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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 June 14 & 21, 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.
Next year is the USH year of the family, stump for home or otherwise - Photo by C. Cooper
Worshipping Together Since 1830
Services Held During the Summer at 10 AMSunday - 17 June - Father's Day and "Flow" (10 AM Service!) - Michal Csikszentmihalyi has written extensively about what he calls "flow," based on longitudinal and international research studies, including thousands of interviews about what makes for happiness, creativity, subjective well-being, and fun. In “The Evolving Self,” he explores the notion that, “Evolution equals integration plus differentiation.” What core capacity for self-differentiation resides in us all, regardless of gender, which we might discover by exploring our mythic definition of the "father" image? - BJ
Sunday - 24 June - The Practice of Compassion. The Theme is Buddhism (10 AM Service) - Professor Ellison Findly is Professor of Religion and Asian studies at Trinity College. Her focus is women and Buddhism, and philosophy of plants; currently Buddhism and textiles.
Music: 17 June - Two musical views of fathers: the tender colonial song about David the King grieving for his son Absalom, and the daughter cajoling her "beloved Daddy" in Puccini's opera "Gianni Schicchi." - Offertory Anthem: David the King -- William BillingsSolo: O mio babbino caro, from Gianni Schicchi -- Giacomo Puccini - Katie LaPorta, soprano
Our music this week represents different beautiful aspects of fatherhood. The word "berceuse" actually means lullaby in French. Vierne's "Berceuse" is a beautiful, and haunting lullaby that flows gracefully out of the organ pipes. "Having Fun" is a tiny, yet energetic piece representing the mischievous and adventurous side of parenting. MCW: Berceuse by Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937) POST: Having Fun by Dmitri Kabalevsky (1904 - 1987)
Music 24 June - The Music for Ellison Findly's service represents a broad variety of genres. The notes come together to represent many aspects of peace and compassion.
REflections - Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime! - Our summer program begins this Sunday (17th) with "Recycled Art" projects in the Spirit Play classroom after the Time for all ages. On June 24th, our "Hot Air Balloons" activity will begin in Fellowship Hall at 10 AM, and on July 1st, "Community Mural Painting" will also begin at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall. Children of all ages are invited to join us as we explore art, science, and our community!
What Else is Happening & Announcements
Oops.. - Tom Kemble was inadvertently left off of the list of Worship Associates in our annual report.And, while we are on the subject, now you can read the Annual Report (26 pages and a great reference) in pdf format on your screen. It is listed under policy documents or you may download directly. In the Annual Report you will find information on all aspects of USH and what folks in various "other" areas have been doing.
Adult Programs: - Space Available in August Small Group Ministry - Taking It Easy This Summer? Try Small Group
Ministry Lite.In summer we run shortened Small Group Ministry, with only four weekly sessions. The July group is full, but we still have openings for August. Margaret Leicach will facilitate the group, starting on Thursday, August 2. It will convene at the Meeting House in air-conditioned space. If you haven't tried SGM before, this is a great way to test the waters.
You may sign up by contacting the church office.
Caring Network - You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~Kahlil Gibran - 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, June 14
7:30 pm Rental, Chapel
Friday, June 15
7:00 pm Rental, Chapel
Sunday, June 17
9:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
11:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
11:30 am Lay Speaker Training, Ballou
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
Monday, June 18
6:30 pm Survivors of Incest Anonymous, Murray
7:00 pm Child Care Task Force
Tuesday, June19
12:00 noon ICEJ Clergy, Library
6:00 pm Human Resources Sub-Council, Library
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, June 20
9:00 am The Village, Sanctuary
10:00 – 11:00 am Staff Meeting, Minister’s Study (OFFICE CLOSED)
6:00 pm Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Univ. Htfd, Parking Lot usage
Friday, June 22
7:00 pm Rental, Chapel
7:00 pm Rental, Library
Saturday, June 23
10:30 am Rental, Chapel
Sunday, June 24
9:00 am Music Rehearsal, Chapel
10:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
11:00 am AP, Servetus
11:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
Monday, June 25
6:30 pm Survivors of Incest Anonymous, Murray
Tuesday, June 26
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, June 27
10:00 – 11:00 am Staff Meeting, Minister’s Study (Office Closed)
6:00 pm Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
Friday, June 29
7:00 pm Rental, Library
Sunday, July 1
9:00 am Music Rehearsal, Chapel
10:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
11:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
Italicized entries are non-USH events.
Please notify the office of all additions or changes to the calendar. To get on the calendar, call 233.9897 More general calendar information covering several months may be found here.Further Down The Road (About 30 Days Max)
UU Singles Dinner and Fireworks - If you are single and looking for a way to celebrate the Fourth, come join us for the evening of Saturday July 7. We will start at the Prospect Cafe for dinner at 6:00. Then we will go to Trinity College for a patriotic carillon concert at 8:00. Then the fireworks will go off at 9:45.
Meet other singles from the three local UU churches and others of like mind. Join the group and participate in our activities throughout the year. RSVP to Larry Lunden, bigcheese(at)yahoo(dot)com, or 232-2416 so I will know you are coming.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)
From the Editor: Please note this is a double issue covering Sundays 17 and 24 June.
This Week’s Feature ArticlesSummer Message from BJ - Dear Friends - Sunday the 17th will be the final Sunday service I lead for this church year. There are no words for the sense of fulfillment and satisfaction I hold as I review our year of worshipping together. Thank you for your participation, whether in shared service leadership or by holding your space in the pew, or, if you rarely attend worship, by simply wishing me and USH well from afar. We have been blest with gentle breezes and Good Orderly Direction this year.
You who have been UUs awhile, know that we clergy typically have a study and planning month during the summer (July for me) during which I’ll work from home in Bloomfield, and will surely be in touch with leadership by email and occasional business meeting, but I will not be available for day-to-day ministerial work.
Should you experience a crisis and need my pastoral presence (during study month of July or vacation weeks in August), please contact the USH office and the staff will notify me.
My vacation month will be August, but at the suggestion that I be visible for worship at least once, and knowing that leaders will have made great plans for Fall which they’d like to have me know about, I will be working at the office and available for any typical ministerial duties August 8-15, and will be taking the last week in June as vacation.
I will spend the week of June 18-24 representing USH at General Assembly in Oregon, remaining on the West Coast for the last week of June. I will return to the pulpit on September 9, for our water ingathering ritual.
So friends, while I'm planning and studying and actually relaxing in moments this summer, I invite you to come to Sunday worship at 10 AM through July and August to experience the wonderful work of our Worship Associates, who have now invested about 25 hours in training. You will be blessed with glimpse into the hearts and minds of more than a half dozen lay members of USH, who will be creating a sermon for you reflecting some of the things each of them considers as an "ultimate concern."
The summer services will be a great opportunity for you to get to know your fellow congregants at a more profound level. Our music associate, John, will be on board guaranteeing our usual high standard of musical offering, and our children will experience a fabulous 'RE Summer Camp" orchestrated by our able DRE, Gail. And on August 12 I'll be "guest speaker" filling you in on GA as I experienced it, and we'll welcome new members, AND after that service I'd love to have you join me for a "Congregational Conversation on Worship."
We'll proceed as we did for the April "worship music review." by first creating some conversational guidelines to guarantee a safe and healthy space for dialogue, then explore our reactions to a complete church year of two worship services. And, of course, our lay leaders will continue the work of councils and sub-councils preparing for a great Fall 07 together! - All the best, Rev BJ
Worship Arts Sub-Council Supports Sunday Worship - Members of the congregation especially interested in worship at USH have begun to support Rev. BJ in Sunday worship planning and in leading worship, especially on the Sundays that BJ is not preaching. This spring BJ accepted applications for this new forum for developing lay worship leaders, building on prior ministers’ practices.
There are several sub-committees making up the new Worship Arts Sub-Council: the Music sub-committee, the Worship Associates sub-committee and the Chancel Arts sub-committee. Amy Hines chairs the entire sub council, which is part of the Spiritual Life Council.
Many of the members are Worship Associates (WA) who will lead worship for the 20 or so Sundays when BJ is not in the pulpit. On Sundays when BJ is not here a WA whom BJ has trained will maintain the quality and consistency of worship that has become our standard. . Most of what WA do to prepare for Sunday worship happens behind the scenes taking the role BJ does for her own services. We have invested over 12 hours in training with BJ since April, and it will show during the services this summer!
Another role for the Worship Arts Sub-Council is acting as a sounding board and think tank for BJ as she explores ways of deepening and enhancing our worship experience. Sometimes BJ will have one or two WA with her in the services that she leads as happened recently at Flower Communion Sunday. The Music and Chancel Arts Committees support all Sunday worship working with BJ or the WA.
The Worship Arts Sub-Council members are: John Bengtson, Diane Cadrain, Carolyn Cartland, Carol Davidson, Tom Kemble, Margaret Leicach, Fred Louis, Marye Gail Harrison, Amy Hines, David Principe, Katie Robbins, Edith Savage, and Gail Syring. Mattie Banzhaf and John Jesensky participate as our music staff.
Interested in Music? The Worship Arts Sub-Council will be convening a Music Subcommittee and invites interested USH members to join. Our entire denomination is exploring how music can be part of Unitarian worship in new ways. At USH, we will identify music resources within our own community, start up a “Celebration Choir” and explore new ways music can enliven our spirit as part of our shared worship experience. Please let Amy Hines know if you are interesting in being part of this in any way or call 860-693-3663.
Special Congregational Conversation (Talkback) Invitation: This summer on August 12, the Worship Arts Sub-Council invites the congregation to a conversation to share our experiences with holding two services on Sundays. This talkback will take place immediately after the single service at 10 o'clock on August 12. BJ will be our summer guest minister that day and she will facilitate the conversation. How do you think the two services functioned? Is it different than you thought it would be? What changes are you looking for in worship? Worship Arts invites you to come and share your thoughts about the worship services. If you will be away on August 12, please email BJ or Amy Hines or 860-693-3663 with your thoughts and they will be read at the meeting.
External Events and Educational Notes
Fathers Day Cookout - Sunday, June 17, 2007, Noon to 6 PM in Elizabeth Park on the Hartford side, near playground. Food and fellowship provided.This is an excellent opportunity to help bridge the racial divide in Hartford. Sponsored by the Father-to-Father program of My People Clinical Services.
Fathers and mothers bring your children, or if you are unable to bring them, show up so that we can talk about shared parenting.
Volunteers needed to organize and supervise one activity: e.g., kickball, face painting, water balloons, a craft, etc.
More information: Contact John Clapp, Shared Parenting Council of Connecticut, 860-983-3685 or Keon Berry, Father-to-Father, 597-1575Announcing a New Event for The Humanist Association of Connecticut - What: Is Islam Compatible with Western Democracy? - When: Monday, June 18, 7:30 PM - Where: Unitarian Soc of New Haven 700 Hartford Turnpike - Hamden , CT 06517
Event Description: The Humanist Association of Connecticut's monthly meeting for June will feature a panel discussion on "Is Islam Compatible with Western Democracy?" The panelists will be Dr. David Schafer, author of a series of articles in the Humanist on Islam, and Michelle Koth, presenter of "Women and Islam" at one of our prior monthly meetings.
We'll start with coffee and conversation at 7:30 PM. The discussion will follow brief announcements at 8:00 PM.(It is not necessary to RSVP for this event; I'm listing it as a meetup so that you can get e-mail reminders from meetup.com) Learn more here: For more information, call Ed Savage 860-232-5603.Announcing a New Event for The Humanist Association of Connecticut Meetup Group! - What: Hartford Area Social Dinner at Mediza, LaSalle Road.
When: Thursday, June 28, 6:45 PM - Event Description: Enjoy the discussion over dinner with other humanists!This month our Hartford-area dinner will be at Mediza, a Mediterranean restaurant in West Hartford. There's ample free parking near the restaurant, as well as an inexpensive lot nearby. Note the meeting time, 6:45 instead of 7:00.
You can get more information about our group at http://www.cthumanist.org - For more information, call Ed Savage 860-232-5603
Did You Know? - This little feature has been dedicated to our history and most recently to the UU principle - .. respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part. If anyone wishes to recommend a document related to the green aspect of UUism for use in this space, please send along your thoughts. - Editor
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 06/14/07 05:19 PM)
