January 2007 Jump Station: Services, President's Column, A Word from Rev. BJ, RE 2007; Music Notes, An Invitation to Join Small Group Ministry; Let's Do it Again; The People have Spoken; Remembering Others; Join the Knitters; Carrying SMG Values into Life; Officers - Staff - Office Hours, Current Calendar; Enclosures Services at 9 & 11 AM, children’s programming and nursery 7 January - And after Epiphany, What Then? - After seeing the child, the three wise men went home by another way. How might epiphanies change OUR course? 14 January - Southern Belle to Civil Rights Advocate - With her husband Clifford, who was founding president of the Montgomery Alabama UU Fellowship, Virginia Durr was instrumental in the Montgomery Alabama Bus Boycott. There’s a UU connection to the Rosa Parks story. 21 January Simple Gifts: A Special Intergenerational Service - Ben Tousley, will 'gift' us with a playful and thought-provoking exploration of the meaning of gifts in a society that emphasizes the market value of things. 28 January - Sengu: A Shino Ritual of Renewal - Every 20 years the fabulous shrine buildings at Japan’s Isi Temple are torn down and rebuilt just across a gravel path, a ritual celebrating eternal renewal and return. How might this theme of destroying half the house toward spiritual renewal apply to us? When the 2007 session of the Connecticut General Assembly opens this month, universal health insurance coverage is expected to be the dominant issue. Ensuring that everyone in Connecticut has adequate health insurance is an important social justice issue for many Society members, especially those who are active within the Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice, which has made universal coverage one of its top priorities. However, seeing the Society’s name linked to an issue that is likely to become embroiled in partisan politics will create some degree of discomfort for at least some Society members. For many and perhaps all of us, staying engaged while the debate over health insurance coverage degenerates into petty partisan bickering requires that we keep focused on the over-riding moral implications of the issue. Our ability to think about universal health insurance as primarily and fundamentally an issue of morality is made all the more difficult by our peculiarly American penchant of conceiving of morality in terms of the individual. Our thinking about morality starts with individual rights. As Unitarian-Universalists we are no exception. We laud the “inherent worth and dignity of every person,” and we expect each member to define his or her own individual spiritual path. Americans tend to regard acts that relate to other people as charity or philanthropy rather than a moral obligation. The Good Samaritan is regarded as a hero rather than an example of minimal decency. Our elevated notions of self-reliance were championed by the likes of Emerson and Thoreau, to whom we trace our Unitarian-Universalist roots. Little wonder that morality takes a back seat to politics and economics when it comes to talking about universal health insurance! In recent years, health policy debates have been dominated by talk of consumer directed health care and medical savings accounts, both of which flow directly out of an emphasis on individual responsibility. That we, in fact, need each other is perhaps no more evident than in the examples of illness and health. In health, we reserve the right to choose a broad range of individual behaviors, be they healthy or unhealthy. In the face of severe or chronic illness, however, our interdependence is readily evident. Our very notions of health and illness are socially derived. No one can decide for him- or herself how best to treat illness, and few can afford that treatment. We depend on society to maintain a system of health care that will restore the highest possible state of health and preserve our role within society. Recognizing that we need each other; that we are part of the “interdependent web of all existence;” is a moral decision. At the most fundamental level, the debate about universal health insurance is about distributive justice – the allocation of a limited resource in the face of unlimited need. Through its elected representatives, society must decide the basis on which health care is to be rationed. Doing nothing means that too often health care will continue to be rationed on the basis of the means to pay for it. Deciding to reform the system is an explicit choice to move the basis by which health care services are distributed toward need, and imbedded in that decision is a recognition that we, in fact, need one another. It elevates another Unitarian-Universalist principle: “justice, equity and compassion in human relations.” The members of the General Assembly will engage in a partisan debate about the best ways to extend health insurance to everyone, about the level of services to which everyone is entitled, about how to pay for universal coverage, and about who will win and who will lose. Republicans will say one thing, and Democrats will say another. Working out the details could very well sink the effort to ensure universal coverage. But, the very act of engaging in this debate is a moral decision, one that says we depend upon one another, that we owe each other something of importance regardless of party, race, income, gender, or any other non-germane characteristic. Seeing the debate through is similarly a moral decision, and perhaps only by staying focused on the debate’s moral foundation can a way through the partisan rancor be found. Perhaps that is a message we and other people of faith can unite around. Save the Date -Tuesday, January 23, 2007 The Most Important GHICEJ event of the year scheduled for January 23, 2007, 7-9PM at The House of Restoration, 1665 Main St., Hartford Community! Action! Justice! Is the theme for the 3rd Public Meeting of the Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice. The coalition has strategically planned the January event to coincide with the beginning of the 2007 legislative session. Public officials and legislative leaders have been invited to witness a powerful demonstration of commitment to our social justice agenda. We hope to fill the hall with more than 1,000 friends and supporters. I invite you all to participate with our partners as we demonstrate our shared commitment to equity and fairness in the issues concerning many of us: affordable health care for all, extending educational opportunities to those who are most at risk of school failure, and passing a tax credit for the working poor. We gather to sing together, to inspire one another - to be inspired. Please stop by the Social Justice Table in Fellowship Hall to register, pick up a flyer, and learn more about the issues. You may also ask Joan and Tom Kemble, Carol Shoemaker, and Shai Cassell for details. 1/7“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler, long I stood and looked down one… then took the other.” The choir sings these words of Robert Frost, set by Randall Thompson and echoing the new path of the three wise men…and perhaps of us. 1/14The Civil Rights movement found its energy in an inspiring body of civil rights songs emerging from vigorous anthems of the southern African-American churches. Mattie first learned such songs on a bus to Washington, D.C. in 1963. Join the choir and find that spirit through music. 1/21Guest minister Ben Tousley brings his own style of Unitarian music to our chancel in his service on, “Simple Gifts.” 1/28“Etenraku” is an ancient traditional Japanese anthem that embodies the Shinto love of nature and renewal. Our Music Director discovered this piece in Japan and taught it, syllable by syllable, to the choir. New Year, new beginnings, new classes and new curriculum…welcome to RE 2007. The RE classes are expanding and because of new teacher volunteers the 3rd through 5th grades will begin a program separate from Spirit Play at the 11 AM service. Heartfelt thanks to parents and members who participated in the RE Talkback sessions and powered the decision to begin the class, which will use the curriculum “Timeless Themes: Stories from the Hebrew and Christian Bible”. These timeless stories are taught from a UU perspective of challenging injustice, respecting cultural differences and beliefs, the power of healing through forgiveness as well as giving children grounding in the Biblical literature underlying much of Western culture. The rise in the numbers of volunteer teachers also affords the resources needed to create a separate 8th grade. These students will begin a combined program of Our Whole Lives (OWL) and Coming of Age. OWL is the UUA-developed class on human sexuality presenting the spectrum of the richness of human intimacy found in friendships, relationships, lovers and the value we place on the lives dearest to us. Coming of Age is the transition program for 8th graders who prepare to graduate to the Youth Group while beginning to explore their own theologies in the accompaniment of mentors. RE is growing and changing. Two opportunities to explore RE issues and ideas with members of other Clara Barton District folks occurred this fall at the CBD Fall Rally and the RE District meeting. The October RE Talkback opened an avenue to join heads in changing the direction of RE and, as noted above, spurred the movement to offer new classes. Another event is planned for February 3rd here at USH when Deb Levering, the CBD Consultant for Lifespan Religious Education will brainstorm with USH members on models of RE, curriculum and opportunities for expanding programs. Join the movement! Changing. Expanding. Growing kids into their full potential as UUs. All is possible with the help of our congregation. Make a difference in children’s lives and join them in the exploration and expression of their UU faith. TEACH. You’ll be amazed at what the children can offer. A few RE reminders:
An Invitation to Small Group Ministry - Spring 2007 You are cordially invited to participate in our spring offerings of Small Group Ministry. For those unfamiliar with the Small Group Ministry concept, we offer this brief description. SGM groups meet for eight 2-hour sessions over a 2-month period and offer participants the opportunity to share their life experiences in a friendly environment following a specific format. The format includes candle lighting: opening and closing readings; a check-in period; a topic with a reading and questions that invite sharing; and refreshments. We aim to help our members and friends meet others, find companions for their spiritual journeys, and develop caring ways as we minister to each other in small groups. We feature these trained, skilled, experienced facilitators (in alphabetical order): Barbara Fraher, Fred Louis, Bev Prager, Bill Shoemaker and Gail Syring. We provide these convenient geographic locations (in alphabetical order): Bloomfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Hartford and West Hartford. We are blessed with the generous spirits of our hosts, who open up their homes and make welcome our participants (in alphabetical order): Kayla and Earl Costenoble, Janice and David Newton, Cecelia Roehl and Carol Shoemaker. We offer two special features: 1) a daytime group (for those who prefer not to drive at night or are too busy evenings), 2) an LGBTI (for those who prefer an affinity group). And, of course, we must mention our most special feature: you and the other members and friends of the Unitarian Society of Hartford who participate in SGM, share past experiences, and build wonderful new experiences. Our pairings are as follows: Monday nights: Fred Louis in Farmington at the home of Janice and David Newton. Tuesday mornings, 10 AM to 12 noon: Barbara Fraher at the home of Cecelia Roehl. Tuesday nights: Gail Syring (LGBTI group) in Hartford at the Meeting House (with the host chosen from among the participants). Wednesday nights: 1) Bev Prager in West Hartford at the home of Carol Shoemaker, 2) Bill Shoemaker in Bloomfield at the home of Kayla and Earl Costenoble. To register, please call the Meeting House office at 860-233-9897 or stop by the Adult Program table after Sunday services. For more information, please call Kent Jamison at 860-693-4708 or Bev Spence at 860-658-9557. If you have special needs, please mention them at the time of registration. Let's
Do it Again! So now it’s time to plan a new set of dinner dates - for March 3, April 7 and May 5. Participants will be mixed at random to attend dinners in each others' homes. (But not everyone will host.) Hosts supply the entree. Their guests are assigned to bring appetizers or salad or vegetable or dessert. It's a fine way to be with old friends and meet new ones in a more intimate setting than the Sanctuary or committee meetings. Registrations are $2.00 per household - to cover mailing costs. Register in Fellowship Hall on Sundays between services. Deadline: February 4. Or, might you want to be listed as a potential substitute? For more information, call Marion Kelliher 286-2740. And the Hospitality Sub-council has listened -therefore the food for Supper and Games Nights will now be Pot Luck Main Dish Mark your calendars for 6 – 8:30 PM on: Fridays: February 16, March 16, April 20 and May 18. Come with a main dish sufficient to feed yourself/your family and to share. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or by phoning the Meeting House office (233-9897) and pay only $2 per person for beverage and dessert, provided by the Hospitality Sub-Council. No more that $8 for a family. If you decide to come at the last minute and have not pre-registered, that’s fine. Bring some food and come on down. You will be welcomed with open arms. We want folks to come, break bread, play games, and have a good time. Please bring your favorite games as well, to share and teach others. In case of inclement weather, either check your e-mail or call the Meeting House office (233-9897) and listen for a cancellation message. We will try to call those pre-registered, but may not be able to get through to all. We continue to seek a “games coordinator” for each night. That person would see to it that the games are out and displayed and help gather folks into game playing groups. We look forward to hearing from volunteers. Contact Esther McKone (677-6682, estmckone@ aol.com) or Edith Savage (232-5603, esavage@snet.net). Thanks to all of you who gave us valuable feedback as to the format for Supper and Games Night, which would make it more accessible to you and your families and friends. - The Hospitality Sub-council The Worship Sub-Council invites you to explore a ritual for remembering others, a nonverbal expression of "Joys and Sorrows" which incorporates the silent lighting of candles with reflective meditation and observation. For this observance we need someone to build an attractive box or other appropriate thing to rest in the Sanctuary, either on an existing stand or table, or on its own, suitable for holding sand that will support a bunch of small candles - Contact Carol Davidson 860-233-8012 or Richard Roznoy (844-8769). Join the Knitters Under the Stairs Members of the Comfort Shawl Ministry have finally decided to come out into the open! Beginning with their monthly meeting in November, the four-year-old group moved out of the library at the Meeting House (where they have been meeting since Vicki Carey started the group in November 2002) to the downstairs living room under the stairs. In this relatively short time, industrious knitters have knit and distributed 128 mostly purple warm and enveloping shawls to members needing a comfortable hug. => Knitters knit almost everywhere (except during services)—at meetings, ceremonies, while traveling (except while driving), at doctors’ and lawyers’ offices, on vacation and even, for those so skilled they don’t need to look while knitting, at movies. “Formal” meetings are held at 10 AM on the second Sunday of the month to talk about stitches, patterns, yarn, color, and life in general. The next meeting will take place at the Meeting House at 10 AM on January 14 under the stairs. The Comfort Shawl Ministry is always looking for new members. If you’ve always wanted to learn to knit, here’s your chance. If knitting doesn’t particularly appeal to you but the idea of this group does, join us and become a fringe person—someone who attaches and knots fringe to a completed shawl. - Kayla Costenoble Carrying Small Group Ministry Lessons into Everyday Life One of the aims, hopes really, of small group ministry is that the basic tenets of the program will carry over into our everyday lives; that we will be nonjudgmental; that we will practice close listening and that we will try to speak from the "I" perspective. These are good principles to bring to our work, to the PTO, to our church committees, wherever we are involved. Recently, Jeff Blanchettte, one of our participants, took this to heart and incorporated these principles in a workshop he was running at his school. Here is his story: I recently presented a one-day workshop for the fine arts department in the school district where I am a teacher. My goal was to create trusting relationships. My vision was to improve instruction through classroom visitations and conversations. In essence, teachers would visit one another's classes throughout the school year and follow up with a conversation about what they observed. The key would be for teachers to be open, honest and nurturing with one another. In education there often exists a culture of mistrust. The goal presented me with quite a challenge. I drew on excerpts from my favorite book on
teaching, The Courage To Teach by
Parker Palmer. Incidentally, I was first
introduced to this book in a sermon given by
our former minister, Terasa Cooley. I invited
the participants to talk on a range of issues
including the convergence of emotion, spirit
and intellect in the classroom, losing heart
in teaching, mentors who inspired us and subjects
that stirred up a sense of belonging. The
sharing that occurred was extraordinary. People
spoke openly, honestly and from their hearts. The key to the success of the day was the “Small Group Ministry” framework. We agreed to abide by the rules of sharing used in SGM - speak about our own personal feelings and experiences, refrain from commenting, refrain from giving advice, allow a half-minute of silence before speaking. The department members now insist that we continue with the SGM framework for our next workshop in January. Thanks, SGM! Way to go, Jeff. - Kent Jamison **** Officers: Charles Huntington, President; Bill Young, President Elect; Margaret Leicach, Treasurer; Sue Kinney, Secretary; Nancy Mandly, At-Large Community Within; Marye Gail Harrison, At-Large, Spiritual Life; Peg Otto, At-Large Social Justice. Council Chairs: Hugh Schweitzer, Administration; Carol Sexton, Community Within; Fred Louis, Social Justice; Nina Elgo, Spiritual Life STAFF: Rev. Barbara Jamestone, Minister; Nina Binin RE Administrator; Denise Ackeifi, Youth Advisor; Brian Mullen, Business Manager; Rosie Rindfleisch, Administrative Asst; Mattie Banzhaf, Music Director; Vaughn Mauren, Organist: Peter Magistri, Sexton; Robert Gavin, Custodian; Maks Klmas, Security Office hours: M-F 9-3 (excluding W 10 -11);Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - Available at the noon hour and at other times by appointment. Articles for the Meetinghouse Messenger should be directed to messengernews@ushartford.com by the 15th of the prior month. This issue was edited by D & J Newton, Brian Mullen and Rosie Rindfleisch. I attended an interfaith worship service recently. Folks from a variety of religious persuasions gave ‘testimonials’ answering the question, “How does your faith inform your passion for justice?” The talks, which moved me most were those given by our own Tom and Joan Kemble. Sitting there with the dozen of you who accompanied me, I have rarely felt so proud to be one with a bunch of folks! I would have signed up for anything at that moment! (Joan’s recent ‘testimonial’ during the Dec 3 worship service was equally powerful. In it she relayed having a conversation in an elevator with our UUA president Bill Sinkford in which he told her that it was HER job to bring justice awareness and commitment to our congregation. It was an assignment she took to heart!) The other talk that impressed me was by the Muslim representative, Iman Abdul Rahmann Muhammad. His talk was grounded in the core Islamic value of submission to God and good, and the focus was on personal piety. Piety is an old time sounding word, but it’s central feature resounded timeless and profound that evening. He said that the advocacy we do for justice, as well as the service projects we work on, must rise from hearts submitted to the holy and ultimate spirit of life. It is as we review and renew and enhance our connection to core values like humility, cooperation, generosity, compassion, and sacrifice that we will bear fruit worthy to feed the world. It is as we submit ourselves to spiritual practices, like prayer or meditation, attending worship, participating in religious community, giving alms, that we are able to hear the cry of the needy, and are inspired and come to want…to yearn…to crave the opportunity to join the causes of justice. I would probably have recited the shahadah with him at that moment. The following Sunday, I saw a child walking along the ambulatory at USH with a can of mandarin oranges. I had seen a similar occurrence with a can of peas once before and wondered what it was about, and THIS time I knew. Thanks to the testimonials of Joan (and Peter Magistry) about the Horace Bushnell food bank, I knew that we are charged to bring a can of food for every member of the family each Sunday we attend USH, to put in the boxes in the lobby, which Peter enclosed. What a lovely and sweet ritual—repeating a simple and inexpensive practice— that forms our children, and us, if we do it, into individuals of compassionate heart and disciplined hands, individuals who will grow in spirit, and thus grow in appreciation of and support for the systemic level advocacy work some of us are called to do. So…what would it take for me to decide to remember to bring a can of oranges along with my sermon on Sunday? How many mouths might that decision ultimately feed, over the years that it forms me? I’m thinking of making it my New Year’s Resolution. Enclosures
And here is the content of a flyer: |
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Let
us know of any comments, errors
and corrections - thanks
(revised 12/27/07) |
