2020 Eastern Region VIRTUAL Fall Conference

“Our Evolving Consciousness: Diving Deep into the Extraordinary”

REGISTRATION is now OPEN:

You can register for the whole conference or select a workshop or 2, or 3…

REGISTRATION & COST

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE?
The cost for total access to the conference is $247. Access to individual sessions may be purchased at $47 per session.

WHEN DOES REGISTRATION CLOSE FOR THE CONFERENCE?
Registration for the conference will close on September 28, 2020.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY OF THE CONFERENCE?
Refunds will be available until September 28, 2020. Please note that a 3.5% handling fee will be assessed on all refunds.

NEED ASSISTANCE TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE?
Download an Application for a Partial Conference Scholarship.

COVID-19 Testing Sites – Monmouth County, NJ

Clicking on the above link will provide you with a list of FREE COVID-19 testing sites in Monmouth County for Jan-Feb 2021.

For State-wide testing sites, CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Vaccine – NJ

Learn More about New Jersey’s plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccines

Wellness Resources

Mindfulness
Mindful.org – mindfulness activities and resources
Yoga for Beginners – 20 minute at home yoga workout for beginners
Relief from anxiety, stress, and energetic imbalance – 15 Minute Meditation
www.calm.com – website for meditation and mindfulness
Grounding Techniques – refocus your mind on the positive instead of stress and anxiety

Mindfulness Apps
Insight timer App – free guided meditations
Headspace app – meditation so you stress less

Wellness Activities
National Museum of Natural History – take a virtual tour of a museum
Coursera – take a free and exciting class on a variety of fun topics through Coursera
Goodreads – occupy your mind with a new book or book club
Puzzles & Coloring – occupy your mind with a challenging puzzle or elaborate coloring exercise

Physical Fitness Activities
Get Outside! – go for a walk, jog, bike ride, or shoot some hoops while maintaining social distancing guidelines
Home Work-Ins – free workouts that you can do in your home courtesy of Planet Fitness
Fiton –  free app for exercise that is easy and fun all ages and abilities
Mayo Clinic – exercise to manage stress

Make Your Own Face Mask

Washable, Reusable, No-Sewing Required

Community Help

** New Jersey Resource Guide

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, NJ’s Drug Monitoring Initiative (DMI) has created a “New Jersey Resource Guide” to provide DMI partners and the public with links to relevant resources for a variety of topics including:

• NJ Office of the Governor COVID-19 Updates – updates and briefings from the NJ Office of the Governor
• COVID-19 Links – national, statewide, and local links/information to all things COVID-19 related (e.g. viral statistics, alerts, maps)
• Access to Naloxone (Narcan) – list of programs that are still offering naloxone in NJ
• Recovery Support & Meetings – list of active (many of which are online) recovery and support services for stakeholders and those suffering from substance use disorder
• Mental Health Support – behavioral health information and resources to help those suffering from a mental illness
• Crisis Hotlines – list of hotlines to call for different purposes (e.g. National Suicide Hotline, Poison Help Hotline, National Domestic Violence Hotline, The Trevor Project etc.)
• State Resources – statewide links to information such as guidance for travelers, resources for healthcare providers, opioid-related data, and other updates
• National Resources – links to live information hubs and maps that provide real-time information regarding COVID- 19 from sources such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO)
• Food Banks– list of food banks by county
• Emergency Housing– list emergency housing by county
• Senior Services – list of services for seniors (e.g. where to find groceries, meals, and support)
• College Resources – list of resources for college students (e.g. storage and food assistance and financial support)
• Job Searches – support services and portals to obtain employment
• Business/Employee Resources –resources to guide both employers and employees for financial assistance and filing paperwork/forms
• Home Expenses Information –programs to assist in financial hardships during COVID-19
• In-Home Education – online education resources for all ages (e.g. music lessons, art classes, online classes, and guidance on how to talk to adolescents about COVID-19)
• Entertainment – online sources for virtual tours, concerts, kid shows, comedy, theatre, art shows etc.
• Health & Wellness –online fitness, health, and wellness resources
• Volunteering/Donation Opportunities – organizations that are looking for volunteers and/or donations
  

** Mental Health Resources

If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions such as sadness, depression, anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or someone else, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-572-7233
Child Abuse Hotline – 1-877-652-2818
NJ Dept. of Children & Families Parent Helpline – 1-800-843-5437
Hotlines and Helplines for Kids – (click here)

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

NJ Hope Line

1-855-654-6735. Need someone to talk to? We are here to help. Specialists are available for confidential telephone counseling and support 24 hours a day, 7 day per week. 

Monmouth County Behavioral Health Crisis Counselors  

Crisis counselors are available to residents experiencing stress or anxiety via phone Monday – Friday from 9am – 8pm at 732-845-2070.

NJ Mental Health Cares Help Line

NJ Mental Health Cares, the state’s behavioral health information and referral service, will now also offer help to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. New Jerseyans can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

CDC: Helping Children Cope with Emergencies

Guidance for parents and families with resources for students who are struggling to cope with anxiety and stress as a result of COVID-19.  

** Emergency Child Care

First Responders and Essential Personnel are eligible for emergency child care at the Freehold YMCA – Cost: $60 per day, per child https://ymcanj.org/essential-childcare

** Food / Financial Assistance Resources

FULFILL (Foodbank) – If you or anyone you know needs assistance, text “FINDFOOD” to 888-918-2729 to locate a food pantry near you. The Fulfill Center (fulfillnj.org) on Route 66 in Neptune had boxes of food located at the entrance for anyone needing it. No forms to fill out…no identification required…just go and pick one up.

In Need of Food or Financial Assistance, you may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and/or General Assistance (GA): https://www.njhelps.org

Assistance with Applying for food stamps, utility assistance, health insurance, etc (Monmouth and Ocean County)

COVID-19 Emergency Funds (Monmouth County)

Groceries and Ready Meals available through Lunch Break, 121 James Parker Blvd, Red Bank

If You Need a Meal – JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank and Toms River is offering free take out meals during specific times throughout the week (depending upon supply) – Click Here for schedule and details.

Monmouth County Agencies Helping Distribute Food to Those in Need:
> Friends of the Bayshore
Phone #: (732) 320-2441 or (908) 992-9714

> RAINE Foundation Phone #: (732) 865-3555

> Boys and Girls Club, Red Bank (Meals available M-F)  

Monmouth County Food Pantries and other Food Resources CLICK HERE

Ocean County Food Pantries CLICK HERE

** Home Financial Assistance Resources

CLICK HERE to go through a screening process to see if you are eligible for NJ housing assistance programs.

Need Help Paying Home Energy Bills – The Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.

Need Help Paying the Rent or Mortgage – The State Rental Assistance Program provides rental assistance grants. To get more information and determine your eligibility.

Residential Mortgage Relief for COVID-19

Free NJ Foreclosure, Pre-Foreclosure and Rental Counseling – https://njhousing.gov/foreclosure/

> Residential Evictions: What Tenants Need to Know – Click for Fact Sheet with links for Renters

> Residential Evictions: What Homeowners Need to Know – Click for Fact Sheet with links for Homeowners

** Caring for Someone with Special Needs

The New Jersey Department of Human Services has guidance for individuals and families caring for people with developmental disabilities:
https://nj.gov/humanservices/coronavirus.html

How To Get Tested For COVID-19 In New Jersey

You could have COVID-19 and not even know it. Find out if you have COVID-19 at any of the 400+ testing sites across New Jersey.

It’s quick and easy. You don’t need insurance and free testing is available. Anyone who wants a test, can now get one.

Health Departments

** Monmouth County Health Department

Monmouth County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline:  732-845-2070

** Ocean County Health Department

Ocean County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline: 732-341-9700 ext. 7411

NJ STATE COVID-19 Resources:

Call (General COVID-19 Questions): 2-1-1 (7 am – 11 pm)
Call (Clinical Questions): 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts

COVID-19 Self-Assessment (Symptom Checker)

NJ COVID-19 Information Hub

Have COVID-19 Questions?

State of New Jersey COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal

Get Assistance – FAQs

General Public – FAQs

Health Care Professionals – FAQs

NJ Contact Information and Resources

If I get infected, when do symptoms appear?

Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. It’s also important to consider whether you’ve been in contact with an infected person, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you believe you’ve been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. CDC – what to do if you are sick

Hotline for Diabetes Emergency Kit

The Diabetes Foundation has opened a hotline for individuals living with all types of diabetes to receive a free Backup Emergency Kits.  Anyone needing an emergency backup kit can apply to receive one by visiting the Diabetes Foundation website or calling 973-849-5234.

Applying for NJ Assistance with Basic Needs

Our state has an online application and screening tool that can be used for many of the basic services designed to help those struggling to make ends meet. Learn about NJHelps.

Social Security Administration

All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. You can still get our help by using our online services or calling us. SSA – Coronavirus Information

The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. We will not suspend or discontinue benefits because our offices are closed to the public for in-person service. Read the fraud advisory.

CARES Act

(Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security

Unemployment and how individuals can apply

Unemployment insurance has been extended to include bigger unemployment checks and also expanded for multiple groups previously ineligible for unemployment assistance including, gig-works and freelancers, self-employed workers, people seeking part-time work, workers who can’t reach their place of work, and those who don’t have sufficient work history to previously qualify.

Importantly, this bill also now allows workers who have quit their job as a “direct result of Covid-19” to qualify for unemployment, this situation would not normally qualify. 

Unemployment insurance will also be provided to those laid off by their employer, furloughed workers, and employees working reduced hours due to Covid-19. If you receive workers’ compensation you will also qualify for a check.

Stimulus check for individuals who qualify

U.S. residents will receive the Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income up to:

• $75,000 for individuals
• $112,500 for head of household filers and
• $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns

Taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their AGI is between:

• $75,000 and $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately
• 112,500 and $136,500 for head of household
• $150,000 and $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly

The amount of the reduced payment will be based upon the taxpayers specific adjusted gross income.

Eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability or veterans’ benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return will receive a payment. This also includes those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Retirees who receive either Social Security retirement or Railroad Retirement benefits will also receive payments automatically.

Stimulus check for individuals who make too little to file taxes

If you don’t file taxes, use the “Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here” application to provide simple information so you can get your payment.

You should use this application if:

• You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income.

Or

• You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons

If you receive these benefits, we already have your information and you will receive $1,200. Do not use this application if you receive:

• Social Security retirement benefits
• Social Security Disability Insurance benefits
• Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits

Special note: People in these groups who have qualifying children under age 17 can use this application to claim the $500 payment per child.

Student Loan Payments

All federal loan student payments will be suspended through September 30th, 2020. This means anyone with a federal student loan will have the option of pausing their federal student loans without any penalties or late fees. This does not include private student loans or FFEL Loans.

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.

Resource Links

NJ Department of Health

CDC

WHO (World Health Organization)

NIH (National Institutes of Health)

IRS

SBA (Small Business Association)

Hello My Fellow Congregants, 

As I was thinking about what we are all going through right now with all the COVID-19 restrictions and not being with each other, an old Simon and Garfunkel song sprang into my head, Bridge over Troubled Water.  That’s what Unity by the Shore is to me, a bridge over troubled water, not through or across but over it. 

More than ever we need to come together as a community as we experience troubled waters.  For the first 2 months of the year, our expenses exceeded our income by $4,400.  We had our first online service this past Sunday and had well over 30 people join us.  Many of you generously made an online offerings, and I thank you.  I invite all those who are able to provide your monetary contributions to support the financial stability of  Unity by the Shore to do so. While there are some reductions in our expenses by doing services and classes online, it’s not a significant amount.  Also, while we are practicing social distancing it’s very difficult for us to do fundraisers.  We are still looking at ways to do them , so stay tuned.

In the meantime, please remember to help us so that we may help you.  It’s very easy to do an online tithe by going to: 

You can do a one time tithe or make them recurring.  If you are like me and want to write a check, you can send it to:

Unity By The Shore
3508 Asbury Ave.
Neptune, NJ 07753

By the way, I’m not being old school with writing a check, it’s my way of doing conscious giving to what I want to continue to flourish. 

Remember, that bridge over troubled water is a bridge.  There’s a safe spot at the other end.  Let’s meet there very soon. 

Blessings, 
Charlie Kirlew
Board of Trustees Treasurer

Dear Friends,

Now, more than ever, we need to stay in touch with each other and check in with our neighbors, especially  our elderly members and friends.

Our first Sunday Service that was “broadcast” via the Zoom Meeting platform this past Sunday was a success!  Of course we had a few kinks that will need to be worked out, and the format may vary from week to week, but I’d like to say “thank you” to all those who participated this past Sunday. I know for many of you this was a “giant step!”  I would also like to encourage those who could not join us last week to try this out this coming week.

The Zoom platform allows us to keep in contact with each other, see familiar faces, and stay informed as to what is happening at UBTS, and of course, get to continue to experience the fantastic meditations and talks provided by our beloved Reverend Angela!  It also gives us a gentle reminder that, just because we are not physically at our sacred space, our financial support is needed to keep UBTS thriving, even in these trying times.

Having learned from our first service, here is a quick “Zoom Etiquette” checklist to be used for future meetings:

* Keep your audio feed muted for the entirety of the service. This allows the audio signal to be clear from background noises contributed by all viewers and eliminates possible feedback.  Please note, that we will no longer be doing affirmations aloud together by un-muting, since it creates feedback disturbance. 

* If you are “multi-tasking” during the service (moving around your home with phone-in-hand), also mute your video feed to the meeting. Not doing so can cause a distraction to the other viewers.

* These buttons are located in the bottom left hand corner of the Zoom window. However, for some browsers or cell phones they appear in the upper portion of the Zoom window.

If you are unsure how to perform the muting functions of your microphone and video feed, or if you have any questions about the Zoom platform at all, I suggest you view these quick videos to learn more:

Joining a meeting:  https://youtu.be/vFhAEoCF7jg
Muting Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nYIaBQpi60
For Smart Phones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEQLjLYhuJQ

“See you” Sunday!
Thomas M. Sciro
President, UBTS Board of Trustees