"Seeking, Sharing, Soaring" | |
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Minister's Office Hours:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
or by appointment.
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Office Administrator Hours:
Sunday 9 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Sunday Morning Service
10:30 a.m. June 5
“Where Flowers Bloom”
Norbert Capek lived during the rise of fascism and hatred before World War II. Somehow, he lived with his eyes open,
yet stayed committed to joy.
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The Flower Power photograph by Bernie Boston, taken during the March on the Pentagon, October 21, 1967 | | |
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Rev. Bob Janis, Minister
Miriam Byroade, Worship Associate
Sam Moffett, Director of Music Ministries
Choir: if you'd like to sing, come practice at 9:00
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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 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 to follow
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:
June 6 – First Thursday Service in the Chapel with Reverend Bob, 6 - 7 p.m.
June 16 – "Can We Find the Divine in Father's Day in 2024?", Julia Cadrain and Joe Rubin, pulpit guests/
Carol Simpson, Worship Associate/Board Message
June 23 – The Music of Eric Dolphy and Juneteenth, Reverend Bob & Sam Moffett/Margaret Leicach, Worship Associate
June 30 – "Sacred Stories Celebrating Pride", Reverend Bob & USH Panel of Members/Michael Michaud, Worship Associate
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First Thursdays in the Chapel June 6, 6 p.m
First Thursdays is a simple time of contemplation and renewal in our chapel space, where you can ease into the evening calm. With gentle music from different genres, poetry, spiritual readings from multiple religions and philosophies, and gentle meditative practices, First Thursdays are an opportunity just to be, to relax, breathe, and take the time to let our busy lives catch up with us.
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Thoughts From Rev. Bob...
“Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
- Hans Christian Anderson
I think the butterfly is quite right, don’t you? Here’s hoping you have a little sunshine, plenty of freedom, and something beautiful to celebrate. And if you don’t have those – it’s our collective responsibility to do what we can, to make them happen.
Oh – speaking of which – you’re coming to Pride West Hartford on June 22, aren’t you? Come celebrate with us – all welcome – it’ll be a great event! Happy summer, fellow flyers!
Gratefully yours,
Rev. Bob
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USH Picnic –
This Sunday, June 9
The USH Picnic (following our Flower Communion service) is a casual, hybrid affair... hybrid in the sense that the Society contributes grillables, drinks, and a cake; we, the picnickers, contribute some salads, sides, and munchies, pot-luck style.
The weather's always a factor, so the plan is to grill some burgers, dogs, and veggie burgers outside but eat in Fellowship Hall, away from pollen and bugs. (If it's a nice day, take a chair or blanket outside, and enjoy some sun and fresh air.)
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UUA General Assembly Get-Together
(Hybrid, Library & Zoom)
Every year, Unitarian Universalists from around the country gather at the General Assembly. This is a four-day-long event, featuring workshops, worship services, and business meetings where votes are taken on Unitarian Universalist policy and practice.
This year, rather than happening at a specific location, the General Assembly is online-only. As you may have heard, this is a major General Assembly as there is a vote in place about Article II, which is our governing document. For more info or to register, see https://www.uua.org/ga.
If you’d like to talk about the General Assembly with others in our congregation, Rev. Bob is hosting a general get-together on Friday, June 21, 4-6 p.m. in the USH library. You can also come to this virtually via Zoom (a Zoom link will be provided next week in the e-news). The business meeting will be going on then, so you can get a glimpse into that process and we can watch it together – or, we can just chat about GA generally.
No need to register, just show up if you’re interested. Feel free to ask Rev. Bob if you have any questions. Thanks!
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Board Meeting
The next board meeting is Tuesday, June 11
6:30 p.m. Hybrid
Zoom Link HERE
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Outdoor Concert with ResQ and Bluebyrd to Welcome Summer!
Friday, June 21, 2024 at 6 p.m.
$20 donation
Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic to enjoy an outdoor concert, weather permitting. If it rains we will move indoors.
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For more information on our weekly and monthly gatherings, click here. | |
May Social Justice Council Minutes have been posted here | |
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Manhattan Beach, California ~ Swimming Together
Join The Sum of Us discussion group in person to reflect on the final session. Podcast description: After pressure from white residents and the Ku Klux Klan during the early 1900s, a local government seized a thriving Black-owned beach resort in Manhattan Beach, CA. Activists won the return of the beach to the Bruce family in the first-known U.S. case of land reparations for Black people. The community confronts what it lost when it destroyed a Black beach paradise, and redefines itself as reparations become reality. Also listen to the final reflection podcast, The America that’s Becoming, focused on how to move to action locally to address similar issues. Both podcasts are available to listen to at: https://open.spotify.com/show/19VMtc487rqmrb6GC8eRvd
We will be gathering at USH in Classroom D from noon – 1:00 following coffee hour after the June 30 service to discuss both podcasts. If you have questions, contact Gloria Mengual at gloriafmengual@gmail.com or call her at 860-729-2093.
Pictured above is a photo of the family of color holding up their property paperwork.
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June Good Neighbor Offering
Church Street Eats is a cooperative ministry operating out of the historic Christ Church Cathedral, providing meals and clothing to people in need, in and around Hartford. The number of people who depend on Church Street Eats continues to increase. Likewise, the opportunities to be a part of this caring community also continue to grow.
USH is one of more than 40 groups that commit their time and talent — schools, businesses, and various religious groups from all over the state to aid in their basic but dedicated mission: A simple act of kindness goes a long way to help those in need.
Each month this church year, our Youth Group has made soup that has been donated to serve those in need of a meal. Inspired by their mission of kindness, the USH Youth Group has chosen to partner with them for this month’s Good Neighbor Offering.
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Save The Date!
Saturday, June 22: West Hartford Pride
USH is sharing a booth with the Universalist Church of West Hartford (Fern Street) —
Volunteer sign-up to follow!
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Food Pantry News:
The church year is winding down and so are SCHOOL LUNCHES! That means more hungry kids to feed 7 days a week!
Healthy food needs INCREASE in summer!
Please remember to fill up our bins with healthy food options.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO GIVE AS GENEROUSLY AS YOU CAN
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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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Our Whole Lives is back for a Super Session (meaning several workshops in one day) on Saturday, June 15 at USH. The super session will run from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Lunch will be provided. Please stay tuned for further details
View this weeks RE e-newsletter HERE
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Crys Matthews Concert, UUS:E
Acclaimed social justice music maker Crys Matthews will perform at the
Unitarian Universalist Society:East, 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, on Thursday, June 13. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 — $15 free-will donation at the door.
Matthews is known for protest song anthems that address issues close to her heart. She has been hailed as "the next Woody Guthrie" and "a powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls ‘the poster-child for intersectionality.’"
For details, visit:
https://www.uuse.org/regular-events/crys-matthews-concert
Learn more about Crys at crysmatthews.com
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Board Meeting
The next board meeting is Tuesday, June 11
6:30 p.m. Hybrid
Zoom Link HERE
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2023 – 2024 USH Board of Directors
Dana Donovan: President
Nancy Kemmerer: President-Elect
Jon Covault: Treasurer
Gloria Mengual: Secretary
Paul Cipriano: Administration Council Chair
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
Have a question or comment for the board? Send an email to: ushboardofdirectors@gmail.com.
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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-in-Chief: Tina Davies
Production and Technology Manager: Karolina Wojtysko
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USH Calendar of Events
The calendar for June 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 or Zoom Meeting click HERE.
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