We have a few last-minute vendor spots available for our upcoming Spring Makers Market! If you’re a local LGBTQ+ maker, artist, or crafter, (or an ally) we want to showcase your talent. This is a pre-Pride celebration designed to highlight authentic queer-made goods and foster community connection. Don’t miss your chance to get your work in front of our wonderful Morristown community just weeks before Pride Month kicks off! Interested in joining? We are looking for curated, handmade treasures and one-of-a-kind art. If you'd like to snag one of the remaining spots, sign up here. Let’s make this market unforgettable. Spread the word and tag your favorite local makers!

Our Annual Meeting will include Annual Reports from the Board and Minister, along with voting for our slate of Candidates for open positions, our Annual Budget for 2026-27, and our Endowment Allotment. We'll also honor outgoing leaders and others. Save the date now so you won't forget then. And if you are considering becoming a Member, you'll need to sign the Book by May 8th to be eligible to vote on June 7th at the Annual Meeting. Contact Nan Perigo (nperigo@muuf.org) to discuss membership while Rev. Sasha is away. Notices, agenda, and a slate of Candidates for leadership roles will be sent soon. The Budget will be made available as soon as the Board approves it at our next meeting, and there will be information sessions on the budget on May 24th after service and May 26th on Zoom. Questions on the budget will be answered during these Budget Information sessions so that the Annual Meeting itself will only have to complete the voting - we want to use meeting time efficiently and keep the agenda on time. So, get ready for the Annual Meeting - after service on June 7th, there will be a light lunch available, then the meeting itself will be held in Chu Hall at 12:30pm. See you there!

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Morristown is host to an author talk on May 12, 2026 from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Meeting Room off of the main entrance. It is sponsored by the Fun team, and Carolyn Schwartz. The book is “Bittersweet Memories: The Life Story of an Immigrant Daughter” by Barbara Long. Barbara and her husband David joined the congregation this past July. She is involved with the Welcome Team, Social Justice, Green Aprons, and the Book Group. For last years’ Service Auction, they offered two invitations to their apartment at the Blair House. Upon retirement, she with David as her editor, began a four-year project of writing her life story. In October of 2020, Publishers Weekly reviewed her memoir with these abbreviated comments. “Barbara Long, a German Immigrant, shares the story of her parents’ broken marriage, her brother’s alcoholism, and her own challenges finding happiness and peace against the backdrop of WWII’s lasting shadow. The book covers divorce, mental illness, faith, and family through a combination of storytelling and personal reflections. Barbara is a natural story teller, the book is full of larger-than- life moments.” A Livingston friend’s review reads in part, “there are many life lessons to learn from reading her book, one is that by drawing on positive thinking and refusing to accept the difficult situations life is giving you, one can be the designer of your own future.” Q & A and refreshments will follow in the Terrace Room, including an authentic German homemade Stollen. Bittersweet Memories: The Life Story of an Immigrant Daughter can be found as an e-book on Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Barbara will have some paperback copies on hand at a reduced price.

Greeting to all Committee leaders. It is the time of year to write and submit a summary of your activities for the 2025-2026 Fellowship year, to be included in our Annual Report and shared at our Annual Meeting on June 7th. Please include the highlights and accomplishments of the past Fellowship year. The reports do not need to be lengthy, but please include your committee name and your contact name (or names) in the report. This annual summary is a great way to give attention to the good work you do for all of us in our UU community (and beyond). Please provide your summary reports to Nan Perigo, Board President, nperigo@muuf.org, no later than May 15th.

This Sunday, we’ll gather for our second Small (Discussion) Group Sunday—a wonderful opportunity to experience how small groups nurture connection, reflection, and community. Whether you’ve already signed up or are still thinking about it, we’d love for you to join us and see what makes small groups such a meaningful part of Fellowship life! Our Sunday Small Group will now meet twice a month, and we encourage participants to attend regularly so each group can grow in trust and depth over time. As we move forward, our Sunday Groups will be referred to as Discussion Groups. This is mainly because if they get any bigger, they won't be "Small Groups" anymore. If you wish to have a more intimate Small Group, please sign up for our Weekday Small Groups We’re kicking off our regular small groups next week, beginning the weeks of October 13 and October 27, with the following schedule: Monday, 7:00 PM – In Person Wednesday, 7:30 PM – Online Thursday, 7:00 PM – In Person Saturday, 9:30 AM – Hybrid More groups may be added as spaces fill or as new facilitators volunteer—so if you feel called to lead, please let us know! This month’s Small Group Booklet is available now—get a head start on the readings and reflections. Sign up for a Small Group here Don’t wait—sign up today and find your place in a small group! These circles of connection are where real relationships are built and spirits are renewed. Come be part of it!

John Franklin's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 1pm in Chu Hall. It may also be watched live on our YouTube channel.

Diplomats from around the world are gathering in NYC in May for the International Migration Review Forum. The UUSC has asked if Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship members and friends could participate. At a time when migrant rights are under attack by oppressive governments around the world, let’s lift up our voices and show world leaders that #MigrantRightsareHumanRights and we will never stop defending our immigrant neighbors. Support the civil society organizations that bring the frontline voices into the decision making rooms by joining us across UN HQ on May 6th @ 5:30 PM. If you would like to go into the city together please contact justice@muuf.org Let’s show world leaders that human rights are non-negotiable! #ResistReclaimRealise

Open Question 3 is coming up! We’ve been exploring Open Questions and are now coming to our third open question for this year, which will be on Sunday May 3 in person, and a new date for our virtual meeting May 5. Our wonderful Committee on Ministries will be holding the service on May 3 with discussion afterward in Chu Hall. Please join us in discussing OQ3, which will explore Growth. What does Growth look like? We’ll talk about personal growth, growth of our Fellowship, and growth into the wider Community. How will the Morristown UU Fellowship address the challenges of helping our members and our Fellowship grow? Join us to explore these questions, let us hear your thoughts, and hear what others have to say. We look forward to the discussion! New to Open Questions? Please read What are Open Questions so you understand what’s up. Need a link to the 7pm Zoom meeting on May 5 it's easy! Just contact - Board@MUUF.org

The Endowment Committee has been busy with grant applications during the first quarter of this year and neglected to thank all the donors to the Fund in 2025. Please look at the list of donors on the wall in Room 100. So many generous gifts were given either in memory of someone who died or in honor of someone in celebration of an event. The Fund also received bequests in 2025 from the Estates of Barbara Nadolny, John and Judy Oehler, and Geri Silk. If you would like to make a bequest at your death to the Endowment Fund, please complete the attached Deferred Gift Acknowledgement and return it to the Fellowship Office. This is how our Endowment Fund grows to “enhance the mission of the Fellowship apart from its general operating so as to help secure, strengthen and extend its long-term survival” as stated in Section B.1.c. of the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Bylaws.

Tis the season for introducing new budgets, new bills and often refurbished old bills. Now is the time for us to encourage our lawmakers and Governor to act favorably on bills that would benefit their constituents - not their own or monied interests. We need participation at all levels – petition signers to legislative testifiers. To address this need for increased activity UU Faith Action NJ (UUFANJ), in conjunction with some of its coalition partners, has been holding Action Hours every Friday at Noon. Some of our most recent Action Hours: April 17 – How to write letters to the editor. April 24 – Guest speaker Matt Smith, NJ Director of Food and Water Watch, to discuss the Make Polluters Act and upcoming advocacy opportunities. Future Events: May 1 - a be another guest speaker to discuss the ongoing Week of Action for Environmental Justice. May 6 - A celebration in recognition of the advocacy work done to get the immigration laws passed. For more info and to register go to admin@uufaithaction.org. Register by April 30. May 12 - 10AM rally in Newark. Opening arguments on Roxbury ICE Center. May 1 - 11 AM in Newark. Tax the Rich! Make Polluters Pay! Rally to kick off march to Trenton. May 7 – Major rally in Trenton. Marches converge. May 16 – UUFANJ Annual Meeting at the Fellowship For those who want to join the Rapid Response text “pay up” to 23321 More information and links can be found on the Action Hour Docs at bit.ly/1st-Fridays UUFANJ has four very active Task Forces; Environmental, Criminal, Reproductive, and Immigration. If you have an interest in any of these areas of concern, yet may not be ready to get involved, you can just monitor a task force meeting without commitment. Let us know which task force meeting you would like to sit in on by emailing justice@muuf.org Direct it to Judie. I will send you the Zoom link.

As a glimmer of light to aid our quest, one of our long standing members, Margaret Malischak, has offered forth her singular works of glass, wrought with cunning art, at a special sale this coming weekend - with all the garnered proceeds flowing straight toward the fulfillment of our sacred Generosity Campaign, “The Fellowship of the Giving”. All the cunning works of her hand shall be esteemed at but a suggested offering, that they may be within the reach of the humblest purse, yet still prompting the noble spirit of generosity. Ye are bidden to seek out Chu Hall after the assembly of worship, there to behold and perchance acquire one of these individual tokens, to serve as a lasting reminder of our wondrous campaign. Margaret’s mythical works can be viewed here. Hearken, and receive new tidings concerning the progress of our solemn pledge-quest. The long-sought conclusion of our solemn pledge-quest draws nigh, to be fulfilled ere the passing of a fortnight. Our Stewardship-hobbits are currently calling our pledging members, offering a courteous reminder to fulfill their pledge, ende the final hour on the 3rd of May. Let not this great venture fade unfulfilled - we implore you to deliver your good faith solemn pledge! Our budget target this year is $519,000 - and we have received 56% of our pledge goal! Of our 163 pledge households, 66 have entered their pledges - so we humbly beseech our other 60% pledging households to get their pledges entered ‘ere the sands of time runneth out. And if you missed it, we bid you turn your gaze upon the eloquent testament of Tanya Van Order, a most esteemed member of our fellowship, delivered this past Sunday: To meet our annual budget, our pledges need to average around $2,200 per member to sustain our Staff, building and programming. We ask that you please be as generous as you can to help us meet our 2026-2027 Pledge goal, as your support will help cover critical Fellowship needs, including: Budgeting for a Rental Coordinator to assist with the rentals of our hallowed halls. Increasing our staff salaries and hours to better align with inflation and the rising cost of living in our Shire, and meet our Fellowship’s needs. Cover the interest payments for the Construction Loan one-year extension with our Operating Budget. Thy offering shall uphold the essential labors of our Fellowship, and we humbly call upon each to make an investment in our shared future, that the strength and spirit may endure through the ages. Should any questions trouble thy mind, thou mayest send word to Tim Davis at tdavis@muuf.org, or to Katy Julich at accounting@muuf.org, and they shall answer with all due haste. In Fellowship, Tim Davis Trustee Hobbit at Large

Come join fellowship members on a two-night camp out at High Point State Park from Friday, June 19th, until Sunday, June 21st. Whether you like to roast marshmallows, go lake swimming, hike, or just enjoy each other's company, all are welcome! RSVP on the Google form or let Caroline Blanchard or Jason Salisbury know. The summer solstice is Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 4:24 AM this year; the 21st is also Father's Day. We're planning a variety of solstice-themed activities, including swimming, hiking, and lighting the campfire. Happy Campers: Families and individuals are welcome to camp out from Friday, 6/19 to Sunday, 6/21. There are 25 spots available for campers on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out time is noon on Sunday. New to camping, many of our members have tents to share - just let Caroline or Jason know. Camp Curious: Don't want to spend the night? You're still welcome to join us for dinner on Friday or during the day on Saturday! Visitors can enjoy the park until 8 p.m. Schedule of Events: Friday - Set up camp, dinner, and campfire fun Saturday - Hiking, lake swimming, crafts, fellowship, and more campfire fun Sunday - Day break yoga, breakfast, and pack up There is a $5 fee for NJ residents to enter the park. Park information can be found here. Reserve your spot today!