
Our first in person service will be Oct 10th at 10:30 at UUFN MacKinnon Hall. This will also be our first hybrid service (simultaneously in person and virtually via Zoom). You can attend either in person or online, whichever you prefer.
If you plan to attend in person, please review what you need to do to participate in an indoor event at UUFN under "Reopening Guidelines: When Inside" below.
If you are planning to remain online and experience the virtual service, it will be the same as our current Virtual Services. You will use the zoom link given to you for that service.
We are working to make this a wonderful experience of worship whether you are in person or online.
A Note From Our Minister
We have the news: our first in-person/Zoom hybrid service will be on October 10! We can celebrate together again! And, with UUFN’s new streaming capabilities, everyone should be able to attend, whether at home or in MacKinnon.
Though our worship services have been high quality online, we’ve been apart too long. Belonging to UUFN has almost felt like maintaining a long-distance relationship – possible, but difficult. We’ve all been delighted and encouraged by the high attendance numbers in Worship. You’ve all done a great job of keeping UUFN a vital and viable community. I hope my increased time in Newark will continue to help me serve and connect with everyone at UUFN.
I can feel the excitement brewing. At the end of Passover Seder services, the cry is “Next year in Jerusalem!” We at UUFN can now say, “Next month in MacKinnon”!
See you then, – Don
A Note From Our President
I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it!! With many thanks to the Pointer Sisters for this wonderful phrase.
We are truly embarking on new space and technology at the Fellowship. Biggest one of all is that we will finally begin to have in-person services on Sunday, October 10. Now, I do know that all of you may still be very anxious about being together, but never fear. We will begin having hybrid services on the 10th. So, what this means is that, yes, you will still be able to join us through the internet, but you will also be able to be with us face-to-face, or I should say mask-to-mask.
As I write this message, our AV team from Spinnakers is installing the computers and cameras which will enable us to have such a wonderful ability to communicate with everyone, on-line or in-person. We will have more details about this after we receive our training on Saturday, October 2. Stay tuned! (If you're interested in receiving training to run these systems, contact Don or Nancy.)
We will also begin to have more “happenings.” On Saturday, October 9, we will have a Bring-Your-Own-Meal gathering. At 4:00 p.m., we will have tables set up in the side parking lot for everyone who cares to join with us. Please bring you own chairs, if possible. If not, we will have chairs in the rack in the hallway by the door. Since Covid-19 has put restrictions on us about a potluck style meal, we still want to sup together, but with our own meals that we bring with us. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at President@UUFN.org.
Then, on Sunday the 10th after the service, we will have a “tailgate” style gathering. Again, in the side parking lot, we will have beverages (think coffee, tea, water) to enjoy. We will continue to have mask-to-mask social time, much like our previous coffee hours after services.
On Sunday, October 3, lay leader meetings will resume after our virtual Sunday service. Everyone is invited to learn what various committees and teams are doing. You are invited to contribute to this sharing. What are your questions and ideas for what the Fellowship is doing or not doing? All are welcome to contribute.
Another comment about mask wearing – When inside the building, we must always wear a mask. This includes the restrooms and office. This is especially important since our young RE members cannot get a vaccination and we need to protect them. They too will be wearing masks when inside the buildings.
As I have already stated, I’m just so excited that we will, at last, begin to Fellowship together either in-person or hybrid!!
I look forward to seeing you!
Janet
Week of Sept 12
Equipment being installed and tested
Saturday, October 2
morning
Tech Team Training
Anyone who is interested in being trained is welcome but please contact Don and Nancy. Their contact information is in Breeze or you can get it from our Office Administrator (email officeadmin@uufn.org or call 302-368-2984).
Saturday, October 9
4:00 PM
Bring-Your-Own-Meal gathering
At 4:00 p.m., we will have tables set up in the side parking lot for everyone who cares to join with us.
Please bring you own chairs, if possible. If not, we will have chairs in the rack in the hallway by the door.
Since Covid-19 has put restrictions on us about a potluck style meal, we still want to sup together, but with our own meals that we bring with us.
There's a rumor that the Newark Ukesters will be providing some music!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janet Louise at President@UUFN.org.
Sunday, October 10
10:30 AM
Service
Service: "What is religion for?" by Rev. Don Garrett
We’ll use an evolutionary perspective in an attempt to discern the common purposes from which all religions are derived.
This service will be presented both on-line via Zoom (send email to worship@uufn.org for a link) and in-person (go to https://uufn.org/covid-related-guidelines-fall-2021/ for protocols.)
ORDER OF SERVICE
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome & Announcements
Gathering Music – “Blind Mary” by Áine Minogue
Call to Worship
Chalice Lighting
Opening Hymn #360 – “Here We Are Gathered”
Meditation – “Compassion” by Mark Nepo
Joys & Concerns
OFFERING
Offertory – “May the Light of Love” David Roth & Anne Hills
Sermon – “What Is Religion For?”
Anthem: “Morning Song” by Michael Douglas & Richard Stoltzman
Closing Hymn: #121– “We'll Build a Land"
Chalice Extinguishing
Benediction
Postlude
Sunday, October 10
After Service
We'll have a "tailgating" type of hospitality hour outside in the parking lot. There will be coffee and water, maybe hot apple cider over by the side of the parking lot.
We'll have a chance to network, connect, just spend some time together.
If you plan to attend the hospitality hour, please review what you need to do to participate in an outdoor event at UUFN under "Reopening Guidelines: Outside" below.
Please have children wear masks and bring a water bottle, and have them dressed to spend some time outside.
For the children’s safety, we are trying to limit their contact with others.
Please arrive before 10:30 (we open at 10:15) and bring the children directly to Walden.
Childcare will be available until 11:45. When you are ready to leave please pick up your children in Walden and exit the building.
All childcare providers will be masked and vaccinated.
Oct 10 th - Nursery (5 and under) and childcare will be available.
Oct 17th - nursery available on site, older children will be taking a field trip to visit the butterfly garden of a Fellowship member.
Questions dre@uufn.org.
For more about our RE Programs, see our Religious Exploration page.
The service will be hybrid (simultaneously in person and virtually via Zoom), so people who prefer to attend virtually can still do so. You can read more about our Virtual Services on our What to Expect in Worship page.
If you are not already on our mailing list, please contact us at worship@ uufn.org far enough in advance to let us know who you are and that you would like to attend our Zoom Worship Service.
When Inside
- A mask must be worn at all times covering both the mouth and nose. The only exception to this is for those leading and participating in services. They may remove their masks when speaking.
- All persons entering must sign in with contact information. This is important and there are no exceptions. This information will be used for Contact Tracing in the unlikely event that an attendee or someone close to the attendee is exposed to the virus.
- You may sing along quietly with your mask on.
- Restrooms may be used at your discretion. Sanitizing supplies will be available.
- Food and coffee may not be served inside the church at this time.
- Chairs will be placed as far apart as possible within the confines of the space. You may move chairs closer for your family (pod) grouping.
- Only attend Fellowship if you are non-symptomatic for the Covid-19 virus or any other transmittable disease that could compromise the health of another congregant.
- Please be mindful of everyone’s comfort level and ask before approaching or touching others.
When Outside
- While outside at a church event, masks are optional. We encourage everyone to have a mask readily available. Many people have reasons for continuing to wear a mask even if vaccinated. If you prefer to wear a mask please do so, and if you see someone else with a mask on (they have their own reasons) please offer to wear yours.
- We will not require any specific physical distancing, but encourage an atmosphere of caution and culture of respect.