Catholic Campus Ministry Center,
Pomona Road (County Route 575), Galloway Township
Directions
Sunday Services start at 10:00 am and last till about 11:00 am.
Child care and a children’s program is available.
A coffee hour for socializing follows the service.
Jan -- Feb -- Mar -- Apr -- May -- Jun -- Jul -- Aug -- Sep -- Oct -- Nov -- Dec
2004
Top of pageJanuary 4
Adventures in India and Burma
Lay speaker Ben Luoma
Come listen to Ben's experiences studying Buddhism in India and avoiding getting into trouble in Burma. Hear stories about crazy rickshaw drivers and Tibetan Lamas listening to Jerry Garcia. Know nothing about Myanmar? Learn about this country of contrasts, and how he dealt with the incessant chanting which made it hard to sleep, what food loaded with MSG does to you, how the State Law and Order Restoration Council threw him out.
January 11
Discussion of Long Range Plan
Led by congregational members
A review and discussion of our Long Range Plan will be the topic today. This will include programs, membership growth, finances, and our new property and building.
January 18
A Futuristic Fantasy
Rev. George E. Blair III
If present trends continue (and they never will) the future may look bleak. This Sunday, the pastor tries to imagine a future of the peaceable kingdom -- a happy rather than a catastrophic future. How could it happen, and what would it look like?
January 25
Roe vs Wade
Rev. George E. Blair III
Will the abortion controversy ever be settled? This Sunday will be a controversial, even painful examination of the topic that continues to divide our nation. Who decides? How does one decide? A risky discussion/talk-back will follow.
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February 1
Pagan Celebration
Rev. George E. Blair III
The middle of winter is upon us, and we turn to the traditions of pagans to celebrate and inspire us to muddle on until spring.
February 8
UU Principles of Star Trek
Lay speaker Bill Headington
How Gene Roddenberry incorporated UU principles into his well-loved science fiction TV series.
February 15
A Valentine
Rev. George E. Blair III
Sex, sex, sex -- that's all he wants to talk about. Worshiping with our bodies and souls -- a beginner's guide to spiritual intimacy.
February 22
Truth and Truthfulness
Guest speaker Jonathan Black
What is truth, and why do we need to be truthful?
February 29
Leap Year!
Rev. George E. Blair III
Who needs an extra day in February?
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March 7
Making Stone Soup
Lay leader Karen York
In March members of the congregation are asked to reflect on the future growth and prosperity of UUCSJS. Karen York will speak about the UUCSJS community and how by working together we can make Stone Soup.
March 14
Forget St Paddy; All Hail Brigid, the Sublime One
Lay speaker Beth Dusman
Beth, one of UUCSJS's Pagan members, instructs us in the Celtic mysteries and how they've shaped the Irish culture. There will also be Irish music and poetry.
March 21
Unitarian Universalist Monasticism
Guest speaker Michael Masters
What in the world is Unitarian Universalist Monasticism? What might a Unitarian Universalist contemplative community be like, and why would anyone even consider such a thing, never mind trying to create one? Michael Masters explains his answers to these questions, the factors that led to their arising in the first place and what he has done about it. Michael is assistant director of the Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center in Lanoka Harbor NJ.
March 28
A Sermon on Peace
Rev. George E. Blair III
What is peace? Is it the absence of war? An exploration of the Arabic term 'salaam' and the Hebrew term 'shalom'. Can we have peace without justice? Why would we want it?
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April 4
Palm Sunday - American troops march on Baghdad
Rev. George E Blair III
Mission accomplished? How quickly "hosanna" can turn into "crucify him!" as America ponders a post-Saddam future.
April 11
Easter
Rev. George E Blair III
How can we snatch victory from the jaws of defeat? How can we keep going when doom is staring us in the face? An exploration of the meaning of hope.
April 18
Synchronicity
Led by Barbara Miller (and accomplices)
Is it selective perception, the law of averages playing itself out? Or is it, as Carl Jung believed, a glimpse into the underlying order of the universe? We'll share our stories and try to answer this question for ourselves.
April 25
Doubting Thomas
Rev. George E Blair III
The role of doubt in religious faith. Can we celebrate doubt without making a fetish of it? Does doubt indicate lack of faith or depth of faith? And what is faith anyway?
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May 2
Unitarian Thought
Lay speaker Carl Benner
Carl Benner will lead a forum on Unitarian thought about God, the bible, and religion in general. Any and all Unitarians in the audience will be invited to express their ideas to share with the rest of us.
May 9
The Death Penalty
Rev. George E Blair III
What are the attitudes of the major religious faiths regarding the ultimate penalty? How does the Christian experience (whose major figure died from capital punishment) affect modern attitudes towards the death penalty? Why have the faith positions of many Christian and Jewish sects towards this issue had so little effect on the beliefs of their membership, or in shaping public policy?
May 16
The Birds and the Bees
Rev. George E Blair III
What's wrong with these people? Why can't they just choose? While bisexuality does double your chances of getting a date on Saturday night, is it consistent with religious values? What of monogamy, polygamy, and other variants? What taboos are socially valuable and which ones should be chucked?
May 23
Where am I Going, and Why am I in this Handbasket?
Rev. George E Blair III
Are we all just a part of the plan or is the universe meaningless chaos? Are those the only alternatives? A search for truth and meaning.
May 30
Ministering to Each Other
Lay speaker Kathie Benner
In conjunction with our professional minister, George Blair, we all share a commitment to each other in pastoral care. Let's consider the ways we do this, how we are doing, and what new thoughts some of us might have about pastoral care.
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June 6
Simple Things Are Holy
Guest speakers Rev. Ginny Going and Tom Henderson
At a time when we are being assaulted from every angle by people urging us to go faster and take in more information -- fast companies, faster internet access, multitasking -- we need to find ways to slow down, enjoy our surroundings, reflect, be with friends, play, create; in short, to rediscover the sacredness of simple things.
June 13
Native American Medicine
Guest speaker Marcus Bluefeather Evans
The "Medicine" that has chosen Marcus is of a nature that enables him to teach the magical parts of the human experience in classes and seminars. He uses his training as a hypnotherapist to enable his clients and students to reach the Native American "Dreamtime". From these levels comes healing, changes in behavior, astral projection, and "knowing".
June 20
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
Rev. George E Blair III
Moral discernment is difficult in an age without universally recognized standards. This Sunday, we'll take a bite of the apple, and see how we can tell right from wrong.
June 27
The Tree of Life
Rev. George E Blair III
There was a second tree in that garden, the tree whose fruit was not forbidden. The Tree of Life held the gift of immortality. How does our mortality shape our lives, and what would it mean to live forever?
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July 4
What is Patriotism?
Discussion service
This informal service will consist of a roundtable discussion on patriotism. With all the flag-waving and "I'm more patriotic than thou" fervor of late, we might well ask, what is true patriotism? Bring quotes, examples, or reflections to share with the group.
July 11
Muslims in the West
Guest speaker Ibrahim Naboulsi
We will learn about Islam as it is practiced in the West.
July 18
The Merchant of Venice
Rev. George E Blair III
Shakespeare's comedy about a greedy Jew who gets his just reward is still powerful as a voice for anti-semitism or for tolerance and understanding. How much does this play inform the differences in Jewish and Christian perceptions of the world? How much did Shakespeare get Shylock right, and how much did he wrong him - and Jews throughout history?
July 25
The DaVinci Code
Rev. George E Blair III
Now that everyone's stopped talking about this book, it's time for a sermon on the topic. Read it, if you can, before this Sunday, and be prepared for an evaluation of the sacred feminine and the mythical and historical claims made in this work of fiction.
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August 1
Dealing With Stupid People
Rev. George E Blair III
Stupid people are other people who can't see the world sensibly like we do. How can we suffer fools gladly? Why is stupidity so difficult to endure, and how can we get the chips off our own shoulders?
August 8
Spinning the Interdependent Web
Lay leader Jon Luoma
Our own Jon Luoma will tackle the task of bringing fresh insights to our 7th principle. Since he has been writing on environmental topics for many years and has traveled far and wide researching same, he might have something new to say about declining red knots, mycorrhizal symbiosis, or bug-repellent clothing.
August 15
Religion and Mental Health
Rev. George E Blair III
Several modern studies have demonstrated that people who are religious have fewer mental health problems. If that is so, why are so many of the great religious leaders pathological nut jobs? A history of looney-tunes who have shaped religious history.
August 22
What is Unitarian Universalism anyway???
Lay leader Debbie Duncan
Some members of the "Articulating your UU Faith" class will share their insights into how to respond to the questions of befuddled onlookers and neophytes. More importantly, see how we can describe our faith in words to our own satisfaction.
August 29
Reverence for Life in an Age of Biotechnology
Lay leader Karen York
The science of genetics has brought new promise for medicine as well as some new dilemmas. How do we stand up for humanity and honor life in an age where genetic manipulation of life has become increasingly commonplace?
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September 5
Reflections on General Assembly 2004
Lay leaders Paul Utts and Marsha Hannah
General Assembly this year was a family affair, with several members of the Utts family meeting up in Long Beach California to participate in the UUA's annual convention. Come find out what Paul and Marsha have to say about this annual orgy of UUism.
September 12
Intergenerational Gathering of the Waters
Rev. George E Blair III
Join us for our sixth annual water service. This is the time when we come together with our reminiscences of the year past and look forward to a "new" year. Bring a small sample of your actual or symbolic water to blend in a bowl of memories and hope for the future.
September 19
The DaVinci Code
Rev. George E Blair III
(postponed from July 25) Now that everyone's stopped talking about this book, it's time for a sermon on the topic. Read it, if you can, before this Sunday, and be prepared for an evaluation of the sacred feminine and the mythical and historical claims made in this work of fiction.
September 26
E Unum Pluribus ("out of one, many")
Rev. Blair and lay leaders Carole Repici, Betsy Searight
Why do human beings gather in intentional communities? What does this community mean to us as individuals? What do we as individuals mean to our community?
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October 3
Why Ronald Wilson Reagan was Not the Anti-Christ
Rev. George E Blair III
Millions of Americans understand the book of Revelation to be a literal prediction of the "end times" of the world. Dozens of generations of Christians throughout the ages have thought the prophecies were coming true in their own lifetimes. An examination of the "prophecies" of Revelation, and how they do and don't apply to the modern political climate.
October 10
It's the Economy, Stupid
Rev. George E Blair III
Most of the writings of the prophets and most of the parables of Jesus had an economic subtext. Marxism is one form of Christian heresy -- the economic and political structure of the Book of Acts made normative by driving out God and substituting a Hegelian notion of the world soul of history. How our religious tradition informs our economic values -- all in anticipation of the coming elections.
October 17
Calculating Our Ecological Footprint
Lay speaker Cherry Mauk
This will be an interactive and intergenerational service based on activities designed by the staff of Population Connection, an organization with educational programs about the ecological impact of population growth and ethical concerns about resource distribution.
October 24
Why People of Conscience Belong in Jail
Rev. George E Blair III
Join the Rev. Blair in his prison cell, as he explores the issue of why so many people of conscience choose jail, while we are safe on the outside admiring them. Nelson Mandela, St. Paul, Michael Servetus, Henry David Thoreau, Martin Luther King, Mohandas Gandhi, Daniel and Philip Berrigan... us?
October 31
Why We are Not Catholics
Rev. George E Blair III
And presumably why John Kerry is. A respectful look at the differences between Catholic and Protestant mindset and values. Over thirty percent of UUs are recovering Catholics (as opposed to about four percent of us from Jewish backgrounds, for example). Why? How are we catholic, and how are we not? A reformation sunday special -- come prepared to sing "A Mighty Fortress."
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November 7
Honoring Women Composers
Guest speaker Elaine Held
Can you name 5 classical women composers? If you cannot you are not alone. Most people have no idea that women have been successful composers since the beginning of musical time. One of the first women to make a name for herself was Hildegard von Bingen who lived in the 11th century and composed hundreds of chants and musical plays. Still, where is the female Mozart or Beethoven or Chopin? How is it we don't know the names of women composers let alone hear their music? Elaine will talk about the history of women composers and play some of the beautiful music that should... no, demands to be heard!
November 14
Election Post-Mortem
Rev. George E Blair III
Provided that we know by this date how the election came out, what does the electoral mood say about the future direction of our nation? How will our spiritual and religious health be affected by national and local election results? How will our lives change?
November 21
Who's a Conscientious Objector?
Guest speaker J.E. McNeil
Having represented conscientious objectors, military tax resistors, and demonstrators in many court cases, Ms McNeil is an attorney with a nearly 30- year history in the peace movement. She will talk about the potential of a draft, the militarism in our schools, how to determine of you are a conscientious objector, and how to document your belief for the selective service.
November 28
Unplugging the Christmas Machine
Lay speaker Denise Rodriguez
Nostalgic for a simpler Christmas? Denise Rodriguez will present a mini-workshop designed to help us rise above the commercialism of the holidays and design a meaningful and joyful celebration for ourselves and our families. Based on the book Unplug the Christmas Machine by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli.
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December 5
Advent in the Holy Land
Rev. George E Blair III
Jet-lagged and fatigued but spiritually awakened, Rev. Blair returns from his trip to Israel and Egypt with an epiphany or two. Perhaps.
December 12
If I Ever Forget You, Jerusalem
Rev. George E Blair III
Impressions of the holy city, battleground and sacred to three monotheistic faiths. Why Jerusalem matters.
December 19
Would You Like to Hold the Baby?
Rev. George E Blair III
We will meet at the Newman Center at 4:00 pm. Come share in our intergenerational Christmas play put on by children and grownups dressed as innkeepers, shepherds, and cows. Includes singing of favorite Christmas songs by the warm glow of candlelight.
December 26
The Book of Questions, Redux
Lay leader Mariann Davis
With all the post-election dialog of whose moral values are currently ascendant in this country of ours, isn't it time to pin down some of this? Join us in this informal service where we consider questions that help us express and define our individual outlooks on morality, ethics, life. Some old-timers may remember doing this with Denise Rodriguez as our leader in December 2001.
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