June 6, 10:30 a.m.: “Apocrypha, Saints, and Queer Theology–Oh, My!”  A brief overview of continuing and ever-developing revelation in the Christian tradition.  Talk by Jess Barnes.

June 13, 10:30 a.m.: “A Unitarian Utopia.” In the 1840s a group of Unitarians founded a Utopian community in West Roxbury, Massachussetts called Brook Farm.  We will look at the principles on which Brook Farm operated on and what lessons can be learned from their experience. Coord: Mark Mitsock

June 20, 10:30 a.m.: “A Solstice Gathering.” Gather at 608 Whitney at 10:30* and then move to the covered bridge on Whitney Ave., next to the Eli Whitney Museum, to share our feelings, experiences, and imaginations at this pivotal period of the solar year. Coord: Francis Braunlich.  *in case of rain, bring umbrellas and raincoats.

Sat., June 27 and Sun., June 28, 10:30 a.m.: “The Labor of Love.”  Time to clean up the Meeting House and grounds! Wear clothes to get dirty in.  Fellowship, refreshments and coffee provided.  Coord: Better Home and Gardens

Calendar of FUUS Events

Wed., June 2, 7:30 p.m.: Worship Committee Meeting. Bring suggestions to the committee: Steve, Sheila, Terri, Francis, Elizabeth, Gaianne.
Wed., June 9, 7:30 p.m.: Old & New Board Meeting conducting the business of the society.
Fri., June 11, 8:00 p.m.: Christian Fellowship meets.  Contact Bob or Terri for info and to confirm, 203- 467-7868.
Wed., June 16, 7:30 p.m.: CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans) meeting. Info: Gaianne at 203-562-4410 or Francis at 203-562-0672 or to put things on the agenda, email newhavenuu@sbcglobal.net

Mon., June 21:  Newsletter deadline for the rest of the summer events.  Submit copy to Elizabeth, editor, february@snet.net or 203-562-0672.
Ultimate Tues., June 29: Drum Circle  All ages, all acoustic instruments welcome for an evening of improvisational drumming and music.  Info:  Gaianne, 203-562-4410.

Calendar of Community Events

June 23-27 General Assembly of the UUA, Minneapolis, MN. The General Assembly makes overall policy for carrying out the purposes of the Association and direct and control its affairs.  This year the emphasis is on CHANGE of governance, the UUA board and the UUA bylaws, and possibly the GA itself.  Daily updates available at uua.org/events/generalassembly/2010 or uuworld.org

Saturday, June 5, 10 a.m. Celebrate CT Trails Day–East Shore-Short Beach Walk. Meet at 10 a.m. to carpool from UU Society, 608 Whitney Ave. to Short Beach to begin the walk; the walk will end at Branford Point. newhavenbioregionalgroup.org
Saturday, June 5, 4:30 p.m. Free Skillshare: Building a Simple Compost Bin with Doug Peterson. 101 Harrison Street, Westville. Info: newhavenbioregionalgroup.org

Monday, June 7, 6 p.m.  Reclaiming the Prophetic
Voice will mark the cost of the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by placing a stone on Memorial Cairn inscribed with the death total of US military personnel and approximate numbers of Iraqi and Afghani civilians killed in May.  Intersection of Broadway, Elm and Park streets.  The wars are not over.
Saturday, June 12, 3 p.m. East Shore, a presentation by Joe Taylor featuring local history and photographs of the East Shore area of New Haven, at Fair Haven Branch Library. Info: bdgold@nhfpl.org or (203) 946-8115
Saturday, June 12- Saturday, June 26
15th annual International Festival of Arts and Ideas. Info: www.artidea.org
Saturday, June 19, 2-4 p.m.  “Democracy vs. the Propaganda State: Why We Must Support Independent Media and Build a Real Alternative to Corporate Power,” a public forum with John Nichols, The Nation correspondent and c.o-author with Robert McChesney of “The Death and Life of American Journalism”, Center Church on the Green Parish House,  311 Temple St. Suggested donation $15, students $5, Booksigning and light refreshments follow. Info: (203) 268-8446 or betweenthelines@snet.net,

Save the Date

Saturday, July 10, 12 noon - 4 p.m.
Potluck and Music Bash–a fund raiser for the food pantry in Strattford at Cynthia Russell’s place, 25 Main St., Strattford (off I-95 exit 32, W. Broad St.) Let Cynthia know what food you’re bringing and if you plan to join in the music, what music you’d like to play.  E-mail psynnie@aol.com

Splinters from the Board Meeting, May 12, 2010

The Board discussed the problems with the City of New Haven, which is looking to collect taxes from any and all possible sources. Paul tried to get an appointment with the Tax Assessor in order to clarify the assessment of the Preschool but without much success. Kathy Michel, director of the Pre-school, will contact other nursery schools to find out how they are dealing with the city policies.  The Board needs to look carefully at our relationship with both the Preschool and Sister Cities Project, how they relate to our mission as well as what percent of our budget their contribution represents.  In reviewing our insurance coverage, the insurance co. prefers to have separate policies for the different entities, which represents a significant change/expense for the Preschool.

As also brought out at the Annual Meeting on May 23, there will be services during the summer.  Two weekends, June 26 & 27 and Aug. 21 & 22, will be devoted to clean-ups of the meeting house and the grounds.  Invitations are extended to the Preschool, Sister Cities Project and the Bioregional Group to join us.
A joint meeting of the old and newly elected Board will be held on Wed., June 9.

Notes from the Annual Meeting, May 23

Members were joined by Robert Cox, Preschool Board member, and Patty Nuelson, Sister Cities Project, who gave reports of their organizations.  The Preschool has a new director and a new teacher this year, who have done well.  The kids have been enthusiastic about using the compost pile. The increase in health care costs has been tough for the PS.  A long-term lease is also important for the PS so they have confidence in long-term planning. At the end of the Annual Meeting, the congregation voted to extend the PS lease for 10 instead of 12 years, even though the economy is unpredictable.

Sister Cities Project has 3 people on staff in New Haven.  Their main focus in Nicaragua is on education, continuing the elementary school and pushing for a secondary school, even when the government said there weren’t enough funds.  They have sent over 1000 delegates to Nicaragua, and this year there will be delegations of teachers as well as students.  Chris Schweitzer, concerned with the effects of Global Warming in Nicaragua as well as here, set up an exhibit of a “one-world” shack at the May Day celebration on the Green as well as at one of NH schools, described by Melinda Tuhus in the NH Independent (newhavenindependent.org).

Fred presented the Bioregional Group/Transition New Haven report.  They have had many activities, including the Community Garden, and have exhibited the Transition Tunnel several times.  They were glad to have 5 trees removed from the grove, which were shading the garden, and have planted raspberry bushes from Dave’s garden as well as hazelnut trees/bushes.

Problems still to be dealt with include: the chimney leaks in the library, the sign out front, the mission statement and bylaws revision. 
Terri has submitted the Welcoming Congregation Report to the appropriate UUA committee for approval, at which point we can use the rainbow icon on our web site.
The meeting was interrupted when Sheila was feeling distressed and taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment.  We send her best wishes for a speedy recovery.