Organizing a Fellowship? First Have a Party; Collect Mittens

A big date in Fellowship history was Dec. 18, 1955 when the bylaws were approved and there was a book to sign so that after two months of operations the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship actually had members.

Even before the formalities, members were holding get togethers—ski trips among them, and the first Fellowship newsletter, a mimeographed four-page affair was published by Marshall Deutsch, in time to promote the December 17 party at the Fellowship’s first home, the then-Morristown YMCA on South Street and Washington Street, opposite the Morris County Courthouse.

The party, held the night before the business meeting, was designed as a get-acquainted holiday party with a puppet show, carol singing and a musical program. While the party was primarily for children, adult members were invited “to attend and enjoy the fun vicariously,” according to the December newsletter.

Featured events include a puppet show to be given by Julie Doczi (daughter of founders John and Vera Doczi; carol singing to be led by Gerald Quinlan, a professional flautist; a musical program by Frances Livingston (whose family never joined), Gerald Quinlan and his son David; and the “distribution of gifts by S. Claus.”

Greeters were Charline Kotula and Denny Dalton, the 17-year-old who became the youngest founding member with decorating led by Dorothy and Larry Churchill (who became the second president).

Jane Steiding and Brooky Zajac were to collect “tickets” mittens to be hung on the tree and then distributed to needy children by the Community Chest and Council Christmas Program). Dorothy Perry and Betty Parella were to serve as the refreshments committee and invitations were mailed by Judy Deutsch, Marshall’s wife and member No. 2.

The next night, December 18th, was also a busy night, featuring a brief musical program, approval of the by-laws and the singing of the membership book John Doczi led the music program which promised a selection sung by Ed Zajac, a tenor, two flute solos by Gerald Quinlan and a duet by Zajac and Doczi (a baritone).

Marsh Steiding, who became the first president in January, led the business meeting as he was chairman of the bylaws committee for the steering committee that had been running things.

Not surprisingly formulating bylaws had been complex. The December newsletter noted, “Consideration of bylaws began last week, and should be completed at the coming session. Since an attempt is being made to reconcile in the bylaws the views of all prospective Fellowship members progress is proceeding slowly and with a great deal of member participation.”

Unlike the first business meeting in 1956, which stretched to three nights, the congregation managed to adopt the bylaws and moved on to signing the membership book. As noted in a newspaper story that followed the event, Daniel Weggeland suggested Marshall Deutsch be given the honor of singing the book first because of his key role in starting the Fellowship.

The number of those signing on December 18 is complicated by the fact that Vicki Slawson’s name, given as Mrs. Slawson, was squeezed with no number between between Martha Zeltsman, No. 8, and Eugene Slawson, No. 9. The names of Gerald and Rosa Quinlan are on the first page of the membership book with no numbers so the last numbered member is No. 28, but there were 31 individuals signing on December 18.

Why certain individuals did not sign on the first day do not know. Vincent Richards, who gave the first sermon on October 30, did not sign until January 15. Dan Weggeland, who clearly seems to have attended the business meeting, signed on January 8. Brooky Zajac, Dorothy Churchill, Denny Dalton, and Charlene Kotula, who all attended the December 17 party, also signed later

Here are the names of those who signed on December 18:

1. Marshall Deutsch. Member of the first board. A chemist and medical device inventor.

2. Judith Deutch. Became a UU minister after leaving Morris County.

3. Winfield S. Greenleaf. Chair of the steering committee. Member of the first board. A plumber and later electronic technician.

4. R. Marsh Steiding. The first president, serving a four-month term. A chemist and explosives expert who was later a salesperson.

5. M. Jane Steiding. The first Sunday School Director. A bookkeeper. Widowed three times.

6. Charles Van Cott. Editor of the first formal newsletter in September 1956. A newspaper editor and Thomas Paine enthusiast.

7. Joseph Zeltsman. Born in Philadelphia but grew up in Romania (modern Moldova) and returned to the U.S. Member of the Romanian army band and Glen Miller’s Army Unit. Nationally known portrait photographer.

8. Martha Zeltsman. Nationally honored photographer.

9. Vicki Slawson. Her name was squeezed in between Martha Zeltsman and Eugene Slawson’s signature. The Slawsons often led ski trips and other outdoor activities.

10. Eugene Slawson (originally Eugeniusz Stanislaw Slawinski). The Slawsons spent World War II in Poland with forged passports showing they were Catholic. A publishing manager and linguistics expert.

11. Doris L. Babson. Employed in public relations. Chaired the membership and hospitality committee.

12. Arthur L. Babson. Third Fellowship president. A chemist and pioneering medical device inventor.

13. George Perry. Member of the finance, by-laws, religious education, and membership and hospitality committees. A Bell Labs technical aide.

14. Alfred K. Mathisen. Born in Sweden. Married founder Dorothy Faulkner, the first Fellowship couple to marry. An engineer who helped design the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM).

15. Lawrence S. Churchill. Second first president and first full-term president. An engineer who worked on top-secret projects.

16. George E. Quinlan. A high school teacher and professional musician.

17. Rosa B. Quinlan. Wife of George Quinlan.

18. John Zieger. Born in Germany and removed from the priesthood in New York before taking final vows. A laboratory technician.

19. Eleanor C. Mason. The last founder active in the Fellowship. Known for UN involvement and peace activism. Physical education instructor at Drew University and later assistant professor.

20. Robert W. Mason. One of the Fellowship’s many chemists.

21. Grace E. Zieger.

22. Dorothy M. Faulkner. Worked at Picatinny Arsenal.

23. John Doczi (also known as Janos Doczi). Chaired the music committee and later ran a chamber music concert series for ten years. Self-taught professional chemist.

24. Vera Doczi (born Veronica Gonda). Born in Hungary. The Doczis left Portugal using forged passports. A flute player and artist.

25. Lila H. Younguist. A WAVE in World War II. Later executive director of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Medical Society.

26. Robertson Younguist. First treasurer. A pioneering rocket scientist and later artist.

27. Anthony J. Parella. Member of the first board of directors. Originally named Luparella. A hairdresser who later became a real estate developer.

28. Leslie W. Bauerle. A chemistry and physics instructor who later served on the board of trustees.

29. Elizabeth M. Parella. The Parellas worked together as hairdressers.

30. Paul B. Tweed. Born in Russia (modern Ukraine). An explosives expert who became board secretary in April 1956.

31. R. McCready (Robert). First vice president and later president. Wrote a multi-part Fellowship history published serially in 1962 and 1963. A map editor.