50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 Tel: (860) 233-9897 / FAX 233-1333 Email: firstunitarian@ushartford.com Reverend Barbara Jamestone, PhD

Home Page- Link Central Questions and Comments	USH-Enews For January 25, 2007 Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further down the road; Our roots; The bottom Line Text only Printer Friendly Format
	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 - Rev. BJ office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday by appointment.
	Worshipping Together Since 1830 Services held at 9 and 11 AM Sunday 28 January - Sengu: A Shino Ritual of Renewal - Every 20 years the fabulous shrine buildings at Japan’s Isi Temple are torn down and rebuilt just across a gravel path, a ritual celebrating eternal renewal and return. How might this theme of destroying half the house toward spiritual renewal apply to us? Music: - “Etenraku” is an ancient traditional Japanese anthem that embodies the Shinto love of nature and renewal.  Our Music Director discovered this piece in Japan and taught it, syllable by syllable, to the choir. I just wanted to tell you about the Chalice Choir schedule for the next couple of weeks because Nina B. told me that you do the USH-Enews. Here it is: Jan 28~~ No rehearsal Feb 4 ~~ meets 10:30 in Emerson Feb 11~~ meets 10:30 in Emerson, and singing at the 11 o'clock service. Aubrie Nelson RE: Classes and Locations:  This Sunday, January 28th our classes will be held in their regularly scheduled classrooms:  At 9 AM there will be Child Care and a Learning Center in the Spirit Play Room.  At 11 AM, the Nursery for infants through three year olds will be in the newly set up Stone Room, located downstairs to the right of the Spirit Play room.  Spirit Play, for Four year olds through Grade two is held downstairs in Classroom C.  Timeless Themes, for Grades three, four and five is downstairs in Classroom D.  The Middle School class, for Grades six, seven and .. is held upstairs in Servetus and the Youth Group is upstairs in Socinus.   Middle School visiting Congregation Beth Israel next week, February 4th. The Middle school class, as part of the Neighboring Faiths curriculum, is meeting Rabbi Fuchs at Congregation Beth  Israel, the Reform Synagogue in the beautiful Byzantine building on Farmington Avenue. Their visit will start around 9AM and end at 10:15 AM.  Parents of Middle Schoolers are asked to check in with the the teaching staff, so transportation arrangements can be organized.   Each student is required to have a completed Field Trip Form signed by their parent or guardian in order to participate in this activity.  Parents helping to transport our youth need to provide a copy of their drivers licenses and auto insurance cards.  Also, as part of our safety policy, chaperones and teachers will need to have a signed covenant on file in the RE office.  We have sent e-mail versions of these forms to Middle School parents, but hard copies will also be available from the Middle School teachers and on the side table in Servetus.   Thanks to Aubrie Nelson for making the Chalice Choir program possible! (see above).   Chancel Art: The design for the chancel this Sunday is in keeping with Japanese ritual. The banner was made by Louise Schmoll after a design Mattie Banzhaf brought back from her trip to Japan. The character on the banner signifies a message from God. The arrangement is Ikebana, the art of arranging flowers aesthetically. The three elements of sky, earth and mankind are represented, in this case, by bamboo, willow and cherry blossoms. Simplicity and grace create a feeling of serenity. The final inclusive touch is the rearranging of the stones used by Maggie Green in last week's chancel art. What Else is Happening  & Announcements A Special Thanks - I want to thank everyone from USH who came to the public meeting on Tuesday night. I felt so proud - seeing you all -  to be part of this wonderful community. I wish I had had a chance to say hello to each of you but I felt your presence there and felt very supported because of it. (No more sign up sheets...for awhile!!) - Shai UUSC JustWorks Camp - Participate in the Katrina rebuilding effort by taking part in the JustWorks camp in New Orleans FEB. 3 -10. More information Walking the Pilgrim Route - At 1 PM on Sunday, February 4, Bev Prager will give an illustrated talk about her  640 mile walk on the ancient pilgrimage route across Spain. Bev undertook this walk last summer and will share some of her experiences in this talk for the USH community. The program will be given in the Chapel, with light refreshments available following. All are invited!   Those attending the 9 o'clock service will have time to go out for lunch; the 11 o'clock service people can bring a sandwich to eat during coffee hour.  The high school group will be on a ski trip, so unfortunately they will not be selling soup that day. more   The talk is free with no reservations required.  It is the second in a new series by the USH Women's Alliance.  The final program on Sunday, March 4, will be directed towards families and "children of all ages", a drumming program  given by Alvin Carter Sr. Supper and Games Night - New Format by Popular Request - Supper and Games Nights will resume on February 16 from 6 - 8:30 PM in Fellowship Hall.  The event is now a Main Dish Pot Luck.  Bring your own main dish with enough to share with other folks and pay only $2 each for a dessert and beverage provided by the Hospitality Team.  There is an $8 fee limit per family. Sign up for the event at the Adult Programs table in Fellowship Hall on Sunday or call the office, 233-9897. If you decide to come at the last minute, come ahead and bring a pot luck dish and some games you enjoy playing (we also have a large stock of games). Above all, come and enjoy! Any questions, contact: Esther McKone, 677-6682, estmckone(at symbol)aol.com  (or) Edith Savage, 232-5603, esavage(at symbol)snet.net. Cancellation due to a weather event will be on the Meeting House phone message. February 4th Deadline for Circle Dinner Registrations - The new dinner dates are March 3, April 7 and May 5.  Participants will be mixed at random to attend dinners in each other’s homes.  (But not everyone will host.) Hosts supply the entree. Their guests are assigned to bring an appetizer, salad, vegetable or dessert. Each night eight adults will gather round a table and enjoy good food and great conversation with old friends and new. Registrations are $2.00 per household - to cover mailing costs. Register in Fellowship Hall on Sundays after services. Adult Programs: Plan to come to the WINTER/SPRING PROGRAMS FAIR, Sunday, January 28! The fair will be held in Fellowship Hall following both the 9:00 and 11:00 AM services during coffee hours. You will be able to meet some of the presenters and find out more about the programs. You can also pick up a copy of the Program Catalog and register! Payment can be made with credit card, check, or cash. February Programs: Small Group Ministry, Groups will be starting February 1. Great Decisions(see following story), 8 Sundays beginning February 4, 10:00 AM. Participants in this popular discussion series will have the opportunity to engage in lively, thoughtful discussions of foreign affairs, based on readings provided by the Foreign Policy Association. UU Questions, 4 Tuesdays, February 6, 20, and March 2, 3, 6:30-8:30 PM. For newer members and any members who want to renew their understanding of UUism using the book "100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About UUism" Friday Dinner and Movie featuring Pleasantville, February 9 (see following story). An Inconvenient Truth, Special movie showing, Sunday, February 18, 1-3:15 PM . Helping Katrina Victims, Joan Kemble will report on UUSC sponsored week in New Orleans, Sunday, February 25, 12:15 PM. Ember Days, Wednesday, February 28, 12-2 PM, Saturday and Sunday, March 2 & 3, 6-8 PM. Could This Be Your Year.. … to join a long-standing and outstanding group of UU’s to discuss and debate the great international issues facing us?  If your answer is “yes,” then it’s time to sign up at the Adult Programs Fair on Sunday, January 28 for the Great Decisions program. Participants will study and then discuss eight different topics from a booklet published by the Foreign Policy Association. Great Decisions starts Sunday, February 4, runs for eight consecutive weeks, and concludes Sunday, March 25.  The program takes place at the Meeting House between services, from 10 to 10:55 AM. Topics for the 2007 Great Decisions include the Middle East, Climate Change, Mexico, Migration, South Africa, Children’s Rights, War Crimes, and Central Asia.  SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - GROUPS FILLING - Hello there!  Are you interested in spring Small Group Ministry?  Have you signed up yet?  Now is the time. The Thursday morning group meeting in Glastonbury has three spaces left.  This group starts February 1, so hurry to register if you are interested. The Monday night group in Farmington has only one space left.  Will you be the lucky one? The Wednesday night group in West Hartford has 3 spaces left. The Wednesday night group in Bloomfield has 3 spaces left. The Tuesday night affinity group for LGBTI members and friends has six spaces left. To register, call the Meeting House office at 233-9897 or join us on Sunday after services at the Adult Programs Fair.  You do not need to be a member to participate and the fee is zero dollars! Invite Someone New to Sunday Services - more Caring Network: In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy.  ~Karl Reiland  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. An infinite range of community services are available to help you. Call InfoLine at 211. ON THE CALENDAR: Current Calendar To get on the calendar, call 233.9897 Further Down The Road (About 30 Days Max) "Pleasantville" will be the Friday Dinner and Movie feature on Friday, February 9. It's a satire on the media and suburbia, "an elaborate fantasy about two contemporary teenagers transported into the fictional black-and-white setting of a l950s sitcom." (Washington Post) It's rated PG13, for mild profanity, sexual double-entendres and oblique sexuality, but USH teens have been invited to eat, watch, and discuss after the film.  The menu stars stuffed chicken cutlets, but a vegetarian meal can provided if requested when making reservations during coffee hours at the Adult Programs table or by calling the office at 233-9897. Tickets include snacks, drinks, dinner, dessert, and movie on big-screen TV at $18, or $5 for those under 19 years of age. Please sign up by Monday, February 5.	From the Editor: Listen up! How do you get things published in the USH-Enews (the weekly publication on the web) and Meetinghouse Messenger (Monthly publication on the web or in hard copy)? For the USH-Enews you send along your "news" as an email, or Microsoft Word attachment, or in hard copy, between Friday and the next Wednesday at 4:30 PM to dcnewton@ushartford.com for the issue that usually becomes available the following morning, Thursday, around 5 AM. Articles for the Meeting House Messenger, the monthly publication on paper and web, should be sent along a few days before the 15th of a Month for the following month's Messenger. These directions are in the "boiler plate" parts of both publications. *** This Week’s Feature Articles Task Force On Public Policies Update - Have you ever asked yourself: Should the USH take a published position on a national, state, or community issue? What makes an issue so important that it warrants consideration of the adoption of an official USH position? Is there a process in place that can be followed? Will every one’s opinion be given a fair and respectful hearing? Will a published position acknowledge that there is not USH unanimity in the event that there are members who are not in agreement with the position? These questions are among many that a recently established Public Policies Task Force will address in the coming weeks as they carefully consider all of the issues regarding the notion that the USH take official positions on public policy matters. As a general practice, the USH has avoided taking explicit and official positions on public policy issues.  The Vietnam War was hotly debated and proved to be divisive. The issue that precipitated the formation of the Task force was a request that USH endorse a rally against the war in Iraq.  This request was hotly debated in a congregational “talk-balk” session last spring.  Two important issues emerged.  First, the issue of USH taking a position of any kind on a political matter was perhaps more controversial than the issue of supporting or opposing the war.  Second, members who either support or do not oppose the war did not feel safe airing their views.  Ultimately, the Board of Directors did not take an official position on the rally, but, rather, encouraged those members who opposed the war to participate in it.  The Task Force agreed that a better understanding of the reasons why some members did not feel free to voice their opinions would be beneficial to it as it proceeds with its discussions. The Task Force has met twice. At its first meeting, the Task Force reviewed its charge and the potential issues that had been identified prior to its meeting. At its second meeting, there was a review of : 1) Pertinent background information related to possible USH consideration of an official stand: a) opposing the Vietnam War, b) becoming a Welcoming Congregation, and c) endorsing the rally against the war in Iraq; 2) The processes that the following groups take in determining whether or not to take a public policy position on an issue: a) the UUA and neighboring UU congregations and b) Quaker congregations; and 3) A paper entitled “Nonviolent Communication” written by Lawrence Wilson, M.D. Members will have an opportunity to express their views at a talk back session that will take place at a future date following the development of the Task Force’s preliminary recommendations. In the meantime, please feel free to express your views to a Task Force member. Members of the Task Force are Skip Berrien, Earl Costenoble, Charles Huntington, Joan Kemble, Bill LaPorte-Bryan, Fred Louis, Martha Page, and Tom Reed. - Tom Reed Just Who Is That Person? How many times have you looked across the aisle in the Sanctuary at a person you have seen week after week, or perhaps for the first time and asked yourself, “Who is that, and what is their story?" Whether at coffee hour after a service, when new members are greeted for the first time, or at USH social events, we all get frustrated at not knowing our fellow congregants. Being embarrassed to ask again, we may focus our trifocals to read the person's name tag if there is one.  Obviously, we all need to wear nametags consistently to help the process of getting to know one another along. We can do more. The Communications Sub-Council (CSC) has embarked on a major effort to help all of us.  That fellow with the camera snapping photos since last May has compiled several hundred mug shots of USH members and friends.  These have been printed out in a loose leaf USH Reference Directory of Mug Shots (RDMS), which will be available during coffee hour beginning this Sunday.  Ideally, everyone would have such a book.  Regrettably, the price of production is simply too high.  However, we do have a couple of copies for the office and BJ to use and the one that will be available during coffee hour.   You are invited to look at this book and its decent size color prints to identify those folks whose names you are trying to remember.  Also, we want you to check your own mug shot.  If it is missing, please let us snap a quick picture.  If you do not like the one in the book, we can take another. Request Forms will be available at the table along with the book.   If you would prefer, you can send us a digital photo for our use. In addition, we need some help identifying a few individuals for whom we have pictures and no name. These pictures will be posted on the bulletin board  in the lower lobby for your perusal.  In this effort, please keep in mind these pictures are mug shots, not studio quality photos.  This is a difficult task at best, The CSC will deeply appreciate it if everyone will cooperatively help us along during the next few weeks. We intend to have the RDMS set up on a small table in Fellowship Hall where there will be some associated forms you can fill out to help us.  The details on this aspect of the project will be self-evident. The RDMS itself is just an intermediate step.  The end product of this effort will be a small black and white head shot of every member and friend appearing in the next issue of the USH Directory accompanied by the usual information.  If possible, we will crop a head shot from the larger photos you see in the reference book of photographs.  If not, we are prepared to take further shots. Anne Bailey, David Newton, and other recruits will probably be available various Sundays to take new or replacement photos. Anne Bailey has agreed to crop head shots and hand them along to Brian Mullen, who will ultimately incorporate them in the next edition of our Directory.  BJ, who has used our primitive RDMS already to learn many of your names, will be urging on the effort. And, now you know the rest of the story about all the flashing going on for the past few months. - DCN Minister/Troubadour Ben Tousley Visits Meeting House It isn’t often that a report on a Sunday service turns into a music review (although our choir, soloists, organist/pianist and musical director deserve a standing ovation every week), but, hey, we’re Unitarians! The Meeting House was alive with the sound of music last weekend as guest Ben Tousley, minister, folk singer, storyteller and troubadour (Webster:  lyric poet and poet-musician) starred in a Saturday night concert and led the two Sunday morning services.  Between the two venues, I was treated to 28 different songs by the engaging Ben, covering an incredible range of topics, feelings and styles. We began the Saturday night concert in the chilly Chapel (hats, gloves and coats were much in sight), but it warmed up quickly as about 100 members and friends sat close together, sang with Ben, and were treated to a large variety of songs, many written by Ben.  It all began with The City of New Orleans, one of the great train songs.  We listened to songs about loneliness, telling the truth in the work place, and his bout with three-and- a-half months of radiation 15 years ago to treat Hodgkins disease (Under the Light).  We heard songs of gratitude for those who have helped him, about bullies, the Boston Marathon (“We are running to a new place, We’ll know when we arrive, We are running for our freedom, for our lives”), what can happen to good people in a bad environment, and a lot about love.  We laughed and groaned at the end of Zen Gospel Singing, a song (not written by Ben, he quickly informed us) about a Baptist who became a Buddhist:  “Sin and salvation are no longer for me.  Oom sweet oom…” Simple Gifts was the theme for the Sunday services, and we began with this Shaker song.  Among Ben’s talents is his ability to get his audience to sing with him and to get themselves “bent out of shape from trying to do too many things at once,” as in the echo song My Aunt Came Back.  The congregation shouted out answers to his questions about gifts that don’t come wrapped in packages, and Ben said one of his best gifts was being sung to, which led to Somebody Sang for Me. Our guest preacher led us through a guided meditation on how we can better share our special gifts and the “peace of being together in this special place and special time.” Ben sang John Lennon’s moving Imagine during the offering.  He reminded us of the Indians’ idea that gifts are meant to be passed along, and when this happens, they increase in value.  The service’s closing song was one of Ben’s—inspired by watching the rain stop and the sun come out while on the Tappen Zee bridge: Lookin’ for a Rainbow. - Kayla Costenoble 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) Dear Editor, Regarding the candle lighting issue.. I, for one, thought it was a fabulous idea. So, I was disappointed to read in the USH-Enews the brief criticism of the proposal based on the idea that it recalls Catholicism. Just for my own interest, I did some brief research on the internet to see what the ritual of candle lighting would bring up. I was surprised. Here are some samplings of organizations using candle lighting in their practices: - The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle lighting for friends and families to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. (last recognized on Dec 10 2006). - Business and Professional Women- International utilize a candlelight ceremony. - Annual All Lutheran Candle Lighting for Mental Illness/Brain Disorders (October). - Candle lighting as part of Kwanzaa Festival. - Various Candle lighting during the Jewish Calendar. - Relay for Life (Cancer Fundraiser) luminaria. - Alzheimer's Foundation of America sponsor a National Commemorative Candle lighting to remember Americans affected by Alzheimer's disease or related illnesses. (November). - Pagan ritual of lighting a candle to express gratitude, move closer to a loved one who is no longer with you, call down healing energy for someone close to you, etc. Although many of these are once a year events, my suggestion is that the ritual is not "owned" by the Catholic Church. They also sing and pray in the Catholic Church, yet we include this activity in our services It is my humble opinion, that to classify candle lighting as being a Catholic phenomenon is oversimplifying the potential of the ritual. I hope the (Worship) Sub-Council will continue with the plan to have a table available for those who wish to utilize the ritual in their own way. Perhaps issuing a statement of intention will be enough to waylay fears of adopting Catholicism. I respect the fear, the opinions and the discussion, but want to encourage a different way of seeing. A healing perhaps? What do you think? What's going to happen? - Jan Bennett External Events and Educational Notes The Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall is offering "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" Saturday, January 27, 1 &4 PM Tickets $10 for all (A classic tale of farmer vs. vermin or vice versa, this Ronald Dahl classic is brought to life by Sign Stage on Tour, presented in American Sign Language and spoken word. .  Join us for this production, a joy for all ages, where Mr. Fox hatches a plan to foil the farmers and provide food for his family and his animal neighbors. The Humanist Association of CT will be trying to hold some of its monthly dinners in Hartford over the next few months. more  A Few Words About Our Roots From The Book, Hartford Unitarianism 1844 -1994 by Freeman Meyer: Rev. Jon Loupa That commitment to the Society has been translated into concrete action in recent years. Under the leadership of Louise Schmoll, Bill Clegg, Ed Richardson, and Bill and Louise Willett, the Capital Campaign raised over $400,000 in pledges during an era of economic recession and corporate downsizing. That campaign has resulted in notable improvements to the Meeting House's physical plant, including repairs to the roof, the installation of an elevator, acoustical separation of classrooms, a new audio system for the sanctuary, improved lighting, an upgraded kitchen and repairs to the parking lot. The Bottom Line - Look over our budget for through December
	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 Hartford Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 01/25/07)