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50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
Tel: (860) 233-9897 / FAX 233-1333
Email: firstunitarian@ushartford.com
Reverend Barbara Jamestone, PhD
USH-Enews For April 26, 2007
Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further down the road; Did You Know?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 line, or past issues of the weekly USH-Enews click here.
Office hours: M-F 9-3 (excluding W 10 -11); Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com - Rev. BJ office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday by appointment.
Worshipping Together Since 1830
Services held at 9 and 11 AMSunday - 29 April - American Indian Religions and Ecology - John Grim is a
historian of religion who does field studies with Crow people in Montana and Salish people in Washington state. In his talk he will discuss ways in which Native American ways of life provide insight into alternative relationships with the community of life. John is a remarkable person. Read more
Music: Patrice Fitzgerald, our alto soloist/section-leader, sings two solos on
April 29th. Patrice has been a member of the Society for many years. She is currently in the Graduate Professional Degree program in vocal studies at The Hartt School. At Hartt her singing focuses on opera roles and art songs, but her vocal passions also include torch songs (smolderingly presented in Fellowship Hall on Saturday evening April 28th at 7:30), Broadway musicals, and Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, including starring roles with the Simsbury Light Opera Company.The solos Sunday represent contemporary Unitarian efforts to expand the musical possibilities available to congregations. The texts of these solos articulate hopes for our world and for our future.
RE - Middle School Parents! A reminder that our youth will be going to Windsor on April 29th to visit the Islamic Center of CT. More
RE Family Registration is coming up soon! To properly plan for next year's Religious Education program, the Religious Education Sub-Council will be requesting that families with children complete and return registration sheets. Your cooperation and timely response will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
What Else is Happening & AnnouncementsTorch & Tango comes to the Meeting House Saturday, April 28th at 7:30 PM ! More
Spike Lee's film, When the Levees Broke: A requiem in Four Acts - will be shown on Sunday, April 29th at 12:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. Reservations through the office; cost $5.
REMINDER: Applications for the 2007 Women's Alliance Educational Grant are due this Sunday, April 29. They are available through the USH home page (under photo) and on the WA bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. For further information, call 860-693-4269. More
Create a Prayer Flag - In honor of Rev. BJ’s Installation, every member of the USH community is invited to personalize a Tibetan-style "prayer" flag with a message or drawing, to be displayed at the May 20th ceremony. Inscribed with sacred or significant symbols, these flags are traditionally said to spread happiness, prosperity and wellness to all who see them. Please join us in this centuries-old tradition, as we wish all good things for our minister, our congregation and our world. Flags available during coffee hours on 4/29, 5/6, 5/13 and 5/20.
Photo, (Yes we are still at it!) Opportunity - Check your name on the photo sheet posted in Fellowship Hall (or just check now) and if you are listed, see Anne Bailey or David Newton during coffee hour for a quick photo. It's a snap! What is this all about?
Walk Against Hunger Planned - Saturday May 6th - Check in 1 PM, Walk begins at 2 PM distance, about three miles. More - Also see the Brochure and finally, see John Stowe
Adult Programs Movie Offering - On Friday, May 11, a three lasagna meal and a provocative film will be presented at USH’s
Dinner and a Movie evening, “The Da Vinci Code” starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautoo, directed by Ron Howard from Dan Brown’s ubiquitous novel – 2 and ½ hours long!
“Ultimately, THE DA VINCI CODE is a thoughtful action film, with a refreshingly clear-eyed approach to world history that may scandalize the close-minded, but is sure to enlighten those open to new ideas.” (Rotten Tomatoes Website)
"Opens the door for many spiritual seekers to think afresh about Jesus, sexuality, the Sacred Feminine and the great mysteries that cannot be contained in dogmas."
(Spirituality and Practice)Because the movie is so long, drinks and popcorn will be available earlier than usual, at 5:15 PM , with dinner at 5:45, movie at 6:45, followed by discussion led by Roy Cook. Early birds (4:45 PM) to help set-up are always cheerfully appreciated.
Please make your reservations by Monday, May 7 at the Programs Table during Sunday coffee hours or by calling the office at 233-9897; please let us know if you prefer a vegetarian dinner.
After you see the movie, perhaps you’ll side with this New Yorker reviewer: "The Catholic Church has nothing to fear from this film. It is not just tripe. It is self-evident, spirit-lowering tripe that could not conceivably cause a single member of the flock to turn aside from the faith."
Caring Network: When you dig another out of their troubles, you find a place to bury your own. ~Author Unknown - You are the ears of the Caring Network. Tell Janice Newton 677-1121 when you learn of our members enduring the stresses of life so we can reach out to those in need. - Offer your services. A wide range of community services are available to help you. Call InfoLine at 211.Thursday, April 26
7:00 pm An Amazing Journey, Library
Saturday, April 28
10:30 am – 12:30 pm Rental, Chapel
7:30 pm Torch and Tango Cabaret, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 29
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Chapel
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, CHAPEL
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Disabilities, Library
10:15 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:00 noon Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm Endowment, Murray
12:30 pm SGM Facilitators, Library
12:45 pm “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts”, a Spike Lee film, Fellowship Hall
Monday, April 30
6:30 pm Survivors of Incest Anonymous, Murray
7:00 pm Council on Spiritual Life, Library
Tuesday, May 1
7:00 pm Religious Education, Servetus
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, May 2
10:00 – 11:00 am Staff Meeting, Minister’s Study (OFFICE CLOSED)
6:00 pm Buddhism, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Choir, Sanctuary
Saturday, May 5
Circle Dinners, var. times
Sunday, May 6
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, CHAPEL
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Children’s Choir, Chapel
10:00 am Welcoming Congregation, Murray
10:00 am Youth Group Soup Making, Kitchen
10:00 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:15 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:30 am Chalice Choir, Chapel
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:00 pm Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
Italicized entries are non-USH events.
Please notify the office of all additions or changes to the calendar. To get on the calendar, call 233.9897Further Down The Road (About 30 Days Max)
Contribute to Installation Reception May 20 - In lieu of a costly party, BJ 's wishes to commemorate her installation with a generous donation to Pat Kelly and the "Ebony Horsewomen." You can help by supplying your favorite appetizer or dessert for her reception.
Please sign up at the Sunday coffee hour program table with Carol Sexton. Help make BJ's installation, "Lovely, Indeed!"
Unitarian Society of Hartford to Present the Tanglewood Marionettes in An Arabian Adventure May 19 at Universalist Church of West Hartford
What: The Unitarian Society of Hartford presents a special event for families -- the Tanglewood Marionettes in An Arabian Adventure. Featuring over a dozen beautifully hand-crafted marionettes and exquisite story-book style scenery, An Arabian Adventure tells the tale of a Persian prince who is thrown into a dungeon because of his love for a beautiful princess. Facing danger at every turn, the courageous prince must battle his way out of the underground prison to save his princess. Replete with clever stage illusions and lighting effects, An Arabian Adventure is an action-packed drama that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
When: Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford, CT
How: Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. To order tickets, please call (860) 233-9897. For more information, visit www.ushartford.com . For directions to the Universalist Church of West Hartford, visit www.westhartforduu.org .
From the Editor:
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This Week’s Feature ArticlesLast Call for Nominations - Each year the Nominating Committee of the Board puts forth a request for anyone interested in serving in an elected position on the Board. This is one of the most important and rewarding roles that a member can experience. Each of the positions is a two-year term with the exception of the President Elect, which is a one year term leading to a subsequent one-year term as President of the Board. The Board meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
The positions for which we are currently seeking nominations include President-Elect, Secretary and one at-large member.
For more information or to submit a nomination (including for yourself!) contact Rev. BJ or Rebecca Bryan, Nominating Chairperson at Rebecca.m.bryan(at symbol)gmail.com (860) 882-9410. Nominations are due by May 2, 2007.
Notes from the Musical Review! - About 30 members gathered on April 22 (and more participated by email messages solicited in recent weeks) to begin to capture a vision and shape the music of USH for coming days.
There was excellent representation from choir, staff, and members from the pews. The meeting was facilitated by Rev. Jamestone. Follow this link to read findings of the group about the history and future of Sunday music, and for details of the "covenant of right relation," which the group established in order to do their work efficiently, effectively, and with caring. - BJ
WHAT’S A PULPIT FOR? - “It is less challenging to write a long sermon,” Rev. BJ told the congregation during her April 22nd sermon, and she described the more challenging work involved in paring it down to fit in the space allotted to it. But Rev. BJ feels the sermon is just part—and not necessarily the “focal point”—of the service, which contains many other things.
Sunday’s service was certainly an example of this. It included celebration of a special day, hymns, choir presentations, a story for the children, a prayer and readings from three Society members studying to be Worship Associates, an unusually large number of candle lightings (for Virginia Tech?), and a guest testimonial.
Rev. BJ gave a short, dramatic history of the pulpit, which started, she said, as a connection to the choir, as a place for reading. In turn, it became a lofty perch, an ornamental place, then a central pulpit serving as a visual representation that words take precedence over other parts of the service.
Our pulpit, she pointed out, is neither in the middle nor is it nailed down. For her, Rev. BJ said, the pulpit is NOT a soapbox, or a place for canned talk, or a podium such as a teacher uses, or a stump used by prophets such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who tell people what they should be doing.
“I am not confident that I know what you should be doing in the market place, to influence public policy,” Rev. BJ explained. For her, the pulpit is a “tool for pastoral care,” and that is where she is comfortable. “We will continue to grow in spirit within these walls, grow to love mercy, to do justly, to walk humbly, to speak peacefully with each other.”
In her Time for All Ages with the society’s kids, Rev. BJ told/reminded them that today “is a sort of holiday. It’s Earth Day.” Begun some 40 years ago, the day is to remind us of what we can do to take care of Earth. Sunday’s music reinforced the Earth Day theme, and included hymns Earth is our Homeland and As Tranquil Streams. The choir offered Song of the Earth Spring and The Earth is Home.
In introducing pulpit guest Patricia Lawson-Kelly, founder and CEO of Ebony Horsewomen, Rev. BJ told of her exhilaration when she rode a mule on her grandfather’s farm. “A child can do anything from the back of a horse,” she said, and announced that she will present most of the money set aside for her installation on May 20 to the Ebony Horsewomen.
Ms. Lawson-Kelly explained her group uses horses to “capture kids and correct things.” Her inner city kids live in a difficult environment, she said, and her group, which serves about 300 kids a year, gets them outdoors and changes their environment.
“Alumni” of the program have become lawyers, social workers, teachers and “good people.”
Rev. BJ and Ms. Lawson-Kelly met early in BJ’s New England life; Ms. Lawson-Kelly will return to the USH for Rev. BJ’s installation.
- Kayla Costenoble (Editor's note: the sermon is available on the website.)
John Grim to Speak at USH April 29 at 9:00 and 11:00 AM Services. - John is currently a Senior Lecturer and Scholar at Yale University. He is Co-founder and Coordinator of the Forum on Religion and Ecology with Mary Evelyn Tucker.
The title of his sermon is "Our New Human Story on Earth." After telling a brief story John will continue with a short interpretive statement regarding Native American attention to story as a viable way to express a vision. Such visions represent an embodied knowing and narrating that emerged from human interactions with local ecosystems. John will suggest that we humans are now called by the current environmental crises to participate in new ways both in our local bioregions as well as in the health of our planetary systems. This requires a "new story, as Thomas Berry would say, namely, renewed engagement with the deeper meanings of the scientific story of our emergence in universe processes.
Later in the day John will speak at St. John's Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford at 2:00 PM on the topic, “An Emerging Alliance of Religion and Ecology” The public is invited at no charge. Refreshments will be served.
The lecture is presented by the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science, and co-sponsored by St. John’s Church and the Spiritual Life Council of the Unitarian Society of Hartford.
The Forum on Religion and Ecology, www.religionandecology.org, is the largest international multi-religious project of its kind. With its conferences, publications, and website it is engaged in exploring religious world views, texts, and ethics in order to broaden understanding of the complex nature of current environmental concerns. John and Mary Evelyn Tucker have published a nine volume series from Harvard Divinity School's Center for the Study of World Religions. In that series John edited Indigenous Traditions and Ecology: the Interbeing of Cosmology and Community (Harvard, 2001).
John has been a Professor of Religion at Bucknell University, and at Sarah Lawrence College where he taught courses in Native American and Indigenous religions, World Religions, and Religion and Ecology. His published works include: The Shaman: Patterns of Religious Healing Among the Ojibway Indians (University of Oklahoma Press, 1983), an edited volume with Mary Evelyn Tucker entitled Worldviews and Ecology (Orbis, 1994, 5th printing 2000), and a Daedalus volume (2001) entitled, Religion and Ecology: Can the Climate Change?
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)
External Events and Educational Notes
May 21, 2007 - Connecticut’s most exciting new choral ensemble – will sing a benefit concert entitled Voce Sings for Habitat for Humanity at Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford to benefit Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity’s interfaith housing project, the House of Abraham.
Doors open at 7:00 PM and the concert begin at 7:30 PM. The concert will run approximately 1 hour with a 15 min. intermission. Advance tickets cost $20.00; Tickets will be available at the door – $25.00 General Admission and $15.00 Students/Seniors.
Advance tickets are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today by calling Jennifer Schimmel 860-541-2208 x102 or by email jenn(at symbol)hartfordhabitat.org.Did You Know? - Green Energy Saving Help Available - Two men spent three hours at my house recently. They removed incandescent light bulbs and replaced them with energy-saving CFL's. They installed a temporary "blower door" at my entry in order to test air leaking from my home, and also did a "duct blaster test" to spot leakage in the air ducts. They repaired any they found, added insulation in spots needed, and placed a door sweep at the base of my attic door, which had been sending cold air down the stairway.Then they discussed their findings with me and made energy-saving recommendations. All this cost me nothing at all.
This service is available, free, to homes which are heated by gas or electricity. For oil-heated homes, the charge is $100. The service is funded by the gas and electric companies, the CT Energy Conservation Fund, and a small charge that appears regularly on everyone's monthly bill. Arrangements for this can be made by calling Competitive Resources, 1-888-403-3500, extension 114. You will be asked your account numbers at your gas and electric companies. Your address will be taken and an appointment will be set within a few weeks.
- Marion Kelliher
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 HartfordLet us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 04/25/07 20:35)
