Friday, February 16, 7 p.m.

Stan Sullivan and Cece Borjeson

$20 donation at the door

SpiritLife Conversations meets on Zoom Saturday, February 17, 9 –10:30. 

This month’s article for discussion is God As Essence by AH Almaas, facilitated by David Gonci. Read the short article first and then drop-in to a facilitated discussion with UUs from the three area churches, no registration required.

Go to UU SpiritLife – Helping Hartford area Unitarian Universalists to develop and deepen meaningful spiritual lives for the complete spring schedule, this month's reading, and the Zoom link. 

SpiritChats 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

Getting Clear On The Proposed Changes to Unitarian Universalism

Sunday, February 25, 'Under the Stairs'

A few weeks ago USH hosted a Teach-In on the 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.

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!

NOTICE: February 10 Magdalene Circle is Cancelled —the Circle resumes Saturday, March 9.

This group meets the second Saturday of the month from 2 to 5 p.m. and explores the Divine Feminine principle with particular attention to the historical, archetypal, and spiritual Mary Magdalene. We look at ancient and modern material as well as practices we can integrate into our daily lives to expand Love of ourselves and each other. We honor the intuitive process through meditation including joint participatory sound meditation with frame drums, rattles, Tibetan and crystal bowls, and toning with our voices. You do not need to be a singer. If you are interested in participating in this group please contact Lisa Burch before attendance for orientation. A free-will donation is requested, to be directed to USH.

~ Lisa

Gentle Yoga

Yoga at your own pace... Listen to your body and do only what

feels right for you. Gentle Yoga incorporates deep breathing,

movement, and meditation. This is a calming, yet enlivening, way to begin your week. Whether you remain seated, choose to stand, or bring your own yoga mat, you'll soon see... and feel... benefits.

LU Giammatteo has been teaching yoga for decades and offers a supportive environment for all levels of practice (especially for beginners).

Mondays, 10 – 11 a.m. in the Meditation Room

Comfortable clothing suggested

$5 donation (to USH) requested

Sunday, Feb 11 – Youth Yoga 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Disability Support Group — February 3

This group meets online on the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. The zoom link is sent a few days prior to the meeting. In this group, participants discuss the challenges of physical disability (chronic illness, chronic pain, impaired senses, impaired mobility) and emotional pain (loss, mental illness), and the stresses of caretaking a loved one. What is said in the group stays in the group. Email Gloria Bent for more information or call 860-904-7768.

First Tuesday Hangouts & Discussion — February 6, 10:30 a.m.

Each first Tuesday, from 10:30 to noon in the library (and on ZOOM), Rev. Bob hosts a community chat where anyone can pop in. We’ll plan a provisional topic each month; however, you do not have to have any knowledge of – or even interest in! – that topic. It’s just to get the conversation rolling; we’ll talk about life, the universe, and whatever springs to mind.

Next month, bring an object (or photo of one) meaningful to you — perhaps something from your childhood, or one which otherwise holds special significance. Then, tell us about it! 



And, an invitation: if you have a favorite topic you can facilitate in 2024, please let Rev. Bob know!)

USH Book Club 2023/24

Our USH Book Club meets from 2:30 – 4 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month, either on Zoom or occasionally as a hybrid meeting. To discuss the book and related issues, please contact Ginny Allen. The Zoom link will be sent to you a day or two before the meeting.

February 8: Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future

by Elizabeth Kolbert. A hard look at the new world we are creating: Biologists who are trying to preserve the world’s rarest fish, which lives in a single tiny pool in the middle of the Mojave; engineers who are turning carbon emissions into stone in Iceland; and Australian researchers who are trying to develop a super coral that can survive on a hotter globe. Kolbert examines how the very sorts of interventions that have imperiled our planet are increasingly seen as the only hope for its salvation.

Future dates and readings:

·       March 14: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

·       April 11: Still Life by Louise Penny

·       May 9: Two Old Women by Velma Wallis

·       June 13: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Varghese

Pizza/Movie Night — February 9; 5 – 9 p.m.

Our February movie is Sweet Land, enveloping us in the journey of a young woman who has immigrated to this country to marry a man she's never met. It's a tale both of the relationship these people forge, and of the hostility and resentment her presence kindles in the tightly-knit upper-midwestern frontier community.

Logistics: We begin assembling at 5 for popcorn and soda/lemonade/tea and mingling; the pizza arrives at 5:30. Generally, we aim to start the movie by 6:30; afterward we'll reflect on our experience for a bit.

Sign up and pay (cash or check — for the pizza) during Coffee Hour — see Janice Newton at the Caring Network table. You can also call or email to reserve your spot and indicate pizza choice (cheese, meat, or veggie). $15* covers pizza, salad, dessert, & non-alcoholic beverages. Feel free to bring your own beer or wine, if that’s your preference.

*or $5/slice, for the light eaters

Security Task Force — February 11, Noon

Contact Laura Cipriano or Lu Giammatteo for more information.

Click HERE for the Zoom Link.

Saturday Sing-Along – February 17, 2 p.m.

Join us at the next Meeting House Sing-Along. Song sheets and some loaner copies of Rise Up Singing or Rise Again are available.

Come early or come late, whatever fits your schedule. Some of us bring snacks, but that is not required (or organized). If the weather is good, we meet outside around to the right of the building, in the Memorial Garden. If you feel unwell, we ask that you postpone your visit.

Contact: Fred Louis or Ed Savage for more information.

Lunch Bunch – February 20, Noon – 2 p.m.

Enjoy convivial conversation over lunch with friends. Please contact Janice Newton to sign up so we can arrange for seating for everyone. February Lunch Bunch will probably meet in Fellowship Hall — stay tuned for possible updates.

Social Justice Council — February 20

Interested in justice work? Come meet with us to learn the latest about ongoing activities and discover new initiatives. Everyone’s invited! Click HERE for the Zoom Link.

Lunchtime Poetry Workshops with Rev. Bob — February 29 at noon

Come to an exploration of poetry and spirit, led by Rev. Bob. Each session begins with us reading a poem or poems together, reflecting on their meaning for us in a variety of ways. Having a go at writing poems will also be a part of these workshops, but don’t worry, sharing our own poems is entirely optional! Sessions take place from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Please bring your own lunch. (optional) Feel free to bring a snack to share if you wish! Can’t make it in person? Join us via Zoom!

This is an e-mail notification from the Unitarian Society of Hartford. All events will be sent out on a bi-weekly basis. Be sure to check the website calendar for up-to-date information on events, including cancellations, HERE. You're receiving this because you subscribed to the weekly USH E-News, and if you'd prefer not to receive this supplement, you can opt-out at the bottom of this email and/or update your profile.