From Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister While pondering resilience I often think of the word “plastic.” Before “plastic” was a noun denoting materials we should recycle (or perhaps not use in the first place), the word “plastic” was an adjective. It means malleable, shapeable, moldable – resilient. Perhaps this is how we should think of Resilience: the ability...
Category: Blogs
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OWL (Our Whole Lives) Sexuality Education for 4th/5th Graders
Our classes help children learn accurate, developmentally-appropriate information, increase self esteem, develop communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills and build responsibility for personal health and safety. Please reach out to Lily Rappaport (dfm@uumontclair.org) for additional information. Parent/Guardian Information Meetings: February 9, 2020, 12:30-2 PM in the Mortenson/Peierls Rooms and February 11, 2020 7-8 PM in the Peierls Room...
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The Shape of Integrity
From Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Senior Co-Minister The early American Unitarians believed in Salvation by Character – the idea that we could save ourselves by living with integrity. This radical assertion overturned the prevalent Calvanist theology of predestination – that some were saved and others damned at birth; that character simply revealed what God had pre-ordained....
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Family Ministries—Roundtable Listening Sessions – January 2020
From Lily Rappaport, Developmental Director of Family Ministries This past month the Religious Education Committee held strategic planning sessions to set goals and action steps, and invited parents, teachers and all others to attend roundtable listening sessions to share ideas and to name priorities for lifespan religious education programs. The discussions, led by RE Co-Chairs,...
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Family Ministries—Revitalizing Worship for Families – December 2019
From Lily Rappaport, Developmental Director of Family Ministries In November I attended the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) Fall Conference in Baltimore. The conference theme was “Theologies of Suffering and Wholeness: Companions in Liberation” and was full of inspiring and wonderful learning. Keynote speakers were Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, President of Starr King School for...
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On That Note – December 2019
From Markus Grae-Hauck, Director of Music Ministries What wondrous love is this, O my soul? What wondrous love is this that brings my heart such bliss and takes away the pain of my soul? When I was sinking down, sinking down When I was sinking down beneath my sorrow’s ground, friends to me gathered round,...