Guía de la iglesia

Our "garden elves", Faith, Noah and Sam, had a great morning helping out in our Bountiful Harvest garden!

Summer worship services at Central Unitarian Church begin this Sunday morning, June 16, at 10:30. Phil Sosinsky, Chair of the Music and Worship Team, leads a program about commitment. His presentation is entitled “Sometimes You Don’t Get Sleep.” Please bring beverages and snacks to share. CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=9ac53c8a40f07904df29ec636&id=3224cbe52a Summer worship services continue through Labor Day weekend. Please contact Phil if you'd like to lead a service, make a presentation, facilitate a discussion, or provide music.

Join us this Sunday morning, June 9, at 10:30 for the Flower Communion ceremony. This favorite Unitarian Universalist ritual celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Bring a flower to share and take a flower home as we conclude our church year together. CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=9ac53c8a40f07904df29ec636&id=5dc7ace58f The program features the music of the Church Choir, conducted by Robert René Galván and accompanied by Matt Anderson, Director of Music, singing "River of Dreams" by Billy Joel and "Paz y Libertad" by José-Luis Orosco. Lynn Sodora, Director of Religious Education; Jillian Sosinsky, Worship Associate; and I (David Horst) lead the program. Zoe Fechner is the Welcome Host. My sermon topic is "Always Growing." The Church Picnic follows the program. Please bring food and beverages to share. Everyone's help is needed to set up and clean up. This is my last time of worship with you, and I sincerely hope you'll come so my family and I can say goodbye to you. We will also thank and honor Dina Cutrone, President of the Board of Trustees, for her two years of dedication and service.

COME TO THE PARKING LOT / GARAGE SALE! CENTRAL UNITARIAN CHURCH IN PARAMUS 156 Forest Avenue, Paramus About one mile north of Bergen Town Center mall Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join us this Sunday morning, June 2, at 10:30 for an all-ages worship service marking changes and passages in our church community. The program features the dedication of three into religious life, the Bridging Ceremony for our three high school seniors, the awarding of the Batson Scholarship, and recognition of departing staff members. We also thank and recognize Andrea Lerner, who is retiring from the Central East Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association. CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=9ac53c8a40f07904df29ec636&id=61ba7715ce Susan Gempler, Worship Associate; Lynn Sodora, Director of Religious Education; and David Horst, Minister; lead the service. Rev. Horst's reflection topic is “Endings and Beginnings.” Matt Anderson, Director of Music, accompanies our singing. Zoe Fechner is the Welcome Host. Nick O’Neill and Ronda Fultz host Coffee Hour. Ronda also provides the flowers and lights the chalice. Please bring nonperishable food donations for the monthly collection for the Center for Food Action.

Rev. David Horst participated in the opening interfaith prayer at the Grand Iftar and Dinner on Sunday evening, May 19, hosted by the Eid Committee of New Jersey at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe Central Unitarian Church hosts an Interfaith Community Iftar on Thursday evening, May 30, at 8 o'clock with Peace Islands Institute, Shar'ar Communities, and Temple Avodat Shalom. All are welcome. Bring a vegetarian entree, side dish, salad, or dessert to share.

The All Seasons Chamber Players perform four works at our worship program this Sunday morning, May 26, at 10:30: Allegro from Trio for Piano, Flute and Cello by Louise Farrence Andante from Trio for Piano, Flute and Cello by Louise Farrenc Adagio Espressivo from Sonata No. 10 for Piano and Violin by Beethoven Allegro Moderato from Sonata No. 10 for Piano and Violin by Beethoven Featured musicians are Lisa Hansen, Flute; Robert Lawrence, Violin; E. Zoe Hassman, Cello; and Jackie Schiller-Audi, Piano. This Sunday we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month and re-affirm our commitment to the Stigma-Free / Mental Health movement in Bergen County and beyond. David Horst, Minister, explores the connection between mental health and spiritual health in his sermon “Healthy Mind, Healthy Spirit.” In 2015, through the educational and advocacy efforts of the Pastoral Care Committee, members of Central Unitarian Church voted to be a designated Stigma-Free Zone as part of the county-wide campaign to bring awareness to mental health. Americans have observed Mental Health Awareness Month every May since 1949, reaching millions of people through the media, local events, and screenings.

This Sunday morning, May 26, at 10:30 we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month and re-affirm our commitment to the Stigma-Free / Mental Health movement in Bergen County and beyond. CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=9ac53c8a40f07904df29ec636&id=d853ac2418 I (David Horst) explore the connection between mental health and spiritual health in my sermon “Healthy Mind, Healthy Spirit.” Andrea Ouida, Chair of the Pastoral Care Team, is the Worship Associate. Members of the Pastoral Care Team light the chalice, provide the flowers, and host Coffee Hour. Nick O'Neill is the Welcome Host. We welcome the All Seasons Chamber Players as our Guest Artists, performing their usual eclectic mix of classical music. In 2015, through the educational and advocacy efforts of the Pastoral Care Team, members of Central Unitarian Church voted to be a designated Stigma-Free Zone as part of the county-wide campaign to bring awareness to mental health. Americans have observed Mental Health Awareness Month every May since 1949, reaching millions of people through the media, local events, and screenings.

The UUA’s annual congregational certification is in! Every year, congregations report their membership, religious education (RE) enrollment, budgetary figures, and much more. It’s a helpful snapshot of what’s happening in our congregations. And here’s this year’s headline: membership is steady, while religious education enrollment and average Sunday attendance continue to fall. Adult membership is steady overall, coming in at 154,704, almost identical to last year. We have stabilized a downward trend in membership that had run 2010-2017, but beneath the headline we see substantial movement in membership figures in congregations....

WE CELEBRATE ANOTHER YEAR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT CENTRAL UNITARIAN CHURCH This Sunday morning, May 19, at 10:30 we gather for the all-ages Religious Education Sunday. At this time, our children share what they’ve learned this year and teachers, volunteers, and Religious Education Committee members give testimonials. CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=9ac53c8a40f07904df29ec636&id=b0b0b9c5c9 Lynn Sodora, Director of Religious Education, and David Horst, Minister, lead the service with Matt Anderson, Director of Music, accompanying. We also take time to thank our teachers, advisors, committee members, and volunteers as we conclude another fun and successful year of religious education. Teacher recruiting and student enrollment for the 2019 - 20 church year begin! Please sign up to volunteer and enroll your children and youth now. Religious education at Central Unitarian Church is a cooperative learning program involving parents, guardians, grandparents, and members of the congregation. All are welcome to teach or volunteer. Nick O'Neill is the Welcome Host. Andrea and Herb Ouida host Coffee Hour and provide flowers in memory of their son Todd. The Annual Meeting of the Congregation (Part 2) begins at noon. All voting members are urged to attend.

All are welcome to the annual Interfaith Community Iftar on Thursday evening, May 30, at 8 o'clock hosted by Central Unitarian Church in Paramus with Peace Islands Institute, Sha'ar Communities, and Temple Avodat Shalom. Please bring a vegetarian entrée or side dish or dessert to share. Tea, coffee, and beverages are provided. We welcome children and families. Sunset is at 8:19. The program and dinner will follow shortly thereafter. A separate room has been reserved for Muslim evening prayers. We are grateful to gather together in interfaith harmony in these difficult and divisive times. Please call Rev. David M. Horst at 201-262-6300 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Our high school youth presented a splendid service today entitled 'Sailing Your Spiritual River.' Thank you, Delphine, Alex, Domnica, Noah, and Adam!

Church Member Evelyn Stokvis invites you to her watercolor exhibition at the Haworth Libary. Join her at the opening reception on Monday, May 13, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Members of our high school Youth Group lead the annual Youth Service this Sunday morning, May 12, at 10:30 in a program entitled “Sailing Our Spiritual River.” The youth invite us all to delve into our spiritual rivers and reflect on our journeys. CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=9ac53c8a40f07904df29ec636&id=98e4d20cd9 Our three senior high school students share their stories and reflections on their recent study trip to our partner church in Prague, Czech Republic. The youth describe their service this way: "Our faith is like a river, bending and turning as we move through life, and growing stronger with each adventure. Our experiences in life and interactions with others, especially people of different cultures and faiths, broaden our understanding of the world and of ourselves. Each of us has an individual journey but all of our rivers open to the same sea." Nick O'Neill is the Welcome Host. The Children and Youth Religious Education Committee host Coffee Hour. Sunday School children and teachers in grades 4 and up attend the Youth Service. Pre-K to grade 3 Sunday School classes meet as scheduled. -------------------------------------------------- Please join Bountiful Harvest garden volunteers, members of the Social Action Team, and me this Sunday at noon for the dedication of the Bountiful Harvest garden in memory of Thelma Fedele, a long-time Church Member and passionate anti-hunger advocate.

We're preparing for another Bountiful Harvest growing season! All produce is donated to the Center for Food Action to provide healthy vegetables to families in need throughout the summer. Garden volunteers (L to R) are Rev. Andrée Mol (newly called Minister), Ronda Fultz, Brooke Cannata, Mike Baker, Nick O'Neill, and Bill Hoffman. Join us on Saturday mornings for planting, weeding, and watering.

This Sunday morning, May 5, at 10:30, Rev. Andrée Mol, the Central Unitarian Church Candidate for Minister, leads worship a second time and presents a sermon entitled “Journey with Intention.” CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER https://mailchi.mp/4bf093aacf3e/homecoming-sunday-3319909?e=[UNIQID] Rev. Mol explains, "Intention is not a destination. It is a way of being. If we practice following the guidance of intention we will inevitably find ourselves in unfamiliar but transformative situations. We’ll explore a pivotal story from early Universalism in America: the chance encounter between preacher John Murray and farmer Thomas Potter in Good Luck Harbor, New Jersey. This meeting changes the direction of John Murray's life and leads him toward founding the first Universalist church in America in 1774. We’ll wrap up Candidating Week by examining what this story might teach us about change, luck, intention, and the times when all three of these forces decide to show up in our lives at once." Music for the service is provided by the Church Choir conducted by Robert René Galván and accompanied by Matt Anderson. Lynn Sodora, Director of Religious Education, joins Rev. Andrée for the Time for All Ages. Jill Wecht is the Worship Associate. Nick O’Neill is the Welcome Host. Members of the Board of Trustees host Coffee Hour. Children and teachers join you for the beginning of the service then depart for Sunday School from 10:45 to 11:45. The Annual Meeting of the Congregation follows the May 5 service at noon. All voting members are urged to attend.

We thank Linda and Maury Lesser, Church Members, for beautifying the Central Unitarian Church Memorial Garden this week. Maury is the Chair of the Memorial Garden Committee. Many members of our community prefer having their ashes placed in a symbolic setting to that of a traditional cemetery burial. In 2011, a small but effective group of member-volunteers realized the vision of creating this lovely Memorial Garden nestled in the island between the south parking lot and the church building. A contemplative spot, the Memorial Garden offers several seats, a paved area with an engraved Unitarian Universalist chalice symbol, and a marble monument displaying the names of loved ones whose ashes have been placed here. Anyone who wishes to be memorialized here can make arrangements by contacting the Church Office at 201-262-6300.

In this heart-warming interview, long-time members of Central Unitarian describe what the church means to them and the journeys that brought them to it.

At an interfaith service today with the Peace Island Institute and Sha'ar Communities, the Central Unitarian Choir performed "Ose Shalom," which the rabbi from Sha'ar said brought tears to her eyes.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer spoke at tonight's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance Committee of Bergen County.

After service, the whole congregation walked the Winter Spiral as we shared the news and upcoming events of our community.

Joe Cardello and the Central Unitarian Church Drummers got us up and dancing at today's Summer Solstice Celebration!

Lying on the lawn - John Freund