Lions Center for the Blind,
Pitney Road and Crestview Avenue, Absecon NJ
Directions
Sunday Services start at 10:00 am and last till about 11:00 am.
Child care and a children’s program is available.
A coffee hour for socializing follows the service.
Jan -- Feb -- Mar -- Apr -- May -- Jun -- Jul -- Aug -- Sep -- Oct -- Nov -- Dec
2008
August 3
Chanting: Discovering the Spirit in Sound
Lay leader Barbara Miller
Since ancient times, chanting has helped people find a connection with each
other and the divine. We will experience the spiritual and physical benefits
of chanting in this all-music service.
August 10
Kids Can Be Peacemakers
Lay speaker David Shaman
David will be providing a special School Peacemaker experience for our congregation.
It will be an inter-generational event, so children will remain together with
the adults for the entire service. With the aid of creative dramatic role-playing
and interactive group percussion this will be a very fun and light-hearted reinforcement
of positive values and a nonviolent approach towards life.
August 17
The Bedside Theologian: Reflections of a Unitarian Universalist Chaplain
Guest minister Rev. Keith Goheen
Drawing from his daily practice, the Reverend Goheen will share some of the
religious substance and spiritual light that shape and guide his hospital ministry.
August 24
Seventh Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
Lay speaker Jon Luoma
Our 7th Principle calls on us to honor the web of all existence. What events
actually sparked the adoption of this newest principle in the mid 1980s? Did
the spirit of the 7th principle have a life far earlier in a tradition that
often seemed so focused on individualism? And, by the way, is this only a principle
about birds, bees, and recycling our soup cans?
August 31
Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, 19th Century African-American Unitarian, Addresses "The Colored People in America" in 1857: A re-enactment
Lay speaker Stephanie Garrett
How far have we come as a nation and as a denomination in the 150 years since
this essay was published? Hear the essay and dialogue with Mrs. Harper. As a
published poet, author of fiction, lecturer and abolitionist, Mrs. Harpers'
topics centered on the issues of racism, sexism and classism envisioned through
a radical Christian perspective advocating reform, revolution and humanism.
A Brighter Coming Day, a reader containing her poetry, sample essays, letters,
and excepts from her novel and short stories, edited by Francis Smith Foster
in 1990, is available through the UUA Bookstore and online sources.
July 6
"That Filthy Little Atheist"
Lay speaker Carl Benner
...is how Teddy Roosevelt referred to Thomas Paine. Should Paine be on a pedestal or be vilified? Emphatically the former, says Carl, who will make his case.
July 13
What is General Assembly?
Lay speaker Stephanie Garrett
Curious about the purpose of a General Assembly and what the acronyms AIW, CSAI, CSW and SOC mean? Come and find out from our representation to this year's convention held in Ft.Lauderdale. Stephanie is a founding member of UUCSJS , her primary congregation, and is also president of the SW Florida Cluster of UU Congregations through the UU Fellowship of Charlotte County Florida, her winter residence. What role does our congregation play as a part of the larger denomination?
July 20
Peace Pilgrim
Guest speakers Bruce Nichols and Cheryl Canfield
Bruce Nichols will speak from his personal experience about how Peace comes into the lives of those who never knew her, and about how the pilgrimage continues. Cheryl Canfield will tell us about the time in history when Peace walked, how she met her in 1976, and offer some similarities to current times.
One person can make a difference!
July 27
Fifth Principle: The Right of Conscience, and Use of the Democratic Process
Lay speaker Lynn Stiles
Charter member, Lynn Stiles, will offer his insights on our 5th Principle.
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June 1
Feel Your Faith
Guest speaker Stash Serafin
Mr Serafin, blind since birth, offers ways to feel faith; rather than just think about it. He weaves an inner tapestry of sensing faith rather than merely thinking about faith. Could faith be a vibration? A frequency we can learn to cultivate and actually sense? Join us as we have fun learning to Feel Your Faith.
June 8
God Bless You, Mr.Vonnegut; or Imagination As Faith
Guest speaker Dennis Moyer
Kurt Vonnegut has been called "a Christ-loving atheist." He has described himself this way: "In order not to seem a spiritual quadriplegic to strangers trying to get a fix on me, I sometimes say I am a Unitarian Universalist". This presentation explores the relationship between imagination and faith as seen through the unique lens of Vonnegut's vision.
June 15
Seeking Peace
Lay speaker Eddie Hicks
Eddie will discuss the Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI), adopted at the 2006 General Assembly. Should the Unitarian Universalist Association reject the use of any and all kinds of violence and war...and adopt a principle of seeking just peace through nonviolent means?
June 22
Service at 11 am at 75 Pomona Rd
Summer Solstice Celebration
Presented by many
A special service to celebrate the longest day of the earthly year. Service is at 11:00 am. We will meet at our new building, unless the weather is inclement.
June 29
Freeing Your True Nature: The Psychology of Zen Meditation
Guest speaker Kurt Spellmeyer
Zen meditation might be understood as the tradition that uses the power of the unconscious mind to liberate people from their illusions and destructive mental habits. Even though people today are quite familiar with the idea of the unconscious, they are in fact less in touch with it than human beings of earlier times. For individuals and for society, tapping into the unconscious may be the most liberating thing that we can do.
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May 4
Service at 11 am
Ways of Knowing, and the Quest for Ultimate Things
Guest speaker Peter B. Rosenberger, MD
When we seek to move beyond the everyday in our search for knowledge, we run into questions of how can we know what really is, and what do we do to reality in the process of knowing it. Modern neuroscience has learned a great deal about what the brain does in the process of learning. The brain imposes categories on sensory input, and these are derived from a stew of past experience and emotional salience.
How then approach the question of God, who seems to be down here rather than out there?
Dr Rosenberger will argue that the God he knows has everything to do with perfection and nothing at all to do with creation.
May 11
Fundamental Choices
Guest minister Rev Ron Neely
In life we make many choices - both large and small. Sometimes we make secondary choices in support of primary choices we've made, sometimes not. In this service we will explore some choices that go beyond our primary choices and get right to our fundamental outlook on life. These fundamental choices, when consciously made, can change the way we are with the world, with each other, and with ourselves.
May 18
Annual Flower Communion
Presented by the Coming of Age RE group
Just as no two flowers are alike, so no two people are alike, yet each has a contribution to make. Together the different flowers form a beautiful bouquet. All this past year, the COA teens have been asking "Big Questions", such as "what is the purpose of life?", "what do you have faith in?", and "what are your hopes and dreams for the future?", as they explore their own personal beliefs and values as emerging Unitarian Universalists. They will be sharing their personal credos with the congregation in this special service that is not to be missed. Please bring a sprig of flowers with you to the service to be shared.
May 25
Sixth Principle: World Community, with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All
Lay speaker Pam Hendrick
Charter member, Pam Hendrick, will offer her insights on our 6th Principle.
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April 6
Third Principle: Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to Spiritual Growth
Lay speaker Bob Gillies
Are these principles mere platitudes? What does the third principle really mean? Is it one principle, or two? And are the two redundant? Bob will try to tease apart the interrelated third principle.
April 13
No Service at Lions Center!
A Celebration of Construction at Our New Home
Led by Prim Reeves
Location - Our emerging building on Pomona Road. Time: 10:30 am. This will be an informal service, with a chalice, and some singing. The speeches will be from us, as we reflect on the moment of being at our new home.
We will stand for this short service.
After our ceremony, there will be a treasure hunt for the children.
Note: The Lions Center is holding a pancake breakfast on this day, and we encourage any who are pancake-lovers to get their sustenance beforehand there.
April 20
Fourth Principle: With Freedom Comes Responsibility
Lay speaker Michael Cluff
In the spirit of the fourth principle and its promotion of a "free and responsible search for meaning," many UU congregations welcome everyone from Agnostics to Zoroastrians -- and a whole alphabet soup of isms in between. We UUs probably have a handle on what it means to have a free search for meaning. But what does it mean to undertake a responsible search for meaning?
April 27
A Home for an Unknown God
Guest speaker Rev Lyn Cox
There is something at the center of our faith, something known by many names and by none. We might call it "the holy," or "the divine," or "transcending mystery and wonder." Some of us call it God or Goddess, some of us don't find these names to be useful. When we bind ourselves together in the spiritual work of justice and compassion, we are serving this center. When we create beauty in worship, we are serving this center. When we care for one another and create a sanctuary for those who need it, we are serving this center. As the congregation constructs a new building, it is worth remembering that transcending mystery and wonder reside everywhere.
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March 2
There’s Something Happening Here
Lay speaker Paul Utts
What is it? Paul Utts takes a break from his RE class to share with us where we've been, why he thinks we're here, and where we might go from here. This Commitment Sunday Service kicks off our annual canvass.
Be sure to stay afterwards for our visioning session, and have your voice be heard.
March 9
No service at the Lions Center today
Canvassing Brunches/Sharing Circles
Members and friends of the congregation will gather in small groups at members’ homes to reflect on what they value about our congregation, and to enjoy eating and socializing together. Participants will have an opportunity to make a pledge of support to the congregation at these gatherings.March 16
How and Why We Ventured into Co-Housing Focused On Water And Energy Conservation
Guest speaker Lou Hammann
Hundredfold Farm is a collaborative housing project outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that offers an alternative to the alienation and isolation of our modern-day suburbs. With privately owned homes clustered around commonly held areas, the entire design emphasizes community, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. Lou will tell us more about why he and his wife Pat sought out this 21st century (but in many ways, old-fashioned) way of living.
March 23
The Renewed Promise of Humanism
Guest speaker Marilyn Westfall
Humanism has always been a vital component of the modern Unitarian movement, and now in the 21st century, there is a renewed vitality in Humanist trends, perspectives, and activism, within UUism and worldwide. Let's examine what this positive lifestance has to offer us, at a time when "change" and "hope" seem to have been rekindled in our nation.
March 30
With a Song in His Heart
Guest speaker Joseph DeMasi
Join award winning singer/songwriter/humorist and all around good guy Joseph DeMasi as he presents a musical program focusing on the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism. Come and find out how a nice Italian boy from Brooklyn ended up living in the plains of North Dakota. (UU's are everywhere!) A fun, insightful, engaging and unique presentation!
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February 3
2nd principle: Justice, Equity, and Compassion in Human Relations
Lay speaker Richard Grzywinski
What do we really mean by "justice," and can it exist without equity and compassion? Join us in a slalom course through historical justice as we push off with Plato, Aeschylus and Aristotle, hurdle over Hammurabi, tumble through the Testaments, call out to Immanuel Kant, study the Semai of Malaysia, cavort with five female capuchin monkeys, and, with a blatant secular bias, find the meaning of justice within ourselves.
February 10
The Question of God
Guest speaker Ron Neely
What do you believe? And why is it important to you? Do you believe in good? What about evil? Are good and evil opposites? Are they arbitrary?
Do you believe in God? What about the Devil? Or, do you believe in neither of these?
February 17
Love That Gives Meaning
Guest minister Rev. Susan E. Vollmer
This service will recommit us one to the other: parents and children, friend to friend, partner to partner and welcomes everyone who loves to attend. Here we can claim the LOVE that gives meaning to our lives in the presence of our church community. Let us come together and celebrate.
February 24
Our Transgender Experience
Guest speaker Stephanie Guinan
What do parents do if their young son insists that he's really a girl? Stephanie will share the story of her transgender daughter, how she and her husband recognized this condition, how they dealt with family, neighbors, friends, school, and what they did to survive and grow through this life-shaking situation.
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January 6
The Holy Grail
Guest speaker The Honorable Mark I. Bernstein
King Arthur stories have delighted and entertained Western Civilization for centuries. How may the Quest for the Grail inform our lives in the 21st century?
January 13
Annual Poetry Service
Various members, led by Barbara Miller
According to Carl Sandburg, “Poetry is the journal of the sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air. Poetry is a search for syllables to shoot at the barriers of the unknown and the unknowable. Poetry is a phantom script telling how rainbows are made and why they go away.” Help shoot down some barriers and share in some very personal poetry by others in our congregational community.
January 20
The First Principle
Lay speaker Jack Miller
When we say we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of each person, we see that the words are few, the idea is clear, but the practice is unbelievably difficult. How do we honor this principle in our everyday life, at work, at home, at play, and at UUCSJS?
January 27
Building Relationships and Equality Through Fair Trade
Guest speaker Jason Simmons
Fair trade has brought us a long way towards making more equitable trade a reality. It has also helped connect us to where the products we purchase come from. However, there is constantly a need for greater understanding between people on a more human-to-human level. We must always seek to go beyond the labels and perceptions of production and consumption, and actively work to build dialog and community with people, face-to-face.
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