This year’s pledge drive did not meet the proposed goal of $470,000. As a result, the Finance Committee proposed the following budget adjustments to decrease the anticipated budget shortfall. These reductions were approved in the October Board meeting. These line items have been decreased by the following amounts: Custodian: $2,000 Music: $750 Hospitality Hour: $600 Religious Education: $3,000 Postage: $100 Worker’s Compensation: $500 Landscaping (spring cleanup): $3,000 Leadership Development: $400 Stewardship: $500 The Finance Committee will continue to evaluate the budget versus actual and make additional recommendations to the Board if needed as the year progresses.

The deadline to submit offerings for the Service Auction has been extended to Sunday, November 3, and the Service Auction Committee will be available in the Terrace Room to provide assistance after Sunday’s service. You can also find out more about the Service Auction online at the Fellowship website here . When your donation is ready—with a catchy headline, description, photo, date (if applicable), and minimum bid/fixed price—go to our Together Auction platform. Click “Donate a new item” and fill in the blanks. If you have any questions related to your offering, type them into the description box, and we’ll get back to you. The opening party for the Service Auction will be held in the new Gateways Center on Saturday, November 16, from 5PM to 8PM. The $20 price for advance tickets ends November 10. The price then goes to $25 per ticket. Children under 18 are free. After Sunday’s service, The Service Auction team will be selling tickets. We can take payments in cash, by check, or via Venmo. You can also buy tickets at muuf.org. Go to the “Give” tab on the far right and select “Make a Donation.” Under “How much would you like to give?”, input $20, $40, $60, etc. based on the number of tickets you want (through November 10). Use the pull-down menu in the “Fund” box to choose “Service Auction” and press “continue.” Bidding for the service auction will start in-person during the kickoff party on November 16 and will continue online from November 18 – 24. There will be no bidding on Sunday, November 17, the dedication day for the Gateways Center. The online auction will end at noon on November 24, and the service auction team will be available to provide bidding help on Sunday morning, November 24, at the Fellowship.

Nov 17 Gateways Center Ribbon Cutting When: Nov 17, 2024 11:30 am Where: The Gateways Center at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship You are invited to attend the ribbon cutting for our new building addition – the Gateways Center at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship . RSVP by Email or on Realm by 11/12 Over ten years in the dreaming, design and building, our new Gateways Center will serve our growing community, and welcome all. Featuring: Al & Minda Chu Family Hall Uhrhane Wilson Family Welcome Gallery Loe Family Courtyard of Compassion in Memory of Lee, Hardy and Claire Loe Morgenthaler Ferm Family OWL Room [sales_countdown_timer id=”salescountdowntimer”] More information on the Progress

Members of all ages are invited to participate in planning and leading a multigenerational Sunday Service that interweaves four December holidays: Solstice, Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Production meetings will begin in late October, leading to rehearsals in November and December, culminating in sharing Winter Weavings with our whole congregation on December 22. Our goal is participation by lots of people of all ages, exploring and interweaving stories, readings, dramatizations, pantomimes, dances, instrumental and choral songs, and many candles! There will be lots of ways, large and small, for lots of people to be involved in planning, performance, and production. How can you and your household be a part of this celebration? Please contact service coordinator Barbara Castellana Stasiak as soon as possible to talk about how you can share your talents and creativity as part of the cast and/or crew. This celebratory service was first created in December of 1993, inspired by the poetic mission and covenant statement that we had adopted in May of that year. Reviving it in December 2024 is an opportunity to once again weave the fabric of our Fellowship community from the varied religious and cultural traditions that are the strands of our separate lives.

The benefits of making a senior-to-senior connection Did you know? The U.S. dog population is growing, but sadly, so are dog surrenders, abandonments, and euthanizations. As a result, many shelters are overcrowded and rescue organizations are overwhelmed. Nearly 30% of the nation’s dogs are considered “seniors” – that is age 7 and older. Yet, the life expectancy of domestic canines is increasing! This, along with advances in veterinary medicine, can mean more time with your special pet! When dogs remain in shelters for too long, they can develop physical and mental health conditions. And when shelters get overcrowded, they are unable to help more dogs in need. By adopting a senior dog, you can actually help many dogs find forever homes! TRAINING & TEMPERAMENT The great news about senior dogs is they are full-grown and their personality is well-known (по surprises!). Adult and senior dogs are typically trained and tend to have less energy so they don’t require as much playtime or entertainment as their younger counterparts. EMOTIONAL & PHYSICAL SUPPORT Not only do senior dogs bond with humans just as quickly as puppies, but numerous studies have shown that companion animals can help reduce loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression in senior adults while also improving their physical activity, heart health, and cognitive function. HEALTHCARE & COST Healthcare costs are a chief concern among potential adopters. While older pets may have more health needs, just as we humans do, many shelters work to ensure that animals are in healthy shape before adoption. Some organizations provide grants and vouchers to help with the care of senior dogs before adoption and/or help individuals care for pets after adoption, including special dietary needs. Pet pantries and many local food pantries provide dog food for those in need. CONSIDER SENIOR-TO-SENIOR PERKS Many shelters and rescue organizations offer discounted or waived adoption fees to adopters aged 60-plus. ALL YOU NEED FOR A PERFECT MATCH Experience with or knowledge of animal care. A suitable living space. Environmental stability, financial stability. Patience and love. “Some shelters may ask for vet or character references, too. QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN ADOPTING What is the dog’s medical history? What is their temperament? Do they get along with other animals, if applicable? What is their diet? Any special needs? What is their activity level (eg, can they manage stairs)? NOT READY ΤΟ ADOPT? NO PROBLEM! Fostering provides a chance to see if you’re ready for a full-time pet while giving dogs in need a chance to experience the comforts of home. Shelters and rescue organizations are also always in need of volunteers. Learn More Learn the benefits of making a senior-to-senior connection. A brief presentation led by MUUF Senior Youth Group member Helena Drakulich  as part of a Girl Scout  National Gold Award Project. THURS, NOVEMBER 7 AT 10 AM Livingston Sr/Community Center 204 Hillside Avenue, Livingston NJ Learn about: THE BENEFITS OF SENIOR-AGED DOGS HOW TO FIND A PERFECT MATCH  ADOPTION PERKS FOR ADULTS OVER AGE 60 PET TRUSTS & VET CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS HOW TO FOSTER FIRST LOCAL RESOURCES This was created by Helena Drakulich as part of a Girl Scout Notional Gold Award Project, 2024-2025, with input from Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, Wise Animal Rescue, Rosemarie’s Rescue Ranch, Eleventh Hour Rescue, and The Grey Muzzle Organization.

In the past week, a lot of the small final items have been completed. All of the signage has been put up in the building, the donor wall has been completely installed, the window treatments are operational, and we are learning how to use the kitchen this weekend. Signage for Chu Hall The podium is ready and waiting! The completed donor wall Chu Hall window treatments

Tickets will be available after Sunday’s service in the Terrace Room for the 2024 Service Auction kickoff party. It will be the first event held in the new Chu Family Hall on Saturday, November 16, from 5PM to 8PM. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Children under 18 are free. Bidding for the service auction will start in-person during the kickoff party and will continue online from November 18 – 24.  The Service Auction team will take ticket payments in cash, by check, or via Venmo on Sunday. Congregation members can also register and pay via Realm . The online auction platform is open for donations, and  offerings must be posted by November 1st.  In addition to selling event tickets on Sunday, The Service Auction Committee will be available to answer questions about the action or submitting offerings online. Please come by to share offering ideas! If you already have an offering in mind, there is no need to wait. Go to our  Service Auction web page , which links to the auction platform and guides you through the process. It also offers answers to common questions. The foundation of the auction is the donations/offerings . Throughout the years, our members have hosted dinners and parties at their homes, arranged trips to favorite gardens and museums, organized hikes and game nights, invited guests to concerts or favorite restaurants, and offered personal services like gardening, cleaning, or house painting. Auction offerings also include food and artwork people make themselves. The Service Auction is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Fellowship, with the money going to the operating budget, but we call it  our biggest “fun-raiser”  because the activities we share throughout the year build friendships and community.

There are a lot of finishing touches taking place now. The big items this week are the audio visual system is being installed, the parking lot was paved and lined and the outdoor lighting for the courtyard was completed. Last week, a volunteer group headed by Sandra Persichetti checked off many of the items needed to be completed before the ribbon cutting! Shelving units, the new janitor’s cart and many other items were assembled; kitchen racks and other items were scrubbed clean; bathrooms were equipped with soap, toilet paper, and garbage cans; table cloths were sorted; the donor wall was installed; and the painting of the Terrace Room was completed! Thank you to all who participated!! New accessible spaces Back parking lot Donor Wall being installed Art display rack has been hung Audio Visual equipment Audio Visual equipment is being installed Freshly painted Terrace Room Newly painted Terrace Room

Volunteers are needed to help get our new lawn established.  The rear yard of our lovely six acre campus has been seeded, but drought conditions will continue for the next several weeks.  Ideally, the grass seed should be watered daily to ensure it is beautiful in future years.  Our Newly Seeded Back Yard Please volunteer for one day of lawn watering – setting up sprinklers and moving them around over about 3 hours –  between now and the end of October. Time of day is flexible.  Use this Sign Up Genius link to select a day or days you can help.  Steve Parker will reach out to you in advance with guidance.  Contact  steve.parker@digress.org  for more information.

On October 27th, you’re invited to bring photos to our service to honor your ancestors and dearly departed loved ones. We will have a special altar where you may place the photos of those you wish to remember and celebrate.

Tickets Go on Sale for 11/16 Kickoff Party Tickets will be available after Sunday’s service in the Terrace Room for the 2024 Service Auction kickoff party. It will be the first event held in the new Chu Family Hall on Saturday, November 16, from 5PM to 8PM. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Children under 18 are free. Bidding for the service auction will start in-person during the kickoff party and will continue online from November 18 – 24.  The Service Auction team will take ticket payments in cash, by check, or via Venmo on Sunday. Congregation members can also use Realm. Click “Giving” on the lefthand panel of your home page. On the next page, click +Giving. In the popup window, insert payment amount in increments of $20. Use the pulldown menu to place Service Auction in the Fund box. The online auction platform is open for donations, and  offerings must be posted by November 1st.  In addition to selling event tickets on Sunday, The Service Auction Committee will be available to answer questions about the action or submitting offerings online. Please come by to share offering ideas! If you already have an offering in mind, there is no need to wait. Go to our Service Auction web page, which links to the auction platform and guides you through the process. It also offers answers to common questions. The foundation of the auction is the donations/offerings . Throughout the years, our members have hosted dinners and parties at their homes, arranged trips to favorite gardens and museums, organized hikes and game nights, invited guests to concerts or favorite restaurants, and offered personal services like gardening, cleaning, or house painting. Auction offerings also include food and artwork people make themselves. The Service Auction is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Fellowship, with the money going to the operating budget, but we call it  our biggest “fun-raiser”  because the activities we share throughout the year build friendships and community.

This year, the Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at the Fellowship is returning! Members, friends and families are invited to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Fellowship. The Fellowship will provide the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Those attending are asked to bring an appetizer, side or dessert to round out the meal. If you are interested in joining, please complete this form so we know how many to expect!