Sept 1, 6 pm: Summer Reflections & Mad Libs  .   After sharing our thoughts regarding the Summer, we will be playing the pride version of Adult Mad Libs.  For those unfamiliar with this game, a “reader” asks everyone else (the “writers”) to supply words to fill in blanks in a document (known to the reader but not the writers).  The results can be hilarious. Sept 8, 6 pm:” Wild Reeds”—Movie & Discussion .  Given September is Back-to-School Month, it’s the perfect time to show “Wild Reeds,” gay filmmaker André Téchiné’s semi-autobiographical coming-of-age movie about a group of teenage students. Set in southwest France in 1962, this poignant movie (presented with English subtitles) deals with the issues of class, political & sexual awakening, and the uneasy passage into adulthood. Sept 15, 6 pm: The Joys of September.  Come join us as we learn and talk about the month of September– the end of summer and the beginning of fall, National Grandparents Day, Patriot’s Day, Banned Books Week, the birthdays of Bruce Springsteen, Queen Elizabeth I, and Stephen King, and much, much more. Refreshments are served at most meetings, and attendees are asked for a small donation. Sept 22, 6 pm: The Florham Park Diner:  Enjoy good fun & food at a reasonable price!  We’ll meet at the restaurant located at 182 Ridgedale Ave in Florham Park .  Please rsvp by Friday, Sept 19,  to Gordon Sauer at president@gaamc.org .   Sept 29, 6 pm: The NJ Alzheimer’s Association– Presentation and Discussion:  Come join us for a presentation and Q & A about Alzheimers’s Disease which  covers information about the disease and about the resources that are available to those experiencing it and those taking care of them. Topics covered include: facts and figures about the prevalence, cost, and impact of the disease; clarifying definitions of Alzheimer’s and dementia; discussion of risk factors and populations at higher risk; warning signs; treatments; and how to take care of your brain health. The program concludes with information on the resources offered by the Alzheimer’s Association as well as other key groups. Refreshments are served, and attendees are asked for a small donation.

Are you buying new sneakers for school? Don’t forget to drop off your old ones in the green bin in the Mansion’s coat closet, which is to the right of the main entrance door. Green Earth Ministry will ship your used sneakers to GotSneakers.com for recycling.

The July Sunday Plate collected $1,116 to be disbursed to our community partners. The recipients of July’s plate were Homeless Solutions, RAMP (Refugee Assistance Morris Partners), UUA Side With Love, and BLUU (Black LIves UU). Thank you for your continued support of our partners!

Mark your calendars! The Service Auction Kickoff is Saturday, November 8th! We are proud to announce the grand return of the Live Auction to MUUF after many years! With great food and drink, music, a children’s party and our Silent Auction, it will be a fun night that all can enjoy!

It’s not too early to start thinking about ideas for Service Auction donations!  It’s our biggest fundraiser! From cakes, trips, dinners, and everything in between, the sky’s the limit! You could even team up with other members! Donating your time volunteering will also needed! There will be many opportunities!  If interested, contact serviceauction@muuf.org.

The 24 – 25 Fiscal Year closed on June 30th. The Operating Budget finished the year with a surplus. This surplus was a result of the 5 month Music Director vacancy as well as Service Auction and Rental Income coming in higher than budgeted. The Finance Committee is reviewing several non-budgeted needs that these funds might fulfill. Below are the 6/30/25 Financial Results As of 6/30/2025 YTD Actual Full Year Budget Operating Budget Income Statement Total Donation Income 476,710.75 478,104.00 Total Fundraiser Income 39,025.13 32,000.00 Total Rental Income 77,646.78 63,180.00 Total Other Income 14,221.04 18,824.00 Total Revenue 607,603.70 592,108.00 Total Payroll and Benefits 364,575.37 391,396.00 Total Building Expenses 104,515.55 104,100.00 Total Other Expenses 105,146.02 104,073.00 Total Expenses 574,236.94 599,569.00 Net Total 33,366.76 -7,461.00 Balances Emergency Fund 79,421.07 Endowment 614,091.09 excluding authorized disbursements Capital Campaign Balance 28,458.23 Construction Loan Balance 1,187,000.00

Here are some fun ways to get involved this fellowship year: Meals with UU Friends:   Groups formed of 7-9 folks based on their shared preference for day of the week and time of the day (lunch or dinner), who agree to meet monthly in restaurants, homes, parks, and/or at our Fellowship to break bread and get to know each other.   Cinema Circles:  Groups of up to a dozen folks who agree to meet monthly at an agreed upon date and time to meet (in person or virtually) and discuss a film which participants watch on their own prior to the gathering. Bocce:  Meets Thursdays at 4pm (weather permitting) at the Fellowship oval, a Bocce landscape covered with plenty of micro hills and valleys to even out the performance of experienced and novice players alike. Laughs and howls guaranteed! Want to know more? Want to sign up?  Send an email to  fun@muuf.org   to learn more or sign up below. Meals with UU Friends Cinema Circles Bocce

The umbrellas are a wonderful addition to the courtyard seating! In order to keep them safe from the wind, please be sure to close and tie them when you are done or if you see them open and not being used. Thank you!

The Solar Project kicked off on Monday, August 4th and moved very quickly with the weather cooperating! The panel installation on the upper and lower roofs of the Gateways Center was completed within 4 days! The connection to our electrical panels was made last Thursday, August 7th. Now that the connection and installation are completed, the inspections are scheduled and then we’ll be able turn the system on! Panels on upper roof

Mutual aid and community building in Morris County, NJ

Become an architect this week! We’re using toothpicks and mini-marshmallows to build structures. Children will design towers, houses, and other creations, then find ways to combine their work into one large construction. We’ll enjoy a book about an architect and take an imaginary elevator ride up a tall building during our mindfulness.

A seedbed for spiritual grounding and education that inspires deep practices of Earth care, justice and flourishing for all.