Skylights newsletter

OCTOBER 2016 Vol. 38 No. 3

Upcoming Sunday Worship Services

TABLE OF CONTENTS ON BACK COVER

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton

October 2, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. - The Tyranny of the Majority

Freedom of speech and assembly are rights that we sometimes take for granted, until they are threatened by a majority with whom we disagree. This form of tyranny can destroy democracy. Regardless of whether one is in the majority or the minority in a political climate, how can we together guard against the tyranny of the majority?

Worship Leader: Rev. Bill Neely Worship Associate: Vicky Campbell Music: Bell Choir; Victoria Chow, piano; Marjorie Herman

October 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. - All Vows

What are the vows that we make to one another, to ourselves, and to the Holy? And when we break our vows, how do we begin again in love? During this time of the High Holy Days of Judaism that begin with Rosh Hashanah and end with Yom Kippur, let us consider our deepest promises and how they guide us.

Worship Leader: Rev. Bill Neely Worship Associate: Maggie Capewell Music: Adult Choir; Victoria Chow, piano; Marjorie Herman

October 16, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. - Civility and the Promise of Tomorrow

One of the values of civility in the public realm is that it allows us, even when we disagree sharply about something today, to remember that tomorrow is coming, and tomorrow may call us together in a sense of unity. In the end, greater unity is always needed for the promise of tomorrow to be realized. Let us consider how we can practice civility today, knowing that tomorrow may depend on it.

Worship Leader: Rev. Bill Neely Worship Associate: Judy Vee Music: Adult Choir; Victoria Chow, piano; Marjorie Herman

October 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. - Breaths

In Breaths, Sweet Honey in the Rock sings, “The dead are not under the earth … the dead have a pact with the living.” Building off the poetry of Birago Diop, Breaths reminds us that the dead remains with us; in the generations to come, in the beauty of nature, and in the love of our hearts. As we celebrate the themes of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates those who’ve died, let us remember and celebrate those whose bodies are no more, but whose spirits are still with us.

Worship Leaders: Rev. Bill Neely and CUUPs Worship Associate: Pauline Nijander Music: Adult Choir; Victoria Chow, piano; Marjorie Herman

October 30, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. - Crossing the Bridge to Selma

In March 1965 when the call came to join the African-American citizens of Selma, UUs responded. Why, despite the risk, did they go? And how did the experience change them, even as it changed the world? Imbedded in the answers to these questions are lessons that will serve us well today as we take up the mantel in striving to make justice a reality.

Raised in the Unitarian Universalist faith, Mark was ordained in the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1979. For 26 years, he and his wife, Donna, served as co-ministers--first in Rochester, New York, then in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Morrison-Reed's graduate thesis, Black Pioneers in a White Denomination, was published in 1984 and is still in print. Now retired from full-time ministry, Morrison-Reed divides his time between writing and other interests. He has been working with Meadville Lombard Theological School to organize and build the library's archive of materials relating to African American involvement in Universalism, Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism and is teaching at the school on his research.

Guest Worship Leader: Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed Worship Associate: Blair Williams Music: Victoria Chow, piano; Marjorie Herman

All Are Welcome! Harvest Dinner &

Barn Dance October 22 4:30p.m.

Page 2 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

Our faith affirms the

freedom of each individual

to develop and enliven their own spiritual beliefs. We believe that revelation is ongoing; that we learn and understand religious wisdom through the open-minded, creative engagement with life that lasts as long as we are alive. We believe that no text, teach-ing, or tradition contains every ounce of Truth; that whatever Truth exists, exists beyond human con-structions and categories of faith, philosophy, sci-ence, and humanities. We approach that Truth upon paths that inspire, nurture, and challenge us, but know that other paths are best-suited for other peo-ple.

This is the inspiring center of Unitarian Universalist spirituality to me. It is creative, adaptable, and resil-ient. It allows for honesty in personal expression and places us in a position of humility before the Eternal. And it also allows us to focus together on our common efforts to bless the world without split-ting over unanswerable questions of mystery.

But, this beautiful ambiguity sometimes leads us to proclaim that in Unitarian Universalism, “you can believe whatever you want.” I understand the senti-ment, but it’s really not true. If it were, there would be no need for Unitarian Universalism. Our faith does believe that one is free to believe whatever they want as a person, but as a Unitarian Universal-ist, there are some beliefs that just don’t work in our faith. So, since there are Seven Principles in our faith, here are seven beliefs that really don’t work in Unitarian Universalism:

1. A belief in tribal superiority; tribal in this sense meaning any particular race, ethnicity, nationality, etc. that happens to dominate the composition a particular religious group. Many religions offer their believers a sense that by being included with-in the dominant composition of the group, they are superior to others outside of the group. Within our faith, this sort of superiority is seen as something that is arrogant at best, and leads to evil at worst.

2. A belief in the superiority of a gender. The patriar-chal nature of western religion, and much eastern religion, is well-documented. This belief doesn’t fit in Unitarian Universalism (nor does the belief in the superiority of any gender).

3. A belief in a bifurcated creation and/or post-life experience. We have many different beliefs (and questions, and wonderings) about how things be-gan and how and if they will end. This individual diversity is healthy, vibrant, and creative. But just as our forbearers believed that “the beginning” was of unity and universal, and that “the ending” will be of unity and universal, for all humanity, so too does our faith make the same claim today. We

The Good News Reverend Bill Neely

Welcome New Member!

Maggie Capewell

make no exact claim of certainty around what that beginning and ending involve: only that they apply to everyone. This unity of experience draws us together in this life, which leads us to not hold:

4. A belief that religion is primarily about getting one into a certain realm of experience in the afterlife. Unitarian Universalism is focused on how we live, serve, and grow together during this life. Questions of the afterlife are important and we explore them, but with unity of experi-ence proclaimed, we can spend more time bless-ing the world that is, not worried over a possible world to come.

5. A belief that a person is an island, able to live completely independently with no essential need for others. Our country’s mythos over-stresses individuality and makes an idol of indi-vidualism, but our faith believes not only that we are better when we are connected to one an-other in community, but that we are divinely interconnected to begin with. Being in a reli-gious community then lets us be grateful for, and make the most of, our elemental and sacred interdependence.

6. A belief that statements of faith are more im-portant that actions of faith; that creeds are more important than deeds; that creeds are more important than covenant. In our faith, we be-lieve that how we live, what we do, who we help, how we serve, how we act for justice and compassion, how we build relationship with one another; all of these enlivened acts of faith are more important that what we say we believe.

7. A belief that anyone is beyond the embrace the Love. Unitarian Universalism proclaims that everyone is redeemable, everyone is loved, and everyone is of inherent worth and dignity. Eve-ryone has a spark of the divine within. Yes, sometimes we act far out of alignment with that holy center of our lives, but that center is al-ways there. Yes, not every person acts in a lov-ing way, and some act in particularly evil ways, but they are still not beyond the reach of Love. Yes, even though we do not love every person, nor do we need to, no one ever falls completely away from Love’s touch.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016 Page 3

October UU Princeton Spiritual Theme – Civility By Rev. Bill

Our Monthly Spiritual Themes guide our Chalice Circles, which are small, intentional groups of members and friends that gather for spiritual enrichment through personal sharing. For more information on Chalice Circles, please contact Linda Benson at Membership@UUPrinceton.org. Our Chalice Circle thoughts and questions around the theme of Civility this month are:

“I turn on the TV and I see these grown people screaming at each other, and I think, well, if we don't get our civility back we're in trouble." – Emmylou Harris

When has being civil, or witnessing civility, led you away from a sense that we’re “in trouble?”

"Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none." – Benjamin Franklin

When have you been broadly civil in your life? When have you been less than civil? What was the difference within you?

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” – Albert Einstein Have you seen technology exceed a sense of humanity? When and how? “I don’t believe in confrontation. That seems to me outside civil discourse and we all have to find ways to be civil to one another.” – Condoleezza Rice

Think of a time when you were civil to someone with whom you disagreed. How did it feel?

The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

@uuprinceton

Mission Statement of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton

In our open, welcoming community we live our message of hope, love, justice, and joy.

Approved at the 6/3/2012 UU Princeton Annual Meeting

Page 4 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

Children’s/Youth Faith Development

Youth Group is more than just a group of Youth — we are high-schoolers who covenant with one another to have a good time and treat one another with loving respect. YOU (if you’re a high-schooler) are always welcome to be with us.

We had eleven Youth at our Opening Lock-in in September. This month, we offer our Fall Brunch on the 9th which will raise funds to send us all to a Murray Grove overnight in the Spring.

Oct 2 YG (meet in Channing at 10:30) Oct 9 Youth-sponsored Fall Brunch (10:30 AM – 1:30 PM) Oct 16 YG (meet in Channing at 10:30) Sat, Oct 22 Harvest Dinner (4:30 – 7:30 PM) Oct 23 Day of the Dead Multigenerational service Oct 30 YG (meet in Channing at 10:30)

~ Craig Rubano (Craig@UUPrinceton.org)

Faith Journeys for Children

September 28th 10:30 am Nursery: Parent-Child play circle for new parents and their infants. Drop on in!

October 9th-After the service. Parent Circle. In room 1. Grab your brunch and come down to room one for a parent conversation. We’ll talk about this month’s theme of Civility and move on to general parent questions. All are Welcome.

October 23rd –Day of the Dead- All Ages Service- no classes, nursery open

November 6th- Make Family Holidays with Meaning

11:30 Room one. Join us for a conversation and workshop on how to create meaningful holidays for your family: how to let go of old traditions or things that have lost value, hoe to create new celebrations that honor the season in a meaningful way for your family. All are welcome. ( an I’m attending email is appreciated- lorraine@uuprinceton.org)

Lorraine Shiarappa, Director of Lifespan Religious Education lorraine@uuprinceton.org

Please register for our fall Faith Development programs for children and youth. You can register online-visit our website www.uuprinceton.org to register. ~Lorraine Shiarappa

Why should my child attend UU Princeton’s Faith Development program? What is Faith Development? For decades our children attended religious education programs similar to other traditional Sunday Schools of other faiths. Now we are expanding our view of faith development programming so that children are more engaged with one another in more creative and interactive ways, using science, movement, art and other creative means of expression.

The definition of faith has to do with belief, doctrine, creed; how to trust in something you cannot prove. How does that relate to a faith like ours that does not have a fixed set of beliefs?

When your child can attend our programs on a regular basis, you will find they provide a place to develop relationships, build community, grow in communication and leadership skills. Sunday morning is a place to share, discuss and explore our ideas and values and meet and learn from another’s point of view. This is a place to grow empathy. This is a place to learn about people who through courageous acts large and small have made positive change in our world. We can learn from their experiences and wisdom to become change-makers, too. This is a place to explore spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, and using art to create rituals that make a personal spiritual practice have more meaning and depth. This is a place to be with one another. Join us!

Lorraine Shiarappa Director of Lifespan Religious Education

lorraine@uuprinceton.org

Youth Group

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016 Page 5

Learn About Race and Our Faith

Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed is an exciting and popular speaker, scholar, and author in our faith whose work centers on race and racism in Unitarian Universalism. A retired minister, he now teaches at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago where he uses scholarship, history, and personal experience to help prepare future leaders to create an anti-racist Unitarian Universalism. Mark is a highly-sought after speaker, workshop leader, and preacher, and we are thrilled to welcome him to UU Princeton to do all three!

Please mark your calendars for:

Friday, October 28 at 6 p.m., when Mark will offer a book reading and history presentation focusing on his latest book, The Selma Awakening: How the Civil Rights Movement Tested and Changed Unitarian Universalism. This and many others of Mark’s books will be available for purchase at the event.

Saturday, October 29 from 9 – 11:30 a.m., when Mark will lead a workshop titled, "Eight Keys to Attracting People of Color to UU Congregations," and

Sunday, Oct 30 at 10:30 a.m., when Mark will preach at our Sunday morning worship service.

Unitarian Universalists from other congregations, as well as everyone interested in these topics, are welcome at all of these events. Mark’s visit to UU Princeton is a great opportunity to experience one of our faith’s most accomplished, passionate, and committed leaders in these areas as he offers us his wisdom and leadership. Don’t miss it!

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Chalice Circles Interested in Joining a Chalice Circle?

Chalice Circles are small groups of people who gather monthly for connection and reflection. There are typically 8–12 members in a group, and each session follows a format that creates a safe and welcoming space. Each month’s session focuses on the UU Princeton Spiritual Theme presented in Skylights. A facilitator guides the sessions, making sure that everyone has the chance to speak and reminding the group of the importance of listening deeply to one another, avoiding cross-talk, and not judging another’s perspective. Chalice Circles lead us toward intimacy, growth, and connections. They often become very important to people who participate.

Here is what one participant, Francesca Benson, has said:

(Adult Faith continued on page 6)

Adult Faith Development & Fellowship

Signing the Membership Book Ceremony

This ceremony of becoming a member is for those who have previously taken the ”Exploring UU” workshop and want to become members. Please sign-up at the Welcome Circle or contact Rev. Bill Neely at 609-924-1604 ext 11 or bill@uuprinceton.org to arrange a time.

Newcomers’ Events

The Mission of the UU Princeton Membership Ministry is that all who enter feel welcome, known, and loved. Newcomers experience personal and congregational connections that lead them to become committed UUs and members of our congregation.

To this end, we offer newcomers the following programs to get to know us better:

Beginning Together: Our 30-minute introduction to our faith and congregation is usually held on the second Sunday of the month at 11:45 a.m. Meet at the Welcome Circle where we will walk with you to Rev. Bill’s office. Next session: Sunday, October 9. No sign-up is needed.

Exploring Unitarian Universalism: Two 75 minute sessions will be held on consecutive Sundays: first Sunday – History and Beliefs and second Sunday – UU Princeton and Membership, including time with various lay leaders. Organized by Rev. Bill with Membership Ministry presence and support, all sessions will be from noon to 1:15 p.m. Upcoming sessions are November 20 and 27. You can sign up at the Welcome Circle or by emailing welcome@uuprinceton.org. You can also call Marty Akers at 609-915-7564.

Wine and Cheese Reception: This is a casual get-to-know you gathering which provides an opportunity to meet Rev. Bill Neely, UUCP members and other newcomers. It is usually held at a member’s home on a Sunday afternoon. The next reception will be Sunday, October 9, 4:00-6:00 p.m. You can sign up at the Welcome Circle, by e-mailing welcome@uuprinceton.org, or by calling Marty Akers at 609-915-7564.

If you have any questions about this event, membership or our congregation, please email us at membership@uuprinceton.org. We look forward to getting to know you better.

Do you know you can listen to Sunday sermons online? http://www.uuprinceton.org/worship/past-services/

Page 6 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

“I’m very glad that I decided to join a Chalice Circle this year. Our meetings provide an opportunity to connect in an authentic and supportive way with other members of the UU Princeton community. The Chalice Circle guidelines ensure that everyone has an equal chance to be heard. We learn to put our opinions aside and allow each person to speak without interruption or comment. For me, participating in Chalice Circles is an important aspect of my spiritual growth.”

Visit our table in Robinson Lounge after Sunday services on October 2 for more information and to sign up to join one of our existing circles or become part of a new circle. ~Linda Benson

Young Adults

Saturday, October 22: Join us for laser tag in the afternoon, time and location to be determined. We will meet at church to carpool. Email us for more information. Ongoing events: Third Sunday Bagel Brunches, 12 PM-1 PM, Room 1. Bagel brunches are a great way to get to know

other young adults, enjoy some delicious bagels, and participate in a fun activity! For October's brunch, Jackie and Maggie will lead us in a knitting and/or crocheting craft activity. Open to all young adults 18-35. Have suggestions for events or want to

know more? Contact us at uucpyoungadult@gmail.com Katrina and the rest of the Young Adult Steering Committee

Great Books Reading Circle

Sunday, October 16 at 12:15-2:30 p.m. in Room 7

Read one of our selected novels and join in the discussion. Our Circle is always open for all to join – come to any meeting!

This year we will read the UUA common read and Rev. Bill will lead the discussion on October 16 for Just Mercy: a Story of Justice and Redemption.

Here’s the list for October 2016 through June 2017.

** starred dates are 3rd Sundays, rest are 2nd Sundays.

October 16 ** Just Mercy: a Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson November 13 Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa December 11 My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout January 8, 2017 The Door by Magda Szabo February 12 The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng March 12 Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann April 9 The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

(Adult Faith continued from page 5)

May 21 ** The Muralist by B. A. Shapiro June 11 Preparation For The Next Life by Atticus Lish

If you have questions, contact our facilitator, Karen Siracusa at kn.siracusa@att.net. Our reading list is online at http://www.uuprinceton.org/connections/affinity/great-books/

Nature Walk

First Sunday of Every Month at noon

Join us June 5 for our monthly Nature Walk in the adjoining Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. First Sundays at noon, meet at the front door of UU Princeton. Families and children welcome! ~Kevin Yeh

Yarn Works Ministry

Third Wednesday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Robinson Lounge by the fireplace Calling Everyone Who Likes to Knit, Crochet or Might Like To Learn – 3rd Wednesday of every month

Our goal is to wrap with warmth and love anyone who is sad, ill or grieving, and to

(Adult Faith continued on page 11)

Community Building

WOMEN’S ALLIANCE Women's Alliance invites you to enjoy lunch and a dynamic and timely speaker, Ingrid Reed, on Thursday, Oct. 20. Ingrid's topic is "The 2016 Election: Thoughts on what is happening in our State and our Nation". Ingrid, a member of UUCP for more than 50 years, retired from Rutgers' Institute of Politics where she directed the NJ Project and continues as a Visiting Associate working with programs for youth and women's participation. She also chairs the board of www.NJSpotlight.com, a web site focusing on NJ issues and policies. Luncheon begins at 12 noon. Please bring a salad to share. Dessert and drinks will be provided. Program begins at 1:00 p.m. All women and men are welcome! Questions? Call Sally Easter, 609-466-7301. MEN’S CLUB The first Men’s Club luncheon of the church year will be on Tuesday, October 11. Social Hour at 11:30 a.m. Lunch at 12:30 p.m. As is our tradition, this will be our ”Fruits of the Season” meal featuring local produce e.g. fresh corn, tomatoes, cukes, melons. Unless we have venison, which is most unlikely, our meat will not be local. If you wish to attend please call Jim Harford at 609-917-4930 or puumens@gmail.com by Oct 9, or see Roger Hoff at coffee hour after church.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016 Page 7

Gracenotes

Music Ministry Mission Statement

To provide, through the power of music, a dynamic ministry that will inspire transcendent personal experiences, draw the congregation into greater kinship, and bring inspiration to the wider community.

Our Music Ministry is in Full Swing

It’s not too late to enroll in one of our ensembles. Please see below for details.

Adult Choir. The ensemble has 36 members, and now includes several people from the community who have come to sing! We’re looking for singers in all sections, but basses are especially needed. If you hesitate thinking that your voice isn’t good enough, or in shape, come and be surprised at how quickly your voice will expand when surrounded with voices just like yours. Even a minimal amount of choral or music-reading experience, recent or long ago, is all you’ll need to add your voice to this wonderful and welcoming ensemble. Rehearsals are every Wednesday evening, beginning August 31, from 7:30 to 9pm, and sing for services about two Sundays per month. To sing in the Adult Choir, contact Marjorie at marjmuse@verizon.net. Bell Choir. Our Director , Joelle Pirecy leads our enthusiastic ensemble of bell ringers. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. With her consummate experience as a bell ringer, Joelle is the Director Extraordinaire. Please note that we not only have 3 octaves of bells, but we also have an octave of chimes, with a softer, sweeter sound. Bells rehearse every Thursday evening in Founders Room from 7:30 to 9pm. If interested, contact Joelle Piercy at handbells@uuprinceton.org. Kids’ Chorale. This ensemble grew in musical sophistication last year, and sang for more services than ever before. The director of our wonderful children’s choir is Evan Corn, a graduate of the American Boychoir School, and a student at the Peddie School. The Kids have a terrific time rehearsing under Evan’s leadership most Sunday mornings at 9:30am. We’re looking for lots more kids to join us this year, so contact kidschorale@uuprinceton.org. Oompah Band. This jolly ensemble is for woodwind and brass players. While they won’t be with us for the Meet and Greet on August 28, this ensemble is always looking for more instrumentalists. This is the group that adds so much color and charm to church events such as the Hanging of the Greens. With the addition of a few more musicians last year, the Band sounded fuller than ever. If interested, contact Herb Foster at Herb_foster@yahoo.com.

Friday, Sept. 30: Roy Zimmerman Concert CANCELLED

Unfortunately, Roy has taken ill and will not be with us on Sept. 30. We will reschedule as soon as he is able.

Saturday, October 29: Momentary Quartet in Concert! Chamber Music for Brass and Piano -- Created in the Moment

The Momentary Quartet is an ensemble of

classically trained musicians who perform freely- improvised music based on the concept of deep listening: each member listening to his or her own inner emotional, spiritual and tonal world, with all members listening to each other in the moment.

The Quartet creates pieces in the best tradition of chamber music, with rhythmic and motivic conversations, silence, and imitation, in styles from

contemporary classical to avant- garde to jazz to world music. The quartet enjoys providing opportunities for audience members to explore new directions with us.

Review of its concert at the International Society for Improvised Music in New York City include this comment:

“They were spontaneous, musical, technically superb, and incredibly creative—and they had fun. Michael and I gave at each other looks that said, Can you believe what we are hearing?’ I thoroughly enjoyed listening and watching them perform. What a thrill!!” ---Don Minasi, The Jazz Inside

In addition to the Saturday evening concert, The MQ will give a workshop on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 30, from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. In a fun, supportive atmosphere, Quartet members facilitate interactive sessions in which participants explore creating music spontaneously. Participants use voices, simple per-cussion instruments, or their own instruments. Anyone is welcome to participate and no experience with improvisation is necessary.

The players (Jane Buttars, piano; Lin Foulk, horn; Harold McKinney, trombone; Patrick Whitehead, trumpet) originally met at workshops conducted by Music for People, an international organization (founded by Grammy Award-winning cellist David Darling) which trains people in the techniques of improvising music for self-expression.

Concert: Saturday evening, Oct. 29, 7:30pm Channing Hall $15 at the door

Workshop: Sunday afternoon, Oct. 30, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Channing Hall $10 at the door.

Page 8 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

Board of Trustees Harvest Dinner & Barn Dance

Saturday, October 22 4:30 - 7:30pm

to celebrate the Harvest Season - as in the past, Richard Fischer and his band will lead us in Barn Dancing. All ages welcome. Cost is $5/per adult to supplement cost of the band. Children are free!

A sign-up genius will be forwarded in the coming weeks - please plan on sharing a main dish, salad or dessert (enough for 10 people).If you would like to volunteer, please contact Susan Griffin at sfgriffin99@gmail.com or Louise Senior at Louise.Senior@verizon.net.

Church Year Is Off to a Good Start!

The Board of Trustees at UUCP just set its annual goals for the year, and is already seeing progress, thanks to groundwork laid last year and the hard work of the Executive Team and its many ministries.

I’m delighted to share highlights of what we’re planning and doing:

1. Getting the word out through external communications. When staff and members communicate what’s happening at UUCP, we can better achieve our mission and grow our ranks. In August we followed through on our new Strategic Plan goal by designating funds to hire a part-time communications staffer. At our retreat in September, board members practiced ways to share with outsiders why they attend UUCP. We will engage congregational leaders in a similar activity on Oct. 8th. And we’ll be discussing with our ministries the ways that they attract, welcome and engage new members.

2. Financial sustainability for future generations. The board is preparing a policy to create a Planned Giving program that will make it easy for congregants who elect to make bequests to UUCP.

3. Supporting the building renovations. In August, the board reviewed the impressive history and status of UUCP’s endowment and now, at the request of the renovations committee, is calling for a congregational meeting in November to approve applying some of those funds to the building project. We’ll convene a “Chat with the Board” session beforehand where you can learn more from us and the renovations and finance committees.

4. Providing leadership on anti-racism efforts. Trustees Cindy Funka Lea and Denise Weber helped lead last spring’s Beloved Conversations program, which you can read about elsewhere in this issue of Skylights. The board is committed to continue to participate visibly in similar activities this year. Stay tuned! Based on my experience, you will find them rewarding and empowering as UUCP works to build the beloved community.

5. UUCP identity and role. As par t of the board’s role in defining the Congregation’s desired “Ends,” we’ll be thinking about UUCP’s identity when it comes to issues of anti-oppression and diversity. Who should our congregation serve, in order to realize our vision?

What do you think about these priorities? Feel free to let us know. This year’s board of trustees includes: Beth Behrend, Dunbar Birnie, David Bonk, Cindy Funka-Lea, Doug Radke, Kevin Trayner, Denise Weber, and myself. You can find our contact info in the UUCP Directory at www.uuprinceton.org. We look forward to working with you!

In other news, the Murray Grove retreat and renewal center publicly thanked UUCP at its annual “Homecoming” event for its generous support over the years. If you see a beautiful blue ceramic chalice at your next meeting, it is probably the one I accepted last weekend on behalf of the congregation! Kudos go to Carol Haag who chairs Murray Grove’s stewardship committee and to UUCP denominational outreach co-chairs Elizabeth Silverman and Diane Torrance. You may want to check out the Grove’s ambitious new master plan on their website.

Warmly,

Chris Sturm, President

Last Year’s Stewardship Drive is Our Current Budget

By Ted Fetter, for the Stewardship Team

Well, that’s not quite literally true, of course, but it’s close. I want to connect the Stewardship Drive from last spring to our current operations this year. What we were able to raise in pledges does, by and large, provide the resources to function in the following year.

The final numbers in the pledge drive were that we raised pledges of about $531,000 from 214 pledges. In one way, that’s really amazing. Families and singles numbering 214 combined to provide more than half a million dollars. Some of those pledges were quite high, as high as five figures. Many were much smaller. But all those pledges were generous expressions of support for our faith community, all of them showed a commitment to keep our community strong and effective. And that support and commitment is able to operate our congregation.

Let’s look at how those funds are put to work.

Because it is inevitable that some small percentage of pledges won’t be fulfilled (people lose their jobs or move away, or whatever), the budget actually has

(Stewardship continued on page 12)

Stewardship

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016 Page 9

Social Justice Ministry

MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD THE SECOND TUESDAY - Next: October 11 in Classroom 1. PREVENTING A NUCLEAR ARMS RACE is

the theme of the multi-faith service at Princeton University Chapel, (11:00 AM) on November 13, with the sermon by Imam Sohaib Sultan, Princeton Muslim Chaplain. ~Carol Allen

The AFTERNOON CONFERENCE FOR PEACE (1:30 – 5:00 PM) will include expert speakers: Bruce Blair, Science and Global Security; Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Association; Lisbeth Gronlund, Union of Concerned Scientists; Ira Lelflend, Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War;and Dan Zak, Reporter for Washington Post. Our congregation is a co-sponsor of the conference. For more information, go to www.peacecoalition.org. ~Carol Allen

The Social Justice Committee, in conjunction with the Central Jersey Chapter of Represent Us, Invites you to view and discuss GRANNY D GOES TO WASHINGTON -- A FILM THAT INSPIRED A NATION

Sunday, October 16, 2016 , 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM In Fahs Theatre GRANNY D GOES TO WASHINGTON chronicles the extraordinary march across the U.S. by political activist, Doris Haddock. Passionate about democracy, she walked 3,200 miles from California to Washington, D.C. to dramatize the need to restore representative government in America and reduce the role of special interest money in politics. The film records her travels and conveys the infectious enthusiasm Granny D. inspired in the people she met. Following this film, a short feature produced by Represent.Us will also be shown. Leaders from Represent.Us/Central NJ will describe campaign finance reform efforts in New Jersey and other states in the USA, heading toward Election Day 2016. You, as a citizen, will learn what you can do, both in your own communities and across the country, to make a difference and get elected officials to stand up and take action. We hope you can make it! ~Ray Nichols We can help to “STAMP OUT DESPAIR” There are over 2,000 immigrants and asylum seekers languishing in “detention” in our county jails -- often far from family or friends, confined for indeterminate periods of time, with severely restricted access to the outside world. Starting in November, we will again partner with First Friends of NJ and NY to collect:

1) Cash donations( to purchase phone cards and postage stamps)

2) Holiday cards, note cards, writing paper 3) Handwritten notes of encouragement, addressed “Dear

Friend” Stop by the table in Robinson Lounge during November for more information, to write a note of encouragement, and to drop off donations. Many thanks. ~Amanda Gillum & Will Gerhardt, Coordinators, Stamp Out Despair Project

OUR PARTNER CHURCH

Csongor Benedek, the son of Eniko and Rev. Jakab, wrote to us this summer:

Happy 4th of July! I hope you are celebrating this very special day. How are you?

We are fine, except that unfortunately my grandmother died , one week ago. She was the mother of the triplets. She was old, she was almost 92. She died on the same day I finished my academic year. It was tiring and busy. Every month I stayed 20 days in Kolozsvar and 10 days in Marosvasarhely where I did the practical part of the 5th year. [note: Csongor is studying to be a minister like this father].

We also went to Prague and Bratislava, Wein for a week with the seminary students. That was our holiday during the school year. Now theoretically I am on vacation,, but I had two services yesterday, here in Segesvar and in Feheregyhaza, because my father is gone. [note: These are two of the churches his father serves].

Tomorrow I am going to a youth conference where I am part of the organizing team. After that I promised the Dean of the Marcos district to help him at a youth camp where American and Transylvanian kids will be present for a week. I have to translate for them. After that I have to attend the Hungarian Youth’s World summit in Hungary. It is a busy period :-) With love, Csongor Csongor has been studying for many years. At first he was going into the Travel field because he liked to travel and has been in many countries. He came to Princeton with his parents when he was still in secondary school and has returned to the USA at least twice more.

We will share more about Celebrating the 20th anniversary of our wonderful relationship with our Sister Church in Feheregyhaza. One element of that will be the possibility of visits to Transylvania by our congregational members.

~ Carl Haag for the UUCP PC group who will host their next mouth-watering Brunch November 13. We donate and prepare the food, so all the money we receive from you can be sent to our Sister Church. Please be your most generous self!

Partner Church

Page 10 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

The UU Legislative Ministry of NJ organizes the state’s congregations to formulate advocacy positions based on Unitarian Universalist values. Members of the UULM Princeton attended a training on how to facilitate voter registration on September 9th at the

East Brunswick UU Society. The training was led by representatives from the League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood.

UULM Princeton members will sponsor voter registration tables at the Princeton Library and at Mercer County Community College during the month of October.

A separate voter registration table will be set up in Robinson Lounge on 10/2 and 10/9 to provide materials and information about voter registration. Note voter registration is permanent, but you must re-register if you 1) change your name or 2)change your residence. Mail-in voter registration forms will be available at the table. The last day to register to vote is October 9,2016.

Also “Applications For Vote by Mail Ballots” will also be available at the table. The applications for vote by mail ballots must be postmarked by October 18, 2016. There is a special keynote speaker this year at the UULMNJ Annual Fall meeting (see below). The speaker, Chris

Crass, a Unitarian Universalist, is a longtime organizer, educator, and writer who is working to build powerful working class-based, feminist, multiracial movements for collective liberation. He has written widely about anti-racist and social justice organizing, lessons from women of color feminism, and strategies to build visionary movements. His latest book is, Towards the “Other America”:Anti-Racist Resources for White People Taking Action for Black Lives Matter.

Rev. Rob Gregson, UULMNJ’s new Executive Director will lead a service at UUCP on November 6, 2016. We plan to have a program after the service to focus on UULM issues.

For more information, contact UUCP liaisons Elaine Nigam (elaine@nigamfamily.org) or Frances Prestianni (fprestianni @gmail.com) or Gena Whitney (genawhitney@comcast.net). UULMNJ/ Criminal Justice Reform Task Force

At the summer UULMNJ Board retreat, goals were established for the coming year for each Task Force. For Criminal Justice Reform, three important directions for our work were identified: (1) increasing the number of active Task Force members to assist the Chair, (2) developing relationships with key legislators in both Assembly and Senate so that we can more proactively act on bills, and (3) working with the Director of UULMNJ's Legal Advocacy Project to develop a new piece of legislation, one that would address a critical need that is not currently being worked on by others in the state.

Important bills for the fall, and ones that our congregation will see highlighted at UULMNJ tables and via emails, are: (1) The Assembly bill (A547) to restrict the use of solitary confinement. The Senate version passed in the spring, and we are hopeful that the Assembly will take up this bill very early in fall session. (2) Bills to improve the quality of police training and recruitment, police interactions within communities, (especially urban communities), and how incidents involving injury or death of a civilian during involvement with police are investigated and prosecuted. There are currently at least 8 Senate and/or Assembly bills on these issues, and we will be working with legislators and advocacy groups to push for the best version and quickest passage possible.

As always, the CJR Task Force needs new energy within our UULMNJ-member congregations! Please contact Susan MacDonnell, a UUCP member, and Chair of the Task Force, to volunteer! susmacdonn@gmail.com

UULMNJ Statewide Issues Conference / Annual Fall Meeting Saturday, October 15, 2016

Saturday, October 15, 2016 3:00 p.m.** 21 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ

Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Participate in selecting focus issues for the coming year for economic justice, reproductive justice, criminal justice reform, immigration reform, environmental justice, and gun violence prevention.

There will be car pools from Princeton. Registration is available at www.uulmnj.org.

**Please note this year's conference is in the afternoon/evening and includes dinner!

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016 Page 11

Joys and Sorrows

Pastoral Associates is a group of trained and caring members of the congregation who offer support and assistance to congregants facing difficulties, crises, or life transitions. If you believe that someone within the congregation or you, yourself, might benefit from the PA program, please send an email to PA@UUPrinceton.org, or contact Judy Malsbury or Sofia Strauss.

To help nurture a beloved community here in this congregation, please remember to share significant events in members’ lives with the Pastoral Associates, who are charged with extending the pastoral ministry. This column is a place to inform the larger community of major events in people’s lives. Sometimes people want to have their news shared; sometimes privacy and confidentiality prevail. Items for this column should be sent to pa@uuprinceton.org. All items will be reviewed by the Pastoral Associate leadership team before publishing (Judy Malsbury, Sofia Strauss, and Rev. Bill Neely)

Blair Williams and his family would like to thank the UUCP congregation, the choir, the Women’s Alliance and Rev Bill and Sara, Marjorie, Victoria Rebecca and Jorge for their love and kindness in participating in and contributing to the Memorial Service of their beloved wife and mother Ellen Williams. Thanks also to Judy Vee, Kevin Yeh and Stephanie Saunders for their assistance. In spite of being members for a short time we were overwhelmed by the caring and support of the congregation. Thank you again and God Bless all. Blair, Julian and Sevilay

welcome new babies into our midst. Current projects: baby blankets and prayer shawls for members of this congregation plus scarfs, slippers, hats and mittens for Home Front and the Soup Kitchen. Hope to see anyone with a Yen for Yarn by the fireplace in Robinson Lounge. ~Carol Haag

Telling Our Stories

An occasional event. Let us know if you would like to tell your story! Learn about the amazing lives of our elder members, about times they lived in, challenges, struggles, accomplishments and wisdom for our own lives. If you have to miss the in-person experience, members can view previously recorded life stories on our website. Type in “Telling Our Stories” in the Search Bar on the right side of the website screen. ~Linda Benson and Carol Haag

Yoga for health, well-being and peace of mind

Mondays 9:15—10:30 a.m. in Robinson Lounge. Donations to the UU Princeton Yoga Fund cheerfully accepted Take time out of your hectic life to re-center, rejuvenate, and nourish your body,

mind and soul. The class will be slightly more fluid, using the breath to take us through Sun Salutations as well as static poses to deepen our practice. ~Sharon Savage

Buddhist Meditation Group

Every Sunday at 12:15 (11:45 if no brunch) in Classroom 15

Meetings combine a period of meditation with a time to examine and discuss our responses to Buddhist teachings. These sessions will help new participants start a meditation practice as well as offer support to those who already have a meditation practice. Monthly Seminar on Buddhist Teachings. For those who are interested in a broader exposure to core Buddhist teachings and applications of those teachings to daily life situations, we will offer a monthly seminar from a secular Buddhist perspective led by Alan Oliver, a long-time UU and secular Buddhist educator. This opportunity to learn about the core teachings of Buddhism and apply them to your life will be offered on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 1:15 pm. Everyone is welcome. ~Michele Ochsner

SAVE the DATE - MEDITATION RETREAT 12/03/16 – 9:30 – 3:30 If you are curious about meditation--or an occasional or long-term practitioner—consider marking your calendar for a meditation retreat coming up on December 3rd hosted by UUCP’s meditation group. This retreat is an invitation to a centering practice that allows us to process uncomfortable emotions and live more fully in the present

(Adult Faith continued from page 6)

moment.

This six hour Saturday retreat is a follow up to our first meditation retreat held in April. The day will consist of sitting and walking meditation, talks on Buddhism and meditation from a secular/UU perspective, and small group discussion. Light refreshments provided throughout the day, though you will need to pack your own lunch.

Everyone is welcome! For more information, feel free to contact Michele Ochsner (mochsner@work.rutgers.edu or 609-924-1166)

CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist

Pagans) Evergreen Chapter meets monthly and quarterly.

Friday near the Full Moon, 7:00-9:30 pm, Memorial Garden in fine weather, Classroom 1 otherwise.

~Elissa Hoeger, Convenor, Evergreen CUUPS

A Course in Miracles

Sundays 12:00 pm—1:15 pm in Room 8 (Adult Faith continued on page 12)

Page 12 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

SUNDAY BRUNCHES Reserve your Date Now!

Sunday Brunches are a wonderful way for your group to minister to the congregation with food and also to earn money for a cause. These brunches do not have to be fancy or much work. The congregation is very grateful to have bagels and soup available.

Some groups like to put on fancy brunches, but others like to keep it simple. All is appreciated. They usually consist of bagels, maybe an egg dish, soups, and some desserts. Most food is donated, but if one person brings a lot, they should request reimbursement through the office. The group can set prices or request donations.

The money can be used as your group wishes. The music groups have bought new bells, campus ministry funds the students on campus, the youth pick a charity of their choice to donate to...... Please remember: all incoming and outgoing funds must flow through the UU Princeton office.

Sign up now so your group gets the date of their choice! You can contact Carolyn Hoeschele at carolynh @ princeton.edu or 609-466-0034.

The Course in Miracles study group continues to meet at 12 noon in room 8. We are continuing our format of members volunteering to do the lessons. I’ve led a lesson on Forgiveness using a workbook lesson from the Course and a reading from Richard Smokey's book A Guide to the Esoteric Tradition. A very comprehensive, erudite and interesting book on esoteric religions. And so it is each week with one of the group offering their lesson for all. Everyone is welcome. You might find it interesting. ~Hil Anderson

(Adult Faith continued from page 11)

$500,000 in pledge income anticipated. It also has more than $166,000 in other income – rentals, plate collection, funds from the Fellowship Auction, etc. But our pledges provide exactly 75% of our total budget. We couldn’t do much without a good pledge total.

And those funds are being used for what our congregation has said we want. We are maintaining our staff at current levels, and we provided a fair cost-of-living increase for the year. We use the entire proceeds from the Spring Sale and half the proceeds from the Plate Collection for outreach – social justice and denominational grants. That means we are trying to live our ideals in the world, sharing our available resources with others who need them, both Trenton/Princeton organizations dedicated to improving the lives of everyone in the larger community and UU organizations that spread the good news of our faith.

We are maintaining a strong music and worship program, and providing funds to maintain our building. We provide $88 per member to our national and regional UU associations. And we are making sure that we have the administrative and structural support we need.

Could we benefit from more resources? Of course! It would be great to talk about new programs, new equipment, more resources for RE, and the like. It would be terrific to return to providing 100% of the plate collection to outreach. But we are doing fine, and we are glad to have the support and commitment, the love and dedication, of all those who pledged last spring.

Looking forward, we continue to hope for more resources, and maybe we’ll be able to do that. But for now we are pleased that our top priorities are met, and we are all part of a strong faith community dedicated to living its ideals as best it can.

(Stewardship continued from page 8)

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016 Page 13

Sharing Beloved Conversations at UUCP

Beginning in May, and continuing into mid-August, two groups of UUCP members participated in a curriculum developed by UUA's Fahs Collaborative called Beloved Conversations. As described on the UUA website, Beloved Conversations is an "experiential curriculum that provides a space to re-form/fuse the brokenness of racism into new patterns of thought and behavior ushering in social and spiritual healing. New ways of being are learned through the actions of conversation and probing dialogue." The decision to bring this important program to UUCP follows a goal set by our Board of Trustees in 2015 to encourage anti-racism activities and provide leadership through visible participation. The Beloved Conversations journey began with a one and a half day retreat at the end of April 2016, led by Dr. Mark A. Hicks, the Director of the Fahs Collaborative, as well as Professor of Religious Education at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Following the retreat, two groups of 8 to 10 participants each were formed, with two co-facilitators each. Over the course of the following three month, during eight two-hour sessions, participants were encouraged to engage in conversations and experiences with one another, as well as in personal reflection, to consider how we might develop the skills and habits of that would help us heal from the wounds of racism. We developed timelines of historical and racial history in New Jersey, Princeton and our own families to explore the legacy of race and racism. We explored some of the dynamics of racism, privilege and micro-aggressions, and practiced ways to "interrupt" those micro-aggressions when we observe them occurring. And in our final session, with the two groups combined and Rev. Bill in attendance with us, we began to consider ways to create a new identity in the world-- individually and as a congregation. In total, over twenty UUCP members participated in this challenging and valuable experience. While each of us learned in our own ways, every one of us came away from this journey with new understandings of ourselves and each other, and new appreciation for the how crucial it is for us to become more engaged in the ongoing work of dismantling the racism we have all inherited. In the final session, we spent time creating a list of ideas for continuing this work in our congregation. You will see some of these ideas being shared before and after services this fall, and if there is enough interest, it is possible to have one or more groups repeat the Beloved Conversations program sometime during the year. Please feel welcome to talk to any of us about our experiences! Co-facilitators: Susan MacDonnell, Cindy Funka-Lea, Ted Fetter, Denise Weber. Group members: Amanda Gillum, Carol Haag, Carol Allen, Chris Sturm, Craig Rubano, Elizabeth Silverman, Jeanne DeVoe, Judy Vee, Karen Siracusa, Linda Benson, Linda Miller, Kevin Trayner, Louise Senior, Mary Tiebout, Nevenka Pobric.

Our final combined session in August.

An example of the historical timelines each group developed, identifying key dates and events from our earliest history as a state, as a congregation, and as residents living here in NJ. There is interest in creating a combined timeline to have on display somewhere in our building, as both groups found this to be a very powerful learning experience.

UU HISTORY By Carl Haag

LEWIS H. LATIMER Born September 4, 1848

Died in 1928 Lewis Latimer enlisted in the Union Navy during the Civil War, and then got a job in a patent attorney's office where he taught himself to be a draftsman. In 1874 he got a patent on an improvement in WCs for trains, and he also did the patent drawings for a teacher of the deaf who had invented a machine to send the human voice through wires. Yes, it was Alexander Graham Bell and his telephone.

Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, but it was Latimer two year's later who developed the successful method of producing long-lasting (Edison's bulbs lasted only 40 hours), less-expensive carbon filaments. Latimer went on to supervise the installation of electric lights in railroad stations, big office buildings, and on the streets of Philadelphia, New York City, Montreal, and London. He joined Edison as Chief Draftsman and worked on patent protection worth millions of dollars.

Lewis Latimer wrote the definitive book on lighting in 1890, used his French and German knowledge in foreign patent work, invented many things, played the violin and flute, wrote poetry, taught at the Henry Street Settlement House, and help found the Flushing Unitarian Church.

Why haven't we heard more about him? Well, Latimer was also an African American, the son of escaped slaves. In fact, his father, George Latimer, was recognized as a fugitive slave upon stepping foot in Boston and was thrown into jail. The furor that followed by leading Unitarians and others throughout Massachusetts also brought forth the first published piece by Frederick Douglass as well as petitions signed by more than 110,000 people. Latimer gained his freedom but his case influenced the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act and the Dred Scott decision.

Page 14 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

UU Princeton 2018

Vision

With our Mission in mind: In our open and welcoming community, we live our message of hope, love, justice, and joy, We are becoming -

a Space without barriers, that nurtures the spirit, invites healing in community, is fresh and welcoming, and connects...

People who grow together in faith and understanding, finding strength in our diversity and differences, supporting one another through shared ministry, leading and sustaining our congregation with hearts and hands, minds and means, connected to...

a World where we actively proclaim our story of love and justice, advocate for stewardship of the earth, and work with our neighbors to create the beloved community.

This Vision is grounded in our shared values and expresses our aspirations for UU Princeton's vibrant future.

Improvisation: A Path to Mindfulness

by Marjorie Herman

We’re pleased to welcome the Momentary Quartet to UU Princeton for a concert on Saturday evening, October 29, and a workshop on Sunday, October 30. The words in the moniker are well understood, but in this context, what in the world does “momentary” mean? The four professional musicians that make up this ensemble are involved in creating their music on the spur of the moment, a process better known as improvisation. Says pianist Jane Buttars, “Though we are improvising, we create pieces in the beat tradition of chamber music, with rhythmic and motivic conversations, silence, and imitation. The result is a product of intense spontaneous invention.” In order to create music this way, musicians must be willing to live totally in the moment, tapping their skills to enhance what they’ve just heard from their partners. In fact, the nationally known organization, Music for People, where the group met, has as its motto: “Mindfulness through Music.”

Jane is an accomplished pianist with a doctorate in piano performance and two CD’s of original live improvisations. Along the way, her history as a UU Princeton member included accompanying the choir and being a member of the Music Ministry Committee. Harold McKinney, trombone, is professor emeritus from Appalachian State University, and is a founding member of the ensemble Gypsy Harvest Annex. Lin Fould is Associate Professor of Horn at Western Michigan University where she teaches horn, coaches chamber ensembles, and is a member of the internationally recognized group the Eastern Wind Quintet. Patrick Whitehead, trumpet, is a founding member of the Monumental Brass Quintet, and is on the faculty of the Baltimore School for the Arts.

The quartet came together as the result of their association with the nationally known organization, Music for People, based in Goshen, CT, where experimenting with improvisation is the focus and most valued skill. MQ recently presented concerts at the International Society for Improvised Music in New York City. Don Minasi, for The Jazz Inside, wrote: “They were spontaneous,

musical, technically superb, and incredibly creative – and they had fun!”

The concert on October 29 is a multi-media presentation. Daniel Harris, award-winning regional poet, Aurelle Sprout, dancer, and projected images by photographer Irene Renzenbrink will provide additional inspiration for the music. The images are from Irene’s book Fluttering on Fences, in which she tells the story of their creation:

“I was walking along a dusty road in rural Saskatchewan in 1997, having left my country and my people behind to start a new life. Although I’d chosen my new path for good reasons I was bereft and inconsolable about what I had lost. I’d been reading a Katherine Mansfield diary and when I saw a shredded plastic bag on a barbed wire fence I was suddenly reminded of her words, ‘How hard it is to escape from places. However carefully one goes, they hold you – you leave little bits of yourself fluttering on the fences – like rags and shreds of your very life…’ I had a camera with me, took a photo of the ‘fluttering’ and that was the beginning of a creative journey that sustains me to this day.”

We’re pleased to welcome the Momentary Quartet to UU Princeton for a concert Saturday evening October 29, and a workshop on Sunday afternoon, October 30. See this issue of “Gracenotes” for details.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016 Page 15

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WED THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT

OCT 1

OCT 2 Worship Service—10:30a RE Classes Today - Yay! Brunch: Renovation Support 12:00p Nature Walk & Explor ation

12:00p Course in Miracles—Room 8 12:15p Buddhist Meditation— Room 15

OCT 3 9:15a Gentle Yoga—Robinson 7:30p Chalice Circle (1st Monday) - Murray

OCT 4

OCT 5 5:30p Yoga - Fahs 7:30p Adult Choir Rehearsal - Channing

OCT 6 10:15a Women’s Alliance Board Meeting - Founders 7:30p Bell Choir Rehearsal - Founders

OCT 7

OCT 8 9:00a Program Council Meeting - Founders

OCT 9 Worship Service—10:30a

RE Classes Today - Yay! Brunch: Youth Group 11:30a Parent Circle - Room 1 11:30a Young Adults Steer ing Committee - Murray

11:45a For Newcomers—Beginning Together

12:00p Course in Miracles—Room 8 12:15p Buddhist Meditation— Room 15

4:00p For Newcomers—Wine & Cheese

OCT 10 9:15a Gentle Yoga—Robinson 6:30p Pastoral Associates - Founders

OCT 11 7:00p Boar d of Trustees—Founders 7:30p Social J ustice Committee - Room 1

OCT 12 5:30p Yoga - Fahs 6:00p Membership Ministry - Murray 7:30p Adult Choir Rehearsal - Channing

OCT 13 7:30p Bell Choir Rehearsal - Founders

OCT 14 7:00p CUUPS Full Moon Celebration - Room 1

OCT 15

OCT 16 Worship Service—10:30a

RE Classes Today - Yay! Brunch: Women’s Alliance 12:00p Young Adults Bagel Brunch - Room 1 12:00p Course in Miracles—Room 8 12:15p Great Books - Murray 12:15p Buddhist Meditation— Room 15 1:15p Buddhist Teachings—Room 15 3:00p Social J ustice Films—Fahs

OCT 17

9:15a Gentle Yoga—Robinson

DEADLINE for Skylights NOVEMBER 2016 issue skylights@uuprinceton.org 7:00p Chalice Circle (3rd Monday) - Murray

OCT 18 7:30p Chalice Circle (3rd Tuesday) - Murray

OCT 19 5:30p Yoga - Fahs 7:30p Yar n Wor ks Ministry—Robinson 7:30p Adult Choir Rehearsal - Channing

OCT 20 10:00a Daytime Chalice Circle (3rd Thursday) - Murray 11:45a Women’s Alliance Luncheon - Founders 7:30p Chalice Circle (3rd Thursday) - Room 15 7:30p Bell Choir Rehearsal - Founders

OCT 21 OCT 22

4:30p All-Congregation

Harvest Dinner & Barn Dance- Channing

OCT 23

Worship Service—10:30a Day of the Dead

No RE Classes - All-Ages Worship Service in Channing No Brunch 12:00p Course in Miracles—Room 8 12:15p Buddhist Meditation— Room 15

OCT 24 9:15a Gentle Yoga—Robinson 7:00p Chalice Circle (4th Monday) - Murray

OCT 25 OCT 26 5:30p Yoga - Fahs 7:30p Adult Choir Rehearsal - Channing

OCT 27 7:30p Bell Choir Rehearsal - Founders

OCT 28

5:00p Mark Morrison-Reed - Fahs

OCT 29

10:00a Mark Morrison-Reed - Fahs

7:30p Music Ministry: The Momentary Quartet concert - Channing

OCT 30 Worship Service—10:30a

RE Classes Today - Yay! No Brunch 12:00p Course in Miracles—Room 8 12:15p Buddhist Meditation— Room 15

1:00p Music Ministry: The Momentary Quartet workshop - Channing

OCT 31 9:15a Gentle Yoga—Robinson

View the current calendar online at: www.uuprinceton.org/ OCTOBER 2016

Page 16 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton Skylights October 2016

About Skylights

Skylights is published monthly except August. Skylights is a publication of the:

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton 50 Cherry Hill Rd. Princeton, N.J. 08540-7626

Submissions to be sent to:

skylights @uuprinceton.org Please submit your article as an attachment in our preferred font, Times New Roman, 11 pt. Describe your submission in the subject line of your e-mail and tell us under which section it belongs.

Next Skylights Deadline is for the:

NOVEMBER ISSUE

SUBMISSIONS DUE

OCT 17 skylights @ uuprinceton.org

Meetings with the Minister

Rev. Bill is happy to meet with you at church, for lunch, over coffee, etc., at a time that works for everyone. Please email or call him to make an appointment. You’re also welcome to drop in during the daytime, but visits, meetings, denominational events, etc., regularly pull him out of the office, sometimes with very little notice. It’s always a good idea to call first before dropping by to visit.

609-924-1604 In the event of emergencies needing the attention of our minister, please contact him first, irrespective of time or day. If necessary, contact Chris Sturm, President of the Board of Trustees, president @ uuprinceton.org

CONTENTS

Sunday Worship Services 1

The Good News 2

Spiritual Theme 3

Mission Statement 3

7 Principles 3

Children’s/Youth Faith Development

4

Newcomers’ Events 5

Adult Faith Development & Fellowship

5

Community Building 6

Music Ministry (Gracenotes) 7

Board of Trustees 8

Stewardship 8

Partner Church 9

Social Justice Ministry 9

Legislative Ministry 10

Joys & Sorrows 11

2018 Vision 14

Calendar 15

Minister’s Schedule 16

Skylights Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton 50 Cherry Hill Road Princeton, NJ 08540-7626

Names & Numbers

Rev. Bill Neely bill @ uuprinceton.org Parish Minister ext. 11

Marjorie Herman marjorie @ uuprinceton.org Music Director ext. 16

Lorraine Shiarappa lorraine @ uuprinceton.org Director of Lifespan RE ext. 14

Craig Anthony Rubano craig @ uuprinceton.org Youth Programs ext. 18

Shatara Ryland shatara @ uuprinceton.org Office Assistant ext. 15

Jorge Garcia Salas jorge @ uuprinceton.org Sexton ext. 19 or 609-954-7789

Sara Oderwald sara @ uuprinceton.org Administrator ext. 10

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Phone: 609-924-1604 FAX: 609-924-0533

e-mail:

office @ uuprinceton.org

Web page:

http://www.uuprinceton.org