Sunday 4/7 I had a chance to go back 48 years and celebrate my
Unitarian Universalist spiritual roots at Manchester Unitarian Universalist
Society East (UUSE). It is their 50th anniversary and last Sunday
the “old timers” told the story of the first decade of which I was an active
part. A number of folks from those days are still active members there. UUSE
has grown in numbers, expanding their building twice and deepened its presence
east of the river, providing more stability to the Greater Hartford “3 legged
stool” of congregations (UUSE, USH and The Universalist Church of West
Hartford). Many UUSE founders came from
USH. A surprising number of UUs in the area move back and forth among the three
congregations. Given the small numbers
of Unitarian Universalists in the world, we can be very proud that we all
contribute significantly to this strong UU presence in this region. For years
music has been shared with joint musical Sundays. More joint efforts are in the
works: Tom Gervais and his team are working toward shared spiritual pathways.
There are opportunities for shared social justice work, as well as pulpit
exchanges of ministers and lay people. “Roots hold us close. Wings set us free.
Spirit of Life is strong among these three.“
~Marye Gail Harrison, USH Board Spiritual Life Chair