USH E-news February 8, 2024 | |
"Seeking, Sharing, Soaring" | |
Photo: Kevin Girouard, January 2024 | |
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Sunday Morning Service 10:30 a.m.
February 11
"What's Love Got To Do With It?...
Everything"
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John Bengtson, Pulpit Guest
Sue Smolski, Worship Associate
Sam Moffett, Director of Music Ministries
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Matters of the Heart
To have a Joy or Sorrow read from the pulpit
on Sunday morning, e-mail
Matters of the Heart
In person – use the Matters of Heart
basket for written cards on Sunday morning.
*Please provide concise information
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Religious Education: 10:30 a.m.
Annie Witzler, Interim RE Coordinator
Can't be here in person for worship?
Join us on ZOOM 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 931 0388 7934
Passcode: 128493
Virtual Coffee Hour follows
Worship is also streamed on Facebook —
follow our page and receive notifications every time we go live.
Couldn't make it to USH, and missed the livestream?
Watch any service, anytime, here on Vimeo
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Worship Calendar
Join us, in person or online.
Upcoming Services:
February 18 – Reverend AJ Johnson,
Pulpit guest/Peter Meny, Worship Associate
February 25 – "How We Were Saved By Rock and Roll: A Brief Spiritual History of American Music", Reverend Bob/Rick Tsukada, Worship Associate and Meetinghouse Singers and Musicians.
March 3 – RE FOCUSED, Reverend Dianne Daniels, pulpit guest/Margaret Leicach, Worship Associate
March 10 – Reverend Bob/Miriam Byrode, Worship Associate
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Semi-Annual Meeting
February 18
USH's Semi-Annual Informational Meeting, an 'assembly' during coffee (and soup) hour, is an opportunity to catch up on recent developments, take stock mid-year, ask questions, and talk about things proposed for the future. You'll want to be here...because...
In addition to updates on finances, personnel, programming, security, grants, outlook for historic recognition, and other active initiatives, there's some important business for us to address.
You're likely aware that Reverend Bob is with us, serving USH as minister, under the terms of a one-year, renewable contract which expires at the end of June. The USH Board of Directors has been observing how you, as the congregation, have appeared to respond to his ministry and, further, the Board has been pleased with the level and quality of collaboration and shared responsibility experienced thus far. In hopes of furthering this relationship, there have been some discussions around Rev. Bob's willingness to extend his tenure with us beyond the year originally contemplated. The Board now believes it would greatly benefit USH if he were to continue with us, and are proposing his contract be renewed for a five-year period.
While this proposal has, to appearances, been favorably received by Reverend Bob, he is asking to hear the preference of you, the congregation, through the process of a formal vote. The question is simple: Would you like him to continue as Minister of this congregation?
And so, next Sunday we shall have within our informal meeting, a short, official meeting, for the sole purpose of taking this important vote.
Please see, here, a message from Reverend Bob, as well as the constitutionally required Notice of Special Meeting, in which our communal decision will be formalized. Provisions are being made for virtual voting. (Note that there will be time for questions before the vote is taken.)
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Getting Clear On Proposed Changes to Unitarian Universalism:
Sunday, February 25 Under the Stairs
A few weeks ago USH hosted a Teach-In on proposed changes to the UUA bylaws. You can see the edited Teach-In here
That session raised many questions for folks in our congregation. Judy Robbins will be available “under the stairs” directly after the service on two Sundays: February 25 and March 24. More information to follow.
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Rides Needed to Sunday Services
Long term member Laurie Rollins, would very much like to attend some Sunday services. She has not been able to do this recently because of vision issues making driving impossible. She lives in Hartford on Sisson Ave. If you can help with this, please contact Janice Newton at janicecnewton@gmaiom Thank you!
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For information on our weekly and monthly gatherings, click here. | |
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SpiritChat Meets February 9 & 23
An Exploration of Nonduality
Nonduality proposes that, despite appearances, none of us is really a separate entity; that everything arises from and is part of a fundamental Oneness. This is a radically different way of perceiving the world and our place in it. It is often considered an element of enlightenment. Most people first approach nonduality as an intellectual concept and then finally as a lived experience.
Spiritual Teacher, Nicholas Bartoli, a former monk, is offering a winter/spring series of Friday morning SpiritChats at USH to explore nonduality. Sessions are open to all on a drop-in basis, 10 – 11:30. A free will offering of $20 or whatever fits your means is suggested. February sessions are 2/9 & 23. For more information and the dates of all sessions, go to https://nicholasbartoli.com
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New 30s and 40s Group Starting – Leap Year Coffee & Tea
Are you in your 30s or 40s? (Or close enough — late twenties are welcome too.) There's a new group forming, to have occasional monthly social meetups and get to know each other. The first meet-up will be February 29, 7 p.m. at Tisane Euro-Asian Café, 537 Farmington Ave, Hartford, 06105. Ideas for future meet-ups will be decided by the group — come along and suggest an activity!
All are welcome — you do not have to be an attendee at USH, so feel free to invite a friend. See you on Leap Year's Eve. For questions, feel free to email Rev. Bob at USHMinsiter@gmail.com. Thanks!
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Spring Equinox Labyrinth Walk
Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m.
Spring Equinox Labyrinth Walk
All are welcome to our spiritual celebration of spring. This event will feature a Certified Labyrinth Facilitator who will offer a teaching about labyrinths and guide us in a walk using a portable floor labyrinth set up in our Fellowship Hall. Music and refreshment will accompany this spiritual practice.
Free, with an optional free-will donation gratefully accepted
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February GNO:
Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN)
The Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN) is Connecticut’s only faith-based environmental non-profit organization. Committed to justice and grounded in hope, IREJN is a unifying voice dedicated to positive, hopeful action on behalf of the earth, the one thing we all share and the one place we all call home.
Terri Eickel, Executive Director, will be speaking this Sunday during our worship service.
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Free Zoom Discussion Series: ‘The Sum of Us’ Podcasts – Stories of Hope, Collaboration & Stronger Communities
Listen to the hopeful collaborations happening around this country in Heather McGhee’s podcasts The Sum of Us. She notes that Americans have been fed a “zero-sum story” that says progress for people of color will take away what white Americans already have. Facilitated Zoom discussions about each podcast will take place monthly from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Though the discussion series has started, people are welcome to join the Zoom sessions at any point in the schedule. The next meeting is February 22.
Podcast #4: Kansas City, Missouri: Flipping Burgers (40 minutes)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e4-kansas-city-mo-flipping-burgers/id1640137860?i=1000581640801
Terrence Wise was a Black man flipping burgers at a McDonald’s in Kansas City, Missouri. Bridget Hughes was a white woman punching the clock at a local Burger King. After feeding hundreds of people a day at work, Terrence and Bridget were both struggling to feed their families at home. Neither saw a way to improve their lives until they teamed up to join the movement for a living wage. During this podcast, these improbable modern-day labor leaders share the story of their friendship and how they came to see racism as the common enemy in the battle against poverty in America.
They helped launch the Missouri Workers Center, a state-wide organization that organizes low-wage workers across racial and geographic dividing lines. Their stories show how even people whose jobs put them among the least respected in society can take on corporate greed and win.
“I came to realize through the Fight for $15 Movement that we get more together than we do apart,” said Terrence. “So nowadays when I go to work and I clock in, what I have that's greatly different from in the past is hope.”
To register, email ushsocialjustice@gmail.com to obtain the Zoom link. For more information, talk with Judy Sullivan or Gloria Mengual during coffee hour, read your USH Enews, or email them at jasullivan57@gmail.com or gloriafmengual@gmail.com
Here’s the link to all of The Sum of Us podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/19VMtc487rqmrb6GC8eRvd For some of the podcasts, a local person will join the Zoom to describe local efforts related to the podcast topic. To register, email ushsocialjustice@gmail.com
Zoom Link for Sum of Us discussions Here
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GHIAA Winter Core Team Training
What: Explore the fundamentals of faith-based organizing. Practice tools of relational culture (individual meetings and house meetings); consider how we build and wield power, share our process of identifying issues and developing campaigns, and build our skills for action.
On-line leadership training sessions begin February 15. If you haven't already attended a GHIAA orientation, you'll need to schedule a 1:1 with a GHIAA organizer in order to participate.
Training: Thursdays, Feb 15, 22, 29 and March 7, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
For more information and registration: https://cljct.org/ghiaa/trainings/
For questions, speak with Diana Heymann in person or via email.
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The Horace Bushnell Food Pantry Still Needs Contributions
Our food bins are empty, as are the kitchens of folks who rely on Horace Bushnell Food Pantry to feed themselves.
Please be generous! When you are food shopping, take advantage of 2 for 1 sales, add an extra to each food item on your shopping list, leave a bag of food by your door to bring with you when you come to church.
Every little bit helps... gratefully, thankfully, joyfully...
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Coat Drive Extended All Winter
Spring is on the way, but it's still cold out there and your outgrown or outdated coat could make a big difference to someone. Donate new or gently-used coats to support the community of Horace Bushnell food pantry.
Please place donations in the bin located in the lobby.
All sizes for men, women, and children are needed.
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Join the fun at USH —
Looking for a supportive, inclusive, non-judgmental home for your family’s spiritual needs? Let USH be yours! Visit and learn about Unitarian Universalism, our congregation, and how USH can foster your family’s religious or spiritual journeys.
Sign up for Sundays here online or in person at the welcome table. Questions? Reach out to our Interim Religious Education Coordinator Annie Witzler for more information.
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Religious Education
Sunday School Classes Explore UU Concepts! The Chalice Clubhouse is exploring the concept of love this morning - how we feel it, use it, and share it with others. Love goes far beyond Valentine's Day... the USH Youth Group is exploring the physical and spiritual practice of yoga with a special guest instructor from our congregation — LU Giammatteo!
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Our Whole Lives (OWL)
for 9th and 10th graders (ages 14 to 16), in a joint venture with the Universalist Church of West Hartford, every Sunday from 12:15 –1:45 in Servetus.
Please contact Annie Witzler (re4ush@gmail.com) for details.
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Warrior Lawyers
Defenders of Sacred Justice
A look at contemporary Native American nation rebuilding through personal stories of Native attorneys, tribal judges, and their colleagues
Join us and the Institute for American Indian Studies for this film screening and panel discussion.
Friday, February 9, 7 p.m.
Universalist Church, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford
We ask everyone to register at https://iaismuseum.org/events.
Email events@iaismuseum.org for more information
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Join us on February 11 at 2 p.m. when the Afro-Semitic Experience will perform at Unitarian Universalist Society:East, 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, in celebration of Black History Month. The Afro-Semitic Experience is a band that offers a powerful and poetic musical experience that celebrates diversity, promotes social justice, and inspires hope and joy. Blending Jewish and African-American music to create a dynamic and energizing sound, they celebrate the shared roots and cultural diversity of the Jewish and African-American communities. Their live performances are an exhilarating journey that has gotten audiences up and dancing throughout the United States.
The recommended donation is $15 per person.
For more information on the concert, please email info@uuse.org or call 860-646-5151.
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Flu and Covid seasons are here; pharmacies, clinics, and local health departments offer vaccines. Please protect yourself and those around you.
Masks are available at the Welcome Table for anyone who wants one. We have both children's and adult sizes.
If you come to a USH event and test positive for Covid in the week following, we ask you to please let the office, or Rev. Bob, know. These things happen – as we know, many of us have had the virus once or twice – and we just want to keep people informed and care for you, if needed.
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2023 – 2024 USH Board of Directors
Dana Donovan: President
Nancy Kemmerer: President-Elect
Jon Covault: Treasurer
Gloria Mengual: Secretary
Judy Sullivan: Social Justice Council Chair
Tina Davies: Community Within Council Chair
Laurie Kelliher: Membership Council Chair
Jim Venneman: Finance Council Chair
Rick Tsukada: Spiritual Life Council Chair
Paul Cipriano: Administration Council Chair
Have a question or comment for the board? Send an email to: ushboardofdirectors@gmail.com.
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Board Meeting
The next board meeting is Tuesday, February 13
6:30 p.m. Hybrid
Zoom Link HERE
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The latest financial reports for FY 2023-2024 have been posted;
click HERE to view.
See the 2022/23 Annual Report HERE
The Board Meeting Minutes for November 2023 have been posted.
Click HERE to view the USH Directory, Reports, and other church business information online. Contact Karolina Wojtysko for the username and password.
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The deadline for USH E-news submissions is
noon Tuesday
Please write in the 'Subject' field "USH Enews", and include the dates that your submission should be featured. Announcements about upcoming events appear for two consecutive weeks maximum, unless other arrangements have been made with the editorial team.
When forwarding information concerning an "outside" event or organization, please pre-edit your copy in order to keep the piece to 200 words or less. Note that all material is subject to editing prior to publication.
Articles should be sent as email file attachments, (MS Word preferred) and images need to be sent separately as jpeg, jpg, png, tiff, bmp, or gif files. Thank you for your cooperation.
Editor: Tina Davies
Production and Technology Manager: Karolina Wojtysko
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USH Calendar of Events
The calendar for February 2024 can be viewed HERE.
Please consult our Online Calendar regularly for all upcoming events coordinated by the
Unitarian Society of Hartford
To submit a Calendar Request (also for an online USH Zoom Room gathering) click HERE.
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