Sunday, September 14th, 9:00 a.m. --
Board of Trustees meeting, Sonen Room.
Sunday, September 14th, 9:00 a.m. --
Board of Trustees meeting, Sonen Room.
Sunday, September 14th, 11:00 a.m. -
Water, Wonder, and Resolve -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
This service is about where you have been. Did you remember to engage the world around you? And have you committed yourself to the transformative work that is required to make this wold a better place. Join us First UU of Essex for a reunion of friends and family as we kick off our new congregational year.
Please gather on the church front lawn at 10:30 AM for our opening Ingathering processional. Bring some cookies or lemonade to share. Also bring some real (or symbolic) water from a place you have been this summer. This helps bring us together after our summer hiatus.
Sunday, September 21st : No service at the Orange
church; you are invited to attend either the 11:00 service at the UU Congregation at
Montclair or the People's Climate March in New York City.
At the Climate March, there will be UU's gathering on 58th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues; for more info
see http://www.meetup.com/UU-Justice-Web-Metro-NY/.
Sunday, September 28th, 11:00 a.m. -
Adam and Eve Remembered -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
All human societies, including our own, tell stories of how the world began. Such stories are almost infinitely varied in detail, but they tend to include some basic themes. Todays service will remember the Hebrew Biblical account and also delve into the ongoing psycho-social implications of scriptures and myth.
After this service there will be a Round Table discussion on strategic planning for the future of this Church.
Sunday, October 5th, 11:00 a.m. --
Beloved Community: The City Story -- Discussion Leader, Mindy Thompson Fullilove
Over the next few months, we will invite people working throughout the city of Orange to join us for a spirited discussion of our trials and tribulations, triumphs and joys. The work is hard, the outcomes important, and the supports sometimes slim. Our goal is to learn of one another's efforts so that we can all work more effectively. The topic for this Sunday will be drawn from the University of Orange storytelling project, Hidden Treasures of Our Orange. Some cities have all read a book together, but we don't know of a city that has undertaken the collection of its stories. How will it change us as we get to know one another?
Sunday, October 12th, 11:00 a.m. --
-- The Falling Leaves -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Each fall we experience the changing seasons and for some it is sheer bliss and yet others don't like it. How can the changing cycles of life be less cumbersome? How can we find inner peace and child like joy in the falling leaves? Join us as we explore the fall season of life, loves and nature.
Also this Sunday, Joel Naftelberg and Peter Arian from the UU Congregation at Montclair will be on hand to tell us more about our current Share-The-Plate recipient, Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless (MESH). Half of all unrestricted donations will be given to them for this period, apart from pledges and other appeals. Please give generously. Thank you.
Sunday, October 19th, 11:00 a.m. --
East/West: Festival of Lights -- Discussion Leaders, Wayne Eastman and Darcy Hall
The focus of East/West this year will be learning about and experiencing festivals from around the globe that celebrate family, community, spiritual values and our precious earth. This Sunday, we will be learning about Diwali, a Hindu "festival of lights" that has its roots in ancient autumnal celebrations. All are welcome.
Sunday, October 26th, 11:00 a.m. --
India and Some of Her Gifts -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Curry, Gandhi, and the Taj Mahal are just a few of the wonders of India. I have had a life long affection for many things from this most amazing land. Join us as we engage the spiritual and natural beauty of India.
Sunday, November 2nd:
No service at the Orange church - You are invited to attend the service at
the UU Congregation at Montclair.
Sunday, November 9th, 11:00 a.m. --
Strange As Folks:
What's Gender Got to do with it? -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
These words hit me like a ton of bricks recently. Here I am a multicultural 21st century human being and I have a lot to learn about the multiplicity of orientations that exist in the human family. Join us as we explore some assumptions, misconceptions, and even celebratory facts as we learn together more about STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE.
Saturday, November 15th, 12:00 noon to
4:00 p.m.-- NEW HORIZONS Workshop
Join us as we explore our future at FUUCE!
Agenda:
| 12 noon-12:30 | Light refreshments | |
| 12:30-1:00 | Workshop #1 | Rev. Eddie Lopez,Jr. |
| 1:15-1:45 | Workshop #2 | Om Prakash (Rev. Dr. John Gilmore) |
| 2:00-2:30 | BREAK | |
| 2:30-3:00 | Workshop #3 | Rev. Donald E. Robinson |
| 3:15-4:00 | Wrap-Up | Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey |
Workshop leaders:
Sunday, November 16th, 11:00 a.m --
Our Ministry Begins When We Leave This Place (We CAN do More) -- Rev. Donald E. Robinson
Our ministry cannot be solely on Sunday; far from it, the ministry actually must begin as soon as we leave our gathering places. As Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt says, "Nothing that Unitarian Universalists need to do is more important than making justice real--- here, where we are.” Rev. Robinson will share his experiences and practical recommendations on how to re-focus our Unitarian Universalists (UU) ministry to fortify, support, and improve how we approach and serve communities experiencing crisis, such as those near the congregation in Orange and Newark.
Rev. Donald E. Robinson is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, and is Founder and President of Beacon House in Washington, DC. In 1991, with the support of the Edgewood residents and the DC metropolitan area UU churches, he founded Beacon House, and has devoted the last thirty years of his life to improving the lives of at-risk youth, serving as a teacher, community youth counselor, social service representative, and community organizer. Rev. Robinson has received two master’s degrees: one in Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity in 1989 and the other in Counseling and Community Psychology from the University of the District of Columbia in 1977. Besides his usual 24/7 commitment to Beacon House, Rev. Robinson also speaks at various UU churches, performs invocations for various agencies, and serves as a community resource for any individual in need.
Sunday, November 23rd, 11:00 a.m --
[HOMECOMING SUNDAY] Thanking Howard -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Join us for this lively service celebrating Howard Zinn. He was a historian, author, professor, playwright, and activist. His life's work focused on a wide range of issues including race, class, war, and history, and touched the lives of countless people. He shared the truth, as he understood it and America will never be the same with out his kind.
This service will be followed by our HOMECOMING BRUNCH:
Sunday, November 30th, 11:00 a.m --
BELOVED COMMUNITY: The City Story -- Discussion Leader: Mindy Thompson Fullilove
We invite people working throughout the city of Orange to join us for a spirited discussion of our trials and tribulations, triumphs and joys. The work is hard, the outcomes important, and the support sometimes slim. Our goal is to learn of one another's efforts so that we can all work more effectively.
Sunday, December 7th, 11:00 a.m --
Let It Go -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Join us for an interesting journey through the ups and downs of the Holiday Season. We will explore the over eating and family gatherings and finally end up talking about what’s really at the core of our beings, and if need be how to Let It all Go
Saturday, December 13th, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. --
Church Visioning, at The Ironworks, 406 Thompson Street, Orange, NJ.
Please Help Us Imagine the Next 125 Years (Or maybe just the next three!)
It was a long time ago that our church, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex County was founded. Time has been kind to us – we are still here to celebrate our congregation and our city. We've had a wonderful 125 years worshipping at 35 Cleveland Street/Benjamin F. Jones Place (in memoriam). But we aren’t as numerous as we used to be and that calls for some imagination about our future. Will you help us? We’d appreciate your thoughts as we look forward.
We were lucky to start just as the City of Orange was bursting into activity in the 1890s. . . . And now we are excited that this little city is on the move toward a future that we hope will be full of justice and beauty. How can First UU be part of this new era and join this great move forward? We are looking for answers.
We are very happy that Julie Erickson, a very experienced organization consultant, will be guiding our visioning.
For more information, please feel free to call Mindy Fullilove at 201-562-3066 or email her at vicepres [at] essexuu [dot] org.
Sunday, December 14th
[NO SERVICE at the Orange church]. You are invited to attend the service at the UU Congregation at Montclair, 67 Church St, Montclair, NJ.
Sunday, December 14th, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. --
Holiday Open House at the home of Frank and Nina Barszcz, 4 Ridgeview Ave, West Orange, NJ..
Potluck -- please bring a salad, dessert, or side dish to share. RSVP: barszcz4 [at] comcast [dot] net by December 8th.
Thursday, December 18th, 7:30 p.m. --
Board of Trustees Meeting, Sonen Room.
Sunday, December 21st, 11:00 a.m --
So Is That All There Is? -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
With the year coming to an end, gifts and food have made me glad, but is that all there is? Come explore the great questions of life, or at least ask some pertinent questions as the year 2014 comes to a close and we peek or glance at the New Year to come.
Sunday, December 28th --
[NO SERVICE at the Orange church]. You are invited to attend the service at the UU Congregation at Montclair, 67 Church St, Montclair, NJ.
Sunday, January 4th, 11:00 a.m. --
Beloved Community Sunday -- Discussion Leader: Mindy Thompson Fullilove.
We invite people working throughout the city of Orange to join us for a spirited discussion of our trials and tribulations, triumphs and joys.
Sunday, January 11th, 11:00 a.m.--
It Takes Every Kind of People -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey (in the Parish Hall)
With its blend of Africans, Asians, Europeans, Latino, and Native American peoples the UU movement, like our USA, is moving toward a global community inclusive of concepts, mores and cultural paradigms that unite us in a tapestry of humanity. Join us for this first service after the New Year as we celebrate our Global Community.
The Celebrations and Music Committee will be meeting before the service, in the Sonen Room at 9:30 AM.
Social Action will be meeting in the Parish Hall after Social Hour in the Parish Hall at 12:30 PM
Thursday,January 15th, 7:30 p.m.- Board of Trustees Meeting,
Sonen Room.
Sunday, January 18th, 11:00 a.m.--
Black and White vs. Gray:
A Sermon in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday -- Rev. Dr. Heidi Swarts
The mass protests, largely non-violent but with violent elements, of the police shootings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner in Staten Island brings to mind comparisons with the protests, strategies, and moral stature of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. Can contemporary police violence and the protests it engenders ignite a movement, and how would it compare? What would and do civil rights movement leaders think about it? This sermon will be a dialogue between --at least!--two points of view.
Rev. Dr. Heidi Swarts is a community minister whose ministry has included teaching, scholarship on social movements in American politics, and preaching and rites of passage. She is currently in training as a chaplain at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. Rev. Swarts has a special expertise in faith/institution-based community organizing.
Saturday,January 24th,12:00 noon to 2 p.m.
--Church Visioning, Part 2 -- with Julie Erickson, organization consultant, at The Ironworks, 406 Tompkins
Street, Orange. (See flyer).
Sunday, January 25th, 11:00 a.m. -
Thurman’s Magic -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Howard Thurman was a giant. He was an influential African American author, philosopher, theologian, educator and civil rights leader. He was Dean of Chapel at Howard University and Boston University for more than two decades, wrote 21 books, and in 1944 helped found a multicultural church. Thurman was considered one of the three greatest African-American preachers in the early 20th-century.
During the social hour after this January 25th service, there will be a showing of the film Two Who Dared: The Sharps' War, endorsed by the UU Service Committee.
Sunday, February 1st, 11:00 a.m. --
Return to Selma 2015-- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Fifty years after the historic march Selma is back in the national spot light. Join us as we remember what was, consider what is, and dream about what may still come to be.
Sunday, February 8th, 11:00 a.m. --
BELOVED COMMUNITY SUNDAY: Family Connections -- Discussion Leader: Mindy Thompson Fullilove
Guest speaker Ruth Antoine from FAMILYConnections will speak on her organization's programs, specifically those aimed at the Haitian community.
FAMILYConnections is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community-based counseling and family service agency specialized programs for all ages from infants to seniors. They deliver research-based therapeutic services in their offices and on-site in preschools, schools, and directly in the home that reduce child abuse, drug abuse, gang involvement, and crime; increase social and coping skills, school success, and employability; and heal emotional pain, helping individuals and families grow strong and independent. FAMILYConnections is a growing family of more than 30 programs delivering professional counseling, skills building, and prevention services to over 4,000 children, adults, and families each year in Essex and surrounding counties. They are licensed by both the NJ Division of Mental Health Services and the Division of Addiction Services.
Thursday, February 12th, 7:30 p.m. -
Board of Trustees meeting, Sonen Room.
Sunday, February 15th, 11:00 a.m. --
A People Without a Vision Perish -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Proverbs 29:18 may be one of the most misapplied verses in all the church's rhetoric of today. Many a congregational leader has used it to imbue their strategies with a "do it this way or we will fail" consequence. Today, I am going to lay out for you a dream of mine and maybe yours. We have been down the road of Entrepreneurialism, Vision statements, Mission statements and more. Now it's time to decide where we as a congregation are going. Will we make it? Or shall we over time perish, limp along? Or shall we do great things and be the change agents I think we are called to be? Join us for a serious look at what's possible.
Sunday, February 22nd, 11:00 a.m. --
EAST/WEST SUNDAY: Chinese New Year -- Wayne Eastman & Darcy Hall
Friends, members, families of all ages are invited to join in celebrating Chinese New Year. We will learn about the life of Confucious, sample delicious Chinese food and participate in an active and fun creative project.
Sunday, March 1st [NO SERVICE]...
Sunday, March 8th, 11:00 a.m.
-- Life Purpose -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
It's been said that you don't have to know the keys to success to have a good life. But the key to failure is attempting to please everyone. Join us for an excursion into discerning how to understand success on your own terms with the highs and lows along the way.
There will be a Special Congregational Meeting after this service at 12:15 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the following items:
Wednesday, March 11th, 7:00 p.m. -- Board of Trustees
meeting, Sonen Room.
Sunday, March 15th, 11:00 a.m.
-- Beloved Community Sunday: New Jersey Peace Action - NPT Call To Action -- Madelyn Hoffman and Linda Cubitoso
with discussion leader Mindy Thompson Fullilove.
Guest speakers will be Madelyn Hoffman, Executive Director of New Jersey Peace Action, and Linda Cubitoso, a member of the NJPA Board of Directors. Our church has been a Peace Site in conjunction with NJPA since 1986.
NJPA will present a brief 15-minute presentation that will describe the three days of events (24-26 April 2015) planned by NJPA and an international coalition of peace groups to take place in New York City, as well as capitals and major cities worldwide, leading up to the five-year review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) at the United Nations. The goal of the mobilization is to press the review conference to create a schedule to negotiate the total elimination of ALL nuclear arsenals. This could free up as much as $100 billion per year that are currently spent on nuclear weapon systems instead of desperately needed social programs. Disarmament is critical at this time because of rising tensions between nuclear-armed countries including Russia, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea as well as the global economic crisis deepening the gulf between rich and poor. Madelyn and Linda will discuss ways in which our congregation can participate.
Sunday, March 22nd
-- [NO SERVICE] You are invited to attend the service at the UU Congregation at Montclair, 67 Church St, Montclair, NJ.
Sunday, March 29th -- [NO SERVICE]
Members are urged to attend the Visioning session, Part 3 that will be held in the Parish Hall beginning at 1 PM.
Julie Erickson, a very experienced organization consultant, will
continue to guide our visioning. For more information,
please contact Mindy Fullilove at 201-562-3066 or email at vicepres [at] essexuu [dot] org.
Sunday, April 5th, 11:00 a.m.
-- Easter and Equinox Gathering, coordinated by Mindy Thompson Fullilove.
Easter Sunday is one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, and coincides with the rites and celebrations of the spring equinox. In Japan this is organized around Cherry Blossom time, which has just started in Tokyo! Please come observe Easter and Equinox at our church. Light refreshments will be served afterward.
Sunday, April 12th, 11:00 a.m. --
Should Unitarian Universalists Pray? -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey.
Unitarian Universalist run the gamut from the most vocal atheist to the ardent theist with people all along the spectrum of belief. This sermon will explore the age old practice of prayer and explore if it is a good idea for UU's to take up the practice of prayer.
Wednesday, April 15th, 7:30 p.m. -- Board of Trustees meeting, Sonen Room.
Saturday, April 18th, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. --
Anchoring the Just and Safe City: Community Cocreation Workshop, Hale House 2nd Floor meeting space, 47 Cleveland St.
Presenters and leaders will be Rehanna Azimi and Monique Baena-Tan, both masters candidates at Parsons School's Department of Design and Urban Ecologies. They have spent the last eight months studying Orange and the surrounding area, with a focus on the anchoring institutions. Our church is one such institution in Orange and we are proud to sponsor this event. Light refreshments will be served.
Sunday, April 19th -- [NO SERVICE] You are invited to attend the service at the UU Congregation at Montclair, 67 Church St, Montclair, NJ.
Sunday, April 26th, 11:00 a.m. --
-- Beloved Community Sunday -- Discussion Leader: Mindy Thompson Fullilove
Beloved Community Sunday is a time when people of all backgrounds who are interested in the future of Orange can gather to get to know each other, and work together.
Sunday, May 3rd, 11:00 a.m. --
East-West Sunday -- Wayne Eastman & Darcy Hall
At this final East/West, there will be brunch, stories and reminiscences. All East/West participants past and present, as well as all church members and friends are invited.
Sunday, May 10th 11:00 a.m. --
Mother's Day -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Motherhood is at the core of all human life. Whether or not Eve was the first woman and the first mother, the fact remains that all of us owe much to the women, the mothers, and the universe that has given life to us all.
Wednesday,May 13th 7:30 p.m. --
Board Of Trustees Meeting, Sonen Room.
Sunday, May 17th 11:00 a.m. --
Talkin' Bout My Generation: A Yuuth Perspective on Life -- UUCM Senior Youth Group
Sunday, May 24th --
[NO SERVICE] -- You are invited to attend the service at the UU Congregation at Montclair, 67 Church St, Montclair, NJ.
Sunday, May 31st, 11:00 a.m. --
Beloved Community Sunday -- Discussion Leader - Mindy Thompson Fullilove
Beloved Community Sunday is a time when people of all backgrounds who are interested in the future of Orange can gather to get to know each other, and work together.
Tuesday June 2nd, 7:00 p.m. --
Board of Trustees meeting, Sonen Room
Sunday, June 7th, 11:00 a.m. --
Our Faith Story [Flower Communion] -- Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey
Carl Jung once said "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." Come to FUUCE as we engage ourselves on the subject of what I like about my/our faith story. Come explore your own narrative together, and maybe even be prepared to share a flower or nugget from your deep discerning spirit.
Created by our former member, Rev. Norbert Capek, the Flower Communion symbolizes the connections among people and of the people to nature. We invite everyone who will be attending to bring a flower or two to share. (For more about Flower Communion, click here).
Sunday, June 14th, 12:30 p.m. --
Annual Congregational Meeting
There will be no service this Sunday. We encourage ALL Members to attend and make your voice heard for this very important meeting. Thank you. Among the items planned to be presented are:
*The items marked with an asterisk are available for review in the members-only pages of the church website, under the heading "Annual Meeting 2015 Materials."
This event marks the end of our formal 2014/15 church year. No services or events will be held until September 2015. Please visit our church web sites for update. In the meantime, you are invited to attend the service at the UU congregation at Montclair, 67 Church St, Montclair, NJ. We wish you all a safe and healthy summer.