religion
No-Preaching Zone
At 60 , Wayne fellowship set in historic home embraces its ultra-liberal approach WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY PHILIP DEVENCENTIS
There is no book of prayers orcreed or water blessed by apriest . In fact , there is no priest on duty at Lakeland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship . There are no professions of faith or rambling homilies from the pulpit . It is ano-preaching zone . And for people likeWirt Honnick ,
22 , of Totowa , that is really refreshing .
“ It ’ savery open community ,” Honnick said Sunday , when the fellowship celebrated its 60th anniversary .“ It ’ smore about the journey and not the destination .”
Honnick , who uses the pronoun they , said they could not find agroup so tolerant of their pagan views until they joined the lay-led fellowship .“ Ienjoy having alot of spiritual discussions ,” they said , “ and that ’ swhat we ’ re trying to focus oninthe coming year .”
Those accustomed to the austerity of traditional church services may never get used to the ultra-liberal approach of this congregation , whose members seem to take comfort in knowing that they can think whatever they want to think . “ We don ’ t tell people what they should believe — what their truth is ,” said Carol Swift , of Wayne .“ The idea is that they need tofind their own truth .” But like somany religion-based organizations , this one is struggling to maintain its flock , and its membership is becoming smaller . “ One might even say tiny ,” Swift said . The anniversary celebration began at 2p . m . with about 10 members dedicating apeace pole . The fixture was shrouded in ared blanket and staked on the front lawn of the fellowship ’ s property at 231 Parish Drive .
Swift and Richard Nasch , the
WELCOME Joan Palmino greets a guest who arrived at the 60th anniversary celebration of Lakeland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Parish Drive in Wayne .
co-presidents ofthe congregation , pulled off the velvety cover to expose a white post , about 6feet tall and made of plastic . Onone side , itoffered the following message in bold letters : “ May Peace Prevail On Earth .”
The Lakeland fellowship isthe only Unitarian Universalist congregation in Passaic County .
According to the Unitarian Universalist Association , based in Boston , the movement was created in May 1961 from the merger of two radical Christian groups . Members do not have asacred text , but they draw inspiration from sources that include the wisdom ofall religions .
Members established the Lakeland fellowship inFebruary 1962 at ahome on Algonquin Trail . It was incorporated that fall , and its meetings were held in borrowed facilities until it purchased its current property , the historic Parish
House , less than four years later . The Revolution-era estate that forms its south wing is one of the oldest structures in the township .
Swift said the fellowship paid off its mortgage along time ago . Itisexempt from property taxes and , she said , frugal in its spending .
The organization can sustain itself despite adecline in membership , Swift said , because of the few who are wholeheartedly dedicated toseeing it hold on .
“ It takes alot of commitment ,” Swift said . “ Let ’ sput it that way .”
The fellowship meets every Sunday at 11 a . m .
Members are now trying to revive the fellowship ’ sOrganic Gardening Group . Plots are available for anominal fee , and proceeds will be donated to the Wayne Interfaith Network food pantry at the Wayne YMCA on Pike Drive . ■
14 HOLIDAY 2023 WAYNE MAGAZINE