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50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
Tel: (860) 233-9897 / FAX 233-1333
Email: firstunitarian@ushartford.com
Reverend Barbara Jamestone, PhD
USH-Enews For January 24, 2008
Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further Down the Road; Did You Know?; Lay Listener of the Week
When you quietly search, what are you looking for and what do you see?
The USH-Enews is a weekly email newsletter produced for 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 the web or to find past issues of the weekly USH-Enews click here.
Office hours: Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com - Rev. BJ office hours by appointment.
Worshipping Together Since 1830 - Services at 9 & 11 AM
Sunday - 27 January - A Wintry Spirituality - Join an exploration of this statement by Gene Pickett, former UUA president: “Mine is a wintry spirituality. My search for a sustaining faith--or a means to salvation, if you will--has been most intense at times of loneliness, pain and uncertainty, and it has been in grappling with these that I have discovered hope and meaning.... Now it occurs to me that if salvation comes, it probably will be as a small wave of light borne into my darkness on a wintry wind.” -- Borne on a Wintry Wind.
Music - This week's vocal music is minimalist, fittingly for the spare, bare landscapes of winter.
"Velvet Shoes" is Randall Thompson's setting of a delicate poem by Elinor Wylie. Originally composed for children's voices, the two-part song works equally well for women's choir.
"Icicles in Advent" is a unique composition by Edward Diemente, former professor of composition at The Hartt School. One of his three Songs of Winter, it has only one melodic line which moves from one vocal part to another like a droplet of water moving from one icicle to another in winter sunshine. In the entire piece there is only one place where two different notes are sung at the same time.
Remembering Jean Friar - An informal gathering to remember Jean Friar will be held in the chapel at 1 PM this Sunday to share memories. Lay Listeners will assist with the ceremony.
REflections on Children's Programming
-Family Programming
On Sunday, February 10th, we will be enjoying a Celebration of the Family: Experience it's Many Forms! Bring the whole family to lunch and this marvelous program of story telling, community building, and merriment! The celebration will begin in the Spirit Play classroom at 12:30 PM. Please R.S.V.P. to Gail at: dre@ushartford.com so we can provide lunch.
Middle School Field Trip
This Sunday, January 27, 2008 will see the middle school class taking a tour of the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society in Middletown. Permission slips are available in Servetus. The car pool will leave at 10:30 AM, and will return at 12:30 PM. Please contact Gail with questions at: dre@ushartford.com.
Coming of Age
Our eighth and ninth grade students are invited to participate in our Coming of Age program, starting on February 3, 2008 Classes will be held at 10 AM in Fuller. Please contact Gail at: dre@ushartford.com with questions on registering and volunteering to assist with the program.
What Else is Happening & AnnouncementsJanuary Board Minutes are now available.
Rebalancing Your Intangible Assets, a sermon by Mike Roy is posted on the web.
Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice; Nuclear Disarmament - All are invited to discuss these issues on January 27 and consider, as a congregation, endorsing them. There is more information on the issues while these links are current here and here. See also, More
Great Decisions - Sign up this Sunday at the Programs Fair for eight weeks of lively, thoughtful discussions of foreign affairs -- for Great Decisions, one of USH's longest-running adult programs. It will be held this year on Sunday mornings beginning February 10th, from 9:30 to 10:45; the first half hour will range over the past week's news, then will come a discussion of the week's assigned topic, so USH members may attend either Sunday morning service. Eight participants will be invited to introduce the discussions. Earl Costenoble will facilitate. You may contact either Kayla Costenoble (now home from the hospital) or Flo Grieb.
The MLK in Simsbury Comm. & CT Center for Nonviolence present a two day introduction to Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation at the First Church of Christ, 689 Hopemeadow St. on Friday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, and Saturday, Jan. 26 9 AM to 5 PM. Learn nonviolent principles and techniques developed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Six Principles, six steps, types and levels of conflict, dynamics of conflict, Sources of MLK eclectic philosophy, application of nonviolence in King's campaigns. suggested donation $60. call Pam McDonald 860-658-4543 to register. IASC
Attention all High School Aged Youth: The annual Skiing and Spirituality Retreat is scheduled for February 8th, 9th, and 10th.
We will meet at the Meeting House parking lot on Friday at 6:30 PM, then travel up to Otis Ridge. We will return by 12:30 PM Sunday afternoon.The weekend will include games, discussions, worships, justice work, community building and skiing. For more information see Denise Ackeifi or any of the Youth Group members.
Updated 2007-2008 Photo Directories - will be available in the Meeting House office in early February. Please let Business Manager Brian Mullen (bmullen@ushartford.com) know of any errors or omissions in the existing directory copy.
From the Adult Programs Sub-Council: Plan to come to the The Winter/Spring
Programs Fair this Sunday, January 27 in Fellowship Hall during the coffee hours! At the Fair, you will have an opportunity to talk to and ask questions of some of the presenters as well as to register. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Winter/Spring catalog to check out all of the exciting offerings. The catalog is on the web now.
Some of the programs coming in February:
Friday Dinner and Movie, February 8 - My Beautiful Laundrette - Can a rundown laundrette be a stepping stone to financial success in a Pakistani community in South London in the ‘80s?
The innovative Stephen Frears sets a story of love, respect, and social-climbing in a hostile political and cultural climate. There are plenty of conflicts between generations, races, and classes, as well as straight and gay characters.
Will it all come clean in the wash? The converted laundrette will feature an aquarium, video games, plants, and classical music, with a bit of romantic action, too.
In a slight switch of the schedule, the movie initially planned for February 8, “Avenue Montaigne”, will be shown on April 11. Reservations may be made at the coffee hour registration table on Sundays or by calling the office at 233-9897 with your credit card. Please reserve by Monday, February 4. And, at the Programs Fair this Sunday, you can purchase a Special 5 Movie Pass (February – June) for a savings of $10.
The Haiku Path: A Writing Workshop, Saturday, February 9, 10-3 PM. Stanford M. Forrester is a past president of the Haiku Society of America and founder and editor of bottle rockets: a collection of short verse. He is one of the leading poets in the American spiritual haiku movement and has been a Buddhist practitioner for over 20 years. Participants will learn the skills necessary to compose, revise, and recite haiku through various exercises and methods. Everyone is welcome--no experience necessary.
Great Decisions, 8 Sundays, starting February 10, 9:30-10:45 AM. A popular long running series with lively, thoughtful discussions of foreign affairs issues, based on readings provided by the Foreign Policy Association.
The Great Turning. Peacemaking: A Congregational Study-Action Issue, Mondays, February 11, 25, & March 3, 7:30 - 9 PM .A lecture/discussion series facilitated by Tom Kemble using the book The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community by David C. Korten. More
"School of the Americas" Watch, Sunday, February 24, 1-2:00 PM. USH members Maggie Greene and Fred Louis, ardent participants in this annual November demonstration at Fort Benning, Georgia, will give personal accounts of their participation.Sign Up Sunday for Spring Small Group Ministry - Sign up this Sunday for spring Small Group Ministry, where small groups meet for “intimacy and ultimacy.”
To encourage participation in SGM by all segments of people at USH, we are offering a special SGM group that is open to everyone, but will especially accommodate parents with children by providing dinner ($10 per adult total fee) and childcare. It follows the same SGM format and uses the same topics, and it meets on Friday evenings at the fully accessible Meeting House, facilitated by RE Director Gail Syring.
You may also choose a Tuesday evening group in Simsbury facilitated by Bev Prager (8 openings left), a Wednesday evening group in West Hartford facilitated by Bill Shoemaker and hosted by Rebecca Schweitzer (6 openings), or a Thursday evening group in Hartford facilitated by Carol Davidson and hosted by Bruce Robbins (8 openings).
An afternoon group will meet on Tuesdays in Glastonbury facilitated by Barbara Fraher and hosted by Kathy Herzog (6 openings).
Interested persons are encouraged to inform Mike Roy of accessibility concerns (including assisted listening devices or allergies) so we can address these concerns.
You may consult the Adult Programs Catalogue for more information. Please sign up at the Adult Programs Fair on Sunday, January 27, or by contacting the church office. - Mike Roy
Caring Network - - On Responsibility-"Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean." Goethe
- You are the ears of the Caring Network. Diana Heymann is the Chair of the Caring Network. Please tell Diana (heydiana(at symbol)comcast.net) 860.461.0908, or call the office when you learn of any of our members enduring the stresses of life so we can reach out to those in need. - Offer your services. A wide range of community services are available to help you. Call InfoLine at 211.
From the Editor:
This Week’s Feature Articles
AP Program Fair Sign up this Week!
Excuse me, I think I stepped on your toes! - Last week Mike Roy discussed the rebalancing of one's personal priorities and needs. His sermon is especially interesting because it applies to so many different facets of our lives. Keeping what we will appreciatively call Mike's theory in mind, it is probably useful to consider impact on others of "our" individually scheduled events as we interact with one another in USH community.
As a group, are we sensitive to the scheduling needs of those who participate in those other activities? Are we doing our best to tell others what we are doing just so they will know?
These matters are being considered.
For example, the Board has made it a high priority to publish their Minutes on the web so all computer users may easily follow their activities (hard copy available in the office for all others). They have extended the effort to also publishing the monthly financial statement, now available to every council and sub-council member. This contributes to our collective understanding of what we and others are doing.
Recently, there has been some confusion in scheduling caused by the plethora of wonderful programs. The four Council Chairs have initiated a discussion of this matter with President Young with full participation of the staff and BJ.
At minimum, this effort will result in sheet of guidelines for considerations when planning programs and events. Regardless of the detail, the point will be to maintain a sensitivity to the impact of event scheduling on other previously scheduled events, audiences and facilities. As we do this, there will be less occasion to say, "Excuse me, I think I just stepped on your toes." - DCN
Further Down The Road (About 30 Days)Watching Your Spending? Afraid you're Getting Ripped Off? Come to hear Hartford Courant Watchdog Correspondent George Gombossy talk on Consumer Awareness.
You've probably read his hard-hitting investigative columns on duplicitous websites, bait-and-switch selling, and other local maladies.
His talk will be at 1 PM on Sunday, February 3, free and open to all, without registration. It is another in the series sponsored by the UAMW, known as the Alliance.
The Youth Group will be selling soup during the noon coffee hour preceding the talk; you could also bring a sandwich from home to eat then.
An Evening of Heart and Soul at USH - On February 16, 2008, the Welcoming Congregation/Interweave Chapter at the Unitarian Society of Hartford will be hosting a Valentine's Dinner and Dance. More
Time for a New Round of Circle Dinners - Next Round of Dates : February 29, April 5, and May 10. - Enjoy being with old friends and meeting new ones. More
Trans Plantations at the Hartford Stage - March 19th Buy Your Tickets NOW! - More
Humanist Seminar – March Adult Education program - Meeting dates: March 2, 9, 16, 30 at 1:00 PM at the Meetinghouse, room TBA. More
Getting to Know the Lay Listeners
Paul Quin: I'm Paul Quin and I am 58 years old. I live in East Hartford with my partner Seraphim Seskevich and our dog, Luke.
I have been a speech language pathologist for 35 years. I have always worked in special needs schools, both in direct service and as an administrator.
I wanted to become a lay listener at USH to meet more of the congregation. We joined last year and are slowly expanding our family at the Meeting House. I also wanted to give some of myself to our new family.Thursday, January 24
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm NVC Practice, David
Friday, January 25
5:00 pm Univ. Hartford, parking lot usage
Saturday, January 26
10:30 am Rental, Chapel
1:00 pm Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction workshop, Servetus
Sunday, January 27
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Chapel
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, CHAPEL
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am AP Program Fair, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Children’s Choir, Chapel
10:00 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:00 am Council on Social Justice, Library
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:00 pm Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm AP Program Fair, Fellowship Hall
12:30 pm Congregational Study/Action Issues, Library
1:00 pm Jean Friar Memorial Service, Chapel
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel, then Fellowship Hall
Monday, January 28
6:00 pm Finance Sub-council, Library
6:30 pm Survivors of Incest Anonymous, Fuller
7:00 pm Pathways, Library
Tuesday, January 29
7:00 pm NVC for Families, Emerson
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, January 30
6:00 pm Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
7:30 pm NVC practice group, Emerson
Thursday, January 31
7:00 pm NVC Practice, Emerson
Friday, February 1
9:00 am Audio Task Force
5:30 pm Soulful Sundown ,Fellowship Hall
Sunday, February 3
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, CHAPEL
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Youth Group Soup Making, Kitchen
10:00 am Youth Choir & Children’s Choir, Chapel
10:00 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:00 am Environmental Representatives, Fellowship Hall
10:30 am Building the World We Dream About, Library
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:00 pm Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm Environmental Representatives, Fellowship Hall
12:30 pm Building the World We Dream About, Sanctuary
1:00 pm Consumer Affairs Talk w/George Gombossy, Chapel
1:30 pm Eat by Choice, Not by Habit, Servetus
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
5:30 pm UU Singles Potluck, LibraryItalicized entries are non-USH events.
Please notify Brian Mullen of all additions or changes to the calendar. Follow this Link to all our scheduled events!External Events and Educational Notes
Marcia Buch (1956-2005) Art Exhibit January 1-31 - Wood Memorial Library 783 Main Street, South Windsor, 289-1783. Mondays & Thursdays 10 AM to 8 PM and by appointment. (Marcia Buch was Jan Bennett's partner; Jan Bennett is a "regular" & a great friend of the Meetinghouse.) More Information.
The Warming of Connecticut”, a CPTV documentary about the impact of global warming in Connecticut will be shown on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008 at 7 P.M. at the Unitarian Universalist Society: East (UUS:E) at 153 West Vernon Street in Manchester. More
Travel - 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? More
A Matter of Opinion: (space for comment on USH issues from members and friends) - Editor retains the right to make minor changes – letters should be issue oriented)
Nuts and Bolts: The member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our congregations; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process, within our congregations and in society at large; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.
Generally, USH-Enews will be posted on Thursday. Send email related to the USH-Enews to dcnewton at ushartford.com If you have announcements or articles you wish to be published, send them along with the subject line USH-Enews by 4:30 PM Wednesday evening. Comments are always welcome. If you wish to have your name removed from the distribution list or have learned of the electronic publication and wish to have your email address added, just ask. © Unitarian Society of HartfordLet us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 01/23/08 10:00 PM)
