Messenger News for October 2004 Continued.

Transitions: Staying Focused in a Sea of Change

The arrival of the new fiscal year this past July 1 marked the introduction of a radically new governance structure for the Unitarian Society of Hartford. The previous Council and Board of Trustees were replaced by a seven-member Board of Directors, which is smaller than either of the previous bodies. Thirty or more committees were replaced by four Councils (Administration, Community Within, Spiritual Life, and Social Justice) and an unspecified number of sub-councils. The run-up to July 1 included a number of well-attended planning meetings and retreats. Enthusiastic participation in the planning process clearly indicated members’ excitement with the new possibilities offered by the new governance structure.

The new governance structure was developed after a year-long strategic planning process that brought into clear focus the twin goals of fostering the spiritual growth of Society members and encouraging service both within our own community and to the larger community beyond. The revised governance structure was designed to maximize the attainment of these two overarching goals while simultaneously minimizing administrative burdens and ensuring accountability in the management of Society affairs. Every Society activity, including the most mundane administrative task, is intended to include some element of spiritual growth and community service.

Many details of the revised governance were purposefully left undefined so as to foster a thoughtful reconsideration of how various activities can be best organized to achieve individual spiritual growth and foster community service.

During the transition period, concerned and dedicated Society members have stepped forward to take responsibility for endeavors ranging from religious education to social justice to stewardship. Many of these activities will evolve into sub-councils under one of the four Councils. The new governance structure calls for sub-councils to function with general guidance from the Councils and Board but with substantial authority to manage activities under their jurisdiction. The preliminary list of sub-councils and their jurisdictions will be brought to the congregation in early October.

Understanding that many governance decisions were yet to be made, a two-year transition period was created. The first president under the new structure will serve a two-year term. Thereafter, each president will have a one-year term.

Any transition of the magnitude currently underway at the Unitarian Society of Hartford is bound to have unintended consequences, the nature of which cannot be predicted beforehand. Under the guidance of President Rebecca Judd, the Board is working with the Council chairs to work through the devilish details of the new structure, to address the unintended consequences attendant to any transition of this size and, simultaneously, to stay centered on the spiritual growth and community service of individual members.

Realistically, a full two years will pass before the majority of administrative details are worked out. But during this period of relative uncertainty, little doubt should exist about the spiritual growth and sense of meaningful community service on the part of all involved members.

Charles Huntington

Faith Development Programs for October

SPECIAL EVENT - John Buehrens and TAKE BACK THE BIBLE! Please see earlier details.

Small Group Ministry, 5 groups will meet for 8 sessions from 7- 9 pm.

Mondays, Meeting House, begins October 18, Liz Whitty, facilitator.

Mondays, Hartford (west end), begins October 25, Carol Davidson, facilitator.

Wednesdays, Bloomfield, begins October 6, Marye Gail Harrison, facilitator.

Thursdays, LGBTQI, Meeting House in October and West Hartford in November, begins October 7, Lisa Gabrielle, facilitator.

Thursdays, West Hartford, begins October 14, Heather Ferguson-Hull, facilitator.

Tuesdays, Simsbury, begins October 19 through June 2005 (16 sessions), Kent Jamison, facilitator.

What Should I Do With My Life?, 4 Wednesdays, October 6 - 27, 7-9 pm. Reverend Cooley will lead participants through an examination of the values and meaning we seek to find in life utilizing the new book by Po Bronson, of the same title.

Friday Dinner and Movie, October 8, 5:30-10:30 pm. Enjoy a catered candlelight dinner followed by the movie Dr. Strangelove. “A masterpiece of satire, paranoia and straight comedy. Sellars is magnificent."

The Spectrum of Unitarian Universalist Theology, Sunday, October 17, 12 noon-2 pm. An overview of our denomination's theology and the various perspectives that it embraces; from theism, humanism, and pantheism to Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism.

Short Fiction on Faith, 4 Tuesdays, October 26 - November 16, 12 noon- 1:30 pm. UU's are often uncomfortable with the word "faith" as it tends to connote belief in a creed or a dogma. On the other hand, we yearn for meaning and sense of connection. Reverend Sutherland will facilitate our only daytime class using the book A Celestial Omnibus, Short Fiction on Faith.

A Vision of Harmony: the Hindu Perspective, 3 Thursdays, October 28 - November 11, 7-9 pm. Dr. Shenoy, recent pulpit guest, will introduce the four major religions originating in India: Hinduism, Janis, Sikism and Buddhism.

… AND COMING IN NOVEMBER:

Unitarian Universalism's Prophetic Imperative, 5 Tuesdays, November 2 - 30, 7:30-9 pm.

UU Study Action Issue: Global Warming, 3 Wednesdays, November 3 - 17, 7-9 pm.

Self Defense for Women, 5 Thursdays, November 4,11,18, December 2,9, 7-9 pm.

History of the Unitarian Society of Hartford, Sunday, November 7, 12 noon-2 pm.

Friday Dinner and Movie "My Own Private Idaho,” November 12, 5:30-10:30 pm.

An Introduction to UU Camps and Conferences, Sunday, November 14, 12 noon.

Meeting House Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, November 25, 4 pm.

Music, Music, Music

Oct.3: “Let There be Light” by Glenn Darst uses the organ with the choir. We hope the organ is in place by then! It’s been a long time in coming, and it’s not complete yet, but we are thrilled as each component is added.

Oct.10: Our Bible text, fitting with the sermon, is Psalm 86, exquisitely set for soloists and choir by British composer Gustav Holst, who also wrote “The Planets.”

Oct.17: The choir is off this Sunday. The guest musician is our own Dr. Bill Willett, playing a clarinet sonata composed for him by our own organist/pianist/composer Tom Schmutzler

Oct.24; Randall Thompson’s magnificent “The Last Words of David” give cautionary words for the person we’ll be voting for: “He that ruleth over all must be just.”

Oct.31; An excerpt from the Requiem ushers in All Souls’ Day.

And just a hint of things to come. We hope to present a very special and exciting piece of musical theater for our winter Music Sunday on Dec.19.

May’s Music Sunday will be a joint performance with the Unitarian Church of West Hartford’s choir.

Mattie Banzhaf, Music Director

Editor’s Note: Spirited, toe-tapping music rocked the Meeting House on Ingathering Sunday when talented pianist Tom Schmutzler gave a jazz beat to “This Little Light of Mine” and “Enter, Rejoice and Come In” (with its appropriate “Today will be a joyful day…don’t be afraid of some change”), and the choir belted out “Welcome, Welcome!” K. C.

“Go Now in Peace . . .”

Have you ever wondered, after we send the young people off each Sunday morning (in beautiful three-part harmony) where exactly do they go and what do they do when they get there?

In last month’s Meetinghouse Messenger, you received an insert describing the topics and themes in each of our faith development programs for children and young adults. Beginning with the November newsletter, and each month thereafter, a selected group will share their thoughts and experiences with us.

We’re hoping that this “inside look” at what’s happening in the classroom will help everyone become more informed about and more involved with our children’s faith development.

Ed Lyman

Let Them Eat Cake

Especially if it’s the home-made fruit cases baked annually by members of the USH Women’s Alliance.

The Alliance cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday November 4 will start at 9:30 am in the Meeting House kitchen.

Here, Alliance business will be taken care of, and fruit cakes and bread will be assembled and baked for the annual December cake sale at the USH.

This event is open to all women in the Society, and Alliance members welcome anyone who would like to know more about this long-lived organization. And would like to help bake bread and cake.

Golly, Holly Near’s Coming Here …

…and she’ll be the Keynote Speaker at the Clara Barton District Fall Rally on Saturday October 3 right here at the Meeting House of the Unitarian Society of Hartford! Entertainer, teacher, activist and General Assembly 2004 Ware Lecturer, Ms. Near has been called an ambassador for peace, inviting an audience to its best self. A skilled performer, she brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery and theatricality.

The rally’s full day of events begins with registration at 8:30 am and ends with a closing worship at 3;30 pm.

Registration forms and payment must be received by October 15 at the Clara Barton District Office in Palmer, MA. Fee is $35 (including lunch) per attendee for advanced registration. Please visit the USH office for forms and details.

Overall theme for the rally is How to UU – Seeing Things Whole. During the day, 13 different two-part workshops (each offered both morning and afternoon) are scheduled.

Two workshops will be facilitated by USH members. Forming Meaningful Covenant Groups will be facilitated by Reverend Terasa Cooley and Margaret Leicach; The Transformative Power of Interfaith Coalition Building will be led by Shai Cassell, Carol Shoemaker and Mike Winterfield.

Bring Your Own Miracle

Persons of all ages are invited to participate in “Gathering of One: Miracle Workshop and Playshop” at UU churches this month. The first will be on Saturday October 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the USH Meeting House. The second will be on Sunday October 17 from 2 to 4 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society East in Manchester.

The workshops are described as

“powerful and highly interactive

sessions in which adults can celebrate their divinity, experience profound connection with others, and create a miraculous future.”

For kids, there is a Miracle Playshop, a fun but meaningful exploration of the miraculous through discussion and crafts. Adults and children create a “miracle trust,” a special box containing the group’s miracles.

Participants are asked to contribute an “expression of the miraculous” such as a testimonial, drawing, photo, poem or special object to include in the miracle trust and a future display called the Miracle Mile (slated to debut at Hartford’s First Night Festival).

Events are free but participants are requested to RSVP. For the USH Meeting House, contact Diana Heymann (693-9742), For the Manchester church, contact Mary Young (645-8702).

Alliance Art Tour Set

All UU women are welcome to attend a day out at the New Britain Museum of American Art on Wednesday October 20 with the Women’ Alliance. A special show, “Seeing is Believing: American Trompe l’Oeil” will be viewed along with the permanent collection (see www.nbmaa.org for details). Those wishing to have lunch will meet at the Staropolska Restaurant at 11:30 am; the tour will begin at 1:30 pm. Car-pooling from the Meeting House will be available. Please sign up on the lower lobby bulletin board.

CONNECTIONS

Reverend Doctor Terasa G. Cooley

Steve and I recently installed a finch feeder in our backyard, and it’s been an endless source of fascination for me to watch these determined little birds feasting on our offerings.

For those of you not familiar with finch feeders, let me describe them: they are specially designed feeders that discourage the larger birds from taking all. They have tiny holes directly below the perches, so that the finches with their greater dexterity can dangle upside down to peck away at the precious thistle seeds inside. It’s astounding to me how quickly these tiny birds can put away literally pounds of seed. Perhaps the diet industry can learn something from studying finch metabolism?

It strikes me as a perfect metaphor for the often-ignored power of being small, and the ways in which nature provides compensatory elements to bring all to a potentially even playing field. Because of their adroitness, the tiny finches feast, and the larger birds are left to peck at the droppings below.

It also occurs to me that this could be a metaphor for Unitarian Universalism as well. We often bemoan our smallness as a movement, and I do believe we could become a larger and more prominent presence in our culture. But it could also be true that our unique perspective, while bringing a smaller number of adherents, has some advantages of dexterity as well. We are able to look at issues from many different perspectives (sometimes feeling that we turn ourselves upside down in the process!) and thereby find some precious truth that may be otherwise unavailable to others.

In other words, I do believe that there is great nourishment to be found in our liberal religious perspective – it just requires a different kind of effort and a flexibility of method that can sometimes feel challenging.

I for one am glad to be among those willing to twist and turn a bit to find that special kernel of wisdom that the world and the spirit continually offer to us.

See you in church!

Terasa

Current Calendar

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