St. Augustine is credited with saying, "The one who sings, prays twice." At United Church, we believe that music sets the tone for our worship--literally. For many, listening to beautiful music is a spiritual experience. It's like the Apostle Paul said: When we don't know how to pray, "the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words" (Romans 8:26).

Our Director of Music, Caesar Storlazzi, ministers to the congregation in a wide variety of musical styles, from Handel's Messiah to Barnett's recent bluegrass mass. In addition, guest musicians broaden our musical horizons with jazz, blues, and gospel sounds. But listening to music is only part of the story. As in every facet of our faith life, we believe we are called to be not only consumers, but working partners. And so congregational singing grounds our worship life. In partnership with God and sisters and brothers around the world, we lift our voices not only in standard 4-part hymns (drawn from the Hymns of Truth and Light hymnal, as well as a library of other resources), but also songs of prayer and praise from many cultures. We don't worry about sounding good so much as feeling good, pouring out our hearts to God with the voices God gave us. After all, isn't that what every Parent wants to hear? 

Caesar has a creative gift and each Sunday directs our choirs and plays the Organ, piano, harpsicord and/or the oboe. We often have guest musicians and jazz offerings, and other varieties of music. In non-pandemic times, our United Church Choir rehearses Thursdays at 7:30pm at the meeting house (corner of Temple & Elm). Come on down when it's safe to gather and sing again, and give it a try!

Our Children and Youth Ministries work with our clergy and other UCC clergy to nurture their spiritual development. Children and adolescents are both welcome in separate programs. The program offers religious education including: Church School, confirmation classes, child care and fellowship opportunities and trips and community service projects. For more information about our Youth Education Programs contact: Deacons@unitednewhaven.org. 

After 58 years of service to children and families in greater New Haven, United Community Nursery School has been forced to close due to health and safety, enrollment, and financial concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are very sad to say goodbye to our wonderful teachers and to the children who learn and grow in our building throughout the week, and we give thanks for the school's living legacy in the lives of all the families who have passed through our doors.  Even as we make this very difficult decision, we know that United's commitment to advancing racial, economic, and gender justice in our community is unchanged.  We are currently exploring new avenues to live out these commitments.