USH-Enews for May 14 , 2009 Print Only Edition

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 - 17 May - What Hath God Wrought? This is the first formal message sent over Morse's new telegraph line from Washington to Baltimore in 1846. How can we guide our fast growing digital environment into a future that is consistent with our Unitarian Principles? - Ed Sax will consider the impact of an almost geometrically growing digital technology on our current institutions and their stability. Will newsprint and books give way to handheld or pocket sized screens that wirelessly link to the Internet? Or can each co-exist in some way? What other institutions might be economically impacted?

A Congregational Conversation, which is part of the Board assessment of the Sunday service configuration, is taking place this Sunday at 12:30 in Fellowship Hall. We will be talking about the current configuration of two services on Sundays, and sharing our own experiences regarding this schedule. In preparation for Sunday, we encourage you to read some of the background documents, all available in the Spiritual Life section of the USH website, or by clicking here.

Childcare will be available, and there will be desserts and beverages provided. In addition, the Youth Group will be selling soup and sandwiches. Alternatively, you are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. Whatever you choose to eat, we hope to see you there! Your input is most important to the Board in making its plans for the service schedule for 2009-2010. - Heather Ferguson-Hull, President

Music - Ann MacDonald Diers is a lifelong composer of choral music, especially pieces intended for UU services. Her anthem "The Dance of Life" started from a quote by Rev. Kathleen McTigue (UU): "I believe that there is a harmony and a dance in the universe. I believe that each of us is a part of that dance, and I believe that we affect and contribute to the purpose of the dance." Ann Diers collaborated on this piece of music with her husband Harmon, who wrote the text. The Dierses live on Cape Cod.

A vocal quartet sings "Dance of Life" at the 9:45 service; the choir sings it at 11:15.

Religious Education Classes

Spirit Play: My Many Colored Days
Second & Third Grade: Unitarian Universalist Day
Fourth & Fifth Grade: We Believe: In Working it Out
Sixth & Seventh Grade: The Simpsons: Like Father, Like Clown
Eighth Grade:Coming of Age: Service Preparation (Class begins at 9:45)
Youth Group Activities: Discussion and Service Planning

Coming of Age Celebration
Our eighth grade students have been participating in the Coming of Age program since January, and will celebrate their rite of passage in a Chapel service at 2 PM on Saturday, May 30th. Everyone is welcome to celebrate with them on that special day!

Registration for 2009-2010
In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, the Religious Education registration process will be electronic this year! In the next few weeks, families will receive an email document to be filled out and returned electronically to register their children for classes next year. If you are concerned that the office does not have your most updated email address, please email Gail at: DRE@ushartford.com.

Memorial Day Activities
Next Sunday, May 24th, after the Time for All Ages, we will have field day activities to celebrate the end of the church school year. Come join us in Fellowship Hall and we will all go outside together. In case of inclement weather, we will begin the Summer Program a week early in Classroom D.

***** Harry Potter Summer Program *****
Beginning on Sunday, May 31st, we will be moving to our summer class schedule. Worship will begin at 10 AM, and after the Time for All Ages, all children will be invited downstairs to Classroom D for Mythology of Muggles class! Each week of the summer we will explore a new Harry Potter character and the connection of their mythology to Unitarian Universalism. Come experience the magic! - Gail M. Syring, DRE

Circle of Caring Collection a Success - As you will note in various parts of this issue, we continue to extend our emotional and monetary support to those of our members adversely effected by the current economic conditions. In keeping with these efforts, Amy Hines passes along her thank you for being part of the Circle of Caring, something the rest of us can enthusiastically second. We received over $1,500 in cash donations to the Circle of Caring Fund last Sunday. In addition, individuals stepped forward to offer additional support if needed.

Leadership Update - At this month's Board meeting, two appointments were made. Bill LaPorte-Bryan was appointed as At-Large Board member for the Council on Social Justice, for the remainder of this program year. He is filling the vacancy left by Carolyn Cartland, who resigned to accept the President-Elect position. In addition, Bill Young was appointed as Chair of the Council on Social Justice.

We are grateful to them for their service! - Heather Ferguson-Hull, President

Annual Meeting to be held after the service on May 31st

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Nominating Committee has proposed the following slate of candidates for the 2009-2010 Board. The names marked with an asterisk will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. In keeping with our Bylaws, the meeting will be held in May this year. The Nominating Committee was diligent in completing its work by the end of April. There was an oversight in getting the slate published 25 days in advance of the Annual Meeting, as required by our Constitution. If you have concerns about this technical error, please do let a member of the Board know.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting. Refreshments will be served!

President - Carolyn Cartland *
President-Elect - Sue Kinney *
Treasurer - Martha Page
Secretary - Fran Carnevale *
At-Large Community Within - Amy Hines
At-Large Spiritual Life- Jim Venneman*
At-Large Social Justice - Bill LaPorte-Bryan *

Who wants to talk about Shoes? - At our final small group discussions with the minister about worship, someone said that for many people, coming to church is like wearing shoes. Most people don’t give a lot of thought to it. However, if you were to ask them to list 10 things they do not like about shoes you would soon have a list of negative things about shoes. You must be careful what you ask, for none of the responders is likely to stop wearing shoes.

That being said, you’ll find below the perceptions of some of the participants who I asked to write for enews. I asked for a page with the first 2/3 being an objective report of what they heard other people say, and 1/3 being what they themselves shared. Happy Reading! - BJ

From Carol Davidson, Worship Associate - There were seven of us at the last gathering to share what is working for us and what is not working in our Sunday services. I was hearing views that varied all the way from "all is mostly fine" to"‘I’m near to leaving."

I think the main complaint was that there have been too many changes made for too long a time. A question was asked, have those changes been made in response to a myriad of requests, or from a desire to please all of us.

I heard deep soulful need for comfort and some predictability, plus some thoughts about just getting on with what we do well. If you ask someone what is wrong, you’ll hear all about what is wrong. There is a need for worship with dignity; and, intelligent, thought-provoking, heart-touching sermons.

Most of our group seemed OK with some changes. I see it like a room full of furniture. Our changes in worship are not about moving all the furniture, just rearranging a few accessories or moving a picture on the wall so it works better.

We do so much right and I think it’s time to focus on that. I find some of our ideas a little jarring now and then, even though being on the Worship Arts Sub-Council means I’m usually aware of the plan. I also know that there has been some time spent trying ideas based on our Strategic Plan and the directions for our new minister when she got here three years ago.

It’s a rare Sunday that I don’t come away with a sense of having a spirit need filled in some way through a part of our worship. And I’ll keep coming just to see what we’ll be doing next and how we will settle into our comfort zones; with only a little nudge now and then into the outside.

From Sheila Ward: RE Sub-Council chair person
What I heard:

My thoughts:
I love routine and knowing what to expect at a service, but I also believe it’s necessary to try out new things. We must try to provide a service that is meaningful to as many people as possible, and as the make-up of the congregation changes, we must be willing to change with it. One example of this is the candles of memory and hope, which I love, because they give me a way to express feelings I have that I would otherwise dismiss.

On the other hand, I can’t see myself ever coming to church in a bathrobe. I’m not saying I believe all services should be totally solemn; on the contrary, I wish we could applaud after every music performance.

What I didn’t say, but wish I had: I come to the Meeting House because it is the only place I have found that reflects my core beliefs. The structure of the services isn’t what keeps me coming here.

From Joshua Schreier, new member, attending SGM and NVC classes, and serving as “new member eyes’ in several sub councils.

What I remember hearing was that worship services are highly valued by many of the people present last night . I believe it would be fair to say that some these people, to varying degrees savor the contemplative aspects of the service, such as dignified, spiritually inspirational, and even perhaps solemn music (and in particular a preference for more organ music), quiet time in service for contemplation, opportunities for solitary thought uninterrupted by spontaneous bursts of singing from the congregation or spontaneous community-type rituals or activities, and thoughtful sermons given by Reverend BJ.

I also heard several people say that they wanted Reverend BJ to lead, that they like her confident, capable, and intelligent shepherding at the service along with her thoughtful and thought-provoking sermons. I heard several people ay that they wanted less lay leadership during services when Reverend BJ was present.

I heard varying degrees of upset expressed by several members. One expressed that the services, as they are now, are not meeting his needs for peace, quiet contemplation, and a dependable place to seek sanctuary. And that services have been changing over the course of at least seven years and in the last few months in particular they are missing the quiet and peaceful sanctuary that he expects. Some said that they found what Reverend BJ termed as horizontal worship practices—the singing of “When You’re Smiling” during the candle-lighting ceremony, spontaneous singing from the congregation, such as Joyfuul Noise, lay leadership during services when Rev. BJ is present, an interpretation of an obligation to hold hands with neighbors all being examples—left them feeling jarred from their peaceful and quiet states of worship, uneasy with what seemed to them undignified or inappropriate conduct, and disconnected from the solitude they seek in service.

One expressed frustration and disappointment in what seemed to her like BJ’s conduct of trying to please everybody because BJ wanted everyone in the congregation to be happy with her. She was concerned that BJ had perhaps sacrificed the integrity of her vision and worship principles to make the congregation happy. I heard Reverend BJ say that she was not in fact sacrificing her values or vision to make people happy.

Instead, I heard Reverend BJ articulate a vision of a worship service where the horizontal and vertical forms of worship intersect and in this emergent worship service all members of the congregation could come together to find parts of worship they particularly cherished and to also open their hearts and minds to other forms of worship and that we could all do this together as one congregation unified as a community with common values of spirituality, respect, love, truth, and service.

Another member added the point that if you ask the congregation what is wrong with service, they will think about what they do not like and focus then on the negative. One articulated that people care about two things in an organization: one, that their voice is heard and counted, and two, that there is clear and strong leadership. Also noted was that maybe the Charette as a guide for a path forward should not be looked to as heavily as Reverend BJ was looking to it for guidance. Perhaps the values expressed for change in the church a couple of years ago may have been more whimsical or not as true in reality as people’s expressed words may lead Reverend BJ or other members of the leadership to believe.

As for my own contribution, I added that I have been enjoying services since I began attending the USH in January. I liked BJ’s model of vertical and horizontal worship, both forms being important to me. I even noted that my ideal service would last 90-120 minutes and perhaps incorporate more social justice education, more community sharing and participation, strong rituals, several opportunities for music and song, and increased periods for reflection and contemplation.

I could see the perspective of those people present who had come to expect and seek sanctuary in more solitary, contemplative and vertical forms of worship, and I wondered what we can do as a community to help ensure that all of our needs for spirituality, peace, worship, stimulation, and community can be met. I very much appreciate the willingness of all of the members present to invest their time and energy to share their feelings and participate in the democratic process of discussion of individual needs and community standards. I appreciate Reverend BJ’s prioritization of this process by scheduling these sessions and the giving of her time and energy to facilitate and listen with open ears.

From Ron Freedman and Janice Newton, long time members - Eight people (including BJ) joined this fifth of the five sessions devoted to providing feedback to our minister regarding congregational perceptions of our worship services. Seven of the participants are long term members – ten years or longer, and one of the participants has focused her time at the Meeting House on the religious education program, but is now spending more time at worship services. Last, but not least, was a new member.

The major subjects discussed were: BJ’s sermons, the music for our services, role of the worship associates and a restating of the different kinds of services – horizontal and vertical.

Concerns were expressed about the number of changes occurring in our worship services causing confusion and discomfort. Janice questioned the motive behind these changes – was it change for the sake of change, change to try to please every individual, or planned changed in order to modify or further perfect our services for next year.

Rev BJ reminded us that the charettes and Strategic Plan called for changes in our worship services, diversity in music, more group participation at our services and growth for our congregation. She said this was the third year in her development plan; that it was her “year of emergence” and therefore the reason behind the experimental changes that have occurred over the last several months. She also said that by September we would be settling into a “regular, but not invariable” worship service. Ron made the point that change has been on-going for the ten years since Jon Luopa left out pulpit; and that each of the interim, assistant and full time ministers who have served our congregation have made further changes to our services. Ron also said that ”change fatigue” was now a big problem for him.

Rev BJ said that in our congregation there are many different opinions about our services. Some people want more horizontal services and some want more vertical services. There are just as many different opinions about the kinds of music we should have at our services. While our group agreed they favor diversity in our music, there was strong support for more organ music in our services, rather than less.

Our group expressed its strong approval of Rev BJ’s sermons and Gail Syring’s Children’s Messages.

The role of worship associates was discussed. Our group agreed that we now have well trained worship associates due to BJ’s efforts. But an opinion was expressed that that worship associates should be there to assist the minister and not lead the service when the minister is in the pulpit; but should lead the service when a guest speaker is in the pulpit.

How do you Make Coffee in this Thing? - Just off Fellowship Hall you will find the USH Kitchen, and usually some group using the table and surrounding sinks, stove and counters. Because it is used more or less continuously, by one group after another, it falls into the category of owned by everyone and no one. The facility is best served by the old saying, "leave it better than you found it."

To assist you in this endeavor, Carol Sexton of the B&G Sub-Council has worked an extraordinary amount of time with Peter Magistri, Lousie Schmoll and others to prepare a Kitchen Manual, which among other good things will tell you what equipment is present, how to make coffee and use the "dish washer," among many other things. The manual is on the web for your use. Take a look!

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Spotlight on Rebecca Pardoe, COCW Chair - Rebecca Pardoe was named Chair of the Council on Community Within in January of this year. She has been a USH member since 2007 and has served on the Human Resources and Membership Sub-Councils. She lives in Simsbury with her husband Robert Churchill and two children, Colin, 12, and Natalie, 8. Becky has worked in the field of human resources for fifteen years, primarily with small, growing companies.

Like so many others, Becky learned first hand of the rigors of the current economy when she was laid off from her position with a local employee benefits insurance brokerage firm. Becky’s role was to deliver human resources support and projects to the firm’s clients.

She has decided to build on that experience by starting a human resources consulting firm, Results HR, LLC, focused on providing HR support for small businesses.

As is the case with all such endeavors, Becky is networking to uncover opportunities for her new business and reach potential clients of her services.

If you are involved in contacts that might need such services, you will find Becky listed in our Directory, you can send her an email or simply contact your editor with a request to pass along the communication. It these times we need to reach out and help one another as best we can – DCN

Have you been laid off? - Having trouble finding a job? USH is hosting a job seekers workshop on May 21st for members and friends of UU Churches. This is a 3 ½ hour intensive training. 1 – 4:30 PM at the Meeting House.

Learn about a unique process that really works to help people: Apply for jobs that are a good fit; Develop paperwork that gets an interview; Practice communication techniques that ensure a positive interview

Overview of the 3 1/2 hour hands-on, interactive workshop:

Presenter:
Marcia LaReau, PhD, President of Forward Motion
www.forward-motion.biz

Fee: $50 per person (just the cost of materials; Dr. LaReau is donating her time and skills) for UU churches.

Need your fee waived? USH has three Pay It Forward Scholarships available! This is a community effort - your USH neighbors and friends will cover materials fee if possible through the Circle of Caring Fund. To register and/or to find out about Pay it Forward Scholarships, call or email Amy Hines: 693-3663. amyhines92@msn.com.

Departing Sexton Sends His Thanks - To my co-congregants: Your generosity, especially of spirit, moves me more than I can say. As most of you know, there is nothing like working for a non-profit organization and working with volunteers is rewarding in itself. You are a key reason for my tenure as USH Sexton and I sincerely thank you.
---Peter Magistri

Interweave is Celebrating - spring with a potluck brunch on Saturday, May 16 at 10:00 AM! Whether you're a member of Interweave or want to know more, you're welcome to join us! The brunch will be held at Ann and Fran Carnevale's. Please call Ann at 860-651-0369 or email to annmarycarnevale(at symbol)gmail.com for more information or to RSVP.

Oh Danny Boy - On Memorial Day Sunday, May 24, we will begin the summer schedule of one service at 10 AM. Joyfuul Noise will be singing “Oh Danny Boy” at the service. If you’d like to practice and sing with us on the 24th, or if you just want to gather for a sing-a-long with us on Thursday night, May 21, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM, come find us at the Meeting House!

May Ember Days - Looking for a serene and reflective break, for some space to sanctify time and community, for moments of soul healing and vision bearing? Join Rev BJ at ember days on Weds May 27 from 12-2 PM, or May 29th or 30th from 6-8 PM, in the Meditation Sanctuary. The theme is “Wailing for a Vision” and the native spirituality of vision quest is the method.

A Chosen Faith - May 20, 27, and June 3, from 7 to 8:30 PM Rev BJ continues the study of the classic UU text, “A Chosen Faith.” You are very welcome to purchase the book from Rosie ($16) and to join us in progress at the Meeting House.

Informal Survey Results on Sunday Service Configuration: In Preparation for May 17 After the second service this Sunday you’ll have a chance to give your thoughts on what kind of service configuration we will have for the next three years, at least, at the MH.

Some of you had a chance to report on a tear off sheet during worship recently. The results were close to this: 67 preferred one worship service, 26 preferred two services configured as they are now, and 13 people preferred a "standard" worship service and an alternative chapel service.

Some of you had a chance to report on the service times you would prefer. If there were only one service, 10 AM was the overwhelmingly most preferred time. If there were two services they ran the gamut of almost every half hour, from an 8 AM beginning for the first to a 1PM beginning for the second.

If you have strong opinions about any of this, please come on May 17 or let the Board know in another fashion, as the decision will be made at their June meeting.

Men's group Welcomes Women - All USH women are invited to the USH Men's Luncheon Group which meets at Carmen Anthony's restaurant located on Route 44 in Avon on the third Tuesday of the month at noon.

The speaker for the meeting on May 19 is Marion Cook. Marion will discuss the "Cultural History of Quilts." Marion's talk will be in a show and tell format in which she will show samples of quilts and discuss how they were made and their purpose.

Budget Information Session Scheduled - Under the Constitution the budget is voted on by the Board after considering a draft budget submitted by the Finance Sub-Council. An informational session is scheduled for Thursday June 18th when those present will be happy to discuss budgetary issues and proposed solutions to be considered by the Board as it faces the economic difficulties associated with FY 09-10.

New NVC Practice Group Forming - Due to increased interest in nonviolent communication, a new practice group is forming at USH. Anyone having an interest in and a basic understanding of NVC is invited to participate in this group. The only requirement is that you have read Marshall Rosenberg’s book, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.

The two purposes of the group are to practice the principles of NVC, as well as to provide a safe space to give and receive empathy by using the NVC process. While it is the intent that participants will attend on a regular basis, the group is open to those interested on an ongoing basis. If you would like to participate, but are only available once a month, please join us. If you can just commit to a short term, we would welcome you. If you’d like a trial period, please feel free to attend.

This group will meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the Meeting House. While the exact time will be determined based on participants’ availability, the group will start sometime between 5 and 6:30 P.M., and be two hours in length. It is anticipated that the group will start in June.

If you are interested in participating in this NVC group to practice and enhance your NVC skills, please email Paul Quin (pqslp@aol.com) or call Rosie Rindfleisch at the USH office (233-9897) no later than May 31, 2009.

A Congregational Opportunity, June 7:
“Callings” Worship Service and Workshop with author Gregg Levoy - Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life, MORE

Interweave - (formerly called the Welcoming Congregation) will host a USH booth at CT Pride 2009. Pride will be on June 6th from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. at Bushnell Park. If you'd like to help staff the booth, and haven't already signed up, please join us at our planning meeting on May 3 at 1:00, or call Ann Carnevale at 860-651-0369 or email to: annmarycarnevale(at symbol)gmail.com.

Adult Programs - There will not be a Programs Table this Sunday.

Ember Days, Wednesday, May 27, 12:00 - 2:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday, May 29, 30, 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Led by Rev. Jamestone, these contemplative gatherings to celebrate the wondrous cycles of nature include spiritual exercises and time for personal introspection in silence. Come to any or all of the sessions. No registration needed.

Friday Night Dinner and Movie, June 12. The featured movie for the final 2008-2009 dinner and movie evening will be "Life of Reilly". You may register by calling the office and paying with a credit card.

We welcome comments or suggestions about the programs that have been offered during the 2008 fall and 2009 winter/spring terms - timing, content, etc. Please send them to Janice Newton: or Nancy Reed.

Looking ahead to programming for this fall, perhaps you or someone you know has a special interest and would like to offer a class or workshop. We'd be happy to talk with you about your ideas. Proposal forms are available in the office or you can go to the USH website Home page and click on Programs and Activities - Adult Programs - Proposal Form. The form can be left in the Adult Programs mailbox in the office or or can be emailed to Nancy Reed or Janice Newton. Please do not leave completed proposal forms with Brian or Rosie as we need to review and schedule them before they are submitted for publication in the catalog.

Caring Network - There are a number of very important irreversible to be discovered in our universe. One of them is that every time you make an experiment you learn more: quite literally, you can not learn less. Buckminster Fuller - If you know of any member experiencing some difficulty, please contact Diana Heymann, Chair of the Caring Network heydiana(at symbol)comcast.net 860.461.0908 or call the office so we can provide some assistance. A wide range of community services is also available to those in need by calling InfoLine at 211. Please contact Diana if you are able to volunteer your services.

Thursday, May 14
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Friday, May 15
5:30 pm Family SGM, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, May 16
9:30 am Interweave Brunch, Carnevale Home
2:00 pm deGroff Memorial, Sanctuary
2:00 pm Watercolor Class, Elizabeth Park/or Servetus
10:00 pm Overnight Youth Group Throne-a-Thon

Sunday, May 17
Youth Group Throne-a-Thon, cont’d
8:45 am B&G, Murray
8:45 am Comfort Shawl Knitters, Lower Lobby
9:00 am Soup Making, Kitchen
9:00 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:45 am WORSHIP, SANCTUARY
9:45 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:45 am Coffee, Fellowship Hall
10:45 am Music rehearsal, Chapel
11:15 am WORSHIP, SANCTUARY
12:15 pm Coffee, Fellowship Hall
12:30 pm Sunday Service Configuration, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
4:00 pm American Baptists (neighbors), parking lot usage

Tuesday, May 19
6:00 pm Worship Associates, Ballou
6:45 pm Caring Network, Servetus
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, May 20
5:45 pm Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm Small Group Ministry, David
7:00 pm UU and You Book Study, Servetus
7:15 pm NVC Practice Group, Emerson
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, May 21
1:00 pm Job Seeking Workshop, Library
5:30 pm NVC Gathering, Minister’s Study
7:30 pm Joyfuul Noise, Sanctuary

Saturday, May 23
10:30 am Rental, Chapel
2:00 pm Water Color Workshop, Servetus

Sunday, May 24~ ONE SERVICE ONLY through SEPTEMBER 6!
9:00 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:20 am Joyfuul Noise, Sanctuary
9:45 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:00 am WORSHIP, SANCTUARY ~ NOTE TIME!!
11:00 am Coffee and (Redacted) Reception, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm (Redacted) Memorial, Chapel
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

External Events and Educational Notes

A Celebration of the Human Spirit, Sunday May 31st, 7 PM Beth El Temple - the final concert of the 2008-09 Music Series at Beth El Temple, promises to be a memorable community event. "A German Requiem" by Johannes Brahms will be performed by the Beth El Orchestra, Community Chorale, and soloists. Additionally, George Gershwin's "Piano Concerto in F" will be performed by Hartt School Of Music pianist, Corbin Beisner. Cantor Joseph Ness, Conductor/Artistic Director would like to provide you and your Unitarian Society Of Hartford choir members with concert tickets. Flyers available at USH

Further Down The Road (About 30 Days)

Special Service Planned for June 14th The June 14th worship service with have a special focus on welcoming GLBT folks at Unitarian Society Hartford.

Our special collection will benefit True Colors (www.ourtruecolors.org)

True Colors works to create a world where youth, adults and families of all sexual orientations and gender identities are valued and affirmed. They challenge all forms of oppression through education, training, advocacy, youth leadership development, mentoring and direct services to
youth and those responsible for their well-being. - Greg Nickett

A Matter of Opinion:

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Did You Know? - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council - Have you tried carpooling to USH yet? save CO2 emissions, have fun talking to a member and provide more space in the parking lot! Check out the bulletin board at the bottom of the stairs to see who in your neighborhood is interested.

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