The Power of Your Emotional Intelligence

Brian Sullivan

Emotions happen, all the time. Ignore them or stuff them down, and they may explode! Your emotional intelligence can be an infinite source of energy: use it with wisdom and compassion, and avoid explosions. Our collective emotional intelligence is an existing strength of this community - let us build on that strength!

Connect. Listen. Reflect. Grow.

One of the greatest gifts of our congregation is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with one another. Covenant Groups provide a welcoming space where members and friends of UUCNH gather to share their experiences, explore life's deeper questions, and practice the art of deep listening in a spirit of trust, respect, and compassion.

Whether you're new to UUCNH or have been part of our community for many years, a Covenant Group offers an opportunity to strengthen connections, nurture your spiritual journey, and experience the richness of being in community.

We are excited to begin a new season of Covenant Groups this Fall! Because groups fill quickly, we encourage you to reserve your place as soon as possible.

➡ Fall 2026 Covenant Group Sign-Up Form

➡ Learn More About Covenant Groups

Interested in Becoming a Facilitator?

Our Covenant Groups thrive because members generously share their time and gifts. We are always looking for additional facilitators to help create welcoming spaces for conversation and connection. If you would like to learn more about facilitating—or simply explore whether it might be a good fit for you—please contact Kip Ruefle at kipruefle@uucnh.org. We'd be happy to answer your questions.

August 16th - Summer RE

August 23rd - Multigenerational Backpack Blessing

August 30th and September 6th - Summer RE

September 13th - Ingathering: Multigenerational Water Communion and potluck picnic



Joys and Sorrows

A Sorrow and a Joy from Alan Lantzy: 

His sorrow is that his best friend since kindergarten, Bob, was diagnosed last week with Alzheimer's Disease.

His joy was that the Post Gazette writer Kris Mamula wrote a great article about Alan's wife's life and work. There were very difficult areas and it was handled sensitively.

Note: When you want to share a joy or sorrow submit it electronically by clicking here by Saturday. Alternatively, you can fill out a card as you enter the sanctuary on Sunday.

For joys or sorrows that you don't wish to share out loud, feel free to come up and place a stone in the sand prior to the service.

Flowers for Sunday Service



To honor a special someone or for a special occasion, sign up to bring in flowers on a scheduled Sunday. 

Contact Becca Hovermale.

Since November 2024, UUCNH has partnered with Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) to provide support for refugee families in Pittsburgh. Members and friends of UUCNH have donated goods as well as monetary funds which have allowed us to collect and deliver items on eleven different occasions. We have a small team of dedicated volunteers who have completed JFCS requirements to be eligible to deliver items and directly meet the families we support.

If you are interested in learning more about how to be involved as a volunteer, or would just like to know a little more about how the donations are set-up and organized, please join us on Sunday August 30th, 2026, at noon in the East Room. Contact Allyson Zadnik (allysonzadnik@uucnh.org) with questions.

Click on the image to read updates from the Central East Region of the UUA.

Zoom with UUCNH Friends

This drop-in connection will be held every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30pm and will be led by Michael Horwitz. Contact michaelhorwitz@uucnh.org for zoom details.

We are excited to be installing new carpet in the Sanctuary and Friendship Hall during the week of August 17.

Help is needed after the worship service on Sunday, August 16 to prepare the spaces. Volunteers are needed to help move chairs, tables, stage items, and other furnishings so the carpet can be installed.

Additional help is needed on Friday, August 21, at 3:00 p.m. to move everything back into place in time for Sunday services.


Please note that all church groups and activities are canceled August 18–21, including Yoga, the Craft Group, and any other previously scheduled activities.

If you have questions, please email jodyclark@UUCNH.org.

Thank you in advance for your help and support!

The Board of Trustees will be meeting Tuesday August 18th, at 7:00PM.

Meetings are open to all UUCNH members and we welcome your participation. Attendees will be muted upon joining and we respectfully ask that questions and comments be reserved until the end of the meeting. Please click here. to join the meeting with passcode UUCNH. The agenda for this meeting can be found here.

Do you and your money have a healthy relationship?

In August, Fruugal will only meet on 8/17, 6 PM (3rd Monday of every month online) for an hour to finish up the “Schwab Financial Fitness Tutorial”.

Other topics may include “Credit Cards 102”, being able to spend your money and not be "Poverty Drunk", comparing two very public financial consultants “Ramsey vs. Orban” and/or “How not to be too frugal”. In addition to the main topic, we usually also discuss specific questions from the participants.

If you have questions please reach out to Jan Hoeter Janhoeter@uucnh.org or Janet McCall Janetmccall@uucnh.org.

Yoga is cancelled on August 19th due to the carpet installation. We will meet again on September 2nd.

Council of Three River American Indian Center

Our Share the Plate recipient for August will be the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (COTRAIC). This non-profit organization promotes the socio-economic development of the Native American Community and others experiencing economic difficulties in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. The Center is open to Native and Non-Native people, with programs to serve all. .For more information on COTRAIC: www.cotraic.org

We are partnering again with JFCS (Jewish Family & Community Services) to assist with providing much needed items for a refugee family.

This specific collection is for an expectant mother who is anticipating the arrival of a baby girl. We are hoping to have all items collected by Sunday, August 16, so that we can deliver everything to the family the following week.

Please visit the SignUp Genius link below, and sign up if there is an item you can donate. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated as we use those funds to purchase larger items (such as a crib) to be delivered directly to the family. Please contact Allyson Zadnik with any questions (allysonzadnik@uucnh.org). Thank you! 

WelcomeHomeProgram: Continuing Support for the Infant of a Refugee Mother

UUJUSTICEPA invites anyone who cares about a thriving democracy to join our “UU the Vote” mailing list. Subscribers will receive timely information and concrete ways to get involved, such as:

• Calling voters from home: Using your computer help grassroots partners mobilize voters. Training, scripts, and support will be provided. 
• In‑person door‑knocking: Organized face‑to‑face outreach in select neighborhoods across the state.
• Postcarding: Sending encouraging notes to voters who need a little encouragement are less accustomed to the electoral process.

Click here to join the mailing list, and we can work to ensure every eligible voter is heard.

This event begins every Friday at 8:30 to 9:30 am at the Pittsburgh Ice Building, 3000 Sidney St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203. It is hosted by Sisters of St. Joseph, Pax Christi and Casa San Jose.

This is a peaceful event. You may carry a sign, but no shouting or bull horns.

Contact systemicchange@uucnh.org to carpool from UUCNH.

Fair Trade Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea, and Chocolates are always available to purchase from their usual display in Friendship Hall.

Mother Earth and small-scale farmers benefit when you buy Fair Trade Equal Exchange products.  

UUCNH benefits when you buy Giant Eagle and/or Kuhn’s Gift Cards at no extra expense to you! Both stores donate $5 to UUCNH for every $100 of gift card value sold. Grocery cards are sold by the ushers in Friendship Hall after the Sunday service.

The Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network is a grassroots coalition of faith congregations, organizations, and individuals committed to building power for justice in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  

By building potent relationships, training leaders, negotiating successfully, and publicly demonstrating its power, PIIN influences policy and practice to create the conditions for flourishing, just communities.

View the PIIN monthly newsletter here.

UUCNH has a food pantry for donations to North Hills Community Outreach located in Friendship Hall. Please consider donating non-perishable food items, hygiene and cleaning supplies.

Did you forget your items? No problem... you can buy a grocery card and donate it.

Click here for NHCO volunteer Opportunities

"In nature nothing exists alone."

-Rachel Carson

• Where do I most deeply feel my connection to the web of life?
• How might gratitude change the way I live within the web?