We will gather to work through a reflective, intentional, and hopeful process. The yearly compass guides participants in reviewing their last year, practicing gratitude and looking forward to the new year ahead. We will work as a group and independently and also able to share our thought and hopes for 2026. You'll leave feeling refreshed and positive for the year ahead! Light refreshments will be served. This is a service auction event ($20). You can pay at the door. Contact Brooke Donaldson.

You can pay by check or Realm. If you need help with Realm, call the office. Thank you from Your Service Auction Committee! Instructions for Service Auction Page: Click the above button to access the Service Auction website. From there, log in, then go to My Statement, then scroll down to Total Purchases, then Balance Due.

If you want to know what an organization values, read what its publications write about and what its members talk about. And in the first newsletters, there was a strong emphasis on reporting about the Fellowship’s people, who they were and what they were doing, Although the January 1956 newsletter is missing, those for December 1955 and February and March 1956 are consistent—official events are covered. But activities of people—including some who did not join—often received more space. There were exceptions: Monroe Husbands’ address at the first exploration meeting on Oct. 18, 1955 received detailed coverage and plans were outlined for the Sunday School curriculum in that first publication. But the December 1955 issue also featured thumbnail sketches about each of 10 members of the Fellowship steering committee, which guided the organization until an election was held on Jan. 26, 1956. There were accounts of how many Fellowship members—not really members as of the December newsletter They would sign December 18) —were also members of the Masterwork Chorus. An account of the activities of the local League of Women Voters chapter was published and the names of the several of its members who were Fellowship founders. The February newsletter reported a poll in which 30 members voted they would prefer Sunday morning worship starting in March while 24 voted “no”, preferring to keep the Sunday evening slot for services. But there was a longer discussion of members participation in the Morris County Mental Health Association, reports of three individuals winning honors and the elections of another three (who did not join) to posts with other organizations, along with an account of what were labeled “Miscellaneous Newsmakers”. And there was a complete list of committees with the names of all committee members under the headline “Do You Have an Appointment” [to a committee presumably]—twenty nine out of the first 52 members did (and at this point, several were yet to sign) And Eleanor Mason was also organizing a group to visited the United Stations—something she would do until her death in 2014. The March newsletter noted the Fellowship’s recent incorporation but gave more space to the promotion of members in their jobs and members speaking engagements. It devoted even more copy to the Morristown Committee on Public Education, recently organized by Fellowship founder, Dan Weggeland, and it would be part of a decades-long commitment to supporting the Morristown public schools. Longer bios were given for founding members Marsh Steiding, and Robert and Eveyln McCready. There were more notes about members activities, new babies, and other organizations our members had joined. And oh yes, there was a note about the first annual meeting to be held on March 15. That was noted on three of eight pages of the edition. But there were only 15 words for each insertion. The fact that tickets were on sale for the Masterwork Chorus’ upcoming performance of the Bach B-Minor Mass was given 26 words.

We are thrilled to announce a vibrant new initiative at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: Chalice Camp . As a community, we often ask ourselves how we can better live our values and serve the families in our local area. Chalice Camp is our answer. It is a joyful, values-based summer experience designed specifically for children entering grades 1–5 , and we can't wait to see our grounds filled with the energy of young seekers. What Makes Chalice Camp Different? Chalice Camp is focused through the Unitarian Universalist lens . Our goal is to create a "beloved community" for a week (or three!), where children don't just play—they grow. Our curriculum balances high-energy fun with intentional reflection: Themed Discussions:  Grounded in equity, justice, and compassion. Social Justice:  Age-appropriate activities that empower kids to make a positive difference. Creative Expression:  Daily arts, crafts, and music. Mindfulness:  Reflection circles and breathing exercises to build confidence and self-awareness. Nature Play:  Utilizing our beautiful Fellowship grounds for outdoor exploration and games. A Space Where Every Child Belongs In keeping with our radical welcome, we have designed Chalice Camp to be a sanctuary for all children. We are proud to highlight that this program is: LGBTQ+ Affirming:  A safe, celebratory space for all families and gender identities. Neurodivergent Friendly:  We provide quiet zones, visual schedules, and sensory-friendly spaces to ensure every child feels comfortable. Economically Accessible:  Through tiered pricing and financial assistance, we ensure that cost is never a barrier to joining our community. How You Can Help As we launch this new initiative, we invite you to help us spread the word! Whether you have grandchildren, neighbors, or friends looking for a summer program that aligns with their progressive values, let them know that there is a place for them here. "Love is the spirit of this fellowship, and service is its law."  By opening our doors to the wider community through Chalice Camp, we are putting those words into direct action. Registration will open in February. Continue to check muuf.org/camp for more information.

A Bit of Social Justice was on the calendar for the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in December 1955. It has already been noted in this newsletter the Fellowship collected mittens for a mitten tree at its first Christmas celebration on Dec. 17, 1955, for distribution to needy individuals. That event was promoted by the first newsletter issued earlier in the month, which also carried a message about a more serious issued under the headline “Don’t Just Sit There”. The article read: “A prominent social worker in Morristown recently married, He is highly respected and has many friends in town. including two on our Steering Committee. He his wife are unable to find a place to live; they hesitate to inquire about apartments because they have reason to believe they are not welcome tenants. When they inquire about houses, they are quoted prices a thousand or more dollars higher than most. Why is this so? They are Negroes.” Judy Deutsch was the contact person and the story, written by her husband Marshal, noted unnamed couple wanted an apartment with a minimum of three rooms and rent of up to $110 a month or if they could find a house, they could afford one for up to $13,000. A review of Morris County helps put this in perspective, including the restrictive deeds that involved the Fellowship property and others in area of Millionaires’ Row. Moreover, the bias was not just about blacks. When my first wife’s family moved to Madison in the early 1950s, she recounted there were families that would not let their children play with her because they were Italian. But it was only a few years later that barbers in Madison were being picketed and subject to state legal action because they would not cut black men’s hair. All the barbers mentioned in the local newspapers during the height of the protests in 1964 were Italian. The December newsletter does not name the couple. But the February issue gave some very clear clues asking, “Is Paul L. Cooper, newly elected president of the New Jersey State Council of Urban Leagues related to our own Dru Cooper?” The answer was yes. Interestingly enough, the Coopers were noted in a set of three paragraphs that reported the activity of individuals who did not join the Fellowship. And that included the Coopers. The Coopers housing status appears to be reflected in the 1954 and 1955 Morristown directory which showed he was living at the YMCA, where the Fellowship began meeting on Oct. 18, 1955. By 1957, Paul and Drucilla were shown on Van Beuren Road, Morris Township, where they presumably found something affordable and where houses today typically sell for more than $2 million, often much more. Paul Lawrence Cooper (March 15, 1921-Sep. 22, 1997), who was born in Hallsville, Texas, and died in Morristown, came to Morristown from Columbus, Ohio, moving from one Urban League Job to another. Dru was his wife, Drucilla Hunter (May 13, 1922-April 11, 2007), who was born in Kentucky and died in Summit. They married in September 1955 in Madison. In May 1955, Cooper was involved in a hearing a substandard housing in Madison based on a report conducted by 21 student volunteers at St Elizabeth’s college.The group had conducted similar surveys in 1955 for Boonton and Morristown, with the Madison study requested by the town’s mayor Alfred Smith in January. The Cooper later divorced and Paul moved on from the Urban League. His obituary noted he spent 15 years as a psychiatric social worker for the Elizabeth school district. Along the way, he entered local polities ss the Republican nominee for the seat in Morristown’s second ward, which was held by long-time Democratic councilman William “Butch” Barber, who faced a primary fight that night. Cooper’s campaign issues included the need for more police and better training with one position having a familiar ring. “He pointed to arrest of local men that angered the black community,” reported Daily Record of June 2, 1991. Barber trounced Cooper by a vote of 381 to 143.

A huge thank you to those who helped at and shopped at the Gifts of Conscience Fair. In spite of the snow it was very successful and the vendors were very pleased with the event. We are living into our values and putting the beautiful Chu Hall space to work for social justice causes. Thanks especially to the vendors and those volunteers that went above and beyond - Rachel Barry, Barry Bontempo, Jeanne Craft, Tim Davis, Helene Ferm, Diana Hart, Steve Parker, Don Preziosi, and Carol Todd. And to all the brave souls who actually showed up to shop and learn about our local social justice partners!! Thanks also to the Junior High Youth and their teachers and parents for a successful bake sale to go towards “Mortgage Prevention!” What a great crew! And lastly congratulations to Margaret Malishchak who won the raffle basket. She is a long time Fellowship member and Glass4Good vendor who donates all her profits to worthy causes. Woohoo!

The yearly compass guides participants in reviewing their last year, practicing gratitude and looking forward to the new year ahead. Instead of the tired resolutions, learn from your mistakes, celebrate your victories, and set out a path you want to walk on. We will gather as a group and work independently and also be able to share our thoughts and hope for 2026. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and positive for the year ahead! Light refreshments will be served. This is a service auction event ($20) Contact Brooke Donaldson.

At our most recent meeting, it was suggested that the Endowment Committee provide information to help our members think about end-of-life issues.  Two books that might be helpful are “The Good Death” and “Being Immortal”.   In addition, we have requested from the Funeral Consumer Alliance “Before I Go, You Should Know”. This is a workbook/guide to record things your survivors need to know to be able to handle your estate and carry on.  (The pdf, which can be updated as needed, is attached.) Also, please be aware that there is a memorial book in the library in which you can honor past members with your memories of them. And as a personal note:  I realize that dealing with death is a sensitive issue, but one which I hope will lead to deep thought about how you wish to be remembered.  I have been a member of the Fellowship for about 50 years.  I’ve been involved with women’s groups, social justice issues, fun activities, work projects, and on and on.  The many friendships I’ve made over the years have been such a blessing! My hope is that our donations will ensure that the Fellowship remains the strong institution it has always been. Although most of us can’t make such a generous donation, we are grateful to Geri Silk for her recent bequest in the amount of $70,000 to the fund. Gifts in any amount are gratefully received, particularly those given in honor of special events such as birthdays, marriages, graduations, etc. I’ve attached a form you can use if you wish to make a deferred gift to the Endowment Committee.  Elizabeth Bain

The holiday season is upon us! This month, Morristown UU and some of our community partners have a ton of great ways for us all to gather, reflect, celebrate, and care for our wider world together. [PAST] DEC 6 @ 2PM: Holiday Movie & Cookie Exchange Take a break from the holiday rush and join us for an afternoon of cozy fun, sweet treats, and classic holiday cheer! We’ll be showing a much-loved Christmas movie featuring some very familiar puppet friends who bring laughter and heart to a timeless tale of kindness, redemption, and holiday spirit. RSVP [PAST] UNTIL DEC 7 @ 11:30 AM: Holiday Collection for Morris County Correctional Facility During this winter holiday, we will be collecting items for the Morris County Correctional Facility. This year we have been asked to provide men's white crew neck t-shirts and women's white underwear and bras. Items will be collected until 11:30 am on Sunday, December 7th. After this date we will no longer be accepting donations. [PAST] DEC 13 @ 1PM: Queer Holiday Makers Market Looking for the perfect holiday gifts? Come to our Queer Holiday Maker’s Market and discover unique, handmade treasures from LGBTQ+ artists and makers! From art and crafts to one-of-a-kind gifts, this is your chance to shop small, shop local, and shop queer while supporting creativity and community. BUY TICKETS [PAST] DEC 14 @ 10AM: Blue Christmas Service Does the holiday season sometimes feel frantic or heavy? Join us for this Advent service in which we’ll practice the spiritual art of waiting: waiting for the holidays, waiting for the return of light, and waiting for hope. [PAST] DEC 14 @ 11AM: Gifts of Conscience Fair A Holiday Market featuring local and global non-profit vendors and community partners including: PeaceWorks, House with Heart, Mayamam Weavers, Willow Faith Art, Sharing Foundation , Seeds to Sew , Robin Lennon, Morris Mutual, and Days for Girls. Also featuring: Junior High Bake Sale and Basket Raffle! DEC 15 @ 6PM: Songs of the Holidays with GAAMC The Holidays are great for remembering memories and making new ones, and what connects us to memories more than music? Rumor has it that in addition to playing videos of favorites, we may be tuning up our pipes and raising our voices in song.  Feel free to join us in conjuring the Holiday Spirit! [CANCELED] DEC 19 @ 7PM: Folk Project Holiday Benefit Concert The Folk Project’s annual Holiday Concert, presented in support of the Fellowship, offers a wonderful opportunity for our two communities to come together during this special time of year. We’ll feature rising star Allison Strong and some of the finest Folk Project performers and enjoy caroling, holiday decorations, and a groaning table of goodies. DEC 20 @ 10AM: Gender Inclusive Holiday Clothing Swap Sponsored by the NJ Queer & Trans Makers Market and Morristown UU. Celebrate the season with a clothing swap that’s welcoming to all genders, bodies, and styles! [CANCELED] DEC 20 @ 4PM: Winter Solstice Fair Join us for a family‑friendly Winter Solstice Fair featuring seasonal treats, songs, crafts, and activities to honor the Longest Night. We’re also seeking volunteers to lead short activities or host treat and activity tables. DEC 21 @ 10AM: Winter Solstice Service Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a festive earth‑centered service to honor the darkness and the return of the light. Our service will feature a fun and interactive theatrical rendition of the story of the Oak King and the Holly King. DEC 24 @ 5PM: Christmas Eve Family Service Join us for a joyful, no‑rehearsal Christmas pageant for all ages where everyone can join in the story. You’re invited to come dressed up as a shepherd, an angel, a wise one, or a barnyard animal of your choice. We will also have costumes available for you to pick up when you arrive. DEC 24 @ 8PM: Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Service Join us for our later Christmas Eve service, which explores the Christmas story with ancient and contemporary readings and some of your favorite carols. We will conclude the service with a candlelit “Silent Night”. DEC 28 @ 10AM: A Very Merry Holiday Hymn Sing Service Before the New Year arrives, join us for one last festive morning of singing winter and holiday favorites. Let’s lift our voices together and ring out the old year with song!

A big date in Fellowship history was Dec. 18, 1955 when the bylaws were approved and there was a book to sign so that after two months of operations the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship actually had members. Even before the formalities, members were holding get togethers—ski trips among them, and the first Fellowship newsletter, a mimeographed four-page affair was published by Marshall Deutsch, in time to promote the December 17 party at the Fellowship’s first home, the then-Morristown YMCA on South Street and Washington Street, opposite the Morris County Courthouse. The party, held the night before the business meeting, was designed as a get-acquainted holiday party with a puppet show, carol singing and a musical program. While the party was primarily for children, adult members were invited “to attend and enjoy the fun vicariously,” according to the December newsletter. Featured events include a puppet show to be given by Julie Doczi (daughter of founders John and Vera Doczi; carol singing to be led by Gerald Quinlan, a professional flautist; a musical program by Frances Livingston (whose family never joined), Gerald Quinlan and his son David; and the “distribution of gifts by S. Claus.” Greeters were Charline Kotula and Denny Dalton, the 17-year-old who became the youngest founding member with decorating led by Dorothy and Larry Churchill (who became the second president). Jane Steiding and Brooky Zajac were to collect “tickets” mittens to be hung on the tree and then distributed to needy children by the Community Chest and Council Christmas Program). Dorothy Perry and Betty Parella were to serve as the refreshments committee and invitations were mailed by Judy Deutsch, Marshall’s wife and member No. 2. The next night, December 18th, was also a busy night, featuring a brief musical program, approval of the by-laws and the singing of the membership book John Doczi led the music program which promised a selection sung by Ed Zajac, a tenor, two flute solos by Gerald Quinlan and a duet by Zajac and Doczi (a baritone). Marsh Steiding, who became the first president in January, led the business meeting as he was chairman of the bylaws committee for the steering committee that had been running things. Not surprisingly formulating bylaws had been complex. The December newsletter noted, “Consideration of bylaws began last week, and should be completed at the coming session. Since an attempt is being made to reconcile in the bylaws the views of all prospective Fellowship members progress is proceeding slowly and with a great deal of member participation.” Unlike the first business meeting in 1956, which stretched to three nights, the congregation managed to adopt the bylaws and moved on to signing the membership book. As noted in a newspaper story that followed the event, Daniel Weggeland suggested Marshall Deutsch be given the honor of singing the book first because of his key role in starting the Fellowship. The number of those signing on December 18 is complicated by the fact that Vicki Slawson’s name, given as Mrs. Slawson, was squeezed with no number between between Martha Zeltsman, No. 8, and Eugene Slawson, No. 9. The names of Gerald and Rosa Quinlan are on the first page of the membership book with no numbers so the last numbered member is No. 28, but there were 31 individuals signing on December 18. Why certain individuals did not sign on the first day do not know. Vincent Richards, who gave the first sermon on October 30, did not sign until January 15. Dan Weggeland, who clearly seems to have attended the business meeting, signed on January 8. Brooky Zajac, Dorothy Churchill, Denny Dalton, and Charlene Kotula, who all attended the December 17 party, also signed later Here are the names of those who signed on December 18: Marshall Deutsch . Member of the first board. A chemist and medical device inventor. Judith Deutch . Became a UU minister after leaving Morris County. Winfield S. Greenleaf . Chair of the steering committee. Member of the first board. A plumber and later electronic technician. R. Marsh Steiding . The first president, serving a four-month term. A chemist and explosives expert who was later a salesperson. M. Jane Steiding . The first Sunday School Director. A bookkeeper. Widowed three times. Charles Van Cott . Editor of the first formal newsletter in September 1956. A newspaper editor and Thomas Paine enthusiast. Joseph Zeltsman . Born in Philadelphia but grew up in Romania (modern Moldova) and returned to the U.S. Member of the Romanian army band and Glen Miller’s Army Unit. Nationally known portrait photographer. Martha Zeltsman . Nationally honored photographer. Vicki Slawson . Her name was squeezed in between Martha Zeltsman and Eugene Slawson’s signature. The Slawsons often led ski trips and other outdoor activities. Eugene Slawson  (originally Eugeniusz Stanislaw Slawinski). The Slawsons spent World War II in Poland with forged passports showing they were Catholic. A publishing manager and linguistics expert. Doris L. Babson . Employed in public relations. Chaired the membership and hospitality committee. Arthur L. Babson . Third Fellowship president. A chemist and pioneering medical device inventor. George Perry . Member of the finance, by-laws, religious education, and membership and hospitality committees. A Bell Labs technical aide. Alfred K. Mathisen . Born in Sweden. Married founder Dorothy Faulkner, the first Fellowship couple to marry. An engineer who helped design the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM). Lawrence S. Churchill . Second first president and first full-term president. An engineer who worked on top-secret projects. George E. Quinlan . A high school teacher and professional musician. Rosa B. Quinlan . Wife of George Quinlan. John Zieger . Born in Germany and removed from the priesthood in New York before taking final vows. A laboratory technician. Eleanor C. Mason . The last founder active in the Fellowship. Known for UN involvement and peace activism. Physical education instructor at Drew University and later assistant professor. Robert W. Mason . One of the Fellowship’s many chemists. Grace E. Zieger . Dorothy M. Faulkner . Worked at Picatinny Arsenal. John Doczi  (also known as Janos Doczi). Chaired the music committee and later ran a chamber music concert series for ten years. Self-taught professional chemist. Vera Doczi  (born Veronica Gonda). Born in Hungary. The Doczis left Portugal using forged passports. A flute player and artist. Lila H. Younguist . A WAVE in World War II. Later executive director of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Medical Society. Robertson Younguist . First treasurer. A pioneering rocket scientist and later artist. Anthony J. Parella . Member of the first board of directors. Originally named Luparella. A hairdresser who later became a real estate developer. Leslie W. Bauerle . A chemistry and physics instructor who later served on the board of trustees. Elizabeth M. Parella . The Parellas worked together as hairdressers. Paul B. Tweed . Born in Russia (modern Ukraine). An explosives expert who became board secretary in April 1956. R. McCready  (Robert). First vice president and later president. Wrote a multi-part Fellowship history published serially in 1962 and 1963. A map editor.

Biochemistry Literacy for Kids is an online web-based set of 24 lessons in elementary biochemistry developed by Dr. Daniel Fried, a Yale Biochemistry PhD. Dr. Fried breaks ground in introducing advanced concepts in biochemistry to young people through focused online learning. Combined with hands-on modeling of molecules using a modeling kit that supports Hydrogen bonding, the course has features that are not available elsewhere at this age level. There is no mathematics beyond arithmetic needed. On Sunday, January 4th, 2026, at 6:00 pm EST, I will do a demonstration and walk-through of the course using Lesson 0 and part of Lesson 1. This walk-through will be on Zoom and will be open to all interested parties, regardless of age. The walk-through is not limited to those interested in taking the full course. Here is the Zoom info for our Sunday, January 4, 2026 meeting at 6:00 pm: Please join the Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99345858885?pwd=kTbVdTOQZHfdvgPQXvcEMPGJiw67It.1 Meeting ID: 993 4585 8885 Passcode: 323830 By the way, you can access Lesson 0 for free at any time at biochemistryliteracyforkids.com . The walk-through will take about 25 minutes. After that, as interest dictates, I can show a video modeling the manufacture of the lipid sacks used to carry the mRNA in the COVID-19 vaccine into the cells for replication. The enrollment form is available here .

Are you ready for good news about clean energy? Read Bill McKibben’s latest book, Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization . Around the world, solar power is more affordable than ever before. With proven technology, local sunlight is converted to electricity that can be made available to everyone, promoting peace and economic justice. Here Comes the Sun is scientifically accurate but not overly technical. You can borrow the book from your public library system. At 224 pages long, it’s a quick read. Save the date! On Monday, February 2, 7-8:30 pm, join Green Earth Ministry for an online discussion of Here Comes the Sun . After registering below, you'll receive a discussion guide and the Zoom meeting invitation. In addition to reading Here Comes the Sun , you might enjoy watching The Light Won’t Dim , a 30-minute documentary exploring the promise and urgency of solar power in this time of climate crisis. The film reveals the obstacles and the unstoppable momentum of clean energy — a story of resilience, equity, and hope for the future. You can watch the film below: