Unitarian Society of New Haven
Hamden CT
06517-2214
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Who we are
Welcome to USNH!
We are delighted by your visit to USNH, the Unitarian Society of New Haven!
Whether you come looking for peace or comfort; longing for a deeper spiritual life; hoping for a community where you might belong; seeking opportunities to give of yourself and help make the world a better place; or, wondering about Unitarian Universalism and this congregation, we welcome you to USNH! USNH: In Worship and in Community
Worship services are the spiritual center of congregational life, and we hope you will join us regularly. We also encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities for involvement, depending on your needs, gifts, and desires. From religious education for all ages, to strong social justice initiatives, to social gatherings to theatrical productions, we welcome you. Finding Your Way at USNH
We know that finding your way into a congregation of this size and scope can be daunting. We want to help you navigate the waters. Our Small Groups Ministry offers an opportunity for regular, in-depth reflection with a small group on spiritual topics. Groups meet on various nights of the week and welcome new participants in the fall and winter.
Several times a year, we offer a Pathways to Membership orientation, where those considering membership can deepen their understanding of our faith and of what it means to become a member. Watch the newsletter for details or contact our Congregational Administrator, Jamie Ross at [email protected]. Should you wish to speak to our minister, please call our general number to make an appointment.
May your time with us, whether a day or a lifetime, nurture, sustain and challenge you.
Warmly,
USNH Board of Trustees
We are delighted by your visit to USNH, the Unitarian Society of New Haven!
Whether you come looking for peace or comfort; longing for a deeper spiritual life; hoping for a community where you might belong; seeking opportunities to give of yourself and help make the world a better place; or, wondering about Unitarian Universalism and this congregation, we welcome you to USNH! USNH: In Worship and in Community
Worship services are the spiritual center of congregational life, and we hope you will join us regularly. We also encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities for involvement, depending on your needs, gifts, and desires. From religious education for all ages, to strong social justice initiatives, to social gatherings to theatrical productions, we welcome you. Finding Your Way at USNH
We know that finding your way into a congregation of this size and scope can be daunting. We want to help you navigate the waters. Our Small Groups Ministry offers an opportunity for regular, in-depth reflection with a small group on spiritual topics. Groups meet on various nights of the week and welcome new participants in the fall and winter.
May your time with us, whether a day or a lifetime, nurture, sustain and challenge you.
Warmly,
USNH Board of Trustees
Location of worship
700 Hartford Tpke
Hamden,
CT
06517-2214
United States
Phone: 203-288-1807 ext. 201
Click here to contact the church
Church Pastor
The Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner
Minister
700 Hartford Tpke
Hamden,
CT
06517-2214
United States
Phone: 203-288-1807
Click here to contact The Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner
Denomination
Unitarian Universalist
Affiliations
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
Church Website
Unitarian Society of New Haven on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
The Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner
Leader Position:
Minister
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact The Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner
Leader Bio:
The Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner on Social Media:
Other Church Leaders:
Jesse Greist, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Jeffrey Douma, Co-Director of Music
Erika Schroth, Co-Director of Music
William R. Braun, Associate Director of Music
Jeffrey Douma, Co-Director of Music
Erika Schroth, Co-Director of Music
William R. Braun, Associate Director of Music
Administration
Admin Name:
Jamie Ross
Admin Position:
Congregational Administrator
Admin Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Jamie Ross
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to Unitarian Society of New Haven
Travel/Direction Tips
Directions From:
I-91, North or South
Take exit #10 onto Route 40. Take exit #1 (State St./Dixwell Avenue). At foot of ramp, turn left. At traffic light, turn left onto Hartford Turnpike. Drive two miles. USNH will be on your right.
Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Northbound)
Take exit #61. Turn left onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right.
Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Southbound)
Take exit #61. Turn right onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right.
I-91, North or South
Take exit #10 onto Route 40. Take exit #1 (State St./Dixwell Avenue). At foot of ramp, turn left. At traffic light, turn left onto Hartford Turnpike. Drive two miles. USNH will be on your right.
Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Northbound)
Take exit #61. Turn left onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right.
Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Southbound)
Take exit #61. Turn right onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right.
Parking
Please share parking information and/or parking experience!
Unitarian Society of New Haven Service Times
Sunday Worship
Sunday Services are held at 9:00 and 10:30 am.
Children’s Religious Education classes are held from September 20th through Memorial Day weekend and childcare is available during the service. The YRUU youth group meets from 1-3 pm September through June. Childcare is provided during summer services.
It's been more than 6 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Sunday Services are held at 9:00 and 10:30 am.
Children’s Religious Education classes are held from September 20th through Memorial Day weekend and childcare is available during the service. The YRUU youth group meets from 1-3 pm September through June. Childcare is provided during summer services.
It's been more than 6 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Worship Languages
Dress Code
Whatever is comfortable for you. Depending on the season you will find sweaters and blue jeans, shorts and t-shirts, shirts and ties, pants and blazers, skirts and blouses, or “Sunday best” attire with even a hat or two. Children should wear comfortable clothing. They may play on the floor, work with art supplies, or go outside.
Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Children’s Religious Education
The Unitarian Society of New Haven provides an inspiring and engaging Children’s Religious Education program.
We offer children’s religious education classes each Sunday for children in preschool through high school, focused on age-appropriate exploration and expression of oneself, the world, Unitarian Universalism and world religions (nursery care for babies and toddlers is also provided).
Our religious education curricula follow an alternating year cycle, since most classes are multi-age. In year “A” classes focus in on UU identity, history and values. In year “B” we explore the sources of Unitarian Universalism, including our Jewish-Christian heritage and other “neighboring faiths”, science and mystery. 2017-2018 is a “B” year.
The Unitarian Society of New Haven provides an inspiring and engaging Children’s Religious Education program.
We offer children’s religious education classes each Sunday for children in preschool through high school, focused on age-appropriate exploration and expression of oneself, the world, Unitarian Universalism and world religions (nursery care for babies and toddlers is also provided).
Our religious education curricula follow an alternating year cycle, since most classes are multi-age. In year “A” classes focus in on UU identity, history and values. In year “B” we explore the sources of Unitarian Universalism, including our Jewish-Christian heritage and other “neighboring faiths”, science and mystery. 2017-2018 is a “B” year.
Under 18s:
Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU)
High School Youth Group 9-12th Grade
The YRUU youth group seeks to foster spiritual depth, clarify both individual and universal religious values and create a peaceful community in the wider world.
We gather for worship, fun, social action, and deepening relationships. Our monthly schedule is structured around touching base with our faith home at USNH, but also branching out into the local community:
1st weekend of the month is set aside for Social Justice projects in New Haven county
2nd and 4th Sundays of each month the group meets at USNH from 10-11:45AM in the Children’s Chapel
3rd weekend of the month is set aside for social gatherings off-site
5th Sunday (when applicable) the group attends adult worship
Our group is co-led by the Youth-Adult Council members and we have four adult advisers.
High School Youth Group 9-12th Grade
The YRUU youth group seeks to foster spiritual depth, clarify both individual and universal religious values and create a peaceful community in the wider world.
We gather for worship, fun, social action, and deepening relationships. Our monthly schedule is structured around touching base with our faith home at USNH, but also branching out into the local community:
1st weekend of the month is set aside for Social Justice projects in New Haven county
2nd and 4th Sundays of each month the group meets at USNH from 10-11:45AM in the Children’s Chapel
3rd weekend of the month is set aside for social gatherings off-site
5th Sunday (when applicable) the group attends adult worship
Our group is co-led by the Youth-Adult Council members and we have four adult advisers.
Local outreach & community activities
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility
Prayers and Hymns
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Unitarian Society of New Haven History
A Short History of the Unitarian Society of New Haven
The Unitarian Society of New Haven (USNH) began when a group of about sixty Unitarians started meeting together in the summer of 1949. Identified by what was then the national denomination (the American Unitarian Association), the group met for several years with denominational guidance and support.
The Unitarian Society of New Haven was officially gathered in 1951, with 116 charter members. Worship services and religious education classes for nearly 50 children were held at the Jewish Community Center. In May of 1952 the small congregation voted to call their first minister, the Rev. Lester Lewis; but dissatisfaction with his ministry led to a short tenure, and he was dismissed from service two years later. Happily, the next minister called was the Rev. Wayne Shuttee, who served USNH for more than thirty years and then became its Minister Emeritus. Over time additional staff began to serve the congregation and greatly strengthened our programs in music, religious education, building maintenance and administration.
By 1957 congregational membership had grown to over 200, and an Expansion Committee was formed to investigate possibilities for a permanent home. In 1960 USNH purchased three acres on the Hartford Turnpike, and built its first true home (this original construction is now the Social Hall and about two-thirds of the classroom space). In 1968 a wing was added that included six more classrooms and the Children’s Chapel.
USNH maintained strong links to its parent denomination, and was a strong supporter of merger when the American Unitarian Association joined in 1961 with the Universalist Church of America. Our congregation’s name reflects its origin as a Unitarian congregation, but we are a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
After Rev. Wayne Shuttee retired in 1985, several ministerial transitions followed in quick succession, including three separate interim ministers and a called minister, the Rev. Dan Hotchkiss, who served from 1987-90. The Rev. Kathleen McTigue, was called in 1991. Under her tenure our congregation grew in size, increased its religious diversity and expanded its social justice work in the wider community. We became an official “Welcoming Congregation” in 1992.
Because of continued growth in the 1990s, USNH made the decision in 1996 to hold two Sunday worship services and religious education sessions. In 2000, following an extensive period of study and fundraising, the congregation launched an ambitious new building project. We completed our 400-seat sanctuary in September 2003.
In June of 2012, our congregation said a loving good-bye to Kathleen, their minister of 21 years. For three years we were served by interim ministers. The interim period was an opportunity for the congregation to revisit its past, discover itself anew, and move into the future with renewed vision and excitement. It was a time of exploration, experimentation, and reflection. Our interim ministry period continued through June of 2015, during which time a special Ministerial Search Committee sought our next permanent seated minister. Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner was called as our fifth settled minister by unanimous vote on May 3rd, 2015.
The Unitarian Society of New Haven (USNH) began when a group of about sixty Unitarians started meeting together in the summer of 1949. Identified by what was then the national denomination (the American Unitarian Association), the group met for several years with denominational guidance and support.
The Unitarian Society of New Haven was officially gathered in 1951, with 116 charter members. Worship services and religious education classes for nearly 50 children were held at the Jewish Community Center. In May of 1952 the small congregation voted to call their first minister, the Rev. Lester Lewis; but dissatisfaction with his ministry led to a short tenure, and he was dismissed from service two years later. Happily, the next minister called was the Rev. Wayne Shuttee, who served USNH for more than thirty years and then became its Minister Emeritus. Over time additional staff began to serve the congregation and greatly strengthened our programs in music, religious education, building maintenance and administration.
USNH maintained strong links to its parent denomination, and was a strong supporter of merger when the American Unitarian Association joined in 1961 with the Universalist Church of America. Our congregation’s name reflects its origin as a Unitarian congregation, but we are a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
After Rev. Wayne Shuttee retired in 1985, several ministerial transitions followed in quick succession, including three separate interim ministers and a called minister, the Rev. Dan Hotchkiss, who served from 1987-90. The Rev. Kathleen McTigue, was called in 1991. Under her tenure our congregation grew in size, increased its religious diversity and expanded its social justice work in the wider community. We became an official “Welcoming Congregation” in 1992.
In June of 2012, our congregation said a loving good-bye to Kathleen, their minister of 21 years. For three years we were served by interim ministers. The interim period was an opportunity for the congregation to revisit its past, discover itself anew, and move into the future with renewed vision and excitement. It was a time of exploration, experimentation, and reflection. Our interim ministry period continued through June of 2015, during which time a special Ministerial Search Committee sought our next permanent seated minister. Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner was called as our fifth settled minister by unanimous vote on May 3rd, 2015.
Unitarian Society of New Haven FAQs
Question: Where is Unitarian Society of New Haven located?
Answer: Unitarian Society of New Haven is located at 700 Hartford Tpke, Hamden, Connecticut.
Question: Who is Unitarian Society of New Haven's pastor?
Answer: Unitarian Society of New Haven's pastor is The Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner.
Question: What time is service at Unitarian Society of New Haven?
Answer: Sunday Worship Sunday Services are held at 9:00 and 10:30 am. Children’s Religious Education classes are held from September 20th through Memorial Day weekend and childcare is available during the service. The YRUU youth group meets from 1-3 pm September through June. Childcare is provided during summer services.
Question: How can I get to Unitarian Society of New Haven?
Answer: Directions From: I-91, North or South Take exit #10 onto Route 40. Take exit #1 (State St./Dixwell Avenue). At foot of ramp, turn left. At traffic light, turn left onto Hartford Turnpike. Drive two miles. USNH will be on your right. Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Northbound) Take exit #61. Turn left onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right. Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Southbound) Take exit #61. Turn right onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right.
Question: What is Unitarian Society of New Haven's dress code?
Answer: Whatever is comfortable for you. Depending on the season you will find sweaters and blue jeans, shorts and t-shirts, shirts and ties, pants and blazers, skirts and blouses, or “Sunday best” attire with even a hat or two. Children should wear comfortable clothing. They may play on the floor, work with art supplies, or go outside.
Question: What is Unitarian Society of New Haven's Facebook page?
Answer: https://www.facebook.com/usnhct/
Question: What is Unitarian Society of New Haven's website?
Answer: http://www.usnh.org
Question: What denominaiton is Unitarian Society of New Haven?
Answer: Unitarian Society of New Haven belongs to Unitarian Universalist denomination and is affiliated with Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
Answer: Unitarian Society of New Haven is located at 700 Hartford Tpke, Hamden, Connecticut.
Question: Who is Unitarian Society of New Haven's pastor?
Answer: Unitarian Society of New Haven's pastor is The Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner.
Question: What time is service at Unitarian Society of New Haven?
Answer: Sunday Worship Sunday Services are held at 9:00 and 10:30 am. Children’s Religious Education classes are held from September 20th through Memorial Day weekend and childcare is available during the service. The YRUU youth group meets from 1-3 pm September through June. Childcare is provided during summer services.
Question: How can I get to Unitarian Society of New Haven?
Answer: Directions From: I-91, North or South Take exit #10 onto Route 40. Take exit #1 (State St./Dixwell Avenue). At foot of ramp, turn left. At traffic light, turn left onto Hartford Turnpike. Drive two miles. USNH will be on your right. Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Northbound) Take exit #61. Turn left onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right. Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 (Southbound) Take exit #61. Turn right onto Whitney Avenue. Take left onto Skiff Street. Proceed straight up hill to second light and turn right onto Hartford Turnpike. USNH will be approx. 1/2 mile down on the right.
Question: What is Unitarian Society of New Haven's dress code?
Answer: Whatever is comfortable for you. Depending on the season you will find sweaters and blue jeans, shorts and t-shirts, shirts and ties, pants and blazers, skirts and blouses, or “Sunday best” attire with even a hat or two. Children should wear comfortable clothing. They may play on the floor, work with art supplies, or go outside.
Question: What is Unitarian Society of New Haven's Facebook page?
Answer: https://www.facebook.com/usnhct/
Question: What is Unitarian Society of New Haven's website?
Answer: http://www.usnh.org
Question: What denominaiton is Unitarian Society of New Haven?
Answer: Unitarian Society of New Haven belongs to Unitarian Universalist denomination and is affiliated with Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
"Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude - an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God". Arthur W. Pink
Unitarian Society of New Haven listing was last updated on the 26th of October, 2017
