From Rev. Josh:

Dear Ones:
I have been spending the last few days at (online) Ministry Days, the gathering for UU clergy in advance of the General Assembly. One of the most significant milestones we are celebrating is the publication of the final report from the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change (CoIC), entitled “Widening the Circle of Concern.” CoIC was formed in the wake of the UUA’s hiring controversy in 2017. Under the leadership of my colleague, the Rev. Leslie Takahashi, CoIC has completed a comprehensive review of a variety of UUA and UU structures and practices with the goal of transforming our own white supremacy culture. The report makes numerous recommendations, many of them for congregations. The CoIC report is essential reading for all Unitarian Universalists. We need to take these recommendations to heart. I urge all UUS:E members and friends to take time this summer to read the report in its entirety. I look forward to a robust UUS:E dialogue later in 2020 about how our congregation can begin implementing the recommendations.

Here it is: https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/cic/widening.

With love and abiding faith, 

–Rev. Josh

Honoring the Past, Envisioning the Future

Golden Gala

Dining & Dancing Across the Decades
Friday, October 4, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Georgina’s Restaurant, Bolton

Don’t miss the highlight of our anniversary year!! A delightful evening for young, old and everyone in between! Dinner, dancing and the premiere of Sandy Johnson’s song about our first half-century!

The menu offers vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options. Buy tickets every Sunday after services from August 4 – September 15. $20 for adults and teens, free for children age 12 and under, $60 household maximum. On-site child care for 5 and under by reservation. Can’t get to church on a Sunday? Email Lesley Schurmann to make reservations: [email protected]. Let’s celebrate 50 years of Unitarian Universalism East of the River!

September Milestones ~ This Month in UUS:E History

September 1968: More than 85 people attend a meeting at Buckley School to explore forming a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Manchester. Publicity circulated by Malcolm Barlow and supported by the Connecticut Valley District Extension Committee. Nearly 80 people vote to form a UU congregation.

September 1979: On September 9, the first service in our new building on West Vernon Street begins with a congregational procession and “Prayer for This House.” On September 23, UUS:E holds an open house and dedication to serve the larger community. Those participating included a rabbi, a priest, and protestant clergy, along with other community leaders.

Looking forward to other 50^th Anniversary commemorations, including:

• “Revisiting the Empowerment Controversy,” discussion of Rev. Morrison-Reed’s book about friction between the Unitarian Universalist Association and African American UUs. September 19 at 3 and 7 PM. See article elsewhere in this issue.
• Looking Back, Looking Forward. A legacy service on November 3.
• Save the date for an Affirmation Reunion on December 1 (Thanksgiving weekend). Help build the contact list by emailing [email protected].

Questions? Ideas? Want to volunteer for anything?? Contact Anne Carr: [email protected]

Honoring the Past, Envisioning the Future

Golden Gala

Dining & Dancing Across the Decades
Friday October 4, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Georgina’s Restaurant, Bolton

A delightful evening for young, old and everyone in between! Delicious buffet dinner, dancing with DJ Jeff Slogesky, and special surprises. Celebrate our first half-century in style!!

Vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options. Buy tickets every Sunday after services from August 4 – September 15. $20 for adults, $10 for teens, free for children age 12 and under, $60 household maximum. On-site child care for 5-and-under by reservation. Can’t get to church on a Sunday? Email Lesley Schurmann to make reservations [email protected]. Let’s celebrate 50 years of Unitarian Universalism East of the River!

August Milestones ~ This Month in UUS:E History:

August 1974: Just five years after our founding, the UUS:E directory lists 255 members and other involved adults! We report 99 children age 14 or under to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Department of Extension, with an actual church school enrollment of 65.

August 1977: James Juros, the architect for the new UUS:E building on West Vernon Street, begins meeting with every group and committee at the church. The excitement is palpable!

Looking forward to other 50^th Anniversary commemorations, including:

• “Revisiting the Empowerment Controversy,” discussion of Rev. Morrison-Reed’s book looking at events in the Unitarian Universalist Association 50 years ago. September 19 at 3 and 7 PM. See article elsewhere in this issue.
• Looking Back, Looking Forward. A legacy service on November 3.
• Affirmation Reunion. Tentative – Thanksgiving weekend.
• Watch for mug and tee-shirt sales in the lobby. Ongoing.
• Multi-media timeline created by Carol Marion (to the right of the stage) and photos of each of our congregational homes (hallway near office entrance.) Ongoing..

Questions? Ideas? Want to volunteer for anything?? Contact Anne Carr: [email protected]

Listen to audio interviews from members during 1993-1999. How have things changed and how are they the same?

Click here to listen!

And So Our Journey Began – The First Decade

April 7 Service ~ Postponed from March 10

We will honor our Charter Members and hear stories from the “founding generation” who saw the possibility of a loving and inclusive home for liberal religion in Manchester. How did those early years shape who we are today? What legacy did our founders leave us, and how are we handling that responsibility today? Come to the April 7 service to consider this and much more!

April Milestones ~ This Month in UUS:E History:

April 1969: One month after opening our doors, an organizing meeting for Liberal Religious Youth (LRY) draws more than a dozen teens. Public Forums are scheduled two evenings each month on topics such as inner-city schools, prison reform and more. The Board votes to join Manchester Interfaith Social Action Committee (MISAC), which is completing 194 units of affordable housing in North Manchester.

April 1977: Surveying, clearing and planning begins at the newly-purchased wooded lot on West Vernon St., Manchester. There is also much fundraising that must be done before we can have a home of our own!!

Looking forward to other 50th Anniversary events, including:

• Rev. Drew Moeller, who discovered his ministerial calling while at UUS:E, returns to preach on June 2
• All-generations carnival on June 8 (rain date June 15)
• WUUdstock concert on July 27
• Celebration Gala on September 28
• Looking back, looking forward. A legacy service on November 3

Questions? Ideas? Want to volunteer?? Contact Anne Carr: [email protected]

Show Your  UUS:E Swag!

Have you seen these great-looking black and gold 50^th Anniversary tee shirts? Look for the display after each service or email Anne Carr: [email protected]. $20 for Small-XL, and $25 for XXL and up. Many thanks to Sandy Karosi for design and ordering.