Upcoming Worship Services
August 30 Do You See What I See?
Rev. Charlie Dieterich, guest minister
I’ve been re-reading the chapter called “The Way of Social Action,” which I found in How Can I Help?, a book by Ram Dass and Paul Gorman. How do we keep alignment with the bigger goals of love and social change when our egos try so hard to distract us? Social change requires training and attention. Be prepared for another episode of “Charlie’s Learn-by-Doing Theater!”
Music: Michael Rosin
The Rev. Charlie Dieterich is a retired UU minister living in Kingston, a village on a canal south of New Brunswick, NJ.
September 6 Love Letters: How God Speaks to Us!
Roosevelt André Credit, Kirsten Norberg, Joel DeWitt, and Music Director Emerita Elaine Held
A Music Service of solos and duets from Porgy and Bess, ensemble music by George Gershwin, and more, interwoven with sharing words of how music inspires our lives.
Roosevelt André Credit, Bass-Baritone, has performed several times here with us: as King Balthazar in our production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, featured in concert with Kirsten Norberg, and as a guest lecturer for our services. His performances include Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Porgy and Bess, and X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (Metropolitan Opera); Hal Prince’s Show Boat. “Roo” has a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Oregon State University, and Master’s degrees in Opera Performance and Conducting from Northwestern University.
Kirsten Norberg, soprano, has sung for us as The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, sang “O Holy Night” the Christmas Rev. Craig was on sabbatical, and many other times in services.
Joel DeWitt, violin, is a member of UUCMC and a favorite and beloved performer here.
Elaine Held, piano, is UUCMC’s Music Director Emerita and mother of Kirsten!
September 13 A Multigenerational Celebration of Ingathering and Water Communion
Rev. Dr. Craig Rubano and CDFM Michelle McKenzie-Creech
The theme for this month is “Beginnings,” and whether you are truly beginning with us or beginning again as if for the first time, we invite you to gather in, for you are welcome here. Bring your hope, bring your courage, and bring a little water (from wherever is meaningful to you) to add to a communal bowl symbolizing the community we create together. Also, bring a dish to share for our potluck picnic following the service. Let us gather in!
Music: Michael Rosin, UU Singers, Roots and Wings Drum Choir
A Congregational Potluck Picnic will follow the service.
September 20 The Jewish High Holy Days, Sukkot and Backpack Blessings
Rev. Dr. Craig Rubano
Tonight, the celebration of Yom Kippur brings to a close the ten days known as the Jewish High Holy Days. In tandem with our monthly theme of beginnings, we are invited to turn the page, to begin to live a new way, and to enter into the harvest festival of Sukkot beginning Friday evening. Lessons abound in these special days of introspection and celebration. To commemorate the kickoff of our 2026–27 Family Ministry Faith Development small groups, children, youth, and adults are invited to bring a backpack or bag that travels with them through their daily life for a special blessing.
Music: Michael Rosin, Paul Sherman
September 27 UUCMC: A Wellspring of Hope and Courage
Rev. Dr. Craig Rubano
Seventy years ago, four families put a piece in the local newspaper, soliciting feedback about the possibility of organizing a Unitarian Fellowship in Monmouth County, culminating in the Fellowship being organized on January 6, 1957—talk about a Beginning! This morning’s service title is the congregational theme for fiscal year 2026–27. I invite you to summon up memories of hope and courage in the past, recall triumphs over the decades, or indeed, look forward to initiatives yet to unfold in the life of this beloved congregation as we begin the countdown to an important milestone in our lives together.