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 Check
out our new page of resources we can use to help tell
others who we are and how to find us!
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HOW DO I?...
...Help others or receive help?
The Caring & Sharing Committee provides meals
for congregation members & friends in times
of need, helps arrange rides to Sunday services,
provides friendly visits to members, and more.
We are waiting to help! Call the office at 973-744-6276.
...Reserve space at UU Montclair?
Contact Donna Lauckner, Administrator, at (973)
744-6276, x.12 or by email.
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Welcome!
This Unitarian Universalist congregation is welcoming of all seekers
after truth, beauty, justice and compassion cherishing their diversity
of race, gender, sexual identity and orientation, religious background
and perspective on life.
Minister's Column,
June 2009:
"From The Road"
by Rev. Charlie Ortman
As I stop to write this message, it is a gorgeous day. It is day
36 of this cross-country bicycle trip, which began what seems like
ages ago, when we dipped our wheels in the Pacific surf in Carlsbad,
CA. As I write, I'm sitting on a bench along a local bike path,
just outside of the Rent and Roll Bike Shop in Chillicothe, OH.
We just had our bikes serviced by Jimmy, the proprietor of the shop
and we purchased a new supply of tubes. Our best estimate is that
the three of us have gone through over 30 of them by this point!
Jimmy's is the 8th cycle shop that we stopped at along the way.
Our experience here confirms the feeling that has been growing with
each successive stop. Bicycle shop people are a very special and
wonderful group!
I would dispel a few stereotypes that might emerge in your thoughts.
Bike shop people include both owners and employees. They are not
relegated to a particular gender or ethnicity. Their ages vary from
teenagers to at least septuagenarians.
I would also encourage a few stereotypes that I have found to be
true without exception. The only thing that bike shop people might
love more than bicycling itself - about which they are extremely
passionate - is teaching what they know to others and doing whatever
they can to facilitate their customers' rides and journeys. I've
never met a group of people more generous with their time, energy
and resources. And I can't think of a group more willing to engage
enthusiastically with a group of three strangers, passing through
town on a coast-to-coast trek. It's been as though our adventure
has become their adventure through their contributions to it.
Of course this experience began before leaving home back in New
Jersey with Michael McTigue at Third Nature and Heimer Fellas at
Bike Land. It has continued without exception from Ramona, CA, El
Centro, CA, Prescott, AZ, Flagstaff, AZ, Taos, NM, Wichita, KS,
Jefferson City, MO, Alton, IL and here in Chillicothe.
During these difficult economic times, even as we ride by so many
communities with closed up businesses and shopping centers, it is
so heartening to know that there is an industry still going quite
strong, still so full of heart where people serve because they love
what they are do-ing. There are some good role models out there.
It gives us all pause to stop and take note of what each of us is
doing - with our time and with our lives. We should be so fortunate
as to find ourselves in the passionate service of others.
The trip goes well. See you at the U next month!
Pray for peace and act for justice,
Charlie Ortman
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