Recent Programs

Join us 11 am in-person or on ZOOM as LUUF's Co-President, Carol Swift presents

LUUF's Water Cermony

LUUF's Water Ceremony is based on the Unitarian Universalist ceremony started in 1980. The original authors have said "the ocean is considered by many to be the place from which all life on our planet came—it is the womb of life—and that amniotic waters surround each of us prenatally, we now realize that {the service]was for us a new story of creation.”

Bring water to share from a place that is important to you or use the water we will have available. We will combine the waters while participants share water's personal connections as well as any global thoughts they may care to share. As we combine the water from all our sources, we commit ourselves to each other and our larger community in the coming year.

Everyone is invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

Join us 11 am in-person or on ZOOM as LUUF's Co-President Richard Nasch presents

Observing the Jewish High Holidays (from a non-observant Jew) 

He says, "Growing up in a Jewish Household with an Orthodox Jewish Grandfather, a Conservative Jewish Mother and Reformed Jewish Father has exposed me to all the degrees of Jewish faith and all the traditions that we so cherish and keep.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most sacred holidays of the Jewish faith and have shaped the beliefs of the collective tribes of the Hebrew people for over 2000 years.  My hope is to deepen an understanding of the spiritual significance of these sacred holiday traditions with all of you. "

Everyone is invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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Join us on June 25, 2023 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as we  welcome guest speaker Elizabeth Tamboulian to present a musical service

"Sound—Catalyst for Creation and Healing"

Ms. Tamboulian  will give us an overview of healing traditions and practices that utilize sound vibration produced through instruments and the human voice. Attendees will be invited to experiment with creating overtones with the intention to catalyze new patterns of wellness.  

Everyone is encouraged to stay for our Annual Year End BBQ after the service!

Bio:  Elizabeth Tomboulian’s path today is the integration of her musical work with her healing work. Science  tells us that everything is energy. Certified in multiple modalities including CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki,  and Quantum Energetics Structured Therapy, she uses the voice and its overtones as a healing instrument. It’s a bridge between Eastern Medicine, which has acknowledged human energy systems for thousands of years, and Western Medicine, which focuses on anatomy and physiology.

Having served many denominations as church music minister through the years, Elizabeth is presently Music Director for Grace UMC in Mesa, AZ. Her live performances,  culling from a  vast repertoire ranging from  jazz to Brazilian to the Great American Songbook and more, have had enthusiastic reception from audiences across this continent – and Japan – who enjoy her “ebullient celebration of life and love and the power of music to make it all better”.

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Happy Father's Day!  Happy Summer Solstice!

Join us on June 18, 2023 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as we  welcome back Rev. Allen Wells as he presents

“THE BUDDHA’S SMILE: A peak at the role of humor in religion, philosophy, and life.”  

LUUF has had the pleasure of having Rev. Wells as a guest speaker for at least two decades. He is a Buddhist Unitarian Universalist, adept at bridging the internal world of personal, spiritual aspiration with activist oriented work for social justice, environmental sustainability and peace. He maintains a mindfulness based psychotherapy practice in Morristown, NJ, and teaches meditation at Buddhist sanghas.  He is particularly interested in the interplay between neuroscience and Buddhism.  Rev. Wells serves as the Affiliated Community Minister of The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, Morristown, NJ. He has served UU congregations in Weymouth, MA, Hollis Queens, The First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn and the First Unitarian Society of Rockland County, NY.  

Rev. Wells loves poetry and acknowledges that he hasn’t written any books because he says he would rather spend the time ballroom dancing. 

All are welcome for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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Join us on June 11, 2023 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as LUUF member, Wirt Honnick leads a discussion as we  explore our

"Personal Spirituality"

Unitarian Universalism is a faith based upon a shared covenant, but not a shared religious system. This allows for a variety of thoughts, opinions, and conclusions that UUs may have. It's time we talked about them! Join us for a facilitated discussion on our beliefs and how they intersect with our shared Unitarian Universalist values. 

Everyone is encouraged to stay for a short Coffee and Conversation

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Join us on June 4, 2023 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as we welcome back guest speaker Deborah Pires as she presents

"A House Is Not a Home" 

Do we all “see” the same thing when we hear the word “home”? Where does our sense of home come from? What’s the difference between a house and a home? If we live with intentionality and gratitude in our homes, they will reflect who we are and be the places of comfort and refuge that we desire. In this service, we will deepen our understanding of the significance, symbolism, and importance of house and home. 

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation afterwards.

LUUF's Annual Meeting has been rescheduled to take place immediately after our June 11 service .

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May 28, 2023 Flower Service

Join us on May 28, 2023 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as we come together to celebrate Spring and the natural diversity of our world with the 

"Flower Communion Service"

One of the things that the Flower Communion Service symbolizes is the way diverse individuals come together to make a beautiful whole. On this centennial celebration of the Flower Communion, bring flowers virtually or in-person, or use one from those that will be supplied  to make our bouquet. Then share, if you are willing, your connection to the flower you brought and a different one you choose from the bouquet to take home. (Virtual flowers can be sent to LUUFnews@gmail.com through Saturday, May 27 for inclusion in the service on an interactive platform.)

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation afterwards.

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Join us at 11am in person or on Zoom as we are excited to welcome back UU folk singing duo The DeMasi Brothers presenting

"LET FREEDOM RING"

 Many of our freedoms and rights that we have long taken for granted are under attack: reproductive rights, environmental rights, civil and human rights, our democracy itself. 

Join UU contemporary folk singers Joseph and John DeMasi for a musical service that will explore these issues and inspire us as UU's in the fight to make our world a kinder, more loving and inclusive place for all.

Award-winning twin brothers Joseph and John DeMasi are contemporary folk singers, songwriters and recording artists whose songs are imbued with their Unitarian Universalist beliefs of love, inclusion, tolerance, understanding, and worth and dignity for all. With Joseph on guitar and John on guitar and fiddle, the DeMasi Brothers bring a unique musical experience full of wit, humor, intellect, and poignancy to every concert and  show they perform.

Everyone is invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Happy Mother's Day! 

Join us on May 14 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as LUUF member Carol Swift leads a discussion of 

"Mothers and Motherhood"

Mothers and motherhood have been romanticized and deified, but also  regulated and sometimes vilified by society.  Women's attitudes, experiences and expectations towards becoming mothers vary wildly even as they are raised  with strong pressures to accept what society presents as the norms. To make the subject more complex, every person has their own unique experiences with their mother(s) and/or people who have taken on the role of a mother in their lives. We will discuss complex nature of motherhood, and our own experiences while also  honoring the people who have made our world better by having that role in our lives.

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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Join us on May 7, 2023 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as we welcome back Rev. Elizabeth King to present

" Our Work is Loving the World  "

 Rev. Elizabeth King will invite us to explore the profound impact the experiences of awe and wonder have on our physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, recently published a book entitled “Awe; The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.” He and his colleagues have been researching awe for more than two decades. They have identified 8 different “wonders of life.” Come! Let’s see if we can identify some of those wonders before turning to Keltner’s research.  

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

Join us on April 30 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as we welcome guest speaker  Deborah Pires as she presents

"Nurturing the Beauty of Elderhood" 

As we age, we are confronted by physical ailments and a society that tells us we are no longer beautiful or useful. It's time to change the paradigm as we acknowledge and embrace the beauty and gifts of elderhood.

Deborah Singer Pires is a retired college professor having taught English as a Second Language to foreign students for forty-three years. She has been a UU since 1988, has been co-president of her congregation for ten years, and has written and delivered over seventy services.  LUUF is excited to have her explore this topic with us.

Everyone is invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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April 16, 2023 “Overcoming Anthropocene* Anxiety" Rev. Allen Wells 

Join us on April 16 at 11am in-person or on Zoom as we welcome back Rev. Allen Wells as he presents

“Overcoming Anthropocene* Anxiety"

How may we deal with, and even overcome, the anxiety caused by apocalyptic changes the world is experiencing? We are caught in a perfect storm of our New Age that's being formed from the confluent challenges of Self-learning AI and Climate Crisis, worse case scenarios being accentuated by the world’s increasing Wealth/Power Disparity, and all of them escalating at the same time. Rev. Wells will present ideas for dealing with the anxiety this causes in each of us

Everyone is invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

* Anthropocene. noun. period of time during which human activities have impacted the environment enough to constitute a distinct geological change. ***************

Join us on Sunday April 9 at 11:00 in person or on Zoom when LUUF member Min Mulholland will initiate a discussion titled 

“The Calm of Fury Scorned” 

The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn observed that when we express anger in the absence of Mindfulness, it is disturbing to others around ourselves.  His suggestion to tenderly embrace and understand one’s suffering (source of anger) can benefit and strengthen the healing of others.  That is the action of compassionate and transformative energy.  Special music from Charlie Himel with Min, including complementary Fellowship singing is on the menu.

Everyone is invited to stay for Min's Spectacular Coffee Hour de rigueur after the service.

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April 2, 2023  LUUF Share " In Appreciation of Poetry"

Bring your poems whether original or written by others. Bring the serious or humorous, meaningful or escapist poetry and share, or just come and enjoy the sharing by others.

Everyone is invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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There are 2 times in my life that I have asked (demanded if I’m  being honest) for a sign from the Spirit, the Universe, somebody,  anybody please give me a sign! The first time was when I was awaiting  news regarding the biopsy results from my breast. The second was last  night, praying about my mom. Helium balloons (which I seldom give or  receive) play a leading role.

     If you would like to hear  about the sign I received you need to come to LUUF next Sunday, March  26, or tune in via Zoom! This is a message you won’t want to miss! See  you soon, Rev. Elizabeth Ann King.

Everyone is invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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 March 19, 2023- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow; Life After Life" Janice Kirn

Join us Sunday March 19 at 11 am in person or on Zoom, as LUUF member, Janice Kirn presents

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow; Life After Life"

One of the big questions of life throughout human history has been what happens to the being when the body ceases to function. This Sunday's service will address the idea that life goes on, even when both our heart and mind, have stopped. 

As always. everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Join us Sunday March 12 at 11 am in person or on Zoom, as guest speaker  Linda DeLap, Co-leader of Morristown CCL group presents

 "My Journey with Citizens' Climate Lobby"

Linda DeLap writes, "My journey with Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) began in 2014. I wanted to take focused, meaningful action against climate change. Values that are important to me are promoted by Unitarian Universalism and CCL. Working with people on shared goals can be an antidote for anxiety, and there is always much to be done."

Citizens’ Climate Lobby  is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. It is committed to building the political will for the climate solutions we all need. As empowered citizens, we talk with neighbors, friends, and local officials about how national climate action can help ensure a healthy future while strengthening the American economy.  By focusing on shared values rather than partisan divides, we build relationships with community leaders and with federal elected officials and with Congress, always starting from a place of respect, gratitude, and appreciation. 

Linda DeLaps will introduce us to this organization and the important climate issues they are focusing on.

As always. everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Join us Sunday March 5 at 11 am as we welcome back long time friend of LUUF, the Rev. Allen Wells, to present,

“IT’S ALL MEANINGLESS AND VERY PRECIOUS"

Rev. Wells has a long and storied religious history with an especial affinity for Buddhism. Perhaps his explanation of the service is not as cryptic as it seems. He writes, "I’d like to try out my Zen sermon on you all. I’ve proposed a koan: ‘What is the meaning of meaning?’ The title above is a spoiler.”

When asked to explain further he added, "In regard to further explanation I’m in a double bind of trying to explain the lack of need for an explanation!  it’s sort of like trying to explain a joke or riddle, and all the harder if it's before you’ve heard it. 

Whether this is totally clear to you or a bit of a puzzle, please join us to explore these concepts together.

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service. ********************************************************

Join us in person or on Zoom when LUUF member Carol Swift presents

"Out of Tragedy: Accomplishments of the UU Black Affairs Council 1967-1970/1973"

The 1960's saw social revolution that rocked the United States as a whole, and  came close to destroying the recently formed Unitarian Universalist Association. The UU "Black Empowerment Controversy" of the late 1960's that still impacts  the greater UU community to this day, is documented with timelines of the events, descriptions of the animosities, breakdowns of the issues, regrets about the what-ifs, and finally the unresolved ending of its battles. 

What is rarely talked about are the accomplishments of the Black Affairs Counsel, (BAC) the UU organization at the center of the controversy. Throughout the battles being waged in the UU leadership and community at large, the BAC was determined to make a difference by seeding projects to achieve long term  goals in the black community. We will  hear about, and then discuss, some of those accomplishments and the positive impact their actions still have through the ripple effect of history, through video, from one of the founders of the BAC,  Dr. Mtangulizi Sanyika, previously known as Haywood Henry. 

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Feb. 12, 2023- "WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?" Rev. Elizabeth King (via Zoom)

Join us in person or on Zoom when  we welcome back guest speaker Rev. Elizabeth Ann King (via Zoom) to present

"WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?"

 In just a few days time most of us we will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14. Many of us will share heartfelt messages of love and appreciation with friends, family and neighbors of all ages. If we are lucky we might even receive chocolates or flowers from our special someone. 

Do you know where this tradition of writing a note or letter to our loved ones comes from? Come to LUUF on Sunday February 12 at 11am to find out! 

In addition to learning the origin of this tradition, come and learn how love might be the best tool we have to begin transforming our nation from frustrated contemptuous enemies into fellow citizens committed to finding common ground.

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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 Join us in person or on Zoom when  Guest speaker John Freund gives a frank and personal message about finding racism in a most unexpected place: Within himself.  

The dynamics of reckoning with racism and racial issues are... fraught. A more modulated discussion of these dynamics in our media and culture has led to greater level of awareness that these issues are far from solved; and there seems to be a more subtle degree of knowledge of the mechanics and default persistence of racism among white people.

And there is also the co-requisite defensiveness, equivocation, and straight-up backlash from white culture. Even among white people who feel they want change and to "be an ally", there is deferral and redirection; talk about "promoting diversity" and "reaching out". Yet the talk white people need to be having is an honest discussion with other white people; starting with the person in the mirror. The privilege that white people still regularly enjoy is the ability to be blithe about race, and to fail to reckon with our role in it's persistence.

Everyone is encouraged to stay for  a moderated discussion during  Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Join us Sunday, January 29 at 11am  in person or on Zoom as we welcome back the  

Executive Director of UU Faith Action NJ,  Charles Loflin! 

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 these 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. In this service, we will consider some practical ways of leaning into the adaptive challenges we face—of trusting change with all its “gooeyness”.   

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Join us Sunday, January 22 at 11am  in person or on Zoom as our own Wirt Honnick  will facilitate a respectful discussion on ethical food choices, specifically with regard to animal welfare, labor rights, and environmentalism.  

Note: This service WILL NOT include video of industrial farming or other media meant to upset or disturb viewers. 

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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 Join us Sunday, January 15 at 11am  in person or on Zoom as we welcome back Rev. Elizabeth King to celebrate Rev. Dr Martin Luther King’s Birthday! 

On the 94th anniversary of Martin Luther King's birth, Rev. Elizabeth King  will be sharing some special stories from his life that are not well known. These stories from his childhood and beyond will serve to deepen and enrich our understanding of this preeminent leader of the Civil Rights movement from 1953 until his death in 1968. During the service we will join in singing spirituals, gospels and civil rights ballads. Come and join us for an inspirational morning!

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Jan. 1, 2023 - "As Above, So Below; So Below, as Above" Richard and Catherine Nasch

 As Above,So Below; So Below, as Above: Join us Sunday, January 8 at 11am  in person or on Zoom as we explore this principle and how it relates to our lives, the Universe, and beyond.  What is our place in the cosmos and what is our universal bond?   How are we connected to Earth and to Heaven?  What is a Human Being?  Is death the end?   This service is an exercise to stretch our minds and challenge our beliefs.   

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Let's start the year laughing!

Join us in person or on Zoom  as we come together to celebrate the new year with humor and some inspirational music!

For this "LUUF Share" we ask that everyone who is willing,  bring something appropriately  humorous to share. It can be something of your own or something created by others. Jokes, poems, (very) short stories, songs, skits, or  whatever else you can think of are welcome.  Noisemakers are optional.

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Dec 25, 2022 - LUUF Share "Holiday Memories and Traditions" (and fun gift exchange)

Happy Holidays!

Join us in person or on Zoom December 25, 2022 11am as we celebrate the holidays by sharing our holiday memories and traditions and have a fun gift exchange.

For this "LUUF Share" service we ask that everyone who is willing bring their holiday memories to share. Although this is Christmas Day, any seasonal holiday memory or tradition is welcome, , whether Hanukkah. Yule, Kwansaa, New Year's, the season in general, or even Christmas!. Expect familiar seasonal songs and fellowship. Anyone interested can also participate in a "Fun Gift Exchange" by bringing an extremely inexpensive and perhaps silly or whimsical gift to share with someone at the service. 

Everyone is welcome to stay for Coffee and Conversation following the service.

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Dec 18  "Winterpretations: Looking at Winter Through a Different Lens" 

Happy Hanukkah! and Happy Yule!

Join us in person or on Zoom December 18, 2022 11am as we welcome the holidays of Hanukkah and Yule (Winter Solstice) while looking back in time to what winter might have been to our ancient ancestors, lead by LUUF member Carol Swift.

Our modern view of winter often involves constant movement and struggle with arduous commutes through snowstorms, picking our way through ice and slush, and fighting holiday crowds. However, is that what winter was in the distant past and can we rediscover some of the positive aspects we sometimes overlook?

In the cold climates in ancient times as winter continued after the December holidays, families gathered close together in a time of  rest, reflection and re-connection . We will endeavor to  reconnect with those aspects of the season that we sometimes lose sight of in our hustle and bustle, non-stop world.

Coffee and Conversation will follow the service.

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Dec 11, 2022  "Blue Christmas" Rev. Elizabeth King 

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in person only as Rev. Elizabeth King  returns to present 

 "Blue Christmas" 

For another 2 weeks (until December 21 - Winter Solstice) we will continue to experience greater darkness during our days as the nighttime grows longer. During this season, our hearts hunger for light and the warmth of a fire. Blue Christmas is

about naming the fact that for many of us, the joy of this season is often tinged with sadness. During this service we take the time to sit in darkness, to feel our sadness and sorrows, to recognize there are no quick fixes. We will sing several beloved Christmas carols finishing with Silent Night as we pass the light of love from one to another. Let us find comfort in sharing this sacred time together.

Everyone is encouraged to stay after for Coffee and Conversation.

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Join us on Sunday, Dec 4, 2022, in person only as our own Min Mulholland leads us in a

              " Holiday Sing" 

On Sunday December 4 2022 at 11 am, the inestimable Min Mulholland will lead  us to revel in the magic of songs performed by members of the Fellowship featuring Puccini, Sondheim, and The King.  In the spirit of the season, sing-along numbers will include Good Morning Starshine, Ramblin’ Rose of Nat King Cole fame, and meditative prayers for peace. All are welcome to join in, or simply enjoy the music and fellowship.

Everyone is encouraged to stay after, for smok’n hot coffee, tea, treats,  and conversation.

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 Nov. 27, 2022-“Bread Communion: Family Stories"- Holly Anderson

Join us on Sunday, November 27, in person or on ZOOM as our own Holly Anderson presents   

              “Bread Communion: Family Stories"

Breads of all sorts have been the staple of cultures the world over.  Bread  has been used for everything from just keeping people alive in the harshest of times to decorating and enhancing celebrations in the best of times. This Sunday, everyone is encouraged to bring a kind of bread that has special significance to them to share - as well as any family stories  that might go along with their bread.

Everyone, and their bread, are invited to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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Nov. 20, 2022-“Being an Ally to Our Transgender Community” - Damien Lopez

Join us in person or on ZOOM as we welcome guest speaker  Damien Lopez as he presents,

“Being an Ally to Our Transgender Community”

Although progress has been made, the transgender community still faces huge disparities of all kinds in our society. Meanwhile, the best ways to support the trans community may not always seem obvious to even the most well meaning ally. On this, the 23rd annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, Mr. Lopez will tackle these issues, helping us understand how to cultivate safe spaces, and how to be the allies we want to be and the transgender members of our community deserve. 

Damien Alan Lopez was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. A published Queer author, he is a proud transgender man with hopes to shift the conversation of trans identities represented in children’s books and other mediums. His story has been recognized by First Lady Tammy Murphy of New Jersey, the 2021 dotCOMM Platinum Awards, El Vocero de Puerto Rico, and ThemsHealth 2021 Children’s Book Recommendation List. He is a Transgender advocate and keynotes health and education seminars that assist with Trans inclusion and the experience of being Trans. He recently was recognized on Insider’s NJ Insider OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List. He is passionate about transgender issues, education, and culinary arts!

Everyone is encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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Nov. 13, 2022-Rev. Elizabeth King via Zoom: "What if the Hokey Pokey Really Is What It’s All About?"

Join us in person or on ZOOM as we welcome guest speaker Rev. Elizabeth King via Zoom as she presents 

"What if the Hokey Pokey Really Is What It’s All About?" 

 Rev. Elizabeth King writes, “It’s been several months since we were last together. I’ve missed you! I look forward to spending the morning with you and catching up. 

At some point in your lives, you’ve no doubt danced the Hokey Pokey. This dance will serve as the focal point of our time together. I’ll never forget walking through the town of Ogunquit ME with my partner several years ago when I saw a sign hanging in the window of a gift shop. It was so startling that I stopped dead in my tracks and backed up to take a closer look. The sign read, “What If the Hokey Pokey Is What It’s All About?” To be perfectly honest I was stumped! I didn’t have a clue what it would mean, but this is the question we are going to explore on this coming Sunday. I hope you come ready to “shake it all about!” 

All are encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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Nov. 6, 2022-Rev. Anthony Johnson: Life at the Intersection of Race and Class

Join us as we welcome guest speaker Rev. Anthony Johnson as he presents 

"Life at the Intersection of Race and Class" 

Rev. Johnson describes the service this way, "The child of an immigrant father and first generation mother, I grew up in racially and economically diverse neighborhoods in the Bronx and Danbury, Connecticut. I will not be the only one present this Sunday who lives or has lived at or near the intersection of race and class. Where we live or have lived is relevant to personal and civic choices--including our votes on Tuesday--but the sermon is not about the election per se.

 Rev. Anthony P. (Tony) Johnson, MDiv, MS, DMin, AIM is from Orange, NJ. He is a parish, community, and accredited interim minister. He currently serves at the First Unitarian Church of Ithaca, NY and has served urban and suburban congregations in seven states on three coasts.  He is the editor of Urban Discipleship, published by the Veatch Urban Social Justice Project.    

All are encouraged to stay for Coffee and Conversation after the service.

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Oct. 30, 2022 A Course of Obstacles - Steve Cohn

Join us as we welcome back guest speaker Steve Cohn as he presents 

"A Course of Obstacles" 

Steve Cohn will introduce us to the theory and technique of his original 25-card Tarot deck during a shortened service with an actual workshop afterwards. Mr. Cohn is a musician, composer, and painter who has shared this presentation at the Metaphysical Center of NJ and various other venues.

The workshop after the service will last until approximately 1:00pm beginning during Coffee and Conversation. Everyone is welcome to stay for all or part of it . There will be enough decks for 8 participants to pair off and do actual readings! No special ability is needed to have great results. 

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 Oct. 23, 2022  MEDITATION IN MOVEMENT: TAI CHI & YOGA! 

 Join us as we welcome Jody Rubel and Ina Franck to present MEDITATION IN MOVEMENT: TAI CHI & YOGA! With the aid of a few simple Tai Chi movements and Yoga postures, Jody Rubel and Ina Franck will present strategies for utilizing softness, listening, and receptivity in dealing with everyday stress. They will share their understanding of the importance of good alignment in any sitting or standing meditative posture and examine why MOVING while in alignment can further aid us in opening our breath, soften the joints, and connect our entire being to ground and spirit.
Wear low heeled shoes -- or even just your socks -- and enjoy participating in trying out some of the moves on a gorgeous wood floor. Advanced Tai Chi students will demonstrate the form and share their experience and understanding of Tai Chi.  All are invited to Coffee and Conversation after the service. 

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Oct. 16, 2022, 11am Jeffrey Antonucci  "Love and Peace, A Sign for Our Times" 

 Join us as we welcome longtime Wayne resident and author of the book, "Deep Within Blueberry Sky", Jeffrey Antonucci as our guest speaker. Mr. Antonucci will discuss the  theme, “The Power of Love” and his new Love and Peace, A Sign for Our Times initiative.  This initiative is a social movement to bring awareness that our world is in a tumultuous state and in desperate need for improvement. Through this initiative, Mr. Antonuccci is using a new, nonthreatening three-finger hand sign that he hopes will become known and used universally to symbolize love and peace to all people and all things.   All are invited to Coffee and Conversation after the service. 

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Oct. 2, 11am "Piano Jubilee" with Yejin Han 

Join us for this special service, as we welcome guest pianist Yejin Han to perform selected works of  Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Debussy, and Gershwin.  Ms. Han is the founder/director of the New York and New Jersey Pianist clubs.  Lakeland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship welcomes the community and public to enjoy this wonderful gift of music. 

Following the service, all are encouraged to stay for robust coffee with crafted pastries and friendly conversation.  

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Sept. 25, 2022 11am-Blessing of the Animals

Bring your animals! We are excited to welcome Rev. LoraKim Joyner to conduct a Blessing of the Animals service.  During this outdoor service, Rev. Joyner will guide us in reflecting upon how the many species of this earth bless our lives, and how we can care for and cherish them in return.  

We will finish the service with an Animal Blessing.  You may bring animals to the service as long as they are healthy and would enjoy being present. Please provide safety and protection for others by having them on a lead or in a kennel or cage.  We will also have a table for pictures and mementos of those animals who cannot be with us either because of circumstances or because they are no longer with us.  In case of inclement weather, we will meet indoors. 

All are invited for Coffee and Conversation following the service. 

Rev.  Joyner is both a wildlife veterinarian and Unitarian Universalist minister. Currently she serves as a community minister in Multispecies Ministry and Compassionate Communication, affiliated with the Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains.  She draws on her training as a Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication and over 35 years as a conservationist and wildlife veterinarian to co-lead One Earth Conservation.  With her team, they support others through their international Nurture Nature Program that seeks to empower the people saving the planet. She directs projects in Latin America and has written three books, “Conservation in Time of War,” and “Nurturing Discussions and Practices,” and “Prion.” Currently she serves as the Acting Secretary of the Parrot Researchers Group.

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Ingathering Water Service, Sunday, Sept, 11, 2022  11:00am

 It is time to come together again!Join us at 11:00 am this Sunday, September 11, 2022 in-person for our annual In-gathering Water Service.All are encouraged to participate in the service by bringing a sample of water from a place you have visited or that is meaningful to you in some way. Water will be available for symbolic use for those that are unable to bring their own. (Please do not add food coloring to the water.)As always, everyone is invited for Coffee and Conversation following the service.We are excited to see everyone! 

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 Sunday, June 19, 2022- Rev. Paul Dodenhoff 

 PRAYER MEANS MANY THINGS TO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN OUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FAITH.   There is no book or “sacred text” that will give you all of the answers, all of the “truth,” all of the tools you need to live a life of joy. You can cultivate all of the habits, follow all of the steps, learn all of the methods, practice all of the yogas, eat all of the right foods, say all of the right prayers, go to all of the meetings, sing all the right notes, believe all of the correct doctrines, trust in all of the right messiahs, gurus, and spiritual beings, and these will never be what “saves” you. Ultimately you are responsible for your own awakening, your own salvation, your own fulfillment. And that takes work and it takes belief in yourself. You must, after all is said and done, whack away and cut your own path through the deep forest of Life. It’s not easy work. There will be times when you come into a clearing where the sun shines and  all is at peace. And you may think, 'Yes, this is it! This is the ultimate place of Truth. I’ll stay here and not wonder what may lie farther on ahead in the woods.' But deep down you know that it’s our nature as human beings to explore, to seek farther horizons. And if you’re honest with yourself, you eventually move on and begin creating and walking that path again. That’s the journey. That’s the work. And that’s the joy. 

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