Novembe 2004 Messenger Newsletter Content

November Services:

November 7, 2004 - “Pedestals of the Past” - Service Leader: Rev. Terasa G. Cooley - Drawing from the wonderful insights of the book, Old School by Tobias Wolff [see minister’s column] Terasa will reflect upon how heroes of our personal or collective past may inspire us to be our best selves, or may sometimes be less than useful ways of undermining ourselves.

November 14, 2004 - “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” - Service Leader: Rev. Terasa G. Cooley - Mary Carpenter was a 19th century British social reformer and a Unitarian. Terasa will look at how her religious values inspired her to seek justice, and what we can learn from her example, both positively and negatively, about standing up to unjust structures.

November 21, 200 - Intergenerational Thanksgiving Service - Service Leader: Rev. Arline Conan Sutherland - “Pilgrims We March Along” - We will mark Thanksgiving by reminding ourselves that we are all pilgrims. We all come from somewhere else. And we bring something of those other places and traditions with us. So join us for a service of drama, song, and sharing the breads of our traditions –

November 21 Terasa and the choir have been invited to worship this Sunday with our sister congregation, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bloomfield. The Rev. Alvan Johnson and the Sarat choir will return the exchange in January.

November 28, 2004 - Guest Speaker: Margaret Steinegger-Keyser - Our guest this Sunday will be the Executive Director of the Center for Conflict Transformation: Margaret Steinegger-Keyser. Ms. Steinegger-Keyser is a native South African who has consulted world-wide in peace-making efforts between polarized groups, and has worked locally with the Hartford police department as well as teaching at Hartford Seminary.

President’s Message - We are a Growing Society…

As I write my column this month, I am energized by the unanimous approval by our Board of Directors of membership growth as the Board’s priority. We have committed to growing by a minimum of a net 100 members between now and June 2006. This decision is imperative to our achieving the goals outlined in our strategic plan and the mission of the Society, which begins with the words, “We are a growing society…”

There will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved, to share your feelings and ideas and to be a part of our growing society.

One of the first leadership roles that I took on in our congregation was Chair of the Membership Committee. I had been a member of USH for about seven years at that time, and I felt that my giving back needed to extend beyond teaching Sunday school, although I loved that, too.

Fast forward four and a half years, and I find myself President of our Society. The lessons I learned as Membership Chair and other leadership roles resound through my leadership today. I believed then, as I believe now, that membership growth for USH is not an option but a necessity, and that it is up to all of us to make that a reality.

Recently, I went through an amazing and difficult time of personal growth. I made a commitment to run a half marathon. What I went through paralleled growth of any sort. The lessons apply to our growth at USH as much as they do to my individual growth.

First I made the commitment–out loud. I agreed with a friend that I would train with her to do this race. This was scary; the thought of running 13 miles was almost more that I could imagine. But my friend assured me that I could do it.

Next, I trained. I showed up and put in the work. I sweat and I laughed. I ran alone and I ran with friends. I made new friends. I hurt; I learned what to do when I hurt and how not to repeat the same mistakes. I was humbled and I was proud of myself. For seven months, I did these things, over and over and over.

I ran the race, and I made my goal. I’m not the same person that I was seven months ago. I gained more than just sore muscles. I learned some things about growth that I believe apply to us as we move forward: the commitment comes first; the feelings come second; and what you need to know will come to you. I also learned that you can’t do it alone and that it’s a lot of hard work. It changes not only yourself, but those around you as well, and because of this the world is a better place.

I look forward to growing with you all. - Rebecca Judd

Legislators Support ICEJ Goals for Equity

Some 20 Connecticut political leaders – including Lt. Governor Kevin Sullivan, Senators Eric Coleman and Mary Ann Handley, representatives, mayors and candidates for public office – came forward to sign the “Wall of Equity” during the second annual public meeting hosted by the Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice (ICEJ) at the First Cathedral on September 30.

Signing this meant pledging support to the four areas ICEJ is actively working on: tax equity, education, health care, and civil rights of immigrants.

Estimates put attendance at the lively meeting at 1800 persons, dubbed “justice warriors” by enthusiastic speakers. We prayed together, sang together, held hands and stood, congregation by congregation, for a roll call of involved congregations. There were nearly 100 attendees from the Meeting House.

As one of 46 member congregations, the Unitarian Society of Hartford has three members deeply involved in ICEJ. Shai Cassell is currently a paid ICEJ staff member; Carol Shoemaker works actively for public pre-school education and Mike Winterfield is fighting for tax reform to ease the burden of using property taxes to fund schools.

Rev. Dr. Alvan N. Johnson, president of ICEJ’s executive committee, characterized the organization as “outside the box” and its members as persons who refuse to be confined in their struggle for equity. He asserted, “We will be here. We will be at their (public officials) doorsteps. We will not go away.”

Kayla Costenoble

A Special Note: The USH has sent a check for $1,169 to ICEJ; this was collected on Sunday, Sept. 26, when the offering was dedicated to ICEJ!

Congregations Planning Trip to Lupeni, Romania

Members of the Burlington UU church are trying to arrange a trip to Lupeni and our sister church there this next spring or summer. In July, Ralph and Louise Schmoll were invited to show Burlington church members their documentary video of the trip the Schmolls and other USH members took to Romania in 1997.

A Wisconsin congregation is also planning a trip there. Bill Suiter, coordinator for the Vermont church, is trying to determine if a joint venture would work. Any USH members interested in going to Romania may contact Louise Schmoll (242-2953, or Bill Suiter)

A recent email from Zoltan Koppandi, our Partner Church Minister, said, in part: “In this summer we worked around the church, we fixed pavement, the support wall and some things inside the church. Without your donation we can’t make this! Thank you again! It was a hard work, lots of money to buy cement, gravel and lots of other things. Now everything around the church looks well. We have a beautiful place to keep our sermons. The women association helped us make this. They have a very good community life, active workers.

“You have fixed the date when you can come to visit us? If you know something, please let me know.”

Dear Wes,

We walked the walk, talked the talk, and your family and friends on the “Walking for Wes” team of 30 walkers, one wheel chair and two dogs reached its goal and raised some $5,000 in the ALS Association’s “Walk to d’Feet ALS” event last month. Your team was hard to miss. We all wore electric blue t-shirts with your smiling retirement caricature on the front. We were also walking for Esther McKone’s sister Rachael, now suffering from ALS.

The total raised by the 800 participants was $90,000! We came in all shapes and sizes. Motorized and non-mechanical wheel chairs, scooters, baby buggies, little kids, big kids, dogs, mothers and fathers, grandparents and great-grandparents all traversed a three-mile trail in the West Hartford reservoir.

The money raised in this national event will be used to promote public awareness, for research, and for local patient and family service programs.

Wish you had been there. Love,

Wes Christensen’s family and friends

Invitation to a New Way To Share Thanksgiving

Thanks to superb coordination between the Adult Programs Sub-Council and the Caring Network, we are offering an exciting new approach to Thanksgiving this year.

Members and friends who expect to have an extra place (or two) at their table on Thanksgiving will open their hearts and homes to members and friends who wish to share this holiday with others and who, for whatever reason, cannot or prefer not to invite others to their own home. Or, folks may choose to share a meal with other USHers, friends and invitees at an area restaurant that is accessible, is serving a Thanksgiving dinner and where a reservation has already been made.

Here’s how it will work. Until the Sunday before Thanksgiving, there will be two lists available at the Adult Programs table – one for those who want to welcome one or more guests and one for those who would like such an

invitation. Volunteers will match the two lists and contact the hosts and guests about specific arrangements.

This is a wonderful opportunity to build community and connections. Please think about it, then sign up.

Margaret Leicach

Delicious Dinners Earn Dollars for Meeting House

They’re still going on, and there’s still time to sign up for one (or more). We’re talking about the popular Welcome Meals which give congregants a chance to dine on fantastic meals, make new friends and support the congregation financially at the same time.

As of newsletter deadline (October 15), the dinners had raised $2,225 for the Society. And there’s more to come.

Hear Nystrups in Concert

Connecticut’s consummate acoustic guitarist, our own Steve Nystrup, together with his son Aaron, will be performing a benefit concert for the Meriden Land Trust on Sunday November 7 at 3 pm at Augusta Curtis Cultural Center, 175 East Main Street in Meriden.

To order tickets ($10 by mail, $12 at the door), contact meridenlandtrust.com.

Seating is limited.

Adult Programs for November

Openings are still available for the following programs and classes starting in November. You can register at the Adult Programs table in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour on Sunday or by calling the office, 233-9897

UU Study Action Issue Global Warming, 3 Wednesdays, November 3-17, 7-9 pm. Come and express your point of view on this very important issue as we frame our Society's position to present to the Unitarian Universalist Association. This program is being offered in collaboration with the interreligious Eco-Justice Network.

Self Defense for Women, 5 Thursdays, November 4,11,18, December 2,9, 7-9 pm. Independent training appropriate for both those who have no prior experience and those who plan no further training. Learn practical self-defense techniques, which draw from Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Akeido.

History of the Unitarian Society of Hartford, Sunday, November 7, 12 noon-2 pm. Do you know that the storyboards in our lobby outline the history of our Unitarian Society of Hartford? Learn how our local Society developed, who our past ministers were, and how our Society relates to global Unitarianism.

Friday Dinner and Movie, November 12, 5:30-10:30 pm. Come and enjoy an evening with other movie fans. Start off with a catered candlelight dinner followed by the movie "My Own Private Idaho.” "A provocative, quiet little psychological gem with an indescribable odd charm."

An Introduction to UU Camps and Conferences, Sunday, November 14, 12 noon. A terrific opportunity to learn about the various UU camp/conference vacation offerings. Bruce Robbins and Carol Davidson, who have extensive experience with the camps and conferences, will give a presentation followed by questions and answers. Former attendees may share their experiences and how they have been affected by them.

Nancy Reed

For Your November Listening Pleasure

November 7: “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men” is a stirring melody honoring our heroes (both men and women) of the past. Ralph Vaughn Williams uses the simplest and most direct musical means to underscore the message of paying homage.

November 14: British composer Gustav Hoist took Psalm 86, wrote a chant-like melody and constructed choral verses that slowly increase in power. Enhanced by solos and our newly-magnified organ, this prayer of supplication becomes a splendid glorification, ending in “endless bliss.”

November 21: The choir will accompany Terasa to Bethel A.M.E. Church in Bloomfield. We’ll sing two anthems there, one of them combining with Bethel’s gospel choir SARAT.

Meanwhile, at the Meeting House, our tenor Ben Whelan-Morris will sing “All Good Gifts Around Us” from the musical “Godspell.”

November 28: The choir is off; the music will be announced.

Mattie Banzhaf

Musings . . . Reverend Arline C. Sutherland

I become more and more convinced that our lives are a response to a “call.” Few of us experience dramatic moments, like Saul on the road to Damascus, but more and more of us, if we will listen, hear what is deepest within, a still small voice that will direct us on our pilgrimage. These are key images to me. Like many others, I try to find a peaceful equilibrium, when all along I am intended for an ever more demanding and compelling journey.

In her Notebooks, writer/psychologist Florida Scott Maxwell describes her terror when someone spoke to her of her potential and what she might become. It takes real courage, she says, to venture forth, to try the new thing, to attend to an emerging dream. It’s often easier to refuse the call, to stay in the known and familiar patterns. It’s certainly easier to hide behind perceived inferiority, one’s “limitations.”

By the time you read this, two of the reasons I have not been sleeping well of late will be resolved. The Red Sox will have won or, more likely, lost and the Presidential election will be decided. I certainly know the results I am hoping for in both contests, but one way or another, we will be celebrating “the joy of victory or the agony of defeat.”

Our country feels seriously polarized this fall. The divisions run meaner and deeper than any rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox. The United States feels torn between blue states and red states, conservatives and liberals, Democrats and Republicans. The voices declaiming that there is only one way to be religious, only one scripture worth following, only one way to be a family, and only one way to be a patriotic American find many adherents.

We Unitarian Universalists share our pews with many who do not share our theology. Liberal Christian, Jew, Humanist, Buddhist, Pagan -- all find a home in our UU congregations. We know pluralism as a blessing. And our lived experience, that our differences need not divide us, is a precious gift that we can offer this campaign-scarred nation. Whether the election turns out the way I hope or not, we religious liberals must share this salvific knowledge with others.

The Board has set growth as our number one congregational priority. Growth has many aspects: deepening our spiritual lives; learning to reach out to members and friends with renewed compassion; keeping our commitment to issues of equity and justice in the forefront of our lives; and inviting friends, co-workers, and neighbors to worship with us and expand the numbers of us who can tell our country that there is another way. None of these is exactly comfortable. All push us out of any state of peaceful equilibrium we think we have found.

Moving beyond the terror of our perceived “limitations” takes great courage. Listening to the still small voice in each of our souls is the continual challenge. We were not made for peaceful equilibrium. We humans were designed for the ecstasy of the journey.

Blessings, Arline

A Christmas Tradition!

Calling all angels, kings, shepherds, sheep, Mary, and Joseph! Come help us celebrate Christmas! This year the early, family oriented service will feature, if not a pageant, a series of tableau and carols telling the story of the birth of Jesus. Casting will take place on Sunday 7 December immediately after the service. Rehearsals are on the next two Sundays. Stable constructors and robe creators, please apply! You will hear more, much more about this service as we count down the days.

Re Organ Transplant

Let’s hear it for long-time Meeting House organist Tom Schmutzler (here since 1981, we learned during the October 17 premiere of his “Suite for Clarinet and Piano” with Bill Willet)!

Tom has been actively using space available in the weekly USH-Enews to keep the congregation updated on the progress of the upgrade of the USH organ.

To those of us technically-challenged, some of the details are daunting; we rely on the expertise of Tom, the Chancel Improvement Committee, and the Board.

In a recent progress report, Tom explained the 25 new, pipe-less “digital stops” which will be added to the pipes of our existing organ. Why digital? According to Tom, the main reason is money; digital stops are a fraction of the cost of real stops. In addition, the pipes of real stops take up much more physical space; some of the digital voices we are getting could not fit in the Meeting House if they were real pipes. Tom asked, “Where would you put a set of pipes where the lowest note is about 18 inches square and 32 feet long?”

Although the original plan called for a combination of digital voices and new pipe work, Tom explained, “It seemed a wise and prudent move to make all of the new stops totally digital to complete the tonal upgrade of the instrument.”

Tom’s report concluded: “As your organist, I think we have managed a successful and artistic compromise. Ten years ago, I would not have even mentioned adding digital stops to any organ, and there are those purists out in the organist world who still look down on digital additions. Doing what we have done will maintain the integrity of the existing instrument and increase our tonal palette two-fold.” K.C.

Widening the Circle

Several members of the Meeting House’s Comfort Shawl Ministry will be attending an area-wide gathering called “Knitting the Circles Together” from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday November 6 at Saint Patrick-Saint Anthony Church in Hartford.

This will be an ecumenical gathering of the various prayer shawl ministry circles in Connecticut and beyond.

Vicki Carey, founder and head knitter of the USH group, reports with delight the presence of two teenagers at the October monthly meeting of the group; one came specifically to learn how to knit.

Interested? The Comfort Shawl Ministry welcomes anyone who knows how or who would like to know how to knit warm and lovely purple shawls given to members and friends in need of comfort.

To date, about 65 shawls have been completed and 50 of them have been given to comfort someone.

Knitters will meet from 9 am to 10:15 am in the Meeting House library on Sundays, November 7 and December 12.

For more information, contact Vicki (phone 726-1989, or Janice Newton (phone 677-1121)

WHOOPS…

An article in the October newsletter incorrectly identified Carol Shoemaker as chair of the search committee which chose former Minister Jon Luopa. Instead, Carol was chair of the 1999 search committee which brought Reverend Terasa Cooley to the Unitarian Society of Hartford.

Have You Completed the Social Justice Survey Yet?

The Council on Social Justice, trying to determine the congregation’s social justice priorities in the areas of community service and social activism, urges all USH members to complete a “Volunteer Interest Form” available in Fellowship Hall after Sunday.

Services. This survey hopes to pinpoint those community services that are of the greatest interest to members and also asks individuals to indicate their ability to commit to community projects. Survey respondents are given a wide range of 11 areas of community service that might be of interest to them.

After the survey results are tabulated, the Council on Social Justice (COSJ) will have an idea how to best serve the congregation. According to Peg Horne, an active member of COSJ, “Finding time to give is often limited in our busy lives. Once we clearly define our personal passion, it becomes truly meaningful to give of ourselves. When there is a support system in place, the time we devote to volunteerism becomes both effective and fulfilling.”

It’s Not That Far Away

We’re talking about beginning to think about Christmas.

Family Service. Casting will take place on Sunday December 7 for angels, kings, shepherds, sheep, Mary and Joseph to be part of a series of tableau and carols telling the story of the birth of Jesus. This will take place during the early, family-oriented Christmas service. Stable constructors and robe creators are also urged to apply.

Holiday cards. Be on the lookout for the UU Service Committee holiday card sales downstairs following services in November and December – as long as the supply holds out. These cards are reasonably priced, and the profits go toward social justice projects.

The Mystery of God

A humming bird

a hungry wind through grassy plains

rustling leaves, a barking dog

a call for help, a thunderstorm at sea

I hear them all, and wonder.

The smell of earth and death and birth

of gunpowder after a bloody war battle

of air fresh and new, burgers on the grill

a sunny summer day

with a chance of rain

early morning dew, rose petals

I smell them all, and wonder.

A horse intelligent, fast and kind

a black panther, a herd of lions

the tail of a mouse

an eagle, a puppy, a duck.

I see them all, and wonder.

A hot summer day, a cool autumn breeze

dry lightening

the sun poking through clouds

a gentle rainstorm

inviting nature to come out and play.

I feel them all, and wonder.

Warm brownies with ice cream

triple layer chocolate cake

hot cocoa on a cold night

my mother’s homemade apple pie.

When I taste them all

I know

I am loved.

Eighth Grade Class Unitarian Meeting House September 2004

CONNECTIONS

Reverend Dr. Terasa G. Cooley

On October 8 I had to make one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to face, and put to sleep my beloved 9-year old Great Dane, Circe. Circe has been my loving companion since she was 9 weeks old, and has been with me through many life changes. Those of you who have lost special pets know the particular grief that comes with this loss of a being that has offered unquestioning affection and acceptance. In my case, the mourning has been heavy and heartbreaking, made particularly poignant by the terribly apparent grief and confusion of my other dog, Chester. To help revive his flagging spirits, and our own, Steve and I have found a new puppy, an adorable six-week-old black and white Dane we have christened Beatrice.

Beatrice has brought much joy and delight back into our home, yet we know she cannot replace Circe. I think of the words of the mystic, Henri Nouwen: “Joy and sadness are as close to each other as the splendid colored leaves of a New England fall to the soberness of the barren trees. When you touch the hand of a returning friend, you already know that he will have to leave you again. …. Joy and sadness are born at the same time, arising from such deep places in your heart that you can’t find words to capture your complex emotions.”

As a minister, I keep thinking I ought to be able to offer myself some wisdom that can help ease this burden, yet I know that there is nothing for grief except to allow myself to go through it, and to fully honor the joy Circe brought to my life through the difficulty of letting her go emotionally. I watch Beatrice with a pang of sad realization that I will someday lose her as well, but I know the new joy she brings makes the risk worthwhile. We cannot protect ourselves from loss by refusing to fully live. Life is just unbearably hard at times, and offers us such great pleasure as well. Coming to terms with this quixotic truth about life is a challenge.

I want to thank everyone who has offered sympathy and support during these times. You are a loving community for which I am grateful.

* * *

On another subject: I want to offer a new book for us to engage with as a “community read.” Old School by Tobias Wolff tells a remembrance of a teenage boy’s private school experience, and the lasting influence it had upon his life through his exposure to great literary figures, and benefit of a literary approach to life, despite some painful lessons he had to learn. I will preach about the insights I gained from the book on November 7, and those who would like to participate in a discussion of it can join us on November 30, from 7 to 9 pm. The books will be available for sale at the book table at coffee hour.

Terasa

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