from our minister…clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the...
TRANSCRIPT
“She brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them
in the inn.” – Luke 2:7
As political leaders and citizens
around the world ask themselves
which refugees and how many they
are willing to welcome, I am reminded of a Christmas
tradition, called Las Posadas. Posada is a Spanish word
that can be translated in English with “lodging” or “inn”
or “shelter.” Posada is a reference to the part of the
Christmas story when María and José (Mary and
Joseph) must travel all the way from Nazareth to
Bethlehem in order to be registered for a tax.
María is very, very pregnant during this long journey. It
is the middle of winter, and every night she and José
search for shelter. They don’t have a lot of money to
pay or many possessions to trade for places to stay. Too
often, when they knock on someone’s door to ask for
help, for a warm space large enough for the two of them
and their burro (donkey), they are treated harshly and
turned away.
Las Posadas lasts nine days from December 16 through
December 24th. Every night people gather to re-enact
and to become María and José, los peregrinos (the
pilgrims), who wander in search of warmth and in
search of human kindness and compassion. Every night
they also gather to become the innkeeper whose heart
remains closed, the one who fails to see anything but
strangers before him – he fears them, he worries they
are untrustworthy, he believes that they have done
something wrong to be so without on a winter night.
The nine long nights of rejection and of anticipation –
waiting for love to born – also serve as a reminder of
the nine months of pregnancy.
On the ninth night, María and José, completely weary
from travel knock on a door where, like all the other
nights, they encounter an innkeeper who refuses them
entry. He doesn’t trust them, he doesn’t like the look
of them, his heart is blocked to feeling their suffering.
However, something suddenly shifts, and the
innkeeper has a change of heart. He notices something
about María and José. He realizes that he is wrong.
He realizes that they and he are connected, and that
their suffering is something that matters. What is
more, he now clearly sees in them a spark of the
divine. He finally opens the door to his home and his
heart.
Once this happens, the actors – the pilgrims, the
innkeeper, and all the others in attendance – enter
innkeeper’s home for a big party. It is a festive
occasion with friends, family and delicious foods like
empanadas, tamales, hot chocolate, and a piñata filled
with candy.
The holiday originated in Spain and is now celebrated
in the Southwestern United States, Mexico,
Guatemala, and other parts of Central and South
America. The exact traditions and the foods vary
from one place to another, but the story, and the
message of that story always remains the same. In a
year where so many around the globe find themselves
displaced or homeless, let us take it to heart.
In fellowship,
In this issue…
From our minister…
December 2015
Volume 60, No. 12
Holiday Party, Winter Solstice, March 19 party 2 UULMNJ, Save Energy, Folk Project Concert 7
Religious Education, Midweek Renewal 3 Social Justice - Alternative Holiday Gift Fair 8
Young Adults, Deeds Well Done, Social Justice - Giving Tree, Gift Fair 9
2016 Tax Planning, Transylvania 4 Social Justice -Kiva, Nature, Palliative, SCAN 10
Service Auction, Fall Cleanup, Amazon 5 Calendar 11
Adult Learning—new, upcoming, ongoing 6 Sunday Services 12
Staff Leadership
Minister Rev. Alison B. Miller [email protected]
Director of Religious Education Tim Atkins [email protected]
Congregational Administrator Mandi Huizenga [email protected]
Music Director Dr. Jim Blanton [email protected]
Finance Coordinator
Katy Julich [email protected]
Religious Education Assistant
Judy Donovan-Lifschulz [email protected]
Custodians Eduardo Guzman, Sergio Lopez-Rojas
We, the members of the Morristown Unitarian
Fellowship, mindful of the rich diversity and
essential oneness of human experience, covenant to
weave the fabric of community from the strands of
our separate lives. This is our pledge:
To create for ourselves and our children a
spiritual home which will nurture, challenge
and offer us renewal
To seek what is true even as we celebrate the
mystery of existence
To reach out to all who share our liberal
religious values and participate in the broader
Unitarian Universalist movement
To work for social justice and the well-being
of our planet Earth
21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown NJ 07960
Mission and Covenant Statement
Check us out on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/morristownunitarian
Office Hours Monday - Thursday 9 am - 3 pm
(O) 973.540.1177
(F) 973.539.8218
www.muuf.org
Winter Solstice Celebration
Sunday, December 20, 5 pm.
At this darkest time of the year, we will call back
the sun with family-friendly
stories, songs, firelight, and
ritual. Please bring a snack
to share and a drum or other
percussion instrument, if
you have one.
For info, contact Danelle at
Save the Date
Saturday, March 19! We’re havin’ a party to celebrate the
Fellowship’s 60th
Anniversary and
Alison’s 10th as our
minister! Mark
your calendars and
stay-tuned for more
information.
It seems that throughout the second
half of November, I can’t get the
word “refuge” out of my mind. It’s
the time of the year where we are
reminded of the goal of peace on
Earth, but right now we are
surrounded by messages telling us to fear the other,
to fear for our safety, to war with each other. This
harsh dichotomy seems especially striking to me this
year, and I feel like I need a refuge from it.
A refuge is a condition of being safe or sheltered
from pursuit, danger, or trouble, at least according to
the dictionary. There are times in my life where I
should be in danger or trouble – sometimes social
justice demands it of us to go outside our sense of
safety. But over the past couple of weeks, I’ve felt
the need to retreat into safety and just heal. I know
I’m not the only one.
We need refuge from a society where the voices of
hate rise to the top. I, like so many of you, have
been horrified at some of our elected political
leaders response to the terror attacks in Paris –
banning refugees from Syria, who are trying to
escape the daily threats to their own lives by the
same people who attacked Paris. Even France, the
site of the terrorist attacks, announced it will accept
30,000 more refugees, but our elected leadership is
using fear to enact hate. We need to open our hearts
and homes to those seeking refuge.
We need a refuge of our own to escape the voices
that encourage us to fear and hate. For me, and for
many of you, that refuge is here in our Unitarian
Fellowship. One of the purposes of any religious
congregation is to provide a place of refuge to the
community, a place where we can come together to
heal from the tragedies of the world, from macro to
micro scale. A place where we can shelter the storm
together, and a place that is free from being judged
on how we should be feeling.
It’s up to us to make these places of healing. Part of
Building the Beloved Community means providing a
space that heals and comforts the afflicted. We do
some of that through our caring community and our
Neighborhood Groups. We do some of that through
our Sunday Morning Services and our ongoing
social groups.
But we need to do more – how can we make refuges
wherever we go? How can we embody refuge, and
embody that sense of peace and safety? How can
we turn our home into a refuge? Our workplaces?
We are undoubtedly going to be seeing more and
more news stories about refugees over the coming
months and years. Whenever you hear the word
refugee, think about the root of the word – refuge.
How are you helping provide a refuge to all of the
different refugees out there? How are you helping to
heal the world from fear and hatred? It’s up to all of
us – it begins with us.
Tim Atkins, Director of Religious Education
Page 3 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Page 4 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Young adults meet monthly for lunch on the second Sunday
and host a monthly social event outside of the fellowship.
You can contact us at [email protected].
Young Adult Lunch Sunday, December 13, 12:15 pm. Join us
for food and fun in Morristown.
Game Night / Social Outing Saturday, December 12 and 19, T ime and
Location TBD. Enjoy games, laughter and discussion. For this Holiday
season, we plan to have a game night and an outing to spend the day in NYC
YOUNG ADULT
Events
2015 Tax Planning
With the end of the year quickly
approaching, we want to remind
you of 2015 tax considerations
for your 2015-16 Annual
Operating Pledge and your
pledge to the Capital Campaign.
Any contribution you make to
the Fellowship by the end of year
will be treated as a 2015
charitable contribution.
As always, it is recommended
that you consult with your tax
advisor.
Transylvania Tidbit: On Sunday 11/7/15
we sang a beautiful song Székely Áldas (Transylvanian
House Blessing, #1043. See http://muuf.org/wp-content/
uploads/2015/11/ Szekely_Aldas1.jpg ) The instructions
say to sing it in both languages simultaneously. Dr. Jim
has learned the Hungarian part really well (on his own),
and if anyone is interested I can teach you easily. The
words to the song, links to videos of several times we
have sung it, and other Partner Church information is on
the website at
http://muuf.org/partner_church_committee/
contact Gabor Kiss [email protected]
Deeds Well Done
Kris Horton for running and coordinating the Harvest
Fair!
Maureen Dempsey, Paul Mitchell, Rudi Fernandez,
Pam Cook, Tom Perch, Galen Martin, Tom Moran, Joe
Uhrhane, Andrea Zugale, Diane Duciewicz, Dan
Reidy, Elias Ortega, Jim Blanton, Kris Johnson, Steve
Parker, Jim Stevenson, Toby Tyler and the Morning
Group for helping to move out the old Meeting Room
chairs to the 3rd floor and moving the new chairs in!
Page 5 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING
MAKE OUR SERVICE AUCTION
SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS!
Rita Morris, Donna Perch, Marjorie Wormser and Mandi Huizenga for their infectious enthusiasm and
countless hours of inspired hard work organizing and leading this wonderful team of volunteers!
Cooks: Tony Rutigliano, Elizabeth Bain, Jeanne Craft, Anne Gaynor and Robyn Allen. Vicki Hicks for dessert.
Dinner and Desserts Helpers: Alan Hicks, Zella Geltman, Marcia Ivans, Michael Hacker, Susan Oxman and
Diane Marks
Auctioneer: Dan Cohen and assistant Beth Wilson
Live Auction Greeters: Joan Belz, Arlyne Dalman and Sharon Glickman
Auction booklet: Kathi Caccavale.
Box Office: Annette Tyler, Donna and Tom Perch and Chris Reynolds
Silent Auction: Marjorie Wormser (lead,) Annette Tyler, Andrew O’Toole, Jeanne Craft, Donna and Tom
Perch, Donna Becker, Roxanne Hiltz, Andrea and Dave Zugale, Kathy Burgess, Bill Becker, Franklin Heller.
Bartenders: Beth Hayward, and Kate Sa with help from Steve Parker
Raffle workers: Cintra Fricke and Nancy Lee McLure
Music: The Folk Project Band organized by Steve Humphrys and Live Auction music by Amy Sunshine
Tables Setup and/or Takedown: Dan Byrd, David Horst, Norman Ng, Rich Dufort, Tom Moran and Maureen
Dempsey
Decorations: Kathy Solu, Diane Koslow, Luisa Galdos, Nancy and Kylie Balin, Kathy Burgess, Karen Burns-
Rutigliano
Bid Accountants: Toby Tyler and Susan Oxman; Accounts Receivables: Mandi Huizenga
Take Down of the Meeting Room: All who put our Meeting Room back in order for Sunday service
And we especially recognize our Service Auction Team Captain, Rita Morris,
who tirelessly organized and led this enthusiastic group of volunteers!
The Facilities Council would like to give a big THANK YOU to
all the folks who worked on our Fall Cleanup on November 8. From
the people who raked and weeded, to the folks who cleaned
windows, to the kids who washed the molding and polished the
furniture, we thank you all!
Volunteers: Steve Gruber, Sandy DeSmedt, George Rogers, Hanna
DeSmedt, Sydney Vuong, Mark Aronson, Joan
Belz, Ellen Minde, Laurel Minde, Jim Blanton,
Jennifer McGarvey, Quinn McGarvey, Julia
McGarvey, Luna Ortega-Huizenga, Lucien
Ortega-Huizenga, Kendall Martin, Nan Perigo,
Linda DeLap, and all the workers who didn’t
sign in, but helped with cleanup on a very busy
day at the Fellowship.
Get Clicking!
Use the Amazon link on the
Fellowship’s homepage to raise
money for the Fellowship. Click on
the link to connect to Amazon and
make your purchases as you normally
would. A percentage of the sale will
go to the Fellowship. But you must
use the link through the homepage!
Use the link each time you shop
Amazon.
ADULT LEARNING -- New Programs:
Red Tent Temple - December 12, 6 -10 pm, we’ll transform a room at the Fellowship into a “temple” of red!
Red Tent Temples are intended for women to gather, relax, and learn in a sacred environment and are designed
to for all women of different religious and social backgrounds. We will focus on self-care during this hectic
season. Come at 6 pm for organized activities or 7 pm for informal hang-out time. Women, and girls over the
age of 12 only. For information contact Dana [email protected]
Poetry Reading and Writing Program with Marcia Ivans, Sunday, 1/17, 12:30 pm -2:00 pm. Please
bring a pad, pen and brown bag lunch. Bring a poem you have written and a first draft is fine. We will discuss
your various styles. Also, we will have some fun with prompts. Marcia at [email protected]
Exploring Mindfulness with Mary Hodgson, starting Wednesday, 1/20 for 4 weeks, 7-8 pm. You will
learn some basic techniques to help you live more mindfully in the present. Your journey will open up the
possibility of living in self-compassion, non-judgment and conscious decision-making.
Contact Mary at [email protected]
Writing Workshop with Ellen Schmidt, Saturday, 4/9. This is an all day writing workshop offered in two
sessions, morning and afternoon, which can be taken individually or both to make a whole day.
For fees and info, contact Kate at [email protected]
Coming attractions winter 2016: Haiku Workshop with Peg Byrd
Hinduism and Shintoism with Hazel Bell and Mandi Huizenga
Tao Te Ching with Tim Atkins
Ongoing:
Gentle Yoga Led by Hazel Bell, Certified Yoga Instructor Fridays at 10:00 am.
Contact Anne at [email protected]
Insight Meditation Insight Meditation Group with George and Beverly Hays Sunday evenings 7-9 pm.
New and experienced meditators welcome. Contact George at [email protected]
Tai Chi Light Practice Led by Al Chu & Laurie MacGeorge First & Third Saturdays at 9:30 am.
Beginners welcome. No registration required, just come and join us!
Humanist Group Led by Arlyne Shapiro Third Wednesdays at 7:00 pm No registration required.
Men’s Consciousness Raising GroupThursdays at 7:30 pm. Don Price [email protected]
Book Club Led by Nancy McLure, third Monday of each month, 1:30 pm in the Library. No meeting in
December. For the January 18 meeting, we are reading The Round House by Louise Erdrich. All are
welcome. Contact Nancy [email protected]
Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Page 6
Page 7 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
In mid-November Craig Hirshberg, Executive
Director for the Legislative Ministry, testified at
the first hearing on Marijuana with the Senate
Judicial Committee. Her testimony will be made
available on the UULMNJ.org website for anyone
who is interested.
Craig says "Our UULMNJ position to this issue is
from a social justice perspective based on our
work on mass incarceration. After hearing the
expert testimony yesterday, there is no question in
my mind that this is the way to go."
Let’s Increase the Energy Efficiency of
Our Beloved Building
Inspired by GreenFaith’s webinars “Energy Savings for Faith Communities,” Green
Earth Ministry is organizing a congregation-wide program to conserve energy.
We are already doing some things well. Programmable thermostats throughout the
building turn down the heat when areas are not in use, reducing natural gas
consumption. High-efficiency lighting in the sanctuary and classrooms saves
electricity. The sanctuary’s heating and ventilation system is kept tuned, and its filters are replaced as needed.
However, we could do more.
Helene Ferm has set up a Portfolio Manager account for us. This secure, on-line software program
administered by the EPA tracks energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for more than 400,000
buildings in the United States. From July 2014 through June 2015, the Fellowship’s building consumed
natural gas and electricity costing $20,200 and resulting in greenhouse gas emissions of 97.8 metric tons CO2
equivalents. That is equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from 232,857 miles of driving an average
passenger vehicle, or CO2 emissions from 11,005 gallons of gasoline consumed.*
Let’s work together to make the Fellowship’s facility more energy efficient. We’ll save money while
promoting clean air and a livable climate. To share ideas or get involved, contact [email protected].
* Source: http://www2.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
UULMNJ NEWS
The Folk Project’s Holiday Benefit Concert for the Fellowship, Friday, December
18, 8:00 pm pre-concert caroling 7:30pm. Suggested Door Donation, minimum $10. It's the
Fa la la la la, la la la la time of year. Come on out, one and all!
The Folk Project is presenting this Concert to raise money for the Morristown Unitarian
Fellowship's (The Fellowship) Capital Project, specifically to rebuild the parking lot. The
Fellowship has been the long-time host for our Minstrel concert series and numerous other
Folk Project events.
We will have something for everyone; soulful holiday ballads, traditional seasonal classics, original tunes
with performers Jim Gartner, Andy Koenig, Mick Mitsch’s Lagans Love Duo, Yolanda Fundora, Sam
Edelston & Christine DeLeon. Hosted by Master Elf MC, Bob McNally. Caroling at 7:30 pm with Ken
Galipeau.
Your donation is tax deductible. The Fellowship will send a written acknowledgement for check donations of
$250 or more. If you will be out of town on the evening of the show, please still consider making a donation
to The Fellowship. Checks can be left at The Minstrel Desk any Friday or mailed to The Fellowship. Make
checks payable to Morristown Unitarian Fellowship and please put “Folk Project” in the memo line. Keep the
sleigh bells ringing and jingle bells jingling! See you on the 18th!
Page 8 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Social Justice
Holiday Giving Tree
Our Annual Holiday Giving Tree Starts on
November 29. There will be 1 part and 2-part gift
tags on the Tree in the Great Hall. Please take a
tag or many tags! If the tag has 2 copies, fill out
the attached ‘in-house’ tag with your name and
contact info and put it in the envelop marked gift
tags.
There are gift tags for: Gifts of Warmth for
“Pathways to Work” workers, sweatshirts, jackets,
hats, gloves and socks, sizes S-L; Gifts for a child
from After-School Kids Program; Gift cards
for 15 Gifted NABE pre-teens; Gift for
Disadvantaged Teens (distr ibuted by the
Frelinghuysen Middle School and Morristown
High School Guidance Counselors) and Gift cards
for Families in Need distr ibuted at The Table of
Hope (Bethal AME) program.
Please bring all gifts to the Fellowship by Sunday
December 13, 12:30 pm. Children’s gifts should
be wrapped and tagged with the original tag (or one that clearly lists who the gift is for.)
Gifts of warmth do not need to be wrapped or tagged.
We ask that you spend at least $25 for the children’s gifts and gift cards. Gift cards are requested for:
Walmart, Target, Gamestop (for NABE kids only), Century 21, Marshalls, TJ Maxx or any non-store
specific cash card. Family cards could also be for ShopRite. Thank you for being a part of our giving tree
effort to spread kindness and generosity to others in our community … happy holidays!
Social Justice
Visit Green Earth Ministry’s table at the Holiday Gift Fair for Chicobag reusable
shopping bags and slings made from recycled
material, produce bags, snack bags, travel zips and
packs, and daypacks. See www.chicobag.com.
Proceeds will benefit
GreenFaith, a New Jersey-
based nonprofit that works
with houses of worship,
religious schools, and people
of all faiths to help them
become better environmental
stewards.
Visit the Seeds of
Peace table at the upcoming Holiday Gift
Fair Dec. 4, 5, 6, where we’ll
be offering a variety of
Holiday Cards; Children’s &
Adult Books, Jewelry
(Humanist, Evolve, Atheist, Chalice); Datebooks;
Posters; themed T-shirts,, Magnets, Bumper Stickers,
Buttons & more, at discounted Prices. Mostly all
items have been produced according to
environmentally sustainable & socially just practices.
Page 9 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Page 10 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
KIVA Micro-loans sponsored by the Fellowship have
helped change 88 people and their families!
Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to
connect people through lending. Kiva works with
microfinance institutions on five continents to
provide loans to people without access to traditional
banking. Once a loan is repaid the funds are re-
invested for new loans. In May 2011, the Fellowship
initiated a series of micro-loans with $1,165 raised
through a dedicated collection. Over the last 4 years
this investment has provided $9,300 in loans to 88
individuals in 36 countries.
In November, we gave the following loans:
loan
amount Country Loan used to buy
$175 Nicaragua Pigs
$225 Uganda Electronics
$250 Samoa Agricultural supplies
$100 El Salvador Renovate housing
$200 Bolivia Clothing inventory
$100 Columbia Beauty Salon inventory
$1050 TOTAL
Social Justice
Collaborating With Nature: Led by Bill Reed, A.I.A., LEED, a most
distinguished architect and thought leader, Saturday, January 16, 1-5 pm. Whether
you are working to save a watershed or looking to save energy in your community,
this interactive workshop will inspire you and better equip you for assuring the
success of your project. Whether you are just starting out as an earth activist or one
that has raised his/her voice many a long year, you will gain skills you never
thought you had and insights you never thought possible. In Bill’s words “Now is
the time for us to grow …more intelligent, more creative, and more conscious. We
are headed into the future. Are you coming with us?” To register contact Claire or
Jo at [email protected]. http://www.ecospeakers.com/videos/reedw.html and http://
integrativedesign.net Hosted/underwritten by Green Earth Ministry, Seeds of Peace , Garden State
Earth Institute.
Palliative Care Workshop
Led by Janet Smith, RN, experienced acute care and
hospice nurse originally trained at the University
College Hospital, London England.
Workshop at the Fellowship on December 11-13. This
training is an introduction to a growing specialty
nationwide. It will help you understand how to
navigate an increasingly complex medical system and
how to avoid frequent hospitalizations with chronic
medical conditions. There will be practical sessions as
part of the training so you will be better skilled to
take care of loved ones at home. There are practical
application exercises for everyone as well as Seimei
exercises where the public can participate by being
worked on.
Training open to the public. $140 fee to be paid on
December 11, cash or check only.
Mark your calendars for our 30th Annual SCAN (Service Committee Action Network) Concert
on Saturday, January 30, featuring John Foster and veteran scan performer Ken Galipeau.
Page 11 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Morristown Unitarian Fellowship 21 Normandy Heights Road Morristown, New Jersey. 07960-4611
December 2015 Volume 60. No. 12
December 6 at 9 am & 11 am “Would You Harbor Me?”
On this first Sunday of the month, we are delving into the topic of Refuge as a way into our theme of the
year: “Building the Beloved Community. Our faith asserts the religious life is about deeds not creeds,
how are we called to respond to the refugee crisis?
- led by Rev. Alison B. Miller
December 13 at 9 am & 11 am “Divine Spark”
Unitarian Universalists speak of a divine spark that resides in all human beings and in all of creation.
This concept exists outside of our faith and is lifted up by others such as Jewish and Sufi mystics. What
is this spark and how can we be more in tune with it?
- led by Rev. Alison B. Miller
December 20 at 9 am & 11 am “Celebrating Christmas with Las Posadas”
Join us for a multigenerational service where we will honor a special Christmas celebration in Mexico
and the Southwest called Las Posadas involving the reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey in search
of shelter and what it means for us today.
- led by Rev. Alison B. Miller and Tim Atkins
December 24 at 5 pm & 9 pm “Christmas Eve Candlelight Services”
Celebrate Christmas Eve as we share traditional stories, sing carols, and enjoy performances by the
Fellowship’s talented singers and musicians.
5 pm – Children’s Choirs, Chamber Ensemble, Jim Blanton and Rev. Alison Miller
9 pm – Adult Choirs, Soloists, Chamber Ensemble, Jim Blanton & Rev. Alison Miller
December 27 at 10 am “Jumping Into Change”
Are you listening to what calls you? If you jump at a chance to change your life, might you stand on the
holy ground of being your true self? Hear stories of six people whose mid-life shifts paid off.
- led by Melanie Davis, PhD, CSE, CSES, Unitarian Universalist Lay Speaker