April 2025

Rooted in Justice, Guided by Care: A New Chapter Together

By Lisa Schilansky, Minister for Justice and Pastoral Care

I am delighted to have returned to UUCWC on March 30th, now as your Minister for Justice and Pastoral Care. This is a unique path we are on, as most congregations do not interact with their Intern Ministers. With that in mind, I wanted to give you a sense of how this new role will look at UUCWC and how it will differ from my internship.

As an intern, I was an “expert generalist,” meaning I intentionally had my hands in most aspects of church life and was learning to one day be a solo minister of my own congregation. As your Minister for Justice and Pastoral Care, my main goal is to serve in this shared ministry, not to further my education. In this new role, I will work closely with the Caring Team and all of the different ministries that are a part of the Council for Faith in Action (our social justice umbrella group). I will be working with Rev. Kim to support you all as pastoral needs arise, and I will be on the front lines at protests and council/board hearings, helping be a voice for Unitarian Universalism in these trying times.

I will also lead Vespers services on the third Wednesday of each month (with a summer hiatus). Like the internship, I will be present on most Sundays and preaching once a month. Most importantly, my total hours are the same as the internship. So, while there is a big step up to being your Minister for Justice and Pastoral Care, you will not see me more than during the internship.

I am excited about how our shared ministry will look over these next fifteen months. This is an incredible community, and I am delighted to serve you once again. May you find groundedness and joy in this difficult season and know that this community is here to support you no matter the changing tide.

The Power of Hello: Safety on Sunday Morning

By Robin Pugh, Director of Congregational Life

Our troubled world calls for increased safety procedures on Sunday morning. Here is what the hosts learned at their recent training lunch:

The two biggest safety suggestions for houses of worship from the UUA and the U.S. government are:

1. Greet people
2. Have them wear a name tag

Someone intent on causing disruption doesn’t typically like being noticed immediately. When you walk into a store or a bank, an employee greets you. They are not just being friendly; they are also saying, “I have eyes on you” and assessing whether your behavior is threatening or suspicious. When UUCWC’s hosts greet someone unfamiliar to them on Sunday morning, they are not only being welcoming but also establishing a connection and evaluating risk. They tell our visitors, “We ask everyone to wear a name tag.” Please help our hosts and wear yours.

At 10:15 a.m., we lock the front door, and one host stays in the lobby for the rest of the service. This is to keep an eye on the lobby and let latecomers in.

If any host sees a person who makes them suspicious, they get help by letting the staff know. If the service has started and it is urgent, they tell the tech folks, who will let Kim know. In the future, hosts will receive basic training in de-escalation.

UUCWC has cameras on all our entrances. A 24-hour feed goes to Kim and Marilyn’s phones, so they can see if someone comes by after hours. All of our locks have been changed since the reopening.

Yes, these are troubled times, but we are in this together.

Are you interested in UUCWC’s safety? The Board is looking for people to join two safety task force teams: one for our physical space and the other for our virtual one. Please email Board Chair Wendy Stassola at wstasolla@gmail.com

With Joy and Gratitude, We Welcome Rev. Lisa

By Chris Marietti, UUCWC Board of Trustees

When I wrote an article in the fall at the start of my tenure on the board, I mentioned that one of the draws was the amazing folks I get to do this work with. Today, I wanted to take some time to highlight one of those amazing folks. As a member of Reverend Lisa’s Internship Committee, I could see firsthand the depth and breadth of preparation and hard work that goes into the journey from intern to full-fledged minister. As I write this, her ordination hasn’t occurred yet. However, by the time you read this, it will have.

Let me update you on what’s happened so far. Rev. Lisa came to us as a ministerial intern in the summer of 2023. As a teaching congregation, we’ve had a history of hosting interns as the stepping stone between their studies at seminary and, if all goes well, their ordination as ministers. The period of internship is described by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) as 1,000 or more hours over one to two years. Rev. Lisa’s internship was part-time but shorter than two years, as she eschewed the summer breaks and ultimately spent closer to a year and a half with us, wrapping up her internship on February 23, 2025

Auction 2025: Finding Joy Together

By Barbara Drew, Auction Committee

The much-anticipated UUCWC Auction, Finding Joy Together!, is just days away. Now is the time to plan your participation in this fundraising and fun-raising event. Online bidding opens Saturday, April 26, at 9:00 a.m. and continues through Saturday, May 3, at 9:00 p.m.

Beginning April 20, you can register and preview auction items — so don’t wait until the last minute! Access the website here:https://uucwcauction.asimobile.net/

But first, you’re invited to the Kick-off Party at UUCWC, Friday, April 25, at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $25 in advance after worship services or through a donation via the UUCWC website (note it’s for the auction party), or $30 at the door.

• Live Entertainment and Photo Booth
• Refreshments: delectable finger foods, beverages & desserts
• Showcase of Physical Items
• Auction Book Distribution
• Registration Assistance
• The Boutique — jewelry, scarves, wallets, purses, and more
• FREE Childcare — advance registration required!

UUCWC Monthly Meet & Greet: Penny & Denny Rodgers

By Scott Cullen

This month, we’re delighted to introduce—or reintroduce—you to longtime members Penny and Denny Rodgers. Since joining UUCWC in 2016, Penny and Denny have become deeply involved in the life of our congregation, contributing their time, talents, and love in countless ways.

Denny, a self-described seeker “searching for truth,” who grew up in the Catholic church before joining an Episcopal church as an adult, was drawn to UUCWC after feeling the need to be “freed from the creed.” A meaningful conversation with Rev. Kim sealed the deal. For Penny, it was a realization that her spiritual beliefs had outgrown the words she once recited at the Episcopal church. Now, both find comfort and connection in the covenantal relationships they’ve built here—and in singing “Blue Boat Home” on Sundays.

From teaching RE and co-chairing committees to hosting potlucks and sharing their gifts of pastoral care, the Rodgers embody the spirit of community. They cherish family time, kayaking, game nights, and crusty bread with Kerrygold butter. With more than 57 years of marriage, Penny and Denny bring wisdom and warmth to our community.

We’re so grateful they walked through our doors—and stayed.

Let’s get to know them better…

Calling the Ones We Miss: The Healing Power of the Wind Phone

Inspired by a Japanese tradition, a new addition to the church grounds provides a quiet place for reflection, remembrance, and love carried on the wind.

By Christine Piatek

Most of us have undoubtedly noticed the wooden shelter with a vintage white rotary phone next to the curved Sanctuary wall as we’ve traveled along the paved driveway. Denny Rodgers built the phone booth-like shelter with remnants of wood he had at home, and he and Penny Rodgers donated the vintage phone used by Penny’s dad in his office. The assembly is called a wind phone.

Itaru Sasaki, a garden designer from Otsuchi, Japan, created a wind phone in 2010 to help him grieve the loss of a family member. Because he could not channel them directly to his family member who had passed, he wanted his thoughts and words to be “carried on the wind.” After the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami killed more than 15,000 people in Japan, Sasaki offered his wind phone to the public. It sits in the beautiful gardens of Bell Gardia in Kujirayama. The response to the wind phone was amazing, with over 30,000 visitors traveling to Bell Gardia to call lost loved ones. With Sasaki’s inspiration, more than 140 wind phones are now in the United States and Canada. A website created by blogger Amy Dawson lists the location of publicly available wind phones.

Council for Faith in Action News

A Brief History of the Origin and Growth of the Earth & Climate Ministry

by Al Johnson, Co-chair, Earth & Climate Ministry

Around 2001, a group of congregants formed the Sustainability Circle. Early vegetarian pot-luck meetings focused on energy and environmental measures that could be adopted by the group, other congregants, and the church. Early projects included recycling bicycles and books and selling organic/fair trade coffee. The last two activities provided funds to finance future environmental projects.

In 2005, the Sustainability Circle started focusing on activities to qualify the church as a recognized UU Green Sanctuary. These activities included environmentally focused talks and implementing projects recommended from an early Green Energy Audit. Solar panels were installed on our roof in 2008, and our accreditation process was completed in March 2010.

Continuing into the next decade, the group’s name was changed to Earth Ministry. Significant activities included establishing Allie’s Garden to provide fresh produce to local food banks; congregational composting; promoting environmental, green living, tabling, and green tip issues; and assistance with funding for an energy-efficient stove and dishwasher. Through participation in the NJ Clean Energy Direct Program, we installed a new energy-efficient HVAC system at a $70,000 savings to the church.

Climate Revival Dialogues: Exploring Opportunities for Climate Justice Actions in Our Community

by Leslie McGeorge for Earth & Climate Ministry

On Saturday, March 22, forty-two congregants, including new members, participated in a workshop on climate justice at UUCWC. We considered how to work collaboratively on transformative actions to address our larger community’s climate and related social justice needs. We identified our at-risk communities, such as Trenton and Morrisville, as well as priority issues such as flooding and disaster recovery, urban excessive heat, lack of trees and nature access, food insecurity and minimal fresh food resources, segregation, old housing stock, and lack of green energy and energy efficiency. To address community needs, ideas were generated regarding potential intersectional justice actions, both churchwide with partners and individually.

Climate Dialogues’ outcomes will be documented and synthesized to provide input for strategic planning. One potential outcome could be developing a climate disaster response plan to assist local partner organizations. Another outcome will be applying the Dialogues’ information for the church’s application for UU Green Sanctuary 2030 recognition. If you would like the Dialogues materials or to assist in synthesizing the outcomes of these discussions, please get in touch with Earth & Climate Ministry at earthministry@UUCWC.org.

Another Successful Loaves and Fishes Outreach Program

By Ronnie And Ed Dobrowolski for the Social Action Ministry

We had another successful Loaves and Fishes outreach program in 2025. We fed many individuals at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, also known as St Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton. Thank you to all the Loaves and Fishes volunteers.

Here’s a breakdown of what it took to implement this program:

• Eleven volunteers and their families baked two dozen brownies and delivered them to UUCWC.
• Nineteen volunteers made more than 250 PB&J sandwiches and assembled 250 lunch bags, which included a sandwich, a juice box, a banana or a clementine, and cookies.
• We started at 6 p.m. and had the kitchen cleaned and the Crossings Room set up and ready for Fellowship Hour on Sunday morning by 7:45 p.m.
• More than ten volunteers from UUCWC, another ten from the UU Congregation in Princeton, several students from the Hun School, and Princeton University, a charter school group and their principal, as well as a Coptic Church group from Medford which included adults and children, came to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton and served about 250 guests their lunch.
• UUCWC and the UU Congregation of Princeton provided hot meals of southwest chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, carrots and celery with ranch dressing, a roll with butter, and UUCWC’s brownies with ice cream for dessert.
• All Loaves and Fishes guests were also given a takeaway bag that included the bagged lunches, a southwest chicken meal, rolls, and bagels.

These are more than just numbers; they represent food that will fill an empty stomach or a volunteer who took time and energy to help someone in need.

More Upcoming Events

Building Beloved Community: Beyond the Binary

By Robin Pugh, Director of Congregational Life

Join us for a meaningful gathering of transgender people, allies, and advocates. UUCWC is proud to be a satellite location for this year’s conference, hosted by First UU Syracuse. Youth are invited to attend. Everyone is welcome to participate for part or all of this free conference at UUCWC.

We will be together as we participate virtually in workshops hosted at the main conference site. All people 13 and over are welcome to attend.

8:30 a.m. – Registration: https://uua.wufoo.com/forms/qthqbnf1ela5ou/

9 a.m. – Workshop 1: Trans 101 for the New, Curious, and Open 

10 a.m. – Workshop 2: Let’s Deconstruct the Binary Together – This workshop welcomes people of all genders and experiences, though at least a 101 level of understanding trans allyship is required.

11 a.m. – Workshop 3: Shapeshifters: Exploring and Affirming Gender Diversity Through Art and Stories – The book Shapeshifters tells the stories of seven artists who share their gender explorations beyond the binary. Using the book as a jumping-off point, this workshop will allow folks to discuss their journey with gender, both for ourselves and with significant people in our lives. A special emphasis will be on how we can be allies to nonbinary, queer, and trans folks.

News from the Food Ministry for the Month of May

By Chris Piatek, for the Food Ministry

Our next food drive, on behalf of the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC), will be on May 4, 11, and 18.

Located in Bristol, Pennsylvania, BCOC’s mission is to reduce poverty and partner with the community to provide vital services that help families achieve stability and independence. The non-profit connects people with the resources they need to thrive through five core program areas: Housing, Food, Tax Preparation, Weatherization, and Economic Mobility.

Please consider donating any requested food products on any of the Sundays noted above: shelf-stable milk, cereal, canned vegetables, canned protein such as tuna or chicken, canned soups, pasta, and pasta sauce. 

A labeled bin will be available to receive donations in the lobby starting on May 4^th.

On the last Sunday of the food drive, May 18, the Food Ministry team will host coffee hour. We will have printed information available about our work, and there will be an opportunity for small group conversations. If you would like to learn more about our work or would like to participate in some way, look for team members on that Sunday.

Cosmic Crossings Presents PLOrk and Finite Element

By Nick Mellis

Please welcome the Princeton Laptop Orchestra and Finite Element to our sanctuary!

First performing in 2006, the Princeton Laptop Orchestra, or PLOrk, takes the traditional model of the orchestra and reinvents it for the 21st century. Each laptopist performs with a laptop and custom-designed hemispherical speaker emulating how traditional orchestral instruments cast their sound in space. Wireless networking and video augment the familiar role of the conductor, suggesting unprecedented ways of organizing large ensembles.

Originally founded by Dan Trueman and Perry Cook, the group is currently directed by composer and instrument designer Jeff Snyder and features new electronic instruments from his research.

Since 2006, PLOrk has performed widely—presented by Carnegie Hall, the Northwestern Spring Festival in Chicago, the American Academy of Sciences in DC, the Kitchen (NYC), 92Y, and others—and has inspired the formation of laptop orchestras across the world, from Oslo to Bangkok.

Finite Element is Rich Kennicutt, a keyboard-based electronic musician from upstate NY. The group blends lush ambient and symphonic soundscapes with complex Berlin School-style sequences and themes. 70s Berlin School electronic music artists Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, and Ashra are major influences. 

Tickets are $10, with all proceeds benefiting UUCWC. Doors open at 7:30 p.m

Jessica Alaimo

Parker Cohen

A Sanctuary for Every Season: From Women’s Retreats to LGBTQ+ Youth Camp, Murray Grove Opens Its Heart

By Jessica Alaimo, Executive Director, Murray Grove & Parker Cohen, Murray Grove Board Secretary

Spring has been in full bloom here at Murray Grove, and we’re thrilled to share the latest from our sacred grounds—your home away from home for reflection, connection, and community.

We recently had the joy of hosting a vibrant and spirit-filled Women’s Retreat, and we were so grateful to welcome many of the fabulous women from the UU Church of Washington Crossing. The weekend was filled with laughter, storytelling, healing, and deep bonding among women from all walks of life. We are so thankful to all who participated and helped make the retreat a beautiful, affirming experience. Your energy and presence continue to ripple through our campus.

Looking ahead, we are preparing for an exciting and deeply meaningful summer. One of the highlights will be our LGBTQ+ Youth Camp, hosted in partnership with Garden State Equality. This is a monumental step for us as a community rooted in radical hospitality and Universal Love. This camp will provide a safe, affirming space where LGBTQ+ youth can fully be themselves, connect, and explore their spirituality and identity in a nurturing environment.