Halloween is almost here, and you know what that means—it’s time for MUUF’s Trunk or Treat!  Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26, from 2–3 pm , because our parking lot at 21 Normandy Heights Rd in Morristown is about to transform into a festive, family-friendly Halloween hub. We’re talking decorated car trunks, candy, games, face painting, and fun for kids (and adults!) of all ages. Costumes are encouraged, and everyone who comes in costume gets to vote for the Best Decorated Trunk . But here’s the thing: we can’t make it happen without you. That’s right—we’re looking for volunteers to help bring the magic to life! Whether you love crafting, playing games, or just enjoy being part of a community celebration, there’s a way for you to pitch in. Here’s how you can help: Decorate a Trunk:  Be a trunk-or-treat stop! Use your creativity to deck out a car trunk and hand out candy (or another fun giveaway). Make it spooky, silly, or just downright awesome. (For inspiration, check out How to Decorate for Trunk or Treat or 55 Trunk-or-Treat Ideas .) Run a Game or Activity:  Want to keep the little goblins entertained? You can run classics like “Feed the Monster,” “Potion Making,” “Mummy Wrap,” or “Guess How Many.” There’s something for everyone—check out fun ideas on Carnival Savers  and Fun Party Tips . Face Painting or Selfie Station:  Bring your artistic flair or just help kids capture memories with fun Halloween photo ops. Setup or Cleanup:  Not a fan of costumes or glitter? No problem! We need hands to help set up before the event and tidy up afterward. No matter how you choose to volunteer, you’ll be helping create an afternoon full of laughter, costumes, candy, and community. It’s a great way to meet neighbors, have fun, and make some lasting memories. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up to volunteer today and help us make this Trunk or Treat  the best one yet! Whether it’s decorating, running games, or lending a hand behind the scenes, we can’t wait to see you there. 🎃 Let’s make this Halloween at MUUF one for the books!

Meet Our Star Judge: Chef Jesse Jones at the UU “State of Mind” Fair! Get ready for a culinary experience that promises to thrill and inspire! We are excited to announce that Chef Jesse Jones , the celebrated author of  My Life in 40 Feasts , will be one of the distinguished judges at the UU “State of Mind” Fair. Additionally, Chef Jesse is receiving the prestigious 2025 NJRHA Community Impact Award for his remarkable contributions to the culinary world and his unwavering commitment to community service Join us and  Chef Jesse at the UU “State of Mind” Fair! Saturday October 18 th, 6-9 pm, at the new Gateways Center at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship,       21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown , NJ 07950 Enter the Chili and More Competition! Its not just chili, bakers! Want to show off your culinary flair? The chili competition at the UU “State of Mind” Fair is your moment to shine! Whether you have a secret recipe passed down through generations or a new twist on a classic, we invite you to register and showcase your skills. If BAKING is your skill, you may enter savory or sweet categories. Feeling creative ,bring your carved or painted pumpkin to compete with other artists. Entering is simple! Sign up online,  https://www.muuf.org/event-details/chili-cook-off-and-feast .Not only do you have the chance to win amazing prizes, but you’ll also gain valuable feedback from Chef Jesse himself. Imagine the thrill of seeing your dish evaluated by a culinary expert! This chance could spark new ideas for your cooking and connect you with fellow food enthusiasts. Tickets are $25  online or $30 at the door.

How much do you know about the New Addition? Are you ready to help with the Campaign? Please fill out the questionnaire found at this link! Quiz-like trivia questions – what do you already know about the elements of the building project? “How do you feel” questions to test our readiness to finish the campaign and Prevent Any Mortgage! “What more do you need to know” questions! “Dreaming” questions to help map out our future! On Sunday, October 19 after Social Hour, Brooke Donaldson and I will open with a short presentation on the history of the Project (and answer the “quiz” questions). Then, experienced facilitators will lead you in small groups to share responses to the “how do you feel” and “are you ready to help” and most of all, flesh out the “dreaming” questions. These responses will all complement your responses to the Open Ques tion #2 (about how to use our enhanced facility). And – please be thinking about what you’d be comfortable volunteering to do to help – there will be signups at the end of the Focus Group program. Our Gateways Center is complete. The outstanding construction loan is due next August. The members approved $8.5M for the Building Project since 2012, of which we have raised about $8.2M - all but $300,000. We have raised $100,000 since last August. But to pay off the loan with no extension or mortgage, we need to get the remaining $300,000 in 11 months! Why the Focus Groups? We raised the $8.2 million or so because, from 2012-2014, we shared information and generated enthusiasm and were powered by the dreams we shared and built together in a series of meetings and focus groups open to all. Many new members were not part of that – and longer-time members may have forgotten some things! These Focus Groups on October 19 – and the questions sent out with this newsletter - are meant to replicate the original focus groups in miniature. Brooke and I will recap our story and answer the questions – and then together, we will consider what the Fellowship has brought and can bring to the Morristown community for the future, especially if we can avoid any debt! Deeper Roots, Wider Wings/Mortgage Prevention Phase Team Shari Loe Chair Paul Ferm, Helene Ferm, Tim Davis

The Fellowship’s Social Justice Council has been meeting regularly and is working on ways to be effective during the current climate in our Country. While there is a large need for organizations such as ours to be active, we are working to set goals that harness our members energy in the following ways; Coordinate a Fellowship Response to neighborhood events like the No Kings Day Rally this Saturday in Morristown. Offer logistic information so members and friends can meet up at an event. Offer training and best practices for attending events while also looking to minimizing risks. Development of a Rapid Response team to mobilize for events. Work closer with organizations within our faith community like UU Faith action NJ Develop deeper relationships with our Social Justice and Community Partners that are outside our faith but align with our values. (Stay tuned for the start of our Food Drive). In the past few weeks, we have worked with the UU Faith Action, The Green Earth Ministry, the Board and Rev Sasha to issue a press release opposing the proposed changes to the EPA Endangerment Finding. We have also created a Gubernatorial Candidate Fact Sheet that we handed out at the Festival at the Green on September 28th. If you are interested in participating in Protests, we encourage you to take the ACLU's Protest Safety, Know Your Rights and De-Escalation Training on October 15 at 7 PM ET. Whether you're marching, rallying, or supporting from the sidelines, you'll learn how to protect yourself, your community, and stand up for your rights. If you would like to be involved in this work, please email us a socialjustice@muuf.org

Newcomers among us sometimes find themselves wondering, “With all that this fellowship has to offer, where should I begin if I want to nurture my spirit and deepen my connection to this community?” If that’s true for you, Starting Point can give you an experience of Unitarian Universalism, not just information about it. Inspired  by the slogan, “deeds not creeds”, we present Unitarian Universalism as a particular way of journeying through the world rather than a set of beliefs to which one assents. The first session focuses on newcomers’ personal spiritual journeys and how those led you to where you are today. The second session turns to the historical journey of Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. From there, the third and fourth sessions move into the shared journey that you and members of our congregation can travel together. We will experience together three fundamental and distinct UU spiritual spiritual practices that make up our UU journey: Listening to one’s deepest self, Opening to life’s gifts, and, Serving needs greater than our own. The Starting Point Class will meet for 4 Monday nights, starting on October 21st, from 7:00 to 8:30pm in Chu Hall. We’re so happy you found the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and hope that you will join us on Monday nights!

Dennis Maurer will lead the MUUF Buddhist Sangha’s Insight Meditation Retreat in Chu Family Hall on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (A morning half-day option is available.) Beginners and experienced meditators alike are welcome! Dennis Maurer has been practicing meditation and yoga since 1972. He lived and practiced and taught as a monk at the Integral Yoga Institute for eight years. He began practicing and studying Insight Meditation in 2000. His teachers include Narayan Liebenson and Michael Grady. He has been teaching in the Insight tradition since 2006 and is the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Community of New Jersey . Insight meditation (“vipassana” in Pali), is the simple and direct practice of moment-to-moment mindfulness. Through careful and sustained observation, we experience for ourselves the ever-changing flow of the mind/body process. This awareness leads us to accept more fully the pleasure and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happiness that life inevitably brings. As insight deepens, we develop greater equanimity and peace In the face of change, wisdom and compassion increasingly become the guiding principles of our lives. The retreat will provide an opportunity for extended silent group practice, with both sitting and walking meditation. Please bring your own lunch; water and green tea will be available throughout the day. You may bring your own sitting equipment (cushions etc.), or use the chairs and cushions provided in the Hall. For more information, please contact Amy Cartwright and Lisa Hatala at meditation@muuf.org .

Life moves fast, and we know it’s easy to miss what’s happening at MUUF. Whether you want to stay in the loop about our Sunday services, upcoming events, or every article we publish, we’ve got you covered with email updates tailored to how you like to stay informed. Here’s what you can choose from: 1. Sunday Updates  – Start your week with a little inspiration! Each Sunday, you’ll receive an email highlighting that day’s service, including the sermon topic, readings, and any special announcements. Perfect for planning your Sunday visit or reflecting at home. 2. Weekly Events Update  – Fridays are for planning ahead! This email gives you a simple, clear rundown of all events happening at MUUF in the coming week. From gatherings and classes to volunteer opportunities, you’ll know what’s happening before the weekend even starts. 3. Daily Updates  – For those who like to be in the know every day, this email delivers all the articles and news posted the previous day directly to your inbox. Stay connected with our community, stories, and reflections with just one click each morning. No matter which option you choose—or even if you want them all—you can always find the most up-to-date information on our website at muuf.org/news . Signing up is easy and free. Pick the emails that work best for you, and let us help you stay connected, inspired, and engaged with MUUF. Sign Up for Updates

Hi everyone! We noticed a hearing assist receiver went missing after our Sunday Service on September 21st. We waited a few weeks to see if it was returned, but it still hasn't been, so this is just a little reminder that if you use our hearing assist system, please check your purse or pockets to see if you may have accidentally taken it home with you! These receivers are relatively expensive so it's difficult to replace missing ones. If you did take it home, no worries, just please return it at your earliest convenience! They are roughly the size of a flip phone and look like the image below.

Do you recognize what is in this photo? It's just one of the many exciting "fix up" tasks we hope to do on our Fall work day! Join us to lend a hand & support our building upkeep. If you believe “Love is the spirit of the Fellowship and Service is its law ….” we have just the thing for you - a chance to put your good intentions to work! Join the facilities team on Saturday October 18th 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 if you haven't figured it out yet - the photo is of our basement heat ducts. The basement heat ducts are insulated to save energy but the old tape is coming undone. We could use a couple volunteers to tape new aluminum metallic tape to fix the seams that are failing. We supply the tape - and this task will require the use of a ladder.

Are you ready to declutter your home and uncover some hidden treasures? We invite you to our FREE Community Swap! This event is not just about exchanging items; it’s about building connections, supporting sustainability, and enjoying time with your neighbors. Whether you have clothes, books, toys, or household items to share, this is your chance to give them a new life while finding something special for yourself. What is a Community Swap? A Community Swap is a lively event where members of our community gather to exchange items they no longer need. It’s a fantastic way to cut down on waste, promote recycling, and save money. Did you know that, according to the EPA, about 30% of what we throw away is still usable? Instead of discarding items that could be valuable to someone else, bring them to the swap and trade them for something you will love. Plus, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and strengthen our community bonds! How Does It Work? Joining the Community Swap is easy! Here’s how you can participate: Gather Your Items : Look around your home for items you no longer use or need. Please ensure they are in good condition. For example, if you have gently used shoes that are taking up space, this is your chance to swap it for that kitchen gadget you’ve always wanted. Join Us on Event Day : Bring your items to the designated location on the day of the event. Don’t worry if you don’t have anything to swap; everyone is welcome to browse and take home items for free! Swap and Share : Once you arrive, browse through the items brought by others. If you see something you like, feel free to take it home! Spread the Word : We encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors. The more people who join, the more exciting items we will have to exchange! Challenge to Our Members We believe our community is stronger when we come together. We challenge all members to reach out to the wider community and invite new faces to join us for this event. Share the excitement with your friends, post flyers in local shops, or talk to your neighbors about the swap. A more diverse group means a wider variety of unique items to exchange! Why You Should Attend Participating in the Community Swap goes beyond exchanging items; it’s about being part of a collective spirit. You will have a chance to: Meet New People : Forge connections with fellow community members and make new friends. Studies show that building social connections can boost happiness and well-being. Discover Unique Items : You never know what valuable treasures you might find! Past swaps have featured vintage clothing and rare books. Promote Sustainability : By participating, you help reduce waste. Remember, one person's unwanted item could be another's new favorite! Have Fun : Enjoy a day filled with laughter, conversation, and a sense of community. Don’t Miss Out! We can't wait to see you at our FREE Community Swap! Bring your items, invite your friends, and let’s make this event one to remember. Together, we can foster a vibrant community atmosphere while promoting sustainability and connection. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and prepare for a day filled with fun and discovery. Let’s swap our way to a better community!

It has been a sad several months, as a few of our Morristown UU members and friends have passed away. We hold their loved ones in our hearts. In the coming weeks, we will have opportunities to say our goodbyes to three cherished members of our community who recently passed away. Please mark your calendars for the following dates:

Please join us at the Service Auction Kickoff Party on Sat., Nov. 8th, 5 to 8 pm for a fun evening of great food and drink, and the return of the live auction! And checkout the many fantastic offerings at silent auction! Click here to purchase your tickets online! Need Help/Questions? Contact serviceauction@muuf.org And for all your Service Auction links, instructions, etc., go to our Service Auction Page .