UUCSJS Midweek Message
March 2, 2022
Contents
- Minister's Midweek Meditation
- Announcements
- Notes From the Board
- Events This Week
- This Sunday
- Call to Action
- Explore Our Monthly Theme
- Connect to Our Faith
Minister's Midweek Meditation
Greetings Gentle People,
This morning I considered a bit of text from the Gospel according to Matthew in my midweek meditation (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21). It is part of the scriptures known as the Sermon on the Mount and is in the chapter after the more broadly remembered beatitudes (blessed are the poor, the hungry, etc.)
This is the part in which Jesus tells the people to do their charitable work in a manner that will not gather public praise for themselves, instead, giving alms in secret, praying in private, and not drawing attention to their suffering during a time of fasting. The two bits of text cited bookend the prayer known as “the Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13).
This entire chapter of Matthew’s gospel offers us the message that we are to be humble in our actions, and to do them because it is the right thing to do. If we do good works for selfish reasons, like to get praise from others, or to curry favor with persons or groups who could later return the favor, then our efforts are not altruistic, but are transactional. Purchasing good will through good deeds is not virtue – it is capitalism. Virtue means that we give of ourselves with no expectation of recompense. That is what altruism means. It is what charity means. It is what generosity means. When we give of our hearts, or our time, or our wallets, without expecting something in return, (love, pay, product) then what we offer is truly a gift.
I wonder how our thinking might be changed if we were able to abandon our expectations when it comes to giving. What if we just give … to give? To engage in an act of selflessness, of love, of compassion or generosity, or any other descriptors, simply for the joy of doing so? Without expecting a thank you card or some other kind of return on our investment? Are we able to do this?
There is a lot to consider in that vein. We begin our annual pledge drive in a couple weeks, and we will again ask people to give of themselves in significant ways. I invite you to think about how it would feel to give without expectation.
May your week be blessed and filled with deep mindfulness.
Peace,
Rev. DC
Rev. DC is available for pastoral care appointment Wednesday through Friday 10am to 3pm. Email minister@uucsjs.org to schedule an appointment.
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
- 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
Announcements
Planning a special event? The Communications Team can help. Visit https://uucsjs.breezechms.com/form/42685e for more information.
Welcome back to coffee hour!
UUCSJS March Book Club
Book Club will be meeting on Friday, March 18th at 7:00 pm on ZOOM (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom)
We welcome anyone to join in the meeting.
AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins
American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope. It is a literary achievement filled with poignancy, drama and humanity on every page. One of the most important books of our times.
Jesse Connor will be leading the meeting.
April selection
PAPER WIFE by Laila Ibrahim
The author will be joining us for this meeting !!!!
From the Signage Committee
On 2-27-22 the congregation voted to remove the Rainbow Flag from the existing congregational sign. The congregation also voted against installing a flag pole in order to fly the American and Rainbow Flags.
At issue now is how to welcome the gay community by way of signage on 575. If you have any ideas or suggestions please email Janet Longo and Barbara Morell.
Please be aware there are Township and Pinelands regulations concerning signage on 575. We are aware that what we have now is not ideal. It will be a long and expensive process to make changes and we don’t even know if the changes will be approved. More to follow concerning this.
Presently we are working on other drawings for you to review concerning signage. We will also be requesting another congregational meeting within the next few months for you to vote on options.
Janet Longo
Notes From the Board
Membership Meeting on Signage
On Sunday February 27th, UUCSJS members met to consider the ad hoc signage committee’s recommendations on signs or flags on our Route 575 frontage. We want signs that welcome all people, including the BIPOC and LBGTQ communities.
The meeting was well attended. There were almost 40 members in the room and Judy Pereira had 9 absentees or proxies.
John Searight moved an amendment to Proposal #1, which called for replacement of both a gay pride flag and a “black lives matter” sign. We considered, instead, Proposal 1. a) Remove the pride flag from the congregational sign and Proposal 1. b) Install a multi-issue panel on the frame of the Black Lives Matter sign.
After lengthy discussion, Proposal 1. a) passed. A key factor in the vote was the assertion by several LBGTQ members that they would see any 🌈rainbow🌈 graphic as a sign of welcome. The proposed sign is rainbow-colored.
Proposed Multi-Issue SignDuring another lengthy discussion, the congregation expressed dissatisfaction with Proposal 1. b). Jack Miller moved to table the discussion to give the ad hoc signage committee time to consider the ideas that came up. The motion to table carried.
Proposal #2, to install a flagpole that would display the American flag, was defeated after still more discussion. Although the discussion became emotional, interpersonal hostility was largely absent.
Kit Marlowe then reminded the meeting that they had voted to remove the pride flag without replacing it with any rainbow image. We then voted to postpone removal of the flag until after the next membership vote on highway signage.
The pride flag, by the way, had been missing all week long because of presumed vandalism. John Brilla said that he would replace it that afternoon.
If you want to share your thoughts on this matter, see the article Report from the Signage Committee in this edition.
Kit Marlowe
UUCSJS Board President
Events This Week
CLICK HERE to reserve the Zoom Room or to add your event to the calendar.
Margaret Circle
This Sunday
A Renewing Faith
- Rev. DC Fortune
One of the basic tenets of Unitarian Universalism is that truth is not finite, but continues to be revealed. This is the basis for our fourth principle, which encourages us to engage in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Let us explore some of the things that we have learned and imagine what might lie ahead as our faith continually renews itself.
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.
Last Sunday
Call To Action
Drivers Needed for Afghan Refugees in Atlantic City Area!
UUCSJS is working with Catholic Charities (which holds the government contract for assisting Afghan refugees) to drive Afghans to medical appointments, social security appointments, grocery shopping, and other places. If you might be able to drive people to where they need to go, please email or text Deb Dagavarian ASAP! (dagbonar4@gmail.com or 609-233-8470)
Eastern Service Workers Association Needs Your Help!
Several Caring Committee members have been volunteering with the Eastern Service Workers Association this winter.
Low-income workers need immediate attention to food, clothing, and advocacy by way of ESWA’s benefits program. This winter has been particularly tough. Many evictions going on as Covid rent moratorium expires. The goal is for the longer term solutions to their poverty.
An exciting milestone has been reached to help in this mission. A dilapidated building behind their office has been slowly renovated by all-volunteer individuals with carpentry, painting, electrical and plumbing skills. The final task for this to become much-needed ESWA Members Service Center is to lay the floor. A kind contractor’s very reasonable quote for his labor is able to be covered through donations. What remains is the $2,700 bill for materials. They are able to cover $1200 of that. We offered to try to raise the remaining $1500. I have personally “hit on” family and friends to the tune of $775.
$725 remains.
We hoped that you good people might consider donating. I personally would be glad to take anyone over to ESWA in Pleasantville so you can be impressed first hand, and possibly consider volunteering. More volunteers are urgently needed! They didn’t have enough to get out the Tamales.
Thanks beforehand for your generosity!
Denise OMeara, on behalf of Caring Committee and ESWA
We Need You!
Explore Our Monthly Theme
Your Faith in Six Words
To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.
-Alan Watts
Sometimes talking about faith can wind us in circles. Ultimately, our faith is too complex, visceral and personal to be easily shared. But some have cut through the complexity by attempting to sum up their faith using only six words. It’s a practice that clarifies and amplifies what matters most to us. It helps remind us of and hold on to our deepest commitments.
So this month, try it for yourself. Create your own six-word faith statement.
Here are some inspiring examples to help you on your way:
https://www.facebook.com/revjakebmorrill/posts/10203771525878015
https://www.facebook.com/tandi.rogers/posts/10152204974568645
(From Soul Matters)
Books & Movies
Books
Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World by Rutger Bregman
On renewing our faith in radical social change: “Utopia for Realists is one of those rare books that takes you by surprise and challenges what you think can happen… Universal basic income. A 15-hour workweek. Open borders. Does it sound too good to be true? One of Europe's leading young thinkers shows how we can build an ideal world today.”
Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
“Here Lamott delivers a poignant, funny, and bittersweet primer of faith, as we come to discover what it means to be fully alive.”
The Science of Trust: Emotional Attunement for Couples by John M. Gottman
Article about the book: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theolder-dad/201303/do-i-trust-you-anymore
Movies
Connect to Our Larger Faith
Click on the images for more information.
- The UU Institute
- UUA General Assembly
- A Second Slice of Pi: An Online Conference for Smaller Congregations
- Jubilee 3 Anti-Racism Training
- Spring for Change in 2022: A Season of Sacred Activism
- Intergenerational Spring Seminar: “Displacement & Human Rights: All in for Climate Justice”
- News from the UUA
- and a full calendar of Central East Region events
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
Phone: (609) 965-9400
Facebook: facebook.com/uucsjs
Twitter: @UUCSJS