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March 20065 March Quo Vadis? As we begin worshipping at two times on Sunday mornings, the title of this old novel and movie seems just the right question. It is similar in tone to the question posed to Jonah, “Where are you going?”We will welcome new members at both 9 and 11 am. 12 March – Music Sunday 19 March – A Soul’s Deep Yearning - Arline will reflect on what is at the depths of our spiritual quest. 26 March - Let Justice Roll: A Living Wage - Paul Filson (Director - SEIU CT State Council) will be the guest speaker as we recommit ourselves to work for economic justice for all. President’s Message: The Power of Manifestation The concept of manifestation has always fascinated me. I am referring to the concept of making something happen, or of being a part of making something happen, even if your part is to simply witness the process. This is an issue of great spiritual significance. Think of a time when you manifested or realized a goal. Maybe you received a degree, conceived a child, planted a garden, or changed your eating or exercise habits. Where did your biggest transformation occur? With few exceptions, we become changed as a result of the process, not at the point of realization. Here at the Meeting House, we have been in the process of manifesting the reality of having two services. As of March 5 the goal will be manifest. This process has transformed us all. How have you been changed? Are you stronger? More tired? More inspired? Renewed? Hopeful? What transformation lies ahead of us now as we move forward? Join me in celebrating the manifestation and being open to the growth that is to come. In peace, Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this, most of you will have heard of our new format for religious education. We still have a nursery for those children under the age of four. The four-year-olds through grade five are involved with Spirit Play, a concept based on a Montessori style of learning. Don’t let the word “Play” mislead you. This program is designed to be similar to a worship service. There is, in reality, no play. The children are led by a storyteller. After the story, “wondering” questions are asked to help the children reflect on what they have heard and to make connections to themselves and their world. Then the children work in creative response areas. These areas include working with clay, painting, drawing, bead work and creative building. They can also have a discussion with the leader and/or the assistants. This is a time where they can build on the connections in their lives and in their world. The middle school and high school youth groups will have their worship time in the chapel starting at 10:30 am. Denise Ackeifi and Andrew Mallard will be using the six sources for Unitarian Universalism as themes for these worship services. SGM Facilitator Tells It Like It Is—For Her Lisa Grabrielle, Small Group Ministry (SGM) participant and now a facilitator, gave a Community Testimonial to SGM during a Sunday service in late January. Excerpts of her feelings about SGM follow: “What each participant had to say left an indelible mark. It was far more than words that held me there—it was the safety of the setting, the structure of SGM, a sacred space to explore my thoughts and feelings on a particular topic in connection with others. I didn’t have to judge or fix anything; in fact, I didn’t have to respond at all. I simply had to listen—by heart. “Through SGM I have grown, really grown—in my connection to myself and this congregation. There are people from my first group that I run into at the store, on the street or at the Meeting House, and I can feel the spirit of that first group rekindle itself in my body. “As a facilitator, I hope I help make it possible for others to know that SGM feeling by heart. The intimacy available in these groups can feel scary and sometimes just plain awkward for many people, myself included. “I’ll gladly continue to risk feeling afraid or awkward, as the benefits for me—a deepening awareness of connection, time out from mundane concerns, the opportunity to both listen and be heard—are well worth any discomfort I might initially experience. “Those of us on the SGM Steering Committee are working together to ensure the future of SGM at the Unitarian Society of Hartford. “Thanks for hearing what I had to say this morning. I look forward to getting to know many more of you by heart.” Lisa Gabrielle GLBT Community Invites USH Members to Dinner In an effort to expand the USH congregation’s understanding and support of its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community, members of the GLBT group are inviting guests to their homes to share a free dinner and an evening of conversation. Dinners are scheduled for April 1, April 2 and April 8. Contact coordinator Betty Palmer for information and reservations by phone, 860-379-7740, or email her at bettypalmer365 at yahoo.com According to coordinator Palmer, “This will be a great opportunity for USH members and friends to learn more about the realities of same-sex households, to unlearn some of the myths that circulate and to expand their knowledge of the social and political issues of concern in raising children with two moms or two dads. “In the friendly and confidential setting of a private home, you may want to ask questions such as:
From Other Church Bulletins “The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.” “Potluck supper Sunday at 5 pm—prayer and medication to follow.” “The fasting and prayer conference includes meals.” Meditation is primarily an individual act that is often enhanced by being part of a group. The supportive environment can enhance our personal practice. Join Arline and others for a drop-in group on the fourth Tuesday of the month (March 28, this month) from 7 to 8 pm in David. A Knitting Shawl History Or -- How It All Began Members of the USH Comfort Shawl Ministry will meet at 10 am on Sunday March 12 at the Meeting House. Anyone who would like to learn to knit or would like to become a member of this hard-knitting group is urged to come. If meetings are not your thing, you can knit at home and still be part of the group. In a recent email to shawl knitters, Founder Vicki Carey explained it well. Vicki wrote: “On a July day in 2002, I read an article in the Hartford Courant about two women in Avon who had been knitting shawls for people in their congregation who were in need. As an avid knitter the idea really piqued my interest. And I thought, ‘Why not give it a try?’with no clue about how to go about it. “With the help of Janice Newton and the Caring Network, we began our Comfort Shawl Ministry. I never dreamed then how successful we would become! In the three-and-a-half years that we have been knitting, we have produced and distributed 100 shawls for our fellow congregants in need. What an accomplishment! Vicki is stepping down as leader, but not as a knitter. Kayla Costenoble and Janice Newton will co-chair. Thanks, Vicki! February Board Business: A Brief Summary Detailed financial results through February will be on the USH website early this month. Treasurer Bill Young told the Board of Directors that snow, gas and electricity are the three variables that will “tell the story on the budget” this year. He also reported that as a result of councils’ review of their expenses, USH has been able to save between $15,000 and $18,000. Efforts continue to add 12 additional handicapped parking spaces in front of the Meeting House’s west entrance. These efforts included a February 15 meeting with Meeting House neighbors to discuss the pending application for a zoning variance and a February 21 appearance at a City of Hartford zoning hearing. Stewardship is planning an event to honor key givers. The Canvass is considered crucial because all budget “paring” that can be done has been done. Complete Board minutes can be found on the web and are available in the office. A Different “Tell Me Why” Enlivens Sermon on Darwin During Reverend Arline Sutherland’s February 5 “Happy Birthday, Mr. Darwin!” sermon, a duet by choir members Patrice Fitzgerald and Teresa Pelham made a merry musical point. Their updated version of this traditional song (sung in its original version during the service and before the sermon) follows. ”Natural selection makes ivy twine, Nuclear fusion makes the stars to shine, Light polarization makes the sky so blue, Pheromonal attraction is why I love you.” Search Committee Interviews Pre-Candidates “Pre-candidating” is under way. Over five weekends beginning last month and continuing this month, your Search Committee is bringing each of the five prospects for new minister we have selected to town. We are asking lots of questions, taking them on a tour of the Meeting House neighborhood, and attending a service led by them at a nearby “neutral pulpit.” Once the committee has seen and heard each pre-candidate, we will meet, email and discuss until we reach a unanimous decision. That means we will not proceed unless all nine of us individually endorse our candidate. That also means we will present the Board and congregation with only one final candidate. At this point, two frequently asked questions are, “Why can’t we meet all of the pre-candidates and hear them preach?” and, “Isn’t voting on only one final candidate undemocratic?" The answer to both is that experience has shown that presenting multiple candidates can be divisive to a congregation. Factions tend to form around chosen candidates. The likelihood that any one can receive a vote of confidence sufficient for a successful ministry is significantly diminished. And too often congregational fractures don’t heal. For the candidates, the process loses confidentiality, impacting relationships with colleagues and their congregational effectiveness in the position they now hold. Therefore the UUA directs congregations to entrust the selection of a single final candidate to a search committee of individuals who will represent all of the congregation’s needs and facets. So, watch for news from the Board about Candidating Week. Plan to attend Sunday services to hear your candidate preach. Come to one of the events to meet them personally. Then make your own assessment. The final decision rests with the registered congregational members who will vote to call or not to call the candidate to settlement with our Society. Every one of our pre-candidates has wonderful gifts to offer. But like our own congregation, each also has challenges. We seek the minister or co-ministry team who will best match our congregation’s needs now and into the future. May it be so! Carol Sexton Congratulations to Jessica Maida and David Niek who were married at the Meeting House on January 21. David is the son of USH member Caryl Niek. The Reverend Julie-Ann Siblbeman-Bunn officiated. Our healing thoughts are extended to Lee Garmise, who fell in January, badly breaking her ankle. She is recuperating from surgery During winter storm Conrad, Sue Kinney fell, shattering bones in her arm. She is home recuperating from surgery. We wish her all the best. We also hope Ron Friedman’s recuperation from eye surgery goes well. Our sincere condolences go to Jane Winterfield, whose mother died in North Carolina on February ll. Worship Sub Council Wants Congregation’s Help The Worship Sub Council wants answers from the members of the USH to two questions: (1) What is worship? and (2) What might alternative services (now that we are shifting to two Sunday services) look like? As we begin holding two worship services on March 5, they will basically be the same. However, we want to consider ideas for alternatives over a longer time period.Some ideas already suggested: Three services—a family service, a formal service and one for young adults. A more meditative service without verbal announcements, testimonials or “time for all ages.” More prayers, readings and music. More interactive type of service as opposed to the more meditative. Bringing a feeling of inner peace to the service, by having more Bach on the organ, or more silence and time for quiet reflections after the sermon or benediction. Take the offering before the children leave for their classes to expose them to the idea of giving. Or have their offering taken during their RE classes. Let us know your ideas, concerns and thoughts. Contact me at 233-8012 or cjkdavid at snet.net Alliance R&R Supper Planned for March 8 Rest and relaxation, while enjoying a light meal someone else has cooked, is offered by the USH Women’s Alliance on Wednesday March 8 at 5:30 pm in the Meeting House library. Prior to the R&R supper, the Alliance will hold an open cabinet meeting at 3 pm All women in the Society are invited to either or both; it’s a great way to meet Alliance members and learn about Alliance activities. March 5. For the first two-service Sunday, our wonderful quartet will sing at both services. They’ll sing the luscious “Benedictus” from Mozart’s “Organ Solo Mass” as a preview of Music Sunday, soon to come. March 12. Music Sunday brings the choirs from the USH and the West Hartford churches together again to celebrate this year’s musical birthday boy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A group of small masterpieces including “Ave Verum” and “Lacrymosa”; the small jewel “Organ Solo Mass;” Katie LaPorta’s “Alleluia” from “Exsultate Jubilate” and organist Cheryl Wadsworth’s performance of a Church Sonata and the Fantasy in D are on the program. A string ensemble led by our own Anne Stowe will accompany. This Mozart service will be identical at the two services. March 19. While the choirs repeat the Mozart service (twice) at the Univeralist Church of West Hartford on Fern Street, congregations at both services at the Meeting House will enjoy our majestic organ pealing forth Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Tocata, Adagio and Fugue in C” thanks to our hard-wording Ken Bartschi. March 25. Tentatively, at both services, soprano Katie LaPorta will join boy soprano Todd Slater in a Claude Debussy poignant duet. Todd will also sing the Brahms Lullaby. He will have just returned from singing both of these at Carnegie Hall with a children’s honor choir. Mattie Banzhaf Congregational Giving—Above and BeyondOnce a month, members and friends of the USH are asked, during the Sunday Offering, to make contributions above and beyond their pledges to the Society to help support important groups in Hartford. Horace Bushnell Food Pantry The special offering on Justice Sunday March 26 will go the Horace Bushnell Food Pantry. The USH is a major contributor to this group; bringing canned goods to the Meeting House on Sunday has become a well-established habit for many in the congregation, March 26, however, is the time for cash donations. For the ninth straight year, the Alan Feinstein Foundation will divide $1 million among hunger-fighting agencies nationwide. The greater the donations made by us to the Food Pantry, the more Feinstein money will be added. Financial contributions are especially appreciated; they allow the Food Pantry to buy items at wholesale and discount prices. If you will not be at the Meeting House on March 26, checks may be turned in to the USH office, or given to the Kembles or Peter Magistri. During a similar collection on March 27, 2005, $1386.75 was raised for the Food Pantry, before the Feinstein contribution. Center City ChurchesFollowing a Community Testimonial by John Stowe on February 5 reminding the congregation of our 16-year-old relationship to Center City Churches (CCC), the offering yielded $1235.70 as the USH’s contribution to this organization. John mentioned the soup the Society’s youth groups started making 16 years ago (“Soup can cure any hurt or illness.”) and continue making to this day. He recalled the tutoring social justice ministry project started 10 years ago and continuing, on a limited basis, today. A Center City Churches special Sunday offering taken in November 2005 brought in $1366, following a Community Testimonial by Paul Christie, USH member and CCC Executive Director. The agency assists thousands of Hartford persons in education, housing, health and meals. Members of the Humanist Association of Central Connecticut will discuss Ron Meshberg’s Connecticut Magazine article “The Jesus Question” on Saturday March 4 at 2:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society of New Haven. On Sunday March 12 at 3:30 pm members will have a book discussion on Michael T. Klare’s “Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America’s Growing Dependence on Imported Petroleum.” The discussion is also at the UU Society of New Haven. Directions for getting to the church may be found on the association’s website www.cthumanist.org/directions.html. Information on the Humanist Association can also be obtained from USH member Ed Savage. According to the association’s website, one of the definitions (among many) of humanism is “a progressive lifestance that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead meaningful, ethical lives capable of adding to the greater good of humanity.” Reverend Arline Sutherland describes humanism “as being one of the major strands of our tradition.” Two Services Offer Many Options On Sunday March 5, we will begin offering two worship services, one at 9 am and the other at 11 am. This will provide families and individuals more options for when they attend services. The complete schedule is listed below, for you to clip and save (editor: after you’ve finished the Messenger). Wallet-size cards with the printed schedule will soon be available at the visitor tables upstairs and down. We encourage you to share this information with your friends who may be interested in learning more about our spiritual home. Our Welcome Volunteers, wearing special badges, will help people find their way under the new schedule. Our minister or guest speakers will be the same at both services. The adult choir will generally sing at the later service. Coffee hour will be in Fellowship Hall after each service. This is a major change in our congregational life, which is, perhaps, best illustrated in the Religious Education (RE) program. Responding creatively to the change to two services, the RE Sub Council extended the Spirit Play program through grade 5. Spirit Play is a hands-on approach to learning where children respond to a teaching story through their own experience using creative arts materials. The RE Sub Council says this is “a work in progress” and they encourage parents to talk with them about their children’s experience as well as to consider volunteering to be on the teaching teams. The middle school and youth groups will begin their Sunday together at 10:30 in the chapel in a worship service they will design. At 10:40 they will go to their formal classes. These end at 11:30 allowing students with jobs to leave for work, students wanting to hear the sermon to go to the sanctuary, or for students to remain in their class room for informal conversation. The RE Sub Council hopes that middle school students and youth who attend 9:00 worship with their parents will stay for the 10:30 chapel worship. The Two Services Task Force thanks all the sub councils and others in the congregation for their creativity and cooperation in setting up the transition plan. Marye Gail Harrison and Martha Page, Co-Chairs Two Services Task Force Cut and Paste --------------------------- STARTING SUNDAY MARCH 5 TWO SERVICES SCHEDULE 9:00 WORSHIP -Sanctuary 10:00 Coffee Hour - FH 10:15 Adult choir rehearsal - Sanctuary 10:30 Middle School/Youth Worship – Chapel 10:50 Middle School/ Youth RE classes start 11:00 WORSHIP - Sanctuary 11:30 Middle school/Youth formal classes end 12:00 Coffee hour FH Visiting Rabbi Calls On Need for Balance Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener slowed us down Sunday. A pulpit guest on February 19, she urged us to close our eyes, breathe deeply, and raise our voices in a three-part Hebrew chant of Psalm 23, “Kosi R’vaya” (My Cup Overflows). Rabbi Cohen-Kiener stressed the need for balance, explaining that the core of Jewish thought is finding a way to balance the needs of the spirit and the earth. She said our “rapid, fast, gangly” culture is not good for us and leads to stress and diseases. Urging us to “reclaim our own Sabbath” to find inner balance, love and values, Rabbi Cohen-Kiener wryly described her own Fridays and her frantic rush to prepare for rest on Saturday, her Sabbath. She called the Sabbath her “25 hour spiritual practice of not being anxious about things.” This is hard to do, she admitted, and “that’s why it’s called practice.” Suggesting that we should practice decelerating, the rabbi said, “We can’t feed the space that needs spirit with anything we can make or buy.” Part of her closing benediction was, “Let light and spirit flow out from you to touch the corners of the world you work in.” Our pulpit guest is Director of the state Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, a fait-based initiative in environmental theology and practice, and is the spiritual leader of Congregation P’nai Or of Central Connecticut. Diane Cadrain and Fred Louis, members of Reverend Sutherland’s Worship Associates class, kept the service running smoothly, making sure that such things as announcements, chalice lighting, unison affirmation, A Time for All Ages and community greetings were all done properly. ICEJ Leaders Laud Introduction of Bill to Increase Public Education Funding In Connecticut ICEJ (Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice) leaders have long been advocating legislative changes calling for progressive income tax increases to support public education and reduce reliance on property taxes. USH members working with ICEJ include Mike Winterfield, Carol Shoemaker and Shai Cassell. Co-chair of ICEJ’s Education and Tax Equity Task Force Mike Winterfield reports that state representatives Tim O’Brien (New Britain) and Evelyn Mantilla (Hartford) are sponsoring House Bill 5415, An Act Increasing the Income Tax to Provide Funding for Education. This bill would increase the tax rates on the portion of family income in excess of $250,000 (i.e., 5.5% at $250,000, 6.5% at $500,000 and 7.5% at $1 million). The additional revenues (estimated at $500 million) would be channeled into the state’s Educational Cost Sharing grants. The Statement of Purpose in the proposed bill reads, “To enact a millionaire tax in order to increase education funding for local schools.” According to Mike, “The likelihood of passage this year is limited. Nevertheless, this bill is an important part of the long-term effort to increase the state’s share of educational costs.” He acknowledges that the work of writing letters, making phone calls, etc. now begins. Michael points out that increased progressive taxes (as in the case of New Jersey and New York) can be the “first tangible contributor to an expanded education funding pot.” The Performing Arts SubCouncil of the CLARENCE DARROW – The Search for Justice Saturday March 18 for Two Shows Only What: America’s foremost Clarence Darrow interpreter Gary Anderson comes to Hartford for two performances only! Covering the infamous litigator’s most celebrated trials, including the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, death penalty cases and other landmark civil rights decisions, CLARENCE DARROW – The Search for Justice is a powerful examination of a legend. Darrow battled racism, social injustice, the death penalty, inequality, conspiracy laws and civil liberties violations. He never lost a death penalty case and compiled an astonishing record of saving 102 men from execution. When: Saturday March 18 at 2 pm and 7:30 pmWhere: Unitarian Meeting House How to order tickets:
For more information, go to www.ushartford.com. current calendar >>Ministerial Musings – Reverend Arline C. Sutherland As I write, in the middle of February, we have finished shoveling out, and there is a buzz of activity at the Meeting House as March 5, the day when we start having two services, nears. In the midst of the bustle, people have been heard to mutter, “Remind me again, why did we think going to two services was a good idea?” The short answer is that the message we Unitarian Universalists bring to the world can be life changing and we want to share that message with everyone we can so that the world might be a better place. Our worship service is only one of the ways we live out our faith, but it is the central organizing activity of this congregation. We trust that by expanding the options for worship more people will attend. Why do we hope more people will come? Because we are convinced that this congregation exists to serve and to reach more people than who now sit in our pews of a Sunday morning. There is a healthy dose of “If you build it they will come” involved. But remember that attitude has been significant to us historically. In 1760, Thomas Potter built a meetinghouse on his farm in New Jersey because his wife Mary was tired of having groups meet in her parlor day in and day out talking about universalism. Some ten years later, the Universalist preacher John Murray was onboard a ship that ran aground just offshore of the Potters. Potter besieged Murray to preach universalism in the meetinghouse come Sunday morning. Murray agreed most reluctantly because after being harassed in England for his religious views he had decided to preach no more. That Sunday morning Murray told those assembled that God loved them and assured them that God was too good and beneficent to be stingy with salvation. Every soul, preached Murray, has the potential to be saved. That sermon was a bolt of energy for those there that Sunday morning who heard this more expansive understanding of religion. Murray was transformed. He rededicated himself to the ministry and established universalism in America. Our hope is that the more expansive understanding of religion preached by Unitarian Universalists today will be a bolt of energy for us all. “We are an intentionally inclusive community,” we say every Sunday morning. We offer tools to assist us on our spiritual journey; we care for one another; we nourish our souls with inspirational worship; we recognize our ties and responsibility to the larger community of which we are a part; and we educate the next generation. We affirm, with John Murray, that each and every one of us is beloved and that in our way of being religious there is no place for hell. “Go out into the highways and byways,” said John Murray. “Give the people something of your new vision. You may possess only a small light, but uncover it, let it shine, use it in order to bring more light and understanding to the hearts and minds of men and women. Give them not hell but hope!” Blessings, Arline
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