Since the beginning of 2025 until today, we lost several members of our congregation. Each, in his or her own way, contributed time, talent, or treasure to the Fellowship over their years of membership. Thanks to the efforts of Don Preziosi and Paul Snellgrove, they can be remembered by engraved plaques installed on the Memorial Garden wall. You can visit Toby Tyler, Paul Mitchell, Judy Harris, John and Judith Oehler, Arlyne Shapiro, Sharon Glickman, Tom McGuinness, David Zugale, Barbara Nadolny, Joan Clifford, Lou Matuyza, Geri Silk, and George Hays. May they always be in our hearts and memories.

Do you love Dungeons & Dragons or are you eager to try it out for the first time? Registration is now open for a fun summer class based on the classic tabletop roleplaying game. Ages 10 through 110 are welcome to join Rev. Sasha each Thursday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM for pizza, collaborative storytelling, and an exploration of our new 6 Values using this fun gaming format. Sign up for all 8 sessions or just for the weeks that you can be there. The adventure begins Thursday, July 16 and continues through Thursday, September 3, 5:30-7:30 PM. To learn more or to register for one or more sessions, visit our event page.

The documentary film 8 Billion Angels is made up of stories and reflections by Jane Goodall, fisherfolk, oceanographers, farmers, a public health physician, and a bioethicist, among others. We learn how the expanding global population is affecting our health and well-being. The film ends with messages of hope and examples of the benefits of educating and empowering girls and women. 8 Billion Angels was released in 2020 as a 79-minute feature film. PBS broadcast it in a 54-minute classroom edition. The website has links for viewing the two versions on demand. After watching the film at your convenience, join GEM for a discussion on Zoom on Monday, July 13, 7-8 pm. We’ll talk about the documentary and discuss topics such as population trends, reproductive rights, women's empowerment, consumption habits, sustainability, financial systems, and ethical implications. A discussion guide can be downloaded here. For additional information, contact Linda DeLap at ldelap@muuf.org. Register below to receive a confirmation message with the Zoom link for the discussion:

To learn more about the good work that Family Promise does here in Morris County - They deliver life-saving services: outreach, shelter, and housing to families and individuals in need. Join a tour of their drop in facility with Reverend Sasha and members of the Justice Team. To reserve a space email justice@muuf.org by July 6th.

On Sunday, August 30, Morristown UU will have a dance-centered worship service, and dancers of all ages and experience levels are welcome to help Rev. Sasha plan the service and participate in it! If you're interested in participating, please fill out THIS FORM to let Rev. Sasha know a little about you/your dancer and how you'd like to participate in the service. Pending dancer availability, the service will feature a familiar group performance suitable for all ages and levels choreographed by Rev. Sasha as well as solos and small ensembles choreographed and performed by members. If you are an experienced dancer or have never danced before but would like to give it a try, this service is for you! We will have optional weekly rehearsals from 11am-12pm every Saturday in Chu Hall beginning this Saturday, July 4th (yes, Independence Day) and a required final rehearsal on Saturday, August 29th (the day before the service). Parents must attend rehearsals with your child, although you are not required to dance. Please attend as many of the weekly rehearsals as you find helpful to learn the dance(s) and feel comfortable performing. If you're interested in participating as a dancer or choreographer, please fill out THIS FORM to let Rev. Sasha know a little about you / your dancer and how you'd like to participate in the service. Rev. Sasha looks forward to dancing with you!

The "Question Box" service is a time-honored Unitarian Universalist tradition in which the congregation is invited to submit questions to the minister ahead of the service, which the minister then answers during worship. This fun tradition typically takes place during the summer months. This year's Question Box service will be this Sunday, July 5th. What questions are burning in your heart? Do you have a question about a traditional religious topic, such as God or the afterlife? About our UU tradition or this congregation? About Rev. Sasha? Silly and serious questions are both welcome! Please note that in order to ensure that we have time for everyone's questions, Rev. Sasha will try to answer at least one question submitted by each individual during the service and then will answer your additional questions as time permits. Please also note that this experience is intended to be fun and meaningful for everyone, so sensitive topics or complaints framed as questions may be addressed outside of the Sunday service as appropriate rather than included in the Question Box service. Please share your fun, spiritual, and/or meaningful questions for the Question Box service via our submission form HERE.

In June, $1,160.50 was collected through the Sunday Plate. This was distributed to UU Faith Action NJ, UU Service Committee, nourish.NJ and UU Ministry for Earth. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, a total of $17,365.40 was distributed to the Sunday Plate designees. Thank you for your continued generosity!

Blue skies and perfect weather welcomed 37 members of our Fellowship Community as we headed up to the highest point in New Jersey for an unforgettable weekend of camping. From seasoned outdoor veterans to brave first-timers pitching their very first tents, a fantastic time was had by all. Together, we swapped stories, shared laughs, and roasted the perfect s'mores around a roaring campfire. Even when a brief rain shower rolled through, it couldn't damp our spirits—everyone immediately pitched in to keep camp dry, showcasing the true definition of teamwork and community. The weekend was also a culinary triumph. Sheila Battaglia spoiled the crowd by whipping up a massive batch of her famous pancakes, while Steve Parker served up unbeatable breakfast sandwiches using fresh eggs straight from the "Lackawanna Ladies" (the Donaldsons’ beloved chickens). Tom and Donna Perch dropped in for the day, beautifully balancing the afternoon by leading the adults on a scenic hike while the kids enjoyed playtime together. Later on, Jason Salisbury and Caroline Blanchard laid out an spectacular make-your-own sandwich spread that fueled everyone up for the next adventure. That next adventure came courtesy of Steve Parker, who led an energizing hike along the historic Appalachian Trail. Along the way, he taught the children about the core principles of “Leave No Trace,” demonstrated how hikers filter drinkable water, and even introduced them to a bit of authentic “Trail Magic.” The eagle-eyed hikers were also treated to an abundance of local wildlife and vibrant plant life along the path. Dinner proved to be a hands-on highlight, thanks to Nick Wallwork and Megan Hein’s genius Foil Packs. Campers had a blast customizing their own foil packets with an assortment of ingredients before cooking them right over the open campfire—making dinner both delicious and incredibly interactive. The fun kept rolling all weekend long. Wendy DeSarno and Jules Paul kept everyone energized with an endless supply of snacks, while Nicole Spaldo and Caroline Blanchard brought creativity to camp with lovely Solstice crafts. When people weren't crafting or hiking, the campground was alive with fierce board game battles, badminton, and pickleball matches. A massive thank you goes out to everyone who lent a hand to make this weekend a reality, with a special shout-out to Caroline Blanchard and Jason Salisbury for their stellar coordination. Save the Date! Our next camping adventure is already locked in for October 2nd–4th at Voorhees State Park. Keep an eye out for more details dropping later this summer—you won't want to miss it! Check out some more pictures below

We need help for a couple hours on Sunday after coffee hour for the following "need to knock this out" tasks that are time sensitive: We have a dumpster on the grounds so we can dispose additional items: Unneeded RE supplies / furnishings in Room 208 Two insanely heavy sinks in the center basement room (I think this needs at la minimum of two hearty souls with hand trucks and extra muscle) Hanging the Memorial quilt on the hallway wall between 206-207 at the top of the stairs Remove the sound panel from the Great Hall that keeps falling down. The override button for the furnace can be relocated to the junction box on the left side of the sound panel (no need for wire stretching behind it), then patch & paint the wall to repair the various failed adhesive velcro damage when removed. Bonus round tasks: Fix secretary door that was damaged by the movie crew, easy fix with 6 brass screws - one hour job (but important) Hang Endowment plate in Terrace Room (easy 15 minute job)

Please use the link below to help staff the Fellowship table. There are still several empty slots. Please sign up if you are available! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D45AAAA2FA46-64531489-morris

July 6, 6 pm, 6 pm: Songs of the Summer Music and memory are strongly connected. The sound of a favorite song brings the feeling of that time, the exhilaration, the pain, the full measure of emotion in four dimensions rushing back to us even decades later. Join Sherri Rase and your GAAMC friends for an evening of your favorite songs from the 1970s and 1980s. Participating is simple! Please send a YouTube link to your selection(s) to info@GAAMC.org and be prepared on that Monday to share a brief story about why it's your favorite. Refreshments will be provided, and a small donation is asked to contribute to our use of the Fellowship. You're also welcome to join a group at a local diner afterward to continue the camaraderie! July 13, 6 pm: The Joys of Travel Come join us, as we talk about travel—where we’ve been and places we’d like to visit. We’ll also view and discuss 2 videos—one by Rick Steves and the other about LGBTQ+ places to visit. Refreshments will be provided, and a small donation is asked to contribute to our use of the Fellowship. You're also welcome to join a group at a local diner afterward to continue the camaraderie! July 20, 6 pm: Historical July July is one of the most important months on the historical calendar. From independence to space exploration to science to cultural change, July has some of the most recognizable turning points in both American and world history. Come join us to find out more about the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, the turning point in the American Civil War, or Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's first lunar landing July 20, 1969. Did you know that July 2nd, 1776, was the ACTUAL signing of the Declaration of Independence, NOT the Fourth? The women's suffrage movement was launched in Seneca Falls, NY, on July 19, 1848, leading to women's right to vote not until August 18, 1920, 82 years later! So many events to explore. Snacks and drinks are provided. And you are invited to go out to continue the discussion at a local diner. A small donation is asked to help pay the rent. July 27, 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, July 24, to Gordon Sauer at gordonjav@earthlink.net

Take advantage of your MUUF member discount of 10% at our group outing to see HMS Pinafore, July 11th at the Sieminsky Theater at Fellowship Village, 8000 Fellowship Road in Basking Ridge. As an update to last week’s article, we have reserved a block of seats for MUUF folks on Saturday, July 11th at 2:30pm, but they will be released on Tuesday, June 30th so please register at the link in the original article ASAP! We’ll be meeting up for lunch at 1pm at nearby Panera Bread (25 Mountain View Rd in Basking Ridge). H.M.S. Pinafore is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan, satirizing the British class system. It’s filled with catchy tunes, clever lyrics, and a humorous plot. It follows the story of a naval captain’s daughter who falls in love with a lower-class sailor, despite her father’s plans to marry her off to the First Lord of the Admiralty. It’s a delightful mix of love, mistaken identity, and social commentary, all set to catchy tunes. Its lighthearted humor and engaging story make it suitable for audiences of all ages. If you can’t decide before June 30 or can’t go to the July 11th 2:30pm Show, you can still get discounted tickets! Use the code “MUUF” for your 10% discount as a member: Tickets – Light Opera of New Jersey.