Sending prayers for the Confirmation Class as they head out to Camp Bernie for a retreat this weekend.

FINAL PERFORMANCES OF UCC PLAYERS' PRODUCTION OF THE SUNSHINE BOYS ARE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 27 AT 8PM

Three More Chances For Laughs! 

Don't miss your chance to see the UCC Players production of Neil Simon's hilarious and heartwarming play "The Sunshine Boys." This classic comedy about a feuding vaudeville duo reuniting for their last act is guaranteed to leave you laughing.

Catch One Of The Final Performances:

Thursday, April 25, Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27 at 8pm

THIS SUNDAY:

Scripture:

Psalm 71:16-20,

Acts 8:1-12

Women's Lectionary

(click to view scripture)

Rev. Ron preaching

Learning Center

Spring Ritual Celebration

“How lovely is your dwelling place,” Ps. 84:1

Following Worship:

A Handbell Second Hour And Performance

The UCC Ringers are excited to share their talents with the congregation! Enjoy beloved musical selections including ‘Oh, What A Beautiful Morning,’ and ‘Beauty And The Beast,’ as well as gain a deeper understanding of the artistry, technique, and history behind handbell playing. 

LOST AND FOUND: FOUND GOLD RING

A gold ring was found in the sanctuary. Please see photo to the left. If this is yours, please contact Kim (kcrabtree@unioncong.org) or Albert (afenskewilliams@unioncong.org), and we can leave it with someone at this Sunday's worship, or you come to the church office and pick it up Tuesday through Friday.

APRIL GOVERNING BOARD MINUTES AND APRIL 14 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING NOTES

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE BUDGET PRESENTATION:

SUNDAY, MAY 12 AFTER WORSHIP

IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM

2024/2025 PROPOSED MISSIONAL PRIORITIES DRAFT

Please click the gray button below to view the proposed missional priorities for 2024/25. These will be presented formally and voted on by the congregation at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 2 after worship.

From Michele Sionas: May 5 March for Clean Energy 

What started as 3 congregations (First Cong, Union Cong, and B’nai Keshet) interested in working together on issues of climate justice has grown, in less than 2 months' time, to 12 congregations and 3 community groups. We have a name, Interfaith Green NJ, and hopes of welcoming groups from surrounding towns.  

We are planning an event, From Grief to Hope, on Sunday, May 5 at 1pm. where we will march from First United Methodist Church (24 N. Fullerton Ave.) to B’nai Keshet (99 S. Fullerton Ave.) with stops along the way at Church St. and First Cong.  

All are welcome to participate as we process the half-mile route, recite litanies, sing songs, contemplate, and hear a call to action. Bicycles and scooters are welcome. Make your own sign! “Clean Energy Saves Lives” “Clean Air Saves Lives” “Does Burning Trash Create Clean Energy?” 

To participate in the Climate March, please reach out to Michele Sionas (by clicking this link for her email).

RACIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY TEAM: LET'S WATCH FILM SERIES "MY NAME IS PAULI MURRAY"

FRIDAY, MAY 10 AT 6PM (ASSEMBLY ROOM)

Next "Let's Watch!" movie: My Name Is Pauli Murray. Bring your own dinner and eat as a group at 6pm. Screening in the Guild Room on Friday night, May 10 at 6:30pm with a discussion after.

This documentary is a look at the life and ideas of Pauli Murray, a non-binary Black lawyer, activist and poet who influenced both Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall. As a lawyer, Murray argued for civil rights and women's rights. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Chief Counsel Thurgood Marshall called Murray's 1950 book States' Laws on Race and Color, the "bible" of the civil rights movement. Murray was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to serve on the 1961–1963 Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. In 1966, she was a co-founder of the National Organization for Women. Ruth Bader Ginsburg named Murray as a coauthor of the ACLU brief in the landmark 1971 Supreme Court case Reed v. Reed, in recognition of her pioneering work on gender discrimination. 

In 1973, Murray left academia for activities associated with the Episcopal Church. She became an ordained priest in 1977, among the first generation of women priests and the first African-American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest. 

SPREAD THE WORD…UNION CONG NURSERY SCHOOL STILL HAS ROOM FOR CHILDREN FOR SEPTEMBER 2024.

Contact Lynn Kulik or Susanne Cantalupo for a tour! 973-744-9069. 

Thursday, May 2 at 6pm is the Nursery School Art Show in the Assembly Room!

Below is a wonderful video you can share about our special place that the UCC supports for young children.

MAY 18 NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION SPRING MEETING IS TAKING PLACE AT UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - REGISTRATION IS LIVE

The registration link is now up for the May 18 New Jersey Association’s Spring meeting at Union Congregational Church.

Click to register: NJ SPRING MEETING REGISTRATION.

Individuals can register on-site from 9-9:30 AM. 

• The association’s Members in Discernment (those preparing for ordination) will lead a worship service from 9:30-9:50am. 
• From 10-10:50am, there will be the election of officers for the upcoming year and a conversation about visioning for the association’s future. 
• Then our featured presenter – Peter Makari – will speak from 11-11:30am. 

Peter serves as the Executive for the Middle East and Europe at Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ.  He will help us learn how to frame conversations about Palestine-Israel more effectively to keep people in conversation and relationship.  Lunch will follow for those able to stay.

Questions?  Contact NJ Council President Rev. George Rizor at george.rizor@gmail.com.

CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

This link below will take you to the weekly Children, Youth and Families Weekly Newsletter where all programming for children from birth through high school is hosted. This newsletter is sent directly to families on Tuesdays. If you have children and haven’t been receiving this newsletter, please email Patty at pdow@unioncong.org.