Lions Center for the Blind,
Pitney Road and Crestview Avenue, Absecon NJ
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
2007
Top of pageJanuary 7
Earth and Spirit
Guest leader Jim Scott, UU musician
Jim intersperses original songs and readings in a celebration of earth with reflections on the diversity, abundance and relative health of life systems that we might say comprise the "spirit" of our small planet. His uplifting songs provide the balance to the wake up call, leaving participants with a vision and inspiration to take the healing into our own hands. He makes the case for our "spiritual response" as we are facing a crisis of the life spirit of the earth.
January 14
Non-Violent Communication
Guest Speaker John Karvel
NonViolent Communication (NVC) is a practical and effective way to bring the mindfulness of Thich Naht Hahn and the ahimsa (nonviolence) of Gandhi into all of our communication and interaction with others. NVC can powerfully facilitate personal growth, family peace, compassionate social change, conflict resolution and mediation.
January 21
Violent and Nonviolent Social Change
Rev. George E Blair III
Both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X strove for social change, but used different approaches. Can nonviolence be an effective tool for shaking up the system?
January 28
"A Fine Excess"
Various congregational members
"Poetry should surprise by a fine excess and not by singularity -- it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts, and appear almost a remembrance."
-- John Keats. Come share some excesses and singularities in our quasi-annual poetry service.
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February 4
Civil Unions
Rev. George E Blair III
What is the new New Jersey law on civil unions? How will heterosexual and homosexual
marriages be different under the law? What must our religious response be to the new
marriage apartheid?
February 11
Auschwitz Memories
Guest Speaker Will Kahane
The last Jewish child born in his shtetl in the Ukraine after the end of WWII,
Will Kahane’s life’s journey has included stops in a displaced persons camp in Germany, a chicken farm in Vineland, film school at NYU, Vietnam, Hubert Humphrey’s presidential campaign, and more recently, a study tour in Eastern Europe which he documented through film. He holds a Masters degree in Holocaust Studies from Richard Stockton College. (Perhaps he should consider making a documentary of his own improbable and intriguing life.)
February 18
Unitarian Presidents
Rev. George E Blair III
A president's day special on the four Unitarian presidents
and the one Unitarian wannabe.
February 25
Death, or Life Without Parole?
Lay speaker Eddie Hicks
Our own Eddie Hicks relates his experience as one of the thirteen members of the
NJ Death Penalty Study Commission over the past year. Also involved with the groups New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation, Eddie has personal experience with the impact of violent crime, having lost his own daughter in 2000 to homicide.
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March 4
Is Hatred of Family a Religious Value?
Rev. George E Blair III
"If any man comes to me, and hates not his father and mother and wife and children and sisters,
yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." So says Jesus in the gospel of Luke. Many cult leaders base their power on separating their disciples from their families of origin. What are we to make of the rejection of biological family as a religious value?
March 11
No SERVICE Today
Due to a previously-scheduled event at the Lions Center, the facility is unavailable for us to use.March 18
Commitment Sunday
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 lead a service considering what is possible when we share our gifts with the community.
March 25
Canvassing Brunches/Sharing Circles
No service at the Lions Center today
Members and friends of the congregation will gather in small groups at members’ homes to reflect
on what they value about our congregation, and to enjoy eating and socializing together.
Participants will have an opportunity to make a pledge of support to the congregation at these gatherings.
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April 1
In Praise of Folly
Rev. George E Blair III
April Fool's Day and Palm Sunday.
April 8
Joseph Campbell - a UU "Saint"
Guest speaker Mark Bernstein
Joseph Campbell was a renowned teacher, author and mythologist, best known for his discussions with Bill Moyers on PBS. He described his own work as an attempt to tell humankind's "One Great Story," the saga of spiritual awakening through different mythological and religious perspectives. His central theme is that our seemingly disparate spiritual traditions are not unique but are really "ethnic manifestation" of the same universal truths.
April 15
Death and Taxes
Rev. George E Blair III
Should we render taxes unto Caesar or not? An especially poignant question as our tax money goes to support imperialism and death across the world.
April 22
Called To Grow
Guest speaker Pat Infante
Patricia Hall Infante, Director for Growth and Extension in the JPD, takes us along on her journey from lifelong UU to religious educator to UU evangelist with a passion for growing the faith.
April 29
Small Group Ministry: EvenSong
Lay leaders Kathie Benner and Marsha Hannah
When congregations grow in size, Small Group Ministry programs can provide ways for us to learn about each other and our range of philosophical/religious outlooks. In the fall months, two small groups in Ocean County and Galloway participated in meetings in the EvenSong format. These groups, their leaders, Marsha Hannah and Kathie Benner, and UUCSJS members will participate in a "sample" meeting. Hint: the key is listening.
Join us!
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May 6
Favorite UU Hymns
Music Director Barbara Miller
Some time ago, congregation members were surveyed to find out what were their most beloved hymns. Now, join in a service where we find out (and get to sing) the top ten winners.
May 13
Paths to UU
Coordinator Michael Cluff
Birthright UUs are a minority in our faith tradition. How do the rest of us find our way to our UU home? And how do some birthright UUs avoid falling away?
May 20 11:00 am
A Glance at the Life of Norbert Čapek
UUCSJS players
Today we will have a real treat. We'll see a performance of a play about the life of Norbert Čapek, written by Rev Daniel Ó Donnell, minister of the Eliot Unitarian Chapel in Kirkwood, Missouri. Mr. Čapek is a Czech Baptist-turned-Unitarian who more than 80 years ago created the Flower Communion service beloved by Unitarian Universalists everywhere. Note: bring a flower to share!Since we have our birders tramping through the meadows and marshes early this morning, the service starts at 11:00 am.
Potluck lunch follows the service.
May 27
Hunger Here At Home
Lay speaker Evelyn Benton
Hunger isn't something that only occurs in the developing world. As head of the South Jersey Food Bank, Evelyn will give us a perspective on hunger issues happening right now in our own backyard and elsewhere.
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June 3
New Beginnings
Kathie Benner and Prim Reeves
Kathie and Prim will take a philosophical look at the changes occurring in our congregation. Our program year runs from July 1 to June 30. It's time for a fresh start as we go from this service into our Annual Meeting.
June 10
COA (Coming Of Age) Extravaganza
Coordinated by lay leader Melissa Hutchison
Move over, Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson! Coming your way by the Coming of Age troupe, get ready for "UU Idol"! See how famous Unitarians stack up against each other and against the judges. What will Simon say next? This service is intergenerational, so bring the kids.
June 17
The Church is Not Your Family (Thank Goodness!)
Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
Many UUs describe their church as their "family" -- but is family really the healthiest metaphor for the relationship within a Unitarian Universalist congregation? A provocative topic about the nature of family for this Father's Day service, which will include a special meditation on fathers.
June 24
Litha, also known as Summer Solstice
Guest speaker Theresa McReynolds
This is the time of the Rose, blossom and thorn, fragrance and blood. The Earth basks in the Light and warmth of the Sun. Now on this longest day, light triumphs, and yet begins the decline into the dark. The Lord of Light dies to Himself, and sets sail across the dark seas of time, searching for the Isle of Light that is rebirth. We turn the Wheel and share his fate, for we have planted the seeds of our own changes, and to grow we must accept even the passing of the sun.
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July 1
Armenian Genocide
Lay speaker Debbi Dagavarian
Historians acknowledge the Armenian massacres that began in Turkey in 1915 as the first
genocide of the 20th century, and Hitler used its fading from memory as justification for
his engineering the Holocaust. A million and a half Armenians were killed in this genocide,
and Turkey still denies it happened. As UUs, we can take a stand against this profound injustice
to the memory of those who suffered. In this service, Debbi will speak about the Armenian genocide,
focusing on the actual experiences of her beloved great-uncle, paternal grandmother and godfather,
all of whom survived.
July 8
Full Green Ahead
Lay speakers Michael Cluff, Richard Grzywinski, Dr. Harold Clark, and Jesse Connor
Members of the Social Justice Committee will report the results of our survey and personal
narratives and the progress we have made as a congregation in addressing Global Warming.
We’ll take a look at where we can go from here: how we can strengthen our commitment to the
seventh principal in this age of global crisis.
July 15
How to Live at Peace in a World at War
Guest speaker Ali Wassil, PhD, DLitt
As we devote our energies towards the end of violent conflict and world peace, what about our
own inner peace? Ali Wassil has been a figure on the world stage, and we are fortunate to
have him join us again, speaking, as always, from a spiritual point of view.
July 22
The Interdependent Web
Guest speaker Doris Lin, Issues Specialist, Animal Protection PAC
Does the interdependent web of all existence include animals? Should we strive for peace,
liberty and justice for animals? Doris Lin is a vegan, an animal activist and an attorney
who focuses on wildlife issues.
July 29
Highlights from General Assembly
Lay speakers John and Betsy Searight
Our faith is democratically based, and the annual convention of our congregations represents
this democracy in action. John and Betsy Searight will bring to us some of what transpired
and spoke to their heart at this great gathering. We can expect that they will advise everyone
to attend a GA at least once in their lifetime.
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August 5
Ms Brown Goes to Washington
Guest speaker Lori Lippman Brown
How did a Jewish Humanist Unitarian Universalist become the first Congressional
lobbyist for non-theists? Lori was hired by the Secular Coalition for America in
September, 2005 as its Director. She guides the coalition's activities and lobbies
members of Congress on issues arising out of the inappropriate incursion of religion
into civil law. She also addresses the interests and concerns of America's atheists,
freethinkers, humanists, and other nontheists through media appearances and speaking engagements.
August 12
Be Ye Lamps Unto Yourselves
Guest minister Rev. Kathie Davis Thomas
How do we find clarity when handling challenges in our lives? We’ll examine the Quaker
use of Clearness Committees, Sue Monk Kidd’s ideas about chaos, and the story of Jesus
overcoming temptations in the wilderness. Who am I and what do I stand for?
August 19
Unitarian Universalism: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Guest speaker Jan Taddeo, UU Seminary Student
Jan Taddeo, ministerial student, will share information about our roots and the merger
of Unitarians and Universalists, and then explore the questions, "Who are we today,
and where are we going?"
August 26
Everyday Spiritual Practice
Lay speaker Karen York
As Unitarian Universalist we do not have prescribed spiritual practices set out by our
faith. Yet as individuals we may discover activities that nurture our spirituality and
help us to develop our faith. What consistent intentional activities do you have that
help you to connect to the greater good or our Unitarian Universalist faith? What can
we do encourage each other's spiritual practice?
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September 2
Buddhism & the Brain: You never think with the same brain twice
Lay speaker Michael Cluff
The disciplines of Neuroscience and of Buddhist philosophy have reached surprisingly similar insights
about the nature of the mind. Just how much do they agree?
September 9
Ingathering and Water Communion Service
Guest minister Rev. Anne Herndon
After a summer season of a more relaxed tempo, we celebrate our coming together again as a community,
looking forward to an exciting new church year. This will be an intergenerational service so that
all ages may participate in our Water Communion. Please bring a small amount of water from a place of
personal or spiritual significance to add to our common bowl.
September 16
The Art of Spirituality
Guest minister Rev. Lyn Cox
Unitarian Universalism calls us to a constant process of discernment. On the one hand, we are given the
freedom to explore for ourselves the "big questions" about the nature of divinity and the purpose of humanity.
On the other hand, we are asked to engage in that exploration deeply and responsibly, and to support others
doing the same. Because we respond to the world with our whole selves, it is worthwhile to involve
our whole selves in the search for truth and meaning. Embodied meditation, creating visual art, and
appreciating music are a few ways to engage in the search.
September 23
Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, 19th Century African-American Unitarian, Addresses “The Colored People
in America” in 1857: A re-enactment
Lay speaker Stephanie Garrett
How far have we come as a nation and as a denomination in the 150 years since this essay was published?
Hear the essay and dialogue with Mrs. Harper. As a published poet, author of fiction, lecturer and
abolitionist, Mrs. Harper focused on the issues of racism, sexism and classism envisioned through a
radical Christian perspective advocating reform, revolution and humanism. A Brighter Coming Day,
a reader containing her poetry, sample essays, letters, and excepts from her novel and short stories,
is available through the UUA Bookstore and online sources.
September 30
Equipping the Saints
Guest minister Rev. Kathy Ellis
Who are the saints in Unitarian Universalism? What does it mean to be equipped?
Find out what this could mean to Unitarian Universalist congregations.
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October 7
Even Atheists Need Ritual
Lay speaker Richard Grzywinski
As Unitarian Universalists, we thrive on the use of reason in our “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” We characterize ourselves as free-thinkers, unconstrained by absolutism or dogma. Yet in our Sunday services, we do incorporate stylized customs, symbols, and repetitive acts reminiscent of traditional faiths. Are these elements important to our “faith,” or are they mere artifacts of our Judeo-Christian origins? How and why do they affect us so deeply? Perhaps we can enrich our spiritual growth through a greater understanding of our ritual practices and the mechanisms which engender positive feelings.
October 14
Now is the Time
Lay leaders Barbara Miller, John Searight, Mariann Maene
Unitarian Universalist congregations are self-governing entities whose connections to one another sometimes seem tenuous. On October 14 we will join with over a thousand UU congregations across the country to strengthen the bonds of our common purpose. Now is the Time for our congregations to grow stronger and more effective because our religious values are needed to help heal the wounded world.
October 21
What’s the Matter With Our Youth?
Guest minister Rev. Don E. Robinson
Rev. Robinson, founder of the Beacon House Community Ministry in Washington DC, will talk about the problems that face many of our at-risk youth today, what caused those predicaments, and try to give some solutions.
October 28
Samhain: New Beginnings
Lay leader Rev Theresa McReynolds
Theresa considers Samhain one of the most high holidays in our pagan tradition -- it is the New Year, and the time when the veil is thin between the world of the living and the dead. If we pay attention, our ancestors can return to visit us and give us help and advice. Theresa says, “in my house I make an altar to my ancestors, placing pictures and special mementoes of my beloved dead. I cook some of their favorite foods. I pack a picnic lunch and take my grandchildren to the cemetery, and tell stories of their ancestors. It is a special holy time.” Members are invited to come to the service in costume and bring pictures and mementoes of their beloved dead.
Note: The Oct 28 service will be held at the GTAA Building at Gabriel Field, Zurich & Duerer Streets, Galloway.
The children will be having a Halloween celebration at Free To Be Child Care Center on Pomona Road (adjacent to the Stockton ball fields, across the road from the Catholic Campus Ministry Center, our old meeting location). Parents, please drop your children off there before the service.
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November 4
An Introduction to Islam
Guest speaker Zia Rahman
Zia Rahman, co-founder of the Islamic Center of South Jersey, will be the
guest speaker. Mr. Rahman, who was instrumental in the establishing a Mosque
in Voorhees Township, NJ, will enhance our understanding of Islam and the Muslim community.
November 11
The Politics of Poetry in Wartime
Guest speaker William D Ehrhart
Vietnam War veteran Mr Ehrhart provides this meditation on patriotism, peace,
lessons learned and not learned, courage, cowardice, conscience, lies, damned
lies, and statistics. Well, maybe not statistics, but anything else is fair game.
And all done with poetry.
November 18
From Dream to Reality
Joseph Priestley District Executive Rev Dr Richard D Speck
What does it mean to work toward a long-held dream and finally see it come
to fruition? What do we need to keep in mind as the reality unfolds?
Rev. Dr. Richard Speck will explore this theme as the building program
for our new facility gets under way.
November 25
Systems Approaches to Spirituality and Problem Solving
Guest speaker Alan Oliver
General System Theory describes not only parts and wholes, but also how the
parts and wholes interact. In our complex, interactive and fluid world it
is important to train ourselves in systems thinking so we can deal with reality
as it is. This is true for our spirituality, our families and any problem or issue.
It has been said that we live systems, but do not think systems. This presentation
will help you wake up to that possibility.
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December 2
Discover Your Ministry
Lay leader Marsha Hannah
Discover Your Ministry is a course designed to help you discover your unique gifts
and talents and empower you to share them in the world. In this service, participants from
the course share their discoveries.
December 9
Introduction to the Seven Principles
Guest minister Rev Kathie Davis Thomas
Unitarian Universalists do not have a creed which we are required to believe, but we have
found it useful to articulate common values in what has become known as the Principles and
Purposes. Rev. Kathie Davis Thomas will share some interesting background on our 7 principles
in preparation for a monthly series of lay-led services on each principle.
December 16
Note: service at 4:30 pm, not 10:00 am
Winter Solstice Celebration
Barbara Miller and the Winter Solstice Singers
"Deep in the dark of the Longest Night..."A celebration of the Darkness and the Light with songs and stories. The singing will include music from calypso, Western choral singing, Native American texts, Greek mythology, feminist rounds, Pagan chants, and even an old American hymn.
December 23
Kwanzaa's Seven Principles
Lay leader Stephanie Garrett
Learn about the uniquely African American celebration of Community known as Kwanzaa.
This secular ceremony is based on seven principles to live by similar in purpose to our
Unitarian Universalist principles. Come celebrate another aspect of the diversity found
at UUCSJS. Stephanie Garrett, UUCSJS charter member, is lay leader with help from the membership.
December 30
Book of Questions
Lay leader Mariann Maene
Join us in our almost-a-tradition year-end informal gathering where we tackle questions
from the Book of Questions. If you were God for a day, what would you do? Would you be
able to forgive your child anything at all? How about your mate? What is something that you
enjoy that is a chore for most other people?
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