UPLIFT Trans/Non-Binary Gathering
2023-11-28 20:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-26 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
UPLIFT
Monthly Trans/Non-Binary Gathering Space
Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings for trans, nonbinary, and other not-entirely-or-at-all-cis UUs. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)!
These gatherings focus on getting to know each other and on sharing our collective dreams, ideas, and talents for this space. Expansive definitions of trans, nonbinary, and UU all apply. Non-UUs are welcome if they are OK with being in a UU-focused community. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t (entirely or at all) cisgender, it’s a space for you.
Register to Attend

NOTE: This space is intentionally multi-generational. It is open to and welcoming of trans/nonbinary elders as well as children, youth, and young adults. Standard UUA online safety measures apply to ensure all people under 18 are able to attend. We’re glad to have you here!
Accessibility Notes: Closed captioning will be available, and any common chat content will also be spoken aloud. Please be mindful of processing and communication access, and speak one at a time. Meeting will not be recorded, and participation, as well as what is shared, will be confidential. There is no requirement to appear on video or to otherwise maintain “conventional” appearances. Any additional accessibility needs? Let us know by emailing lgbtq@uua.org or aballou@uua.org! We’ll do our best to ensure you can fully access the space.

To Register as a Child/Youth: Children 13 or younger: please bring with you a parent/guardian, or a trusted adult who is approved by your parent/guardian (it is OK if that parent/guardian/other adult is not trans/nonbinary). Please have your parent/guardian send an email to aballou@uua.org to let us know who will be coming with you.
Youth (ages 14+ up to bridging out of high-school-age Youth Group): please fill out (and have parents/guardians sign) the permission form on the UUA webpage for youth drop-in spaces.
If you’d like to chat directly about this event, please contact Adrian Ballou at aballou@uua.org.

For more information contact lgbtq@uua.org.
Register to Attend

Lobby Day & Rally in Trenton - No Tax Cuts for Ultra Wealthy Corporations!
2023-11-30 09:00 - 14:30 | NJ State House, 125 West State Street, Trenton, 08625
Join New Jersey Citizen Action and partners at the State House on November 30th for a rally and lobbying event. Tell NJ lawmakers: “Don’t leave us holding the bag!” We will be scheduling meetings with legislators, so constituents can tell them why our districts can’t afford a tax cut for the wealthiest corporations.
Schedule

9:00 – 9:30 Welcome and lobbying training at the statehouse cafe
9:30 – 11:15 Morning hallway lobbying
11:30 -12:30 Rally on the Annex steps
12:30 – 2:30 Afternoon hallway lobbying

When
November 30, 2023 at 9:00am – 2:30pm
Where
New Jersey Statehouse
125 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
United States
RSVP https://www.njcitizenaction.org/lobby_day_and_rally_in_trenton_no_tax_cuts_for_ultra_wealthy_corporations

First Friday Action Hour
2023-12-01 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
First Friday Action Hour — The 1st Friday of every month!
Join us at 12 noon, on Zoom, to TAKE ACTION together!
bit.ly/1st-fridays
At our 2023 Fall Issues Conference, we officially announced the launch of a new initiative for UU FaithAction NJ—First Fridays Action Hour! Our Action Hour is inspired by and modeled after the successful program of our sibling state action network, UU Justice North Carolina.
Here’s how it will work: UU FaithAction NJ will host a one-hour Zoom meeting on the First Friday of every month, at 12 noon. During that time, we take action together, in real-time! For those who cannot join us at 12pm on Friday, we will provide a Google Doc with all necessary instructions.
An action could be almost anything, like making a phone call to key legislators to express your support for a bill. In that example, we’d briefly outline the talking points, provide you with a sample script and then the phone number of the legislators to call. And you’d make the call right there—in real time. Or, maybe the action is writing a letter to the editor about a justice issue. Again, we’d provide the key talking points, some sample language and the contact information and during that zoom meeting, we’d collectively write our letters. Another possibility for an action is that we invite a key coalition partner to guide us in taking an action. The possibilities are almost limitless.
You don’t have to prepare. You don’t have to commit to coming to every single First Friday. This is not a committee, nor a commitment—it is a come-as-you-are-able opportunity!
Can’t join us on a particular Friday, or maybe noon is just never gonna work for your schedule? No problem! The Google Doc will have all the information you need so that you can take the action at a time convenient for you. Not only that— we hope you will share the action with your congregation or community, and our one little pebble can start to produce ripples.

Join us at Action Hour!
Topic: First Friday Action Hour
Every month on the First Friday, 12 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94313960594?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 943 1396 0594
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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Murray Grove Fundraiser
2023-12-02 15:00 | Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center, 431 US Highway 9 at Church Lane, Lanoka Harbor,, NJ, NJ 08734-0246, United States
If you have questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at murraygrove@murraygrove.org or (609) 693-5558.
Register here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/TS5s5FwgioqaQ3tHsTlK2g

Reparations Council Meeting: Segregation in New Jersey Committee
2023-12-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Support NJISJ Reparations Council!
The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) earlier this year–in response to the lack of movement by state legislators on the bill to create a Reparations Task Force to study and recommend legislation in NJ–founded a Reparations Council. The New Jersey Reparations Council is actively doing the work that a statewide Reparations Task Force would be charged to do. The Council is composed of nine committees and each committee will present on their focus area in nine public sessions.
The second public session will be December 4, 2023 at 6:30pm on Zoom. This session focuses on segregation in New Jersey.
We encourage all UUs to register to attend the public session (which will also provide access to a recording of the session for later viewing).
Register at https://bit.ly/NJRCSession2. Commentary (optional) is limited to three minutes and should be related to segregation in New Jersey.
You can also watch at: https://youtube.com/@dosocialjustice

People United for Justice Rally in Trenton
2023-12-07 10:00 - 14:00 | NJ State House Annex, 125 W State St NJ 08608, Trenton, NJ, 08608, United States

Immigration Justice Task Force monthly call
2023-12-07 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-01-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Join our monthly Immigration Justice Task Force call, where we share updates, strategize and organize to promote immigration justice in our state.
For the Zoom login information and/or to be added to our task force mailing list, contact Chair Marty Rothfelder (immigration@uufaithaction.org) or Administrator Meera Rao (admin@uufaithaction.org).

16th Annual Human Rights Conference - Freedom, Justice and Equality for All
2023-12-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, United States

UPLIFT Trans/Nonbinary+ Pastoral Care Small Group
2023-12-08 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-01-12 20:00 - 21:00
What is pastoral care, exactly? Pastoral care is support with navigating life—big and small things, joys and hardships and all those mixed together. It’s not therapy, but a way for us to be in community together, supporting each other. This is a space to share the hard stuff and to hold the hard stuff that others are navigating in their lives. To read more about pastoral care and find some resources to locate pastoral care, check out this post by UU Youth Ministry.
During our time together, our lead chaplain/facilitators will share opening and closing words, and in between, there is time for everyone to share what’s on their heards, and receive what others are sharing about their own lives. It’s a supportive, judgment-free place to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ people.
Registration
Join our pastoral care community–register here!
This year, the pastoral space is for adults only. If you’re a child or a youth and you’d like to have a space to talk about the hard stuff, let us know by registering for the pastoral space and putting a note in the comments. When we have enough children and youth registered, we’ll plan for opening additional spaces for different ages. And stay tuned for additional opportunities for children and youth to connect—we’re working on this!
Accessibility Information
Closed captioning will be available, and any common chat content will also be spoken aloud. Please be mindful of processing and communication access, and speak one at a time. Meeting will not be recorded, and participation, as well as what is shared, will be confidential. There is no requirement to appear on video or to otherwise maintain “conventional” appearances. Any additional accessibility needs? Let us know by emailing lgbtq@uua.org or aballou@uua.org! We’ll do our best to ensure you can fully access the space.
Who is this space for?
This is a closed event specifically for trans/nonbinary+ people. Anyone who is trans, nonbinary, metagender, multigender, genderfluid, agender, demigender, genderqueer, and otherwise not wholly or entirely cis is welcome to attend.
You do not have to be UU to attend, as long as you are comfortable with this space having a UU flavor/focus.
This pastoral small group is for ages 18 and older. Note: anyone who is a legal adult but is enrolled in high school and/or their congregation’s youth group is asked to attend the youth space.

For more information contact lgbtq@uua.org.

Rev. Charles Guest Pulpit at Ridgewood
2023-12-10 10:00 - 11:00 | The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood
Rev. Charles Loflin, Executive Director of UU FaithAction NJ, will be a guest in the pulpit at The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood on December 10th.
Join worship at 10 AM, in person or on Zoom!
The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood:
113 Cottage Place
Ridgewood, NJ
Driving directions
For those participating via Zoom:
Join us in our Zoom room with this link for the Sunday Service:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83517833977
Meeting ID: 835 1783 3977
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,83517833977# US (New York)
+13017158592,,83517833977# US (Washington DC)
Coffee hour continues in breakout rooms and you can continue to use the chat to greet each other as you enter the service and participate in the interactive portions of the service.

UUFANJ Board Meeting
2023-12-12 19:30 - 21:30
Members/supporters of UU FaithAction NJ are welcome to attend our monthly all-volunteer Board meetings. To access online meetings (all meetings from March 2020 onward will be conducted online) via the Zoom conferencing platform) please contact Board President Mia Morse, at mia.morse19@gmail.com, to request the Zoom login code. Please give us at least 48 hours notice to request the code to allow our volunteer board members enough time to reply.
In the event you do not hear back with 48 hours notice, please contact Executive Director Charles Loflin, at execdir@uufaithaction.org or at (908) 376-6535.
As per our bylaws, the board leadership reserves the right to call an executive session of the board to discuss matters not appropriate for a more public conversation.

Recognizing and Resisting Fascism as People of Faith
2023-12-12 20:00 | https://uusj.salsalabs.org/RecognizingandResistingFascism/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=6bd537fa-9886-4a91-9f95-737d5d28c8a0
Like many Unitarian Universalists, volunteers and members of UUs for Social Justice have been very concerned with the real and present danger to our democracy in recent years and the rise of anti-democracy movements. So many of us have been monitoring and fighting the tilt from oligarchy to autocracy during the past several election cycles. Now many are worried about flirtations with fascism.
To help respond to this circumstance, UUSJ presents one of our denomination’s most celebrated thinkers on these topics, the Rev. Cecilia Kingman. Rev. Kingman is the author of the acclaimed 2023 Berry Street Address, titled “My Little Pony Was Right: Reflections on Fascisms Without and Within.”
Please join us on December 12, when Rev. Kingman will share her thoughts on how to recognize the less well-known characteristics of rising fascism, as well as her conviction that our faith as Unitarian Universalists compels us to resist it in all its forms.
Who: Rev. Cecilia Kingman, (biography)
What: “Recognizing and Resisting Fascism as People of Faith”
Where: Via Zoom; purchase Tickets/RSVP
When: December 12th, 2023
8:00pm ET • 7:00pm CT • 6:00pm MT • 5:00pm PT
Why: We must all be prepared to defend our democracy
Don’t miss our major end-of-the-year fundraiser event. Spread the word, and tell your friends and loved ones to join as well. Or buy them a ticket. It is for a good cause. And you will get some thoughtful words.

Ask Governor Murphy
2023-12-13 19:00 - 20:00 | WNYC
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy spends an hour answering our questions and yours about what’s going on in the Garden State.
The discussion is hosted by WNYC Senior Reporter Nancy Solomon, in cooperation with partner stations WBGO and WHYY — and with you.
Tell us what you’d like us to Ask Gov. Murphy by using this Google form, or tweet during the show using #AskGovMurphy. And you can call (844) 745-TALK — that’s (844) 745-8255 — during the show to join us live on air.
Listen live on WNYC.org or on the radio on WNYC and New Jersey Public Radio.
Ask Governor Murphy airs the second Wednesday of most months at 7 p.m., dependent on schedule availability. Upcoming installments are scheduled for Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13, 2023 (watch this space for updates and adjustments).
wnyc.org/shows/ask-governor-murphy

Immigration Justice Task Force monthly call**
2023-12-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Join our monthly Immigration Justice Task Force call, where we share updates, strategize and organize to promote immigration justice in our state.
For the Zoom login information and/or to be added to our task force mailing list, contact Chair Ted Fetter (immigration@uufaithaction.org) or Administrator Meera Rao (admin@uufaithaction.org).
** We regularly meet on the first Thursday of every month. For December, we are meeting on the second Thursday, December 14th. A special Zoom link for December will be sent to the Immigration Justice Task Force mailing list.

Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Conference Call
2023-12-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Join us on the third Monday of the month from 7–8 PM for our UU statewide Criminal Justice Reform call, where we strategize around issues like racial justice, mass incarceration, prison conditions and more.
For the Zoom or phone dial-up information to join the call, and/or to get on the email list for upcoming meetings and events, please contact admin@uufaithaction.org.

Reparations Task Force Monthly Call
2023-12-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-01-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The Reparations Task Force convenes monthly, for Unitarian Universalists to strategize around advancing reparations for New Jersey. Newcomers are warmly welcome!
Read and sign the petition.
For more info and to join the call, contact Task Force Chairs Rohn Hein (reparations@uufaithaction.org) or administrator Emily Parker (admin@uufaithaction.org).

Environmental Justice Task Force monthly call
2023-12-20 15:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Monthly Environmental Justice Task Force meeting to discuss current issues, updates and strategies

Would you like to join in the conversation, find out what’s going on *now* in New Jersey around environmental justice? Then join our statewide call held the 1st Thursday of every month at 12 noon sharp. All are invited.
For more info and to join the call, contact Environmental Justice Task Force co-chairs, Peggy Middaugh and Ray Nichols (environment@uufaithaction.org), or administrator Emily Parker (admin@uufaithaction.org).
Call hosted by Environmental Justice Task Force co-chairs, Peggy Middaugh (UU Congregation of Ocean County) and Ray Nichols (UU in Princeton Congregation).

Lobby Day to Stop Unaffordable Dirty Gas
2024-01-04 10:00 | State House Annex, 125 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey, 08608
WHEN: Thursday, January 04, 2024 • 10:00 AM
WHERE: State House Annex • 137 W. State St, Trenton, NJ 08608
RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/save-the-date-stop-the-unaffordable-dirty-gas-bill/
In the midst of the climate emergency, the fossil fuel industry is pushing A577, the unaffordable dirty gas RNG bill, to charge billions and profit off ratepayers’ backs, overburdened communities’ lungs, and our climate. Despite industry claims, RNG (“Renewable” natural gas) perpetuates reliance on fossil fuels, increases hazardous and climate-harming air pollution, is incredibly energy inefficient, and is extraordinarily expensive.
This legislative session, EmpowerNJ activists have been able to successfully stall this giveaway to the fossil fuel industry, but there’s word it could still come up for a vote on Thursday, January 4th. There’s also a chance that the Clean Energy Standard (S2978), a bill we’ve working to strengthen and pass, could be on the agenda that week.
We can’t let the fossil fuel industry sneak their unaffordable dirty gas bill through the legislature, which is why we’re asking folks to save the date and sign up to lobby on Thursday, January 4th, 2024!
We should know what’s on the legislative docket by Tuesday, January 2nd, and will reach out to everyone who signed up with more information about what’s happening on January 4th!

BOE Meeting Old Bridge Township
2024-01-09 19:30 | Old Bridge High School TV Studio, 4209 Rte 516, Old Bridge, 07747, United States
Old Bridge had an unexpected win in November when the school board voted to affirm Policy 5756, which offers protections for transgender youth, without a motion being on the table to repeal or revise the policy. Unfortunately the new year brought with it the installation of new members to the Old Bridge BOE, one of whom ran on a platform of repealing the policy. At the reorganization meeting, there were rumblings about the policy during the public discussion forum. Thus we are anticipating a motion will be brought to repeal 5756 at the next meeting and/or the subsequent meeting on January 16. We have no doubt there will be much public discussion on the subject at the meetings.
We are hoping you, and/or congregants, can attend and speak on behalf of transgender students on the 9th, as well as possibly on the 16th if needed. Please feel free to invite other like-minded clergy of all faiths to attend as well. We heard from so many members of the community last time who said how meaningful it was to hear supportive clergy speak; some said it was the first time they heard religious leaders speak positively about the LGBTQ community. We believe hearing from supportive clergy also helped some members of the Board experience a change of heart in November.
For more information: Louise Walpin, Director of Advocacy and Organizing,
SWEEP NJ. Contact admin@uufaithaction.org for Louise’s contact information.

UUFANJ Board Meeting
2024-01-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Members/supporters of UU FaithAction NJ are welcome to attend our monthly all-volunteer Board meetings. To access online meetings (all meetings from March 2020 onward will be conducted online) via the Zoom conferencing platform, please contact Board President Mia Morse, at mia.morse19@gmail.com, and request the Zoom login code. You must give at least 48 hours notice to request the code to allow our volunteer board members enough time to reply.
In the event you do not hear back with 48 hours notice, please contact Executive Director Charles Loflin, at execdir@uufaithaction.org or at (908) 376-6535.
As per our bylaws, the board leadership reserves the right to call an executive session of the board to discuss matters not appropriate for a more public conversation.

In-Person Visitation Training
2024-01-10 18:00 | Zoom
Detained friends find themselves isolated from all contact with family and friends with limited information about what will happen to them or what they can do improve their situation.
By visiting detained friends in person or virtually at the jails or detention centers, you can provide much needed contact with the outside world, emotional support, and a path to other services. If you speak fluent Spanish, we especially need your help. Please call (908) 965-0455 or contact First Friends online to learn more about becoming a volunteer visitor.
WHEN: Jan 10, 2024, 6:00 PM
WHERE: Zoom
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcOqsrDwtHN0WTfyl5CeKR1SjBhqRU7zh#/registration

Saving Democracy
2024-01-10 20:00 - 21:30 | Zoom
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
8:00pm ET
Register for Zoom Webinar: https://uusj.salsalabs.org/savingdemocracybydavidpepper/index.html
Saving Democracy author David Pepper will challenge and guide us on how to play a more active and effective role in lifting democracy than you might have imagined.
In his book, Pepper details how we all can and must play a role in saving democracy at this fraught time. He explains how all levels of the pro-democracy side, from national political leaders to grassroots activists to everyday Americans, must switch to offense. Pepper articulates how pro-democracy Americans can stay on offense and win on offense.
Join us to hear directly from author David Pepper.
Sponsored by Reclaim Our Democracy and the Democracy Action Team at UUs for Social Justice
Event details & registration: https://uusj.salsalabs.org/savingdemocracybydavidpepper/index.html

Movie Screening: " Rustin" (2023)
2024-01-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
MOVIE SCREENING: “RUSTIN” (2023)
Saturday January 13th, 2024
7PM-9PM
Sponsored by UU Princeton Rainbow Ministry
Watch Emmy and Tony award winner Colman Domingo, and an all-star cast (Jeffrey Wright, Audra McDonald, Chris Rock), bring to life the story of Bayard Rustin, one of the most central and yet most under-appreciated leaders of the US Civil Rights Movement.
Rustin was essential to the success of the 1963 March on Washington, yet as a gay man in the mid-20th century, his own history was sidelined- until now.
Bring: YOURSELF! And your curiosity.
Rainbow Ministry provides the popcorn and leads the discussion after.
UU Princeton 50 Cherry Hill Rd.
www.uuprinceton.org

UU FaithAction Office closed
2024-01-14 - 2024-01-15
In observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the UU FaithAction office will be closed today.
