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 February 5, 2009 Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further down the road; Did you know? Text only Printer Friendly Format
	The Editor thinks the Blue Jay is saying - "Enough winter already!" The Editor's wife thinks she is saying, "Is this all the snow we are getting?" 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. Stewardship Confessional By Diane Cadrain I haven’t been laid off…yet.  But I was partially laid off not that long ago, in December, 2001, when my employer dispensed with 25 percent of my work and started paying me 25 percent less salary.  That was a dark time for me, and for the nation, still reeling from the shock of 9/11.  In those frightening months, participation in Sunday services and other Meeting House activities helped me to see my personal sadness, and our national sadness, in a broader perspective, one in which my spirit could find strength in adversity.     Through it all, even with my diminished salary, I was fortunate that I was able to continue to meet my family’s commitment to the Meeting House, an expense which we have always paid from my salary.  I considered it not just an investment in sanity, but an investment in, and affirmation of, the strength of the spirit.     USH helped me become strong, and now I want to help USH keep itself strong.  That’s why I became a member of the Stewardship Committee.   In that spirit, I’d like to invite readers to listen to the voice of Stewardship as it’s delivered from the pulpit, and in USH publications, over the coming weeks. And in an affirmation that there is fun to be had, on behalf of the Stewardship Committee, I’d also like to invite everyone to:   The Greening of the Meeting House - In partnership with the USH Green Sanctuary Committee - Saturday March 7th - 7-10 PM; silent auction; music; zany entertainment; food, drink and merriment Child care, and/or transportation to the Meeting House, will be provided upon request. Pledge Drive Goal set for 2009; March 7th Stewardship Event Set ; Silent Auction Set for Donated Service
	Worshipping Together Since 1830 Sunday, 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM Sunday - 8 February  - Layers and Litter - How do we reconstruct the past and examine the truths about who we are? Rev BJ is joined by a guest minister, Janet Bush, to discuss the topic:  We'll look for clues in archaeology and a voice from a dream.   Janet Bush is in her second year as a ministerial intern at the First Parish Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts (founded in 1630), whose earliest history involved a schism that caused half its congregation to depart and resettle in our area. Janet is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School, and came to UU ministry after a career in the biotechnology industry, small business, and non-profit work.  She and her husband have two young adult sons. Music - Our former Organist Tom Schmutzler composed When In Our Music for our Music Director Mattie Banzhaf.  The Choir premiered the piece last fall and revives it for this service.  It has special meaning for the Choir since it was composed specifically for them.  They had to rehearse it in secret last year, but now Mattie can be part of the preparation. REflections on Children's Programming - Religious Education Classes Spirit Play: Chang Kung and the Golden Secret Second & Third Grade: Huichol Indian Day Fourth & Fifth Grade: We Believe: In Being Teachers and Learners Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Creativity and Ethics Youth Group Activities: Ski Trip   Family Friendly Community Event: Don't Just Talk, Say Something! - The City of Hartford’s distinguished Noah Webster Magnet School located in the West End in conjunction with the sensational theatrical and visual arts company, OPUS, Inc. will present an original Black History Month Production entitled, “Don’t Just Talk..SAY SOMETHING!” on February 18 & 20 – school performances @ 10:00 AM. & 1 PM February 19th @ 6:30 PM. (Only Night Performance).  5 Cone Street in Hartford.   Join us for “Don’t Just Talk..SAY SOMETHING!”, a students’ production and historical quilt exhibition celebrating their diverse cultures, past, present and future, through an historical journey sharing their rich heritages through poetry, songs, and dance. This play teaches student to remember, that the same blood of our ancestors beat to all our veins. As we progress, never give–up, never accept less as enough, and celebrate our amazing multi-cultural history! The play is written by Faithlyn Johnson and the quilt exhibition by master artist, international recognized master teaching artist, Edjohnetta Miller. The riveting performances of the cast will take the audience on a memorable cultural journey as they identify with songs such as Billy Holiday’s “Summertime” Akon’s “Mama Africa” and “Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes. - Gail M. Syring, DRE What Else is Happening  & Announcements Last Week's Service has been posted on the web. Suggestions for Contributors. Art show continues in the ambulatory. A Music Review and Search Team is being formed. February 8 deadline. More Callings Workshop June 7th a Go - We now have a sufficient number of registrants to go forward with Mr. Levoy's workshop on June 7th at 1 PM. Therefore, those who have signed up will please visit the Programs Table during coffee hours and pay the $30 fee. You may also pay the fee in the office. Please do this as soon as possible. Others are welcome to sign up for the workshop. - Thank you. Rock the Meeting House - Master vocalist and keyboard artist John Jesensky (sometimes appearing in the guise of our mild-mannered Music Associate) will bring his sizzling song stylings to the music of Billy Joel and Elton John on Saturday, February 28th, 8:00 PM, at the Unitarian Society of Hartford's Meeting House. More, PDF Flyer Adult Programs - If you haven't signed up for a program or workshop offered in the new  2009 Winter & Spring Programs Catalog, there is still time! You may register on Sundays in Fellowship Hall during coffee time or by phoning the office (860 233-9897) and paying with a credit card . Be sure to pick up a copy of the catalog at the Welcome Table in the lobby or at the Registration Table in Fellowship Hall. The catalog is now available on the web.              February Programs: Ember Days in February - We’ll explore the possibility that prayer is everything we do "come Sunday" at the Meeting House. On 2/25 Wednesday  12-2  PM, we’ll hear from one of Rev. BJ’s seminary teachers, Roberta Bondi, whose scholarship regarding the monastics leads her to believe that prayer is our everyday life. On 2/27 Friday  6-8 PM, we’ll hear from Stephen Mitchell, translator of many of the world’s sacred texts, and a spirited lover of the mystery, who opines that prayer need not be religious at all. On 2/28 Saturday 6-7 PM, we’ll  imagine sound as prayer, as presented by sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Ravi Shankar, and half sister to Norah Jones! We’ll then break in time to enjoy the concert brought to us by our music associate John Jessensky — you can buy your ticket to the concert early on on the spot! *Choices for Sustainable Living, seven Tuesdays, starting Feb. 10, 4:30 - 6:00 PM. Using the Northwest Earth Institute Curriculum, Bev Pager and participants will explore and discuss the meaning of sustainable living and the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on the earth. *Friday Dinner and Movie, Feb. 13. Come and enjoy a delicious meal and a romantic movie. *Register for these 2 programs by Monday, Feb. 9. Family Potluck Supper and Games Night, Friday, Feb. 20, 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Come share an evening of good food and fun. For all ages! Collage with Paper and Found Objects Paper Collage, two Saturdays, Feb. 21, 28, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Learn to tear paper and create something new with it, such as the collage above. Returning guest Hannah Libman will teach the creation of collage from torn paper during the first session and how to use tissue paper and found objects in a collage during the second session. Fee for the two sessions is $55.00 per person. A materials list will be provided. Participants may bring their own materials or pay a modest fee to the instructor. Improv of Integrity, Saturday, Feb. 28, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Come and explore your creativity and spontaneity at this workshop open to those ages 12 years and older. more Sign Up Now for Spring Small Group Ministry - Groups are starting to fill up, so you should sign up now for spring Small Group Ministry, where small groups meet to share meaningful life experiences.  We are excited to offer an affinity SGM for LGBT folks.  This group will meet on Monday evenings in Simsbury starting March 2, facilitated by Fran Carnevale and hosted by Ann Carnevale. The family-friendly SGM is now full, but we will accept more registrants on a waiting list and try to create a second group.  This SGM will meet on Friday evenings at the Meeting House starting March 6, facilitated by Bill Shoemaker.   This group will accommodate families by meeting only six times (from 5:30 to 8:00 PM) and providing dinner (cost shared by participants) and childcare.   New this spring is a Mini-SGM consisting of four sessions. The shorter program is a good way for newcomers to SGM to try it out, or for those with busy schedules to get their “SGM fix.”  This group (5 openings left) will convene at the USH Meeting House on Wednesday evenings starting March 11, and is facilitated by DRE Gail Syring.  The Monday evening group in Farmington is now full, but you may choose a Thursday evening group (3 openings) in Hartford starting March 5, facilitated by Carol Davidson and hosted by Bruce Robbins.  An afternoon group will meet on Mondays (3 openings) in East Hartford starting March 23, facilitated by Barbara Fraher and hosted by Dick Edwards.  Each group at the first meeting sets the future meeting dates.    Interested persons are encouraged to identify accessibility concerns (including assisted listening devices or allergies) to Mike Roy so we can address these concerns to the best of our ability. You may consult the upcoming Adult Programs Catalogue for more information.  Please sign up at the Adult Programs table on Sunday, February 8, or by contacting the church office. - Mike Roy Caring Network - Native American Prayer Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth:- Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty. Native American Elder If you know of any member experiencing some difficulty, please contact Diana Heymann, Chair of the Caring Network (heydiana(at symbol)comcast.net) 860.461.0908 or call the office so we can provide some assistance. A wide range of community services is also available to those in need by calling InfoLine at 211. Please contact Diana if you are able to volunteer your services. Did You Know? - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council - Do you drink Tropicana orange juice? If you do, did you know that every time you buy one of the specially marked packages of Tropicana Pure Premium® products shown below*, you can protect 100 square feet of rainforest?   As you know, rainforest is disappearing fast and contributing to climate change. Together with Cool Earth, Tropicana aims to save thousands of acres of endangered rainforest to help protect our future. To save your own patch of rainforest, register, and enter the unique 11 character code printed at the top of the carton.	From the Editor: The Editor needs a bit of help next week because of a schedule problem. Please send in your Enews submissions by Tuesday evening (rather than the usual deadline of 4 PM Wednesday), if possible. That will help. Thanks This Week’s Feature Articles Read Rev. BJ’s Blog About Bumping into Babies! Letter From the USH President Interweve Meeting Planned The Evolution of Consciousness Calling all Basses! Callings Workshop Will be Offered! Stewardship Confessional From Our USH President - Like the Blue Jay above, the winter weather is really starting to take its toll on me.  The frequent storms, the almost relentless cold, and the sheer number of days between now and April…these combined factors can be quite depressing!  My attempts to put a positive spin on it have been largely unsuccessful.My family doesn’t have any trips south planned, and I’m not sure we’re going to be able to take advantage of local activities like skiing this year.  But when I recently asked friends to remind my why I live here, one of them half-jokingly replied, “All the wonderful people?”  With that, I really did have my answer.  The communities I am a part of, church, school and family, are all incredibly important to me, and it’s hard to imagine my life without them. (Maybe we could all relocate en masse to Hawaii?)     Although I cannot fully embrace the winter (try as I might), there are still opportunities for exploration and growth, on many levels.  For one, the Green Sanctuary Sub-Council has inspired me to think about some changes I can make that might help the environment.  This year my family has been keeping our thermostat set lower than we ever have, and we’ve adapted by wearing more layers.  I also have been able to take advantage of the Green Shopping table at coffee hour, which has saved me a trip to the store on a couple of occasions!   And at that Green table, I also signed up to borrow the kilowatt meter, so my family can keep a more watchful eye on our electricity usage for a week or two, and brainstorm additional conservation measures we can take.  Of course, we can continue to think about these things when the weather gets warmer, but the winter, and its shorter days, has provided us with a reason to focus on them right now.   The winter has also provided an opportunity to examine some of USH’s organizational structures. In particular, having to deal with so many Sunday storms, and weighing the question of whether to cancel services or not, has been challenging.  As a result, however, President-Elect Mike Roy and I are compiling information about inclement weather procedures, so that decisions can be made and communicated more effectively in the future.  This is just one part of the ongoing work of assessment that the Board is doing this year, including the thorough review of our Strategic Plan. So, somewhat like a New England winter, it certainly isn’t glamorous, but by going through it, it will hopefully lead to a most welcome and delightful spring! - Heather Ferguson-Hull Interweave (formerly Welcoming Congregation) Meeting - Are you interested in learning more about the LGBT community? All are welcome to attend our next meeting on Sunday, March 8th at 1:00 PM in the Library here at USH. Our main agenda item is to plan worship services for Sunday, June 14th – when the special offerings will go to True Colors to support their work with LGBT youth.   True Colors works to create a world where youth, adults and families of all sexual orientations and gender identities are valued and affirmed. They challenge all forms of oppression through education, training, advocacy, youth leadership development, mentoring and direct services to youth and those responsible for their well-being.     The 16th True Colors Conference will be held Thursday, March 12th - Saturday, March 14th at UCONN, including more than 150 workshops to attend for anyone who works with children, youth, young adults and families. Register before Feb. 14th to take advantage of low Early Bird rates. Continuing Education (CEU/CEC) request forms will be available at the conference registration tables. True Colors can be reached at 888-565-5551, or on the web. - Greg Nickett The Evolution of Consciousness - “Racism is the tragic expression of unmet needs, and it deprives and isolates us,” Reverend BJ suggested in a thought-provoking sermon on the first day of February, the month to honor the “African heritage that enriches our lives.”  Reverend BJ feels that racist characteristics seem to come from the basic human needs to survive, belong and have an identity.  It takes a “huge leap” to look around for other ways to get our needs met.   Reverend BJ spoke of her own life of growing up in the South, and said that racism separated her from the richness of Black culture, although she had glimpses of it.  “Tribal instincts,” she said, have kept her from embracing other cultures, and these instincts “prevent us from relationships with people of color.”  Racism comes in many forms, she said—structural, systemic, personal.   Reverend BJ spoke of the value of a “beginner’s mind,” which views the world with curiosity rather than conviction and does not make judgments.  She quoted lines from Stanley Kunitz’ poem, The Layers. in which he wrote, “I have walked through many lives, some of them not my own and I am not who I was…I am not done with my changes.”     The evolution of consciousness, Reverend BJ said, “is the work of a lifetime.”    “We’re much smarter when we’re all together,” she said, and we come to the Meeting House to work on the “transformation of our consciousness.”     The “Musical Call to Worship” for Sunday’s service was an intriguing combination and set the tone for the sermon.  We listened to the magnificent voice of our baritone Miguel Vasquez belting out Ol’ Man River, a famous song about African American hardships and struggles, written by a Jewish man and sung, Sunday, to a mostly white congregation.   As part of the (second) service, a large number of us—parents, godparents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, and the UU congregation—took part in the naming and dedication of Caleb Maloney-Hastillo. It was particularly special to this reporter; Carolyn (one of Caleb’s mothers) and I had just completed a small group ministry together.   During the first service, eight new members of the Unitarian Society of Hartford were recognized and welcomed:  Ginny Allen, Virginia Baldwin, Susan Hackett and Dick Sonderegger, David Goloff, Cathy Hitchcock and Andy Hahn and Christina Davies. - Kayla Costenoble   Calling all Basses! - The choir will be singing a very cool piece on February 22nd for the BTWWDA service, and it has a very important – and extremely easy – bass part.  It would be grand to have a lot of basses singing this piece, so we’re inviting ALL basses to join us.   You don’t need to come to any Wednesday rehearsals (unless you really want to).  We’ll do this on an “Instant Choir” basis.  Just show up on Sunday morning, Feb. 22nd.  Please come 30 minutes before either service so you can sing your part in context and know how it fits in.   This bass part is just 14 notes long, and it repeats throughout nearly the entire piece, so you don’t really need to read music.  If you’d like to see it or learn it in advance, find Mattie any Sunday to get a copy of the part, or a short tutorial.  Or leave me a note and I’ll leave a copy for you just inside the door of Bellows.  Or phone me and I’ll sing it to you over the phone!   Bring a friend, or your son or your dad – as long as he can sing low G he’s welcome.  Let me know if possible, but showing up at the last minute is definitely okay.  (This might be a good lead-in to Joyfuul Noise!)   Join us! - Mattie On the Calendar Thursday, February 5 5:30 pm  Music Associate Search, Servetus 7:00 pm  BTWWDA Facilitators, Library 7:00 pm  Stewardship Planning for 3/7, Servetus 7:00 pm  Willett Rehearsal, Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm  Joyfuul Noise, Sanctuary Saturday, February 7 Circle Dinners, various homes   Sunday, February 8 8:45 am  Building & Grounds, Murray 8:45 am  Comfort Shawl Knitters, Lower Lobby 9:00 am  Music rehearsal, Sanctuary 9:30 am  Great Decisions, David’s Den 9:45 am  WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY 10:45 am  Coffee, Fellowship Hall 10:45 am  Music rehearsal, Chapel 11:15 am  WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY 12:15 pm  Coffee, Fellowship Hall 12:15 pm  Youth Choir Rehearsal, Chapel 1:00 BTWWDA, Emerson 1:00 pm  SGM Facilitators Luncheon, Library 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel   Monday, February 9 6:00 pm  Info and Advocacy, Library 7:00 pm Artist’s Way Tuesday, February 10 4:30 pm  Living a Sustainable Life, Murray 5:30 pm  Finance, Library 7:00 pm  Board of Directors, Library 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, February 11 5:45 pm  Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson 6:30 pm  Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall 7:15 pm  NVC Practice Group, Emerson 7:30 pm  Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Thursday, February 12 9:30 am  International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm  Joyful Noise, Sanctuary Friday, February 13 5:30 pm  Friday Dinner and Movie, Fellowship Hall   Saturday, February 14 10:00 am  Rental, Chapel Sunday, February 15 9:00 am  Music rehearsal, Sanctuary 9:30 am  Great Decisions, David’s Den 9:45 am  WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY 10:45 am  Music rehearsal, Sanctuary 10:45 am  Coffee, Fellowship Hall 11:15 am  WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY 12:15 pm  Coffee, Fellowship Hall 1:00 pm  Green Sanctuary, Library 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel Italicized 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   Further Down The Road (About 30 Days) A Matter of Opinion:
	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
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