Growing our Spirits: Spiritual Practice and Transformation
MEDITATION
Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation
Meditation group that follows Buddhist Mindfulness methods. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Mondays except major holidays 7:30 PM Newcomers at 7 PM
READING AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Listening for God Short Story Discussions
Join Rev. Jan Nielsen for a lunchtime discussion of a short story chosen from The Best American Short Stories 2010, edited by Richard Russo. Bring a bag lunch and beverage to this “drop in, come when you are able” group, now in its tenth year. 12:15-1:15 PM
Remaining 2012 Discussions
Feb. 15 The Valetudinarian by Joshua Ferris
Mar. 21 Delicate Edible Birds by Lauren Groff
Apr. 25 Least Resistance by Wayne Harrison
May 23 The Hollow by James Lasdun
June 6 Painted Ocean, Painted Ship by Rebecca Makkai
Rev. Jan will lead a Spring 2012 four-part series on spiritual practice. More information and sign-up to be posted soon!
Poetry Reading
Share your own poetry or some from your favorite poets. Open to all who love and enjoy poetry and may like to be poets themselves. Nov 6 6:30 PM
SACRED TEXTS
Afternoon UU Bible Study
Bring your lunch, and let’s read the Bible! Just as in the evening Bible Study, we will read together from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, we will examine historical contexts as well as modern interpretations to explore the meanings of the texts. We will decide as a group how we want to structure our reading. Personal bible not necessary. First Wednesdays Feb. 1; Mar. 7; Apr. 4; May 2 12:15-1:15 PM
Evening UU Bible Study
Has it been a while since you cracked a Bible? Never opened one? Still remember the verses you memorized in Sunday school? Come one and all! Reading together from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, we will examine historical contexts as well as modern interpretations to explore the meanings of the texts. Prior reading and personal bible not necessary. Last Mondays Jan. 30; Feb. 27; Mar. 26; Apr. 30 6-7:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist History Forum
Stories from the Faith Like a River curriculum presented by Megan and participants in the fall/winter class. Come to one or come to all four! Learn about some of the people, ideas, and movements that have shaped our faith heritage. How do the stories of our past teach us to live more faithfully in today’s world? Sundays Feb. 12; Mar. 4; Apr. 29; May 20 12:15 PM
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Unitarian Universalist Spiritual Practices
Reverend Jan steers us this fall through an exploration of the spiritual practices of our UU ancestors in this four-part series. Mar 7, 14, 28 7-8:30 PM
WRITING AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
For generations, the act of writing has served humankind as a spiritual practice. Bring a notebook and a pen and join Jan Nielsen and others as we write together. All will have the opportunity, if we wish, to read aloud our words to one another. Wednesdays Nov 2, 9, 16 2-3:30 PM
Writer’s Circle
Novices and experienced writers will write from prompts, have the opportunity to read aloud what we’ve written, and respond to each other’s writing with positive feedback as to what stays with us. This workshop follows the Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) method created by Pat Schneider. Second Monday of the month 6:30-8:30 PM
YOGA
Gentle Yoga
Yoga is one of many paths to the essential self from which all else flows. For all levels of yoga practitioners. Please wear comfortable, close-fitting, stretchable clothing and bring your own yoga mat. Wednesdays 9:30-10:45 AM; 7-8:15 PM; Fridays 9:30-10:45 AM
All Levels of Yoga
Mondays 6:15-7:25 PM
Supporting Our Journeys: Living Our Values Throughout Our Lives
TRANSITIONING TO EMPLOYMENT AFTER JOB LOSS
Job Support Group
A support group for people in job transition. Let us help one another cope with job stresses, loss and finding new opportunities. Gain insight into your own work styles and hopes for the future. What is your spirit telling you? What do you like to do? What are you good at? What will allow you to make enough to meet your needs and future goals? We will help one another find out.
ADOPTION SUPPORT
Adoption Healing
Once a month, meet with others in the adoption triad: birthparents, adoptive parents and adult adopted persons for sharing in a safe and confidential environment. Biweekly on Thursdays 8-8:30 PM
DIVORCE SUPPORT
Women’s Divorce Support
A support group for divorced and separated women that offers opportunity to discuss and share the variety of resources available to help individuals figure out what their own personal needs are during their separation or divorce. 2nd Tuesdays Sept 13-May 8 6:30-8 PM
LAY PASTORAL MINISTRY AND PARISH CARE
Care Team
We tell each other “you will be cared for and you will be called upon to care for others.” Join one of our most powerful opportunities for ministry. Trained lay ministers and experienced volunteers coordinate support for those of us in need and those of us who want to help.
4th Monday 7-8 PM
Knitting, Crocheting & Sewing Ministry
We get together to knit or crochet "shawls of comfort" for adults and babies for either comfort or celebration. No experience necessary! We’ll teach you. Everyone welcome.
Wednesdays 10 AM-12 PM; Third Tuesday 7:30-9 PM
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strengths and hopes with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Daily meetings
Welcoming Congregation Committee
Be part of the hospitality and outreach to our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender fellow members and their families. Oct 30 10 AM
MEN’S GROUP AND RETREATS
Men’s Group and Retreats
The UU Men’s Group is centered around spiritual discovery, development and building bonds with other men in our congregation and engaged in many activities: monthly discussion groups, social service, outdoor activities and helping with the beautification and maintenance of our church building and grounds. All are welcome!! 4th Monday 7-9 PM; Men’s Retreat April 13-15
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Small Group Ministry
The facilitator will bring in a topic for the group to discuss. After a brief check in with each other, the group engages in meaningful dialogue surrounding the topic. Lively discourse always ensues. This is a great opportunity to get to know others, and perhaps yourself, in a closer and more thoughtful way. 2nd Tuesday 3-4:30 PM; 3rd Tuesday 7-8:30 PM
TRANSGENDER SUPPORT
Transgender Support
Members and non-members are welcome to this monthly support group for young adult transgender individuals in our State. Biweekly on Thursdays 8-8:30 PM
WOMEN’S GROUP AND RETREATS
Women’s Voices, Women’s Journeys
Connect with other women, share ideas, stories, joys and challenges in a caring and supportive environment. Kickoff potluck Thursday, Sept 22, 6 PM; Meets 1st Thursday beginning Oct 6 6:45-8:45 PM; Retreat Feb 10-12 at Senexet House
Serving One Another and Our World: Prophetic Action and Witness
SOCIAL ACTION AND PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES
Religious Education Connections Program
We grow compassionate kids with this church school social action program. Children of all ages collect and make donations filling basic needs of other children nearby and far away. Also includes creative and intergenerational opportunities for youngsters.
hawkwing
Help the Church School and Rochelle Ripley collect items and donations for the Lakota Sioux tribe in Cheyenne River, South Dakota.
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.
South Park Inn
Universalist stew is our usual menu for over 100 homeless people in Hartford. The Church purchases the food and volunteer cooks prepare the meal from 3-5:30 PM at South Park Inn, a shelter, transitional living facility and soup kitchen in the south end of Hartford. Servers volunteer from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. 3rd Saturday 5-7:30 PM
Hands on Hartford
Volunteers from our congregation cook and serve a meal for 60-70 needy people at the Center City Churches’ congregate meal site in Hartford. The church purchases the groceries and volunteers cook at the soup kitchen in the parish hall basement at Christ Church Cathedral.
3rd Monday 4:30-7PM
Have a Heart Sandwich Ministry
Volunteers makes sandwiches here at The Universalist Church for the homeless and needy at the House of Bread in Hartford. Mondays 9 AM
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION BEFORE AND AFTER SOCIAL ACTION WORK
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.
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.
FERTILE GROUND
Fertile Ground: Community Networking Breakfast Series
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
Deepening Our Understanding: Learning About the Faiths of Our Neighbors As Well as Our Own
THEOLOGY
Building Your Own Theology
Are you looking for an opportunity to more deeply explore human nature and ultimate reality in a supportive and collaborative community? Join your fellow seekers for this 10-part series in which we will mine the resources of our Unitarian Universalist tradition and our own experiences to reflect upon our most deeply held values and beliefs. Sign up on the bulletin board. Thursdays Feb 9, 16, 23; Mar 1, 8, 22, 29; Apr 5, 12, 26 7-9 PM
NEW UU ORIENTATION
New UU Classes
This three-session program to orient you to our faith and our church is offered twice a year. Learn about the roots of our faith, and hear about the many ways of becoming involved in the church. We share our spiritual journeys and spend time getting to know one another. Lunch is be provided and childcare is available. Sundays Oct 16, 23, 30; Mar 4, 11, 18 10:15 AM & 12:15 PM
MINISTERS’ QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS
Ministers’ Q&A
Join one of our ministers for a brief session to ask any questions that are on your mind about our church, our faith, or what’s involved in being a member of our faith community. Sundays Oct 2, Nov 13, Dec 4, Jan 22, Feb 12, Mar 25, May 6 10:15 AM & 12:15 PM