USH-Enews for February 21, 2008 Print Only Edition

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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.

Sunday 24 February - Why an Atheist would be interested in Eschatology - Secular thinking is getting hot! Secularism strongly challenges the "spiritual" trend toward church dropouts and individualistic religious practices, which Barry Kosmin's Center for the Study of Secularism books in the Meetinghouse Library have highlighted. On Feb. 24, Ed Savage, one of the Meetinghouse's Humanist cohort, will take the other side of the dialogue and ask, "Why should an atheist be interested in eschatology as he presumably is?"

Music - The music for Sunday, Feb. 24 provides a contrast to the discussion of eschatology. In the Choir’s absence, stalwart tenors Dave Klotz and Tom Sherry are holding the fort with a pair of duets for male voices. The Baroque composer J.S. Bach and the Romantic composer Camille Saint-Saens, separated by nearly 200 years, both turned to God with beautiful harmonies. It is a rare treat to hear our own Two Tenors in these charming sacred duets.

REflections on Children's Programming

Recycle with the RE Program
The RE Program is in need of empty shoe boxes with lids and magazines with color pictures suitable for collage. Please take a moment to check your closet and bring in that stash of National Geographic magazines that has been collecting dust! Donations can be brought to the DRE office.

Press Release from Grades 4 and 5!
The fourth and fifth grade class is having a bake sale on February 24th after the 11 AM service. All proceeds go to the Humane Society. Help protect the animals! More

Free NVC Training in Hartford
"Understand and Connect with your Youth" is an NVC training specifically designed for parents and other adults who mentor teens. The CT Coalition for Children, Youth and Families is offering this workshop free of charge on February 28th and 29th. Please refer to the CT Clearinghouse website for more details.

From the Editor: I am proud to be a USH member especially this week. You see, we are having a principled discussion about a scheduled dramatic presentation. The quality of the letter to the editor and article crafted to deal with the issues raised are a credit to the participants and USH. Do read all about it.

As the choir has grown in numbers, the front row of sopranos has been pushed forward, out of the dimly lighted chancel area set aside more or less for choir use. We use the term lighted loosely as reading music in the poorly lit choir area of the Chancel has been a hassle for a number of years.

Faced with this problem Ed Sax, an extraordinarily talented electrical tinkerer, tested out some new cobbled together fixtures with green choice innards, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). As we all know, such light "bulbs" produce more light than conventional electrical resistance bulbs for the same amount of electricity saving scarce USH funds and preserving the planet. We will spare you the details, but basically Ed was arranging things so the bulbs could breath and not overheat with deleterious consequences to their projected life span.

Subsequently with Ed and Stu Spence at the ready, and with Peter Magistri on the ladder reaching up between those earth-friendly sanctuary slats, new light fixtures were attached such that they poured light down upon the choir music while being basically hidden from those sitting in the Sanctuary.

As Mattie says, voila, the sopranos can now see their music - and the conductor can see the sopranos!

Laugh! Think! Listen! Some information from UPA (Unitarian Performing Arts)Come join us on March 22 as we consider politics in this very political year.UPA (the Unitarian Performing Arts Sub-Council) continues to offer a variety of productions designed to open the Meeting House to an increasingly diverse audience from the Greater Hartford area.

Our next event brings back performance artist Peterson Toscano in, “The Re-Education of George W. Bush,” on Saturday, March 22nd at 7:30 PM.The Society has been abuzz about this show, largely because of the provocative title. Here, in Mr. Toscano’s own words, is a little more insight into what we can expect:

“For my play, which deals with a variety of social justice issues, I purposely chose the title, "The Re-Education of George W. Bush—No President Left Behind!" I desire to lure a particular demographic to the performances. I want all sorts of folks there, but especially I want to perform in front of progressive liberals who bitterly complain and moan about the President, and then believe they've actually accomplished something through their complaints and moans.

"In the show I create cognitive dissonance as I initially introduce my patriotic Republican parents to the audience, then proceed to talk about my mother's battle with cancer and subsequent death. Throughout the play I share the wisdom and insight my mother gave to me about what it means to be an American. “The tension I create lies under the zany characters and lessons that I give to the President, lessons that peace and social justice-minded faith communities express regularly as we explore racism, sexism, violence, homophobia, torture, environmental concerns and various forms of oppression in our country and our world. The play does not offer a partisan message. I infuse it with humor, warmth and strong messages, not against the US government or any political party, but messages addressed to our times and the many ways in which we each contribute to the problems that plague us today. Because of this approach, the play has been well received in a variety of venues including Quaker meeting houses, conferences, churches in the US and Sweden, and at peace centers.

By the end of the play, the audience realizes that the message has very little to do with George W. Bush and very much to do with our roles as Americans who desire to make this world a better place. Oh, and also it's really funny. :-)”

UPA Chair Patrice Fitzgerald spells out the UPA mission and addresses concerns: We strive for a mixture of cultural events that appeal to a variety of people in the greater Hartford community. To date, our performances have included a concert of the music of Colonial New England, a Russian choral quartet, a dramatic presentation of the life of Clarence Darrow, and another satire, "Doin' Time at the Homo No Mo' Halfway House." Coming up are the Women Composers Festival and the African and Caribbean dance and drumming troupe Sankofa Kuumba, and under consideration is a concert exploring the indigenous music of South America.Our goal is to educate, entertain, and to open the doors of our facility to non-members, in the hopes of contributing to the greater community and perhaps attracting new members to the Society. The comic satire, "The Re-Education of George W. Bush," is neither an attack on the current president nor a one-sided propaganda piece criticizing the Republican Party. Instead, it is a comedy, designed to entertain and provoke. We take our task as representatives of USH very seriously. Ultimately, we consider it the responsibility of our Performing Arts Sub-Council to present events that constitute art, and art is not always quiet, comfortable, or accepted by everyone.If it doesn't occasionally provoke, it is not art. UPA invites the USH community to open our minds as well as our doors, to invite friends and make new ones, and to accept Peterson Toscano’s challenge to explore today’s issues with him and enjoy an intelligent evening of riotous good humor.

Prayer is Reasonable - “Come with me for an hour to a field of wonder, a field of worship,” Rev. BJ invited the congregation in her opening words of welcome last Sunday. In this space, she said, we can “experience the majestic oneness of this place.” And she praised the “network of hands” around her—the pastoral care persons, the comfort shawl knitters (shawls were worn and displayed throughout the Sanctuary), the Caring Network, the Lay Listeners.

Using her prerogative to make changes, Rev. BJ said she had been unable to write a sermon using her original title, “The Antithesis of Love” because she was unable to find an antithesis to love. Instead, she said, “Today I am going to invite you to pray.” Prayer, Rev. BJ maintained, “is a reasonable thing to do.”

Prayer reminds us that we are not alone, that we have commitment and community connections, that we can reach beyond ourselves in thoughts and words. “In the middle of a community huddle,” Rev. BJ said, “we find the holy…prayer wraps this community in a huge comfort shawl.”

Continuing her “prayer is reasonable” theme, Rev. BJ suggested that prayer practices make a difference in us and we are empowered to make a difference somewhere else. Prayer is “nothing more and nothing less than reminding us of our power and the power of a community,” she said. Prayer calls, moves and motivates us to see and do something different. It keeps brains and bodies active.

Music, always an important part of a Sunday service, was very special last Sunday. Guest artist Anhared Stowe played music quite different from the Hartford Symphony (where she is Principal Second Violinist) with two pieces from Porgy and Bess: “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “Bess, You Is My Woman Now.” Choir soloists Patrice Fitzgerald and Tony Nasto belted out “Sound Over All Waters,” and the entire choir surrounded the Sanctuary and we joined them in “Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire.” - 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

Here we go again - With the 2008 political campaign gathering steam, I geared myself for the moment when our USH might be asked to demand the impeachment of President Bush or maybe an end to the Iraq War. Or something like that. Then it came, two Sundays ago, with fliers handed out at the Meeting House announcing “On March 22 Unitarian Society of Hartford Presents Artist/Activist Peterson Toscano in The Re-Education of George W. Bush: No President Left Behind.” Within days, a meeting of senior USH ladies was buzzing at the news, wondering how we got to “present” any such thing, expressing distaste at the very idea.

I wondered myself. As a member of last year’s Task Force which wrestled with the question of how the USH would handle requests to endorse controversial political issues, I figured we had settled the matter.

We proposed, and our Board of Directors approved last November, a rule that USH “position statements” could “bear the name, banner or other representation” of our Society only when approved in a long drawn-out manner. I assumed that if this process was not followed, the USH name could not be used.

So I got on the internet and asked around. The Reverend BJ emailed back that she felt “uneasy” about the matter and, if asked, “would have advised caution.” USH President Bill Young, noting that it was the Performing Arts Sub-Council that was presenting the performance, said he believed they were “aware of (its) controversial nature” and “the choice was made to present the performance without stating or implying endorsement or disagreement with the content.”

Edith Savage of the Arts Sub-Council quoted Artist/Activist Toscano as choosing his title “to lure…progressive liberals who bitterly complain and moan about the President and then believe they’ve actually accomplished something.” His message, Mr. Toscano said, “has very little to do with George W. Bush and very much to do with our role as Americans.”

Finally, the director of last year’s Task Force, Charles Huntington, wrote that “I don’t think that presenting (or whatever word you like) a theatrical performance implies endorsement for the content of that performance…if it stimulates a healthy debate and opportunity to grow along multiple dimension.”

Yet, I was left with the lingering thought that had our Great Decisions group scheduled a guest speaker (as we have done on occasion) and announced in a flier that “Unitarian Society Presents Karl Rove speaking on America’s Determination to Achieve Victory in Iraq,” the reaction from some might have been a little less understanding. - Earl Costenoble

Comment on Project Vote Smart - In 2002 my husband and I spent two weeks at Project Vote Smart's Montana location. I was glad to see that attention was called to Project Vote Smart in the February 14 E-News.

We lived on the PVS grounds, a quick walk from the office where we worked eight hours each week day. As you approach the office you see a sign, "Leave Your Politics at the Door". PVS is a truly bi-partisan organization.

College students (from other countries too), work ten-week stints for free room and board. Other volunteers are charged a low room-and-board fee to work for two weeks.

We were housed on the grounds, a quick walk from the office.

There was plenty to do, but we were assigned to make computer entries from questionnaires sent to national interest groups to get their evaluations of ALL national and state candidates. Balanced information was assured by seeking the opinions from opposing organizations like NARAL, Right to Life, NRA, and the Brady Campaign.

Candidates' voting records and their responses to questionnaires about their positions are also recorded. This huge amount of information is gathered into a booklet disseminated to the public at no charge.

This year PVS has raised enough funds to send a Project Vote Smart bus to locations all over the country. It seats 25 people for video presentations. As you could see by clicking on the "Review" link in the E-news item, there are many links provided for relevant, non-biased information about public officials and about the founding of PVS and its activities. Or, go online at votesmart.org - Marion Kelliher

Our Sexton, Peter Magistri, sends along his appreciation for the support and kind words received from numerous members and friends during a difficult time following the loss of his former wife, Valerie Jean Scagliarini, who passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

“You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” ~ Winston Churchill

Party and Pledge !! Join the fun at Bringing in the Green: Leap Year Edition -- Saturday, March 8, 7-10 PM at the Meeting House; entertainment, great food and drink, and your opportunity to celebrate our
community by making your pledge! Special door prize - Your personal choice of a sermon topic by Reverend BJ!

You have received our save-the-date card, i.e., March 8th from 7-10 PM, and your personal RSVP invitation to attend. Don't forget to reply to the office now - any time, day or night. If you leave a voicemail, please include the number of people attending, whether you need a ride, whether you need babysitting (and for how many children of what ages), and (entirely optional) whether you will bring a dessert or
hors d'oeuvres to share. Please respond even if you can't make it, as we need an accurate count. By responding, you'll save the Stewardship Sub-Council members the need to call you to get your answer. - More

SOAW Program - This Sunday, Feb. 24 - 1 PM Fred Louis and Maggie Greene on School of the Americas Watch - Feeling down about the state of the world? Need a little hope? Come learn how a faith-based, grass-roots organization is making the world a better place through non-violent advocacy.

The School of the Americas Watch (SOAW) has been holding a vigil and memorial at the main gate to Fort Benning, Georgia annually since 1990. Founded and led by Fr. Roy Bourgeois, a Maryknoll priest, the SOAW's event has grown from a handful to some 20,000 participants last year.

This is an Adult Programs Committee presentation; no fee, no reservation required; bring a sandwich or bag lunch to eat before the program, if you like.

Fred Louis and Maggie Greene have been among demonstration participants for the last 10 years.

Please come hear what the issues are, the progress that's been made, and how you can make a difference.

March Adult Education Program: Scientific Basis of Human Moral Behavior, Thursday, March 13, 7-9 PM.

Bill Shoemaker, Psychiatry faculty member at the University of CT Health Ctr, teaches residents and, medical students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. You're in for a treat if you have not heard Bill explain a complex subject in a way that you can understand. He will begin the session with an introduction to brain structure and function in order to provide a common background for discussion.

Findings from recent recordings of special neurons in the cerebral cortex , functional imaging studies, and clinical evidence indicate that a remarkably consistent network of brain regions is involved in empathy and moral cognition. These findings (neural basis of empathy and human moral behavior) require new approaches to enable us to understand the complex links between individuals and society.

Taize Service March 16th 6 PM - A Word from Rev BJ: TAIZE--What's that? Taize (pronounced Ty-zay') evening prayers originated in eastern France in 1940, and were created to allow communal prayer among people of different cultures, faiths and languages, using scripture, silence, singing, and holy communion.

Taize chants, sung repetitively or in a round, are sometimes featured. The mood of the service develops as it will, with word and silence intermingling comfortably. Churches of many denominations hold Taize worship, usually in the evening, as an addition to their regular services.

Join us in the Chapel at 6 PM on March 16 for this one-hour service of intimacy and ultimacy. Rev. Barb Jamestone is the cantor and celebrant for the communion ritual, along with Ser Seskevich. This intergenerational service will include a brief “Palm Sunday” experience children. More

From the Adult Programs Sub-Council: There are still many programs to sign up for in the Winter/Spring term so stop by the Registration Table on Sunday during the Coffee Hours. We'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. And, while there, you may want to take a look at the Book Cart for books you can purchase. Be sure to pick up your copy of The Winter/Spring Programs Catalog available at the Registration Table and electronically available on the web.

Watercolors for Beginners, Saturday, February 23, 1-4 PM. An introductory class in water color painting with Lauren Azrambo from the West Hartford Art League. Teens welcome!

"School of the Americas" Watch, Sunday, February 24, 1-2:00 PM. (see article above)

Pastels for Beginners, Saturday, March 1, 1-4 PM. Claudia Triggs from the West Hartford Art League will offer an introductory class in pastels. Teens welcome!

The Secular Mind, 4 Sundays, March 2, 8, 16, 30, 1-3 PM. Facilitated by Ed Savage, explore the various ways in which religious, humanistic, and scientific thinkers respond to and act upon the problems contemporary society presents. More

FLASH: Spring Small Group Ministry Down To Two Openings - The spring Small Group Ministry sessions are almost filled up, so you should sign up now if you’re interested. We have only two openings in the Thursday evening group in Hartford facilitated by Carol Davidson and hosted by Bruce Robbins. You may consult the Adult Programs Catalogue for more information. Interested persons can identify accessibility concerns (including assisted listening devices or allergies) with Mike Roy (561-4061) so we can address them to the best of our ability. Please sign up by contacting the church office. - Mike Roy

Women's Transitional Support Group is now meeting on the 2nd and 4th Fridays at 1 PM in the Meeting House We are discussing various transitions women go through during their lives with particular emphasis on transitions occurring presently such as children leaving home, retirement, care giving, dealing with getting older and facing death. Our next meeting will be February 22nd and the one after that will be March 7th.

Kind hearts are the garden,
kind thoughts are the root,
kind words are the blossoms,
kind deeds are the fruit.
- Anonymous

- 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.

March 19th, LAMENTATION and PROTEST - Remember the Dead - Count the Cost - End the War More

Trans Plantations at the Hartford Stage - March 19th Buy Your Tickets NOW! - More

The Re-Education of George W. Bush : No President Left Behind. March 22nd More - Background discussion

Humanist Seminar – March Adult Education program - More

The Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition For Equity and Justice - Announces COVENANTING SERVICE March 6, 2008 More

On the Calendar

Thursday, February 21
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
5:30 pm Council on Spiritual Life, Servetus

Friday, February 22
1:00 pm Transitional Group, Library

Saturday, February 23
10:30 am Rental, Chapel
12:00 pm RE Bake Sale Prep, Kitchen
1:00 pm Water Colors for Beginners Workshop, Servetus

Sunday, February 24
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Chapel
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, CHAPEL
9:30 am Great Decisions, Library
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
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 RE Bake Sale, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm Nominating Committee, Library
1:00 pm School of the Americas Watch, Chapel
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel, then Fellowship Hall
Monday, February 25 2:45 pm Rental, Library
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
7:30 pm The Great Turning, Library
Tuesday, February 26
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, February 27
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

Friday, February 29
Circle Dinners, various homes

Saturday, March 1
1:00 pm Pastels for Beginners, Servetus

Sunday, March 2
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, CHAPEL
9:30 am Great Decisions, Library
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:00 am Youth Choir, Chapel
10:00 am Youth Soup Making, Kitchen
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:00 pm Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:30 pm UPA, Bellows
1:00 pm The Secular Mind, Library
1:30 pm Eat by Choice, Not by Habit, Servetus
3:00 pm Estelle Laschever Artist Reception, Lobby, 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

The Passover experience has meanings for all faith communities. The saga of the exodus tells the birth of the Jewish people. The observance of the Passover holiday in Jerusalem is the background for the Christian narrative of Easter. Muslim tradition embraces both of these religions.

Beth Hillel Synagogue is hosting an interfaith learning seder on Tuesday evening, March 11, at 7pm. The seder is free and open to the community. Reservations, though, are required for planning purposes. The Bloomfield Interfaith Clergy Association is sharing in the seder and inviting its members to attend.

Rabbi Gary Atkins of Beth Hillel Synagogue will lead guests through the first part of book that narrates the Passover seder, called the Haggadah, and all present will see the holiday symbols and taste the traditional holiday foods.

Individuals are invited to contact their own congregation or Beth Hillel at 242-5561 for reservations. - Leona Mae Page

Getting to Know the Lay Listeners

Photo

Diana Heymann

I’ve been a member of USH since 1986 where I’ve taught, facilitated SGM, sung in the choir, been a long time member of CNW, and am working on my NVC skills each day! I’ve been a Social Worker, a Teacher (Sped), & an Elementary and Literacy Coach (for teachers). Currently, I’m “retired” but just can’t stop working with Hartford’s kids! My new goals are turning my home and yard into a model of GREEN, renewing friendships, & my love of reading, writing, & painting, plus, extending my love and caring within the USH circle.

I have three kids, two fabulous grandsons, a super-supportive partner, Dave, and one very special black cat, Suki. (I’d love a dog but this cat really hates dogs…ideas, anyone?)

The Lay Listeners program appeals to me because I’ve always been happiest and most comfortable getting to know a person in a 1:1 situation. Seeing everyone on Sunday is wonderful but much too brief. Being able to spend time with individuals in “regular time” is very important to me and I believe, to our shared goal of strengthening our connections with one another.

Did You Know? - A highlight of the Hartford County Home Builders' Association’s “Original Home and Remodeling Show,” February 29 - March 2, at the Connecticut Convention Center, will be the “Green Works Living Green Tour’s ‘LIVING GREEN HOME," a 2500 square foot home, highlighting eco-friendly rooms with green products, materials and appliances throughout. This is the first stop for the house on a 15 city tour. For details, call 860-563-4212 or click here. It will take a few moments to load the page - Edith Savage

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