USH-Enews February 25, 2010 Print Only Edition

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Save the Date for the Annual Stewardship Community Event
March 20th 7-10 PM Fellowship Hall

This year we look forward to getting together on March 20th to show our support for this committed and caring community we call our religious home. We will officially kick off our annual pledge drive with great food, entertainment and a chance to be together and celebrate all that is good about our lives together. Plan on coming that night prepared to make your pledge and show your support for all that you receive from this place.

It is up to us to raise the money it takes to keep our staff paid, our programs running and the building humming. Further details will be coming soon in the mail.

Look for sign-up sheets for the March 20th party after the Sunday service on March 7th and 14th.

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 or to find past issues of the weekly USH-Enews click here.

Sunday- 28 February - Ember Days: For Love of WITZ - An institutional spiritual practice, Ember Days are 12 minor holidays on ancient church calendars. They were days set aside for prayer and fasting for clarity of vocation, or what persons are called to do and be in the world. We continue that tradition at USH, as a focused opportunity on 12 days a year, to turn inward and listen to life’s coaxing us toward our fullest humanity through the voice of our ‘Wise Inner Teachers.” - BJ

Religious Education Classes

Spirit Play: Yellow Promise: Stone Soup
Second & Third Grade: Heart Talk: Celebration
Fourth & Fifth Grade: Spirit of Adventure: Saving Lives
Sixth & Seventh Grade: Hinduism
Eighth Grade: Coming of Age Introduction
Youth Group Activities: Discussion

From the Editor: Suggestions for Contributors.

This Week’s Feature Articles

Reserve the Date Stewardship Event
Music Fund Raiser for ICEJ
Going Behind Scenes With the Choir
Love and the Velveteen Rabbit
Spaces Left Small Group Ministry
Movie, Good Food and Discussion Offered

A Little History – How did the composer want this to sound? - Going behind the scenes with the choir.

Usually when I look at an anthem in our files, the notes on the page don’t quite answer that question. If the composer is still alive and accessible, I can ask directly. (Tom Schmutzler, our emeritus organist and de facto composer in residence, often gave us insight into his intentions about his pieces, although often he let me decide…or the choir might vote! He claimed to be “interested” in hearing someone else’s interpretation of his music.) If the composer is a historical figure there is generally much research into “authentic performance practice” and even recordings that we can emulate…or not. But if it’s a little-known composer, and the notation isn’t perfectly clear, what then?

For BJ’s theme for February 28th, “Love,” I found a setting of First Corinthians 13 (If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal…. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.)

I’ve wanted to do this anthem since Teresa Cooley’s days but could never schedule it. Finally Feb. 28th seemed perfect. The Choir started rehearsing the piece, and immediately, despite a full page of instructions by the composer, questions arose. Is that an A or an A flat? Do we carry this over or take a breath here? Should this be a triplet or not?

Now, where did this challenging piece come from? How did it get into our choral files? You may not know that our wonderful Bill Willett used to direct our choir. He was then a professor at The Hartt School, heading the music education division and the wind department. As director of the Wind Ensemble he sometimes brought the wind players over for a service. (I wonder if he encouraged them by promising an “A”?) Bill was always interested in cutting-edge music, encouraging new composers and opening everyone’s ears to the music of our times. In addition to great masterworks, he ordered copies of the latest music that would fit our denominational beliefs and language, while challenging our harmonic expectations. “First Corinthians 13” by William McRae fits that bill perfectly. And the Director’s copy of this anthem is still sprinkled with interpretation markings in Bill Willett’s distinctive handwriting.

But there was another means of insight into this piece that I’d never suspected. As we began rehearsing, Mark Child called out from the piano with some suggestions. It turned out that Mark had studied with William McRae at Bucknell, and in fact had learned this very piece. It was quite some time ago, but Mark recalled clearly the answers to many of our questions. No, that is not a triplet. Do take a breath there. It’s an A flat. And, of course, beyond those technical details, Mark was able to reveal to us some of the composer’s intentions with his setting of this timeless text.

William McRae focuses on the text in his fascinating setting. At first the choir chants the words in an unmeasured way that imitates speech, and with very little melodic motion, very much like Gregorian chant except in English. At times he has the singers abandon singing, speaking words like “tinkling, jingling, clanging, jangling” or whispering (“vanish-sh-sh”), and imitating sounds (“resounding gong,” “clanging cymbal,” “bra-a-a-a-ss”). The harmony begins simply, but by the words “beareth all things, endureth all things” the chords become dissonant, harsh, even difficult to listen to (and to sing!) But then on the word “Love” the harmony resolves into consonance. “When I was a child” actually is set to a childish little tune that soon “grows up” as the words move to “when I became a man,” to which the composer adds “when I became a woman.” The end of the text moves from complex to simple – “For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face.” Just so, the music near the end breaks into more parts, overlapping and knotty, full of twists and turns – and then resolves, on the final word, “Love.”

Since this piece was quite a challenge for the choir, we invited our alto soloist Shannen Hofheimer to sing a solo. She chose “Boy’s Lips: a blues” from Libby Larsen’s song cycle “Love After 1950.” The text is by Rita Dove, former U.S. poet laureate, who wrote:
You have to imagine it’s possible before you can see something. - Mattie

Remind me again…just what is Hilaritas? - What comes to mind and resonates in body when you think of “Christmas music” or “Easter music?”

Christmas offers worshippers a chance to celebrate, with gratitude, nature's profound and comforting truth that in the depth of Winter gestates an invincible seed of Spring. Easter is an affirmation that the seasons have changed, that new life is springing forth, and that our lives are full of powerful possibilities for resurrection and reconciliation.

How might UUs approach these central Christian holidays of our culture and offer a uniquely UU celebration that reflects the profound human experience at the heart of these holidays?

As you know, one touchstone of my ministry is that I have chosen to answer that question with the "Hilaritas" motif from the ancient goddess of joy, laughter, and whimsy, who is always accompanied by happy children. We have multigenerational services on Easter and the Sunday before Christmas, and I encourage both adults and children to wear seasonal apparel adding whimsy and pageantry to the occasion—this wearing of "ritual garb" is an ancient religious practice signaling that we are moving from "ordinary time" to sacred or "set-apart" time.

The order of service of the day follows our normative repeating pattern of word and music, with the slight distinction of more music, and shorter textual messages on the theme of the day interspersed throughout, in child friendly fashion, instead of a full length sermon. The emphasis is on congregational singing, enthusiastically modeled and led by our choir and musicians.

What about the music? At Christmas we have a "body of music" that is familiar and lends itself to group singing. Though sometimes religious in text, it has become the musical background of the celebration for the broader culture. We have chosen Jazz styling for that service, in part because of my experience with an annual tradition in my home town. “Hilaritas” was for 30 years, for me, a gathering of singers and musicians from university, community singers and symphony, churches, and the local bar or coffee house circuit—with a Jazz “feel” repeating throughout.

I have not felt as confident about a jazz overlay to Easter, however. And, as for exuberant congregational singing, Easter does not have a familiar body of "carols" sung on street corners, though Mattie tells me that we do have in our choral library an anthem entitled “May Day Carol!” When I asked her what music comes to mind regarding Easter she wrote: majestic - triumphant - hallelujah! on Eastern morn - meaning as many brass instruments as possible, and the mighty organ, and brass & organ together if possible.

Interestingly, strings and woodwinds do not have the same effect -- churches want brass.
Now, some people take those brass groups and extend the aesthetic to jazz, so that's not unprecedented. Much modern sacred Easter music tends to combine the two, so you have classical tradition with jazz rhythms incorporated into the compositions, but not truly jazz.

I was delighted to read about the "modern sacred Easter music" described above, especially when Mattie told me later that she, Mark, and Melissa have familiarity with same.

There is much nurture in repeating community traditions and rituals year after year. And so, Hilaritas continues in 2010, with jazz rhythms often incorporated into compositions from the classical tradition, and with 21st century UU faith and practice incorporated into compositions and concepts from the classical Christian tradition. For example, this Easter at USH we will continue our "roll away the stone" ritual, which gives us a chance to create an intention to name some tomb areas of our lives which we’d like to revisit and restore to fullness of life. The theme will once again be "resurrection to fullness of life and possibility." In word and music, you’ll have opportunity to experience a celebration of our human capacity to persevere and prevail through dark nights of the soul to clear blue sunrises.

Mark your calendar for April 4! - Rev BJ

Love and the Velveteen Rabbit - The moral of The Velveteen Rabbit came across loud and clear at Sunday’s light-hearted inter-generational service starring Director of Religious Education (DRE) Gail Syring and Reverend BJ: Love is what makes you real.

Gail, sporting gauzy blue angel wings, and Reverend BJ, looking natty in rabbit ears, were aided by thespians Sheila Ward and Lisa Sementilli from the RE Education Sub-Council and by some RE kids. Gail’s beautiful reading voice made the popular story by Margery Williams a delight to listen to and Reverend BJ’s emotional portrayal of the velveteen rabbit tugged at the heartstrings.

Said rabbit—old, threadbare, shabby, button eyes missing—was looked down upon by the other nursery toys, especially the mechanical ones. But there was something about the rabbit that appealed to a boy, and they became inseparable. The rabbit lived under the covers of the boy’s bed, unknown to anyone, and stayed there all during the boy’s almost-fatal illness. Unfortunately, when the boy was sent to a warmer place to recover, all his sheets, pillows and toys had to be burned. And no one noticed the poor rabbit. But the love the boy had showered upon him was strong enough to save the rabbit, and the nursery fairy (played by Gail) appeared, made him real and assured him that, although it may have taken a long time to become real, once you are real, it lasts forever.

Reverend BJ, who alternated between rabbit and minister during the service, said our USH congregation creates an “enchanting environment where you can become real.” She said that even when you are sad or lonely, “our church is there for us” and no matter what trouble you are in or how old or sick you are, you “can feel its strong arms around you.”

Following the drama, Gail was honored for her work not only as DRE but also for all the other jobs she does around the church. A funny but serious poem written in her honor was read; its oft-repeated refrain was “not to worry, Gail is here.” She was also thanked with a lovely silver plate inscribed “Angel of the Year.”

Very Important Post Script. After the service, in Fellowship Hall, Reverend BJ doffed her rabbit ears to present a slide show and descriptive comments on two of the many trips she has taken to holy sites of the world’s religions. We went with her and her son James to Mt. Kailash in Western Tibet and to Northern India.

Her Tibet trip was incredibly arduous. It involved days and days of driving over many non-roads, primitive conditions, a scarcity of water, an attack by flies, and some freezing weather (we loved the shot of an unusually ample Reverend BJ wearing all the clothes she had brought with her). But for her, the incredible vistas, the sky, the clouds, the silence, the vast openness and emptiness helped her in her search for “the more.”

It took her group of Buddhists (James and she were the only non-Buddhists on the trek) four days of walking to complete the pilgrimage around and below the temple at Mt. Kailash, the most sacred spot for Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. Locals who make the journey do it in one day.

In India, Reverend BJ showed us some of the activity that takes place in the busy Ganges River where people wash themselves and their clothes and where their ashes are scattered after their bodies are burned. We visited Buddha’s birthplace, his first teaching location and the site of his death.

Sunday’s show and tell was sponsored by the Alliance Ministry to Women. Prior to Reverend BJ’s presentation, many of those attending lunched on large cups of the Youth Group’s wonderfully thick and satisfying vegetable soup made that morning. This soup-making tradition has been going on for many years. The soup is donated to a soup kitchen, and the funds raised from selling some of it to us buys the ingredients for the next batch. During and after the show, the Alliance offered lemonade and popcorn.

On the Calendar - Please notify Brian Mullen of all additions or changes to the calendar. Follow this link to all our scheduled events

A Matter of Opinion

External Events and Educational Notes

2009-10 Beth El Temple Music Series / Concert No. 2, Waltz & Wine, 7 Pm, Sunday, March 7 - An eclectic mix of music for the entire family in the east wing - tickets available at the door.

Highlighting the second concert of the Beth El Temple 2009-10 Music Series, will be the exhilarating, illustrative work for klezmer clarinet and string quartet,"The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind" by Osvaldo Golijov, featuring Dr. Adam Berkowitz, clarinetist. Hartt School of Music pianists, Corbin Beisner and Lee Hagon will perform works by Brahms, Faure and Alkan. The Beth El Temple Adult Choir will perform Yiddish choral works by Joseph Achron and Max Helfman. Joseph Ness, conductor/artistic director. Dessert and wine will be offered at the conclusion of the program. Tickets are available in advance at the Temple office or at the door. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students, FREE to children 12 and under. The Sisterhood of Beth El Temple will provide a pre-concert catered dinner. Price for combined dinner/concert is $25, $10 for children 12 and under. Advance reservations for the dinner are required by Wednesday, March 3 to Sheila Diamond: 860.673.6885 or stdiamond(at symbol)comcast.net. Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave. (860) 233.9696 or bethelwesthartford.org Open To The Public. Plenty Of Free Parking. - Eliane Freund

What Else is Happening

Great News - Married: Deb Thomas and Judy Dayner, life partners since 1989 and USH members since 1991, were married on February 24, 2010, in the Payson Miller Chapel, with the Reverend Barbara Jamestone officiating. Deb and Judy make their home in South Glastonbury with their children Zachary and Olivia Dayner.

We seem to have fewer latecomers to the service - thanks everyone for trying to be seated on time! We keep tweaking the system to try and find the easiest, yet still effective way, to have latecomers come into the Sanctuary. The past two Sundays were good examples of why the wording of the directions we tried were problematic, as both Sundays had musical selections following the welcome from the pulpit that made entry appropriate at that time, rather than waiting until "after the chalice lighting."

So our latest 'tweak' is to direct latecomers to either wait at the back of the Sanctuary or take seats from a side aisle, until the ushers indicate an appropriate time to enter, which will be at their discretion: basically NOT when there is someone speaking or when there is a SOLO musical invocation. If, as was the case these past two Sundays, there was a lively group musical selection after the welcome, then folks could be invited to take seats. If it's really a quiet choral piece, then probably better to wait until after the chalice lighting.

Let's see how this works!

Thanks, Anne Bailey, Membership Chair

Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH

Songs of Peace and Social Justice Sunday March 7, 2010 4 PM A Fundraiser for ICEJ
(more)

What about an Antique Fair as a fundraiser? Our Stewardship Sub Council thinks this might be a good idea as such an event could not only raise money for the USH but also be a fabulous community-builder through which we could get to know each other better.

Would you like to explore this possibility with me? If so, please call me at 860 678-1030 for more details. An exploratory design team will meet at
my home (58 Hitchcock Lane, Avon) on Wed., March 3 at 7:00, to discuss plans for an antiques fair to be held at the Meeting House in the fall. - Jean Groothuis

Kingian Non-Violence Training at USH - To be held Saturdays April 17 and 24 at USH. More

Collage with Paper and Found Objects.
Saturdays, April 10 and 17.
Time: 10 AM - 2 PM.
Fee: $30.00 per class or $55.00 for the two classes.

Hannah Libman, is a member of the faculty at the West Hartford Art League and award-winning artist. This will be her sixth year teaching collage at USH. Participants may take one or both classes. The first class will be to create collages from torn paper, and, in the second class, participants will use tissue paper and found objects to create a collage.

There is a modest materials fee ($5.00) for those who don’t bring their own supplies. For the first class, participants should supply their own mat board, magazines, white glue, and an old paintbrush, or pay the materials fee. For the second class, participants should supply tissue paper and found objects or pay a materials fee.

Register on Sundays at the Programs Table or by calling Janice Newton at 860.677.1121.
For questions contact: Diane Cadrain 860-233-8766 diane.cadrain(at symbol)snet.net

Adult Programs
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For more information about any of our programs, stop by the Programs table on Sunday during coffee hour. This will be the last week to register for the course Eat Better, Feel Better, Live, Better. There are still some openings for Small Group Ministry and the next Friday Night Dinner is coming soon. Looking ahead to Spring, a two class Collage course with instructor Hannah Libman will be offered in April. If you've wanted to learn how to paint using watercolors, Painting In The Park With Watercolors is scheduled for May. You may refer to the complete description of classes, programs, and events on the web.

Coming Events:

Small Group Ministry. (More)

Ember Days, Friday and Saturday February 26, 27, 6 - 8 PM. (More)

NEW! Eat Better, 4 Mondays, March 8, 15, 22, 29, 6:30 - 8 PM. (More)

Friday Night Dinner and Movie, March 12. The featured movie will be Good Will Hunting.

Collage with Paper and Found Objects, Saturdays, April 10 and 17, 10 AM - 2 PM. (More)

Please, if at all possible, register for programs in person during coffee hours on Sundays. If you cannot register in person, please email Janice Newton dcnewton(at symbol)snet.net and note registration in the subject line, or call 860.677.1121 and leave a message (if we are not home) rather than calling the office. This procedure will be followed for all programs including Small Group Ministry.

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Dinner & Movie - Friday, March 12
"Good Will Hunting"

Our Friday, March 12 film is the 1997 drama "Good Will Hunting." It's the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a hood from South Boston working as a janitor at MIT who happens to be a prodigy. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck both wrote and starred in the film, became celebrities, and won the best original screenplay Academy Award. Robin Williams won an Oscar for his supporting role as a therapist who works with Damon. The movie has an R rating. You can watch a trailer here.

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Our menu will feature traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage; if you prefer a vegetarian meal, please let us know when you make your reservation. Please reserve by Monday, March 8. If there is a Programs Table in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour, you can reserve there, with cash, check, or credit card. If not, please call Janice at 860-677-1121. Please leave a message if no one answers; you can pay by cash or check at the movie.

We'll begin our evening at 5:30 with popcorn and libations, dinner at 6, movie at 7. We'll talk about the movie afterwards (optional). Last reminder: We need a minimum of 20 reservations for our wonderful caterer (Kane's of Simsbury). You can invite your friends and neighbors to join us for the evening. - Nita

Time Running Out To Register For Small Group Ministry - Groups are filling up for spring Small Group Ministry, but some space is left if you sign up NOW. SGM is a great way to get to know other members and friends better while discussing spiritual and life topics openly and in depth. If you are a newcomer to SGM or the Meeting House, you can test the waters by participating in the Mini-SGM on Thursday evenings, starting March 18, facilitated by Carol Davidson and hosted by Bruce Robbins in their Hartford home. This Mini-SGM (5 spaces left) is limited to four sessions, with the option for more sessions at the group’s discretion. We are also offering an LGBT affinity group, with straight and supportive friends welcome. This group (6 spaces left) meets on Wednesday evenings, starting March 10, facilitated by Julie Smith and hosted by Debbie Nardi in their Canton home.

There is limited space available in two other groups: Tuesday evening in West Hartford (1 space left) starting March 2, and a family friendly group on Friday evening (1 or 2 spaces left) starting March 19. For a description of how SGM works, click here. Register on Sunday or by calling Janice Newton at 677-1121. - Mike Roy

Caring Network - Addiction is anything that has more power over you than you do. Jimmy Breslin - 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.- before 10:30 on Sunday. 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.