Open Question #1 is underway, and we’re looking for your insights and opinions to help guide the answers. Whether you’ve already filled out the prompt cards or not, we’ll be meeting in small groups and discussing the Open Question of “What ministry does the world need from us at this time in history?” with these thought-provoking prompts: Prompt 1: What does it mean to be “in Service”? Prompt 2: Who are we currently in service to? What are we already equipped to provide? Prompt 3: What do we need to learn? Where is our service needed? What additional tools do we need? Please register so we have enough facilitators for the groups and to let us know if you need childcare. We look forward to hearing from you. See you Saturday 11/22 at 10am in Chu Hall!

We’re excited to share that the NJ Trans Makers Market  will be hosting a Trans Clothing Swap  in our space! This event provides a welcoming environment for trans community members to exchange gently used clothing, find items that reflect their style and identity, and connect with others. The Trans Clothing Swap is more than just swapping clothes—it’s a celebration of self-expression, sustainability, and mutual support . Clothing can be a powerful way for people to express who they are, and this event creates a space where trans individuals can explore fashion that affirms their identity in a safe, supportive environment. Hosting this event is part of the Fellowship’s ongoing commitment to justice, inclusion, and community outreach . By opening our doors to events that affirm identity and foster belonging, we’re helping build a stronger, more connected community. If you’d like to help show hospitality and welcome attendees , a few friendly faces would be appreciated. Reach out to Nick .

The reason Marshall Emanuel Deutsch was the first person to sign the membership book of the newly formed Morristown Unitarian Fellowship on Dec. 18, 1955 was spelled out that month in a newspaper article. Another founder, Dan Weggeland noted Deutsch was given the honor for his key role in congregation's founding. The spark plug in the Fellowship’s founding, Deutsch (Aug. 17, 1921-Dec. 23, 2017) showed an ample supply of energy and organizational skills at the age of 34 years old with a young wife, Judy, member No. 2, then 28 years old, a two-year old and an infant born in May. He was fresh from founding the Morristown Cooperative Nursery School. Deutsch started the move toward the Fellowship’s formation in a letter on May 12, 1955 when he replied to a suggestion he and Judy join the Church of the Larger Fellowship. In a letter to the American Unitarian Society, Marshall wrote he wanted to form what he called a “Morristown Unitarian Fellowship”, the first time that name was used. It was the Deutsches who worked with Munroe Husbands, who led the Unitarian Fellowship movement, to set up the initial organizing meeting held Oct. 18, 1955.. And it was Deutsch who was responsible for the coordinated publicity effort using press releases, carefully timed letters to the editors and advertisements that promoted Husband’s appearance. There was a steady stream of news articles about the Fellowship in the last three months of 1955. He published the first four Fellowship newsletters, mimeographed works that started in December 1955, with the first published immediately before the Fellowship was formally organized. Marshall was also on the first board of trustees elected in January 1956—but the possibility of his being the first president was vetoed by his wife. Judy would say in later interviews that was probably a mistake. According to his obituary , Deutsch considered himself primarily an inventor of medical diagnostic tests. He held 60 patents, including two referred to in hundreds of subsequent patents of others, which introduced a simplified automatic system of assay that later was applied to home pregnancy tests. He worked at the former Warner-Chilcott, along with other founders, Arthur Babson, and John Doczi. Born in Brooklyn, Deutsch received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the City College of New York and later earned his PhD in Physiological Sciences from New York University. He married June 25,1947 at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. in Manhattan, N.Y. to a third cousin, Judith Green. They moved to Detroit, Michigan. in the early 1950s for a brief stay following Marshall’s career before moving to Morristown. Their involvement with the Fellowship was relatively brief, leaving Morristown in 1958 for Hilsdale, N.J. and and then moving to Sudbury, Mass, where they lived for 51 years, then relocating to New Mexico where he died. Deutsch’s interests were wide-ranging. He authored many scientific and non-scientific articles and letters and his obituary reports he was especially proud of his letters in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Deutsch spoke on “Superbombs, Strontium 90 and Survivors” at meeting of the Plainfield Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy in 1960. In 1961, he served on the board of directors of the Morris County Urban League and appeared as a regular host on a radio program “Headlines in Chemistry” broadcast from Morristown. His obituary said he produced and presented more than 200 radio shows on nutrition and wrote on the topic for The Realist. He was a member of the New Jersey Committee of Veterans for Peace in Viet Nam. Deutsch edited Boston Mycological Society’s Bulletin for decades although in his 90s, he said he was no longer practiced enough to distinguish mushrooms safe to eat. He also was a member of the International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics, which he said, “researched the impact of cholesterol and debunked the myth that it was bad”. Deutsch wrote frequent letters to the editor of the Boston Globe on a broad range of subjects, including letters in support of fluoridating water, that exercise helps decrease appetite; noting the lack of the word for “yes” in Chinese, and the calculations of the average number of Fridays the 13 in any year. He wrote a letter scolding a newspaper for how its caption of a photo showing a vet drawing a urine sample from a cat was described inaccurately. He also authored a flaying of Congressional Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, calling him “His Majesty” for flying first class and bogging down boarding while Sen. Ted Kennedy flew coach. His life was marked by wit and more than a little non-conformity. Leading a religious education class at the Fellowship, he dissected a frog and secured some sacramental wine from a priest friend that he shared with the older children. Deutsch noted the latter drew disapproval from some parents.

Our Morristown UUs lit up the night on Saturday November 9th. Over 100 members joined us for our service auction kick-off party that celebrated 3 festivals of light from around the world. Members enjoyed food representing Diwali, Hanukkah, and Dongji thanks to our chef, Diana Hart, and her green apron minions. Paul Ferm wowed us with his auctioneering skills, and his "We are the Very Model of Modern UU Fellowship", sung to the tune of the similarly named Broadway classic, delighted the audience. After some intense bidding, we wrapped up the night with the entire room singing "You Light Up My Life" led by our own Rev. Sasha. Please enjoy some pictures from the night taken by Matt Barry, and don't forget to go out and be the light in each other's lives!

At our most recent meeting, it was suggested that the Endowment Committee provide information to help our members think about end-of-life issues.  Two books that might be helpful are “The Good Death” and “Being Immortal”.   In addition, we have requested from the Funeral Consumer Alliance “Before I Go, You Should Know”. This is a workbook/guide to record things your survivors need to know to be able to handle your estate and carry on.  (The pdf, which can be updated as needed, is attached.) Also, please be aware that there is a memorial book in the library in which you can honor past members with your memories of them. And as a personal note:  I realize that dealing with death is a sensitive issue, but one which I hope will lead to deep thought about how you wish to be remembered.  I have been a member of the Fellowship for about 50 years.  I’ve been involved with women’s groups, social justice issues, fun activities, work projects, and on and on.  The many friendships I’ve made over the years have been such a blessing! My hope is that our donations will ensure that the Fellowship remains the strong institution it has always been. Although most of us can’t make such a generous donation, we are grateful to Geri Silk for her recent bequest in the amount of $70,000 to the fund. Gifts in any amount are gratefully received, particularly those given in honor of special events such as birthdays, marriages, graduations, etc. I’ve attached a form you can use if you wish to make a deferred gift to the Endowment Committee.  Elizabeth Bain

On Saturday, November 15, the MUUF Buddhist Sangha hosted its All-Day Insight Meditation Retreat in Chu Family Hall, offering a full day of sitting and walking meditation in extended silence. The retreat was led by longtime Insight teacher Dennis Maurer, whose deep experience in meditation and yoga provided a calm and steady foundation for the day. Through his guidance, participants immersed themselves in moment-to-moment mindfulness—observing thoughts, sensations, and emotions with curiosity and compassion. This simple but powerful practice invited many into a deeper sense of clarity, equanimity, and peace. Behind the scenes, Sangha leaders Lisa Hatala, Amy Howard, and Bruce Hubbard  played an essential role in organizing and supporting the retreat. Their thoughtful preparation helped create a welcoming and spacious environment for everyone who attended. Forty-seven people took part in the retreat, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to practice in community, appreciate the quiet, and spend time reconnecting with themselves amid the busyness of life. We are deeply grateful to Dennis and to all who contributed to making this event a meaningful day of insight, stillness, and renewal for our fellowship community.

The Facilities Committee fall volunteer work day took place in late October. Over a dozen intrepid members showed up including: David Horst, Jane Shivas, Paul Snellgrove, Linda Delap, Dori Wolfe, Joe Hart, Jose Cervantes, Tim Davis, Paul and Helene Ferm, Barry Bontempo, and Steve Parker. Working from a menu of projects prepared by Tim Davis, the group accomplished some remarkable results! The gaga ball pit in the service courtyard got a new coat of weatherproofing stain. Construction of new stairs to access the crawl space under the Terrace Room got started. Cart loads of branches surrounding the Sanctuary air conditioners, got trimmed to minimize the debris falling onto those expensive units. Invasive tree saplings in the retention basin were cut out. Several years of impacted coffee grounds were removed from the composters. A part of the Memorial Garden stone path was scrubbed clean of debris and moss. At noon, the group finished up and broke for some well-deserved pizza in the library. In aggregate, these volunteers contributed in excess of 40 hours of work to the Fellowship! Think about that – a full woman/man week of work in one morning! And, some great accomplishments. Our whole campus is looking amazing these days, thanks to our member volunteers, who are working quietly behind the scenes on projects that speak to them. For example, all those who helped water the new plantings during the hot, dry summer including Linda Delap, Joan Belz, and Happy Amein. Or, Steve Rice, who, among other things, single handedly sealed hundreds of feet of cracks in the main parking lot. There are others who have helped; if your name was not mentioned here, please know that your contributions were appreciated and did matter. The Facilities Committee schedules volunteer days every spring and fall, and, if you are looking for a way to express your commitment to our shared home, there are always projects that could use a helping hand. Thank each of you for your service. It matters. Each Sunday, we stand and repeat a promise that includes this phrase: …”and Service is its law ….” Let us live into our great covenant.

In an interview in early winter of 2015, the late Marshall Deutsch was asked why he decided to found the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. His reply was “To have a place for the kids.” There were obviously other goals, but in that interview Deutsch did not expand beyond that answer. The Fellowship also emphasized liberal religion, but newspaper articles, based on writing by Deutsch, listed both liberal religion and educational classes (usually called Church School or Sunday School) as major reasons for organizing the congregation. It was an age for children—1955 was part of the first half of the baby boom. In fact, the members of the steering committee that began leading the organizing effort on October 23, 1955 had about 12 of their own and more would follow—the oldest 16 years old—most were 10 years old and younger. Robert McCready, who served on the steering committee, the first board and later became president, wrote that, “the 1958 Fellowship season was launched on September 28 with an address by President Arthur Babson on the subject of population control.” He wryly continued, “the issue of the Newsletter which carried a report on Art's address also listed seven babies who had been recently born to MUF members. Art was at least a year too late with his warning.” Marshall and Judy Deutsch, with two young children of their own—one two years old and one born in May 1955—were fresh from founding the Morristown Cooperative Nursery School, an organization whose leaders also included Eleanor Mason, the secretary of the steering committee. They had the energy of the young and as members No. 1, Marshall, and No. 2, Judy when they signed the membership book on December 18, Marshall was 34 years old, with Judy, at 26, one of the youngest. Mason was 36. Other members of the steering committee as of October 23 were Doris Marcia Babson, 29, Robert McCreardy, 44, Marsh Steiding, 35, Jane Steiding, 31, chairman, Winfield Greenleaf, 39, and Vincent Richards, 38. Added to the committee by November were Joan Wetton, 34, Anthony Parella, 34, and Gerald Quinlan the old man of the group at 52. In a 2023 interview, Judy commented she had successfully pushed for the curriculum by Sophia Lyons Fahs (which according to a Wikipedia article was the New Beacon Series). An article by the Unitarian Universalist Association describes Fahs’ approach as striving “ to create a theology that restored human emotions and human experience to their rightful place as foundational building blocks for an enlightened liberal faith” and further described the approach as “emotional experience first”. That fits with a description in the Daily Record of Nov. 11, 1955 that that Sunday’s service was expected to have classes, and that the committee had chosen the Beacon Press curriculum Jane Steiding had been chosen as Sunday School director with Quinlan as chairman of the religious education committee. It is not clear from further articles that classes had begun at the building then occupied by the Morristown YMCA. On December 18 there was a Christmas party for the children. This was the service at which the by-laws were approved and the first 31 members signed the membership book. An article in a 1962 newsletter by McCready said classes did not begin until September 1956. The first newsletter, published in December before the seventeenth, had an article by Marshall that discussed what classes “will be”. Certainly, the classes a required a different schedule than followed by the Fellowship today. Since the congregation did not have its own minister, its reliance on outside professionals meant services were at night. However, there were also Sunday morning lay-led sessions, often including panel discussions or sermons of Unitarian ministers read by members and classes were held in the morning. Whenever they began, the Y had its limitations because as rented space, the Fellowship had to set up and take down anything used in classes. And the space capped growth, something that would lead quickly to a search for a permanent home.

Each year at our annual Retreat, the Board of Trustees deliberates about what will guide our work in the coming year. We consider how the previous year worked, what issues have come up, what is happening in the world, and what we’ve learned in the previous year’s Open Questions. These guide us in establishing our annual Vision of Ministry – what our focus and work should be – for the coming year. ( This year’s VOM info can be found here ) At the same time, we consider what information we need to focus on the future – and what we need to know from the Congregation about their ideas and concerns. This future-oriented work is how we develop Open Questions – questions about topics we feel have ‘bubbled up’ in the previous year and should be addressed by a larger conversation with the entire congregation. The Open Question discussions are done in small groups, using prompts to help focus and facilitate dialogue. Last year, we started the cycle of Open Questions with the help of our Committee on Ministries (COM), and this year they will be hosting the discussions again. Each Open Question will have a weeknight Zoom session with breakout groups, and an in-person session on a Saturday at the Fellowship. We hope to have more people able to hear each other’s questions and comments and make this part of the larger conversation. Our first Open Question is on Service – What ministry does the world need from us at this time in history? - and will begin with an introduction this Sunday in the service, followed by a Zoom discussion session on Monday evening the 17th at 7pm and an in-person session on Saturday the 22nd at 10am (childcare will be available). Please register so we have an appropriate number of facilitators to work with the groups (and to get the Zoom link). You should plan to attend just one of the sessions so we can accommodate more participants. Register here! We look forward to hearing from the congregation on this important topic!

This Sunday (11/16) at 9 pm, the service auction's online bidding ends. Service Auction Info Need Help/Questions? Contact serviceauction@muuf.org !

We need a few folk with good backs to help us move tables from stage in order to prep the room before the concert, from 5:00-6:30 pm. Please contact Beth Hayward if you can help. Thanks!

HELP WANTED! Us: All things nuts, bolts, paint and mechanical. You: Well organized with good follow up genes. Technology savvy particularly around google docs, Zoom and Realm. Facilities might be all about nuts and bolts and paint and things mechanical. But, these days, it is also about process and technology. The Fellowship’s google docs are a key repository for the Facilities Committee’s project lists, amortization schedules and ‘how to’ documentation. From the process standpoint, all Fellowship committees run best with periodic meetings, clear agendas, and good notes and follow up. We need a volunteer to help keep the Committee organized and on track, and to ensure its documentation is maintained in the Fellowship’s databases and archives. No dirty hands, no sore backs, and no mechanical or facilities related skills required! Time required: Actually, fairly minimal. Schedule and attend Committee meetings about every two months. These meetings run about an hour and a half typically from 7 to 8:30 PM. Zoom attendance O.K. Collaborate with the Chair on an Agenda. Record notes of key decisions and open items. Follow up with a few reminders, as need be. Work with Chair to update google docs periodically; probably less than 2 hours a month. That’s it! It doesn’t sound like much – and it isn’t in terms of time - but you could make a big difference in making membership in this Committee easy and productive. If interested, or if questions, contact Steve Parker .