USH-Enews Jult 1, 2010 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 or to find past issues of the weekly USH-Enews click here.

Sunday -18 & 25 July : Second Summer Dyad - Relationship with Family
Sue Smolski, Liz Garmise & Niki Maskaitis, Worship Associates

Summer Program
This Sunday, July 18th, our Green Crafting: Protect the Environment while Having Fun! program will continue with Greeting Card Puzzle Making. Children ages 3 and up are invited to classroom D downstairs for this creative project!

Nursery Care is available downstairs as well. - Gail M. Syring, DRE

There has been a UU, Now is the Time, campaign taking place since 2004, and it has exceeded its goal of raising 50 million in 2009, a year early. The final report is a short well illustrated document worth your time. Read it now.

USH Unitarians are Remarkable People - From time to time, as many of you know, we look at ourselves, examples in many different ways of most remarkable people. We continue that effort now with a few words about some of our recently elected leaders.

Bill Young has been a member of USH since 1994, when his wife, Martha Page, and he moved to Hartford. He was previously a member of two other UU congregations, in Illinois and Connecticut. He has also been involved in a variety of denominational activities. At USH he has most recently served as President and Chair of the Council on Social Justice. Other roles at USH and in the denomination have included teaching in the RE program, member of the Endowment Committee, Treasurer of USH, Social Justice Program Development. Lay Leadership Development and Training; and some other things. Bill works for ADRC in Hartford as Chief Operating Officer. Bill and Martha live in the West End of Hartford.

Conversational Relationships, Part II - We Unitarians are rarely shy about expressing our thoughts, opinions and feelings. This was proven once again during the Sunday July 11 congregational discussion on how we feel about our religious community.

As Religious Director Gail Syring explained, this summer’s services will not be like our “typical” services. They have been planned as an experiment to “explore the way we worship as a community.” There will be a sermon on one Sunday, followed by a congregational “talk-back” on the same subject the following Sunday ( a dyad).

Reverend BJ began the first of four dyads on July4, speaking of our responsibility to our congregation. The July 11 service was led by Gail and by Worship Associate Laurie Kelliher.

In a reading preceding the discussion, Laurie quoted lines from Kabir, a revered Indian mystic poet who preached the underlying unity of humanity — “Jump into experience while you are able…If you don’t break your ropes while you are alive, do you think ghosts will do it after?”

The “rules” for these talk-backs are similar to those for the popular Small Group Ministries. One person talks at a time. There is a moment of silence after each talk. Speak from personal experience. And, for these Sunday services, speak slowly and clearly into the mike.

Some dozen persons in the congregation stepped up to the mike to comment on Reverend BJ’s sermon touching on patriotism, nationalism and our relationship to our congregation.

It was the last speaker—a young woman visitor—whose comments earned the congregation’s spontaneous applause. She explained that she had stopped going to her Catholic church and has found coming here an “enlightening experience” for her. She said, “A lot of what I’m looking for is right here…I am excited about finding a place I can call home.”

Snatches of other comments:

Although I was raised as a Catholic and now disagree with much of it, I do not have disdain for other religions.

BJ, speaking of nationalism, said nationalists hate other countries first. I prefer to think that’s a fear of other groups.

I find that spiritualism vs. religion is somewhat the same as patriotism vs. nationalism. The word “patriot” has been corrupted. Here, “spiritual is the part that matters.”

Before, lack of affiliation made me feel superior. Values, morals and individual beliefs are important. Here, I feel like I belong.

We need to look at what others may be saying and respond to new information.

I call myself a World Federalist. I believe in people, not any religion. We’re all connected.

As a veteran, I have trouble with the concepts of patriotism, nationalism and flag waving.

Ours is a wonderful, welcoming community. But I have also been warmly welcomed in other (non UU) churches.

The Men’s Luncheon Group will hold their annual picnic on Tuesday, July 20th from 12 to 2 PM on the Meeting House terrace. This will be a potluck with each participant asked to bring a dish for six to eight people, also lawn chairs.

All men of USH are invited; spouses and significant others are also welcome.

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At the last meeting, three participants volunteered to bring chicken, two to bring salads, three for desserts, also one per cold cuts/deviled eggs/drinks. Feel free to supplement these offerings!

If it's raining, the party will move inside. For further information, contact Dick Edwards, 860 - 568 - 4084 - Ed Stubbs

Dinner & Movie 2010 Series Voting - The list of 53 titles nominated for the next season of Dinner and a Movie have been sent by email and postal mail to those on the D & M list. Thanks for your nominations!

A new twist has been added this year in response to suggestions by movie fans. You may promote or lobby for your favorites during this next week, by sending a email to all on the listserv. Directions are on the emailed letters. Then, voters may select 9 (nine) titles from the list for next year's series, voting by August 11.

Info on format and winning titles will be available in September; the first movie will be October 8.
Questions? Please call 860-693-4269 or email pickmovies@ushartford.com. - Nita

Multigenerational Dance Event - On Friday, August 6th at 6:30 PM, Randy and Sandra Locke will be offering a joyous dance party for the whole family!

Randy and Sandra are lifelong UUs who have been featured at the Mountain and Ferry Beach every year since 1990. With an inclusive philosophy that dance is for people of all ages and abilities, they will teach a variety of dances that will suit a variety of tastes and styles. There is no need to bring a partner nor for any previous experience!

I met Randy and Sandra at Ferry Beach last year, and their enthusiasm and passion is contagious! Teens, children and adults alike are fervent fans of their accessible style, and they are in great demand at UU congregations across the country.

Join us for music, dancing, food and fellowship at this free event in our Fellowship Hall. No RSVP is necessary, so bring a friend! - Gail M. Syring

Adult Programs - We wish to thank all of you who planned and participated in the successful 2009-2010 Fall and Winter/Spring Programs for Adults and Families. More

$10 Pizza Dinner & Movie on Fri, August 27 Planned- for Fellowship Hall at 5:30 PM. Dinner will be at 6, followed by the movie, then optional discussion. More

Caring Network -The cry of the poor is not always just, but if you do not listen to them, you will never know what justice is. Unknown - recalled by Howard Zinn - 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.- before 10:30 on Sunday. 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.

Green Topics - Did You Know? - Green Table Summer Hours: 3rd Sunday of the Month (7/18, 8/15). Stock up on your environmentally friendly cleaning and paper goods. Please don't take a vacation from doing what's right for mother earth.

On the Calendar - Please notify Brian Mullen of all additions or changes to the calendar. Follow this link to all our scheduled events

A Matter of Opinion

External Events and Educational Notes

ALS Walk Saturday 25th September More

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.

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