USH-Enews for May 15 &22, 2008 Print Only Edition

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The banner hanging in the chancel Sunday (5/18) depicts Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple high atop Doi Suthep Mountain in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The temple is reached by a staircase of 309 steps, flanked on either side by the undulating body of a five-headed dragon, called naga. The dragons’ scaled bodies are worked in gold leaf embellished with jewel-toned enamel. The two side pieces on this banner represent the naga staircase leading to the temple on the top of the mountain. The central panel at the bottom recites the elements of the Buddhist Eightfold Path. Photo by Joe Rubin

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.

Please note : Our summer schedule of a single Sunday service at 10:00 AM will begin on May 25 and continue through August 31.

Sunday - 18 May The graduation ceremony for the University of Hartford will be this Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 10 AM. This usually provides a great deal more traffic on Bloomfield Avenue than a regular Sunday morning. Keep this in mind as you plan your trip to the Meeting House.

– Wesak - Join us as we honor the holiday that Asian traditions celebrate as Wesak, one day commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing to nirvana. - Rev. Jamestone

Sunday 25 May - Memorial Day Recognition - We often honor, remember, and memorialize loved ones who have died by telling stories about their lives and our connections with them. This service will similarly commemorated those effected by war. A team of Society members will read a variety of stories, poems, letters chronicling, mourning, remembering, and honoring the sacrifices of war. A Worship Arts Sub-Council Theme Team service. (Note: begin Summer Schedule one Service at 10 AM Activities for Children and Child Care for Younger ones.)

5-18 "Gate Gate" begins the Heart Sutra, Buddha's great sermon on nothingness and the essence of Buddhist teaching. "Gate gate" means "Gone, gone" ... gone from matter, gone from the body, gone beyond mind and thought. Canadian composer Brian Tate has ingeniously set this text to reflect the joy of enlightenment when earthly cares are "Gone, gone."

5-25 Tony Nasto, our baritone soloist, sings two songs on themes of the Civil War. Katherine K. Davis's "Nancy Hanks" poignantly describes the thoughts of Abraham Lincoln's mother, and "One Wore Blue and One Wore Grey," originally composed by Irving Gordon, has been sung by Tom Jones and many others.

REflections on Children's Programming -

Sunday, May 25th will be an Arts Sunday. Please join us in the Spirit Play classroom for sand painting and crafts in lieu of regular classes.

Coming of Age Celebration - Many of our eighth and ninth grade students will be Coming of Age in a Chapel service on Saturday, May 31st at 4 PM. Please congratulate the members of this year's class:

Marc Czepiel
Marissa Elish
Ginger Furey
Benjamin Garmise
Daniel Hanson
Hannah Phillips
Janabeth Ward

Intergenerational Service - Sunday, June 1st will be our annual intergenerational Youth Service. There will be child care, but no regular classes.

Summer Programming - Our summer program will begin on Sunday, June 8th. Children will attend the worship service through the children's message and then attend class as a multiage group in the Spirit Play classroom.

Registration for Fall/RE Assistance - As the summer rapidly approaches, registration for Fall religious education classes is upon us. Please visit the table in the lobby for your family's registration form and be sure to volunteer some of your talent to the program.

Request for Summer Storytellers - Help pass on the wisdom of our parents and grandparents to our children. We need people willing to volunteer to tell a story to our RE class this summer. Brush off your favorite bit of wisdom, your most exciting adventure, or even your tallest tale and share it with our children. Please contact Gail at: dre@ushartford.com for more information. - Gail M. Syring, DR

A Note from the President - In today’s issue of the USH-Enews you will find information about decisions made concerning next year’s (starting September, 2008) Sunday programming schedule. I wish to thank BJ and the many groups and individuals who participated in the conversations, meetings, research and email dialogues over the last few months. These were very helpful in both educating one another and clarifying our current situation and options

These decisions are important next steps in our congregation’s evolution. I think it is also a good example of how we can hone our collective listening and decision-making skills and processes, which will serve us well as we continue to engage directional choices over the next few years.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and myself, thank you to all. - Bill Young, President

Sunday Progamming - Dear Friends, I am writing to you with information about our Fall Sunday programming.

My first responsibility is to create, not one, but two viable worship services using staff resources prudently, and services that are welcoming for both established members and new folk. With that end in mind, some aspects of our Sunday life together will change.

1. Timing. The first service will begin at 9:45 AM and the second service will begin at 11:15 AM. The anticipated larger attendance at the first service will maximize the use of our staff, volunteer and building resources. The second service start time of 11:15 AM, while providing only 30 minutes between services, frees as much of the afternoon as possible for those with other commitments.

2.Children’s RE will be scheduled during the first service at 9:45 AM. This decision was made within the context of the two start times that I established as most effective, and in consideration of the later time of the first service.

3. The High School Youth Group - has an opportunity to explore a number of options. Creative ideas are already beginning to surface. Some include extending the once-per-month soup making into an extra long gathering, having one evening meeting per month, joining the worship service once per month, sleeping in once per month….or whatever their brainstorming comes up with!

There will be two follow up congregational conversations, as we move toward the Fall of 2008. The first will be on Saturday, June 14, at 4:00 PM, at the Meeting House and the second on Sunday, August 24, after the worship service. The plan will work, only as we work it.

I know there are lingering feelings regarding RE and the Youth decision, along with issues regarding the Sabbath, which allows church business on Sundays from 8:00 - 9:40 AM and from 1:00 PM onward. Much of the hurt and anger regarding the effects on RE has been heard and integrated into our hearts. If there are other issues that still trouble you, please come on June 14, where your concerns will be held with care in the heart of our church family.

By August 24, our second congregational gathering, we will be much clearer on the kinks to be worked out. It will be good to gather with you all to hear remaining comments and reflect on needs, and strategies to be worked out within the context of a committed group to meet those needs.

I believe that we will weather these changes as a congregation and be more uniquely beautiful for it. I stand ready to continue personal conversations with you, and am as ever, honored to be your minister. - My best, - Rev BJ

Dearest BJ - I would like to say thank you for your loving guidance through this difficult process of change. As one of the members affected by this change, I would like to share with you that I felt that my needs were heard by not only you, but the congregation at large. That means a lot to me.

I think that this new model for Sunday services can work. I appreciate that compromises need to be made. I hope that we can continue to work on the youth meeting times as it is very important to me not only that my children get the full benefit of this spiritually nurturing program, but that we can continue to attend services together as a family. I think that this new model allows us to do both.

I read an article in the Hartford Courant recently about a Catholic church in Farmington that needs to make an addition to their building as they currently have four Sunday services and 1,685 families utilizing a sanctuary built for 300. What would it be like to have that challenge? My guess is that the road to this particular challenge that they are facing today was littered with similar issues that we are addressing now. If we continue to work through our issues as we have this one of changing the services, I can imagine that one day we will be calling this church in Farmington asking them for tips on how to get our expansion plans past the zoning board in Hartford. - Thank you! Liz

The Editor Explains Web "Privacy"- As your editor of our USH-Enews, I endeavor to publish information while respecting and protecting the privacy of our community as necessary keeping in mind that the web is a world wide resource open to all who care to see the web pages. We have a policy of not publishing names, email addresses or phone numbers when any person, member or friend, informs the editor of their desire to avoid such exposure whatever the reason.

Such requests are increasing rare in our very public society where your data is known and public from the phone book to town hall records. What is not to know? You will notice sometimes email addresses are written in unconventional form (atsymbol) just to avoid automatic web harvesting of email addresses.

Others email addresses appear so often or are so public we don't make such an effort.

The folks who spoke Sunday, May 4th about their own "invisible disabilities" -- Dick Hall, Bill LaPorte-Bryan, and Deb Meny had their names left out in the earliest edition of the USH-Enews. Concerned for their privacy, and having a deadline of a few hours, I elected to use their initials rather than names to protect their privacy. Astute readers will note a subsequent revision of the USH-Enews included the names.

Each of the individuals involved asked that their names be shared on the web, a kind of personal policy decision. Part of their struggle is to make public this class of human difficulties they and many others confront on a daily basis. Each of them believes in, modeled, and value BJ's poignant closure: to entourage all people to “make our names safe in our own mouths as well as in the mouths of others.”

Dick, Bill and Deb share their warm thanks with the Society, Carolyn Cartland and BJ for encouraging them do so. - DCN

On the Calendar

Friday, May 16
1:00 pm Transitional Group, Library
1:30 pm Membership Sub-council, Minister’s Study
5:30 pm SGM for Families, Fellowship Hall
6:00 pm Ember Days, Chapel

Saturday, May 17
6:00 pm Ember Days, Chapel

Sunday, May 18
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, CHAPEL
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:00 am Youth Choir, Chapel
10:00 am Building and Grounds Sub-council, Murray
10:00 am Comfort Shawl Knitters, Lower Lobby
10:00 am Disabilities Sub-council, Library
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:00 pm Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:30 pm BTWWDA, Emerson
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Monday, May 19
2:45 pm Rental, Servetus

Tuesday, May 20
12:00 pm ICEJ Clergy, Library
6:00 pm Worship Arts Sub-council, Ballou
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, May 21
5:00 pm Green Sanctuary Task Force, Servetus
6:00 pm Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
7:30 pm NVC practice group, Emerson

Thursday, May 22
3:00 pm Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Sunday, May 25
9:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:00 am Coming of Age, Fuller
10:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
11:00 pm Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Monday, May 26, Memorial Day
OFFICE AND BUILDING CLOSED

Tuesday, May 27
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, May 28
1:30 pm Adult Programs Sub-council, Library
6:00 pm Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
7:30 pm NVC practice group, Emerson

Thursday, May 29
7:00 pm BTWWDA, Fellowship Hall

Friday, May 30
5:30 pm Family SGM, Fellowship Hall
6:00 pm Youth Group Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Saturday, May 31
4:00 pm Coming of Age Celebration, Chapel/Fellowship Hall

Sunday, June 1
9:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:00 am Youth Soup Making, Kitchen
10:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
11:30 am SGM and COSJ, Library
12:00 pm Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
7:00 pm Torch & Tango, and A Little Bit o’ Broadway

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

Call your Congressperson today about the Iraq Spending Bill to vote up or down on Bush's funding proposal for the War on Iraq, YES on timelines, an expanded GI Bill of Rights, troop readiness standards, a ban on torture and permanent bases in Iraq . John Larson (202) 225-2265 (860) 278-8888;
Joe Courtney (202) 225-2076 (860) 886-0139; Chris Murphy (202) 225-5933 (860) 827-9009 IASC

One Opening Left In Summer Small Group Ministry - The summer Small Group Ministry session is almost filled, so you should sign up now if you’re interested. This summer we are offering just one program in July, and we have only one opening. The group will meet on four Tuesday evenings in July, beginning on July 1. The group will be facilitated by RE Director Gail Syring and hosted by Janice and David Newton. It will meet at the USH Meeting House in air-conditioned space.

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.

You may consult the Adult Programs Catalogue for more information. Please sign up by contacting the church office (233-9897). - Mike Roy

Continuing Ambulatory Art Show for May by Ruth Brody - through the month, More

Farmington Valley Arts Center to feature pen, ink and pencil drawings of Dick Hall. The Arts Center is located at 25 Arts Center Lane, Avon, CT 06001. The show will continue from May 8 - May 31st.

The Membership Sub-Council invites you to attend a “welcome wagon meeting” on Friday, May 16, 1:30 PM. Rev. BJ's work next year will focus on converting honored guests into beloved members. We are looking for like-minded folks to help with this work. WANTED: all those who believe hospitality is both a moral imperative and a lot of fun! Please join in this Membership 2008-2009 kick-off!

May 20th Men’s Luncheon Group Meeting - The USH Men’s Luncheon Group meets at Carmen Anthony’s restaurant located on Route 44 in Avon. The meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month and they begin at noon. The speaker for the May 20th meeting is Ed Richardson and the title of his talk is “An Ancient Mummer’s Swan Song.”

Long Time Member has Moved - As some of you may know, Christine Reese has recently moved to New Jersey to be near her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters. Chris was a member of USH for over 40 years, raised her daughter Barbara in the Meeting House, and was a vital contributor to many USH activities over the years, especially on disability/accessibility issues. If you would like her new address, send an email to the editor or Carolyn Cartland.

Women's Alliance 2008 Education Grant Applications Due June 1st - The UAMW of USH is pleased to announce that their Educational Grant applications are available during the month of May. More

Spring Outing - Attention all USH women: The Alliance Spring Outing is coming up on Wed. June 4. Join us for a celebration of sisterhood with a lovely lunch at the Firebox Restaurant, located in the historic Billings Forge at 539 Broad Street in Hartford, which if fully handicapped accessible. Following lunch, we will go to the Museum of CT History in the Supreme Court Building on Capitol Avenue to see the Michael Borders murals depicting the history of CT industry. (Michael is the artist who did the painting hung on the wall in David’s Den).

The museum is free. Lunch is at your own expense. Meet at noon to carpool from the Meeting House or at the restaurant at 12:30.

Please sign up by June 1 at the latest – either on the sheet posted on the bulletin board in the lower lobby (to the right of the men’s lav) or by contacting Anne Bailey: 860-379-7740 or annebailey713@yahoo.com

From the Adult Programs Sub-Council: We'd like to hear your suggestions for possible programs to include in the 2008-2009 Adult Programs Catalog. Perhaps you or someone you know has always wanted to facilitate a book discussion or offer a workshop. Proposal forms are available at the Programs table during coffee hours, in the office, and at the USH website (click on Spiritual Life and then Adult Programs). You may also contact an AP sub-council member - Janice Newton, Chair, Ginny Berrien, Helen David, Virginia de Lima, Nita Hansen, Barbara Hellenga, Mary Leonard, Nancy Reed, Beverly Spence with your thoughts.

Copies of Nonviolent Communication - A Language of Life and Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids - 7 Keys To Turn Family Conflict Into Cooperation are available at the Book Cart on Sundays for $15 each. These books were used in conjunction with recent USH Nonviolent Communication studies.

Ember Days will continue to be celebrated Friday and Saturday, May 16, 17, 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Led by Rev. Jamestone, this fourth seasonal observance will include spiritual exercises and time for personal introspection in silence. Come to any or all of the sessions. No registration needed.

Tai Chi, A new session will be starting Wednesday, May 21. 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.

Friday Dinner and Movie, June 13. The final movie for the 2007-2008 season will be "Away from Her." Julie Christie was nominated for best actress …"a film of piercing clarity, one that knocks you out over and over again with its beauty and generosity." St. Paul Pioneer (2007)

Food Alert! Some entree dishes are needed for the CN freezer. If you are interested in supplying a main dish to serve 2-4, please contact Nancy Reed at 860 521-1082 or e-mail her at ndreed35(at symbol)comcast.net.

Caring Network - Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.-- Dr. Benjamin Spock - 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.

Painters Needed - In August a team of painters, not necessarily the artistic type, will enhance the appearance of another classroom. Any one who is interested in picking up a brush on a Friday or Saturday in early August should contact Skip Berrien at f.berrien(at symbol)comcast.net or call him at 243 0149.

External Events and Educational Notes

The CT Coalition for Environmental Justice presents Body Burden, a modern day comedy about breast cancer, environmental health and you. This is a partner organization of USH. May 17 at First Presbyterian Church (next to the Bushnell), 7 PM; 6:30 mixer. $10 adult, $5 students. Questions to Dawn at 548-1133. - The Kembles

If anyone has a 10x10 or smaller canopy or craft show type tent that Interweave can use on June 7 or 8th for Hartford Pride in Elizabeth Park please contact Lisa Gabrielle @ 860 408 0009 or email @ lgabrielle(atsign)sbcglobal.net. Thanks.

World Refugee Day will be at the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St www.hplct.org on Saturday, June 21 from noon until 4 PM. Hartford Sister Cities International, Hartford's Refugee Community and numerous other cultural organizations invite you and your family to commemorate World Refugee Day. Free events include exhibits, information, booths and dances from around the world.695-6334 or ask Brian Smith. - The Kembles

The American Friends Service Committee, CT area, will hold the annual dinner at USH on Saturday, June 7 with silent auction at 4:15, dinner and program 5:30-9. "Engaging the Spirit for Justice and Peace: the Work of the AFSC" is the topic. $45 pp/$30 students/financial assistance. contact Connecticut@afsc.org

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Did You Know? - May 10 2008 Before you go out and spend your tax rebate at Wal-Mart [Page 1, May 4, "Retailers Vie For Rebate Windfall"], please, stop and think if you really need (or more important, if our environment needs) that energy-sucking electronic device or piece of plastic that will take decades to decompose in the landfill. (note to the Hartford Courant from Bev Prager May 10th

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