Passing the Flame, One Generation to Another
Roland Chirico, one of the early members of our society, and Gina Lucchetti from the RE program, light a beautiful new chalice during the 50th Anniversary kick-off on January 13. Rev. Josh, RE Director Gina Campellone and charter member Naomi Zima told stories from each decade of our history during the intergenerational service. More than 70 people stayed for a good old fashioned Soup Social, followed by a slide show and program!
This Month in UUS:E History
In February 1969, the dedicated people who were creating a UU congregation in Manchester began cleaning up their newly-rented property at 466 Main Street. Originally the Church of the Nazarene, it had been a karate school when we took it over. Volunteers patched holes and painted the walls, replaced doors, hung blankets to “define” RE classrooms in the basement and cleaned everything! (This building is now home base for the Manchester Area Conference of Churches.) Meantime, there were Sunday morning “programs” in homes and school rooms, as well as pot luck dinners where people got to know each other, and considered what kind of a fellowship we wanted to be.
50th Anniversary Events This Month
- On February 10, Rev. Josh will speak about our denomination’s challenges in responding to racism, in 1969 and today. Postponed from Jan. 20 due to the ice storm.
- On February 17, Rev. Josh will explore what it means to be a “covenanted” faith – without mandatory dogma, we are joined by our commitment to values and intentions.
- After the second service on the 17th, Rev. Josh hosts the Valentine’s Day Chocolate Auction.
- AND the first-decade members continue to share their recollections with our in-house historians: Nancy and Joe Madar and Susan Barlow. Watch for their service in March!
