As you know, in August 2024, we crossed over the threshold of needing less than $400,000 to pay off the construction loan we had taken out to support our $4.5M project to complete the transformation of our building and grounds. The Board was authorized to obtain a mortgage in that amount but – we’d rather not have to. So here we are less than 2 years later and we need only $47,500 more in pledges to pay off the loan! How did we get to $47,500 so quickly? At the beginning of February we still needed $190,000. With the generosity triggered by our Gateways Glitter and Song party, we landed at $118,000! We are at $47,500 now because of additional gifts and pledges received since. But also: we continued to follow up on older pledges that we thought might not come through – and OMG almost everyone DID confirm their pledges, which we had not been counting on! So that was an additional $19,500. New pledges also came in because the pledge forms for our Generosity Campaign this year included a one-time request to consider a donation to Mortgage Prevention – in addition to the 2026-2027 Operating Budget pledge that is the main event for that Campaign. So far, we have received $49,000 in additional Mortgage Prevention gifts from that single line alone. There’s more but those are the big things. Fill out your Generosity Campaign Pledge by May 3 – AND Please consider an additional amount for Mortgage Prevention. REMEMBER: Your additional Mortgage Prevention Pledge does not have to be paid till 2027. How can you wait till 2027 for my MP pledge if the loan is due in August 2026? Several large pledges will not be received til 2027 anyway. So in order to enable maximum giving, the Board is planning to extend the remaining balance of the loan to a payoff date of August 2027 on an interest-only basis. IMPORTANT: Part of our pledge goal for the Fellowship of the Giving includes the amount needed to cover the interest to do this. SO you have till August 2027 to make the additional gifts. Fill out that pledge card for the Generosity Campaign by May 3 (to be paid next fiscal year), and please consider adding an amount for Mortgage Prevention (can wait til 2027 sometime). PS we won’t update the Gateways Donor Wall till we capture all additional donations by the end of the Generosity Campaign (MAY 3!!!) Let’s finish this!

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 Wednesday May 6 virtually. 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 6? Contact Board@MUUF.org

Last Saturday 16 of us gathered to spruce up the grounds, remove invasives and a downed tree, tidy up donated items, patch a wall, prep a window for painting, install a drip line, deep clean the kitchen, and more. Amazing work and good camaraderie. Many thanks to all who participated, and those who continue caring for this campus of ours all year long.

Did you know that it now costs less to produce electricity from solar or wind energy than by burning fossil fuels? With battery storage, electricity generated by solar panels or wind turbines can be available anytime. Electricity generated from solar and wind has the added benefits of relatively stable costs compared with fossil fuels and no climate-altering emissions. During social hour after the Earth Day service on April 19, members of the Green Earth Ministry invited the congregation to add their names to a letter to Governor Mikie Sherrill. The letter thanked the Governor for her actions to reduce New Jersey’s electricity rates, advance solar energy and battery storage, accelerate permitting for clean energy infrastructure, and expand power generation. Linda DeLap emailed a photo of the letter and the 62 added names to Gov. Sherrill’s office on April 20. To send a message to Gov. Sherrill yourself, click here.

Join us this Saturday, April 18, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM  for a powerful afternoon of film, discussion, and community organizing. In partnership with the Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County (GAAMC) , we are proud to host a special screening of the documentary Heightened Scrutiny . The Film: Heightened Scrutiny The documentary follows civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio  as he navigates a high-stakes battle at the Supreme Court. It offers an intimate look at the fight for transgender adolescents’ access to life-saving healthcare, confronting both a legal system under pressure and a media landscape that often obscures the human reality of trans lives. From Witnessing to Organizing This event is more than just a screening; it is a community action session . Following the 90-minute film, we will transition into a focused discussion on the specific legal and social challenges facing our community here in New Jersey. This event is designed for action, not just observation, offering you a direct hand in the work ahead. By joining us, you will help bridge the gap between national legal battles and our local reality, while networking with the healthcare providers and activists leading the charge in our community. You’ll leave not only with a deeper understanding of ongoing campaigns but also with the practical tools needed to turn inspiration into tangible local impact. Let’s come together to ensure that the "scrutiny" our community faces is met with a powerful, organized, and joyful resistance. See you on Saturday!

The Fellowship is buzzing with activity this weekend! Whether you are looking to give back, deepen your faith, or find your place in our community, there is a path for you this Sunday, April 19 . Here is what is happening at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship : Blood Drive Kick off your morning with an act of radical kindness. We are hosting a Blood Drive  to support local hospitals and patients in need. Every donation makes a massive impact, and there’s no better way to live our values than by helping to save lives right here in our community. Special Religious Education Project Our youth and lifelong learners are invited to a session of the Special Religious Education Project. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with our curriculum in a hands-on, creative way. Whether you've attended every session or are joining for the first time, your perspective is a valued part of our collective spiritual journey. Starting Point (Family Edition) New to the Fellowship? Curious about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist? Join us for Starting Point: a New Friends Gathering. This special "Family Edition" is designed to be inclusive and welcoming for all ages. It’s the perfect, low-pressure environment to share your story, ask questions, and learn how you can grow with us. For more details on these and other upcoming programs, visit our Events Page .

This week filming of the horror movie 5 Must Die began at the Fellowship! Member David Landau is coordinating the camera and lights on the project. Filming is taking place in the Great Hall, Terrace Room, Basement, Family Room (as a Dining Room), Library, Chu Hall and the lower parking lot.

Dear Morristown UU members and friends, I hope this message finds you and yours well. You may have recently heard that I will soon be out of town for a few weeks. I would like to share more details about my upcoming time away and let you know what you can expect in my absence. I will be in Arizona from April 20 through May 29 to spend meaningful time with my father following his terminal cancer diagnosis in late December. As I am sure those of you who have accompanied a loved through similar circumstances know, this is a tender time for my family and I, and I'm grateful for the space to focus on my dad right now. Please know that I'm well supported. A local colleague and his family have generously offered to welcome Smokie’s and my two cats, Sherlock and Mycroft, into their home while we're away. I'm also grateful for the support of another colleague who this congregation knows well! -- Rev. Charles Loflin -- who will help ensure our members here at Morristown UU will be well cared for in my absence. Although I don't leave for Arizona until April 20, my last Sunday in the pulpit before my time away was actually last Sunday, April 12. On April 19, I will be guest preaching nearby at First UU Hunterdon County as part of our congregation’s Leadership Leaves commitment. Our own Green Earth Ministry will offer an Earth Day service here at Morristown UU, and all Sundays after that until my return to the pulpit on May 31 will feature services by our talented lay leaders. I am grateful for their willingness to share their gifts as well as their generosity in stepping forward for a time to allow me the space I need to step back. While I'm away, the Rev. Charles Loflin will provide pastoral care coverage for those in our community who are experiencing health challenges, grief, loss, or other pastoral concerns. You can contact him via the contact form on our website -- https://www.muuf.org/leadership . Please keep in mind that Rev. Charles's availability is limited, so he is only available for pastoral care and is not able to assist with other matters. During my time away, I will be taking a combination of vacation and study leave. What that means is that I will be working a small number of hours remotely each week, which will mostly be "behind-the-scenes." Although you may spot me now and then via email or in the odd meeting, please know that I am not truly available for congregational needs during my time away. Thank you for helping me keep my focus on my father while I am away. If you need assistance while I am in Arizona and your matter cannot wait till my return, please reach out to the individuals listed below, who would be happy to help you: Rev. Charles Loflin:  pastoral care Nick Wallwork: faith formation and community-building Victoria Lotkowictz: music Alex West: Sunday AV and Fellowship communications Katy Julich: calendar, facilities, and finances Nan Perigo: becoming a member Franklin Heller: social justice If you aren't sure who to reach out to, Katy Julich will help connect you with those who can provide assistance. Thank you for your understanding and compassion. Many of you have already offered kind words and the encouragement to take the time that I need to be with family, reminding me that it is the same thing that I would encourage you to do in such a time. Thank you for your care and for the ways that I know you'll support each other in my absence. I will see you off and on this upcoming week, and then I look forward to returning to the pulpit on May 31 and reconnecting with you then. Warmly, Rev. Sasha

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Hark! We bring tidings of the Pledge Quest: its duration shall extend no further than May 3rd. Alas, only a mere quarter of our pledging households have provided their pledge. We beseech thee to render thy pledge this very day, for the Stewardship-hobbits shall soon set forth to call upon the pledging members, offering a courteous reminder to fulfill their pledge, ere the final hour doth fall upon this noble endeavor! As the Fellowship in the Middle-earth tales of old, so are we called to rise as one, heeding the summons to bear light, love, and courage into our realm in need. Our budget target this year is $519,000 - and we have received 41% of our pledge goal! Of our 163 pledge households, 41 have entered their pledges - so we beseech our other 75% pledging households to get their pledges entered this week! To meet our annual budget, our pledges need to average around $2,200 per member to sustain our Staff, building and programming. W e 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. We also call upon all wizened members to re-examine your level of giving and consider advancing to the next tier of abundance. Even a small increase is a potent spell, enhancing our ability to carry out the ministries that touch so many lives. Our scroll of counsel for determining your contribution can be found by following this magical link: 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 qu estions 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

Morristown, New Jersey, April 14, 2026 – The Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship commends the State of New Jersey and the Township of Roxbury for suing to stop plans for an immigrant detention center in Roxbury. Nearly one month ago, the State of New Jersey and the Township of Roxbury announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to halt their illegal plan to convert a vacant warehouse into a large-scale immigration detention facility. Unitarian Universalists value justice and equity. We seek to transform our faith communities into diverse, multicultural Beloved Communities where all feel welcome and can thrive. We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. The Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship deplores the Trump administration's plans to make New Jersey complicit in terrorizing immigrants, their families, and their communities. Our minister, the Rev. Sasha Ostrom, stated, “Immigrant families in our congregation and wider community have shared the fear they've been living with since this facility was proposed. No one should worry about going to school or church. No one should fear being separated from their family or detained indefinitely in unsafe conditions. This facility has not yet opened, but it already casts a terrifying shadow. Immigrant families deserve better.” As Governor Sherrill rightly observed, “These types of facilities … have a long track record of abuse, mistreatment, and unsafe conditions.” A Roxbury resident said the proposal would bring “the lack of morality and fear factor into our town.” The lawsuit by New Jersey and Roxbury Township against ICE and DHS cites process violations and practical concerns that make the proposed facility in Roxbury untenable. Neither ICE nor DHS informed New Jersey or Roxbury officials of their plans before purchasing the property. Housing up to 1500 detainees, as planned by ICE and DHS, would devastate the area environmentally and economically. Sewage outflow would exceed the current approved limit by a factor of 15. Water consumption would stress the water system of the Highlands region, which provides drinking water for 70% of the state. Vehicle traffic would increase at the already dangerous interchange between Highway 46 and Interstate 80. In addition, federal occupation of the warehouse would deprive Roxbury Township of an estimated $1.8M in annual tax revenue, block economic development, and place burdens on public services. On April 8, New Jersey state and local officials filed a request for a preliminary injunction, asking a federal judge to block ICE from beginning construction on the proposed detention center. Without an injunction, construction could begin as soon as late May.

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 Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 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, 06/19 to Sunday, 06/21. 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!

On Friday at 12 PM — join us for Action Hour! Last week the educational discussion addressed Municipal Ordinances and Municipal Resolutions. The case study action taken was in support of ending application fees for municipal public defenders. Other actions were taken. One in support of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of NJ and one against rule changes in asylum seeker work permits. If you are interested in any of these actions, go to the April 10 section of the Action Hour Document. This week, join us for a special Action Hour. Our focus will be on using Letters to the Editor as an effective advocacy tool. We'll walk through all the steps, from start to finish including some best practices and recommendation for submitting for publication! Letters to the editor can be a powerful tool. For our case study, we'll look at the issue of Divesting NJ pensions from corrupt corporations like Palantir. For access to the Zoom link and document, click here .