The building site has been very busy! The concrete for the ramp from the Meeting Room vestibule has been poured. The front sidewalks are framed and being poured. Work on the stage in fellowship hall continues, as does the work on the bathrooms, and work on the doors in the Terrace Room is beginning. The internet is being turned on in the new building, and hopefully the electricity will be switched over tomorrow. Photo above shows the new doorway connecting our two buildings. Photo above shows a bathroom with completed tile. The stage now has steps to the right and a ramp on the far left. Stage lighting and amplifiers come next. The stage now has steps to the right and a ramp on the far left. Stage lighting and amplifiers come next. This is the area outside the Meeting Room which leads to the courtyard. A video of the construction timeline can be accessed  here . Please remember  to follow the signs and fencing and remain out of the construction area. And finally, please  contact Shari Loe or Franklin Heller at drww@muuf.org or visit our  website  to see how you can help or to donate.

Hello friends! The PR jumpstart team is seeking the help of a photographer from our fellowship ranks to take candid photos of our members following this Sunday’s service (July 21). If you are a photography buff with a good camera (iPhone will be fine, preferably Pro model) and are willing to help, please reach out to Harry Harris. Thank you.

Join our New Welcoming Team & Adult Programs Committee Initiative! Do you believe in the transformative power of Unitarian Universalism and the importance of creating a warm, inclusive space for everyone who walks through our doors? We’re excited to announce a collaborative effort between the Welcoming Team and Adult Programs Committee to offer a six-part hybrid (in-person & Zoom) class and discussion group focused on nurturing a welcoming and engaging environment at our Fellowship. This engaging program, designed by the UUA, will delve into: Current trends and best practices: Learn from experts and one another about effective strategies for welcoming new faces to our community. Transformative experiences: Explore how Unitarian Universalism can impact lives and how we can foster a sense of belonging for all. Building a welcoming culture: Develop practical tools and approaches to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. UU Institute course: Tending Congregational Life: Guiding the Membership Journey . Here’s what makes this program special: Hybrid format: Participate in-person at the Fellowship or virtually via Zoom – the choice is yours! Interactive sessions: Meeting together, we will combine large group discussions with smaller breakout sessions for focused interaction and idea sharing. Diverse group: This program welcomes a vibrant community of participants from all areas of the Fellowship, including longtime members, newcomers, families, young adults, and individuals with a range of interests and experiences. We’re seeking passionate individuals who are: Eager to learn and share their perspectives on building a welcoming community. Interested in participating in the entire six-part program. Enthusiastic about contributing to the planning, preparation, and facilitation (optional). **The more interest we have, the more impactful this program can be! ** Let Nick know if you’re interested in joining the class or getting involved in the planning process. We can’t wait to embark on this journey of creating a more welcoming Fellowship together!

Construction began in August 2023. September-October.  Earth moving equipment. November-December.  Construction of the building frame.  Pouring of cement foundation. Roof structure and HVAC placement.  Making room for future solar panels. January-March.  Construction of brick and glass walls. April-May. Interior walls. Prepping bathrooms and kitchen layout. Electric/Fire/network cabling.

Reverend Sasha Ostrom to join the Fellowship as Settled Minister in August. The affirmation of  Reverend Sasha Ostrom  as the new Settled Minister of the Morristown UU Fellowship marks a significant moment in the community’s journey. With a unanimous vote, the congregation has spoken with one voice, showcasing their unity and shared vision for the future. The act of voting, both in person and via proxy, reflects the inclusive spirit of the fellowship, ensuring every member’s voice is heard. Reverend Ostrom’s walk during the vote symbolizes a moment of reflection and anticipation, culminating in her return to accept the call with grace and commitment. This event is not just a procedural milestone but a celebration of collective faith and trust, as captured in the touching images of acceptance and signing. It’s a new chapter for the Morristown UU Fellowship, filled with hope and the promise of inspirational leadership. Visit Rev. Sasha’s website to learn more about our new Settled Minister. [metaslider id=”12763″]

What is Policy Governance? The Board says what, staff says how, and the congregation says why. The Board of Trustees develops policies that are reflective of the goals and vision of the organization, while staff develops and oversees creative strategies to accomplish our goals. Members of the congregation join in a shared ministry to actualize our strategy. The Board of Trustees, no longer fettered by the day-to-day tedium of running the organization, is free to lead the congregation in the challenging task of developing a purposeful understanding of the spiritual and humanitarian needs of our community and developing policy reflective of that understanding. Professional staff is accountable for developing strategies, procedures and activities that will meet our goals and match our vision – such as Sunday morning worship, interaction with the community, religious education, etc. Members of the congregation will be engaged in a shared ministry with the Staff, through activities that bring us closer to our goals and objectives – volunteer activities like teaching in religious education, identifying opportunities to serve the less fortunate in our community, pastoral care, outreach event participation, etc. Governance Mission Driven It’s our mission to nurture a spiritual home where all are welcome and encouraged to participate in a universal search for truth and meaning while working together to build a fair and peaceful world. Vision Informed It’s our vision to be a large, well-recognized, multi-cultural, vibrant congregation with expanded facilities supporting a greater range of programs, ready to make a difference in our region and in the wider world. Shared Ministry The minister, staff, board and congregation working together toward our shared mission and vision. Through policy governance everyone will have a clear understanding of the lines of communication and authority. Read the complete presentation from the winter 2023 sessions:  Policy Governance at MUUF: An Empowerment Framework Visit  How we work  where we share our framework of mission, right relations, bylaws  and policies.

Mission Statement It’s our mission to nurture a spiritual home where all are welcome and encouraged to participate in a universal search for truth and meaning while working together to build a fair and peaceful world. Our bylaws are our governing rules By-laws 2021 Our Covenant of Right Relations I will listen attentively, acknowledge others’ views and try to imagine holding their opinions. I will refrain from judging other people’s motives and opinions. I will seek accurate information, be willing to test my assumptions, and examine my own motives. I will communicate openly, directly, and honestly. I will go directly to a person with whom I disagree and share differences respectfully. If needed, I will use a third party to mediate. I will balance being open to new ideas and respecting our traditions. I will be patient with myself, others, and the process of change. I will allow space for feelings and emotions – mine and others’. I will let go of the trivial, and be willing to give and take. I will remind myself that we are all working for the shared goal of supporting our religious community. Our Strategic Plan Strategic Plan 2022 Our Board minutes, Financial and Annual Reports ​ Members can access Board Minutes, Financial and Annual Reports from our  Realm  database. Click Groups, then click the group, then click the “Files” tab to access these documents. Realm files Organizational Chart Policy & Procedures Policy Governance Empowerment Framework

We encourage children to remain in the entire service. There is a benefit to their presence In the meantime, as we move to one service, I acknowledge that it is difficult for some children to sit still in service and focus (and if we are honest, it can be difficult for many adults as well). While children are engaged best when they are directly present in the service (sitting closer to the front also keeps them more engaged), we want to give them some activities to keep their fidgety hands occupied. So we are making “Quiet Activity Bags”. These will have items for children to draw with, quiet games, and devices to allow them to fidget without too much distraction to those around them. The Library is also equipped with activities for children and a live stream of the service. Here are two other religious professionals sharing their thoughts on children and youth in service. Unitarian Universalist Religious Educator Kim Sweeny wrote a great article exploring the history and future of religious education called  The Death of Sunday School . Here is an excerpt:  For most UU congregations, moving to whole congregation worship would be a substantial shift. In many of our congregations, there might be some reluctance or anxiety in even considering it. Unitarian Universalism is one of the few denominations in the United States that assumes that children cannot and should not be in weekly worship with adults for an hour. The  Unitarian Universalist Association’s 2005 Commission on Appraisal  report found that “the way UUs raise our children seems to prepare them for something completely different than what Unitarian Universalism actually offers. This suggests that UUs should change one or the other (or both).” Without experiencing worship with the whole congregation, UU children and youth cannot learn how to be in a sanctuary, let alone benefit from the spiritual practice of congregational worship. They cannot see adults modeling moments of silence or stewardship, caring deeply for one another with expressions of joy and sorrow, singing the songs of our faith, or sharing in the ministry of worship. If the above alone is not enough, here are twelve more reasons to welcome children in church (Slightly adapted from  12 Reasons to Welcome Kids in Church + Tips for Actually Doing It ): Children are people too: When we welcome kids in church, we acknowledge that they are important humans and community members in the present, not just in the future. A kid-friendly church is a parent-friendly church: When we welcome children, we are making their caregivers feel welcome too. Children learn by participating: When we welcome kids, we invite them to experience the sacred in community with adults. Kids can handle sermons: When we involve children in church, we expose them to deep, important ideas. It’s good for everyone: When we include kids in church, we all get to practice being more generous with each other. It makes services better: When we plan for children to be involved, we plan better, richer services. Kids have lots to offer: When we welcome children, they are able to contribute their time and skills. It makes us stronger: When we welcome kids in church, we strengthen relationships across generations. It can improve preaching: When we include children in church, our preachers are prompted to do a better job for everyone and make sermons more accessible to all. Adults don’t miss out: When kids are part of the church service, adults don’t have to choose between worshipping and leading or attending kids’ programs. It helps young people bridge the gap: When we include people in services from a young age, they have a less jolting transition in adolescence. It models welcome: When we welcome kids in church, we demonstrate how welcome everyone is. Rabbi Aaron Alexander reflects on the benefits of Children in the worship service for the entire congregation.

Mansion roof For years members had been concerned about clay tiles falling off our roof.  Various minor fixes helped a bit but in 2021 the task force encouraged members to completely replace the roof.  This was accomplished in 2022 adding new gutters, dormers and the hatch access to the roof. [wptb id=11371]

Oval Beginning with the inspiration of task force member Sandra Persichetti, a 2021 reworking of the main entrance to the Thorne mansion was recognized as another improvement to enhance the beauty of the property.  This project provided a new front entrance allowing members to get out of the rain on entering, replaced deteriorating front steps and supplied a new drainage system in the front of the property reducing the occasional flooding of our basement. [wptb id=11347]

Playground The new playground completed in 2020 makes use of a slide, tunnel, and climbing tree stumps and a large natural boulder for toddlers and a rope spider web and a GaGa Ball pit for older children. There is also a seating area for adults and children.

East Parking lot The east parking lot originally was a gravel lot with a small garage used for storing lawn equipment primarily.  In Spring and Summer the lot was muddy and filled with ruts.   The lot was too small for many Sunday services with overflow parking on Normandy Heights Road frustrating some neighbors. The Gateways task force planned a repaving as it was recognized that having a paved lot would be considerably more welcoming than the existing gravel lot.   Not only would a paved lot considerably improve the Fellowship campus appearance, it would make much easier walking.  The new lot was completed in 2019 and expanded capacity to 104 cars with new lighting aimed away from neighbors and use of native plants in the barriers between sections. A storm drainage system was included in the planning to carry water from the lot to a retention basin built at the southern end of the property bordering Columbia Turnpike.  The retention basin provides a habitat for wildlife with moisture and native plants. [wptb id=11322]