Share the Spotlight!

UUCH is a community of Shared Ministry, and we invite YOU to share the spotlight.

Have you ever admired or envied the person who reads announcements and gets the service going on Sundays? Have you ever wondered how EASY it is to do it? Do you want to practice your speaking in front of a loving audience without having to compose anything? Are you craving an opportunity to ring the bowl? Do you want to show off your new haircut?

Being a host for our worship services could be for you! You don’t have to be a member of any committee to try it. You can do it only one time, or you can continue to be part of the rotation. Whatever is right for you. It’s TOTALLY SCRIPTED! No worries, no need to ad lib. 

Contact Suzey Delacey at pseuzieq@gmail.com to get access to the spotlight.

Letter from Sandra

As I write this article, I am six days away from the end of my time with UUCH. I began working as your Interim DRE on the 1st of November and added the RE Transition Consulting at the end of November. On the first weekend of January, I spent Saturday with a wise and inspiring group of leaders in a day-long retreat followed by an all-ages worship service on Sunday. Throughout these months, I have learned much about our faith from your commitments and your visions. Thank you for your grace and kindness.

One of the goals of my time with you included support in your search for a new staff member, a goal that will likely be reached in March.

I will write one last newsletter article next week! The Board will receive my final report mid-March and I am sure you will hear more from them and from Rev. Jaimie.

I am glad to know you all and to have the chance to serve you and our denomination in deepening our Unitarian Universalist faith.

In faith,

Sandra Greenfield (my pronouns are she/her)

RE Transition Consultant living on the tribal lands of the Cocheco in NH

sandra.l.greenfield@gmail.com

Join UUCH at the Community Kite Festival

March 4, 2023, from 11am to 3pm at John Hunt Park.

The 11TH Annual Community Kite Festival, “SOARING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE,” is on March 4, 2023, from 11am to 3pm at John Hunt Park. It is free and open to the public. (See the flyer below.) UUCH is supporting this event by hosting an exhibit table along with many other organizations in our community, and by encouraging all our members and friends to attend the festival. It will be a fun day of kite flying, social justice networking, food trucks, music, and art activities for the entire family.

The Kite Festival was organized by AshaKiran in order to “foster inclusiveness, diversity, equity, and harmony across all ethnic and social backgrounds by bringing people together through kite flying and family friendly activities.” You can bring your own kite, purchase one there, or just sit on a blanket and watch.

The Festival includes an area for booth exhibits where local organizations can present information about their goals, and network with each other and the public. They call it a “social justice outreach event.”

The host organization for the event, AshaKiran, was started in 2006 to help foreign-born individuals experiencing crises such as human trafficking, sexual assault and domestic violence. Asha Kiran also focuses on working to overcome barriers such as language, cultural and/or religious stigmas.

How you can participate:

• We need some people to help set up our exhibit table and staff it from 11 am to 3 pm (in 1 or 2 hour shifts).
• We want everyone to come enjoy the festival – bring your family and friends. Wear your “Stand With Love” t-shirt if you have one.



If you would like to volunteer to help set up or staff the UUCH exhibit table, contact Nancy Finley at finleyn@uah.edu or Brad Korbat Bradley.s.korb@gmail.com . If you have any questions, just let us know. Hope to see you at the Kite Festival!

Sponsored by the Board

Our Shared Journey

What is “stewardship”? One definition (from Wikipedia) is this: “Stewardship is an ethical value that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources.” An important phrase here is “an ethical value.” In other words, how we take care of something reflects our values! In our case, that “something” includes all of the ministries that benefit us and the wider community, as well as our facility that we require for our communal gatherings and for administration.

Here are some opportunities for important volunteer engagement to support stewardship at UUCH:

First, we are currently seeking volunteers to host cottage meetings for the upcoming Annual Budget Drive. There will be a training session for that on February 25, although be reassured that you will not be asked to do the “selling” for the budget drive, but rather simply to host a good “listening room” meeting. We may need up to 20 households to host! Please consider signing up, and do so (soon!) on the Google document here. Email stewardship@uuch.org if you have any questions, and someone will be sure to get back to you quickly.

SAVE THE DATE! Our kick-off for our annual budget drive is Sunday, March 5 during our monthly potluck. We've planned fun activities for the whole family . . . and cake will be provided! Bring a dish to share and join the fun as we celebrate our spiritual home and share our dreams for the future! See Zena Tucker if you’d like to help with this fun event!

Finally, we are seeking leaders and helpers for the UUCH Yard Sale, which is scheduled for the last Saturday of April. Please email stewardship@uuch.org if you think you might be able to help

Sponsored by the Stewardship Committee

Adult RE sign up table

Have you notice the ARE signup table in the fellowship hall? Please make it part of your coffee hour routine to peruse our offerings for engagement in adult religious education.

Sponsored by the Adult RE Committee

SoulCollage Sunday Afternoons

Coming soon, we will be restarting our popular SoulCollage® group. Based on the work of Seena Frost, SoulCollage® is an easy, creative way to get in touch with your right brain, intuitive self. 

We will be using cut out images, our imaginations, a bit of glue, and some card stock to create a collaged card. Then by musing and journaling with this card, we can explore and express ourselves in ways we might not have thought possible. Finally, we will gather in a circle of community to share as each one feels comfortable.

All materials will be provided, but feel free to supplement by gathering images from magazines, online photo sharing websites, or bring photos of loved ones and pets.

Using images instead of language helps us to connect with the parts of ourselves that may be hidden from our everyday view. As we learn more about ourselves, we become able to recognize patterns in thought and action that no longer serve us. Each card is personal and unique because everyone chooses images that speak to them.

“The most original contribution to the battery of tools for deep self-exploration and psychology in years.” --Stanislavsky Geof, M.D. Ph.D. author of Psychology of the Future--Lessons from Modern Consciousness Research

Sponsored by the Adult RE Committee

Circle of Candles

John Sharp lit a candle of Sorrow: "My mother passed away February 7th. She was 88 and had an amazing life."

Tim and Theresa Miller lit a candle of Sorrow: "Love and comfort to our daughter, Allie, and here husband, Justin. Justin's mom passed away last week after a long illness, so our 4 grand children lost their Nana. Comfort and strength to them."

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to the UUCH. Support us every time you shop. Follow this link and search for Unitarian Church to choose us as your chosen organization.

If you have any questions about how to use the link, please contact Ryan Gonzales , Office Administrator, during office hours or send an email to the church office at uuch@uuch.org