September 2025

Bob Alt

Chris Marietti

Introducing UUCWC’s Board Co-Presidents

By Bob Alt and Chris Marietti

This article is brought to you by the new co-presidents of our Board, Bob Alt and Chris Marietti. Our goal is to introduce ourselves more thoroughly to you and establish a pathway for future communication between the Board and the broader congregation.

Tell us about your background and experience with Unitarian Universalism.

Bob: I had been exploring different options for spiritual enrichment and learned of UUCWC through the phone book, back in 2000! I wasn’t familiar with Unitarian Universalism and so my wife, Marianne, and I decided to attend a few services. We quickly learned that the community’s inclusiveness and diversity in approaches to spirituality met many of our goals. We became members of UUCWC in 2001. I have two adult children, Ellen and Charlie, who went through the Children & Youth Family Ministry program at UUCWC. I have served in multiple roles over the years, including chair of the Finance Committee, co-chair of Right Relations, Stewardship Committee member, Youth Group teacher, Mortgage Refinance Committee member, and Boy Scout Eagle Project advisor. UUCWC continues to be a cornerstone of community, inspiration, and growth for me.

Chris: After being raised Catholic, including nine formative years in a combined Catholic elementary and middle school, I dropped out of organized religion when I was in college. I returned briefly to Catholicism to marry Nathalie Edmond in 2000. But after that, I thought I was out of religion altogether, happy to be floating somewhere in the haze between atheism and agnosticism. However, Nathalie began exploring different religious faith traditions, particularly as we came closer to having kids. After visiting multiple UU churches, she brought me to both Princeton and UUCWC. And after hearing, now minister emeritus, Rev. Charles Stevens in 2005, I was hooked. Nat and I became members in 2006. We are happy to have raised our two teenage children, Jakob and Daphne, in this faith tradition generally and in this congregation specifically. The connections I’ve made here and the learning journey I’ve embarked upon through this community over almost 20 years have been nothing short of transformative.

Finance Committee Welcomes New Members and Launches Key Initiatives

By Sandee Steinberg, Chair, Finance Committee

I am pleased to introduce the members of the 2025–2026 Finance Committee. Returning members include Barbara Drew (Auction), Jane Root (Stewardship), George Faulkner (Capital Project Treasurer), Donna Miller (Fundraising), Denny Rodgers (UUCWC Treasurer and Board Liaison), and me as Chair. We also welcome two new members: David Schumann, who will serve as the new head of Endowment, and Karen Damato, who joins us as an at-large member.

Our previous fiscal year concluded on June 30, and I’d like to share a few highlights from the final budget figures:

• Although we initially projected a deficit of $37,000, we ended the year with a smaller deficit of $29,000.
• Several smaller fundraisers, including airport transportation, plant sales, and rentals, performed better than expected. Plate collections also went beyond projections.
• On the expense side, building maintenance costs exceeded expectations.

Looking ahead, two temporary finance-related groups are forming this fall. The UUCWC Financial Health Task Force, appointed by the Board, has been tasked with proposing strategies for balancing the budget both in the short and long term. Their work will examine UUCWC’s income patterns, opportunities to diversify revenue, cultural trends, and both current and expected expenses.

Additionally, I am forming a team to carry out an internal financial audit. We conduct this review every five years; the last one was in 2021. This audit will examine our financial procedures, the roles and responsibilities of finance staff and volunteers, and our privacy and accountability policies. You’ll hear more about these efforts in the upcoming weeks and months.

If you’re interested in joining the Finance Committee as an at-large member, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at finance@uucwc.org.

Reflections on Giving

By Jane Root, Stewardship

“The offering is not a break in worship – it is worship. It’s how we live out our values together.” — Greg Pontier, UUCWC Worship Associate

Greg’s words at a recent Sunday service made me re-evaluate the importance of our financial Affirmation. As a former host at UUCWC, my main focus was on making sure everyone who wanted to contribute had the opportunity. Greg’s words, however, brought new meaning to the moment.

Each time we give—whether by passing the plate in the sanctuary or donating virtually—we participate in an act of spiritual significance within our community. What we have, and who we are, are gifts to be shared and received.

Through our giving, we uphold the spiritual value of generosity. As Unitarian Universalist Church minister Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein reminds us, the plate becomes full of evidence of our generosity. It is our weekly harvest, collected to nourish both ourselves and the congregation.

Passing the plate is more than just a tradition; it’s a ministry in itself. It reflects the heart of our community and our commitment to sharing. Let us view the offering not just as a pause, but as an essential part of worship, symbolizing generosity and supporting our congregation both spiritually and collectively. May it be so.

Food Ministry News

The Food Ministry thanks everyone for their generous donations to the food drive for El Centro in Trenton. A small portion of the collection was visible during the September 21 Sunday service, reflecting the congregation’s intentionality in its collective mission to reduce food insecurity.

Racial Justice Ministry Activities for October 2025

By Mary Lou Dahms, Racial Justice Ministry

The Racial Justice Ministry (RJM) creates opportunities to support your journey toward justice. Here are some upcoming highlights for this October:

Run (or Walk) the Revolutionary Mile in Trenton – October 16

The First Annual Revolutionary Mile will be held in downtown Trenton on Thursday, October 16. Members and friends of UUCWC are invited to join this 1.55-mile run and historical walk.

• Start Times: Run at 5:30 pm; Walk at 5:35 pm (check-in begins at 4:30 pm)
• Registration: $30 through October 14; $35 after
• Perks: Each participant receives a $10 gift card redeemable at participating downtown Trenton businesses

Along the route, runners and walkers will pass historic landmarks marked with yellow umbrellas, each sharing a piece of Trenton’s rich heritage.

UUCWC already has a team registered—join us or register as an individual. As our nation celebrates 250 years, the Revolutionary Mile provides an alternative way to honor history and support our neighbors along the Delaware, where UUCWC has its roots. Learn more here. This event also supports our ongoing Trenton partnerships through RJM, including the Trenton Microloans Collaborative (which offers zero-interest loans to the formerly incarcerated) and I Am Trenton, a community grant-making foundation.

Speaker Series – October 19

On Sunday, October 19, we welcome Larry Hamm, Founder of People’s Organization for Progress and member of the NJ Reparations Council.

• During service: Larry will deliver the sermon, sharing why reparations matter and how we can be allies in the work of repair.
• After service (11:30–12:30): He’ll offer an overview of the work ahead. Refreshments will be provided.

Several UUCWC members have heard Larry speak and recommended inviting him. He is a passionate, inspiring activist, and we thank the Endowment Committee for making this visit possible. Read Larry’s Wikipedia bio.

Stay tuned for details about our next speaker, scheduled for November/December.

RJM Book Cart – October 19

The RJM Book Cart will be available on October 19 with a new selection of titles for adults and youth. Come by to discover new books and resources.

We’ll also be accepting pre-orders for T-shirts in small and extra-large sizes, which several congregants have requested.

Turn Your Grocery Shopping into Giving

By Holly Bussey and Steve Saddlemire for the RaiseRight Team

Where do you shop—Acme, ShopRite, Giant? Each time you buy groceries, you can also support UUCWC. It’s simple!

Visit the RaiseRight table in the Crossings Room on Sundays. Volunteers will guide you through the process and show you how your regular grocery shopping can benefit UUCWC.

How does it work?

Order gift cards for your favorite supermarket. Pick them up at UUCWC and pay by check or Venmo. If you attend virtually, contact me, and we can arrange an alternative. If your preferred store isn’t listed, please let us know, and we may be able to accommodate you.

Once you have your gift cards, keep them handy in your wallet or with your credit cards. Use them when you shop, and UUCWC will receive a percentage of your payment. It costs you nothing extra, and you can buy cards in small or large amounts.

When you make this a habit, it becomes automatic, and every grocery trip becomes an opportunity to support UUCWC. Need more cards? Email raiseright@uucwc.org or stop by the RaiseRight table to place another order. Cards are available monthly.

Climate Justice Congregational Actions: Opportunities for Input

By Leslie McGeorge, co-chair, Earth & Climate Ministry (ECM)

As we continue to build on our March 2025 Climate Justice Dialogues, we seek your help in developing plans for action within local communities such as Trenton and Morrisville. Such input builds on our March 2025 Climate Justice Dialogs session (See the April CrossCurrents article.).

Possible themes for congregational action include:

• Partnering with community groups on disaster relief (e.g., flooding and power outages)
• Addressing food insecurity through support for regenerative and organic local farming
• Expanding nature access for vulnerable populations
• Supporting home and nonprofit building rehabilitation, weatherization, and energy efficiency
• Tree planting. Preservation of open spaces.
• Promoting good government, fair voting, and “climate aware” candidates

We will select high-priority items and plan our future actions accordingly.

Join the Conversation

To refine our plans, join us for a Climate Justice Action Session on Sunday, November 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We will present a summary of your ideas and solicit your feedback on our vision for the actions required to build and maintain thriving communities.

Reuse! Recycle! Repurpose! Let UUCWC Help You!

By Janet Hubbard, Earth & Climate Ministry

Have you noticed the five bins located in various UUCWC hallways and lobbies (their locations have shifted due to construction)? They are meant for the collection of used coffee pods, dental items (brushes, floss sticks, tubes), party paper goods, and chip bags.

Several years ago, the Earth and Climate Ministry’s co-chair, Barbara Drew, secured an Endowment grant of several hundred dollars to purchase these bins and cover shipping costs for the collected items. This supports the UU 7th principle of caring for the Earth. In partnership with Trenton-based Terracycle, these goods were repurposed instead of being sent to landfills. UUCWC’s Michael Waas worked at Terracycle and led a tour of the facility for ECM members in 2020.

ECM encourages all to bring in their used products and be part of the solution. You can also contribute to the compost bin by Allie’s Garden, where another hard-working co-chair, Al Johnson, collects and spreads food waste to improve the soil for crops grown for food kitchens.

One last thing: if you’re interested, please consider scooping out the used grounds from your coffee pods. Then, deposit the pods in the bins and add the grounds to the compost area. They enrich the soil nicely. Karen Kent, Barbara, and I do this with dozens or hundreds of pods and would be very grateful for some help.

Compiled by Barbara Drew, Earth & Climate Ministry

Following is a brief synopsis of news from various local, state, and national sources compiled by the Earth & Climate Ministry.

• Electronics Recycling — Sat., Oct. 4, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Central Bucks East High School, 2804 Holicong Rd., Doylestown, PA 18902. No TVs or monitors.
• Salem Oak at Woolsey Park — The historic Salem Oak (with offspring) in Hopewell Township is now protected and surrounded by a native-plant garden—thanks to UUCWC’s Jeanne DeMoss. It’s near the entrance on Washington Crossing/Pennington Rd. Stop by and see it!
• Gardens for Wildlife: “Gardening Is for the Birds” — Free webinar, Tue., Oct. 22, 7:00 p.m. Learn how to make your garden a haven for birds and other wildlife. Register here.
• Environmental Justice Win in Trenton — The East Trenton Collaborative helped secure U.S. EPA listing of the Historic Potteries site on the National Priorities List, unlocking federal funds to clean up legacy lead contamination from 19th–20th century pottery manufacturing—critical for protecting children’s health.
• Fix Our Forests Act Reintroduced — Bipartisan legislation to improve forest health, increase wildfire resilience, and accelerate restoration was reintroduced on Jan. 16, 2025 (H.R. 471). Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a supporting organization.
• Global Climate Finance Agreement — Nearly 200 countries agreed to scale investment to $1.3T per year by 2035 for cutting climate pollution and adaptation. Wealthier nations committed to mobilize $300B per year through 2035 via public and private finance—hailed as a foundational blueprint for future climate funding.
• EVs as a Grid Resource — The Union of Concerned Scientists finds integrating electric vehicles into California’s grid could save $1.8–$11.7B per year. With bidirectional-charging models, EVs can power homes during outages and even return power to the grid during stress events.
• Maine’s 100% Clean Power by 2040 — A new law sets Maine on course to source all electricity from wind, solar, and other carbon-free resources by 2040.

Send news items for consideration in the next CrossCurrents to earthministry@uucwc.org.

Council for Faith in Action News

Help Us Choose a New Name for FEFT Ministry

By Holly Bussey, on behalf of the soon-to-be-renamed FEFT Ministry  

You are probably familiar with the descriptive names of our sister ministries, such as Food and Racial Justice, but our name, the acronym FEFT, fails to accurately describe what we do. Because of this, we would like to change our name to something that reflects our purpose, which is to recommend how UUCWC outreach funds are distributed in local communities.

Recently, we brainstormed some ideas. The top contenders so far include:

• Community Fund

• UUCWC Community Fund

• Community Outreach Fund

• Community Connection Fund

Now we’d like to hear from you. Do any of these names speak to you? If you have another option, please let us know by October 13.

UUCWC Meet & Greet: Bonnie & Bernie Ruekgauer

Above: Bonnie and Bernie on vacation in Maine.

By Scott Cullen, CrossCurrents Editor

For nearly half a century, Bonnie and Bernie Ruekgauer have considered UUCWC their spiritual home. The couple joined the congregation in 1976, just as the church was establishing itself at its Washington Crossing location, and they have been vital to its growth and community spirit ever since. From the early days of mowing the grass and carting away trash after Sunday services to chairing committees, tutoring children, and sharing music, both Bonnie and Bernie have exemplified the spirit of service and fellowship that characterizes our congregation.

Their faith journeys reflect the core of Unitarian Universalism—asking questions, searching for meaning, and finding joy in community. Bonnie, raised Presbyterian, embraced the freedom to question and grow after becoming a UU, while Bernie first discovered Unitarianism during his Army service overseas. Together, they’ve formed strong bonds within UUCWC, finding purpose and belonging through service, music, retreats, and friendships.

Read on to learn more about Bonnie and Bernie’s memories, passions, and the traditions that continue to enrich their lives at UUCWC.

Do you typically attend services in person, virtually, or both?

Bonnie & Bernie: We appreciate the option to do either, so we split our Sundays about in half. Sometimes it is just a matter of the weather.

What inspired you to visit for the first time and/or join?

Bonnie & Bernie: We were looking for a change from the Princeton UU Church where we had attended for six years but didn’t feel comfortable. We were beginning our long stay in West Amwell.

What religion were you raised in?

Bonnie: I was raised Presbyterian and was very active in the “home” church until we were married. After I became UU, I realized I never asked very many questions at that church, just accepted everything as a given. I so appreciate the UU phrase “even to question is an answer.”

Bernie: I wasn’t a church attendee until my early twenties. It was while I was stationed in Korea that my fellow Army buddy told me he was a Unitarian. After he shared his definition of the religion, I said, “That is not a religion.”

If you had to describe your faith journey in one word, what would it be?

Bonnie: Searching.

Bernie: Question.

What committees/ministries at UUCWC have you participated in during your time here?

Bonnie: I have served on the Board, chaired several committees (Fellowship, Membership, Social Justice), and others, too many to list here. Suffice it to say, I have been a very active member of UUCWC over the years. I especially enjoyed chairing or co-chairing our annual Kirkridge Retreats.

Bernie: Many years as Chair of Building and Grounds; over 20 years as a tutor in the Homefront Tutoring Program; Chair of the Memorial Garden Committee; guitarist in several musical groups. Always available when needed.

What do you like best about being a member of UUCWC?

Bonnie: I appreciate the opportunity to be my true self. I have been encouraged to grow through exploration, leadership, and relationships. Also, I have so many friends in the church; being with them is a great source of joy.

Bernie: There is always a need for me to feel helpful in one way or another.