The pear trees and the grape hyacinths, the pansies and the daffodils
and the tulips say it. is. time.
It wasn't even that hard a winter, folks, in fact, it was a scarily mild winter, to my thinking at least. And still we have been so hungry for the sun, and now we rejoice in its presence.
We have been so thirsty for green and now we offer praise for its arrival.
We have been waiting for the Earth to awaken and we give thanks for her reminder to us once again that Life has so very much to teach us: about hope in the face of despair, about resilience and about healing.
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.
May 1- Readings by Alexandra Hill; trumpet improvisations by John Pearson
May 8 - For Mother's Day - Kath Schomaker offers words about mothers, daughters and Earth
May 1, 2016
11:15 am
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.
May 8, 2016
11:15 am
Our Mothers' Keepers
Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner
Jesse Greist, Linda Pawelek
On Mother's Day, we consider the work of Julia Ward Howe, whose 1870 Mother's Day Proclamation called on the women of America to renounce war and protect their children from violence. To what are we called today? How do we keep alive the stories of those mothers of generations past and live into the promise of peace?
We also welcome new members.
Sunday Parking Crunch!
Our 11:15 service is drawing lots of people. If your family brings 2 cars to USNH
on Sunday morning, please consider parking 1 of them in the south lot of Temple
Mishkan Israel. This is the parking lot entered from Ridge Road on Mishkan
Israel's Day Care Center side of the building. From there, walk around TMK
and through the north parking lot to the path behind the USNH Sanctuary.
Thank you, Mishkan Isreal!
"Are We There Yet?"
S
o say the voices from the back seat. "Well no, honey, we haven't finished the errands yet." We planned to end this year's stewardship campaign by May 1, but we can't. There are a couple of reasons, but the main one is this: We are no where near done. About 70 pledge units - families or individuals - who pledged last year haven't pledged yet for 2016-17.
We know there are good reasons for a few of those: family crisis, loss, job uncertainty, etc. If you are in such circumstances, just let us know (as some already have) and we will give you whatever room and time you need.
For most, though, we suspect it's either "just haven't gotten to it" or that pesky UU desire for perfect information. We have heard a few say, more or less, "I'd like to be generous, but because of x, y, or z, I'm not sure yet what I can do this year."
If you are the first . . . well, "Don't make us stop this car!" It won't take long to have a family talk about "why are you here," decide what generous means for you, and fill in that
pledge form.
If you are the second, stop torturing yourself. A pledge is not a contract written in blood; it is an indication of what you intend and hope to do. If circumstances change, for better or worse, you can adjust your pledge at any time. But we need to know for planning purposes what our expected resources for the coming year will be. Staff, programs, and volunteers
need to know.
Why are you here? There are lots of reasons, but your pledge is a necessary part of "being here." Send or bring in your pledge now. Then we'll be there!
~ Mary Beth Congdon and John Watson
Co-Chairs for Stewardship 2016-17
Children and Youth Religious Education
Final Month of RE classes
This will be the final month of Religious Education classes, which will meet on May 1, 8, 15 and 22. However, that does not mean that RE stops during the summer months. On May 29 there will be a children's chapel, followed by not one, not two, but THREE multi-generational services (See schedule below). Also, there will be special Children's chapels throughout the month of August, leading up to our
Water Service in September.
Affirmations service on Friday, May 13
at 7:15 PM.
The eighth graders, fresh off their trip to Boston to delve further into UU history and identity, will offer a special worship service on Friday, May 13 starting at 7:15, during which they will share their Credo statements, and celebrate their passage from children's RE classes into the teen/young adult offerings that lie ahead. All children, families, friends and adults are invited and encouraged to attend and support this wonderful, inquisitive group of seven seekers. The sixth and seventh grade class, along with members of the YRUU youth group are especially encouraged to attend and support their peers!
CYRE Calendar
May 1 - RE classes and YRUU meeting as usual. Guests from the New Haven Quaker meeting will attend 6-7 grade class. Students from this class only should go straight to class at 11:15. Others should come to the sanctuary as usual.
May 8 - RE classes and YRUU meeting as usual.
Friday, May 13 - Special Affirmations service. All ages welcome! 6-7 graders and high schoolers are especially encouraged to attend. 7:15-8:15 pm
May 15 - RE classes and YRUU meeting. 6-8 graders attend adult worship.
May 22 - Final day of RE classes for K-7 grade. 8th graders attend adult worship. YRUU meets as usual.
May 29 - Children's chapel for all children. 3rd graders will be preparing for "Stepping Up" ritual on 6/5.
June 5- Children and Youth Religious Education service - A multi-generational celebration of all we've done together this year, featuring the "Stepping Up" rite and acknowledgement of RE teachers.
June 12 - YRUU service. Annual multi-generational service offered by our high school youth group, featuring the "senior statements" and bridging rite for graduating seniors Olivia Heinrich, Rebecca Brewer and Sarah Skeeles.
Adult Religious Education
The Affirmations Service - Friday, May 13, 2016- No Social Cinema
ARE COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE - Join us!
Mon. May 2 - 7:00 pm - Library or Social Hall at USNH
Mon. June 6 - 7:00 pm - Library or Social Hall at USNH
UPCOMING EVENTS
Unitarian Society of New Haven Visitors are welcome in all activities listed here
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.
Tickets are still available - to reserve tickets please contact Carl Krieg at [email protected] or 203-272-0753. Tickets are also on sale in the Social Hall on Sunday mornings. Adults $19, Students/Seniors $12. There is no charge for anyone who may not be able to afford this cost.
Don't miss this magical production.
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.
Sacred Conversations
Present by the Anti-Racism Task Force of USNH and Dixwell UCC Church
Saturday, May 21st from 9am-Noon
Please join us for
intimate conversations where we build a relationship of trust that frees us to tell our stories, and to walk in others' shoes as we learn of others' experiences.
We hope to continue expanding participation and no previous attendance is necessary.
Please join us for a great Guatemalan breakfast starting at 9am.
Mulch Day!!!
Save Saturday morning,
May 21, 9 AM to noon. Meet at Mulch Mountain (in parking lot) that morning. Bring wheelbarrows, shovels and garden rakes if you can. Contact person is Lois Smith
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,
May 3 will entertain
Childhood Reflections - each will tell a childhood story. It will be just plain fun. All are welcome.
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 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. The location changes each month. If you would like to get on the email list, contact 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.
Sunday, May 1st 9:00 am - The Immigration and Refugee Task Force is sponsoring a presentation on Syria by Mohamad Hafez in the USNH Library. His topic will be: Reconciling Remnants of Broken Memories - A New Syrian Way of Life. You can learn more about our presenter by going to his website:
www.MohamadHafez.com.
For more information, you are encouraged to view the following You Tube presentations:
Join the movement for economic and racial justice, now!
Please stand with New Haven Rising's rally for job security 5/5/16 at 5pm at 333 Cedar Street (Yale Medical School) New Haven is home to the fastest growing inequality in the nation.
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.
With deep sadness we mourn the loss of long-time member
Teresa (Terry) Lawrence who died on April 16 surrounded by a loving circle of friends and family. A memorial service will be held on June 4 at 11am at USNH. Our thoughts and prayers are especially with Terry's partner, Carolyn King.
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
FOOD BANK
Add "Food Bank" to your shopping list.
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.
Weekly News Information
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.
Final Month of RE classes
NO SOUP FOR YOU . . .
