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  • Building Rentals | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Plymouth, NH

    Building Rentals Looking for a space for your meetings or retreats? At Starr King, we have a number of rooms available, including meeting rooms, a conference room, a fellowship hall, and a kitchen. Please complete a request form and our office administrator will be in touch. Submit an Inquiry Sanctuary ​The Sanctuary is 1,536 square feet and has a capacity of 102 people. See a 360 View Fellowship Hall The Fellowship Hall is 800 square feet and has a capacity of 53 people. See a 360 View Kitchen The kitchen is fully equipped with plates, utensils, stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator. See a 360 View Usage Rates Rates are determined and approved by the Governing Board and are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Board. ​ The Office Administrator is empowered to schedule events, to negotiate single-event contracts, to apply the current schedule of fees, and to assess and to collect the fees. Rental agreements for ongoing use will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis by the Administrative staff. ​ ​

  • Music & Choir | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Plymouth, NH

    Music & Choir Starr King Music Ministry has a long, rich history. ​ For thirty years, this vital part of our community was led by Mary Hazelton, a founding member who believed in the value of music in worship. A myriad of people participated, and that foundation is the base of where we are today. In 2013, Sarah Dan Jones was hired as the Musician for Starr King, continuing the focus on collaborative ministry towards cohesive worship. The Starr King Singers is a committed group of volunteers that practice three times a month on Thursday evenings and sing at least twice a month on Sundays. In addition, there are musicians of all ages and abilities that also contribute to the weekly worship. Our music ministry spreads to the entire community. We believe that congregational singing is important to the collective worship experience. Because social justice is a core of our Faith, music is often included at public witnesses. Taking part in events that are sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association keep us connected with one another is song. If you are interested in Starr King’s Music Ministry program on any level, please join us! Contact our Director of Music , Sarah Dan Jones.

  • Privacy Policy | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

    Privacy Policy Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Privacy Policy Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship operates the http://www.starrkingfellowship.org website, which provides information about the Fellowship, its services, and programs. This page is used to inform website visitors regarding our policies with the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information during the use of our Service, the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship website. If you choose to use our website, then you agree to the collection and use of information in relation with this policy. The Personal Information that we collect is used for providing and improving the Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy. The terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, which is accessible at www.starrkingfellowship.org , unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy. Information Collection and Use For a better experience while using our Service, we may require you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information, including but not limited to your name, phone number, e-mail address, and postal address. The information that we collect may be used to contact or identify you. Log Data Whenever you visit our Service, we collect information that your browser sends to us that is called Log Data. This Log Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser version, pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, and other statistics. Cookies Cookies are files with a small amount of data that is commonly used as an anonymous unique identifier. These are sent to your browser from the website that you visit and are stored on your computer’s hard drive. Our website uses these cookies to collect information and to improve our Service. You have the option to either accept or refuse these cookies, and know when a cookie is being sent to your computer. If you choose to refuse our cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Service. Service Providers We may employ third-party companies and individuals due to the following reasons: To facilitate our Service; To provide the Service on our behalf; To perform Service-related services; or To assist us in analyzing how our Service is used. We want to inform our Service users that these third parties have access to your Personal Information. The reason is to perform the tasks assigned to them on our behalf. However, they are obligated not to disclose or use the information for any other purpose. Security We value your trust in providing us with your Personal Information, thus we are striving to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. But remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure and reliable, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security. Links to Other Sites Our Service may contain links to other sites. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that site. Note that these external sites are not operated by us. Therefore, we strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of these websites. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services. Children’s Privacy Our Services do not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under 13. In the case we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we immediately delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we will be able to take necessary actions. Changes to this Privacy Policy We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, we advise you to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are effective immediately, after they are posted on this page. Contact Us If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship .

  • BLM Book and Workshop List | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Plymouth, NH

    Black Lives Matter Resources Black Lives Matter Workshop Videos Please click/tap here to watch our BLM videos on Vimeo. ​ Book List ​ Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving (Elephant Room Press, 2014). Reviewed by Jessica Fleming I rving tells her story of growing up in the old New England tradition of not offending anyone. As an adult she goes through an awakening to her whiteness and invites thoughtful answers to provoking questions at the end of each section. Would be an excellent book for a discovery and discussion. ​ When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrice Khan-Cullors and asha brandele (St. Martin’s Press, 2018). Reviewed by Cindy Spring The slogan #BlackLivesMatter began as a response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed 17-year old Trayvon Martin. This is the story of the background and the ripples, then waves, that have happened since. An easy read, and a disturbing one. ​ Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry Rev. Mitra Rahnema, editor (Skinner House, 2017). Reviewed by Paul Phillips Unitarian Universalist ministers of color share their experiences ministering to mostly white UU congregations. A book that invites deep reflection on the ways we practice our seven principles. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander. (New Press, 2012). Reviewed by Stew Weldon In some states, black men have been imprisoned on drug charges at rates 20 to 50 times greater than those of white men. And in major cities wracked by drug war, as many as 80% of young African American men now have criminal records and are thus subject to legalized discrimination for the rest of their lives. These young men are part of a growing under-caste, permanently locked up and locked out of mainstream society. Just Mercy – A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson (Spiegel & Grau, 2015). Reviewed by Cindy Spring Stevenson tells the story of his experiences with Walter McMillan, a black man convicted of murder who at the time was on death row in Alabama. The year was 1983 and the author was a young black lawyer from the North. It is an easy read since it is mainly “storytelling,” but devastating to realize how little justice there was/is for people of color in the South. Unitarian Universalists of Color, Stories of Struggle, Courage, Love and Faith (Lulu Publishing Services, 2017). Reviewed by Nancy Chaddock Fifteen authors tell their stories of being people of color in UU congregations. It is heartbreaking to learn of the difficulties these people of our faith have had, and continue to have, within UU congregations merely because of skin color. As one writer puts it, being in a UU congregation of mostly white people can be exhausting. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (Seal Press, 2018). Reviewed by Paul Phillips A very accessible “how-to” approach to discussing racial issues that offers incisive insights on topics like micro-aggressions, cultural appropriation, and the school-to- prison pipeline. Journeys of Race, Color & Culture: From Racial Inequality to Equity & Inclusion by Rick Huntley, Rianna Moore and Carol Pierce (New Dynamics, 2017). Reviewed by Cindy Spring This guidebook was designed to foster dialogue across the racial divide in the United States. It includes a complex continuum of the process to ward equality for both white people and people of color. The book explains the journeys and the many set -backs as one moves to a greater understanding of what it means to be simply human. ​

  • UUA Gift Information | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Plymouth, NH

    Gift Information and Assistance from the Unitarian Universalist Association This information briefly describes the opportunities for assistance that are available from the UUA planned giving specialists. These specialists can provide you with information about various gift plans and arrangements that go beyond that provided by the members of the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s planned giving team. Life Income Gift Arrangements Life Income Gift arrangements include irrevocable Charitable Gift Annuities, Pooled Income Funds, and Charitable Remainder Trusts. Under one of these arrangements a donor makes a gift, enjoys an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of the gift, reduces some or all capital gains and receives a quarterly check for the rest of their life. After the donor dies the gift is distributed to the donor’s congregation, the UUA, a UU entity, or a combination of these. Under the gift arrangement offered by the UUA Charitable Gift Annuity program payments are made to one or two people for the rest of their lives. Upon their deaths a significant gift comes to the donor’s congregation and/or the Association as a whole. Assets are invested in a socially responsible manner, and held in trust at State Street Global Advisors Trust Company in Boston, MA. Example of a UUA Charitable Gift Annuity ​ Jane is 70 years old. She gives $10,000 to the UUA Charitable Gift Annuity Fund. Jane and the UUA enter into a contract. Jane receives an upfront tax deduction. Because Jane is 70, her annuity rate will be 5.1%. Every year, Jane will receive $510, paid in quarterly installments. When Jane dies, the amount of money left in the annuity will go to the UU entities that Jane specified as beneficiaries. Unless Jane outlives the life expectancy charts, the amount that the charitable beneficiaries receive is estimated to be $5,000. Payments are guaranteed by the UUA, and administered by State Street Global Advisers. Rates depend on age and whether there are one or two annuitants. Rates can range from around 4.2% to 8% or more for much older donors. The UUA Charitable Gift Annuity can be an attractive choice for highly appreciated securities. Tax savings are seldom among the primary or sole motivating forces for charitable contributions. In particular instances, however, the tax benefits of philanthropy allow some individuals to give more than they initially thought possible. UUA Umbrella Giving Program If you, as a member or friend of Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, would like to make a planned gift to the UUA or to any of its affiliates such as to the UU Service Committee, any UU Camp or Conference, the UU New England Region, Meadville Lombard Theological School, just to name a few of the possibilities, then you may want to consider using the UUA Umbrella Giving Program. Under this program you make a single gift to the UUA and let them know how you would like your gift to be distributed. The UUA in turn distributes the gift and notifies the benefiting UU entity according to your instructions. It allows for anonymous giving. You might also wish to include a gift to the Fellowship under this Umbrella Giving Program. The Umbrella Giving Program also provides you with access to UUA life income gift options should that be of interest to you. There is no fee for the support you receive from knowledgeable and professional staff at the UUA under the Umbrella Giving Program, but the UUA encourages the donor to designate a portion of their gift to help continue their work. UUA Contact Information UUA Office of Legacy Gifts (888) 792-5885 legacy@uua.org Additional Information Before making a gift you may need to consult your attorney and/or tax advisor to help you determine what is best for your situation.

  • What is UU? | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Plymouth, NH

    What is Unitarian Universalism? Unitarian Universalism is characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded religion that encourages you to seek your own spiritual path. Our Faith draws on many religious traditions, welcoming people with different beliefs. We are united by shared values, not by creed or dogma. Our congregations are places where people gather to nurt ure their spirits and put their faith into action by helping to make our communities and the world a better place. Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes seven principles: ​ The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity , and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Wisdom and spirituality are drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. These are the six sources our congregations affirm and promote: ​ Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life; Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love; Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; and Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. ​ Learn more here Why You Should Not Be a Unitarian Universalist A sermon from Rev. Dr. Tony Larsen about ​ the Unitarian Universalist faith and what it means. Read the Article

  • Planned Giving | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

    Planned Giving There are many ways in which you can make a significant gift to the Fellowship. Included here are references to important provisions of the Fellowship’s Gift Acceptance Policy, approved by the Governing Board in March 2019. The Form of the Gift A significant gift, sometimes referred to as a planned gift, might be a bequest provided for in a will or it might be a gift made during your lifetime. The gift might be restricted, that is directed by the donor to benefit a specific purpose. Donors are encouraged to make restricted gifts to established funds of the Fellowship which are identified in this document. Or the donor might leave the decision to designate the gift’s allocation to the Governing Board. The latter type of gift is referred to as an unrestricted gift. Unrestricted gifts to the Fellowship are highly appreciated as they provide opportunities for direction to whatever purpose may be most needed at the time the gift is received. The gift itself can take many forms and in this regard the Gift Acceptance Policy has established rules for what can, and cannot, be accepted. We summarize some of those rules here—the actual Policy should be consulted. Gifts Requiring Approval of the Governing Board These include any gift valued at more than $500, real estate, personal property, goods or services, securities not publicly traded, gifts whose source is not transparent, and gifts that are restricted requiring Governing Board review. Anonymous Gifts The Fellowship will respect a donor’s request to remain anonymous. The Legacy Circle The Fellowship will also be pleased to learn of donor intentions made, with the full understanding and appreciation that provisions in wills are sometimes contingent on certain things happening and that life changes and other circumstances might alter the plans that have been made. In 2012, The Legacy Circle was established. This continues to exist. You can become a member simply by informing one of the Fellowship’s designated planned giving contacts that the Fellowship has been named as a beneficiary in your will. No details or documents are needed to become a member. IRA Rollover Gifts If you have an IRA and have reached the age at which you must take minimum distributions, you may be eligible to make a charitable gift to the Fellowship and enjoy several tax-advantaged benefits. If the gift is transferred directly from your IRA provider to qualified charities like the Fellowship, one of the benefits to you is that such a gift counts toward your annual Required Minimum Distribution. Established Funds The Governing Board has approved a number of established funds to which gifts may be directed. Donations to these funds are the only restricted gifts not requiring a review by the Governing Board: Starr King UU Fellowship Endowment Fund Monies spent from this Established Fund must have one of the following two purposes: For outreach to the community; or to benefit programs that are external to, or above and beyond, operating fund programs of the Fellowship. Donations to the Endowment help to ensure the growth of the fund and the activities resulting from that growth. No Endowment monies can be spent to meet the needs of the Fellowship’s Operating Budget. Endowment funds cannot be made available for purposes and amounts exceeding the Fund’s provisions without approval of 2/3 of the Fellowship’s Membership present for a meeting called for a change in the provisions, and with a quorum of 50% of the Membership present. The elected Endowment Committee is responsible for all aspects of the Endowment except for investments which are overseen by the Finance Committee. ​ Minister’s Discretionary Fund This fund provides our Minister with monies to assist persons in our Fellowship or in the wider community who are facing an emergency financial need. The Fellowship’s operating budget provides funds each year to assist this important ministerial work. In addition, donations to this fund have been made annually by those present at the Christmas Eve service. Mary Hazelton Music Fund Named to honor member Mary Hazelton who for many years served as the volunteer leader of the Fellowship’s choir. Distributions from this fund are made to purchase music and to create, enhance or supplement musical activities that are external to, or above and beyond, operating expenses normally covered by the Fellowship’s Operating Budget. Donations to this fund have been made by those present for the annual Music Sunday. ​ Jules Doner Sanctuary Fund This fund was created to honor past member Jules Doner who worked for many years to maintain the good condition of the Meetinghouse. Distributions from this fund provide for the ongoing maintenance of the Sanctuary. Donation to this fund are to be made by those present for the annual April Fool’s Sunday, in acknowledgment of Jules’ humor. ​ Please note that the Endowment operates differently from the other three Established Funds. Monies contributed to the Starr King UU Fellowship Endowment are invested in stocks and bonds. Annual spending is limited to less than 5% of the 3-year average market value of the total assets. Monies contributed to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund, the Mary Hazelton Music Fund, and the Jules Doner Sanctuary Fund are fully expendable up to whatever limits might be imposed. Disbursements from each fund are administered by the Minister, the Music Director, and the Facilities Chair, respectively. Replenishment of the funds spent is highly dependent on annual fundraising events and additional gifts. ​ Available through UUA Opportunities exist to have the expertise of planned giving specialists at the UUA work with you directly to enhance what can be done for the benefit of you, the Fellowship, and, if you wish, the UUA itself. View information about what the UUA offers . Additional Information Speak with any member of the Fellowship's Planned Giving team. Before making a gift you may need to consult your attorney and/or tax advisor to help you determine what is best for your situation.

  • Connections | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Plymouth, NH

    Connections ​ GET INVOLVED Opportunities to Connect There are many opportunities to become involved in our community through a variety of activities, as well as worship, service, spiritual and personal development, and lots of fun. Some of these include: Sunday morning worship , followed by coffee & snacks Religious Education program Choir Adult Spiritual Exploration Vespers first Friday of month Volunteer on committees of interest-lots of variety Yard clean-up days Date with Death Club Book group UU Action NH Meditation group ... and more! ​ View Calendar Pastoral Care Pastoral care is emotional, spiritual, and social support that helps us to heal and grow. We offer compassionate pastoral care around grief and loss, significant life transformations, illness, and emotional crises. ​ ​ Additionally, our pastoral care team can provide some support such as meals and visits to our members in need. Our minister provides confidential care. All you need to do, is ask. Make an Appointment

  • Weddings & Dedications | Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Plymouth, NH

    Weddings & Dedications Child Dedications Unitarian Universalists welcome infants and children into our community with a ritual we call a Child Dedication. ​ ​ When the child is a part of our church community, the dedication may happen as a part of a regular Sunday morning worship. Often it takes place during the Christmas Eve Service. Child Dedications are typically planned by the minister and the child’s parent or parents. Our Child Dedications typically include: ​ a blessing for the child an expression by the parents of promises to and hopes for the child a promise from the congregation to help support the family and nurture the child Weddings Wedding services are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the love of two individuals who have chosen to come together in marriage, and to offer an opportunity for a couple to make promises to one another in the presence of friends and family. Because of our strong respect for each person’s individual beliefs and values, Unitarian Universalist weddings are custom-crafted with the couple to reflect their personalities and relationship. In addition to blessing heterosexual unions, we joyfully bless same-sex marriages. Inquire About Weddings Plan Your Event Interested in holding your wedding or a child dedication at Starr King? Contact Us

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