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April, 2006 Jump Station services; current calendar; President's message; two services goes smoothly; feedback welcomed; April music; Alliance annual mtg. set; Sedar set April 8; Mozart was marvelous; candidating week; among ourselves; Alliance education grants; April dinner and games night; two services schedule; Walk against hunger; vacation?; Ministerial Musings Services for April 2006 President’s Message: The Power of Warmth As we enter into another season of springtime I find myself contemplating the concept of warmth. Warmth has so many connotations. It can ignite as in fire or desire. It can sustain in the form of energy or love. Warmth is comfort experienced as covering or compassion. We understand the power of warmth in the physical world. Our lives are dependent upon oil, gasoline, fire and the sun. But what does it mean to be a warm person or a warm congregation? How do we use our energy to help others? Where do we find the renewed energy to keep loving and to keep forgiving? How are our passions expressed in our lives and in the choices that we make? My children are two of my greatest teachers when it comes to the power of warmth. They have taught me much about the depth of my own ability to love, to protect and to provide. They have also humbled me by the awesomeness of their warmth expressed both in their unconditional love and in their own convictions. When my daughter Ginger, at the age of 9, demanded to know why she knew only two black people who had “good” jobs, how unfair this was, and what were we going to do about it… I knew her power. When my son Jacob just recently lay with me in bed as I was sick and stroked my back for hours, I experienced the power of his love. As a congregation, we too can show our warmth. We can stand up for what is right; we can be there for each other and for the larger community. We are each other’s teachers. The sun will be on our backs to help us. Rebecca Judd Day One of Services Two Goes Smoothly Those of us at the second service on Sunday March 5, 2006 were welcomed by Reverend Arline Sutherland to the “first-ever 11 AM worship service.” We suspect that those attending the first service at 9 AM on Sunday, March 5, 2006 received a similar message. There were 44 at the first meeting (including 12 children) and 123 at the second. Arline reminded us that we have been gathering for 160 years and have seen many changes during this period. Community testimonials by two long-time USH members—Betty Arnold at 9 and Ed Richardson at 11—recalled some of these changes in ministers, in where we meet and in issues we’ve faced. Ed admitted he was not “sanguine” about this most recent change to two services, “but if we don’t try, we’ll never know.” He recalled the controversy and stress connected with the move from the Pearl Street Church in Hartford to our present Meeting House. In her “Quo Vadis?” sermon, Arline told attendees that the impetus for the change to two services “comes from the whole congregation and is an incredible opportunity to reach out.” She said ours is a regional congregation, not a village church, and that gathering together allows us to be with others who share the same values and to know that we are not alone. “What holds us together is not just the minister and the building,” she said. What holds us together is that we listen to each other, respect differences of opinions, find answers to what really matters in our lives and “find a respite for our aching hearts.” “We need to grow our root system so it can support the next generation,” Arline affirmed. During each of the services, new members were welcomed into the Unitarian Society of Hartford, signed their names in the membership book, were given flowers and joined the rest of the Congregation, now as official members, in saying the Unison Affirmation. New members included: Ed and Wendy Avery, John Barlow, Kathie Ferguson, Jean Friar, Amy Kilburn, Beth Harris, Jessica Miranda, Deb Nardi and Julie Smith. Kayla Costenoble The Two Services Task Force would like your thoughts about two services. At the end of this month the task force will provide a brief survey in the Order of Worship insert for members to complete. The Worship Sub Council is also looking for ideas about worship. Contact Carol Davidson, Sub Council Chair, with worship ideas at 233-8012 or by email at cjkdavid at snet.net. For overall comments on two services, call any member of the USH staff with thoughts and suggestions or contact co-chairs Martha Page, 233-3234, MarthaCarolPag at aol.com or Marye Gail Harrison, 243-4716, maryegail at comcast.net. More From Church Bulletins “Don’t let worry kill you off—let the Church help.” “The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.” “Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.” April 2. Lots of special musicians this first Sunday of April. Sixth-grader Ginger Furey will be singing a solo at both services. We welcome guest organist Suzanne Hertel to our organ bench for three Sundays in April. At 11 the choir will sing a rousing spiritual, “I Hear a Voice Singing.” April 9. The Meeting House Quartet returns with a beautiful anthem by Palestrina, “Super Flumina Babylonis.” Our newest choir member, Rachel Johnson, is a music education major at Hartt. Rachel will preview one of her voice jury selections, “O Rest in the Lord” from Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” Both these musical selections will be sung at both services. April 16. For Easter Sunday we have a varied musical fare. At 11, the children’s choir will sing “La Creacion,” which has easily become a favorite, and the adult choir renders Vaughan William’s setting of “Old 100th.” At both services, baritone Tony Nasto will thunder out Handel’s “The Trumpet Shall Sound” from “Messiah.” April 23. John Jesensky weaves his piano magic at 9 and 11. The choir, at 11, sings a favorite by Adolphus Hailstork, “I’ll trust in the Lord and do the best I can.” April 30. To encourage the vote for the new minister, we’ve chosen music from Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus.” The baritone solo “Rejoice” is followed by a well-known choral masterpiece, “Hallelujah, Amen.” Mattie Banzhaf Women’s Alliance Sets Annual Meeting April 23Members of the USH Women’s Alliance will hold their annual meeting on Sunday April 23 in the Meeting House library following a cold pot luck luncheon. Among the items to be discussed are the future of the Alliance, its relationship to the USH, and proposed by-law changes. April 23 is also the beginning of candidating week; it may be possible to host the chosen candidate for a short time at the annual meeting. Members will be mailed details and a reservation form.
Annual Sedar To Take Place at USH April 8 This year’s Unitarian Passover Sedar is scheduled for Saturday April 8 at 6 PM in Fellowship Hall. A sign-up sheet has been posted downstairs in Fellowship Hall. The costs for this annual event are for $4 for adults (over 18) and $2 for children, plus a food donation. If you have questions, please contact Ira Greenbaum at 870-4409 or igreenbaum at sbcglobal.net. Music Sunday on March 12 at the Meeting House had something for everyone—the fantastic combined Fern Street and USH choirs offering Mozart’s “Missa Brevis, K, 259” and other works, organ and piano solos and a delightful chamber orchestra to accompany the Mozart. The program was presented at both services at the Meeting House and at two services on March 19 at the Fern Street Universalist Church. A Look at Candidating Week at the USH The week of April 23-30 promises to be an exciting week. This is the week when the candidate recommended by the Search Committee to be our new Settled Minister will come and spend time with our congregation. The terms “candidate” and “candidating” have long been used in UU circles. Candidating is the process by which the congregation meets the candidate and, as far as possible in the time available, becomes acquainted with his/her personality and professional capabilities. At the end of the candidating period, the congregation, at a formal meeting, votes to ratify or reject the committee’s choice.The week will begin with the candidate preaching both services on Sunday, April 23. Throughout that week, there will be opportunities for small groups, staff and individuals to meet with the candidate. The week will conclude with the candidate again preaching both services on Sunday, April 30. This will be followed by a Congregational Meeting to vote on the decision of calling the candidate to be our Senior Minister. All members are eligible to vote at that meeting. A group of Board members is organizing the week, and is looking for three to four other individuals to help. If you are interested, or have any questions, contact Society President Rebecca Judd at 679-0470 or juddrebecca at yahoo.com. Our sympathies are extended to the family of Evie Hermann, who ended her life on February 20. Although Evie had been a member here for only a few months, her vibrant spirit touched many of us. We are stunned and saddened by the death of Robert Bailey, who died suddenly of a heart attack while the family was vacationing in Mexico. Our hearts go out to his wife Donna, and their children, Meaghan and Sarah. The Reverend Arline Sutherland officiated at a Memorial Service at the Meeting House on Sunday, March 19. April 29 Deadline for USH Women’s Alliance Education Grants Applications are due by Saturday April 29 for the USH Women’s Alliance education grants. Applicants should be pursuing study at a post-high school level, with priority given to those with no other sources of loans or scholarship aid. Grants are small—usually $100 to $300—and may be used for expenses such as tuition, books, child care and transportation. Affiliation with the USH is not required, but will be considered. Applications are in the pocket on the grant poster on the Alliance bulletin board outside Fellowship Hall. Questions? Please call 693-4269 and leave a message. April Dinner and Games Night To Feature Pasta A large variety of pasta dishes will be on the menu at the third Friday Supper and Games night beginning at 6 pm April 28 at the Meeting House. Sponsored by the Hospitality Committee, past dinners have featured favorite crock pot and casserole creations. The fourth, and final, dinner/games night in May will offer deli dishes. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12. They may be bought at Fellowship Hall on Sundays or by calling the Meeting House office (233-9897). After dinner, the games begin. Last month, four generations of children and adults made Fellowship Hall a lively and friendly place to be. As Hospitality Committee Chair Edith Savage suggests, there will be “lotsa PASTAbilities” on April 28, which just might include lasagna, stuffed shells, myriad sauces, cold pasta salad with shrimp, garlic bread and a surprise dessert. A variety of beverages is also provided, and guests may also BYOB. Two Services ScheduleThe worship structure and sermon are the same for the new 9 am and 11 am services. Music varies; in general the full choir will sing at the second service. The Youth group will hold a worship service in the chapel from 10:30 to 10:55. Religious education for nursery through grade five is available at both services. At 11, there are religious education classes for middle and high school youth. If you have questions or need more details, please call the USH office at 233-9897. It’s Good for You and It Will Help Others Members of the Unitarian Society of Hartford are being asked to participate in Center City Churches’ annual Walk Against Hunger on Sunday May 7. The USH has been working with Center City Churches for 16 years, making soup, delivering meals, tutoring and making financial contributions to help their programs. A special collection for the organization in February resulted in $1,235. Sign-ups for the walk will be held at the Meeting House this month. Each year, Center City Churches’ basic needs programs provide more than 60,000 meals to homeless and low-income persons, 76,000 pounds of groceries to struggling families, weekend meals for hundreds of frail seniors and supplemental food for children through a weekend backpack program. Please contact Joan Kemble for more information: 633-4503 or by email at t-jkemble at cox.net. Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area? The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) has been providing a network of hosts in the U.S. (and a few abroad) for 27 years. The 2006 edition of the annual paper directory will be available this month. Check their website at www.UUreHome.com for listings, information and membership. Ministerial Musings . . . Reverend Arline C. Sutherland As many of you know, I have three cats: Great-Auntie Coorain, a venerable lady of some 11 years, and two kittens, Mistral and Chinook. These are the most rambunctious kittens of my acquaintance. Mistral in particular bounces as though there were springs on her paws. The three of them drive back and forth with me. I tell people that herding cats into their carrying cases twice a week is good practice for parish ministry. As is the case with most congregations, the cats aren’t as difficult as might at first appear, and they enter their cases fairly willingly, most of the time. A few weeks ago the kittens decided to mount an attack on the bamboo plant in my apartment here in Hartford. They hadn’t done paid any attention to it in the past and haven’t in the weeks since. But, that week, bamboo was the focus of their energies. Leaping onto the bookcase, they chewed the leaves, knocked over the shoots till they bent at awkward angles and generally wreaked havoc. Two shoots just up and died. A third managed to make it through the onslaught with a few leaves intact. Another shoot just sort of sat there – nothing much going on, but it didn’t turn brown and wither so I let it be. This week when I added water to the pot, I saw a tiny green sprig peeking through the water. That old shoot with no leaves and nothing growing out of its gnarly twists is sending out a new shoot from beneath! Even though there are few more hackneyed clichés than a new green sprig in just-spring, I was excited. It brought to mind an old poster from the 70’s. Beneath a photograph of a tree stump with a sprig growing out of it, the caption reads, “Behold, I have begun a new thing.” And every spring that scene is repeated. Tree stumps and old bamboo plants begin new things. So can we. This spring all kinds of new life is emerging here at the Unitarian Society of Hartford. After more than a year of thinking and talking and sometimes not talking as much as would have been helpful, the congregation made the move to hold worship twice each Sunday morning. The decision was made as a way of making concrete the desire to make it easier for more people to discover the life-transforming message of Unitarian Universalism. The Search Committee, after more than a year of planning and surveying and putting together a packet and reading the packets of interested ministers and interviewing them and listening to them preach, has made an offer to a minister and it has been accepted. You will meet the candidate the last full week of this month. The committee is feeling justifiably proud and pleased. Just as there is new growth taking place all around us – in nature and in the congregation - there could be an answering new growth within us too. What are you making room for this spring? What new life is surprising you? Blessings, Arline |
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(revised 3/37/06) |
