Transformation

Julie Rigano, Director of Family Ministry

As the leaves turn from green to yellow and amber and blinding orange,  

I can’t help but stare at the vivid colors.
It’s not just me.
It’s a phenomenon loved by many.
People travel to see the transformation.
We can’t help but bear witness to the beauty.

I wonder what it would be like
if we viewed our own transformation with such amazement,
instead of being afraid of change,
allowing ourselves to take the time we need,
weeks, months, years, and more
to develop into something different and equally vibrant.

Worship Time Survey Results Are In!

Karen Kent, UUCWC Board of Trustees, and Susan Irgang, Congregational Administrator

Finding the best time for Sunday service to meet everyone’s preference is a challenge. In the past, UUCWC held two Sunday services – one at 9:00 a.m. and a second at 11 a.m. During the pandemic it was clear that only one service was possible, and that service began at 10 a.m. Now that we are back in church with multiplatform services, many people wondered about changing the times to our pre-pandemic slots, and asked Rev. Kim about the options. Church leadership met to discuss possibilities and wanted to put the decision in the hands of all of us.

As Unitarian Universalists, we value the opportunity to engage in the decisions about our church. And, as UU’s, we also often have very different opinions and ideas. In response to a survey sent in August, we voted on our preferences about the service’s start time. The times offered were: 9:45, 10:00, 10:15 and 10:30 a.m. Physical and volunteer and staff resource limitations did not allow for an 11:00 a.m. option. We received 132 responses with 189 ranked selections as follows:

                        9:45 a.m.: 31 responses (16%)
10:00 a.m.: 84 responses (44%)
10:15 a.m.: 22 responses (12%)
10:30 a.m.: 52 responses (28%)

The survey also included questions about current and projected attendance if the 10 a.m. start time changed. Currently, about 40% of our congregation participates in-person, 19% attend online, and 41% responded with a “mix of both.” We asked: “if the preferred start time was different than 10 a.m., would your attendance change?” In response, 66% said this would not impact how they attend, 28% said they would be more likely to participate in person and 6% said they would be more likely to attend online.

The Board discussed the results, both numerical trends and individual responses, and concluded that the majority of votes were for 10 a.m. Additionally, if the worship start time changed, the majority of respondents would not alter their attendance habits. The Board therefore unanimously affirmed keeping the service time at 10 a.m.

We celebrate that this survey gave us an opportunity to live by our fifth principle, “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” We appreciate everyone’s input and hope that we continue to see you at our 10 a.m. multiplatform services.

UUCWC Co-sponsors Peace Conference – We’d Love Two Volunteers

Holly Bussey, Faith Expression Funding Team Facilitator

The Coalition for Peace Action’s 44th Annual Conference for Peace is set for November 12. We have sponsored the event for over five years through the Council for Faith in Action’s Faith Expression and Funding Team Ministry (FEFT).

As sponsors, UUCWC can have two representatives attend the conference with no registration cost. Please consider attending—not only so that you can experience the event—but also so that we can share who we (UUCWC) are with conference attendees.

The conference begins at 1:30 p.m. and will have great speakers and thought-provoking topics. This year’s presenters include: Most Reverend John C. Wester, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Santa Fe, Frank von Hippel, senior research physicist and professor of public and international affairs emeritus with Princeton’s Program on Science & Global Security, Elena Perez, March For Our Lives advocate, and Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the women-led peace group CODEPINK.

Look here for complete biographies of the speakers.

Details: Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton (at the intersection of Houghton Street, adjacent to Princeton High School). The conference is from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. The Annual Multi-faith Peace Service at 11:00 a.m. is optional.

While we would love for our attendees to be at the conference in person, an online option is available.

To register: Please contact Holly Bussey, DA@uucwc.org, no later than November 8th. We hope to hear from you soon.

Try Something New Tomorrow Night!

Cosmic Crossings Concert, November 4, 8 p.m., in-person.  An electronic, ambient, space and experimental musical concert. Tickets $10, and all proceeds benefit UUCWC.

Capital Campaign Phase 3

The third phase of fundraising for our Capital Project has begun!  Look for a letter offering you the opportunity to create a legacy at UUCWC and participate in this once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve accessibility and make other modifications at our church home.  Learn more and pledge by December 1st here. 

First 2023 Welcome Table Wednesday A Success!

Welcome Table Wednesday in October was a fun event, with a communal potluck meal and opportunities for both spiritual deepening through relationship building and fun. 

Mark your calendars for Nov. 29th, our next Welcome Table Wednesday gathering. Participants enjoy a potluck meal before taking part in community-building activities. It’s sure to be another wonderful evening; watch for your “Evite” invitation!

Green Amendment Presentation Well Attended

On October 26th, UUCWC’s Earth and Climate Ministry hosted Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum for a presentation on the New Jersey Green Amendment proposal.  Read more about the Green Amendment here and here.  

Members discuss the presentation with speaker, Maya van Rossum, in the lobby.

Find out more about events at UUCWC during our month of Generosity at This Month at UUCWC.

Read UU World, the magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association.