I’ve got a lot to share as Board President this month! Please read all of it.
First, an urgent request–can you share your screen on Zoom? Would you be willing to learn? We need someone on Nov. 5 to fill Lily Carayannis’ role. Reach out to her or me.
This is a busy place! We’d like you to do everything, but please don’t feel guilty if you can’t (or don’t want to). Just don’t miss out on good stuff because you didn’t see the bulletin board slides before the service, or read the weekly announcements (herewith), or catch the notices in Realm.
This coming Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4 PM, please join me for the film “Join or Die.” That’s not a threat. It’s an offer that could make a difference in the life of USR, our community, our democracy, and (most importantly) your own life. There are measurable benefits both to individuals and society when we’re connected to others, and we’ve been losing those connections since long before the Pandemic.
I’m also hoping to see some of you at our congregational dinner, Saturday, Nov. 4. The tradition of USR Congregational Dinners goes back decades, but the last one was in 2019. The Congregational Dinners strengthen our USR community by helping us get to know each other at table. Please join in this year! If you haven’t signed up yet, just email Bob Jones at LFK16E@gmail.com or Mike Meyers at mmyers2001@gmail.com
If you only do ONE thing in response to this missive, CLICK on this link to our 2023-24 Resource Handbook here. It contains much information to help us move into the fall and through the entire program year of our minister’s absence.
My teacher once told me that even a half-empty glass is actually full. It may be half-filled with water, but the rest is full of air! Even so, Rev. Sarah’s absence will be marked by a great deal of fullness. We were blessed, and even delighted, to welcome Rev. Jennifer Brower last Sunday as our part-time Sabbatical minister. If you missed her message, find it on YouTube. She will help support us through these nine months. Because of our connection to NJ Leadership Leaves, we will also welcome leaders from other NJ UU congregations leading two services:
- Rev. Anya Sammler Michael and Ghana Hylton of Montclair (December)
- Rev. Ann Marie Alderman of Somerset Hills (January)
- Rev. Seth Fisher and Ellen Heath from Hunterdon (February)
- Rev. Bill Neely and a lay leader from Princeton (March)
- Rev. Craig Rubano of Monmouth County (April)
Each year around this time, I turn hopefully to the idea of a useful picture directory. We are still FAR from complete. I want to warn you that, in my opinion, this is too important to be left to those who never get around to it. Starting this week, I am asking EVERY person connected to USR to help me assemble photos of those who are not represented on Realm. If you have, or can find/take a photo for those who haven’t submitted one, PLEASE send it to me. If they don’t like what we come up with, maybe they’ll send something better. If you just don’t want to be pictured, please let me know that.
Finally, if you’re reading this the day it goes out, the Board of Trustees has a meeting tonight (Oct. 11) starting at 7 PM. Observers are welcome! (We meet on Zoom–click here to attend.) The agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
With love, Jack Lohr, Board President
