Messenger Newsletter Content February 2005

Services

February 6 - “Constancy” - Preacher – Rev. Arline Conan Sutherland - Everything changes write the philosophers. Everything changes, write the mathematicians, except the constants. Everything changes, write the mystics, except the Great Mystery some call God. . Rev. Cooley will be at the Springfield UU congregation this morning filling in for their minister who is on sabbatical

February 13, 2005 “Crossing the Divide” - Service Leader: The Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley - There has been much conversation about the seeming polarization in our society these days: polarization across race, class, religion, political perspective. Terasa will talk about how we might cross some of these divides.

February 20, 2005 “The Tree of Knowledge” - Service Leader: The Rev. Dr. Terasa G. Cooley - The story of Genesis begins with Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden because of having sampled the fruit of the tree of knowledge. What’s so dangerous about knowledge?

February 27, 2005 - “Moment by Moment” - Service Leader: The Rev. Dr. Terasa G. Cooley - During the Question Box sermon in December, a member of the congregation asked Terasa if she practiced a spiritual discipline of awareness. Certainly the Eastern religions have much to teach us about being present in the moment. What makes it difficult for us in the West to practice this?

From the Board of Directors and Council Chairs

We write this column from a perspective that none of us had expected when we first accepted the positions of Board members and Council Chairs for our Society. All of us understood the depths of commitment that we were making, but none of us could have predicted the staff changes and related consequences that we would be helping the congregation to navigate.

Each of us has had to process the Reverend Cooley’s recent decision to step down as our Senior Minister both as individual members of the congregation and as your leaders. Our reactions to this news have been both complex and fluid. We have shared with each other feelings of surprise, disappointment, sadness and understanding. Above all else, however, we have shared our confidence in our Society. We have no doubt that our congregation will move through this transition successfully and will evolve and grow even stronger because of it. As a Board, we are committed to ensuring that this process is open and inclusive.

As a congregation, we have been on a path over the past several years to realize our mission and to grow as a welcoming spiritual home for all who enter our doors. This path will not change. The decisions regarding the future of our Senior Minister position and our life span religious education program will be made by the Board in a manner than enhances and furthers our congregational vision.

Terasa’s leadership has developed and brought out the potential for lay leadership within our congregation; through her, an impressive number of new leaders have felt empowered to step forward and make great strides. For that, we are extremely grateful. Her ministry has helped us to see that the deepest ministry of our congregation comes from each of us and flows between us. It is this ministry and this love that makes our congregation what it is.

Let us close with a reminder of our mission and our path. Our doors are open to all. Thank you in advance for your support and involvement.

As a growing, evolving, spiritual community inspired by our denominational values, we will commit ourselves to:

- Nurture our needs for personal spiritual growth, inspirational worship and a

mutually caring community, devote ourselves to religious learning for all

ages, embrace human diversity by welcoming individuals and families of

all kinds, and

- Join with the larger community to promote love, justice and service to society.

Toward these ends we pledge our talents, energies and resources.

Rebecca Judd, President
Charles Huntington, President Elect

William Young, Treasurer
Diane Cadrain, Secretary

Social Justice: At large: Shai Cassell Council Chair: Mike Winterfield

Spiritual Life: At large: Kelly Lyman Council Chair: Andrew Millard

Community Within: At large: Nancy Mandly Council Chair: Margaret Leicach

Administration: Council Chair: David Newton

Signs of a Very Special Season

Many children and older folks used their voices and their acting talents to help make Christmas 2004 a wonderful time at the Unitarian Meeting House. Your newsletter editor attended the morning performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors and the Christmas Eve (family) Service. Both showed unmistakable signs of a lot of hard work by a great many people and showcased the incredible talent among the members of the USH.

The standing-room only crowd left the sanctuary on Sunday December 19 laughing and crying. They had just witnessed an amazing and moving production of Amahl and the Night Visitors—a gift to the Society by its talented choir.

This simple but powerful story had just about everything: the fabulous voices of the choir’s section leaders; fifth grader Todd Slater’s pure voice as Amahl; the boisterous, merry choir of shepherds (who knew they could also dance and fool around?); marvelous costumes (especially those imposing kings); sound effects (I still want to know how the door knocking was done); great lighting and special effects.

And, as veteran organist Tom Schmutzler promised, his one-man organ “orchestra” gave listeners an opportunity to appreciate the awesome sound of our enhanced organ.

Thank you, musical director Mattie Banzhaf and hard-working cast, for adding something very special to the holiday season.

Special note: attendees showed their appreciation by contributing $1,133.25 to a free will offering “for the work of this Society including future special musical performances.”

* * * * * * *

Children and adults also shared the pulpit during the early Christmas Eve Family Service. Four different families (Meny, Childs, McHaelen and Cohen) came up to light the four Advent candles. Julia and Leah Rubin-Cadrain, whom we have watched grow up, sang a achingly beautiful carol. Brian Mullen, our do-everything business manager, read a narrative which “proved” there must have been a star, a baby, shepherds and kings. He was assisted by a dozen delightfully-costumed children acting in tableaux as Mary, Joseph, innkeeper, angels and shepherds and by the USH members singing seven carols which mirrored the story. Kayla Costenoble

It’s Hats On for the Ladies

Join your Unitarian sisters at noon on Sunday February 27 for a “Hat Holiday” in the USH library. Brighten up the winter by searching through your closet for your favorite hat and wearing it to church services.

Millinery Madness begins at noon when we share stories of when, where and how we acquired our hats. Winners will be “crowned” in categories such as oldest, most elegant, funniest, most colorful, most unusual story. If you don’t have a hat, make one. You don’t have to wear it to church, but no one will be allowed in the library without her head covered.

The Women’s Alliance will host the event and provide wine, snacks and dessert. Bring your own sandwich and be prepared for fun. Louise Schmoll

Musings . . . Reverend Arline C. Sutherland

By the time most of you read this, we will know many more details about the transitions in the congregation. As I write, we know that Terasa is leaving. We know that the congregation has benefited profoundly from her vision and leadership and is poised to move forward with grace. We know that she will be greatly missed. We know that the lay leadership is energetic and wise and will provide needed guidance. But, as yet, we don’t know the details of what will emerge.

I drove to Boston this morning through fog, thinking about what to write. As I drove into the hills, the fog became so dense that I could see little other than the lane markers. The world seemed to consist only of varying shades of grey. All I could see of oncoming cars were faint lights appearing out of the mist. Traffic was thankfully light. But that meant that there was almost nothing to see.

The higher I went, the less visibility there was. The radio faded out as did cell phone reception. I felt alone in the fog with no way to connect with others. Green and red lights in the murk became the toll booth. I could almost hear the theme from the Twilight Zone.

As I made my way through the tolls and started onto the pike, I came up behind the Fung Wah bus, one of the inexpensive busses that make the trip between the Chinatowns of New York and Boston. Since they run a bus every hour, they are a frequent sight on my drives.

With a surprising sense of relief, I tucked myself in behind the bus and let its driver lead the way. I laughed at the thought of being led through the cloud by, of all things, the Fung Wah bus. As we passed Worcester, the fog began to lift, my cell phone rang, and WBUR came on the radio with “The Connection.” And I knew I would find my way safely home.

After consulting a Chinese scholar, I have discovered that “fung” can be translated as wind and “wah” as all that is good or spirit. The metaphor is obvious. No matter how thick the fog, we will find our way through. There are many guides to show us the road ahead. We are not adrift. Connections exist, even ones that might never have occurred to us. The spirit of the wind can show us the path. Laughter helps. We are not alone.

Blessings,
Arline

UU World Magazine Describes Benefits of SGM

Please take time to read “Healing Communities” in your January/February 2005 copy of UU World. This excellent article by the Reverend Dr. Thandeka posits that “Small group ministry creates a sacred time where the stories of our lives are told.” She calls recollecting memories, sensations, experiences and the binding together of thoughts and feelings, places and things a spiritual act.

“In these gatherings of six to ten persons, usually meeting twice a month to build spiritual lives, each member holds on to the same moment through personal sharing and by asking for or by listening to the details, texture, content, feeling and ideas packed into someone’s experiences. As people pay active attention to the details of each other’s lives, this gathered community can extend a moment of time until it is filled to overflowing with the thoughts and feelings that turn time into an exper-ience that is not fleeting, but abiding, because we are now fully present. Sacred time begins here.”

Dr. Thandeka believes that, because they are the practice of sacred time, small group ministries are transforming our religious landscape.

She goes on to say that, “As a spiritual practice, small group ministry focuses on process, not problems. It aims to treat all content of a person’s life in the same way: as a moment worthy of one’s full, undivided attention. It does not aim to offer advice, guidance, and direction or to resolve personal problems. It simply stops time so that the full presence of each person is acknowledged and appreciated in that moment.

“The idea is not to work on problems. The idea is to share feelings. Each

moment is packed full of the joys and sorrows, the victories and defeat, the thoughts and ideas that make each lived moment of our life an experience worthy of our time.”

We urge you to join us in celebration of small group ministry. Groups are now forming for Monday and Wednesday nights and for Wednesday afternoons. One Monday night group is for our members and friends who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. Locations include Hartford (our Meeting House), West Hartford and Bloomfield. Register at the Adult Program table after services or call the church office. Bev Spence

Make Time for Music

The African-American choral tradition is particularly rich and varied, as we heard in January anthems. We’ll continue exploring this genre during Black History Month.

February 6. My Lord, What a Mornin’ in a setting by the prolific arranger of spirituals, H. T. Burleigh.

February 13. A very popular anthem, I Hear a Voice A-Prayin’ with words and music by Houston Bright. (The second half of the month is, musically, still to be determined.)

There are currently openings for new singers in the alto, bass, tenor and soprano sections. If you can “almost” commit, please talk to me; maybe we can find a compromise that works for you. Choir members thoroughly enjoy preparing and sharing their musical gifts. Now that we’re in a calmer new year season, this may be the time to find your creative outlet in singing, so please consider the choir. Mattie Banzhaf

Two USH Old-Timers Continue Alive and Well

Two of the oldest Unitarian Society of Hartford groups—the Men’s Luncheon Group and Great Decisions—continue as an active part of the Society after more than 20 years.

Men’s Luncheon Group

Chris Smith, co-founder and chairman, isn’t quite sure when he and Joe Skinner began the group, but there’s a picture in his scrapbook of them in 1984, when “we were already going strong.”

The current group meets at noon on the third Tuesday of every month at the Carmon Anthony Fishhouse in Avon for lunch and discussion of a specific topic. All men in the Society are welcome.

In the beginning, according to Chris, “a group of us got together for lunch once in a while.” There was no program, no chairman. They’ve met in a great many places, since restaurants tend to close (John Brown’s), to burn (Windsor Tavern), to be too small (Avon Old Farms). When he investigates a new meeting place, Chris explained, he makes sure (1) that there is a room large enough to accommodate the dozen or so who attend, and (2) that separate lunch checks will be issued.

Meetings start at noon, with lunch and talk about “personal stuff.” At 1 pm, the formal meeting begins, as one member presents a talk on the subject he has chosen. Topics are unlimited, and often include politics and social and religious issues. Education, reincarnation, how to build an airplane and other esoteric subjects have also been featured.

Contributions to the Men’s Transitional Living Program at South Park Inn are collected at the annual Christmas party, to which wives of present members and widows of former members are invited. The group donated more than $500 in

2003 and almost $450 in 2004.

Great Decisions

Since the early 1980’s, USH members interested in what’s going on in the world have participated each winter in an eight-week Sunday morning Great Decisions course using a publication by the Foreign Policy Association.

This year’s Great Decisions begins on February 13 from 9 to 10:15 am at the Meeting House. Flo Grieb will serve as coordinator. Among the topics are China, Global Poverty, Middle East, Outsourcing, Sudan’s Darfur Crisis.

Earl Costenoble, a former member of the foreign service who led the group for the past five years, joined in 1983 for a discussion on China and has been with it ever since. This was when the cold war was still going on and when discussions were “a lot more raucous and contentious.” He recalls one meeting where visitors came in to argue that “Cuba was heaven on earth.”

Started by past USH member Bonnie Saunders, a college history teacher, the format has been a presentation by the leader, followed by questions and discussion. This year, each week’s topic will be led by a different (volunteer) group member. (Note: Bonnie, now an active UU member in Phoenix, reports that she orders 100 Great Decision books for her two adult education U.S. foreign policy classes.)

Earl, who will be joining this year’s group as one of the regular participants, says that what has most impressed him over the past many years is that “people show a lot of interest and keep coming back.”

K. C.

Suggestions to Help Keep Your Brain Cells Active:Sign up for Some Adult Program Courses

Have you been trying to think of something to do during the next couple of months to avoid the winter doldrums? Why not sign up for one of the programs in the Winter/Spring term? Take a look at some of the following possibilities. You can register on Sundays during coffee hour or call the office, 233-9897.

Great Decisions, 8 Sundays, 9-10:15 am, February 13-April 10.

Sign up for this popular program--the longest running one at the Meeting House--and engage in lively, thoughtful discussions of foreign affairs, based on readings provided by the Foreign Policy Association. Topics this year include U.S. intelligence, Russia, job outsourcing, crisis in Darfur, the global poverty gap, the Middle East, and global water issues.

Friday Dinner and Movie, 5:30-10:30 pm, February l1.

Come and enjoy a catered candlelight dinner, movie and relaxed discussion afterwards. "Hiroshima mon amour deals with contrasts and opposites such as love and death, war and peace, living and remembering, as well as dealing with two people from different parts of the world: one from France and one from Japan (both of whom in a post-WWII world would have been viewed differently than today)."

Humanism, 4 Sundays, 2-4 pm, February 27-March 20.

Join others on a Sunday afternoon to examine the popularity cycles of American Humanism and Evangelicalism in our history. This is a good time to reflect on and reconstitute our basic principles even though we are currently in a low point for Humanism. Our late Minister Emeritus, Nat Lauriat, also wrote about the Unitarian Humanist tradition.

First Sunday Program, Unitarian Universalist Denominational History,

noon-1:30 pm, March 6.

Learn more about the broad history of Unitarianism and Universalism--what stirred the early beginnings of these movements and when and why these faith movements merged.

Lenten Bible Study, 4 Tuesdays, noon-1:30 pm, March 8-March 29.

Join Reverend Arline Sutherland to reflect on our lives, examine how we have failed to meet our aspirations, and imagine how we might return to the path. Selected texts from the Judeo-Christian scriptures will be read as we explore what they might mean in our contemporary religious lives.

Nancy Reed

Council on Social Justice Sets Up Seven Sub-Councils

The Council on Social Justice (COSJ) has been restructured and seven sub-councils are now in place, according to Mike Winterfield COSJ Council Chair.

Center City Churches (Paul Hansen). Will network with church leadership and coordinate with USH members currently tutoring at Sanchez and Betances schools.

Children’s Issues (John Clapp). Among issues to be addressed is providing service to families stressed by an absent parent. Ten persons have signed up to participate in this new sub-council.

CUREJ (Congregations United for Racial Equality--Carol Shoemaker). Continuing to work on relationship building and service programs. A meeting in December centered around questions of what people of color want to ask whites – and vice-versa – regarding racism.

Disabilities (Carolyn Cartland). Working to upgrade handicapped parking facilities and on appropriate pew cuts to accommodate wheelchairs in the center of the sanctuary. Working with UUA program associate on disability issues.

ICEJ (Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice--Shai Cassell). As a part-time staff member, Shai is setting up meetings with legislative allies and helping to organize a health care summit.

Carol Shoemaker, co-chair of the ICEJ Educational Task Force, is leading an effort to create 4000 more pre-school slots in priority districts. Mike Winterfield, co-chair of the Tax Task Force, has drafted a petition for progressive tax reform.

Information and Advocacy (Tom Kemble). Range of advocacy efforts include CT Coalition for Peace and Justice, CT Coalition for Environmental Justice, and CT Network Against the Death Penalty. This sub-council is committed to balanced bipartisan reporting of important issues. Tom Reed will be helping with this effort.

The Welcoming Congregation (Peg Horne). Developing educational workshops for adults and will work with Reverend Sutherland on programs for our youth. Sub-council will also coordinate with Love Makes a Family re appropriate lobbying efforts to support same sex marriage rights.

RE Coffee Hours Set

The Religious Education committee will be hosting coffee hours for parents and children for each class. They are designed to acquaint parents and teachers, to give parents an idea of the class content and structure, and to allow parents to meet one another. Coffee hours will take place in the classroom immediately following the service. Refreshments will be served. The coffee hour schedule follows.

Feb. 6: Chalice Children (kindergarten)

Feb. 13: Breakfast Club (grades 6 and 7)

Mar. 13: Spirit Play (grade 1)

Mar. 20: Jesus and his Kingdom of Equals (grade 5)

Apr. l0: A Stepping Stone Year (grade 4)

Apr. 13: Special Times (grade 2)

May 15: Holidays and Holydays (grade 3)

We’ll Miss You

Mary Lovelock and Bob Chapman moved to North Carolina last month, which is North Carolina’s gain and Hartford’s loss. They were active members of the USH for many years.

Mary was well known for her position in the Hartford community. A December 31, 2004 editorial in TheHartford Courant said, “Hartford will miss Mary R. Lovelock even as it wishes that the South Park Inn homeless shelter that she helped establish and operate for more than 20 years didn’t have to exist.”

Under her leadership (she retired as co-executive director), the inn that began as an 85-bed shelter for men, women and children expanded to provide housing for 33 single men, then added a 35-unit permanent housing facility for persons with mental and physical problems.

Well-known for her fund-raising ability, Mary agreed to a farewell party only if it could be a fund-raiser. As a result, initial contributions (including matching funds from her Board) to the Endowment Fund in honor of Mary Lovelock came to about $25,000.

Husband Bob was a research librarian at the Hartford Public Library, wrote program notes for the New World Trio concerts, had a magnificent voice and offered reasoned opinions for many years at the annual USH Great Decisions course.

And if you’ve never seen Mary and Bob dance, you’ve really missed something!

* * * *

Nancy Witcomb, another long-time USH member, has relocated to the Cape. Nancy’s address is PO Box 1533, South Dennis, MA 02660. Nancy asked us to say that she will “miss the people and the place.”

B&G Sub-Council Wants Capital Project Proposals

Members of the Building and Grounds (B&G) sub-council will receive members’ proposals for capital projects related to the USH up to noon Friday February 11.

Under the new governance structure, B&G must prepare a five-year capital budget request for the Board of Directors. This report will be prepared for delivery this spring. Proposals are being solicited from Society members so that various needs and desires can be fully considered.

Requests in writing should be directed to David Newton with copies (electronic or paper) to B&G co-chairs Stuart Spence and Ed Sax .

The report to the Board will include a prioritized list of capital projects on a year-to-year basis; detailed estimate of costs for the first year; an assessment of financial impact on the operating budget; narrative justification including consequences of failure to do the project; and a description two to five years out with an estimate of cost and impact on the operating budget.

Springfield Keyboard Konzert

Music for harpsichord and piano will be featured on Tuesday February 22 at the UU Society of Greater Springfield (245 Porter Lake Drive), starting at 7:30 pm. General admission is $10, $5 for seniors and students over 12. A $1 discount per ticket is given for the donation of a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. For more information, contact Olga Michael, 413-587-0336

Reverend Cooley Answers Questions on Unitarianism

‘Twas the day after Christmas, which no doubt accounted for the fewer-than-usual persons at Reverend Terasa Cooley’s “Question Box” Sunday service. There was, however, no shortage of those wanting to ask Terasa questions about many aspects of Unitarian Universalism. Terasa told her listeners she hoped they had brought a “questioning spirit” with them. They had.

Terasa was asked to comment on mindfulness in daily life. She called it living fully in the moment and not anticipating what will happen next. She said this makes us aware we’re not in control, and is “amazingly hard to practice.” She suggested it be done as part of a regular discipline and practiced daily. Of herself, she said, “I try.”

Asked to talk about what Unitarians think of sin, Terasa said the usual UU answer is, “It depends.” She suggested that in all liberal religions, all persons are inherently worthy of respect, but each of us is capable of evil, and “if we deny this, we’re in trouble.”

Will the UU “little beacon of light” flicker and go out because of the present theological conservatism? Terasa suggested this is not something new, that we go through periods of “awakenings” in history. She said that 9/11 led to a desire to find a greater meaning in life and that the move to conservatism shows an important and national desire to find stability. She wondered if Unitarian Universalism provides a sense of comfort and meaning to people.

Asked why UUs moved away from traditional Christianity, Terasa suggested that education made some with a questioning spirit realize they didn’t have to listen to church authorities’ teachings and interpretations but could read and understand for themselves. The concept of evolution and the lessons of science also made it hard to believe in a literal interpretation of the bible.

A visitor to the congregation confessed that he has been intimidated by our intellectualism. Terasa agreed that we are known for our questioning spirit and sense of openness, and have always been part of movements to make the world a just place. She suggested we need opportunities to bring our power together, and that we are more powerful as a group. We need to build alliances, she suggested, and mentioned our working as part of CUREJ (Congregations United for Racial Equality), ICEJ (Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice) and Center City Churches as examples of our recognition that we are limited and finite and can’t do everything ourselves.

A visitor from Mississippi asked how to find common ground and get along with the many fundamentalists he meets. Terasa stressed the importance of speaking one’s own truth without making judgments on others. She said one should try to listen to what’s underneath what others are saying, but it is “very challenging” to do this.

Asked to define the phrase spiritual journey which she uses often during Sunday services, Terasa said it meant the process of understanding the meaning of our life as it grows, evolves and changes, and we try to find the answer to “who I can be within the world.” K. C.

CONNECTIONS

Reverend Terasa G. Cooley

With all that’s been going on in the congregation recently, I haven’t felt as if I’ve had much time to address the much more significant things happening in the world – namely the disaster of the tsunami. I find the numbers of dead and wounded almost impossible to take in – yet I know the loss is the worst kind of reality.

It is one thing to contemplate the bad things that happen through human error or stupidity or even sin. It is another to have to acknowledge that bad things simply happen – whether we deserve them or not. The word “disaster” literally means “dark star” – reflecting the ancient belief that the stars caused things to happen on earth, both good and bad. We know that’s not necessarily the case, but it feels almost that arbitrary. How can we continue to have faith in the universe, or, perhaps, in God, when such things are so out of our control?

What helps me at such times is to realize that even if I have no control over the cause of things, I can certainly have some choice about how I respond. I can respond with despair, and simply bemoan fate, or I can respond with love and concern and care for others.

The response you have made as a congregation in the face of this disaster gives me renewed faith – your gifts to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee will help real people in real distress. Your caring has made manifest hope in the world.

On a more personal level, your caring of me and of one another during this time of transition has certainly reinforced my faith in this congregation as a loving community of great strength. Your grace in accepting my decision and your expressed commitment to the future of this congregation helps me to know that the ministry of this church is in the right hands: your hands. The lay leadership and the staff have set the tone for a thoughtful approach to the decisions to be made, and I know and trust they will do their best for everyone concerned.

As I said in my letter to you, we will have several more months together. Please let me know how I can be of service to you during this time, as you have been of such gracious service to me.

In faith, Terasa

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Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 2/21/05)