Nursery care for young children is available for upcoming Worship services
Meditation and Music* 9:30 - 10:15 am USNH is offering a 9:30 Sunday morning service of meditation, interspersed with music and readings, coordinated by Bill Braun. It is a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect for a short while - to sooth our spirits and have a brief respite in our busy lives -
a worship gem we hope you will attend.
*
Please Note: beginning March 7, Meditation and Music will move to 10:00 - 10:30 am, closer to the 11:15 am service for people who have expressed interest in
attending both services.
February 7, 2016
11:15 am
"Claiming and Being Claimed"
Unitarian Universalism is so much more than a theological buffet. Our tradition makes claims on us, and it is our spiritual work to answer those claims. This sermon will explore the beautiful covenant at the heart of our faith.
Rev. Sue Phillips
Jesse Greist and Linda Pawelek
February 14, 2016
11:15 am
"The Middle Way"
Rev. Sarah Stewart
Jesse Greist and Linda Pawelek
Memorial Service
Joseph Richard Bove, M.D. 1926 - 2016
We are sorry to announce the passing of a beloved long time member,
Joe Bove, who died peacefully at Whitney Center on Monday, February 1.
For many years following his retirement from the Yale University Medical School, he was a fixture at USNH. Joe was on the building and grounds committee when the new Sanctuary was built and he was dedicated to keeping USNH's buildings and grounds in top shape. Joe was a generous and reliable presence, and he will be deeply missed by many.
Service will be Saturday, February 27, at 3 pm at USNH.
Here is a link to an excerpt of Dr. Bove's autobiography
Just wanted to let the community know that the big screen donated by Jean-Marie is absolutely GREAT! We used it for the screening of Salam Neighbor in January and we are planning to use it for ALL future social cinema screenings.
It is enough larger than our white screen that it allows us to show films in the Sanctuary without the film being dwarfed by the room... for the Salam Neighbor screening this allowed us to seat 55 people comfortably and to connect the video cart into the PA system - creating a real cinema experience! Come join us. Our next Social Cinema: "Roadmap To Apartheid,"
Friday, February 5, potluck at 6:30 pm, film at 7:15 pm
~ P.J. Deak for Social Cinema
Stewardship
A Message from our Stewardship Co-Chairs
Dear Friends, The 2016-2017 Stewardship Campaign begins early in March and ends formally on the last Sunday of March with stewardship Sunday and its special music and message. We begin the campaign with a question: Why are you here? In other words, what does USNH give you now and what do you hope we will add to that gift in our future?
Please let us know ASAP if you have abilities and assets which may help us. It could be fundraising experience, art and graphic skills or access to printing/audiovisual resources. It might be services for free or reduced cost. We also need help with producing Stewardship mailings and getting them to the post office. Etcetera. If you are not sure how you can help, let's discuss it.
If you would like to join the group, please contact the designated person below.
1. Selected Spiritual Topics - Tuesday:
Open to all who are interested. Co-facilitators: Dee Arneth and Natalie Keating. Dates and time: 1st and 3rd Tuesday afternoons, beginning Feb. 16, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Location: USNH
2. Spiritual Practices for Families with children:
We gather each Sunday to worship and share in spiritual practices. But what about Monday through Saturday? There are so many ways we can engage in spiritual practices with our children during our busy weeks, from pausing before a meal, to walking together in the woods. Parents of children of any age are invited to explore the possibilities of family spiritual practices in this Small Group Ministry, led by Jesse Greist. Dates, time, location:4 sessions, meeting on the first Sunday of each month from February through May (2/7, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1) 9:30-10:30am at USNH. Childcare available. Contact: Jesse Greist
3. PYRUU (Parents of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists): This Small Group Ministry for parents of teenagers (regardless of whether they are in YRUU or not) will meet on the first Sunday of each month during YRUU meetings (1-3pm) to talk through and collaborate on everything from sharing in faith formation with busy teens to helping teenagers prepare for life after Religious Education and High School. Date, Time, Location:4 sessions, meeting on the first Sunday of each month (2/7, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1) from 1-3pm at USNH. Please note that childcare for younger children will only be available by special request from participants.
We are seeking a facilitator for this group. Contact: Jesse Greist at
[email protected]
4. Aging as Spiritual Practice: The main focus/source material is Lewis Richmond's book "Aging as a Spiritual Practice".Dates and time;Location: TBD. Contact: Sue Linsley
5. Buddhist Lens II: Reading from Buddhist literature, time for meditation. Paul Trotta will help this group get started. Facilitator; Dates and time; Location: TBD. Contact: Paul Trotta
UPCOMING EVENTS
Peace Task Force is taking orders on February 14th, for Canaan Fair Trade items: like Olive Oil, Sundried Tomato Spread, Olive Tapenade, Za'ater and Olive Oil Soap. This helps empower marginalized Palestinian rural communities, sustain their livelihood and culture. Canaan promotes cross-cultural, interfaith and multi-ethnic connection of all its participants in the production and trade processes. Please stop by our table in the Social Hall to place your order, a concrete way to promote peace and cooperation in the Mid-East. Note: Social Cinema's Feb. 5th offering of "Roadmap to Apartheid" is an informative and moving account of the parallels between South Africa and Palestine.
The USNH Action Group "Preventing Gun Violence" will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, February 14 in room 209 from 9:45 - 10:30. We'll make plans, volunteer for activities and research, report on actions and consider long and short term objectives. Bring your commitment, knowledge and enthusiasm! Hope to see you there.
Chocolate Auction-February 7, after the 11:15 service and Soup Luncheon.
Save the date to participate in the annual USNH CHOCOLATE AUCTION FUNDRAISER. Donate chocolate items and/or bid on Auction Day. Sign-up sheets will be on the "Sign-up Sheets" table in the
Social Hall if you wish to donate. Attend and bid on scrumptious items as auctioned by our auctioneer extraordinaire, VP Dan Gelperin!
Star Island!
Star Island is a UU and UCC conference center that has great family (and other) conferences during the summer off the coast of New Hampshire.
Find our table in the social hall after the 11:15 service on February 14, or go to starisland.org to learn more. Further questions? Contact Meg Gurley at [email protected]
The Haven String Quartet presents "Sonorous Sonatas" at USNH on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at 7:30 P.M.
Members of the quartet and resident musicianColin Benn are joined by pianist, Andrius Zlabys to present the music of J.S. Bach, Eugene Ysaye, Dimitri Shostakovich and Johannes Brahms. Tickets are $20; $10 for seniors & USNH members. For more information, look in the Special Announcements section.
Cluster Connections 2016: "We Are Stronger Together", Saturday, April 9, 2016 Unitarian Society of New Haven, Hamden, CT
Registration will open on February 14. This transformative event will be an opportunity for congregations in Connecticut to gather together to strengthen our UU community and identify ways to support each other. Skilled and knowledgeable fellow UUs will facilitate workshops or panel discussions on a variety of subjects such as "Connecting through Storytelling", "Creating Vespers", "Producing Lay-Led Services", "Living in Community: Lessons from Africa" and more as well as discussion groups for Board Presidents, etc. The day begins at 8:30 am for gathering, coffee and morning snacks. The Opening Ceremony at 9 am features Rev. Josh Paweleck of the Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, CT as the Keynote Speaker. Workshops will follow in the morning and afternoon. A Closing Ceremony at 3:30 pm gathers everyone together again for a rousing conclusion to a day of connections. Lunch is included in the registration fee of $30. click here for more information. Prior to February 14 please email Susan Linsley at [email protected] for additional information.
Save The Date for the Clara Barton District annual meeting to be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, CT on Saturday, April 30, 2016, 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Additional information concerning the meeting and delegates will be coming in February.
Sue Linsley <[email protected]> can answer any questions you might have.
REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
.
Elder Discussion Group
Explore topics, decided by the group, pertaining to elders.
First Thursday of each month, 1 pm in the USNH library.
Tuesday Conversations in Library
This group meets
every Tuesday 1-3 pm in the Library. The theme for February 10 will be,"Some Counter Demands and Advice for Yale Student Protesters," An editorial from New Haven Register, January 8, 2016. Copies will be available on the bulletin board in the lobby.
Hope's Nest
Come relax on comfortable chairs in the Children's Chapel every third Sunday of the month, from 4-6 pm. This quiet get together includes guest speakers, snacks, and uplifting discussions on struggles, coping skills and healing- presented by the Mental Health Awareness Team.
Needleworking Group
"In Stitches" meets the 3rd Sunday of each month to work on needlework projects in the fellowship of others. All are welcome to attend. from 7-9 pm. Refreshments will be served. If you have any questions or need directions, email Mary at [email protected]or call 203-230-9806.
Insight Meditation Program- with Beth Roth, APRN
Breathing meditation, walking meditation, instructor talk and discussion. Suggested donation: USNH members $12/non-members $20. Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted.Tuesdays 6:50-9 pm, Children's Chapel.
Soup Luncheon
February 7th after the 11:15 service. Donations of soup, bread, butter, desserts, conversation and companionship are welcome... The Sunday Morning Team
Folksingers- First Sunday of the month in Room 205. Bring your voices or any folk instruments, and your favorite folk music and join in the fun.
GOOD THINGS HAPPENING AT USNH
TEST DRIVING NEW SOFTWARE
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the USNH community and one of the ways in which we embody social and economic justice. Unfortunately, sometimes committee chairs spend hours finding and scheduling volunteers for programs and events. It can be challenging at times, even a hassle. But all that is about to change.
Kudos to David Cross for lifting up the idea of using Sign-Up Genius as a common software platform for organizing USNH's many different kinds of volunteers. The paid version, authorized by Management Team at $9.99 per month, enables different USNH groups to see what others are doing when scheduling people and events. This makes it possible for groups to more easily cooperate/collaborate with each other within a USNH account. This is not possible with the free account.
We hope to launch a six-month Sign-Up Genius test drive in the next few weeks. Thereafter, we should be able to tell whether it's worthwhile to continue our subscription or even expand it. Onward!
~Lewis Eisenberg
UPDATE
Thanks to all of you purchased cards during 2015. The amount we raised for USNH was $5,515.00, making it our biggest fundraiser. Keep it going on this win-win effort. Many thanks also to the faithful sellers who are there after every service.
If you haven't participated in this yet and don't understand how it works, talk to one of the sellers. It is very easy; you just have to remember to bring a check or cash.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Haven String Quartet
The Quartet along with Resident Musician, Colin Benn, are joined by special guest Andrius Zlabys to present another Concert in their series at USNH on Friday,
February 26, 2016 at 7:30 P.M. * J.S. Bach: Sonata No. 4 in C Minor for Violin and Harpsichord, BWV 1017 * Eugéne Ysaÿe: Sonata for Solo Violin in A Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 - "Obsession" * Dimitri Shostakovich: Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147 * Johannes Brahms: Sonata in E Minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 38 Tickets are $10 for USNH members.
As the permanent quartet-in-residence of Music Haven, the Haven String Quartet's mission is to integrate music and creative endeavor into community life. The Quartet provides access to free music education and world class chamber music performances to residents in New Haven's most marginalized neighborhoods. In conjunction with these activities, the Haven String Quartet actively performs in other communities, providing engaging performances in traditional concert halls and reaching new audiences in nonclassical venues.
One of their favorite concert halls is the sanctuary at the Unitarian Society of New Haven. In return they share their talents and expertise at several Sunday services during the year. We are grateful for their presence in our space.
~Linda Pawelek, Music Director
Concert dates for 2015-16
Friday, February 26
Friday, April 1st
Friday, May 20th
FOOD BANK
Help your neighbor
Bring food for the Food Bank
Calling All Coffee and Tea Makers:
USNH needs your help! Sign-up now and avoid the rush! A large coffee poster is located in the social hall for your signing convenience! A Sunday Morning Team member will help you get started and answer any questions.
Thanking you in advance.
~The Sunday Morning Team
The Used Book Sale (now nearly twenty years old) welcomes donations of books. We rely entirely on donations from our members. Donations can be left in the coat room, or you can call Greg Feeley to come pick them up.
The kind of books that we sell are relatively recent books, fiction and non-fiction, in good condition. Old books--especially textbooks, computer manuals, old college copies of classic literature, investment guides (e.g. Investing in the Nineties)-have no realistic chance of finding a buyer at USNH, and constitute a large proportion of donations. This forces Greg to sift through a great deal of unsalable material (which he must then dispose of) in order to select out salable material. We greatly appreciate donations, but it would help if people try to be selective about what they bring us.
Lay Ministry
We all need a listening ear sometimes. Thankfully, at USNH, we have ten people (that's twenty ears) who volunteer as Lay Ministers. They are here for YOU - whether you need to talk briefly through a concern or sorrow, or are seeking a companion through a life change or difficult time. They are also in regular
contact with
members of our community who are experiencing hardship or have difficulties
getting to services.
During Rev. Megan's leave, several ministerial colleagues of Rev. Megan will be available for pastoral care.
We think of the Lay Ministry as an extension of the minister's office, and encourage you to do the same. In the new year, expect to see a lay minister identified at each Sunday service and remain available after the service for those needing support.
The best way to
contact the Lay Ministry, or to request pastoral care in general is to email
[email protected]
Stay tuned to this section in future months for more information on rides and meals as well as how we care for each other during times of joy and sorrow.
2015-2016 Lay Ministers
Sarah Whitson - co-chair
Susan Meredith - co-chair
Dee Arneth
Carole Arnold
Pat Grigg
Cathy Jackson
Jamie Johnson
Marty Lipnick
Fred Morrison
Pat Trotta
Sunday Morning Flowers
If you would like to honor a special person in your life, celebrate a joyful occasion, or memorialize someone dear to you, consider donating the sanctuary flowers one Sunday for $45. Enter your information in the "Flowers for the Sanctuary" book in the lobby. Flowers are needed for upcoming services.
Newsletter Information
Newsletters are published on the third Thursday of each month; News Briefs are published on the remaining Thursdays.
Click here to email,
by the preceding Friday, your information for either publication (articles for Newsletters, short notices for News Briefs) .
The next
Newsletter will be published on Thursday, February 18.
