 14, 2020—”How do I serve our congregation best with my ministry?”
Guided by deep questions and honest reflections, we will help one another listen more deeply to the stirrings that call us to serve our faith. RSVP at: tinyurl.com/y46rhwy2 to secure your space.
UUCM Sacred Wheel (CUUPS) UUCM Sacred Wheel (CUUPS) will hold a meeting on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 8:30 PM to discuss Summer Solstice plans as well as other activities. UUCM Sacred Wheel (CUUPS) will be hosting a virtual Summer Solstice celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 8:30 PM via Zoom. The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. The sun reaches its highest position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight. It is also known as Litha or in Druidry as Alban Hefin meaning 'The Light of the Shore.' If you have an altar set up send us photos to share. For more information or to be added to our email list, contact [email protected]. UUCM Sacred Wheel is also on Facebook at: facebook.com/groups/UUCMSacredWheel.
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WELCOME & ENGAGEMENT Communications: How Are We Doing? Clear, concise, and accurate communication is always of service to a congregation, but in these times, it is a necessity. To serve this end we’d like to share some of the work our staff, Communications Team, and mem-bers have been doing to keep us connected.
• Nearly all of our regular small group gatherings, classes, and meetings have been moved to Zoom online meetings. To facilitate this change, five Zoom accounts were purchased, resources were collected and were shared with leaders, and a crew of Zoom buddies signed up to help anyone struggling with the Zoom platform.
• To prevent Zoom Trolls (individuals who drop in on Zoom conversations and share inappropriately), Zoom links are being shared in emails and through our Realm news only. Zoom links will not be shared over our website or on social media.
• To ensure that all of our friends and members have ready access to the most up-to-date information, we are strongly encouraging the use of Realm. Resources for connecting on Realm have and will be shared in our Wednesday emails titled “Coming up at UUCM…”. These resources include access to a Realm buddy to help anyone struggling with the Realm platform.
• Our worship Tech Team has determined that the best available mechanism for streaming our services is on Facebook. Working with concerned congregants, our Communications Staff and Team ensure that the invitations to these worship services include clear directions and the truth that you do not need to log-on to Facebook to watch.
• Every Sunday morning a Realm announcement goes out with all of the Sunday online activities including Worship, Connection Cafe, and Religious Education Classes, with links for direct access.
• Our worship services first air live on our UUCM Facebook page. They then remain on that page and are added to our UUCM YouTube page. Direct links to these services on both sites are sent in an email to the congregation on Monday.
• The Wednesday email titled “Coming up at UUCM…” has been thinned out so that it includes only the most relevant information for the upcoming week, to help our congregation stay connected during this time.
• The Gazette newsletter has been temporarily transformed so that it primarily offers pastoral and other messages meant to help us navigate through this challenging time.
• A meeting was held to offer individuals that expressed their displeasure with our communications, a fo-rum to share and the means to shape our Communications Policy and our communications efforts. Ideas were generated there that have and are shaping our communications (this article is a response to the re-quest for greater transparency).
• Official UUCM email addresses for Committee and Team leaders were created to protect our members' privacy. These have been shared with our leaders. Directions for how to use these email addresses have been made available. Efforts continue to help our members utilize these email addresses.
• Our Care Team organized an effort to call every member of the congregation. The Ministry Staff Team additionally called every member that ‘receives the Gazette in printed form’ believing that these individu-als would be the least prepared to engage with our community through virtual forums. Both of these ef-forts included the sharing of human and written resources to help our members connect. Any individuals and families we serve that do not have internet access will receive DVDs of the worship services.
• And to share some good news, our live streamed worship services are reaching more than 500-1000 peo-ple, and are shared on an average of 11 times. On average there are 113 live views during the Sunday streaming service. These same services have been watched by 30-40 people on YouTube.
With so much changing, how are we doing? Are we getting you the information that you need in the way that you need? Please let us know how we can serve you better by emailing our Communications Team at [email protected].
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SERVICE & JUSTICE
GOVERNANCE
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.
The UUA Board of Trustees has passed a resolution to make the 2020 General Assembly a 100% virtual event. For many years they have offered virtual attendance as an option and, this year, they will scale and enhance our technology so that they can accommodate a wider, ideally more global, audience.
All GA registrants have access to the GA Virtual Participation Portal, which combines multiple modes of par-ticipant engagement that include chat, Q&A, and polling. Registrants are able to watch and ask questions in live sessions including workshops and business sessions. Delegates are also be able to propose amend-ments in the live business sessions, participate in debates, and vote in general sessions. Virtual GA Registration is $150. https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/registrants
We are so glad to have these members represent our congregation as delegates to General Assembly. They will vote on behalf of our values and will attend to the business as well as the joy of this annual meeting of Unitarian Universalists from around the world: Jennifer Bell, Nicole Gray, Michael Hetrick, Shirley Mat-thews, David McGowan, Dana Moore, Giancarlo Ponticello, Sarah Scalet, Deborah Ann Tripoldi.
A variety of workshops and special events will provide registrants with tools to live into our mission and con-tinue the work of our faith—both within UU congregations and in the greater world. Join Our Positive Place, UUCM's covenant group for families affected by mental illness at General Assembly. The workshop entitled, Sacred Mental Health Matters, is a presentation of the newly formed UU Mental Health Network. For more information, go to www.uumentalhealth.org. For information on GA, contact [email protected].
Sharing Our Riches
In light of the pandemic, the Sharing Our Riches committee has selected Newark Emergen-cy Services for Families (NESF) as our recipient for the months of May and June. NESF is a non-profit organization, which has served the Greater Essex County Community for over 40 years, and it's committed to providing quality services to individuals and families who need assistance with emergency food, clothing, shelter, utilities, rent, and basic necessities during times of crisis. The homeless, the working poor, seniors, dually diagnosed, and those affected by fire, eviction, or domestic violence are a primary focus. They also serve persons who were incarcerated. To learn more, go to nesfnj.org.
We recently received a letter from HANDS (Housing and Neighborhood Development Services), our re-cipient for March and April 2020. Executive Director Elliott Lee shared, “Thank you for your very generous contribution to HANDS in the amount of $1,217.34. Your contribution supports HANDS' core initiatives toward the mission of keeping the neighborhoods of Orange and East Orange places where people can and do choose to raise their families and run their businesses. Your support will allow us to advance priority projects aimed at providing quality affordable housing, increasing civic engagement and supporting a local living economy in target neighborhoods where HANDS' work is a catalyst for upward momentum.“
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Social Justice Coalition and MESH Volunteering From Teresa DeSousa and Johanna Foster, Co-Chairs, Social Justice Coalition
Thank you all for your continued support of our efforts to partner with the amazing folks at MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless) in providing a weekly meal to our friends and neigh-bors in need. The SJC volunteer crew is carrying on in our coordination of ready-to-eat bags to supplement the weekly MESH dinner service. Here is how you can help in the weeks ahead! Sign up to be a shopper or a bagger of groceries using this required Google link: tinyurl.com/ybmufnea or email [email protected] for a volunteer slot. It is very important to remember that only folks who sign-up with us and are confirmed by our coordi-nating team may shop, deliver, or bag for groceries! We can NOT receive any unconfirmed gro-cery donations! Please be advised: We can NOT accept any non-scheduled grocery donations or deliveries any-where on the UUCM property under any circumstances! To clarify, this means any grocery do-nations or other packages that are left at the UUCM for this project, no matter how clearly la-beled, carefully prepared, or well-meaning in the delivery, will be rejected/discarded for health and safety reasons! The unscheduled delivery of such items to the UUCM endangers our staff and community members. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the termination of the project. If you wish to donate groceries, we will happily provide you with a pre-approved list of items, and also schedule your drop-off during our once-a-week only drop-off time and location, which is Wednesday at 3:30 PM in Fletcher Hall. Again, please see the required sign-up sheet and one of our coordinators will contact you. All shoppers will be reimbursed (please send receipts to SJC Co-Chair, Teresa DeSousa at [email protected]). Also, so that all are safe, a reminder that all SJC volunteers who sign-up to shop, deliver or bag, must comply with State, Federal and Congregational guidelines by wearing a mask, gloves, and practicing social distancing. As always, thanks again to the MESH team for their on-going front line work, and for allowing the SJC to help contribute whatever additional support we can in these dire times. We are your Social Justice Coalition members: Kathryn Counsell, Teresa DeSousa, Johanna Foster, Roz Gohagan, Georgiana Hart, Peggy Hayden, Nick Lewis, Mike Mernin, Anne Sailer, David Sailer, Anneliese Scherfen, Peg Seip, Maria Towe To be in touch with us, please send an email to [email protected].
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CARE & CONNECTION
Care Team Ministry In this challenging time, the Care Team Ministry, together with the Membership Committee, is working to reach out to every family in the congregation. Our goal is to stay connected; to provide a contact to combat loneliness and isolation or to offer help by shopping for food or medicine for people who are unable to leave their homes. We offer information on how to stay connected with the congregation, help with accessing the weekly Sunday services and lessons on using ZOOM, to participate in the virtual gatherings of various groups within the congregation, and Realm, to stay up-to-date with UUCM messages. You can also refer to the weekly eblast, sent as an email entitled “Coming Up @ UUCM: Virtual Meetings and Services”, for a par-tial list of the ways to stay connected.
We also want to encourage members to enter their birthdays into Realm. Your birth year will not be shared with anyone other than our staff and the members of the Care Team. The Care Team would like to use this information to send you a card.
Please reach out to us by email at [email protected] if there is any need we can help with or if you are interested in volunteering with this ministry. For pastoral care, contact Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael at [email protected] or Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael at [email protected].
Covenant Groups at UUCM Covenant Groups are small groups of members and friends of our congregation that gather monthly for spiritual, intellectual and emotional deepening. These groups help our friends and members build a sense of community at our congregation while em-powering each participant individually. Below are the groups that will be meeting this month via Zoom.
• Drop In Covenant Group meets weekly on Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Looking for spiritual connection in this time of distancing? This group creates con-nection through a chalice lighting, check-in and discussion. No commitment is re-quired - drop-in any week. Open to High School Youth and Adults.
• New Member Covenant Group is for new members and visitors who wish to know the congregation bet-ter.
• Art and Soul welcomes anyone with a passion for the visual arts; anyone who finds spiritual connection and personal expression within the act of making, contemplating and/or discussing visual creation and ideas relating to it. Meeting: Third Thursday of the month, 7:30 PM
• The Poetry Covenant Group is open to those who enjoy reading poetry and sharing this love with others. After the reading of each poem there is an opportunity for a discussion of the offering. Bring your favor-ite poem to share with us and be prepared for a good time with this group. Meeting: Fourth Sunday of the month, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
Our Soul Matters Covenant Groups meet monthly and consider the theme of the month and to share person-al reflections of our respective life journeys relative to each theme. · Monday Nighters meets the first Monday at 7:30 PM led by Sarah Scalet. · Wednesday Nighters meets the third Wednesday at 7:30 PM (thru June 2020) led by Deb Ellis.
Please consider signing up to engage in a Covenant Group at UUCM. Explore our existing Identity Covenant Groups by visiting: www.uumontclair.org/commuunity/covenant-groups/ or contact Claudia Sanders at [email protected] with any questions you may have.
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Our Coping Skills Group meets on the first Monday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Our next meeting will be on June 1, 2020. This group will be for those who have lost jobs or working hours, are part of families with children, are dealing with the Coronavirus among family and friends, and for those living alone, just to name a few situations. One of the most valuable aspects of our UU community is its emphasis on community and the connections that it brings. We will gather together to share how we are both successfully and unsuccessfully coping in our lives at the present time. The group will be facilitated by Dick Kessler, a Licensed Psychologist, who hopes to be able to bring to the group how we as individuals and families can use some proven coping methods. Please contact Dick for more info and to receive a set of group guidelines that will initially be used to guide the group.
The UUCM Dream Group meets on the second Monday of the month from 7:30 to 9:00 PM via Zoom. Our next meeting will be on June 8, 2020. Are you interested in learning more about what your dreams can reveal about you and your life? Bring a brief written description of a recent or past dream to share. Feel free to bring in a snack as well (which is optional). Instructions for new members will be provided. Please contact Jerry Boutcher via Realm for more info.
The Wednesday Lunch Bunch (formerly known as Senior Lunch Bunch) meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from Noon to 1:30 PM. Our next meetings will be on June 10 & 24, 2020. Our meetings focus on simply sharing general conversation about things that we have done recently and things going on around us. Remember, all UUs and their friends are welcome; there are no age constraints on partici-pation. For more information, contact Gary Sanderson via Realm.
The UUCM Men's Group welcomes everyone who identifies as male to share mutual support and discus-sions about our lives, triumphs, and struggles. During this time we will meet online via Zoom on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:30 PM. Our next meetings will be on June 11 & 25, 2020. Due to scheduling conflicts not all meetings can be hosted or moderated, but in light of the ongoing crisis all are welcome to gather weekly to receive and provide support. Email [email protected] for information.
Our UUCM Women’s Group meets on the second Friday of the month. Our next meeting will be on Friday, June 12, 2020 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. An email with the details will go out one week ahead. Please contact ei-ther Marcia Mandel or Maryann Ficker at [email protected] to get info or get on the email list. Come and enjoy the company and support of other women! Our intention is to be compassionate to one another by being responsive to each other's needs, maintaining and respecting each other's confidentiali-ty, while being responsible for our own needs.
Our Grief Support Group provides a caring and confidential environment that allows its members to share their experiences with others around their loss. We all experience losses throughout our lifetime, whether they are a loss of loved ones, others important to us, or important parts of our lives. The group is facilitated by an experienced group leader and participation guidelines are provided. The group meets on the third Monday of each month. Our next meeting will be on June 15, 2020. Please contact Dick Kessler via Realm for info.
In normal times, the Crazy QUUilters meet in the Rotunda on the third Saturday of each month. During this challenging time we continue to stay connected through ZOOM on the third Saturday at 11:00 AM. Our next meeting will be on June 20, 2020. To join us, contact Arlene at [email protected]. The work done by the Crazy QUUilters brings joy to the creators and the recipients. Among our current projects are lap quilts lovingly made for UUCM members as a warm reminder of our congregation’s thoughts and prayers. We have also decided to offer the companionship of our monthly meetings to other craft-ers. If you knit, crochet or do other hand work you are welcome to join us for about 4 hours of shared creating. The workshop is open to all willing hands (previous experience not re-quired).
Ongoing Groups at UUCM Below are our groups that meet on a regular basis and their upcoming meeting dates. All meetings this month will meet via Zoom.
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Yes, you can still share remembrances at our virtual services. If you would
like to have the Sunday worship leader share your remembrance please
send it to [email protected] by Thursday at 10am.
If you would prefer not to have your concern read aloud, email your name,
address, phone number to [email protected] and explain
your situation or concern.
•Claudine Ohayon lit a candle for her father, Meyer Ohayon, who died on May 23, 2020, after a long struggle with dementia. Claudine and her sister, Charlene DiNatale, were at his bedside, listening to his favorite music as they reminisced about his life. They are grateful he was able to transition in peace and comfort. •Teresa DeSousa lit a candle of support for a dear friend. Because of the pandemic she has become the sole caregiver for her mom, who has Alzheimer's. This is for her and all caregivers who are struggling. Teresa also lit a candle of love and sorrow for the unknown victims of COVID-19: undocumented people who are afraid to seek treatment, the homeless who have no means of self-protection, and those who have died and whose remains have not been claimed and so are buried anonymously. You are not forgotten. •Our Positive Place Covenant Group lit a candle in recognition of Mental Health Month. •Carol McGough wishes Tim McGough and our dear friend, Nancy Pietrulewicz, happy May birthdays. Carol also requests prayers for her friend, Elina Kishinevsky-Stern, whose cancer has advanced. •We mourn the death of long-time member, Celia Bryan, who passed away peacefully on May 18, 2020 from natural causes. She was 92. She will be fondly remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a dedicated bi-lingual education teacher, an enthusiastic participant in our congregation, and a baker of the best flan ev-er. She is greatly missed by her daughter, Karen Berry, Karen's husband Philip, and grandchildren. •Patrick Preblick lit a candle of sorrow for the loss of Jim Landers, a 50-year resident of Glen Ridge who died of COVID-19 on May 12, 2020. He was joy personified. Please grant him peace. Patrick also lit a candle of healing for Doug McAndrew, her friend who is on a ventilator with pneumonia. Doug is a kind man with a lot of living left to do with his children and grandchildren. Patrick also lit a candle of sorrow for the family of Of-ficer Charles “Rob” Roberts, who died of complications from COVID-19 on May 11, 2020. Rob was just 45-years old, a 20-year-veteran of the Glen Ridge Police Department, husband to Alice Baker-Roberts, and be-loved father to Shea, Natalie and Gavin. •Dana Moore lit a candle of healing for Nicole Gray and her amazing, strong, intelligent, compassionate and handsome Father Michael Gray. Please join me in sending love and healing vibes to Nicole and Big Mike. •We lit a candle as a remembrance for Memorial Day and all of our family members and friends who today remember a dear one’s service to our nation. And in this time, we lit another memorial candle for those who are serving now, in our armed forces, but also in grocery stores, in hospitals, as health care workers, as deliv-ery drivers, and as sanitation workers - all those sacrificing to serve our needs. We thank you with full hearts. •Sue Raufer lit a candle of peace for Donald Ellison. Grandfather of LeeAnn and Christy, he died at the age of 95 of complications from COVID-19. •Alison Price-Rom lit a candle in memory of her mother Juliana (Brekke, who died peacefully on May 3, 2020 due to complications of dementia. During the last years of her life Julie moved from her native Seattle to New Jersey to be near her daughter and family. Despite her illness, she enjoyed seeing her family and going for drives where she could view the New York City skyline. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed. •Matt Brown and Anneliese Scherfen lit a candle of light, love, healing, and hope for their daughter, Beatrix Scherfen-Brown. She is working through a dark and difficult time. May this little light be one of many to help her find her way through. •David Szmak and Kathy Szmak lit a candle and ask that we remember Dave Szmak, David’s father who passed away on May 9, 2020. David was recovering from COVID-19 when he had a heart attack. •The Crafton Family lit a candle for their dear friend Rich Meitin who has been diagnosed with a Glioblasto-ma in his brain. He remains upbeat but carries great anxiety for his beloved wife, Gayna though this process. •We lit a candle of joy and prayers for Wayne Foti. May 17 was his 67th birthday.
Remembrances are continued on the next page.
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•Ami Brabson lit a candle of healing for her mother, Annie Brabson, and all of the residents in her memory care unit. Annie has tested positive for COVID-19, as have all but one of the residents in her memory care unit. Please keep them in your prayers. •We lit a candle of remembrance for Nick Shires, Sally Apollon's dear, sweet, kind, smart & artistic brother-in-law, who died in England on Wednesday April 29, 2020 after a long battle with Huntington’s Disease. He is survived by Sally's sister, Kate and their 3 wonderful daughters, Lucy, Alice and Emily. We will always remem-ber him with great fondness. •Alicia Pronovost lit a candle honoring Dominique Dalessio, and asks that you as well keep the Dalessio and Pronovost families in your prayers. Dominique who has died, but lives on as an organ donor truly lived up to the meaning of her name Dominique (Belonging to G*d). •Sarah Scalet lit a candle of sorrow that Unirondack won’t be opening this summer. This is where Sarah’s youth, and many others, find spiritual nourishment and acceptance that sustains them throughout the year. •Wendy McNeil lit a candle for Alice Gibson who she once served with on the Arts Council of the Essex Area. She had been full of energy and life. Wendy shares - COVID-19 is taking so many wonderful people. Wendy lit a candle for James Bailey and the Rock-Bailey family. Jinni Rock-Bailey’s husband, James Bailey died on May 4th from COVID-19. Wendy also lit a candle for Craig Sharon who died on April 17, 2020, from COVID-19. Craig and his wife Jacqui were members of UUCM who contributed greatly to our community. •We lit a candle for Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black man chased down and murdered by a white man and his son in Georgia. The Matthews and McGowan family lit a candle of healing for our country in light of the Ah-maud Arbery murder and hope that no black or brown man has to ever be concerned about “Jogging while Black” ever again. •Judie Rinerson and Nick Lewis lit a candle for Nick’s sister Norah and her husband Hugo. Hugo’s father John Kazibwe died in Uganda on Easter Sunday. John was an amazing and gregarious guy, who survived years of imprisonment during the Idi Amin era. Norah and Hugo were unable to visit him in his last days. Please hold them in your thoughts. •Jane Gaertner and Teresa DeSousa lit a candle of concern for Jessica Bailey, who was admitted to the hospi-tal with COVID-19. Jane asks for your prayers and Teresa hopes to see her fully recovered soon. •Deb Ellis & Hal Strelnick lit a candle of welcome and healing for Reine Duevi, Deb’s mentee who has joined their home to convalesce with COVID-19 and to stay indefinitely thereafter. Deb, Hal, & Reine also lit a candle in memory of Reine’s father, Salvatore, who died from COVID-19 on April 19, 2020 . •Richard Muller lit a candle lighting for his physician, Dr. Amedeo J. Scolomero; who lost his battle with COVID-19. He has left a vacuum that will be hard to fill. •Valerie Ramshur lit a candle of remembrance for Kevin Brainard. Kind, gentle and funny man. A great loss to all. A special prayer for his husband Markis. •Deborah Ann Tripoldi lit a candle for Sher Pullen and her roommate David. They have all the symptoms of COVID-19, and Deborah shared,” I'm worried about both of them, keep them in your thoughts.” •Judy Lutzy lit a candle for her 92 year old Aunt Luella Bender who died of COVID-19 in a nursing home in Florida on April 15, 2020. Judy was in Luella Bender’s wedding when she was three. •Lene Jacobs lit a candle for "Rob" Roberts, a 20 year member of the Glen Ridge police department who had been recovering from COVID-19 when he suffered a heart attack. Please pray for Rob and his family. •Ginny Crooks lit a candle for her friend, recently put on hospice care, Gordon Pate. He is home from the hos-pital, spending what time he has left with his family. Please send prayers and good wishes. •Wayne Foti lit a candle for healing for Daisy Gonzales, his Certified Nursing Assistant, who has COVID-19. •David Gaynes shared, “Our dear friend Carol was just diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukemia. We keep a prayer in our heart for her health and for her warm and generous spirit to thrive.” •Laurice Grae-Hauck lit a candle of sorrow for Matt Stiles, a high school friend, who died at the age of 40 from COVID-19. He leaves his wife and their five year old son in Minneapolis. •Danielle Carlo lit a candle for Ana Maria Camacho, grandmother to Jonathan Carlo and great-grandmother to Tristan Carlo, who passed on March 21, 2020 from asthma. We also lit a candle for Ana Luisa Gonzalez, grandmother figure to Danielle and Jonathan, who passed on April 21, 2020 from COVID-19. Please keep the Carlo family in your prayers during our time of great loss. •Kelley Holland lit a candle of hope and healing for Fred Murphy, the father of a dear friend, who had having colon cancer surgery.
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UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION AT MONTCLAIR 67 Church Street, Montclair NJ 07042
JUNE WORSHIP SCHEDULE
A Month of Compassion SUNDAYS SERVICES WILL BE STREAMED LIVE AT 9:30 AM
AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/UUMONTCLAIR/LIVE
June 7, 2020
“Grounded in Faith” Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael
June 14, 2020
“It Takes a Village” Intern Minister Antonia Bell-Delgado
June 21, 2020
“Blossoming” Rev. Anya and Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael
June 28, 2020
Our First Summer Service This special service will begin at 10:00 AM, as will all of our Summer Services
