Sunday, August 10, 10:30 am

"The Heart of Wisdom"

In this fraught time, we come here for many reasons; music, friendship, inspiration, solidarity, but the real reason, I think, is to live our days in the light of wisdom. How can we use our brief life, our particular life energy and talents, in the best way? How can we love and care for others ( not as easy as our religious rhetoric might say!)? At the heart of wisdom lie two questions- What are they, you ask? Well, you have to gather with us, I'm afraid... see you Sunday!

Led by Rev. Stephen Kendrick

Connection information for Sunday worship will be emailed on Saturday, and you may use the following links for Zoom or YouTube:

usnh.org/service —> Links to recurring Zoom meetings for the worship service

usnh.org/service-youtube —>USNH YouTube channel; this week's service pinned to the top. 

USNH Tech Team Needs YOU!

Since early 2020, when the pandemic closed the sanctuary and services had to be produced remotely and shared via the internet, USNH has been blessed with members who have aimed the cameras, tweaked the microphones, and made services available to those who can't be physically present in church. In the years since we reopened, the tech team has continued this important outreach.  

As we look to another church year beginning in September, the team is looking for some new members to lighten the load. There is friendly and thorough training available, and if you are interested -- or just want to sit in the back, watch the magic happen and see if it feels like a good fit for you -- please reach out to the USNH office or speak with a tech team member on Sunday morning. They would be delighted to answer your questions.

The U-lympics Returns!

Sunday, August 10, 11:30 am - 1 pm

Sign up here

This year's U-lympic games will be after worship with Rev. Stephen and will feature 

• All ages games, art, and other opportunities to play
• An outdoor BBQ lunch, provided by the Connections Team
• Special guests and presentations

Coming This Fall:

Neighboring Faiths for Adults

A full-year exploration of religious traditions found in

south-central Connecticut and their connection to

Unitarian Universalism.

An essential guide to understanding each other, and ourselves

Sign up at this link.

 In-class sessions will be held mostly on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Field visits (to as many CONECT congregations as possible) will follow each class session, but will be dependent on the schedule of each host congregation.  As we would like to attend a service or ritual gathering, visits to Christian churches, Sikh Temples and Hindu temples will mostly be on Sunday mornings. Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist gatherings may occur on Friday evenings or other days/times.

Welcome Newcomers!

The Connections team hosts a table especially for newcomers at the rear of the Social Hall every Sunday. Folks can answer your questions about UU-ism and USNH and you can chat a bit more deeply with others. All are welcome!

And every Sunday, weather permitting, there’s also the option to take your beverage outside, either outside the back of the Lobby, or through the doors in the passage between the Sanctuary and the Social Hall.

Questions? Email Connections Coordinator Libby Makela-Johnson at Membership@usnh.org

Announcements

Join us for a One Million Rising Resistance Gathering

Sunday, August 10, 4 pm

Social Hall

Indivisible has created One Million Rising–a national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design.  This event is a community-building training session to review and explain (1) the fundamentals of authoritarianism; (2) why we need to organize for resistance to authoritarianism in the US now; and (3) an approach for various actions of nonviolent resistance.

This event will be ONE meeting among 700 such meetings being held nationwide between July 31 and August 13.

A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We will not agree on everything; we will respect one another.

Questions? email annaleila@sbcglobal.net or Kathleen.m.schomaker@gmail.com

It’s time to postcard for Democracy again!

Postcards will be available 8/10 to Get Out The Vote in the Virginia General elections.

Sign up here or in-person this Sunday, August 10.  

Let’s help keep Virginia Progressive!

The USNH UU the Vote Team

Peace and Justice Task Force Meeting

Sunday, August 24, 12-1 pm

Library

There have been opportunities over the spring and summer that have helped us learn about the devastating situation in Palestine/Israel and to take action to live our values. We did a multi-session study of Rashid Khalid's book, The Hundred Years War on Palestine, to ground us in the history of the region. We hosted prominent Palestinian-American Jonathan Kuttab to speak on the topic of prospects for peace and coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians in light of the ongoing genocide. We helped organize the New Haven Freedom Flotilla for Gaza that raised awareness and $5,000 for World Central Kitchen to provide meals to starving Gazans.

We need your involvement to keep moving this work forward. At our meeting we will present \the UUA's Action of Immediate Witness, and Solidarity with Palestinians, adopted at the 2024 General Assembly (see https://www.uua.org/action/statements/solidarity-palestinians) and discuss a plan to adopt it in our congregation. Phil will announce another book study and discussion series based on the title, Our American Israel by Amy Kaplan. And we will talk about local actions we can join or initiate to promote peace with justice in the region.

Contact Phil (203.376.4684, philbrewermd@gmail.com) or Melinda (203.623.2186, melinda.tuhus@gmail.com) with questions or for more info.

Tag Sale … With a Twist!

When: Saturday, Oct 4 

What: $40 donation to reserve a table to sell your treasures – pair with a friend or neighbor for more robust sales

Where: USNH Social Hall, Lobby, and more

Why: Let’s try this new format. In recent tag sales, your generous donations have overwhelmed the ability of our dedicated volunteers to sort, price, display, sell, and dispose of leftover goods.

Details:

• USNH will provide advertising and extra hands to help carry your goods to and from your car. 
• Keep your sales proceeds, or donate some or all to USNH.
• Join with your friends or neighbors, your Small Group, other committee members, etc. to host a table. 
• Many hands make light work and build community!  

Questions? Email organizers Holly Hawkins and Kathleen Schomaker at tagsale@usnh.org or text/call Holly at 203-605-9886.

Waverly School Supplies Needed! Your contributions will help the children have a successful year in school.  

Look for the collection box in the USNH Lobby.  

Supplies needed: BACKPACKS, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, erasers and pencil cases.  Also needed are Spiral bound 1 Subject Notebooks, 3 Subject Notebooks and 5 Subject Notebooks and Composition Books.  

Monetary donations are also very helpful. Checks can be made out to USNH with Waverly School Supplies written in the "memo" line. Tynicha will use the money to buy exactly what is needed to supplement the donations.

Contact information: Sharon 203 494 9182 or Tanea 203 214 7220

FOOD BANK

 The Hamden Food Bank especially needs cans of corn or fruit now. They still request pasta sauce, which many of you have generously donated.  Every can or jar helps, as they have lost some funds and support.

  Your $25 gift card donations go directly to neighbors in difficulty . The Keefe staff know when families are in difficult times, and cards are also given to local school social workers,

who identify acute problems.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Your Food Bank Team,

Joan, Bill, Peggy, Liz, Margaret

read "Thank you letter" from the Town of Hamden

SUNDAYS AT FOUR—IT’S COMING FOR YOU

Our 2024-25 season was the most popular yet, but we are going to top it. Here are the dates and performers for 2025-26:

Sunday, October 5, 2025: All-Beethoven concert with Christopher Grundy and True North

Music from Beethoven’s productive year of 1811, featuring Christopher and William Braun in the song cycle An die ferne Geliebte and the beloved “Archduke” piano trio with True North (Artemis Simerson, violinist, Julie Ribchinsky, cellist and William Braun, pianist).

Sunday, December 7, 2025: The Chivalrous Crickets with A Celtic Christmas

When the Chivalrous Crickets (a hyper-talented group combining Folk and Early Music musicians) played our series last April, their program of music related to the song Barbary Allen was the most popular concert in our history. So we’ve invited them back for a seasonal program that should be a highlight of the year.

Sunday, March 1, 2026: Ryan Bisson, trombonist and tenor Rob Stahley

USNH’s own Ryan Bisson joins Metropolitan Opera tenor Rob Stahley and William Braun for “Thine is the Kingdom,” a program centered on music from the time of WWI.

Concerts are at 4 pm in the sanctuary, and admission is by donation to USNH’s Apfel Music Fund.

Do you shop at Stop & Shop or ShopRite?

If you do, then please support USNH by buying Gift Cards for either store after any service year-round in the lobby. This is a fundraiser for USNH and makes it easier for you at the stores. We purchase cards ahead of time with a 5% discount but you use them at face value.

We have $25 cards and $100 cards. You can pay with cash, check, or credit or debit card. You can also purchase cards to be given to the Hamden Food Bank or the Waverly program.

End-of-Season Work on Star Island!

Star Island is a camp and conference center run by the UUs and United Church of Christ on an island seven miles off the coast of Rye, NH – one of the Isles of Shoals. Star still has openings for end-of-season staff. If you are at least 18 years old and available for at least a week (or more) between August 20 and September 16, this is a great opportunity to live in a beautiful environment, in an intentional community, and get paid for it. This can be a good option for active retirees, too! See this link for information about working on Star and how to apply.

Contributions to Coffee Hour Requested

The Sunday Morning Team invites everyone to donate snacks for coffee hour. It's best if they are ready to serve. If you use a dish you need back, please put your name on it. We appreciate everyone's help and support.

Join the USNH Social Justice Action Network today!

Concerned about threats to our democracy? Want to know about ways to take action?

The USNH Social Justice Action Network allows you to share actions that you are aware of and to see the actions others are sharing. Actions will include rallies, post carding and phone banking opportunities, and requests to write your representatives. To share information. email it to sjan@usnh.org.

To sign-up for the group, email office@usnh.org and request you be added to sjan@usnh.org.

Join the CT UU Social Justice Ministry

UUs from across the state are joining together to work for justice and create the beloved community we dream of. We are excited this is happening as half of the states already have a network like this.

To learn about UU events throughout the state, please click here to visit our Facebook page. We would love to have you join the group. 

Humanist Association of CT

The Humanist Association of Connecticut meets for dinner twice a month and also hosts a monthly book discussion. For information on all our programs, please visit www.cthumanist.org and know you're always welcome to join us!

HAC Monthly Meeting: The Waverly/USNH Partnership

Monday, August 18, 6:30 – 9 pm

Children's Chapel

Waverly Townhouses consists of 52 housing units in New Haven for families qualifying for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Project Based Voucher programs. Many of us have known about Waverly because of June Schafer's work with the partnership between USNH and the Waverly Townhouses community.

Sharon McBlain has been involved with this partnership for over 30 years. She will explain what this partnership is and how it has evolved over the decades. She'll also share many of the ways our members have been involved, both directly and though June, and update us on what's going on now, including how we can help.

This is a story of humanism in action. Join us for coffee and conversation at 6:30 followed by Sharon's presentation at 7:00.

Bereavement Group is on Hiatus for the Summer.

Check the newsletter for fall meeting dates/times. Many thanks to Sunny McMillan and Rev. Dr. Jamie Johnson for running the group with such care this year!

USNH Folk Singing Group

1st and 3rd Sundays, 12 – 1:30 pm

Sanctuary

All are invited to join us singing folk music, old and new.

Call or text Jerry Clupper 203.710.4718 for more information.

In Stitches Handwork Group

1st Sundays, 7 pm

Social Hall

Bring whatever you are working on, or just yourself, to the Social Hall on first Sundays. Email Mary Losee (marylosee24@gmail.com) to be added to the reminder list.

Adult Religious Education Discussion Circle

Last Sunday of the month, 12 – 1:30 pm

Room 209

All are invited to an open conversation about topics of interest to Unitarian Universalism.

LGBTQ+Allies, Family and Friends Task Force and Welcoming Group gathering/circle/meeting

Calling All LGBTQ+ allies, friends and family

2nd Sundays, 12 noon

Room 209

Do you identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community or as allies, friends, family at USNH? Are you just visiting or exploring USNH as your spiritual home? Have you been here for years, or a visitor and want to welcome others? All are welcome, young and old, at USNH and at the monthly LGBTQ+ Welcoming Task Force monthly circle/discussion/gathering. Please drop by if you are able.

Questions or concerns? Email rainbowgenerations@usnh.org

Green Sanctuary and Environmental Justice Task Force

3rd Mondays, 6 – 7 pm, on Zoom

All are welcome. Please contact Maggie Goodwin or 774 279 0939) or Melinda Tuhus for information or if you would like to be added to the Zoom invitation. 

Buddhism and Meditation with Beth Robins Roth

Tuesdays, 7 – 8:30 pm, on Zoom

Beth opens the room at 6:50 pm to allow time for folks to arrive and settle in. The session will include guided meditation, a brief stretch, a dharma talk, and time for comments, questions, and observations.

Beth suggests donations of $20/person/session. If this is not feasible for you, please let Beth know and together you will determine what is feasible. No one will be turned away for financial reasons. Email beth@hummingbirdtr.com to be added to the weekly email invitation.

Anti-Racism Task Force

1st Wednesdays, 7 pm on Zoom

Email antiracism for the link.

Continuum Writers' Group

4th Wednesdays online, 7 – 8:30 pm

An open writers’ group focused on sharing, listening and discussing original works of poetry and prose inspired by the USNH monthly worship themes. For more info, email Family@usnh.org

Weekly Chat

Fridays in the Social Hall, 11:30 am – 2 pm

All are welcome. For information, please contact Becky Sandmann at rlsandman@sbcglobal.net.

Humanist Association of CT Monthly Meeting

Third Mondays, 7 – 9 pm

starting with coffee at 6:30, in the Children’s Chapel

Humanist Explorations

First Saturdays, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Social Hall

Humanist Book Discussion

Third Saturdays, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Wilson Branch, New Haven Free Public Library

303 Washington Ave., New Haven

For more Humanist information and listing of upcoming events,

please visit the HAC website at www.cthumanist.org

Newsletter submissions will be accepted through Tuesday,

for publication on Thursday.

The weekly newsletter is published on Thursday evenings at 5:30 pm

The monthly newsletter is published on the Thursday before the first Sunday of the month.

Submit copy-ready items to office using the format of the articles you see here.

Please also consult revised guidelines and template here .

Call the office with any questions, 203-288-1807 ext 201.