January 31   What's Normal About Solidarity: Why We Live With Racism, Classism, and Other Oppressions- Paula Cole Jones
Paula Cole Jones is a management consultant specializing in group facilitation, diversity and organizational change. She was called as a consultant by her home congregation to co-facilitate a process of reconciliation, which led to the founding of ADORE, A Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity and subsequently ten years of involvement as a leader in antiracism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism. She is currently the lead consultant for the UUA's new JUUST Change Consultancy, a service that supports UU congregations and groups by meeting them where they are in their social justice work and helping to determine next steps to take.

February 7   Lessons from Fatherhood - Reverend Kent Matthies
We just celebrated Micah's first birthday. I can't begin to express how many blessings fatherhood has brought to my life. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, parenting and life in general. I can get by on much less sleep than I ever knew was possible. The simplest things - like playing peek-a-boo - can make me as happy as if heaven itself was revealed to me in all its glory. Changing a diaper doesn't have to involve drama and going to bed early can be majorly satisfying. Being curiously open to life's lessons brings great richness.
 
February 14   Faith To Change the World - Bruce Knotts
What is Unitarian Universalist faith about? How can we use our faith to change the world?  Bruce Knotts will highlight the programs and accomplishments of the UU-UNO (Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office), and the role our faith has played at the United Nations. Areas of involvement include GLTB (Gay/Lesbian/Bi-sexual/Transgender) advocacy, empowering women, climate change, and the Every Child program in Ghana. Bruce Knotts became director of the UU-UNO in 2008, following years of foreign service. He started in the Peace Corps, and became a U.S. diplomat working for the Department of State in countries all over the world. His life work has been involved with peace-keeping, refugee, and social justice issues. He is a member of All Souls Church in Manhattan.
 
February 21   They Called Her Moses -
USG Choir, Soloists, Narrator
The truly awesome USG choir will present "They Called Her Moses," a cantata based upon the life of Harriet Tubman. The songs of her time and her people are utilized to tell the story of a journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad, which prior to the Civil War led thousands of slaves to the free states and Canada.  It's been over ten years since this work has been performed at USG.  You won't want to miss it!
 
February 28   Asking Our Friends - Reverend Kent Matthies
Curiosity is the theme of the month.  I am often quite curious about why some folks seek out religious community and others do not.  The people of our church are encouraged to ask friends why they don't come to church.  Is there anything that might make our congregation more appealing to them?  Let's engage our neighbors with a kind, supportive curiosity about what they think of church and how it fits into their lives. (see Kent's CommUUnicator article)