Greetings One and All!

Well, we're off and running! I won't overwhelm you here with everything you've got me pondering but I have to say I continue to be impressed by the range of gifts and the extent of the devotion so many of you shower on UUFP.

In the coming month, I plan to begin working more directly with you tasks we need to complete to aid in your search for your next settled minister. That's going to start with a fun exercise at the beginning of our Oct. 2 service. I am hoping everyone reading this plans not only to come but also to be in their seats singing along with our opening music by 10 a.m.! That service will also invite you to share memorable moments of ministry in your lives, including those when you were the minister.

My October to do list includes moving to a more regular schedule now that I have a better feel for how I might balance the challenges of serving both UUFP and Morristown half-time. Please see the accompanying box in this news- letter for details. In addition, I am talking with the membership committee about when we can offer some new U.U. classes and a ceremony to welcome new members. My current thinking is that the classes should be offered before the end of this month and that we should have a new member service in November. I'd welcome your feedback. Please make sure to personally invite any friends and relatives to both our services and to these classes once the dates are set.

On a related note, I hope to hear from anybody who would like me to perform a child dedication ceremony for one or more of their children during one of our services. U.U. child dedications are a wonderful opportunity for parents to celebrate the miracle of the new life they have brought into the world and for the congregation to dedicate itself to truly making the children part of our community.

Finally, a “right relations” reminder. If you have any concerns about what I am doing or why I did it – and I expect almost all of you will at some point -- don't hesitate to share that with me. Keeping it to yourself or talking to someone else who can't speak for me isn't going to help you feel better or me do better!

Blessed be and see you soon, Barnaby