Financial Summary – MUUF (as of 9/30/25) Income:  Total revenues year-to-date (YTD) reached $171,971 , exceeding the YTD budget of $153,143 . Donation income is strong at $149,977 , well above budgeted $120,657 . Fundraiser income is below target ( $530  vs $8,500 ), while rental income slightly exceeds expectations ( $19,396  vs $19,030 ). Expenses:  Total YTD expenses are $149,383 , slightly below budgeted $153,423 . Payroll and benefits are nearly on budget, building expenses are lower than expected, and other expenses are slightly over budget. Net Total:  The YTD net income is $22,587 , positive compared to a small budgeted deficit of $280 . Balances:  Emergency Fund stands at $80,084 , the Endowment at $637,410 , Capital Campaign balance $20,672 , and Construction Loan balance $710,400 . The Capital Campaign continues to cover monthly interest on the loan. Notes:  Financial performance is typical for this time of year. Winter-related expenses have not yet begun, and revenue remains healthy. As of 9/3025 September Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget Full Year Budget Operating Budget Income Statment Total Donation Income 31,239.75 149,976.94 120,657.24 482,629.00 Total Fundraiser Income 450.00 530.00 8,500.02 34,000.00 Total Rental Income 10,470.00 19,395.50 19,030.02 76,120.00 Total Other Income 669.35 2,068.14 4,956.00 19,824.00 Total Revenues 42,829.10 171,970.58 153,143.28 612,573.00 Expenses Total Payroll and Benefits 30,396.43 103,881.71 104,631.78 418,527.00 Total Building Expenses 3,601.06 20,422.36 26,018.70 104,075.00 Total Other Expenses 6,273.35 25,079.07 22,772.43 91,090.00 Total Expenses 40,270.84 149,383.14 153,422.91 613,692.00 Net Total 2,558.26 22,587.44 (279.63) (1,119.00) Balances Emergency Fund 80,084.40 Endowment 637,409.67 as of 8/31/25 Capital Campaign Balance 20,671.66 Construction Loan Balance 710,400.00 Notes: Capital Campaign will continue to pay the monthly interest on the construction loan. The financial results thus far are typical. The higher expenses associated with the winter have not begun and the income reflects

In September, the Sunday Collection raised $1,329. These funds were distributed to Homeless Solutions, nourish.NJ, NORWESCAP, and the Interfaith Food Pantry. Thank you for your continued support!

This Sunday at 11:30, our Religious Education program will explore the amazing ways energy  powers our world — and how we can use it to care for the Earth. Children in PreK–2nd grade  are invited to join Nick  for an engaging, hands-on class called The Power of Green Energy!  We’ll learn how energy helps us move, play, and think, and discover how the sun, wind, and water  provide clean energy that keeps our planet healthy. Through stories, movement, and art, children will create a colorful mural celebrating ways to care for the Earth and honor the interdependent web of life . Meanwhile, 3rd–8th graders  will take part in a special class on Solar Energy , led by David Horst . They’ll learn how our new Fellowship solar panels work and explore how sunlight can be transformed into power for our homes, cars, and communities. It’s a bright and inspiring Sunday in RE — we hope to see you there!

Are you searching for a friendly space to explore your spiritual journey? Look no further! Join us for our "Starting Point" class at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (MUUF), starting on Tuesday, October 14th. This engaging four-week course is tailored just for newcomers, providing an exceptional chance to connect, reflect, and grow alongside others on similar paths. Overview of the Course The "Starting Point" course offers an interactive experience that emphasizes both connection and personal growth. Over four weeks, participants will dive into essential practices of Unitarian Universalism. This includes deep self-listening, cultivating openness to life's gifts, and understanding the importance of community service. For instance, in one session, we might share personal experiences related to kindness and cooperation, fostering rich conversations that can deepen our spiritual understanding. This class encourages engaging discussions. Participants will reflect on their own beliefs while learning from each other's insights, making it a truly collaborative learning environment. Who Should Join? This course is perfect for those new to Unitarian Universalism or our congregation. Whether you're a newcomer to the area, eager to get involved in the community, or simply exploring your own beliefs, this class is made for you. We aim to foster a warm and welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their stories and questions.

We have had some great, thoughtful responses to the questionnaire so far. You are all pretty knowledgeable, but we also found some gaps. Please take the time to answer the questionnaire and come for a readout and further discussion on Sunday in the Library (there will be prizes). Here is yet another opportunity for input to how we operate and what our future will be! Don’t waste it by passing this by (Did I mention, there will be prizes). We will provide a full recap once the survey is complete, but here’s a taste: Q: “What can we use our budget for if we don’t need to pay down debt? A:Investing in larger events that might pay down the debt in larger chunks at the same time reaching into the pockets of outside our membership so we don’t constantly expect the membership to keep giving more and more and more. A: More events that are open to the public to increase visibility. A: We can use the money to help others and to heal the Earth. A: Host more open discussions on social justice issues A: Better hours for valued staff, better collaborative activities for all We need to hear from you, too! (ALSO: PRIZES)

Wishing you could express your appreciation for Morristown UU? Try contributing some sweat equity! Join the facilities team on Saturday October 25th for the annual fall work day from 9 AM to 1 PM (pizza will be served for lunch around noon). There are tasks appropriate for every level of skill, age and enthusiasm. All of the necessary supplies and tools will be provided. Click this link for a complete list of projects. and tools will be provided. Click this link for a complete list of projects.

It began with these words, “We are interested in joining one of two not-so-distant local churches and before long we hope to participate with some of our many local Unitarian friends in the formation of a Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.” That was written by Marshall Deutsch, a chemist, to the Rev. Richard Gibbs of the American Unitarian Association (AUA) on May 11, 1955. Marshall and his wife Judy, both native New Yorkers, had moved to Morristown after living briefly in Detroit. In response to a letter from Deutsch to the AUA, Gibbs on March 14 wrote, inviting the couple to join the Church of the Larger Fellowship. But Deutsch rejected that idea in favor of creating a new organization. The Rev. Munroe Husbands The work kicked off in earnest when the Rev. Munroe Husbands, the pied piper of the Fellowship movement, wrote to Deutsch on July 11 that he would be making a field trip to several states with the goal of organizing more Fellowships. Husbands visited New Jersey to plan and stayed at the Deutsch’s house. By the late fall, plans had been finished and on Oct. 11, 1955, an article appeared in “The Daily Record”, headlined “Unitarianism Talk Topic on Next Tuesday” with a picture of the Husbands and the note for anyone interested to contact Marshall Deutsch of Franklin Village. Deutsch had a well-thought-out publicity plan as in the next day’s edition of the Record, October 12, there was a letter to the editor from Winfield Greenleaf, which noted he had read the article about Husband’s upcoming talk. “The purpose of this meeting, as I understand it, is to discuss the formation of a Unitarian Fellowship in the Morristown area,” Greenleaf wrote. On October 17, Deutsch’s letter was published in the Record noting he had read Greenleaf’s which promoted the thought that Unitarianism was of particular appeal to “engineers, scientists and other professional men of this area”. By the time Husbands made his presentation, there had been three articles about the formation of the Fellowship published in less than a week. Husbands spoke to an audience of 50 to 60 individuals who gathered in the community room of the Morristown Trust Co. His topic “Who Are These Unitarians?” was a theme he used repeatedly over the next few years. No list of attendees was published nor was any text from Husband’s speech reported. But things began happening rapidly. Attendees immediately formed a steering committee aimed at creating a congregation. The committee was chaired by Greenleaf and included Eleanor Mason (listed as Mrs. R.L. Mason in the communications in that era) as secretary; Doris Babson (Mrs. Arthur) membership chair; Robert McCready, treasurer; Gerald Quinlan, religious education chair; R. Marsh Steiding, bylaws and publications chair; Anthony Parella, corresponding secretary; and Deutsch, publicity chair. By mid-December, Deutsch would hand off those duties to John Zieger. The Deutsches were fresh from founding the Morristown Cooperative Nursery School where Marshall chaired the teachers and workshop committee and Judy handled publicity. According to Eleanor Mason’s memoir notes, it was at this school that Judy asked, “If I would like to help found a Unitarian Fellowship”. This was one of the key organizations from whose members were solicited for their possible interest in a Fellowship. Not that the Deutsches weren’t busy elsewhere. Marshall was chair of the educational committee of the Lackawanna subsection of the American Chemical Society and was a Democratic County Committeeman. In interviews in 2015 and 2023, Judy said she had just joined the League of Women Voters, another important source of prospects, and missed the Fellowship meeting because she felt had just joined the LWV and needed to attend its meeting

There’s something new shining bright at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship — and it’s not just the autumn sunshine! Our Fellowship is now powered in part by solar energy , and to celebrate, we’re offering a special Religious Education class on solar power  for children in grades 3–8 . David Horst  will lead this engaging, hands-on session on Saturday, October 19th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. , during regular RE time. Together, students will explore how the sun’s energy can be captured and turned into clean, renewable power. They’ll even take a close look at our new solar panels  on the Fellowship roof to see this amazing technology in action. Through fun activities and conversation, kids will learn about the science of solar energy , the importance of sustainability , and how Unitarian Universalists express their values by caring for the Earth. This class offers a perfect blend of science, spirituality, and stewardship — and a great way for our young people to see how MUUF is putting our principles into practice for a brighter, greener future.

Want to join us for our fabulous Kickoff Party, but don’t know how? You can sign up on our web page or you can also visit us at the service auction table in Chu Hall during coffee hour, where you can pay cash, check or credit card. Here’s a teaser of a few offerings! More are being added every day! Remember, the deadline to submit your offerings is October 26th! 2nd annual Playdate and Potluck Romantic Picnic Basket for Two Sparkly Brunch Pyramid Mountain Hike Professional Studio Headshot Photos Please checkout our service auction page. Need Help/Questions? Contact serviceauction@muuf.org

Are you new to Morristown UU? Please join us on the stage in Chu Family Hall at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 12th after the service for our monthly Newcomer Welcome gathering. Whether you’re brand new to Morristown UU or have been around for a bit and want to know how to get more involved, this is your chance to learn about the Fellowship and our many activities and connect with other newcomers. We hope to see you there!

As we are living into the Gateways Center, we are discovering the need for volunteers to help keep the facility beautiful! We are looking for some volunteers to come in. when convenient for them, to help out with Table cloth/covering laundering and putting away Ironing of aprons Fingerprint removal from kitchen appliances and countertops Wiping down of inside of refrigerator and other cleaning projects as they arise If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to Diana Hart or Katy Julich ( accounting@muuf.org )

We are excited to announce that the 70th Anniversary Party is scheduled to take place on January 31st! This milestone event promises to be a memorable celebration, honoring decades of achievements and cherished memories. We invite everyone to join in the festivities and contribute to making this occasion truly special. If you are interested in being a part of this grand celebration, we encourage you to sign up and lend your talents and time to the various teams that will help bring this event to life. There are several opportunities available for involvement, including the Party Planning Team, where you can help brainstorm and organize the theme, decorations, and activities that will delight our guests. Additionally, we are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join the Setup Team, responsible for arranging our space, setting up tables and chairs, and ensuring that everything is in place before the festivities begin. Your efforts will be crucial in creating an inviting atmosphere for all attendees. Furthermore, we need volunteers for the Serving Team, who will assist in serving food and beverages during the event, ensuring that everyone has a wonderful experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with guests and contribute to the joyous ambiance of the celebration. Lastly, we are also seeking dedicated individuals for the Cleanup Team, who will help restore the room to its original state after the party concludes. Your hard work will ensure that we leave the space as beautiful as we found it. No matter which team you choose to join, your participation will be invaluable in making the 70th Anniversary Party a resounding success. Sign up today and be part of this historic celebration!