CER Networking Sessions
2023-04-20 12:30 - 14:00, 2023-04-20 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Online
This year the Central East Region of the UUA is offering a series of Networking Calls for congregational staff and leaders to participate in. Instead of dividing up by geography, we’re offering two times on each date for you to choose from. Come to one or to all. CER staff will be on each call to answer questions, but our main focus will be what you can learn from and share with each other.
Four dates, two time slots each date. You can join us at 12:30-2 pm ET or 6-7:30 pm ET on September 15, November 10, January 19 and April 20.
Please reach out to your primary contact or email cer@uua.org for connection information. We look forward to seeing you there!

"March for Our Lives" Gun & Police Violence Prevention Rally
2023-04-20 15:00 - 19:00 | State House Annex Steps, Trenton, NJ, United States
March for Our Lives (MFOL) is organizing, and CFPA is co-sponsoring a Rally at the Trenton State House Annex on the anniversary of the Columbine shooting this Thursday, April 20th, starting at 3:00 PM.
Legislation addressing police violence, safe gun storage, and same day voter registration has remained mostly stalled in the NJ Legislature. We rally to demand that action be taken to address gun violence in all forms, in solidarity with student protests in Tennessee and across the country.

Register here: https://forms.gle/Lh3NoNiY7Vne7SvJ8.

Skill Up: Facing the Apocalypse With a Smile
2023-04-23 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
A training by Side with Love
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | 4 – 5:30pm ET
Register now
Led by Rachel Myslivy, Side with Love Climate Justice Organizer Everywhere you look the world is on fire! Sometimes you just want to scream at the top of your lungs, “Everything is bad! Do something! AAUGH!!!!” That urgency is real, and also maybe not the best way to communicate about the issues – or to take care of yourself! Come together to learn some ways to manage yourself and engage others as you effectively advocate for justice and work for a thriving world for all. Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to be lifelong learners, and organizing traditions teach that we need to share what we know for our movements to grow. Our Squad Skill Ups are a monthly series of trainings on organizing skills to help build our UUtheVote and Side with Love Volunteer Squads and help YOU build stronger teams in your congregation and community. Skill Ups occur the 3rd Sunday of most months.
Register now
Our Skill Ups are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month, and we put the recordings and resources on our Skill Ups Page here.

Film and Discussion: Defying the Nazis
2023-04-23 18:30 - 21:00 | Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ, 07450, United States
Defying The Nazis: The Sharp’s War
Sunday, April 23rd from 6:30-9pm

Defying The Nazis: The Sharp’s War, a 2016 documentary by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky, tells the story of Martha and Waitstill Sharp, who made the extraordinary choice to risk their lives in relief and rescue work in Europe in 1939 and 1940. After 17 other couples had refused the invitation to volunteer to head a committee to aid refugees in Prague, the Sharps, from Wellesley, MA, accepted. They are 2 of only 5 Americans (including Ridgewood’s Varian Fry) named by Israel’s Yad Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations” (non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust). The film interviews some whose lives were saved, and the Sharps’ own children whose lives were changed.

Join Rev. Sarah Lenzi, Rev. Marc Oehler and Rabbi David Fine to ponder questions such as…

Where does the courage come from to be an “upstander”? Do we have it in us?
As anti-Semitic (and other) hatreds and violence grow, can this film inspire us to action?
What do we say and do when swastikas show up on local school desks?

Reproductive Justice Task Force Monthly Call
2023-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
The monthly conference call to update and strategize around reproductive justice and rights in New Jersey. Join us monthly on the fourth Monday, 7-8 PM.
For Zoom invitation and agenda, please email reprojustice@uufaithaction.org attn. Carol Loscalzo, Task Force Chair.
Carol A. Loscalzo (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood) is Task Force Chair. For more information on reproductive justice, please email reprojustice@uufaithaction.org attn. Carol Loscalzo.
For general inquiries about our Task Forces, email admin@uufaithaction.org.

UPLIFT Trans/Non-Binary Gathering
2023-04-25 20:00 - 21:00 | 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

Panel: The Ramapough and the Ringwood Mines Superfund Site
2023-04-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ, 08542, United States
Panel: The Ramapough and the Ringwood Mines Superfund Site
History, Culture, Education and Environmental Justice

Professor Jack Tchen of Rutgers University Newark will share a short history of the Turtle Clan in our region, and then Chief Vincent Mann of the Turtle Clan and members of the project team, including Dr. Anita Bakshi (team lead) will share elements of the exhibit and excerpts of the film, “Meaning of the Seed.” Finally, Chief Mann will share what the Turtle Clan is doing now to heal from this decades-long disruption to the lives of clan members.

Environmental Justice Panel
2023-04-27 18:00 - 20:30 | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 W. FRONT STREET, Lincroft, NJ, 07738, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with an Environmental Justice Panel hosted by the Progressive Caucus!
Sign up at: https://events.democrats.org/event/555159/
Sponsoring: Black Caucus, Emerging Leaders Caucus and Hindu Caucus
Panelists include:

Bryana De Veaux – Director of Legislative Affairs at NJDEP
Brenda Sanders – Executive Director Afro-Vegan Society
Niki Shah – Sustainable Banking and Financial Services Consultant, TCS and Chair Hindu Caucus NJDSC
Sunni Varags – League of Conservation Voters Clean Energy Campaigns Organizer

Panel begins at 6:30PM followed by a meet and greet afterwards. Food and beverage will be provided.

Former UUCM Minister Rev. Lee Barker Visits UUCM
2023-04-29 18:00 - 21:00 | Unitarian Univerlist Congregation at Montclair, 67 Church Street, Montclair, NJ, 07042, United States
Welcome Back Dinner for Rev. Lee Barker
Saturday, April 29, 2023
6–9 PM
Fletcher Hall
For those who knew him, or for those who simply would like a chance to meet him and hear stories about UUCM from someone who served UUCM from 1983 to 1994.
Rev. Lee Barker will then lead worship Sunday, April 30, 2023.

Guest Pulpit at The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick
2023-04-30 10:30 | The Unitarian Sociey, NJ, United States
“The Gooeyness of Change”
Guest Pulpit at The Unitarian Society

April 30 @ 10:30 am
FREE

Rev. Charles Loflin, Executive Director will be a guest in the pulpit at The Unitarian Society on April 30th.

The Gooeyness of Change
April 30, 2023 at 10:30 AM
In-Person and on Zoom

Karen Hering in her book Trusting Change describes the transformative process of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly as living “through a time of goo.” For many that is an apt description for what feels like the times in which we live—an in-between space when familiar ways are dissolving (or already long gone) but where the new ways have not yet quite taken shape. Even when experiencing change we value, the process can feel overwhelming. How can we lean into the adaptive challenges we face while trusting change and all its “gooeyness?”

Join us on Sundays at 10:30 in person or virtually!
https://zoom.us/j/904015815

International Workers’ Day – Immigrant Jericho Walk
2023-05-01 10:00 | Newark Federal Building, 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ, United States
NJ Immigrants and Allies Walk to Demand a System that WORKS for All
Walk to call for immigrant rights and immigration-law reforms

CER BIPOC Gathering
2023-05-01 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
If you identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color (BIPOC), you’re invited to join us for the UUA Central East Region’s BIPOC gathering happening once a month on a Monday at 6:30pm ET.
In our gatherings we are joined by lay folks of color, lay leaders of color and/or religious professionals of color to be in community. Our conversations focus on topics like wellness and resilience and our goal is to center BIPOC experiences and create space to explore our UU experiences.
Please email Sana Saeed, ssaeed@uua.org or Paula Cole Jones pcolejones@gmail.com for Zoom information.
Event Info: https://www.uua.org/central-east/calendar/cer-bipoc-jan-22

Monthly UUFANJ Board Meeting
2023-05-01 19:00 - 21:00 | NJ, United States
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 to present time will be conducted online) via the Zoom conferencing platform, please contact the Board President, Mia Morse or Vice President, Nick Lewis, ozballnick@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 that you do not hear back prior to that 48 hour cut off, please contact the Executive Director, Rev. Rob Gregson, execdir@uufaithaction.org or on the office phone, 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.

Congregational Liaisons Monthly Call
2023-05-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Held the first Tuesday of every month, our organizing call for all UU FaithAction NJ Congregational Liaisons.
If you are interested in our Congregational Liaisons program, please contact Administrator Emily Parker at admin@uufaithaction.org or at ‪(908) 767-5145‬.

The 1619 Project Common Read
2023-05-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The UU FaithAction NJ Reparations Task Force is pleased to announce the common read of The 1619 Project, edited by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Caitlin Roper, Ilena Silverman and Jake Silverstein.
The schedule will consist of five Wednesday evening meetings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, all sessions via Zoom.
Our common read is free; the book costs $38. Please contact admin@uufaithaction.org if cost would be a barrier to your participation.
Sign-up below, and SHARE with friends and your congregation!

Panel Discussion - Expungement Eligibility Requirements
2023-05-04 18:00 - 19:30 | NJ, United States
In 2020, Governor Murphy signed a law as part of his “Second Chance Agenda” to improve expungement laws and create an automatic expungement process. Despite the new law, there has been little outside advocacy to address the delays in implementation or to create urgency to move forward.

An implementation campaign is desperately needed to ensure the law is properly implemented, that it has the impact it intended, and that we leverage that law for further improvements in the sealing process for our people.
In that spirit of action & urgency, we invite you to join our Zoom meeting with an expert panel of policy, organizing, and legal experts to discuss the current challenges with expungement implementation and how to incorporate impacted voices into future advocacy and reforms.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://sandsj-org.zoom.us/j/95146211402?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 951 4621 1402
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Uterus: Stories From You to Us
2023-05-05 19:00 | The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood

When Compassion Defeated Cruelty
2023-05-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Nassau Presbyterian Church , 61 Nassau St Priceton, NJ, United States
When Compassion Defeated Cruelty
Saturday, May 6,
2023
1:00PM-3:00PM
Nassau Presbyterian Church
61 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ 08542

Buy Tickets or Become a Sponsor

UUFANJ Board Meeting
2023-05-09 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.

"Moral Obligations Transcending Legal Codes" : The Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion
2023-05-09 20:00 - 21:30 | Zoom
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM ET
Side With Love
UPLIFT Action
Join us for this conversation with historians and organizers to understand the social and political context of the Clergy Consultation Service of the 1960s (particularly examining the prominent role of UUs) of the 1960s while learning about similar work that is already happening in the wake of Dobbs.
Registration required

Before the landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade made abortion legal across the United States, clergy from a wide variety of religious traditions developed a coordinated, skilled, responsive underground network that supported people experiencing “problem pregnancies” to access abortion care from trustworthy doctors and medical professionals. This network of more than 1400 clergy and hundreds of providers — which included many Unitarian Universalists — helped hundreds of thousands of people access safe abortions before the Roe decision. Join us for this conversation with historians and organizers to understand the social and political context of the Clergy Consultation Service of the 1960s (particularly examining the prominent role of UUs) of the 1960s while learning about similar work that is already happening in the wake of Dobbs.
Gillian Frank is a historian of sexuality and religion and a visiting affiliate fellow at Princeton University’s Center for Culture, Society and Religion. He is the author of numerous academic articles on the histories of sexuality, gender and religion (which have appeared in venues like the Journal of the History of Sexuality, American Jewish History, and Gender and History) and public facing scholarship (with bylines in publications including The Washington Post, Time, Jezebel and Slate). He is co-editor of Devotions and Desires: Histories of Sexuality and Religion in the 20th Century United States (UNC Press: 2018). Frank is currently at work on a manuscript called A Sacred Choice: Liberal Religion and the Struggle for Abortion Before Roe v Wade (forthcoming UNC Press). You can listen to his podcast Sexing History, which explores how the history of sexuality shapes our present, wherever you stream your shows.

Birthing Justice: Screening & Discussion
2023-05-10 18:00 - 21:00 | Fountain Baptist Church, 116 Glenside Ave, Summit, NJ, 07901, United States
Register here.
BIRTHING JUSTICE is a feature length documentary whose purpose is two-fold: to discuss issues fueling the maternal health crisis within the African American community and to advocate for best practices to enhance birthing equity for all women, especially Black women. The film explores this national epidemic via four regions — Washington, D.C., Augusta, GA, several areas in Missouri, and California, interviewing those affected by current policies, i.e. birthing individuals and healthcare providers, as well as those, such as birthing advocates, activists and policymakers, at the forefront of advancing policy change.
BIRTHING JUSTICE flips the victim-blaming narrative, centering on the lived experiences of Black women and their advocates as they fix a broken system and transform the future, one birth at a time.
Produced by Women in the Room Productions.
www.birthingjustice.com
Film Run Time: 96 minutes
—
Join us for a FREE community screening and discussion of “Birthing Justice” at Fountain Baptist Church in Summit!
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 10th, 2023
Doors open at 6 PM
Program 6:30–9 PM
WHERE:
Fountain Baptist Church
116 Glenside Ave
Summit, NJ 07901
REGISTER
Light refreshments will be provided.
This event is an interfaith collaboration of Fountain Baptist Church, Beacon UU Congregation in Summit, and UU FaithAction NJ.

Black Maternal Health Equity in New Jersey
2023-05-11 16:00 - 17:15 | Virtual
NJ PBS Invites You to Join a Virtual Conversation on
Black Maternal Health Equity in New Jersey
Thursday, May 11 at 4pm
NJ PBS is proud to host a panel on the issue of Black Maternal Health in New Jersey. Joanna Gagis, Senior Correspondent for NJ Spotlight News, will speak to a panel of experts on the existing disparities and the work being done to achieve health equity for all.
In the fall, NJ PBS launched a new special news series taking a closer look at issues facing women in New Jersey – HerStory. Our next episode on June 1 will explore the issues surrounding black maternal health in the state, but also take a closer look at how this constellation of factors impacts women in all of our communities.
Register Here

Public Forum regarding 2023 Annual Meeting
2023-05-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
UU FaithAction NJ will host a public Zoom forum for all UUs (including congregational delegates and leadership) to ask questions regarding the two motions to be voted for our 2023 Annual Meeting, or to raise any issue related to UU FaithAction NJ.
Zoom invitation:
Topic: Public Forum regarding 2023 Annual Meeting
Time: May 11, 2023 at 7:00 PM Easter Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99364515170?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 993 6451 5170
Passcode: [REDACTED]
No registration is required to attend, but we would be grateful to know if you plan to attend. You can send an email to admin@uufaithaction.org to let us know.

The UU FaithAction NJ Annual Meeting will be May 20th, 2023, 10–11:30 AM. The meeting will be conducted on Zoom. All New Jersey UUs are encouraged to attend!
Congregational leaders were notifiedvia email regarding their number of allocated delegates and the procedure for voting. This year, as in the last three years, delegates will vote by email prior to the annual meeting.
There are two items for which delegates will vote:

The motion to approve the 2023-2024 budget of the Board of Trustees. You can find the proposed budget by clicking here.
The motion to approve the slate of nominees to the board. You can find the bios of the nominees by clicking here.

Taproot: A National BIPOC Gathering
2023-05-11 20:00 - 21:15 | Zoom
This space is explicitly for people identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC).
Click Here to Register
The work of spiritual community is complicated in the 21st century. From busy schedules to the ever pressing tension brought on by systemic injustice, the need for faithful leadership that is grounded and resilient is imperative. This is all the more true for leaders within our communities and congregations who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC). All too aware of this need, Congregational Life is excited to explore and co-create a network with congregational leaders that support them in this time in emergent ways through Taproot: A National BIPOC Space. The organizing pillars of this collective is:

Rest & Renewal
Analysis Building
Leadership Development

BIPoC Leaders rooted in the Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to take part in this monthly, virtual gathering as we explore these pillars in creating means by which to ground ourselves in resilient communities of care.
All participants are asked to register for this event, you will receive the zoom connection information in your confirmation email.
Contacts: Tyler Coles, tcoles@uua.org, Summer Albayati, SAlbayati@uua.org, Sana Saeed, ssaeed@uua.org
This groups meets the second Thursday of every month, September through May.

"Shine On Beautiful & Resilient People" DRUUMM Worship
2023-05-11 20:00 - 21:30 | Online
Shine On Beautiful & Resilient People
DRUUMM Public Worship
Zoom & Livestream
May 11th, 2023
8:00 PM Eastern
Free and open to all
REGISTER HERE
Rev. Katie Romano Griffin, Guest Preacher
Amanda Thomas, Musical Artist and the DRUUMM Choir
Shine on resilient and beautiful people with DRUUMM (Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries) for our annual public worship featuring a festival of Black and Brown joy and resilience through original works of music and preaching. Musical director Amanda Thomas and guest minister Rev. Katie Romano Griffin are joined by gifted black and brown colleagues from across UU-verse to help bring some shine to your day including The Rev. Dr. Kristen Harper, Nasreen Khan, and Cassie Montenegro. We will feature original works of music, prayer, and poetry.
About our Guest Preacher, Rev. Katie Romano Griffin
Rev. Katie roots her ministry in relationships and in the belief that each person is inherently good and worthy of love. She is a passionate activist who believes in centering the voices of historically marginalized communities in justice work and advocates for applying an intersectional lens as we work towards co-creating a just world for all.
Prior to being called to All Souls Indy where she serves as the first called BIPOC minister, Rev. Katie served Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in the DC Metro as an Associate Minister. Before entering professional ministry, she served as a lay campus minister at Florida Gulf Coast University, had a rich career as a nurse, and worked as the co-owner of a marketing and public relations company. She has a background in coaching and hypnosis, too.
Rev. Katie is a 2017 graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School. She serves as a Civil Air Patrol Chaplain with an emphasis on providing emergency/disaster ministry. She serves as a member of the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee, the UU Trauma Response Ministry and she has worked with the Sophia Lyon Fahs Educational Collaborative in developing a multi-faith, multicultural curriculum. She is a co-author of the book Class Action: The Struggle with Classism in Unitarian Universalism and has contributed to the blog Braver/Wiser.
About our Musical Artist, Amanda Thomas
Amanda is a retired UU music director and a member of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Oak Park, Illinois. She has been an active UU for 22 years, and has served on the Board of Trustees for the Association of UU Music Ministries and on the UUA’s Music Leadership Certification Committee. She has led workshops and music at the UUA General Assembly as a soloist, choir member, worship leader, and choir director for Ministry Days, as well as for The Service of The Living Tradition. Amanda is now serving as a Troubadour and offering services as a freelance soloist, music/choir consultant, choral conductor, workshop facilitator, worship leader, vocal instructor and respite music director. Amanda believes we can each find our own joy through music. As UU’s each travel their own path to a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, Amanda enjoys the monumental task of creating ways to inspire and feed the souls of all individuals through music.
REGISTER HERE

FAIR (Youth Group)
2023-05-11 20:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
F.A.I.R. is an interfaith group of youth in grades 8-12 from across NJ and PA. Our goal: To work to incorporate racial bias education into NJ and PA school systems and provide educational opportunities to our community’s on the topic of race.
We meet every other Thursday at 7:30 PM on Zoom. Sign up here!
Find us on Instagram @faithactionyouth_
Contact us at fair@uufaithaction.org if you have any questions or concerns!
Contact our adult advisors: Rev. Rob Gregson at rob@uufaithaction.org, or Laura Kushner at laura@uufaithaction.org.

Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Conference Call
2023-05-15 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
2023-05-16 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
2023-05-17 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).
