USH-Enews January 4, 2007 Print Only Edition

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This is the print only edition of the USH-Enews. Photos and other graphical elements have been removed. Print is mostly black on white.
USH-Enews For January 4, 2007

The USH-Enews is a weekly email newsletter sent to members and friends of the Unitarian Society of Hartford. The USH web address is: http://www.ushartford.com/ Check at the end of this USH-Enews for information on submissions, subscriptions and escape from the mailing list. And, to read the monthly Meetinghouse Messenger (newsletter) on line, or past issues of the USH-Enews click here.

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.

Sunday 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?

Music:“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.

RE:And now a message from the Religious Education Sub Council.

PARENTS! Religious Education goes on, furnace or no furnace! - In an effort to minimize heating requirements, we have consolidated classroom usage while the furnace is being replaced. For this reason, we will not be holding the 9 am Spirit Play class and instead we will be offering child care for infants through elementary grade children in the downstairs Spirit Play room, Classroom C.

During the 11 AM service, we have consolidated the nursery children and the younger elementary children (Pre-K through Grade 2) into the downstairs Spirit Play room, Classroom C. The older elementary children, Grades 3 through 5 (for whom we've developed a new Timeless Themes curriculum) will be in the adjoining classroom, Classroom D (formerly the nursery). Since it will be tricky to keep the downstairs classrooms completely warm during these next few weeks, we are asking parents to bring their children bundled in warm coats and outdoor gear. These layers will help make sure children continue to be comfortable. If the weather permits, we plan to include appropriate outdoor activities during this lesson period, so the children can keep moving and stay warm.

Also during the 11 AM service, the Middle School class will be meeting in the Church Office upstairs. The Youth Group will be making soup between services from 10 to 11 and has decided to camp out in their usual space upstairs with sleeping bags.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. This heatless period has certainly been an adventure! Let Nina Binin know if you have any questions: 673-6180.

Last week 12/31/06 the service of poetry and music was warmly received. It included Love Poem with Toast, by Miller Williams, Lester Tells of Wanda in the Big Snow by Paul Zimmer, Boy at the Window, By Richard Wilbur, March Blizzard by John Tagliabue, A Tree in Me, Holy Jeans and Boiling Over by Marye-Gail Harrison, Calling Your Father by Robert Bly, A singing Voice, by Kenneth Rexroth, A Man in Maine by Phillip Booth, Ordinary Life by Barbara Crooker and Poem for the Family by Susan Cataldo. Music selections among others included the Wassail Song - Traditonal, North of England and In the Bleak Midwinter. Patrice tells me, "All of the poems (with the exception of one -- plus Marye Gails' poems) are contained in "Good Poems" and "Good Poems for Hard Times," two poetry anthologies edited by Garrison Keillor.

If you missed this excellent service, you are invited to listen to a recording of everything, except the audience singing the hymns. Comments are solicited on how this works for you. We need to know how this works out for various kinds of equipment and degrees of difference in skill using your computers. Questions? Just ask.

From the Editor: Installing new boilers begins Thursday, January 4th. See pictures and stories below.

U.S.H. Furnace (1965-2006) - Remembering what is important or what it is that brings meaning to life can be difficult until something goes missing. The expected but nonetheless untimely demised of the Meeting House boiler Tuesday December 19th is a case in point.

The immediate and selfless efforts of numerous Society members and staff to keep the congregation running in as close to normal fashion as possible has been awe inspiring. In a recent e-news David Newton painted an apt metaphor of an anthill abuzz with activity as each member scurries about pursuing his or her assigned task. Everyone of the dozens of involved members has jumped to his or her job as if it was all pre-planned in exquisite detail, and in a testament to the new USH governance structure, the members of the Board of Director have had the good sense to mostly stay out of the way!

Because the boiler had been showing signs of age for some time, the Buildings and Grounds Sub-council has been working with the Endowment Committee for some months in planning to replace it next summer. Obviously, those plans have been accelerated considerably. After much back and forth, a decision has been made to replace the boiler with three high-end units, which will provide added measures of efficiency and back-up reliability.

The selected units will cost approximately $7,000 more than the less efficient model, but that cost will be recouped quickly within the life of the units. More importantly, the high efficiency units will burn less gas, produce less carbon dioxide, and waste less heat. It is a "green" decision.

Removing the old furnace and the asbestos insulation around some of the piping was finished yesterday and the plastic wrapped old boiler sections were removed for proper disposal. Further, I am pleased to tell you, the three new boilers were delivered yesterday afternoon as the old boiler parts were being removed.

Installation work will begin today, Thursday January 4th. The work should be completed by January 19th, if not before.

The total replacement cost, which will be drawn from the Society’s Endowment is expected to be approximately $85,000.

Until the new furnace is installed, members of Buildings and Grounds Sub-council are continuing their daily efforts to secure the building. The relatively mild weather has greatly helped the effort to keep the water pipes from freezing. Thermometers have been place around to keep track of temperatures. Space heaters and electric lights are stationed strategically to keep water pipes from freezing.

Fortunately, most of the water pipes run through the concrete ceiling above Fellowship Hall. Keeping Fellowship Hall heated to about 60 degrees will prevent most of the pipes in the building from freezing and breaking.

The Board of Directors, in consultation with Rev. Jamestone, the Worship Sub-council, Religious Education Sub-council, and multiple other sub-councils, has decided to maintain the schedule of services, religious education classes and other Society activities in as close to normal a fashion as possible. Something important is derived from our continuing to hold services in our wounded building until she recovers.

The improvised services in Fellowship Hall will be made as comfortable as possible. As we found on Christmas eve, when 150 to 200 people occupy Fellowship Hall, its temperature quickly reaches 70 degrees. Additional speakers will be added to improve the sound during services.

Contingency plans are being made to seek another location for our services and other activities, but we will continue to run two services and religious education at the Meetinghouse unless temperatures plummet and we have to move. Individual rooms will be heated to accommodate religious education classes and other events. Room assignments will be posted on the usual bulletin boards as you enter the building on Sunday mornings.

The Meetinghouse and its inhabitants have a great capacity to deal with adversity, and we are nowhere near the limits of our resilience.

The unflinching dedication of dozens of people has allowed us to meet this challenge. A particular note of gratitude is due to the members of the Building and Grounds Sub-council including: Stuart Spence, Ed Sax, Roy Cook, David Newton, Peter Revill, Hugh Schweitzer, Bill Willett, Anne Bailey, Carol Sexton, John Bengtson, and Peter Magistri.

Stay tuned for further updates on the progress toward replacing the furnace and on the schedule for services, religious education classes, and other activities. For now, the main message is: Grab your woolly jumper and we’ll see you in Fellowship Hall on Sunday morning! - Charles Huntington, President

Just Yesterday - Tuesday evening the contract was signed for new boilers and confirmed with electronic speed.

On Wednesday the old boiler including related asbestos, now cut into in relatively small packages and having passed asbestos abatement inspection was removed from the boiler room at about 1PM. after several previous days of work.

The new boilers, arriving in Connecticut unassigned the previous day, were immediately pounced upon by Mechanical Maintenance now under contract with USH, and redirected for delivery to USH. This was made possible by perfectly coordinated actions by President, Treasurer, Staff, Endowment Committee, Council on Administration and B & G members in astounding alignment for Unitarians, but nothing unusual for USH!

And, by about 3 PM the new boilers were placed in the empty space where the old boiler remains had been only hours before, with some "supervision."

Thus, in less than 24 hours, USH had moved from no contract or boiler to a well considered contract, a contract reviewed and supported by our independent Mechanical Engineer, which was then discussed and thoroughly considered by well informed B&G members. Once a decision was reached, the ensuing paperwork was executed with dispatch and electronic speed such that as the old boiler was being carried out through one door the new boilers were being carried in through another.

Feldenkrais and Tai Chi will begin on January 10. If there is a change in this, Ginny Hedrick will be in touch with those who have registered.

The Meetinghouse Messenger for January is now available in web and pdf format.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - Daytime Small Group Ministry (SGM) starts February 1st.

While most Small Group Ministry groups will start at the end of February, one will be starting earlier. Our daytime Small Group Ministry experience will have its first session on Thursday, February 1, at 10 AM This group will meet at the home of Cecelia Roehl in Glastonbury and will be facilitated by Barbara Fraher. Please register early if this group is your choice.

For additional information on other groups and registration see: More information.

USH Annual Winter Spirituality Retreat - Come to the Winter Retreat. No prep needed, no homework to do - just come as you are. We will use some of Michael Dowd's universe story materials but it doesn't matter whether you attended his program here or not. Sing Edith Savage's songs, enjoy new rituals in worship, reflect, renew, recreate. Sign up on line or call the office to register. More information.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN ! You can register for a new round of Circle Dinners. More information.

Invite Someone New to Sunday Services - more

The Friday Night Dinner/Movie, Prairie Home Companion scheduled for January 12 will be cancelled - due to boiler conditions beyond our control. It will be rescheduled at a later date.

The West Hartford Library is showing wonderful free movies on Friday nights. The January films are all Igmar Bergman films. Check out their website.

Ben Tousley is a singer-songwriter who brings together the personal, spiritual and political in concerts that engage and delight his audiences.

A veteran of the Boston folk community, he has toured widely since 1981 along the East Coast, in the Midwest and South, and in England and Ireland performing in hundreds of folk clubs, festivals, churches, colleges, schools and libraries.

Pete Seeger has said, "I respect the work of Ben Tousley tremendously." He has just released his sixth album to wide praise.

Ben Tousley will be in concert at the Unitarian Society of Hartford Coffeehouse, 50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford on Saturday January 20, 2007 at 7:30 PM . Tickets are $10.00 but no one will be turned away. Call 860-233-9897 for tickets and info.

THE GREATER HARTFORD INTERFAITH COALITION FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE (GHICEJ) (AND ALLIES AND FRIENDS)

ANNOUNCE A PUBLIC MEETING - COMMUNITY! ACTION! JUSTICE! The Greater Hartford area’s largest faith based organization working for systemic change to achieve universal healthcare, affordable and quality early education, civil rights for immigrants and a fair and just tax system announces its 3rd Public Meeting.

The event will be held on January 23rd, 2007 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the House of Restoration at 1665 Main Street in Hartford. Hundreds of people from many different faith communities, organizations and municipalities in the Greater Hartford area are expected to attend the meeting. Doors open at 6 p.m. The program starts promptly at 7:00 p.m. Childcare and a children’s program of music will also be available on site.

Rev. Jesse White, President of GHICEJ and senior pastor at First Church of the Living God in Hartford will offer opening words to the assembly, followed by a presentation of the issues.

Invited guests to this event include Governor Jodi Rell, Democratic and Republican leaders and greater Hartford area state legislators, as well as local Mayors and other public officials. Senator Donald E. Williams Jr., President Pro Tempore, has confirmed his attendance and will also address the assembly.

Allies and Friends: Connecticut Association of Human Services, United Action of Central and Southeastern Connecticut, Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Collaborative Center for Justice, CT ACORN, Vecinos Unidos, ConnCAN, Hartford Federation of Teachers, Connecticut Center for a New Economy and End Hunger Connecticut! Inc.

For more details,Contact: Shai Cassell at (860) 930-4278 Carol Shoemaker at (860) 231-9440 www.ghicej.com

Caring Network: Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. Author unknown - You are the ears of the Caring Network. Tell Janice Newton 677-1121 when you learn of our members enduring the stresses of life so we can reach out to those in need. - Offer your services.

ON THE CALENDAR:

PLEASE BE MINDFUL THAT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS WERE SCHEDULED PRIOR TO THE DEATH OF OUR HEATING SYSTEM! TIMES AND VENUES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR MEETING WITH YOUR SUB-COUNCIL CHAIR OR FACILITATOR IF YOU ARE UNSURE, OR CALL THE OFFICE. IF YOU ARE CHANGING A MEETING YOURSELF, PLEASE INFORM THE OFFICE.

Thursday, January 4
6:30 pm Stewardship, MOVED TO RUBIN-CADRAIN HOME
7:00 pm UPA, MOVED TO CLOUCHER HOME

Saturday, January 6
Circle Dinners, various homes

Sunday, January 7
8:00 am Music rehearsal, FELLOWSHIP HALL
9:00 am Worship Service I, FELLOWSHIP HALL
10:00 am   Coffee Hour I, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Youth Group soup making, Kitchen
10:00 am Growth & Renewal Task Force, MH Office
10:00 am Adult Programs, CANCELLED
10:00 am Children's Choir
10:15 am Music Rehearsal
10:30 am Welcoming Congregation Interweave, Fellowship Hall
11:00 am   Worship Service II, FELLOWSHIP HALL
12:00 pm   Coffee Hour II, Fellowship Hall
12:15 pm "C Cubed", Coffee, Carrots, & Conversation for first time visitors, Minister's Study

Monday, January 8
6:30 pm SIA
7:00 pm Pathways to Membership, Meeting House Office
7:00 pm Worship, Davidson Home

Tuesday, January 9
6:00 pm Caring Network, CANCELLED
7:00 pm Board of Directors, MH Office
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, January 10
10:00 am Staff Meeting, Minister's Study (Office Closed)
2:00 pm Aging Resources Ministry
5:15 pm Feldenkrais, Fellowship Hall
6:00 pm Installation, MH Office
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Choir, FITZGERALD HOME

Thursday, January 11
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Women’s Alliance, POSTPONED

Sunday, January 14
8:00 am Music rehearsal, FELLOWSHIP HALL
9:00 am Worship Service I, FELLOWSHIP HALL
10:00 am Coffee Hour I, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am B&G, Boiler Room!
10:00 am Comfort Shawl Knitters, CANCELLED
10:00 am Children's Choir
10:15 am Music Rehearsal
11:00 am Worship Service II, FELLOWSHIP HALL
12:00 pm Coffee Hour II, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm Adult Programs, CANCELLED
12:15 pm "C Cubed", Coffee, Carrots, & Conversation for first time visitors, Minister's Study
12:30 pm SGM Facilitators

To get on the calendar, call 233.9897

Save the date – Sunday, February 4 – 1 PM - Do you recognize our own Bev Prager? And Spain, in the background?

Last summer, Bev spent a month walking 460 miles on the famed pilgrim route across northern Spain, the same route established by pilgrims during the middle ages and walked by pilgrims of the world since. “It was a challenge,” she said.

She’ll share stories of her walk and some photos, too, at a program sponsored by the Women’s Alliance at the Meeting House on Sunday, February 4, at 1 PM. All members and friends of USH are invited to attend her presentation, which will be followed by light refreshments from the Women’s Alliance. There is no charge; invite your friends.

If you attend the early service, you will have time to leave for lunch; if you attend the later service, you may want to bring a sandwich to eat during coffee hour before the 1 PM program.

UUSC JustWorks Camp - Participate in the Katrina rebuilding effort by taking part in the JustWorks camp in New Orleans FEB. 3 -10. More information

A Matter of Opinion: (space for comment on USH issues) - Editor retains the right to make minor changes – letters should be issue oriented)

Doug and Teresa Pelham have a good, free, 20 inch color television that would be happy in a deserving place, shelter of some sort or home, where needed. They will bring it to the Meeting House if you can place it. They are listed in the directory for contact information.

Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area?
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 27 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends and who are happy to open their home to like-minded people.

You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Contact us at 828-281-3253 or at info@uurehome.com, and we will gladly send you information about listing your accommodations.

Host listings on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added. The paper edition is published every year in April (and has many listings different from those on the website). For a copy of the 2007 directory, please send a check for $20 (or $25 and your e-mail address for both the book and a year’s access to the website) to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.

A Few Words About Our Roots From The Book, Hartford Unitarianism 1844 -1994 by Freeman Meyer:

Following the Lauriats' departure for Arizona in 1985, the Society was served for a year by an interim minister, the Rev. Peter Sampson.

	Budget $	Actual $	Variance %
Income USH Members & Friends	20,000	18,494	-7.5
Operating Expenses	36,593	33,483	-8.50
Endowment contribution to Operating Budget	6,690	9,417	40.8