"Arise women of this day," Julia Ward Howe proclaimed nearly 150 years ago. Today we honor her by holding on to that which abides: lives of thought, of effort, and of love. We honor her by honoring those in our lives who have mothered us, by offering them our love, our support and our abiding effort to create a more just world.
Like Russian dolls stacking and building on each other, each generation holds within it those that came before. As we keep their memories and their work alive, as we live into lives worth living and survive and thrive our way into the future, we are our mothers' keepers.
Friends, I thank you for your support of our 2016-2017 Stewardship Campaign. As of May 10, 2016, we have 193 pledges for 2016-17 totaling $419,359. We are deeply grateful for your support and for all the work John Watson and Mary Beth Cogdon especially have put in to this effort.
We have done well together, but we are not quite there. Last year, we received 231 pledges and 20 one-time gifts that put us over the top for a total of $482,000. This allowed us to have Jesse Greist as our full-time religious educator, to bring on new staff at a fair compensation rate and to offer the worship and programming that we have this year.
If your household has yet to pledge, we ask that you consider what USNH means to you and make your pledge as soon as possible so that we can budget for the year ahead. Pledge forms are still available in the lobby and it is possible to pledge online
HERE.
If you have already pledged, thank you!! I would ask that you talk it up! Share with friends and neighbors here at USNH why you pledged, why you are here, what this place and this community mean to you. If you wish to increase your pledge for this coming year or make a one-time gift to help us reach our goal, by all means, grab a pledge form or go online and do so.
We kept things simple this year. Letters and calls and a kick off stewardship service
at which I myself got all fired up about why we choose to be here at USNH. We kept it simple, but we've also got to deliver. Thank you for your continued support: for your pledge, for your gifts, for the time and talent you share in addition to your treasure.
Thank you for being here at USNH. Let's continue-and grow-what we love here.
You make it possible.
With love and gratitude,
Megan
Worship
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 15, 2016
"Courage"
Guest Preacher: Bishop John Selders, founder, Moral Mondays CT
Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner, Special guest, Bishop John Selders, pastor of Amistad UCC Church in Hartford and founder of Moral Mondays CT, joins us as we explore individual and collective calls to courage in today's society. We also celebrate our first child dedication of the year!
Jesse Greist, Linda Pawelek
Child Dedication: Kelsey Morgan
May 22, 2016
"A Heart as Wide as the World:
Teachings from a Buddhist Perspective"
Beth Robins Roth
The Buddha taught that love and compassion are intrinsic to the human heart, part of our very nature. Yet our life experiences can make it difficult to connect with, and fully develop our natural compassion. There are simple steps we can take to bring compassion and healing to ourselves, our relationships, our communities and our world.
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INVITATION FOR SUMMER SERVICE PLANNERS
Our summer
Sunday worship services at USNH are at
10:30 amJune 25 through September 4, and many are lay-led. If you would like to design and lead a service, the following dates are available:
August 7,
August 14,
August 21 and September 4. Please let us know of your interest, date, and theme or topic by getting in touch with
Gwen Heuss-Severance, chair of the Worship Committee, at
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!
Children and Youth Religious Education
Affirmations service this Friday,
May 13 at 7:15 pm
The eighth graders, fresh off their trip to Boston, where they delved further into UU history and identity, will offer a special worship service on Friday, May 13, starting at 7:15 pm, 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:
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. Dance party follows service, and all are invited to stay!
May 15 - RE classes for grades K - 5, 8th grade and YRUU. 6 - 7th graders attend adult worship.
May 22 - Final day of RE classes for K - 7 grade. 8th graders attend adult worship. YRUU meets as usual. Parents are invited to come up to classes at 12:15 to join in the year-end celebrations.
May 29 - Children's chapel for all children. 3rd graders will be preparing for "Stepping Up" ritual on June 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
Fri. 05/13/2016 - No Social Cinema - Instead, come to...
The Affirmations Service
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
Unitarian Society of New Haven
Sacred Conversations
Presented by the Anti-Racism Task Force of USNH and Dixwell UCC Church
Saturday, May 21 from 9:00 - 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 Costa Rican breakfast starting at 9 am.
Mulch Day!!!
Save Saturday morning,
May 21, 9:00 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
The Haven String Quartet presents the music of
W. A. Mozart,
Anna Clyne, and
Ludwig von Beethoven at USNH
Friday May 20th at 7:30 P.M. Program:
* W. A. Mozart: Quintet in C Minor
* Anna Clyne: Roulette
* Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130
Tickets: $20; $10 students and USNH Members
Book Cart - Final Sale on May 22
The Book Cart will hold its final sale on May 22 before and after the 11:15 service. Books that cannot be returned to our distributors will be deeply discounted, and all other books will be available for at least 20% off list price. You are welcome, of course, to pay full price, as all funds support the operating budget.
Please bring cash or checks, as
we cannot take credit cards.
Many thanks to all who have patronized and supported the Book Cart for the past 15 years. It has been a joy for the team members over the years, including Sarah Beaulieu, Alison Cunningham, Loren Fields, Becky Friedkin, Paul Giering, Jane Mayfield, Pam Niles, Linda Oechsle, Bill Rice, and Leigh White. Special thanks to Rich Stockton, who built the lovely and durable cart.
May 22
Peace Task Force is taking orders for
Canaan Fair Trade items:
Olive Oil, Sundried Tomato Spread, Olive Tapenade, Za'ater and Olive Oil Soap. Money raised from these purchases helps empower marginalized Palestinian rural communities, and sustain their livelihood and culture. They promote cross-cultural, interfaith and multi-ethnic connection for all the participants in the production and trade processes. Please stop by our table in the Social Hall to place your order or notify Lindsay Korth at [email protected]. This will be the last order until September.
We thank you for your support.
The USNH Preventing Gun Violence Task Force invites you to
"Toward Safer Gun Legislation"
Sunday, May 22
12:45 to 1:45 p.m. (including Q&A) in the Library
Gun control advocate Angelika Schriever, a member of the Spring Glen Church, will give an overview on gun violence in this country, such as the extent of the problem, history of our gun culture and ideology, and comparisons with other developed nations.
The updated presentation seeks to raise awareness and includes information on existing and proposed state and federal gun and ammunition laws. Emphasis is placed on the most effective and efficient ways of making your voice heard for change.
A handout with phone numbers, email addresses, petition websites, and gun control advocacy groups will be available.
SAVE THE DATE
Mental Health First Aid - Adults
8-hour course, certified trainers, certificate on completion
Saturday, June 11, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Location: USNH - Unitarian Society of New Haven
700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden, CT 06517
Registration is free, but space is limited to 30 people. Reservations required. Ages 18+
Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental illnesses, builds understanding of their impact, and provides an overview of common supports. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Mental Health First Aid is included on the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's
National Registry of
Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).
ON-GOING EVENTS
Hope's Nest
Daryl McGraw will speak about substance abuse and addiction May 15 at 4 - 6 pm. Daryl is a peer counselor whose own experience helps him aid in the recovery of prison inmates as well as hospital or rehab patients.
You are invited to come relax on comfortable chairs to hear Daryl speak, eat snacks, ask questions, and listen to an uplifting and informative discussion. We meet in the Children's Chapel Sunday May 15 at 4 - 6pm - presented by the Mental Health Awareness Team.
Elder Discussion Group
Explore topics decided by the group pertaining to elders.
First Thursday of each month,1 pm in the USNH library. The next meeting is June 2.
Tuesday Conversations in Library
This group meets
every Tuesday, 1 - 3 pm, in the Library. Our discussion on Tuesday,
May 17 will be "Power of Community, The Peril of Individualism," by Cheryl M. Walker in
UU World, Winter 2015. All Welcome.
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.
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.
Welcome to Our New Members Who Signed the Book on Sunday
A New Visitor to USNH
For the last couple of weeks, what looks like a Red-tailed Hawk, has been hanging out around our Sanctuary. Photos captured by Jesse Greist.
Please share your good news and photos of things
happening at USNH. Send the information to Jamie at [email protected].
Linda Barrett's partner, and now, wife, Diane (Cookie) Polan
has been diagnosed with a rare and inoperable brain tumor. They are researching treatment options.
Please hold them and their twin daughters in your thoughts and prayers. Here is a link to the Caringbridge site which will be updated as information becomes available. https://www.caringbridge.org/signin
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
Let's Fight Entropy!
The History, Archives and Library Committee has been working hard for about a year cataloguing, categorizing, weeding and shelving the books in the Harned Memorial Library. We have entered over 1.000 books in a database. Categories include scriptures from many traditions, spirituality, social justice, interpersonal relations, poetry, African American writings, and others. We've had to resist the temptation to stop and read a book with an intriguing title.
We are attempting to make it look like a library again, and that's where you come in. My son told me room cleaning was fighting entropy (tendency toward disorder) and he didn't see the point. We do. The Library should look attractive and orderly. It has instead become a place to drop off items that don't pertain to a library. So, we ask for your help.
* If you want to donate a book or books, please don't just drop them--check with me or one of our committee members first.
* There are two large green plastic storage containers. Please claim them or we will move them to the shed.
* If you feel you need to store something in the library, please check with one of us.
Committee members: Joan Silverman, Toby Appel, Yvette Scharf, Peggy Rae, Frank Jonientz, James Platt and Jane Platt
Lost and Found
If someone inadvertently picked up a white crock pot and lid and left a green one during Passover week, please contact Amy Wexler for an exchange Amy can be reached at :[email protected].
Thank you!
Seeking Temporary Housing
We recently received this request from a fellow UU: My son is an Eagle Scout enrolled in UCONN. He will be doing an unpaid internship for a researcher affiliated with Yale. He needs living accommodations from 6/2 - 7/30 in New Haven. As a UU, I wondered if anyone might have a room, house sitting need, or apartment that might be available. If so, please contact me, Gayle Heney, at
(978) 681-8028 so he may make the necessary arrangements. I appreciate your help; I would very much like to have a recommendation from a fellow UU.
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.
These cards, as well as Stop & Shop cards, will be available starting on Sunday, May 15th, on a trial basis. Checks or cash please.
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. The cost is $45. Enter your information in the "Flowers for the Sanctuary" book in the lobby. Flowers are needed for upcoming services.
FOOD BANK
"Hungry people need your donation to the Food Bank"
Hope you will join us. 1253 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT
Saturday July 23, 2016
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.
Lost and Found
