A note on the oldest-known order of service for the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship has a handful of pencil-written words annotating it: “Negatives, Orthodoxy’.” There was no clear list of positives, but the words “Attitudes, Reverence, Good Will, Freedom” precede that note by the unknown author. The order of service does not contain the name of the speaker, topic or date but the name “Dr. Dale DeWitt, November 28, 1955.” was added by the notetaker. Sunday was actually November 27, but an article in the Thursday, November 24 edition of the Madison Eagle, noted DeWitt was to speak on the subject of “A Religion of One’s Own” on Sunday. A Unitarian minister, DeWitt was the executive director of the Mid-Atlantic region for the then-American Unitarian Association from 1939 through 1964, and gave this sermon over the course of years, covering the history of and attributes of liberal religion. The notetaker did not elaborate on the meaning of “Orthodoxy”, but a good guess can be made because the order of service showed there was a prayer—and that was not common for the congregation through the first years of its existence and would have been anathema for many years in the late twentieth century. One of the hymns, “Morning So Fair to See”, is also known as the “Crusader’s Hymn” (and in Christian circles is sung as “Fairest Lord Jesus”. Another hymn sung was “God of the Earth, the Sky, the Sea”. Certainly, there were periods in which the mentioned of God drew objections at the Fellowship, although it was not as unusual as the use of a prayer in the 1950s. But we can suspect it drew the notetakers criticism. Indeed, the word, “hymn” became unpopular with some later in the century. The service also included a responsive reading, “The Riches of the Spirit” by Robert T. Weston which points to a belief in a deity with the first two lines of its closing verse “Let thy house be built upon a rock of virtue and let thy trust be in the riches of spirit.” The use of the word “God” would recur, although not frequently The Feb. 26, 1956 service included a musical interlude, “Glory to God”. The use of “Hymn” for songs during services was standard, as was the offertory, which was discarded sometime before the early 1980s in favor of having individuals place their contributions in a kiosk, although hymns and offertories would be restored to the congregation's practice. The term for the services themselves, usually programs in the last 20 years of the century, was usually meetings in Fellowship publicity, and sometime lectures, with orders of service routinely referring to main presentations as sermons. But among orders of service examined so far, it would not be until Jan. 20, 1957 until a prayer found its place on Sundays again. In fact, services would more commonly offering a meditation before a prayer was offered again

The Service Auction statements were emailed last week. If you didn’t receive yours, contact us at serviceauction@muuf.org . The deadline for payment is Dec. 31st by Realm or by check. Also, on Sunday, Dec 7th, you can pick up items at the service auction table, or by arrangement. We can also accept payment and answer your questions there. Thank you for your generosity!

Dec 1, 6 pm: The Joys of December What brings you joy during December? After all, this IS "The most wonderful time of the year!" Is it the sparkle of holiday lights everywhere, the gathering of family and friends in festive celebrations, the promise of snow and the emergence of warm, seasonal sweaters, perhaps even the "ugly" ones? Come to GAAMC to kick off the season and share some holiday cheer with like-minded folks. There will be videos to watch, tasty goodies to enjoy, and stories to exchange. A small donation is asked to contribute to our use of the Fellowship. And you're welcome to join a small group at a local diner afterward to continue the camaraderie! Dec 8, 6 pm: Being Positive What are we thankful for? Come join us as we discuss what we are thankful for and how we can be positive in today’s often challenging world. Dec 15, 6 pm: Songs of the Holidays The Holidays are great for remembering memories and making new ones, and what connects us to memories more than music? Email links to your favorite holiday music to info@gaamc.org and be prepared to tell us why this song means so much to you. Rumor has it that in addition to playing videos of favorites, we may be tuning up our pipes and raising our voices in song. Feel free to join us in conjuring the Holiday Spirit! Dec 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, Dec 19, to Gordon Sauer at president@gaamc.org . Dec 29, 6 pm: Ma Vie en Rose Although this Belgium film dates from 1997, the story of a child’s exploration of their gender identity is timeless. This Golden Globe Award film tells the comically heartbreaking story of Ludovic a seven-year-old transgender girl’s coming out with warmth and empathy. It also explores the effect that Ludovic’s journey has on the relationships between his family members and the community. The issues of confusing homosexuality and transsexualism, denying its existence, attempting to cure it, and exhibiting discrimination and hostility towards the trans individual and their family are dealt with. The discussion should prove to be quite lively. There will be tasty goodies to enjoy after each gathering, and stories to exchange. A small donation is asked to contribute to our use of the Fellowship. And you're welcome to join a small group at a local diner afterward to continue the camaraderie!

As we wait for the spring weather to finally break the winter chills, the Children’s Faith Formation Team is thinking about Fall. On Sunday, April 5th, members of the team, teachers, volunteers, and parents met for a Planning Retreat. We discussed their goals for the programs, debriefed what has and has not worked, and made plans for the coming year. To begin, we asked what folks are hoping children get out of RE. Some responses were “Community,” “Being Seen and Safe,” and “Learning about our faith and values.” We also identified some growing edges in our programs, which included “clearer explanation of the long-term plan,” “creating more multi-age connections,” and “teacher spiritual care,” among others. This list gave some solid building blocks to great goals for next year. We also evaluated what each age group needed. As we discussed their developmental needs and milestones, our goals for each age group began to take shape. In the next couple of months, we will be working to refine and expand each goal. Pre-K – To help children become familiar with their environment, community, and classroom structure, while reinforcing positive values and behaviors. Lower Elementary – To foster a sense of belonging and purpose, engage with rituals, connect with the spiritual life of the congregation, and actively contribute to the broader community. Upper Elementary – To develop students into role models who actively inquire, think critically, act responsibly, apply values, take ownership, and expand their knowledge of history to contribute to the congregation. Middle School – To guide students through self-discovery and identity formation, offering a safe space for exploration. Help them understand external influences, encourage self-reflection, and equip them to make informed choices and build healthy relationships. Foster a positive self-identity for their future well-being. Top Three Survey Responses After a short break to check in on the little ones, we got to the business of forming a plan. The details of this plan are still being hammered out, but we laid a great foundation. The first part was to review a survey that went out to all the families and teachers on our lists. This included active families, former participants, visitors, teachers, and volunteers. We offered up seven religious education schedule options. These included current and past schedules, alternative ones like having RE every other week during the full service, and shortening the RE hour. After tabulating the scores of each option and looking at all of the write-in responses, the folks in attendance had a clear favorite. Though there was no perfect schedule, the one that made the most sense was our current schedule with the Service at 10:00 am, Social (half) Hour at 11:00 am, and Religious Education Hour at 11:30. We then explored different options for class offerings within that schedule. We sought to address the growing edges we have identified. We took aim at all of our goals. We decided that we could not do all of that work within the time frame of that day. So we formed task forces, created to-do lists, and set deadlines. It is our hope to get back to you with more concrete information within the next few weeks. I want to take some time to thank everyone in attendance for offering their honest feedback, fresh ideas, and incredible teamwork. I particularly want to thank Sheila Battaglia, who hung out with our children while we had this discussion. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without her. And we want to thank all of you for your support as we continue to navigate these changing times so that we can foster another generation of kind, thoughtful, and justice-minded UUs.

Saturday, December 6 | 2:00–4:00 PM | Chu Family Hall Take a break from the holiday rush and join us for an afternoon of cozy fun, sweet treats, and classic holiday cheer! We’ll be showing a much-loved Christmas movie featuring some very familiar puppet friends who bring laughter and heart to a timeless tale of kindness, redemption, and holiday spirit. To make the afternoon even sweeter, we’re hosting a cookie exchange ! Bring a plate of your favorite cookies to share—whether they’re lovingly homemade or picked up from your favorite bakery, all are welcome. You’ll have a chance to sample a variety of delicious treats while enjoying good company and a joyful film. This is a family-friendly event, perfect for all ages. Come in your comfiest holiday attire, bring a friend, and settle in for an afternoon that’s sure to lift your spirits and leave you smiling.

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!

Looking for a warm and welcoming place to spend Thanksgiving afternoon? Join us on Thursday, November 27 from 2:00–5:00 PM  in Chu Family Hall for a relaxed holiday meal shared in community. Hosted by Nick, Sasha, and Alex, the Fellowship will be providing all the classics— turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie —the basics we all love. If you’d like to bring a dish to share, you are warmly encouraged to do so, but there is absolutely no expectation. Just bring yourself and enjoy the afternoon! This gathering is open to anyone—those who may not have a place to go for the holiday, and those who simply want to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by good food, gratitude, and Fellowship family.  This is a chance to share stories, laughter, and the spirit of the season together. To help us plan, please RSVP. We hope to share the holiday with you!

Looking for the perfect holiday gifts? Come to our Queer Holiday Maker’s Market  and discover unique, handmade treasures from LGBTQ+ artists and makers! From art and crafts to one-of-a-kind gifts, this is your chance to shop small, shop local, and shop queer  while supporting creativity and community. From handmade crafts and original artwork to unique seasonal treasures, you’ll find plenty of meaningful gifts that support local queer creators and small businesses. It’s a wonderful opportunity to shop local, shop queer, and support community-powered creativity —all while getting into the holiday spirit. Best of all, event proceeds will help support the Fellowship’s ongoing mission of building a warm, inclusive, and welcoming community for all , both within and beyond our walls. Give Warmth This Winter In addition to supporting our artists and makers, we’re also collecting winter essentials for Knit the Rainbow , an organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. If you can, please bring new or handmade items such as: Scarves Gloves Ear warmers Socks Beanies Sweaters or cardigans Your donation will help bring warmth, comfort, and care to young people in need this winter season. Join Us! Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and come be part of this joyful afternoon of holiday cheer, creativity, and community empowerment. Admission is $5. We can’t wait to see you there!

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 .

We’re so excited to invite our older children and youth to join the launch of our brand-new Junior Child Care Helper Program .  This program is a chance for kids to step up, shine, and become active helpers in our Child Care room. Junior Helpers will assist our adult volunteers by playing with younger children, helping with simple tasks, and helping to make the space warm, welcoming, and fun for everyone. Kids ages 5 and up  are invited to participate: Ages 5–10  can join when a parent or guardian is also volunteering. Ages 11–18  can help in groups led by adult volunteers and build real leadership skills. Everyone will take part in a short, fun training session led by Nick Wallwork so they feel confident and ready to help from day one. This training is being postponed to Saturday, December 7th , due to the fire drill planned for this Sunday. If your child loves to help, enjoys working with little ones, or wants a meaningful way to be involved on Sunday mornings, this is the perfect opportunity. We can’t wait to see our young leaders in action on December 7th!

Your 2025 Service Auction Statement includes a list of items purchased by you (total due upon receipt) and a list of the winners for your donations. To find your balance, scroll down to the end of your purchases. Individual items can be picked up at the Fellowship on Sundays Nov. 23rd and Dec. 7th or by arrangement. A reminder letter will be sent to your winners 10 days before the event, but please reach out on your own as well to confirm the time and location. Due date for payment is DECEMBER 31st! You may pay by check and Realm. The Service Auction Team will have a table during coffee hour on Sundays Nov. 23rd and Dec. 7th. They will accept payment and answer any questions. Any questions? Contact the Service Auction Team . Tips for payment: Realm: (Computer or Phone) Once in Realm: Go to Giving in menu Select + Give Type in the amount and change Fund from Operating Budget to Service Auction Continue to payment and select type. Then select Give. If you need help with Realm, call the office. It can be done over the phone. Checks: Please put Service Auction in the memo field. You can either mail the check to the fellowship or drop it off. Thank you so much for your contributions that made our 2025 Service Auction such a success! Sincerely, Your Auction Team

The Gifts of Conscience Fair on Sunday Dec. 14 th from 11 AM to 3 PM will feature local social justice partners as well as a Holiday Market where you can shop for beautiful gifts, and the purchases benefit a local or global non-profit organization.  Our social justice partners will share information, and the partners will also accept donations – consider honoring friends and family on your holiday gift list with a charitable donation. Partners include Days for Girls, Mutual Morris, Nourish NJ, and RAMP – Refugee Assistance Morris Partners. Some of the featured vendor merchandise is shown below from Willow Faith Art, Peaceworks, and Robin Lennon. Local artist Willow Faith Art will be donating a portion of their sales to the non-profit Trans Lifeline. Peaceworks will be selling Nicaraguan coffee and crafts, supporting communities in Nicaragua to overcome poverty and exploitation. Robin Lennon creates wearable art designs that are one-of-a-kind and assembled using Upcycled and re-purposed fabrics, and will be donating a portion of their sales to Two by Two Media, a service organization bringing together artists in support of artists.