The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sussex County was founded in 1964 and until 1980 met in rented quarters. In 1978, negotiations were begun with the Sussex County Grange to purchase their two-story, white frame meeting hall at One West Nelson Street in Newton, just off Route 206. For the past 26 years we have been holding services in this building every Sunday morning except from mid-June through Labor Day.
For forty years, our membership remained fairly stable, generally somewhere between 20 to 30 members. A succession of UUFSC presidents have conducted our Sunday morning services which feature speakers on a variety of topics, related in one way or another to our Unitarian Universalist principles. Our fellowship has been growing steadily since 1997. And we now have a half-time minister, 56 members and 25 religious education students.
Services
Our fellowship meets on Sunday mornings at our upstairs meeting room. Services begin at 10:30 and last until noon. On the first and third Sundays of each month our morning service is conducted by our minister, the Reverend Mary Tiebout. On the second and fourth Sundays our services are lay led and feature speakers on a variety of topics, related in one way or another to our Unitarian-Universalist principles. Our president or vice president opens the services. Our monthly newsletter announces upcoming programs. Children participate in a religious education program during the service.
Our Order of Service includes involvement by RE students, a hymn from Singing in the Living Tradition and a hand-holding circle for congregants for closing words at the end of the service.
The Order of Service
Welcoming Music
Ringing the Bell/Sounding the Singing Bowl
Welcome & Announcements (By the president of the fellowship)
Opening Words
Song
Joys & Concerns
Meditation
Religious Education Awareness
Lighting the Chalice Lighting By The Children
(Children leave for Religious Education - Singing the Children Out)
Introduction For The Sermon or Talk
Sermon or Program for the Day
Discussion
Unison Reading
Song
Circle with Closing Words
Extinguishing of Chalice
Closing Words
Refreshments in reception area
About Our Fellowship & Services
