Each month, UUCWC celebrates a theme with opportunities for you to deepen your connection within, among and beyond our community.    

Special this month: April Cottage Meetings with the Board! The Board of Trustees is inviting you to get updates and share your thoughts about our beloved community in a small group setting during the month of April. They want to hear your thoughts and fill you in on the exciting things that are propelling us forward. Meetings will be on Sunday, 4/14 and 4/28 (multiplatform), or Wednesday 4/24 at 7 pm (zoom only). The Board looks forward to being with you and hearing your thoughts and questions. Sign up here

April’s theme is the Gift of Interdependence. Experience this month’s theme by pulling out of the space of thinking and into the space of doing. Here are some ways to become a part of something larger this month:

If you are looking for deepening within, as you Celebrate Life:

• Lectio Divina (Reading Poems Prayerfully), every Thursday, 12:30-1pm online**.  No Lectio on 4/4.
• Guest Musician, Michal Schmidt, cellist, will join us at services on Sunday, April 7th.
• Resist Grind Culture, Online only, Mondays April 8, 15, 22, 29 from 10am-11am.  An invitation into discovery, accountability, and rest. Join Rev. Kim and others who have spent a week reflecting on and practicing a simple rest exercise from the Nap Ministry’s rest deck of cards. You may participate any (or all) weeks, but you must pre-register one week before each class to receive your personal rest exercise. RSVP to rpugh@uucwc.org.
• Start reading now for the April 11 racial justice book discussion of Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot. Multiplatform. Thursday, April 11, 7:00-8:30pm. People of all genders and races are welcome to participate. To register, email rpugh@uucwc.org. 
• Breathe: the world needs you whole is returning! After a brief hiatus, Breathe is back and here for you. All UUCWC community members are welcome to come and gather in community, take a pause to ground yourself and reflect on and share what’s on your heart. Facilitated by Intern Minister Lisa Schilansky. Thursday April 18th, 7:30-9pm on Zoom. Join here. 
• Join us for earth mediations on Earth Day Sunday, April 21st, led by Rev. Kim and Director of Music Ministry, Erin Busch.  Look for information from our Earth and Climate Ministry too!
• Chalice Circles, Various dates and times, in-person or online options. Small group reflections on the monthly theme. Email Robin Pugh at rpugh@uucwc.org for info.

If you are looking for opportunities among others, as you Create Community:

• It’s not too late to pledge: while the Stewardship Drive has officially ended, we always welcome your pledge and hope to hear from all member households.  Please return you pledge by mail or online here so our Finance Committee can create a budget for FY 2024-2025. Thanks to all who have already pledged!
• Science Circle: Science, Technology and Our Future, April 2 at 7pm, multiplatform**. Discuss recent scientific and technological discoveries and how they impact our self-understanding and rapidly changing future.
• Dead Reckoning, A Tribute Concert to the Grateful Dead. Saturday, April 6 at 8:00pm by the fundraising committee.  Tickets $25.
• Super Sunday for Children’s Faith Engagement, April 7th. An opportunity for children and youth to socialize with one another across the age ranges with guided activities; this month our youth lead the activity!  
• “Ask Me Anything” Virtual Coffee Hour with Congregational Engagement: Join the Congregational Engagement Committee on Sunday, April 14 for an “Ask Me Anything” Zoom breakout room during virtual coffee hour; “Ask Me Anything” is regularly offered on the first Sunday but will be on 4/14 this month.
• The Auction Boutique is back and will be open during the Kick-off Party May 3! Due to space limitations this year, we are asking for donations of JEWELRY ONLY for the boutique beginning Sunday, April 7th. Please place your donations in the designated box under the coat rack in the lobby.
• Socratic Group, April 9th, 1pm, in-person.  Begun as part of ROMEOs, this group discusses a philosophical, ethical, or cultural/political question chosen at the time by those attending.  
• Cosmic Crossings, an electronic, ambient, space, and experimental music concert series. Saturday, April 13 at 8:00pm (more information here) Tickets for each show are $10, with all proceeds to benefit the UUCWC.. Doors open at 7:30 pm.
• Celebrating Our Connections! Sunday April 14th and April 28th Auction Preview Party tickets are on sale. $20/person in advance, $25 at the door. Payment via Venmo, PayPal or if in person by check or cash.  Advance payment of $20/person ends on May 2, the day before the party.  Buy raffle tickets for special raffle baskets! 
• ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Luncheon, April 16th at Piccolo Trattoria in the Hopewell Crossing Shopping Center at 12pm. RSVP to romeos@uucwc.org.
• JULIETs (Just Us Ladies Into Eating and Talking) Luncheon, April 16th at Mikonos Greek Restaurant, 50 Scotch Road, Ewing NJ.  Reserve your place at the table by contacting our host, Lori Rahn (elrahn23@gmail.com) by April 12. This lunch gathering is for all cis* or trans* women in a space that centers women’s experiences  RSVP to julietslunch@uucwc.org.
• Welcome Table Wednesday is on hiatus until the fall, when we can use our renovated kitchen and Crossings Room. Be on the lookout for a bonfire gathering in late spring/early summer.
• Sunday, April 21  Earth Day! Come visit the Earth & Climate Ministry tables after the service in the Sanctuary for eco-friendly tips and info for your home regarding native plants, cleaning products, IRA program, Green Amendment, and more! Al Johnson will provide an outdoor overview of the compost piles by Allie’s Garden.  A zoom option may be available, or request info packets from earthminstry@uucwc.org
• Auction booklet for Celebrating Our Connections! will be available Sunday April 21!  While the auction is online with photographs or images for each item, the book is helpful for planning and use throughout the year. Auction Party ticket sales continue.
• Outdoor Adventures Hike, April, 21st at 1:30pm at Churchville Nature Center in Bucks County.  For details and to RSVP that you are attending, email OutdoorAdventures@uucwc.org.
• Tending the Flame, April 22nd at 7:30pm. Parents and caregivers are invited to drop in for a 1-hour time of facilitated connection, support and sharing. Contact rpugh@uucwc.org. 
• Crossing Chorale, in-person rehearsals on Sundays at 12:30pm.  Ability to read music is not a requirement! Email Erin Busch at ebusch@uucwc.org.
• Friday Night Sing-A-Long, every week with a different theme at 8pm on Zoom**.  The Weekly Announcement email has details.
• CLUUSTERS Biking Group, for those who enjoy a two-wheeled way to be in good company.  To learn more, contact Michael Howe-Smith/the office at uucwc@uucwc.org.
• 80’s Group for those in their 80s and beyond to connect online or in person.  Contact Robin Pugh for details at rpugh@uucwc.org. 

If you are seeking ways in and beyond our walls to Change the World:

• Earth and Climate Ministry invites our kids and families to join our UUCWC team April 13 from 9am -12pm for the Hopewell Township Clean Sweep Day. This event was started with the passage of the NJ Clean Communities Act to promote litter cleanup. Our group will meet outside the Hopewell Township Public Works Building, where we will receive our assigned area for litter cleanup. For more details and to register for our UUCWC group. email Geri Koblis at earthministry@uucwc.org.
• Climate Change and What You Can Do: Reduce Energy, Costs and Climate Pollution, Tues, April 16 from 7:00 – 8:30pm.  Earth and Climate Ministry sponsors this session at UUCWC with experts on ClimateScience, Clean Energy and Practical Electrification tips. Congregants, other faith-based organizations and environmental/climate groups, in addition to the public are invited.  In-person and virtual participation will be welcomed. See weekly email for details.
• CFA-FAITH FUNDING Meeting, April 16th 7pm online only. Learn and be part of determining what groups outside our walls receive 50% of our plate collections. All are welcome. Contact faithfunding@uucwc.org if interested.
• Reparations Webinar and Discussion.  The April NJ Reparations Public Session is April 17th 6:30-9pm on the topic of Public Safety and Justice (see www.njreparations.org for link and to sign up for public comment). The UUCWC discussion group will be held on Tuesday April 30th at 7pm at this link.  For more information, contact racialjustice@uucwc.org.
• The NJ Faith Allies for A Reparations Task Force is hosting a 1 hour webinar featuring speakers from other states that have moved the legislative needle on the issue of reparations. Registration for the webinar on Thursday April 25th at 7pm is open to the general public. To register go to:  https://dioceseofnj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAoduytpjgqGt1HdU4AmCGiGV9xf5-JAdvm#/registration

**Check your Weekly Announcements for the link information or contact the office at uucwc@uucwc.org.