USH-Enews February 28, 2008

USH-Enews For February 28, 2008
Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further Down the Road; Did You Know?; Lay Listener of the Week

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Giving is more than a responsibility—it is a privilege; more more than an act of obedience — it is evidence of our faith.” ~ William Arthur Ward (1921-94), American educator (Illustration by Rich Ferguson-Hull)

The USH-Enews is a weekly email newsletter produced for members and friends of the Unitarian Society of Hartford. The USH web address is: http://www.ushartford.com/ Check at the end of this USH-Enews for information on submissions, subscriptions and escape from the mailing list. And, to read the monthly Meetinghouse Messenger (newsletter) on the web or to find past issues of the weekly USH-Enews click here.

Office hours: Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com - Rev. BJ office hours by appointment.

Worshipping Together Since 1830 - Services at 9 & 11 AM

Sunday 2 March - Finding Our Voice - Based on conversations with social justice advocate and USH member Carol Shoemaker, Rev. Jamestone will explore the myriad ways we can find our voice at USH, and the “varieties of tongues” our liberal faith offers as we seek to fulfill our vision of growing in spirit and in service. The lay testimonial voice will be Spiritual Life Council Chair Kelly Lyman.

Ed Savage's sermon for last week has been placed on the website. Here is an especially good screen version of the source for the spectacular banner photo.

Music - this day's music has proven "audience appeal." Our resident violin artist Ann Stowe plays movements from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," and the choir (at 11) sings "Adiemus" which was used in the Delta Airlines commercial. Instead of a text this piece uses syllables and has musical references to African, Brazilian and other rhythms.

REflections on Children's Programming

Chalice Choir - Dear Parents, I am looking for kids to sing with me in the Chalice Choir on Easter Sunday. The rehearsals are at 12:15 on 3/2 and 3/23 at 10:30 in the Chapel. It would be really great if I could get a large group of kids to participate. I can be contacted at: aubrien(at symbol)comcast.net . Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you there! Sincerely, Aubrie Nelson

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.

What Do Children Need On Sunday Morning? - Rev. Lowell Brook

"They need to light a candle, and have a quiet moment to enjoy its mystery.

"They need to sing a song, and hear their own voice and others joined together, and to feel the feelings that are stirred by music.

"They need to hear a story and have a chance to share their own, remembering that we are each different and also alike.

"They need to create something, realizing that expressing themselves, whether using words or materials, helps to bind the different parts of ourselves and life together. That's what religion is.

"They need an adult who is interested in the world, and who feels the privilege and responsibility of their trust, one who is glad to be with them, and regards them positively.

"Into this safe and encouraging context, we may weave the content of our religious traditions. The history and common threads of our identity are important to be sure, but without this essential loving embrace, the education will not be religious." - Gail M. Syring DRE

What Else is Happening & Announcements

A Message from the Stewardship Folks:

“If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. ~Bob Hope

As ranking real amphibian (perhaps a prince in waiting) of this publication, I note the wisdom your Stewardship Sub-Council invested in selecting my cartoon brothers and sisters for our stewardship event. I am looking at you from my perspective as a real frog and urging that you pledge, party and RSVP for the March 8th event promptly as requested! Don't disappoint me!

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

Art News

During the cold, dour days of March we are being honored and revitalized by the vibrant colors of West Hartford artist, Estelle Lashever, through a variety of styles and media. Music continues to influence her work

Opening Reception, Music Series Monotypes and Oils, Sunday, March 2nd, 3 - 5 PM at USH

" I believe, as Kandinsky stated, that each color has its own sound. Groups of colors repeat and can be "heard" in much the same way that musical phrases in performance can be experienced - Estelle Laschever

Humanist Seminar – March Adult Education program - More

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

March 9 Charrette Needs You! More

Sunday March 16th - Working with Noah Webster School GHICEJ More

Taize Service March 16th 6 PM - 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. More

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

From the Adult Programs Sub-Council:Stop by the Registration Table on Sunday during the Coffee Hours to register or to find out about some of the programs coming in March. Please note an additional Tai Chi session has been added and will be starting March 19 at 5:15 PM. 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 more information about these programs and others, the Winter/Spring Catalog is electronically available on the web or you can pick up your copy at the Registration Table.

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

Scientific Basis of Human Moral Behavior, Thursday, March 13, 7-9 PM. More

Friday Dinner and Movie, March 14, Join others for a friendly movie night including a catered candlelight dinner, dessert, and coffee. The featured movie will be "Letters from Iwo Jima".

Fabric Collage, Saturday, March 15, 10-2 PM. USH member Diane Cadrain will teach participants to put fabrics together into their own original creations without a sewing machine, using fusible web-a heat activated product-applied with an iron. Creations can become part of a pillow, wall hanging, or small art quilt. Teens welcome!

Tai Chi, Eight Wednesdays starting March 19, 5:15-6:15 PM (new time) For those of you who have requested an earlier time, an additional Tai Chi session has been added to start at 5:15 PM. The 6:30-7:30 PM session will also continue. This gentle martial art improves your flexibility, balance, endurance, concentration, and inner peace. Instructor Monika Forstner has taught various forms of Tai Chi for may years and is a nationally licensed AMTA member. If you have any questions you may call Ginny Hedrick at 677-9272.

Spring Small Group Ministry Has Only 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 (starting March 13). 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

Caring Network - Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness -- great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.- by Jim Rohn - 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.

Further Down The Road (About 30 Days)

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

Hold the date: Saturday, March 29 for a conference examining "What Could Universal Healthcare in CT look like and How can we get there?" Juan Figueroa, President of Universal Health Care Foundation of CT (former member of USH) will be the keynote speaker.

We can set up car pools to the Unitarian Society of New Haven in Hamden. 9 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration forms from Kembles or at the Equal Exchange table on Sundays.

"Picking up the Pieces" is the title of the UU-UNO spring conference April 3-5 in NYC. You may attend for a single day. Our office is across the street from the UN. It is about building SUSTAINABLE peace.

Discuss the importance of peace in the UU faith. Meet inspiring individuals from the UN, UU and NGO communities. Explore the role that peace plays in your own faith.
See the notice on the Social Justice board in Fellowship Hall, talk with Tom or Joan Kemble, or see www.uu-uno.org

Humanist Seminar – March Adult Education program March 2, 9, 16, 30 at 1:00 PM at the Meetinghouse - More

On the Calendar

(See the link below for this week, thanks)

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

Beth Hillel Synagogue is hosting an interfaith learning seder on Tuesday evening, March 11, at 7PM. More

From the Editor: As this issue was in draft Wednesday morning the computer screen froze and the same condition occurred on each machine restart! All computer users sooner or later experience the terror of a dying machine. Would there be an USH-Enews this week? The possibility that there would be none continued until the problem was diagnosed and solved some hours later.

Thus we are reminded of both machine and human mortality. - DCN

This Week’s Feature Articles

Be Keen! Wear Green
My Place
A Matter of Principles
An Evening of Heart and Soul

Be Keen! Wear Green! - Some Words from Rev BJ: This Sunday begins a three part March of Sundays, when we’ll do a leap frog review of the three green lily pads which are central to our USH vision:

March 2: Stewardship - Serving our Society with our gifts of time, talent, money, and prayers. (Be challenged during service to discern the gifts you uniquely bring to our ministry at USH, and commit to attending our extravaganza annual pledge and party March 8th, a Saturday night: “Bringing in the Green—The Leap Year Version”)

March 9: Spiritual Nurture - receiving the gift of the beloved spiritual community that sustains us. (During the service, we explore our core purpose as a religious group. AFTER the service, we share lunch and creatively explore the myriad programs that might comprise the church of our dreams.)

March 16: Service - spreading the spirit of USH in service to the larger community. Hear about our service initiative with the Noah Webster School, and meet Principal Dee Cole in the Chapel immediately following the service, THEN enjoy coffee downstairs after that.

You are invited to wear green on these Sundays and to kiss all frogs, toward freeing the "prince" future that awaits us at USH! - Best, Rev BJ

My Place - Testimonial 2-14-7-08

My name is Leona Mae Page and the Meetinghouse has been my place since 2003.

After taxes & health insurance, my monthly income of $2,000, allows me the joy of being able to live within my means… …if nothing breaks.

My current pledge to the Meetinghouse is $20 a month.

Things break.

I have not kept my pledge.
I do not give money to the Meetinghouse.
I give my talents, my time, and my heart.

I chaperone Friday Night Socials, Sunday Morning Youth Groups, Monthly Soup-Making, Sleeping-In-Boxes, and Ski Trips. I have painted walls, pulled weeds, unclogged sinks, and rocked babies.

The first thing the Meetinghouse gave me was a place. It started when I shared one of my moments with Terasa.

You know those moments that turn you upside down or inside out?

They become markers in how you talk about your life, They find their way into your conversations: “before that moment.” “After that moment”…

Well, I told Terasa about one of my biggest moments: May 31 2001.

A knock at my door;

a question floats in slow motion through tiny squares of the screen between my unsuspecting ears and the police officer’s words:

“Would
You
Give
A
Statement
Against
The
Man
Who
Sexually
Assaulted
You
When
You
Were
A
Child?
We
Suspect
He’s
Doing it
Again.
Your
Statement
Could
Help
Me
Stop
Him.”

The man she speaks of is my father.

I tell Terasa of my commitment to compassion.

I tell her of my commitment to action.

I tell her I can find a place for one commitment or the other, a place for compassion or action, but not both.

I am in a placeless place. She says the Meeting House can be my place.

She offers me a key; walks me to the office Brian issues the key card. Terasa shows me her favorite spots, says I can come in between 8 in the morning and 10 in the evening as I wish.

I first enter in when I’ll be the only human walking through its round belly of a building listening to its bones creak its blood flow; its breath, slow and heavy.

This is my place

I next enter in through the kitchen amidst teenagers wielding knives over tables full of vegetables.

True service, real compassion real action.

This is my place.

I listen as they move seamlessly from school to parents to politics to movies to religion to music to instructions, detailed instructions, on the right way to slice a carrot, or peel a potato, or chop an onion, especially onions cuz no one really likes onions they just like the idea of onions

Now to the moment when I meet with our new minister to let her know me.

I’m not real fond of Sunday services, and there’s other stuff here I don’t like.

The adult education can be pretty cool, I hang with the youth group, and I like small group ministry, but that’s about it.

But I come around anyway because this is my place. Inside out or upside down I’m not sure which but my place has never been the same; thanks, BJ!

Now I enter in on Sunday mornings At 9 AM for myself and again at 11 AM for the youth group right here In the Chapel/Sanctuary of all places

..With all of me and all of you, here together

in my place. (see also)

A Matter of Principles - Spring is just around the corner. March is coming and appropriately, our principle for this month is justice. At the worship services on March 16th we’ll kick off our USH support program for Noah Webster School and Dee Cole, the Principal at Noah Webster will be with us. It seems we’ll be surrounded by principals (or is it principles?) in March.

Let’s take a look at what the UUA website says justice means, in words that adults and children can understand.

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all

Build a fair and peaceful world.

What does that mean to you? You might want to think about a time or an event in your life when your passion for justice or your outrage at injustice made a difference. Or perhaps, it was a time when you felt you were being treated justly or unjustly by someone else that stands out in your mind. Are you thinking about a group of people or just one person? Perhaps they’re in our church or another church or in your family, or among your friends, or maybe they were (or are) strangers?

By the way, do you remember our first four principles? Here they are again with a sentence after each one that expresses a related belief that was part of the precept, which guided my life and my behavior even before I became a Unitarian. Frankly, I was amazed when I first came to the Meeting House and discovered that our seven principles and my beliefs were essentially the same. I had found my spiritual home!

December – Respect - I assume that everybody has a deep and beautiful soul.
January – Compassion - I feel for everyone else.
February – Acceptance - I do not assume that everyone else thinks the same way I do.
March – Justice -When someone feels that they’ve been treated unjustly, it tends to separate their words and actions from their deep and beautiful soul.

I’ll share the rest of my beliefs and our last three principles with you in the coming months so stay tuned. It seems to me that the more we think about and practice our principles, the more meaningful they become. They become real. They become part of us. So, join me. This month, let’s practice justice together. - Bill LaPorte-Bryan - Social Justice Chair

An Evening of Heart and Soul - On Saturday February 16th the Interweave Chapter at USH hosted its first event - a Valentine's dinner and dance called "An Evening of Heart and Soul". The event was attended by members and non-members, and was a resounding success. Everyone said they had a great time and the dancing lasted well into the night. Most importantly, we were able to raise money for True Colors Youth and Family Services. The total amount we will contribute to them is $553.00.

Not too shabby for an event that almost didn't happen! Please enjoy the pictures and make sure you sign up early next year! Thank you to everyone who attended and/or helped in any way with this event.

And, here are the pictures!

Lisa T Gabrielle, Chairperson - Interweave USH Chapter

Getting to Know the Lay Listeners

Leona Mae Page - The Meeting House has been my place since 2003. Here is some of who I am blessed to be:

o a Lay Listener an aunt to my terrific 6-y-o nephew, Galen, (some of you may know him for his extraordinarily enthusiastic drumming) an aunt to my fabulous 17-y-o Unitarian niece, Jamie

o a sister to Deanna & Jodi, wonderful mothers & sister-friends

o a grateful member of a most excellent family of friends

o an assistant to our fabulous Youth Group: witness and support our youth through soup-making, ski trips, worship, Sunday morning Youth Group, Friday night socials, sleep-ins, and sleep-outs

o an office worker - sort of a Brian-Rosie-combo - for the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield

o an Activist: helping folks heal from the effects of childhood sexual abuse through my writing, public speaking, and active membership on the Victim-Survivor Advisory Council of Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc.

o a Blood Donor: regularly donating platelets at the American Red Cross

o a Meeting House volunteer: paint walls, unclog sinks, knit shawls, and rock babies as needed.

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

To the Editor of the Enews: - It is so nice to have Kayla back summarizing the sermons! I did want to mention, however, a piece of last week’s sermon that she did not, which had the most meaning for me (maybe it will resonate with others too). It was when BJ drew a heart in the air and explained that praying is “highlighting” a thought, feeling, idea, etc., the way the outline of the heart is highlighted.

I never really understood what prayer was (and had personally rejected it as a means to ask some”one” for something), but this explanation spoke to me. By the way, I thought that was the most amazing service in every way – the sermon, the music, the readings, the testimonials! This place just gets better and better every week! - Sincerely, - Gail Bogossian

Did You Know? - that in May, 2007, THE NATION magazine put out a special issue on the environment, "Surviving the Climate Crisis: what must be done?" Here are the titles of some of the articles in the issue. These may very well be worth a trip to the library to take a look at some views of the “larger picture”. - Edith Savage

“Why We Can’t Wait: a five step plan for solving the global crisis”

“Big is Beautiful: green utilities grow, but not fast enough”

“Cooler Elites: will the ruling classes save the world”

“Adapt or Die: Bangladesh and New Orleans face a stark choice”

“Farewell Sweet Ice: hunters feel the heat in Gwich’in country”

“China vs. Earth: searching for a green path to growth”

“The Dirty Rock: can coal clean up its act”

“Flying into Trouble: why most airplanes must be grounded”

“Don’t Bet on Offsets: erasing your ‘carbon footprint’ is a tricky business”

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 02/27/08 10:30 PM)