"The glory of breath," Barbara Crooker writes, "oxygen cascading down our throats to our lungs, simple as the journey of water over a rock." (breathe) Living abundantly means taking the time to stop and feel that journey. To live abundantly is to give thanks for the glory of breath. (breathe). To live abundantly is to see the glorious in the ordinary. To understand that this radiant world of ours has more than enough to offer us by way of inspiration, more than enough food for our spirits. To live abundantly is to stop long enough to allow ourselves to be fed. And then, when it is time,
Nursery care for young children is available during Worship services.
USNH is offering a 10:00 -10:30 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 soothe our spirits and have a brief respite in our busy lives -
a worship gem we hope you will attend.
April 17-Jackie Shapiro, readings
April 24 - Christine Shadle, poems about Spring; a song from The Secret Garden
April 17, 2016
The Change Will Do Me Good
Trying to keep up with change: the 7th UU principle and technology
Worship Leaders: Liz Appel and Gwen Heuss Severance, Jesse Greist,
Linda Pawelek
Another Octave joins us!
April 24, 2016
Come to the Garden
Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner
Linda Pawelek and Jesse Greist
A celebration of Mother Earth and the glorious garden that is our home. This Earth Day weekend we call to mind how we have nurtured and planted seeds of hope and how they have been planted in us. With special music from the Secret Garden, we are all invited to "Come to the Garden!"
May 1, 2016
From Bondage to Wilderness: A Passover Service
Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner
Linda Pawelek and Jesse Greist
The Passover Story is one of bondage and liberation, freedom and sacrifice, wilderness and wonder. At the close of the week-long holiday, we reflect on the wisdom this sacred and ancient story holds about faith in action and wandering in the wilderness.
Agenda items include
voting to endorse a second candidate for the UUA presidential campaign and a presentation and vote on the capital budget (click here to preview).
Please plan on attending to support USNH and to honor our 5th Principle,
the "use of the democratic process within congregations."
One of our stalwarts stopped John on Sunday and asked how the campaign is going. John didn't have up-to-date numbers off the top of his head. Mr. S was disappointed and urged us to share progress reports regularly. He said he, and probably others, liked to "see how things are going."
Well, okay. As of Tuesday, April 12, late afternoon, we have received 120 pledges for a total of just over $300,000. That comes from about 56% of last year's pledgers and it's a bit less than 60% of what our draft budget says we need to avoid program cuts, deficits to be covered from cash reserves, and/or some even more distasteful possibilities.
But we don't think that should take up much space in your head . . . at least not yet. Whether we "make our goal" or not is a collective decision and responsibility.
What you can and should and will pledge is yours. Our theme this year is "Why are you here?" If you haven't pledged yet, please consider it a personal question. What does USNH mean to your kids, your joys and struggles in your life, your desire to contribute to a more just world, your gladness and tears when you sit in services on Sunday, any and all of the reasons you are here?
Sit with those questions and then, please, make a pledge that is generous within your means and reflects what this community means in your life.
Mary Beth Congdon and John Watson
Co-Chairs for Stewardship, 2016-17
Children and Youth Religious Education
Affirmations class Trip
The eighth grade class is gearing up for its three day trip to Boston to explore the roots and branches of Unitarian Universalism! The class has been working hard all year to prepare for the Affirmations service on Friday, May 13th, and we wish them well on their trip. May it be filled with joy, laughter and learning!
CYRE calendar
A
pril 17
- Affirmations parent meeting in room 209, 10:15
RE classes will meet as usual from 11:30-12:30. YRUU will be sanding and staining the playscape.
April 22-24
- Affirmations class trip to Boston!!!!
April 24
- "In Harmony With Earth" A Children's Chapel led by YRUU group for grades pre-k through 7.
May 1
- RE classes and YRUU meeting as usual
May 8
- RE classes and YRUU meeting as usual
Friday, May 13
- Special Affirmations service. All ages welcome! 6-7th graders and high schoolers are especially encouraged to attend. 7:15-8:15pm
Adult Religious Education
The Affirmations Service - Friday, May 13, 2016- No Social Cinema
ARE COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE - Join us!
Mon. 05/02/2016 - 7:00 pm - Library or Social Hall at USNH
Mon. 06/06/2016 - 7:00 pm - Library or Social Hall at USNH
And... Mark your calendar for September 20 for the UU PBS event of the year: Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War will have a national air date on PBS on September 20, 2016. The film stars Tom Hanks and is co-directed by award-winning documentary film maker Ken Burns (co-produced by No Limits Media). You may remember that 3 years ago, in April 2013, USNH Social Cinema was one of the first locations to screen the original independent version of this film - which then had the title Two Who Dared. This film tells the story of Martha & Waitstill Sharp and the events that led to the founding of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee... DON'T MISS IT!
USNH PASSOVER POTLUCK SEDER
Join us for a Taste of Freedom
Saturday, April 23
6:00 - 9:00 pm in the Social Hall
This annual USNH tradition is a family event celebrating an essential Jewish part of our UU heritage. Educational as well as fun, we tell a timeless story, sing songs, and express our hopes for the world. Seen through a UU lens, the greatest importance of this festival is the triumph of people over oppression and slavery. Through the ritual of the Seder meal, led by Jesse Greist and Ellen Greist, we remember the historical events at the source of this holiday. It is hoped that children will attend with their parents, since there are traditional parts of the Seder that are especially intended for children. For more info...
UPCOMING EVENTS
ALISON CUNNINGHAM TO SPEAK, MONDAY, APRIL 18, AT USNH
At the 27th anniversary celebration of the Humanists, the guest speaker will be Alison Cunningham, Executive Director of Columbus House, a statewide organization that has been providing housing and services for people who are homeless
since 1981. Alison began her leadership with Columbus House in 1987 as Shelter Manager. She is also a member of USNH and recently served a term as its president.
Alison's topic will be "Ending Homelessness in Our Time," a reference to Governor Malloy's recent announcements that Connecticut has ended homelessness for Veterans statewide and has initiated a campaign, "Zero: 2016," to end all forms of chronic homelessness by the end of this year. She will address such questions as: What does it mean to declare an end of any kind of homelessness? How are we accomplishing this massive goal? What happens next?
You are all invited to hear Alison's informative talk on this important subject. We'll begin with a
potluck dinner at 7:00 pm, and the program will follow at 7:45 pm
* * *
The Turnpike Players are pleased to announce performances of
The Secret Garden April 29 - May 1 and May 6 - 8, 2016
The Secret Garden is a musical based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. A rich and lyrical musical score (book by Marsha Norman, music by Lucy Simon) tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young English girl. Raised in British colonial India, Mary is orphaned and sent back to England to live with her mysterious, reclusive Uncle Archibald. As she explores the haunted house on the moors of Yorkshire, Mary uncovers many secrets--including a long-neglected secret garden. With the help of new friends, and a healthy dose of magic, Mary helps to bring the secret garden and her uncle back to life in this haunting story of love and transformation.
Evening performances: Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm. Matinees: Saturday and
Sunday 2:30 pm.
Linda Pawelek, Musical Director for The Secret Garden back stage on the set where she also has the role of a "Dreamer" in the play. Linda is Music Director of USNH.
1:00-2:30 pm Room 208 Childcare and Lunch Provided
Are you new to USNH and/or Unitarian Universalism?
This class is designed to help answer questions about Unitarian Universalism and give you tools to navigate all that USNH has to offer. This class will also help to foster connections with other newcomers as well as longtime members.
Sunday, April 17: Growing in Community - How can we engage in this community?
e-mail Laurel Gray at [email protected]with questions or to sign up.
We would love to have you!
The Clara Barton District annual meeting to be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society East in Manchester, CT on Saturday, April 30, 2016, 1 - 3:30 pm.
Due to the regionalization of districts of the UUA, most existing districts within the U.S. have already dissolved or are in the process of dissolving. According to the mandate from the attendees at the 2015 Clara Barton District Annual Meeting, the CBD Board of Directors has been investigating the steps to and the ramifications of dissolution. The Board's work is now complete. At the Annual Meeting on April 30, delegates will be presented with the motion to dissolve.
FAQ's regarding the dissolution are posted on the foyer bulletin board. You may contact Sue Linsley for questions or information. The deadline to register to attend is April 20. If you wish to attend, Sue Linsley will send you the link. Contact her at
[email protected]. If you wish to be a delegate, please contact
First Sundays during Spring and Summer offer some different ways to get together after the 11:15 service.
FIRST SUNDAY MAY 1 is SALAD SUNDAY. The Sunday Morning Team supplies the salad greens and dressings - you supply a small quantity of ready-to-share fixins' (veggies, croutons, cheese, mushrooms, etc.) for the COMMUNITY SALAD TABLE.
Breads, butter, desserts and conversation encouraged! Thanks - The Sunday Morning Team.
ON-GOING EVENTS
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. Our discussion on Tuesday, April 19 will be "How Covenants Make Us" from the
New York Times, April 5. Copies will be available on the bulletin board in the lobby.
Hope's Nest
Come relax on comfortable chairs in the Children's Chapel
this Sunday and 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. The Mental Health Awareness Team.
Needleworking Group
"In Stitches" meets this Sunday and 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 7-9 pm, Room 209.
Folksingers
meet every First Sunday of the month in Room 208. Bring your folk instruments, music and voices and come have some fun!
Drop-in Meditation
Every Thursday, 7-8:15 pm, Room 209.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Pablo deVos-Deak and Arlo Hatcher attended the UU-UNO Intergenerational Spring Seminar, The Colors of Inequality: Costs and Consequences that was focused on racial and economic inequalities from April 6-9 at the UN. More at
Tell Your Representative: Undocumented Kids Need Lawyers
H.R.4646 - Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2016
The UU Service Committee is supporting a bill in Congress to help ensure that undocumented children have representation at their deportation hearings. This is important because if the child has legal representation, their chance of being able to stay in the US increases significantly. Legal Representation keeps kids here and
Solidarity with Original Nations and Peoples. This is an immersion-learning program with the Lummi Nation in the Bellingham area of Washington State. Today the Lummi people face many challenges, but one of the most urgent is their struggle to prevent construction of an immense coal terminal on their sacred land at Cherry Point. Designed to facilitate export of some of the dirtiest fossil fuels, such a terminal - and the multiple rail lines serving it - would be disastrous to the land, water, and culture of the people who have lived there for many hundreds of years. This program offers participants a deep dive into the history, culture, and human rights struggles of the Lummi people - and a critical way to stand with them in solidarity for climate justice.
This UUCSJ Journey will not only introduce participants to this specific justice struggle, it will also empower you to return to your own locations and look with new eyes on the history of our towns and cities, and to find new pathways to solidarity with First Nations across the continent.
*
Looking to Put Your Faith into Action?
1. Sign Up for the Social Justice Action Alert Network
Sign-up for action alerts about special projects, demonstrations, petitions, and more on the Social Justice Bulletin Board or email Lurline at
[email protected].
2. Join a Social Justice Group - Groups are posted on the Social Justice Bulletin Board.
3. Join the Social Justice Council and support the work of our justice groups.
The best way to
contact the
Lay Ministry, or to request pastoral care in general, is to email
[email protected]
Many thanks to our 2015-2016 Lay Ministers: Sarah Whitson and Susan Meredith, co-chairs, Dee Arneth, Carole Arnold, Pat Grigg, Cathy Jackson, Jamie Johnson, Marty Lipnick, Fred Morrison and Pat Trotta.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sylvia Forges-Ryan, a long-time member, has just published a new book of her poetry, "What Light There Is." It is a collection of poems in Japanese forms: haiku, senryu, and tanka. The book is available locally through Dava in Hamden, Breakwater Books in Madison, online through Red Moon Press, or directly from Sylvia ([email protected]). Sylvia's earlier book, "Take a Deep Breath," was awarded an Honorable Mention by the World Haiku Society and was accepted for permanent inclusion into the American Literature section of the
Beinecke Rare Book Library at Yale.
The Green Sanctuary Committee
encourages support of the
8th Annual Rock-to-Rock Earth Day bike ride on
Sat. Apr 30. The event helps to support 20+ great nonprofit organizations working to create a greener and healthier community and world. Information on how you or your family can participate by riding bike or making a donation to help sponsor a rider is at: www.RockToRock.org or by contacting Green Sanctuary member Rod Groff at [email protected].
FOOD BANK
On Sunday-Got your car keys?
Got your food for the Food Bank?
Gift Cards
Purchase a Stop & Shop $50 or $100 card.
It's a win-win for you and it supports many USNH programs. The cards are available after every service.
Check or cash please.
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. The cost is $45. Enter your information in the "Flowers for the Sanctuary" book in the lobby. Flowers are needed for upcoming services.
GUITARTOWN
Our next concert is a big one! "The Queen of Bluegrass" Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Saturday, April 16, 7:30 pm, Unitarian Society of
New Haven, 700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden, CT.
In 2015 Rhonda won IBMA "Female Vocalist of the Year" for the 8th time, and also received her 6th Grammy nomination.
From hard driving originals, to classic country and sweet gospel harmony, this band never fails to wow audiences! Tickets are $25, $45 and $55
You are invited to join the Spring Gathering of Womensphere¸ a Sacred Circle Gathering for Women through the New England region of The Unitarian Universalist Association. This year's event is Nurturing the Creativity in You
In this workshop we will explore writing as a practice towards self-knowing, compassion and love.
We will experiment with physical movement as writing's sister, engaging with our bodies to understand, document and translate our external and internal worlds.
Saturday May 7, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
The First Universalist Society of Franklin (FUSF),
262 Chestnut Street, Franklin Ma 02038
The Weekly News is published every Thursday. Please email
your event or notice to [email protected] by the Friday before. The Weekly News format encompasses and simplifies the prior monthly news cycle of three News Briefs and one Newsletter. Your comments are invited, as are suggestions for improving USNH communications.
Linda Pawelek, Musical Director for The Secret Garden back stage on the set where she also has the role of a "Dreamer" in the play. Linda is Music Director of USNH. 
