Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ

Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Conference Call
2023-02-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Environmental Justice Task Force monthly call
2023-02-15 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).

"The Gooeyness of Change" | Guest Pulpit at Cherry Hill
2023-02-12 10:15 - 23:30 | UU Church in Cherry Hill, 401 N Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 08034
Rev. Charles Loflin, Executive Director, and Laura Kushner, Ministerial Intern, will be guests in the pulpit at Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill on February 12th!

The Gooeyness of Change
February 12, 2023 at 10:15 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?”
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/97631372315?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 976 3137 2315, Passcode: [REDACTED] By Phone: 1-646-876-9923

FAIR (Youth Group)
2023-02-09 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.

Taproot: A National BIPOC Gathering
2023-02-09 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.

UUFANJ Board Meeting
2023-02-09 18:30 - 20:30 | 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, or board member Nick Lewis, at 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 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.

Protecting Democracy in NJ: Organizing for Same-Day Voter Registration, With Larry Hamm
2023-02-09 18:30 - 20:00 | 1 N Johnston Ave, 1 N Johnston Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ, 08609, United States
Join us for our in-person session to learn what Same-Day Voter Registration is, how it will increase voter turnout in New Jersey, and actions you can take to urge lawmakers to pass this legislation. Food and drinks will be provided.

Sign Up Here.
Time
Thursday, February 9
6:30 – 8pm EST
Location
1 N Johnston Ave
Hamilton Township, NJ 08609

About this event
The right to vote is one of the most important parts of our democracy, yet thousands of people are shut out from participating because of barriers embedded in the voting process. This is why expanding access to the ballot by passing Same-Day Voter Registration is so critical to protecting our democracy.

Join us for our in-person session to learn what Same-Day Voter Registration is, how it will increase voter turnout in New Jersey, and actions you can take to urge lawmakers to pass this legislation. Food and drinks will be provided.

We’re honored to have activist Larry Hamm speaking, as well as hosting this event with the League of Women Voters, New Jersey Institute of Social Justice, National Association for Social Workers–NJ, Council on American-Islamic Relations–NJ, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Action Together NJ, Indivisible Cranbury, NJ Black Empowerment Coalition, Palestinian American Community Center, Central Jersey Progressive Coalition, Unitarian Universalist Faith Action, Social Justice Matters, NJ 11th for Change, NJ Working Families, Faith in NJ, Indivisible Lambertville New Hope, and Our Revolution New Jersey.

Coalition of UU Social Action Networks (CUUSAN) monthly conference call
2023-02-08 07:00 - 08:00
Rev. Rob Gregson joins other paid and volunteer staff on this monthly networking call. CUUSAN is the national organization that coordinates state-level UU social justice witness in 25 states across the U.S. If interested in joining the discussion, please reach out to Rev. Gregson at execdir@uufaithaction.org

Cornerstones of Effective Stewardship for our Congregations
2023-02-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-01-31 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-01-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
UUA Congregational Life and Stewardship for Us announce a 3-part national webinar series in early 2023: Cornerstones of Effective Stewardship in Our Multiplatform, Multicultural-multiracial and Multigenerational World.
Register by January 19th!

Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm EST
Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm EST
Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm EST

Part 1: January 24th: The Multiplatform Context
Now that a multiplatform world is here for good, how do we steward a multiple-form congregation? Who is part of our congregations? Let’s explore what stewardship could look like in a permanent multi-platform, in-person and online congregation. Share your stories and hear about how others are adapting for the future.
Part 2: January 31st: The Multicultural/Multiracial World
Has your congregation been exploring the 8th Principle, working on antiracism and multiculturalism? How do these efforts connect with stewardship practices?
Come join us to explore values- and faith-aligned stewardship, widening the circle to promote multicultural engagement and equity-based systems.
Part 3: February 7th: The Changing Multigenerational Demographics
Our congregations may comprise 3, 4, or 5 generations now, each with its own approach to spirituality, community, activism, money, and more. How can stewardship and generosity thrive and how will financial health best be supported as our congregations undergo generational shifts? Let’s share strategic and creative ideas and experiences in sustaining communities of generosity and commitment.
Registration Fees:

$30 for per webinar or
Get all three webinars at the discounted rate of $75
Each person who wishes to attend should register individually. There are no team or group registrations for this event.

Register here! by Thursday, January 19th

Congregational Liaisons Monthly Call
2023-02-07 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.

Monthly UUFANJ Board Meeting
2023-02-06 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.

CER BIPOC Gathering
2023-02-06 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

The DNA of Racism: Jim Crow in NJ
2023-02-02 19:00 | NJ, United States
Explore the DNA of Racism – How did New Jersey respond to Reconstruction and Jim Crow?
February 2nd at 7pm on Zoom
Register here: http://tiny.cc/dnareg
The Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill invites you to the DNA of Racism Public Forum on February 2nd at 7pm to explore the DNA of Racism and how New Jersey responded to Reconstruction and Jim Crow. This is a free public forum on zoom. Please register here.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Reparations Task Force has invited Dr. Walter Greason of Macalaster College to lead a discussion about how the embedded racism that allowed New Jersey to be considered the Slave State of the North continued to be expressed during Reconstruction and Jim Crow through racial housing covenants, the acceptance of the Ku Klux Klan, and other displays of racism.

This public forum is sponsored by the Reparations Task Force at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill.

To contact the Reparations Task Force, please email reparations@uucch.org.
To learn more about our congregation, please visit www.uucch.org.

Peer-led Antiracism Workshop by FAIR
2023-01-29 18:00 | Beacon (Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit), 4 Waldron Avenue, Summit, 07901, United States
Peer-led Antiracism Workshop by FAIR – January 29

R.S.V.P. here or email dana@summitbeacon.org.

Guest Pulpit: Rev Charles at Lakeland Unitarian Fellowship, Wayne, NJ
2023-01-29 10:00 | Lakeland Unitarian Fellowship, 231 Parish Dr #6010, Wayne, NJ, 07470, United States
Join the Lakeland Unitarian Fellowship on Sunday at 10 am to hear Rev Charles Loflin talk about
Leaning In to Adaptive Challenges.

Northeast Organic Farming Association 33rd Annual Winter Conference
2023-01-28 08:00 - 17:30 | Rutgers Douglass Student Center, 100 George St, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
NOFA New Jersey’s 33rd Annual Winter Conference, NJ’s premier organic food and agricultural event, is returning to Rutgers University on January 28, 2023!

The NOFA NJ Winter Conference is not just for farmers and gardeners… our community and audience also includes students, educators, ag industry professionals, chefs, land stewards, conservationists, foodies, brewers, and more. This year, we aim to galvanize our community in a time when cooperation is needed most, focusing on local connections and collaboration that carries on into the growing season. Join us in celebration of NJ food & agriculture and Help Us Grow the Garden State Together!

Event Details

Time: 8AM – 5:30PM
Location: Rutgers University Douglass Student Center, 100 George St, New Brunswick, NJ
Parking: Attendees are required to register their vehicle Here to park in Lot 70 or the Douglass Parking Deck
Post-Conference: Guests are encouraged to join in the Post-Conference Social Hour for live music, small bites and local libations

60th Anniversary UU Women's Leadership Panel
2023-01-26 19:30 | NJ, United States
Register here: https://uuwf.wildapricot.org/event-5036709/Registration

Reproductive Justice Task Force Monthly Call
2023-01-23 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.

Rally for Roe - 50th Anniversary of Roe v Wade
2023-01-23 14:00 - 15:00 | State House, 131 West State Street, Trenton, United States
The U.S. Supreme Court has turned the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade into a day of reflection. We are calling on our supporters to join us in front of the State House and rally with us for abortion access and justice. We’ll have guest speakers and giveaways! This is a free event, so bring a friend or two.
UU FaithAction NJ joins with Planned Parenthood and coalition partners across the state as a rally cosponsor. Executive Director Rev. Charles Loflin will speak. Let’s show a strong UU presence in Trenton!
Monday, January 23, 2023 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
State House Annex, 131 W State St # 137, Trenton, NJ 08608

Bigger Than Roe NJ (West Orange)
2023-01-22 14:00 - 15:30 | West Orange, West Orange, NJ, United States
Rally to Support Women’s Right to safe and legal abortion. Part of the National Women’s March on Madison & everywhere.
Join the rally in West Orange, or one of four rallies convening across New Jersey.
UU FaithAction NJ is proud to be a co-sponsor in support of “Bigger Than Roe” in West Orange.

This January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, as we mourn the loss of nearly 50 years of constitutional protections, New Jersey will rally alongside demonstrators across the United States.
Roe v. Wade was the floor, not the ceiling! We are calling on all of our elected leaders to keep government regulations out of our bodies, reverse abortion bans, and expand people’s access to reproductive healthcare… and healthcare overall.
MOBILIZE NOW alongside other women and allies. Join our public demonstration, raise your voice in protest, hear words of inspiration from a diverse group of presenters, and join our petition campaign to demand action from those in power.
We are putting all politicians at every level of government on notice: If you come for our families, our freedoms, or our future, we are coming for your seat. Our movement is strong. Our movement is growing.
Our movement is Bigger than Roe.

Rise Up For Roe (Summit)
2023-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Beacon (Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit), 4 Waldron Avenue, Summit, 07901, United States
Rally to Support Women’s Right to safe and legal abortion. Part of the National Women’s March on Madison & everywhere.
Join the rally in Summit, at Beacon UU, or one of four rallies convening across New Jersey.
UU FaithAction NJ is proud to be a co-sponsor in support of “Rise Up For Roe” in Summit.

We are ALL born free and equal in dignity and rights. The Supreme Court of the U.S. and the United States Congress have failed in their obligation to protect, respect, and uphold our human rights. The women’s wave delivered a blow to anti-freedom politicians in the 2022 midterms, and now we are taking the fight out of D.C. and into every single state in this country.
On January 22, 2023, the anniversary of Roe V Wade, as we mourn the loss of nearly 50 years of constitutional protections, we send another clear message:
The midterms were just the beginning. We are not going gently. We are taking our fight to every state and every legislator in this country. We are putting all politicians at every level of government on notice: If you come for our families, our freedoms, or our future, we are coming for your seat. Our movement is strong. Our movement is growing.
We will Rise up for Roe!

Meditation Workshop on Four Great Virtues (Buddhism)
2023-01-21 09:30 - 12:30 | The Unitarian Society, A Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 176 Tices Lane, East Brunswick, 08816, United States
Saturday, January 21, 2022
9:30 – 12:30 (arrive at 9:15 to be settled & start at 9:30)
In person (space limited to 25 to allow for distanced seating) and online
This meditation workshop will contain sitting & walking mediation as well as dharma talks on the Four Divine Abodes of lovingkindness, compassion, equanimity, and sympathetic joy. Also known as the 4 limitless qualities, the abodes refer to human emotions that, when activated, have the power to dissolve the boundary between ourselves and others, ourselves and the environment. It is a method of strengthening the wish for no-one to suffer and the wish to limit suffering. Acts of love and compassion come from being a loving compassionate person. With this contemplative practice, we are directing our thoughts and engaging our imagination to expand compassionate activity in a boundless fashion. Participants who attend in-person will have access to an option of meditative movement led by Sarah Liebau.
Andrea Darby is a long time mediation instructor and dharma teacher in the Shambhala tradition. She has led many intensive meditation retreats with a focus on compassion practice and meditation in everyday life. She is particularly interested in the intersection of contemplative practices and social action. Andrea, a former public school educator, lives in Western Massachusetts in a multigenerational household.
Rev. Karen G. Johnston is an ordained Unitarian Universalist who swims in the Insight Meditation stream of Buddhism. She gives monthly dharms talks as part of the online Monday Meditation & Discussion program at All Souls NYC. She is the Settled Minister at The Unitarian Society.
COVID precautions: Seating will be arranged following social distancing and masks will be required. We will have air filters operating in the primary room where we meet. Virtual attendance option is available (there is separate registration – see below). We ask that if you have symptoms of a contagious nature (even if you test negative for covid) to please attend virtually.
Click here to register for in-person attendance.
Click here to register for virtual attendance.
We encourage a voluntary expression of generosity (in Buddhism, often referred as “dana” and pronounced “donna”). While a financial donation to participate is voluntary, registration is required. When you register, you will be given the opportunity to donate as part of that process. It is our hope that everyone who wants to attend will attend, whether they can donate financially or not. We take seriously the belief that by attending the workshop, you are contributing to the well-being of all.

American River: A Journey Down the Passaic
2023-01-20 19:00 - 20:30 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ, 07102, United States
Order tickets ($5): https://www.njpac.org/event/american-river/
Join us for the Newark premiere of the independent documentary film “American River.” The Passaic River flows right through our community, but for most of us it remains a mystery. Come with us on this epic, 80-mile kayak trip across New Jersey and get to know our historic river and the heroic efforts to save it.
From its pristine beginnings in a wildlife preserve to its industrial end in Newark Bay, the Passaic will amaze you with its rich history, fascinating geology, breathtaking beauty and power that inspired artists and ignited the country’s industrial revolution. ‘American River’ captures a mosaic of stories from people who live and work along the Passaic and from the local heroes working to reclaim it.
Additional information about the film, including the trailer, is available here: https://www.americanriver.film/about/
This film screening at NJPAC includes a special post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Scott Morris, author Mary Bruno (“An American River: From Paradise to Superfund”) and river guide Carl Alderson.

Building Electrification: Increase Energy Efficiency, House Value and Save Money
2023-01-19 19:00 - 20:15 | Virtual
The Sierra Club NJ Chapter is presenting this webinar, which is part of a continuing series. “Home Energy Efficiency, Home Value, and Savings: the 5 Principles of Passive House” will be presented by Ken Levenson, Executive Director of the Passive House Network.
Register here: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000002NSBaAAO&mapLinkH

CER Networking Sessions
2023-01-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2023-01-19 12:30 - 14:00 | 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!

Reparations Task Force Monthly Call
2023-01-17 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 Dionne Ford and Rohn Hein (reparations@uufaithaction.org) or administrator Meera Rao (admin@uufaithaction.org).

Reparations Task Force Monthly Call
2023-01-17 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).
