UUCM Monthly News
February 2022
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A Stable Faith
In the olden days (BC -- i.e., before COVID), our congregation met in person once a week (in case you have forgotten). Following our services of worship we engaged in a lovely ritual called coffee hour. It was a warm time of enrichment where members and friends could talk together, church leaders could touch base with one another, and anyone who had a question or a suggestion could most likely find a UUCM Board member to discuss it with.
Of course, all of this came to a crashing halt in March 2020. But, we are nothing if not a persistent people! We substituted actual coffee hour with virtual coffee hour. We moved meetings, small groups, and adult ed to online formats. And when it became possible for us to meet in person on a somewhat limited basis, we joined our in-person experience with the virtual experience we had created, and began offering a multi-platform experience.
What’s missing, however, is all the chances you had to learn informally about what’s going on at UUCM. What’s missing are all those informal opportunities you once had to engage with your church board members.
SO… your Board members have come up with the idea to create a special break-out room during virtual coffee hour for those of you who wish to be in conversation with them -- to find out more about what’s happening, to get some questions you may have answered, to offer suggestions, etc.
To be clear, this is not where to bring complaints! Those should be brought directly to me or our Board President, Marti Kennedy.
We will create this virtual space for a chat with your Board on Sunday, February 20, following worship. (It will take place during the coffee hour time. Think of it as an alternative coffee hour.) Bring your questions, your thoughts, and maybe even a little appreciation, and let’s do coffee!
See you then and there!
Shalom,
Shayna
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President's Message
Thanks in advance for attending the Virtual Congregational Meeting on January 30. Zoom link on the calendar. I am grateful for your continued support of UUCM as we navigate our second winter with Covid-19. As we move into the depths of winter together, with different comfort levels regarding gathering in groups, I ask for your patience as we try to remain flexible to events out of our control.
I encourage you to re-establish the good practice of reading Weekly and Monthly Newsletters with your full, undivided attention, to be sure you are getting all the details you need to be a full participant in the congregation. As we continue to be mostly virtual, it's possible you may have missed changes in the day-to-day procedures of UUCM, and reading the newsletters carefully is the best way to be updated on everything.
I am grateful for your support, your kindness, and your fellowship. Blessed Be!
In Faithful Service,
Marti
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Join Sunday Worship at 10:30am
Attend in person at UUCM or on Zoom
Here’s a summary of this month’s Sunday services:
February 6: Our own Rev. Linda Goodman will speak about Julian of Norwich.
February 13: Exploring the impact of centering loving kindness.
February 20: Focusing on the powerful voice of author and activist Kimberly Jones, who captures the outrage of Blacks in America who must endure racial and economic injustice. (Click here to see Trevor Noah’s interview with Jones about her viral video.)
February 27: We will “look for the Helpers.” When tragedy strikes, fear can drive us inward. Who are the Helpers and how do they help us widen the circle?
We hope you will join us! For a short month, we have a LOT planned!
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Finance Committee News
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The Finance Committee needs some new members. Contact a member of the Committee for more information.
- An Online Auction is being planned for this spring.
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We’ll need to take more from the endowment than planned. Expenses will continue to be less than planned while we are partially shut down due to COVID-19 – but not enough to offset our losses in income. |
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Racial Justice Task Force (RJTF) Events
Zoom with Michael Crumpler
Tues. Feb. 1st, 7:00-8:30 PM
Last month, over thirty attendees explored the topic of Inclusion & Hospitality through the lens of Widening The Circle of Concern (a three year UUA study). Due to the enthusiastic response at our meeting with UUA's Rev. Michael Crumpler, we will bring you Part 2 on Feb. 1st with more time for breakout discussions, digging deeper into the social & cultural makeup of the Milford area. We will envision how to bring those who sometimes feel like or are seen as "outsiders" into our caring community. All UUCM Members and Friends are invited to this Zoom discussion. Use this link. (Questions? Contact SallySennott01@hotmail.com or Amy@AmyConleyMusic.com )
Black Heritage Trail NH Events
BHTNH raises awareness for NH's Black history by fostering dialogues about race, diversity and inclusion. They offer educational programs, exhibits, curriculum development and research that can "change the way we understand human dignity when free of historical stereotypes."
Based in Portsmouth, many events are now on Zoom (and in person)! We hope to plan a spring visit to the trail.
Save the Date! March 1st at 7 PM - On Zoom: We bring you "Saving Our Food Ways & Sacred Spaces" with Paul W. Pouliot and Denise K Pouliot, leaders of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People. (More...)
Stay abreast of RJTF projects and news here.
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The Surface of Mystery: an Adult Education Opportunity
February 2022 session
This series is an opportunity to explore a topic in depth using the lenses of philosophy, world religions, mythology, and art. The February topic is order, or the way human beings have organized life around them, giving themselves a recognizable place in a larger world. You receive a handout in the week prior to the session with source material and questions that provide a place to start discussion. Participants can attend one session or all of them. These are in the 4th week of the month on either Tuesday evening or a Wednesday afternoon. If you are interested in participating, please let Nancy Baker know (ntbaker@att.net) so she can add you to the contact list for the handout and any follow up materials. Topics for the remainder of the winter/spring series are: virtue, theodicy (why bad things happen to good people if there is an all seeing and benevolent God), and eschatology (the study of last things).
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What in God's Name Podcast
Tune in each Thursday for this podcast with Rev. Shayna and Rev. Chris Owen that pushes back against the binaries of politics and economics to uncover the pearls found in theological and philosophical exploration of today's current events. Says Shayna, "We don't break the news. We break it down!" Each show runs about 20-25 minutes. To listen to previously released podcasts or to sign up to receive notices for new podcasts, click here.
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To contact UUCM leadership:
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Jamie, our administrator, is in the office Monday-Thursday from 8:30am-2:30pm. You can reach her at 603-673-1870 or at office@uucm.org.
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Rev. Shayna can be reached at minister@uucm.org.
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The UUCM Board can be reached at board@uucm.org.
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For Pastoral Care Assistance in February: Contact Karen Walsh or office@uucm.org
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Donate Food to SHARE in February
Please purchase and deliver Canned Ham, Canned Meats, Side Dishes(seasoned pasta mix, hamburger helper, etc.), Ravioli & Beefaroni to SHARE this month. Click to see where to drop off donations.
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Weather Cancellations at UUCM:
It’s Snowing – Are Sunday Services/Programming Canceled? If so, you can still participate via Zoom. To find out whether we will be meeting in church:
- Call the Church at 673-1870. If in-person church is canceled, the answering machine will tell you.
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Check the calendar on the website. The title will say ‘Worship Service (Online Only) due to Snow’
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Check WMUR-TV (News 9) or http://www.wmur.com/weather/closings and look for “Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Milford” under the letter U.
Note that these closure notices apply to church services and programs only. It is up to group leaders, committee chairs, and renters to notify their people if a meeting is canceled.
Closings on Other Days:
If the office is closed, there will be a message on the answering machine. It is best to call ahead to ensure someone is in the office. For meetings or activities, check with the group leader.
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UUCM 603-673-1870 office@uucm.org
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