50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 Tel: (860) 233-9897 / FAX 233-1333 Email: firstunitarian@ushartford.com Reverend Barbara Jamestone, PhD

Home Page- Link Central Questions and Comments	USH-Enews June 25, 2009 Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further down the road; Social justice journeys; Did you know? Text only Printer Friendly Format
	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. Board Makes Difficult Decisions - As readers of the USH-Enews know, planning a budget for FY 09-10 has been especially difficult because the Stewardship Campaign has been adversely effected by the economy along with every other aspect of economic life. In a Budget Briefing on Sunday 21 June a proposed budget from the Finance Sub-Council was presented. This budget was destined for presentation to the Board, which under the Constitution has final authority to accept or amend the budget received. Our current expenditures from this fiscal year have been cut back to about $462,110 from $475,029, which thanks to careful management and reduction of planned expenditures, has permitted us to end the year in the black. Based on the current Stewardship Campaign, conducted under very difficult circumstances, it appears an expenditure level of about $404,324 will be possible for FY09-10. To reduce expenses to this level within the context of a caring community, the Finance Sub-Council determined the projected budget would require no staff COLA; two week furlough (no pay or fringes for staff for two weeks); reduced Sexton hours; reduced pay-benefits for minister and DRE; reduced hours for the Evening Attendant; reduction in the music program support; and reduced support for the Councils. Reaching this difficult decision included careful consideration of sums paid to the Clara Barton District and the UUA; the status of the Endowment that was hit by the current recession declining from a value of about 1.2 million to $750,000 last March; and other sources of income such as rent and various other items of expenditures and revenues. These matters were discussed at the budget briefing. Substantial comment surrounded the proposed cut to the music program. Music programming has recently been subject to a great deal of planning and revision, with an eye to presenting a diverse musical experience next fall to meet, on a rotating basis, the desires and needs of various musical tastes of the congregation. A summary of the briefing was prepared and distributed to USH-Enews subscribers including an invitation to submit email comment and attend the Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday 23 June. The Board Meeting attended by about six interested visitors featured a detailed and thorough discussion of the proposed budget. In the end, the budget unanimously passed was approximately what had been proposed. There were some important additional understandings adopted. About $6,000 was added as income from Good Neighbor Offerings and as expenses (pass through money). On the matter of staff furloughs of up to two weeks for Rev. Jamestone and all staff, it was determined that none would occur before the first of the year. Staff will have autonomy in determining the time of their furloughs. In addition, by August 1st representatives from the Board, human relations Sub-Council and Committee on Ministry will meet with Rev. Jamestone and DRE Gail M Syring to discuss additional reductions in their compensation packages of $12,000 and $1,000 respectively, and commensurate reductions in their duties. Also, the Board will work to identify the order in which budget line items would be restored in the event of increased pledges or other unanticipated revenue. To this end, the Board continues to encourage members and friends to consider increasing their pledges for the coming year. Looking forward, a task force or similar group will be pulled together to look at long-term budget issues and needs, holding an "economic summit." Probably beginning in September, it is understood all income, expenditure and programs will be "on the table" for examination. The Board also voted to approve the $10,000 B&G capital projects budget, understanding the sum will consist of money rolled over from FY 08-09 supplemented by whatever is necessary from the Endowment to make the $10,000 requested. The B&G Sub-Council conserved money in the current fiscal year knowing of the stress on the Endowment Fund and projecting expenses in FY 09-10 to address various safety issues as requested by the Board several months ago. In addition, the Board voted unanimously to return to a single Sunday service scheduled for 10 AM and issued the following statement: USH Board of Directors Statement of Support of Worship and Music - Sunday programming, as a reflection of our covenantal commitment to each other, is crafted to encourage our members to grow in spirit and in service, to highlight the future of our ministry, and to celebrate Unitarian-Universalism as a faith accessible to a broad range of people.  In the past three years the staff and lay members of the Spiritual Life Council, under the guidance of the minister, have spent countless hours in the study, creation and evaluation of worship and music that incorporates both tradition and innovation in an effort to create an inclusive and welcoming environment in our Sanctuary.  The Board of Directors applauds and endorses these efforts as a reflection of the congregational needs expressed in the strategic plan, published worship documents and included in congregational conversations. Appreciation was extended  to our music director, Mattie Banzhaf, for initiating  a $2,000 reduction in her wages for the coming year, and to Rev Jamestone, who indicated that she will be the  personal "guarantor" of the $6,000 now required to sustain music plans for the Fall, which  will include congregational mentoring of several fine young musicians who will in exchange enrich our worship experience with their talents. Rev. Jamestone expressed confidence that the  congregation will rally round this opportunity to preserve the quality of our Sunday services, and  looks forward to receiving checks to the office made out to “USH Minister’s Discretionary Fund” earmarked “ for Music,” and to the establishment of a "music fund raising event" team. Thanks and appreciation were also extended to Brian Mullen for his support of the entire budgeting process and stewardship campaign this year. At the end of the meeting, the Board warmly thanked Heather Ferguson-Hull, President, and Nina Elgo, Secretary for their excellent service and welcomed Sue Kinney, President Elect and Fran Carnevale, Secretary, who are joining the Board after July 1st. Carolyn Cartland will be the new President. - DCN
	Worshipping Together Since 1830 Summer Schedule One Service 10 AM Sunday - 28 June The Healing Connection of Mind-Body-Spirit - As a Physician Assistant, Susan Huntington was trained in the western scientific model of medicine that focuses on evidence-based healing. This acquired bias is being challenged as we learn more about the expanding scientific basis supporting what Eastern medicine has known for centuries – the connection between the mind-body-spirit and the healing or relaxing changes that occur when a person engages in repetitive prayer, words, sounds or phrases. In the sermon she will examine the expanding scientific evidence supporting the healing power of the mind when connected to spiritual practices or rituals. She will relay some of her own experiences with mind-body-spirit techniques and the associated spiritual sensation. Susan Huntington is a wife, mom, grandmother, physician assistant, health care attorney, educator, and, for rejuvenation – a flower planter.  The Huntington family has been active members at USH for over 10 years. Music – Healing chants are part of this meditative healing service led by Susan Huntington. Deep involvement with other people in singing may lead to letting go of oneself, giving yourself over to the spirit of the chant. REflections on Children's Programming - Harry Potter Summer Program   This Sunday, June 28th, we will be studying famous Witches and Wizards, including Circe and Merlin!  We will also make our own Witch and Wizard cards. Come experience the magic! What Else is Happening  & Announcements Making Melody in Our Hearts - On June 28, here's your chance to join Joyfuul Noise in singing several simple meditative chants during worship.  We will gather as an "instant choir" at 9:15 that morning and learn several short pieces which we will sing as repetitive meditations during worship, as an experience of some of the dynamics which our speaker, Susan Huntington, will mention in discussing healing arts.   We hope to see you there! Many Thanks - for those who donated items for MY SISTER'S PLACE. They sent a van on Monday and took away about 18 lamps and more than a dozen large bags of linens. In these difficult economic times, it is heartening to see what can be accomplished by working together to assist others. Thanks for your support. - The Women's Alliance. Nominations for Next Season’s Dinner and Movie Series - Nominations of titles for the October 2009 – June 2010 Dinner and Movie Series will be accepted until June 30.   You may send five titles by email to pickmovies@ushartford.com or by snail mail to Movies, USH, 50 Bloomfield Ave, Hartford 06105, or leave a phone message at 860-693-4269.   Voting will be done by email and mail in July.  If you prefer a mailed ballot, be sure to indicate this with your nominations and include your address.   If you haven’t attended one of the evenings yet but are interested and would like to nominate movies, please do! We’ll need your contact information to send you a ballot. - Nita Hansen Adult Programs - Even though there will not be a Programs Registration Table during the summer, we would like to hear from you! Looking ahead to programming for the fall, perhaps you or someone you know has a special interest and would like to offer a class or workshop. To obtain a Program Proposal Form, you may go to  http://www.ushartford.com./  From the Spiritual Life pull down menu (on the left side of the home page), click on Adult Programs. In the first paragraph, click on download the form in Microsoft Word.  The form is also available at the USH office. The Proposal Form should include a detailed paragraph about the program that can be used for promotion. Please email the completed Proposal to Nancy Reed or Janice Newton by Monday, August 10 so that your proposed program can be reviewed and included with the other 2009 Fall Programs for Adults and Families.   To register for the Summer Small Group Ministry (SGM), please call the church office at 860 233-9897. Many thanks to all of you who planned and participated in the 2008-2009 Fall and Winter/Spring Programs for Adults and Families. Caring Network - I promise to make you so alive the fall of dust on furniture will deafen you. Nina Cassian- 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. On the Calendar Thursday, June 25 5:00 pm  NVC, David Saturday, June 27 10:30 am  Rental, Chapel   Sunday, June 28 9:30 am  Joyfuul Noise, Sanctuary 10:00 am  WORSHIP, SANCTUARY 11:00 am  Coffee, Fellowship Hall 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel   Monday, June 29 7:00 pm   Rental, Ballou Tuesday, June 30 7:00 pm  Willett Woodwind Rehearsal, Chapel 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, July 1 5:45 pm  Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson 6:30 pm  Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall   7:00 pm  Small Group Ministry, David Friday, July 3 Independence Day observed - OFFICE CLOSED Sunday, July 5 10:00 am  WORSHIP, SANCTUARY 11:00 am  Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel   Tuesday, July 7 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, July 8 5:45 pm  Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson 7:00 pm  Small Group Ministry, David    Thursday, July 9 5:00 pm  NVC, David 7:00 pm  Rental, Ballou Saturday, July 11 10:00 am  Rental, Chapel 1:00 pm  Neighbor parking lot usage Sunday, July 12 10:00 am  WORSHIP, SANCTUARY 11:00 am  Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel   Tuesday, July 14 5:30 pm  Lay Listeners, Davidson home 7:00 pm  Board of Directors, 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, July 15 5:45 pm  Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson 7:00 pm  Small Group Ministry, David    Sunday, July 19 10:00 am  WORSHIP, SANCTUARY 11:00 am  Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall 11:30 am  Pathways, Library 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel   Tuesday, July 21 12:00 pm  Men’s Luncheon Group Picnic, Memorial Patio/Fellowship Hall 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, July 22 5:45 pm  Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson 7:00 pm  Small Group Ministry, David   Thursday, July 23 5:00 pm  NVC, David Saturday, July 25 10:30 am  Rental, Chapel Sunday, July 26 10:00 am  WORSHIP, SANCTUARY 11:00 am  Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel   Tuesday, July 28 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, July 29 5:45 pm  Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson Sunday, August 2 10:00 am  WORSHIP, SANCTUARY 11:00 am  Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel   Tuesday, August 4 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, August 5 5:45 pm  Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson 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! Further Down The Road (About 30 Days) Music for You to Give and Receive at the Meeting House—This Fall! More 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.	From the Editor: Suggestions for Contributors. This Week’s Feature Articles Board Makes Difficult Budget Decisions Money Talks Authenticity Continued UUA Jobs for Energetic Young People Money Talks - With what I perceived as deep sadness, the Board approved the budget for the coming year as it was presented by the Finance Sub-Council on Tuesday evening.  I  applaud their courage in facing hard truths, including the necessity to make reductions in staff wages. While I did not share their commitment to fully funding our denominational dues in the coming year, I’m happy to have the chance to be as gracious about that decision as our leadership has been gracious about the decisions I have made with which they did not agree. As for reductions in staff wages,  I am happy to be among those making the sacrifice for a common good and a shared vision at USH, and expect that your other staff share my feeling, because we know that each of you will renew your own willingness to make sacrifices for that which you consider to be ultimate as well. One of the things that distinguish a religious community from other good will groups is that we believe and or/act as if we believe that our lives are not random blips on the face of Gaia, but that they are ordered with meaning and purpose.  Whether God makes the time line and puts us on it, or we make the time line and put God on it, the end is the same.  We believe or act as if we believe that the things that happen, happen for a reason. Therefore, I invite you to join me in seeing the coming era as one of great opportunity. Since I joined you, we have talked of and imagined many things. I have immersed myself in your lives and culture, have presented transitional opportunities, and have championed the emergence of other ways to see and to be the Unitarian Society of Hartford. Now we are ready to put feet to our faith, and add walk to our talk about the following arenas:   Focusing our mission and vision more narrowly, simplifying our programming, insuring joyful volunteer participation, networking and sharing resources with other groups which share our vision and or values, making  the first priority of every group or program  to be  the support of our Sunday programming, tending our community of care clearly defining the roles of staff and of lay leadership in governance and program implementation With necessity as the mother of invention, we will address each of those bullets personally and as a community. The first step is to acknowledge and to share our own deep  fatigue, fear, and other feelings about the impact of the larger economic crisis on our community of care, as well as on our world, our families and ourselves. I am imagining coming together in small pocket gardens, over a simple table, with children at our feet, and the sharing of tears that endure for a night, as well as  the joy that will come in the morning.   It is not clear to me how that can happen at USH, or how I can help. I am confident that you will figure something out and let me know how I can lend passionate leadership.   Sending you warm regard until I see you in church on July 5 - Rev BJ Authenticity, Continued - It seemed like a fairly easy question - the one Reverend BJ asked at the beginning of her sermon last Sunday:  “What is authentic, really?”  But it wasn’t easy, nor was her suggested answer.  “Perhaps,” she said, “it is an alchemy of mind, body, heart and soul.”   The cognitive domain, she continued, is a “lovely thing” but it is not enough for an authentic life. The affective domain is still not enough.  We must be willing to sacrifice, to release our feelings, to surrender our bodies and to listen to our bodies’ wisdom.   “Our connection to others, in love, is the only thing that doesn’t die,” Reverend BJ said.  The inward, upward and downward movement of mind, body, heart and soul, and our willingness to move along these four points, can guide us towards an authentic life. Reverend BJ suggested that we are able to do this most easily in our church community where we can help each other.   Reverend BJ summarized  Edna St. Vincent Millay’s long poem Renascence as an example of the quest for an authentic life.  Here’s an excerpt, the last dozen lines of her 214 line poem:               The world stands out on either side             No wider than the heart is wide;             Above the world is stretched the sky,             No higher than the soul is high.             The heart can push the sea and land             Farther away on either hand,             The soul can split the sky in two,             And let the face of God shine through.             But East and West will pinch the heart             That can not keep them pushed apart;             And he whose soul is flat—the sky             Will cave in on him by and by.   Sunday’s service was the first of the “Simply Summer” services and the last time we will hear our choir until Ingathering Sunday, September 13.  The choir treated us to several madrigals, a type of secular vocal music dating back to the Renaissance and early Baroque eras and performed without instrumental accompaniment.   The choir (now seated in the pews) and the congregation closed the service with hymn number three in the USH hymnal, “The World Stands Out on Either Side”—just a bit of Renascence put to music. - Kayla Costenoble Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH Hands On Hartford’s Longest Day of Service - Hands On Hartford is hosting its largest volunteer event the weekend of the summer solstice, July 19-21.  More UUA Advocacy and Witness - Dear Friends of Justice, applications are now being accepted for two justice-organizing jobs based in the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Washington Office. Priority will be given to young adults, students and seminarians. Most applicants hear about these positions from fellow UUs, so please forward this message to people who might be interested! Both positions: Are part of the UUA Social Justice Internship Program. The program goal is to combine effective work for justice with faith development in order to produce energetic young adults with professional skills and strength of character to be lifelong leaders in Unitarian Universalism and social justice. Interns invest their time and energy in two main areas: advocacy/organizing and theological reflection. Start August 10, 2009, or as soon as possible thereafter. Have a salary of $29,500 and benefits Have an application deadline of Monday, July 13, at 9:00 AM Eastern Online Community Organizer - Standing on the Side of Love Campaign Basic Purpose: To assist in implementing the Standing on the Side of Love Campaign, an intensive initiative to raise Unitarian Universalism's voice and exercise influence in the public square on issues related to identity based exclusion, oppression and violence. This position will have a primary focus on online organizing and the use of new media. Qualifications: Applicants must be US citizens, comfortable working in a liberal religious environment, and 18 years old by the start of the position. Priority will be given to young adults, students and seminarians. Successful applicants will have excellent writing skills; passion for both advocacy and theological reflection; the ability to work independently; and some experience with both a UU congregation or organization and some type of justice organizing. Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth Program Associate for Environmental Justice A partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Through this partnership, the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) and Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) have created a staff position dedicated to promoting effective environmental justice work among Unitarian Universalists. The staffperson will be an employee of the UUMFE based in the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy. Basic Purpose: To promote effective environmental justice work among Unitarian Universalists. Responsibilities include (among others): 1.      Identifies, analyzes, and promotes existing environmental justice work, in part through sharing stories, best practices, and common challenges 2.      Promotes education, organizing, advocacy, and public witness on UUMFE/UUA-identified priority issues, typically through specific campaigns Qualifications: Applicants must be US citizens, Unitarian Universalists, and 18 years old by the start of the internship. Priority will be given to young adults, students and seminarians. Successful applicants will have excellent writing skills; passion for both advocacy and theological reflection; the ability to work independently; and some experience with both a UU congregation or organization and some type of justice organizing. Term: One-year with a possible second year if the partnership and staff person are a good fit. Congregational Advocacy & Witness 25 Beacon St | Boston , MA 02108 | Phone 617.948.4656 | Fax 617.742.03213 Washington Office for Advocacy 1100 G Street NW, Suite 800 | Washington DC , 20005 | Phone: 202.393.2255 | Fax: 202.393.5494 email: socialjustice@uua.org | website: www.uua.org/socialjustice/ External Events and Educational Notes A Matter of Opinion:
	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
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