To view the older Fall 2002 edition of "What's Up?", a listing of activities with more details, click here

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Red State Blues
Our next political book discussion group takes on -- “What’s the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America,” by Thomas Frank. The course will be led by Craig Machado, Sundays, 9:30 to 11:30 am, January 9 through the 23rd. ____________________________________________________________________________________
More Adult Religious Education Offerings
Look for the Adults’ Religious Education (ARE) table in our Social Hall for winter semester (January through March) classes. Upcoming January programs will include a leadership skills series and a “Spiritual Cinema Circle.” Later courses will include a spiritual parenting class, social action seminars, a creativity exploration course, and a series focusing on personal spirituality and community. ____________________________________________________________________________________
UU History & Heritage
A three part series on where we come from and what we believe will be offered January 16, 23 and 30 from 12:45 to 2:45 pm; childcare a light lunch will be provided. Sign up if you plan to attend. ____________________________________________________________________________________
One Man Show!
The funny and hopeful one-man show by Peterson Toscano – “Doin’ Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House – How I survived the Ex-Gay Movement!” – will be presented at USNH on Saturday, January 22, at 8 pm (Snow date: Sunday) Tix: $12 at the door. The show addresses a movement active in many Protestant denominations to “straighten out” homosexuals. ____________________________________________________________________________________
USNH Storm Closings
News Channel 8, WCTX, and WELO 960 AM will list USNH delays or closings in the event of inclement weather. We will also record an announcement on our telephone voicemail at USNH. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome Ministry
The Membership Committee is launching a Welcome Ministry to assist newcomers to discern if our community is right for them and then to help them become absorbed into the Society. The Welcome Ministry will involve teams of five who will meet newcomers on eight consecutive Sundays during the year, helping them find their way and stay connected. If you'd like to join, contact our Coordinator for Member Services, Gina Mitchell. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Neighborhood Potluck Suppers
Make connections at USNH the easy way: around a dinner table. If you are interested in hosting, put your name, address and contact info on the form on the Membership Table. List the number of guests you want, and put a spot for a co-host, whose job is to help you set up and clean up. The cooking is up to the guests. The host provides the place and beverages. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Weekly Drop-In Meditation
The Mindfulness Meditation Sitting Group meets Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:45 pm , free and open to the public. The format usually includes a 20 to 30 minute period of sitting meditation followed by group discussion of issues relating to one's meditation practice and topics taken from basic Buddhist teachings. ____________________________________________________________________________________
The Religious Education Office is Open
Getting in touch with our Director of Religious Education is easy! Michael DeMarsico is generally available at USNH Mondays through Thursdays from 10 am to 5:30 pm and on the third and fourth Thursday of every month at night, from 7 to 9 pm. You can also jot down an idea, question or inspiration on his "RE Message" pad on his office door Sundays. Michael can be called at home before 9 pm weeknights at (203) 287-1141. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Waverly Youth Programming Begins 10th Year
Our programming services children and youth ages 5 to 25 who live in and around the Waverly Townhouses, a New Haven public housing development between Orchard and George Streets. The "Little Learners (5 to 10 year olds) meet at 6:30 Wednesday evenings at the Waverly Learning Center. Volunteers are needed to work one-on-one with children. Activities include computer learning games, drama, reading and crafts. The teen group meets at USNH from 7 to 9 pm. Volunteers are needed to drive youths to and from Waverly. Mentors and adult youth advisor are also appreciated. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Equal Exchange Coffee for Sale
Two years ago, USNH began serving Equal Exchange coffee at our coffee hours, helping coffee growers in Latin America, Africa and Asia earn a fair and sustainable living from their crop. We recently offered a variety of ground and whole bean coffees for sale after Sunday services to pique interest in people who would like to brew these coffees at home. We can manage our inventory and match your coffee (and tea) tastes better with pre-orders. Look for the forms in the Social Hall. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Kindling the Lights-- View Some Photos
The 2nd annual Festival of Lights was held Sunday December 7th. The mid-afternoon event had craft activities for all ages, led by our able volunteers. To view photos from this fun day click on
1st set photos
2nd set photos ____________________________________________________________________________________
Special Collection Plates
The fourth Sunday of the month collection plate is donated to a worthy organization. This fall, we collected an average of over one-thousand dollars a month for groups such as Elm City Congregations Organized, Amnesty International, AIDS Project New Haven and the Fair Haven Community Health Center. Upcoming collections will assist ALSO-Cornerstone (Jan.), Heifer International (Feb.) And People Against Injustice (Mar.). Should you donate by check, make it payable to USNH, but indicate the designated organization in the "memo" area of the check; otherwise, it will be credited to your pledge. If you write the check directly to the organization, the proceeds will not be tracked by USNH. ____________________________________________________________________________________
EFT
Those are the magical initials for Electronic Funds Transfer. You may now pay your annual or capital pledges automatically, without writing a check – either monthly or quarterly. The money can be transferred directly to USNH. Forms, and information about this service, are available in the office. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Our New Sanctuary
The Worship Committee asks that the sanctuary be maintained as a quieter and more reflective space, prior to worship. If you need to chat before the service, please move through the lobby into the social hall (our old meeting room) or finish your conversations before entering the sanctuary; if you arrive in need of quiet time and a place to gather your thoughts, you can move into the sanctuary. ____________________________________________________________________________________
New Member Ritual
People who join our congregation will now sign the Membership Book as part of a Sunday service. We hope to recognize new members at several services each year. Becoming a member is a significant step, which brings benefits and obligations. Only members may vote in the democratic process guiding the Society, or hold certain leadership positions. In joining USNH, new members indicate their willingness to join us all in contributing time, effort, finances and talents to the Society. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Globalization Issues
Fifteen significant books and articles on this topic are available here on the USNH website and in paper form for those who prefer that.
Click here to open the 4 page overview with links to the other reviews. See link above on the General Assembly for final version of the Statement of Conscience. ____________________________________________________________________________________
UUA Online Resource for Lay Leaders: "InterConnections"
InterConnections is an online newsletter and resource published five times a year by the UUA for lay leaders. If you are interested in getting access to this newsletter, sign up at www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/interconnections-l. Then view InterConnections at www.uaa.org/interconnections. As a subscriber, you will receive an email notice every time the latest issue of InterConnections is posted online. For complete information all UUA online resources, see www.uua.org/cong/websters.html ____________________________________________________________________
E-mail Delivery of USNH Updates, or Just Timely Announcements?
Send us your e-mail address!
Many of our members receive our mid-month update via email, saving USNH the costs of paper and postage, and reducing the time our dedicated volunteers spend addressing and stamping. This month we emailed this update to everyone for whom we have an email address. (We also mailed a hardcopy to everyone who has not agreed to email delivery.) If you have not previously received the USNH Update via email and you would be willing to receive it only by email in the future, please contact Tansy in the USNH office and request email delivery of the Update. Please make sure and include your full name, phone number (in case of questions) and your complete email address. (All issues of the full monthly newsletter are currently mailed. This request pertains only to the shorter Update.)