Fertile Ground: a new Community Networking Breakfast Series
Every 3rd Saturday from 10 - 11:30 AM (with coffee and a light breakfast available at 9:30 AM)
This innovative program provides an informal opportunity for representatives from non-profit human services agencies serving the West Hartford and Greater Hartford areas to meet with one another and interested parishioners. 3rd Saturday 10-11:30 AM; coffee and a light breakfast available at 9:30.
The Diversity Task Force
Efforts to combat racial, ethnic and economic discrimination and promote multi-culturalism continue to reinvent themselves within the church. The Diversity Task Force is an energetic group of people in the congregation who are taking a hard look at how we consciously and unconsciously present a Eurocentric upper middle-class image and programming that limits our membership and our understanding of the world we live in. We are examining our personal beliefs and behaviors, our institutional practices and our commitment of resources. Past explorations of racism continue to inform us, but we know we must keep educating ourselves and our changing membership. Oct 16 10 AM
Connections—Social Action in The Church School
Learning about connections to the wider world is an important part of religious education. In the church school, we start with connections to our church community and extend our sphere of concern to the world community. We choose our “Connections” projects carefully to help the children understand the importance of service, locally and beyond. In addition to projects organized by our Connections Team of interested parents, children in church school classes plan their own service initiatives.
Red Cross Blood Drive - The Gift of Life
Our Annual February Blood Drive is supported by blood donations and administrative support from Church members. Give the gift of life. Sign up to help us organize, to operate the drive that day and to donate blood.
The Welcoming Congregation Initiative
With guidance from the Unitarian Universalist Association, our church entered into a self-study and education process that led to a vote to be designated and known as a Welcoming Congregation, to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. We continue to seek out ways to not only welcome these individuals and families, but to help them to belong and contribute to our congregational life. The initiative is mindful of our continuing need for education and sensitivity and promotes social action and service to the GLBT community and individuals.
The following are links to various resources of interest to GLBT people and allies:
UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns
http://www.uua.org/aboutus/professionalstaff/identity-basedministries/bisexualgay/index.php
Interweave - An organization actively working toward ending oppression based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Interweave holds Independent Affiliate status with the UUA
http://www.interweavecontinental.org/index.php?title=Interweave_Continental
Love Makes a Family - CT based GLBT rights organization
www.lmfct.org
Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective - Hartford based GLBT organization providing medical, mental health and support service
www.hglhc.org
True Colors, Inc. - CT based organization providing support and mentoring to marginalized GLBT youth
www.ourtruecolors.org
PFLAG – Hartford Chapter - National organization for parents, family members and friends of GLBT people, etc.
http://www.pflaghartford.org
Gay and Lesbian Defenders - New England based GLBT legal organization
www.glad.org
Human Rights Campaign - National GLBT rights organization
www.hrc.org
Lambda Legal - National GLBT legal organization
www.lambdalegal.org
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network - National organization for students, parents, and teachers that works to affect positive change in schools
www.glsen.org
Film Series Discussion Group
For five Friday evenings this year you are invited to our film discussion series featuring short or full-length commercial films or documentaries and conversations after. The evenings will start with potluck dinners sponsored by a variety of church groups. Sept. 30, Nov. 4, Jan. 6, Mar. 2, Apr. 13 6 PM
Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty
The Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty (CNADP) has been working to abolish Connecticut’s death penalty since 1986. Capital punishment puts innocent lives at risk of being executed, fails as a deterrent, suffers from racial bias, disproportionately affects the poor and mentally ill, wastes valuable resources, and can be difficult on victims’ families by prolonging the legal process. For these reasons, the CNADP is committed to ending this ineffective response to violence through public education and citizen advocacy.
Mission Trips
Ready to make a difference? Put your ethics into practice and join one of our annual mission trips. Expect to work hard, meet personal challenges and reflect deeply on an amazing and memorable experience.