Education has no “endpoint”.  We continue to learn and grow throughout our lives and the

Adult Religious Education program provides safe, inquisitive spaces in which to do so.  Classes, one-day workshops, book discussions, movie nights and much more fill out the offerings for all post-highschool folks here at USNH.

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Author Talk with Jason Stanley

Author of “Erasing History” and “How Fascism Works”

Wednesday, April 9th  6:30-8:30pm

Jason Stanley is an American philosopher who is the Jacob Urowsky Professor of Philosophy at Yale University. He is best known for his contributions to philosophy of language and epistemology, which often draw upon and influence other fields, including linguistics and cognitive science.

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End of Life Planning

Workshop Series

Workshop 1: Spiritual Considerations

Led by Jamie Johnson, MDiv

May 4, 2025 12-2pm, USNH Library

Workshop 2: Legal Considerations

Led by Lisa Anderson, atty.

May 18, 2025 12-2pm, USNH Library

Workshop 3: Medical Considerations

Led by Dr. Manya Newton (Lisse)

June 1, 2025 12-2pm, USNH Library

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Ongoing Adult Religious Education Groups:

An open writers’ group – Meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month online from 7 – 8:30 pm   Share, listen and discuss original works of poetry and prose inspired by the 2024-2025 USNH monthly worship themes.  Facilitated by Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Jesse Greist.  Write to family@usnh.org for more info or for the zoom link.  

Spirit Dance

every other month after worship from 12-12:30 in the Sanctuary

Facilitated by D’Arcy Jeffrey

Free movement with minimal guidance, set to a carefully curated playlist that is updated for each new Spirit Dance event

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The USNH Anti-Racism Team/8th Principle Working Group

Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30pm on zoom

Some of our goals for 2023-24 include (but are not limited to):

• working with the Town of Hamden on the Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships initiative.
• Work with the Town of Hamden and the Spring Glen Civic Association to advocate for more affordable housing in upcoming developments at High Meadows and along Whitney Avenue.
• lead book discussions and workshops such as the locally based The Other Side of Prospect;
• implement elements of the Widening the Circle anti-racism/anti-oppression report at USNH
• Educate the community about disability rights 
• Identify and work to resolve local cases of Environmental Racism.
• co-develop worship with Rev. Stephen Kendrick in February 2024. 

Join us for these important meetings and help us move into the new year in meaningful, impactful ways!

The USNH Anti-Racism/8th principle Team meets monthly to discuss and support race equity programs such as the Waverly partnership, ongoing education initiatives, and anti-racist USNH worship, such as the services highlighted below:

The  8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism answers the call of Black, Indigenous and other People Of Color (BIPOC) for a new UU principle rooted in the essential work of anti-racism, anti-oppression and the dismantling of White Supremacy culture in ourselves and our institutions.  USNH took most of 2021 to consider and talk through what adapting this new principle would mean for us and for the community.  We are overjoyed to share that the 8th principle was officially adopted at USNH’s December, 2021 congregational meeting.  Now the real work begins!  The 8th Principle Working Group has joined forces with the Anti-Racism Team and have shifted focus to educating and integrating the 8th principle into all aspects of congregational life at USNH.  The groups meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30PM. For more information about the group, write to 8thprinciple@usnh.org.

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Committee Meetings

Adult Religious Education Committee meetings are held monthly on the second Monday, 7-8:30pm at USNH or online – All are welcome!

• To join this committee, write to are@usnh.org.  

What Moves Us

The Adult Religious Education Committee strives to create a learning environment that motivates our Unitarian Universalist congregation to grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially for our good and that of the wider community.

The Adult Religious Education Committee provides opportunities for spiritual growth, fostering connections and commitment to USNH and Unitarian Universalism and developing the foundations for action for justice through a variety of classes, courses, and one-time events.

The Goals & Objectives of the USNH Adult Religious Education Committee are…

• Partnering with other groups within our congregation to create intentional spaces for sharing and growing our knowledge about spiritual issues, social issues and UU identity.
• Inviting participation in these intentional spaces by individuals & organizations in the wider New Haven community so as to encourage a social justice and interfaith (including no faith) spiritual discourse among USNH members and those beyond our congregation.
• Fostering open dialogue and discourse, in these spaces with these participants, to encourage the reflection portion of a praxis  – striving towards greater & more effective action on social justice and interfaith (including no faith) spiritual issues.