USH-Enews for August 13 , 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.

Office hours: Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com - Rev. BJ office hours by appointment.

Worshipping Together Since 1830
Summer Schedule One Service 10 AM

Sunday - 16 August - Entering Older Adulthood: in Celebration of Hope - While aging begins with conception, the arbitrary demarcation between middle and old age is the age of sixty-five. Crossing this threshold can bring a time of personal reflection and a search for possible guides for this new life phase. Revisiting the Unitarian Universalist core value of gratitude emerges as one such guide – not only for older adulthood but for the entire life span. - Sue Smolski

Sue has been a USH member since 1981. A three time General Assembly delegate and delegate to several Clara Barton Regional Meetings. She was the final chairperson of the Denominational Concerns Committee before our re-organization. A participant in our Aging Resource Ministry, she has just completed her first year as a Worship Associate. Sue is an advanced practice registered nurse in geriatric mental health and psychiatry. She has always considered herself to be a great aunt to her brother’s two daughters. It is now official – she is a Great Aunt to her nieces’ three children – Ryan, Lauryn, and Max – whose growth and development informs her work with older adults.

Music - Aug. 16 will be the final Sunday at the Meeting House for our Music Associate, John Jesensky, whom we've all grown to love. Come to the service and enjoy John's varied and wonderful piano expertise for the last time.

REflections on Children's Programming

Harry Potter Summer Program

August 16th: The first test in the Triwizard Tournament: Dragons! Listen to the myths of the dragons and make a dragon mask for yourself.

August 23rd: This will be a multigenerational musical Sunday called "Songs of the Spirit". The entire family can attend this annual chapel service and join in the spontaneous and spirit-filled singing.

Come experience the magic!

From the Editor:Suggestions for Contributors.

This Week’s Feature Articles

Fall Service Time Reset
Associate Music Director Selected
Sign up For Fall SGM Offerings
Fall Movie Vote Selections Announced
Research Study Seeks Your Input
Free Meeting House Concert
Opportunity to Serve Understanding

Board takes Action on Service Time Issue - At the Board of Director’s meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, the Board voted to have our Sunday worship service begin at 10:30 AM effective September 13, 2009 rather than the current 10 AM start time. We will hold services at 10:30 AM throughout the year, including next summer, for an indefinite period of time. Many thanks to all of you who took the time and trouble to make your views known; while we all recognize that no one time will meet everyone’s personal needs perfectly, the Board believes, based on input from the congregation, Rev. Jamestone, and Gail Syring, that a significant portion of our community finds the 10:30 worship service time the most convenient while also allowing us to continue to respect the sabbath and our community by not holding meetings within 30 minutes of the beginning or end of the service and to begin Sunday luncheon programming at noon, if desired.

Again, the Board appreciates your input, patience, and cooperation.

In faith,

Carolyn Cartland, President

Associate Music Director Appointed - The USH Musician Search Committee is ecstatic to announce the appointment of our new Associate Music Director. Mark Child is an excellent organist and pianist; he also has a background in choral directing and a fine tenor voice. He has been the Organist and Music Director at West Hartford Methodist Church for over 20 years. His bachelor’s degree is from Bucknell University, and he received a double master’s degree from Hartt as an organ student of John Holtz.

In his own words: "I am looking forward to beginning my appointment as Associate Music Director of the USH. The USH has an excellent music program, and I am pleased to be a part of it."

We are extremely fortunate to be able to welcome Mark Child to our Chancel. His first Sunday will be August 30th. Please feel free to introduce yourself after the service and make him feel welcome. - Mattie

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USH Dinner & Movie Series, - 2009-2010,
Final Voting Results - The ballots are in and counted! Thanks to all who nominated and all who voted. We had a record number of participants.

And, here, finally, are the dates and winning titles for the 2009-2010 Dinner and Movie Series:

        Friday, October 9 - "Milk"
        Friday, November 6 (note date) - "Gran Torino"
        Friday, December 11 - "Bagdad Cafe"
        Friday, January 8 - "Man On a Wire"
        Friday, February 12 - "Wall-E"
        Friday, March 12 - "Good Will Hunting"
        Friday, April 9 - "The Reader"
        Friday, May 14 - "The Soloist"
        Friday, June 11 - "Raging Bull"

More details about these movies, including subscription price deals and individual prices, will be available by early September on the USH website on the Adult Programs page, in the weekly USH-Enews editions during the year and at the Programs Table in Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour. Watch for further information.

Subscriptions and individual reservations will be available beginning September 13 at the AP Programs Table (credit cards, checks, or cash) and also by phone to the USH office (credit card). The Dinner & Movie series will be listed in the Fall Programs notebooks available at the Programs Table beginning September 13th.

We are pleased that Kane's Catering of Simsbury will continue to provide delicious meals for our series. Movie folks always praise the meals!

What Else is Happening

Bushnell Food Donations - We note the collection tub (in the Meeting House Lobby) for canned goods has had very little in it recently. Please remember the food pantry needs donations, especially during the summer. - Laurie Rollins

USH Needs You!

Small Group Ministry for Fall of 2009 - Registration is now open for Small Group Ministry. Please call the office to register.

The success of SGM continues for good reason! Get to know other members and friends better while discussing spiritual and life topics openly and in depth. Share insights you have gained and concerns you have been struggling with, and explore the spiritual dimension to your life in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

Groups of 7-10 people follow a common format at each meeting: check-in, chalice lighting, reading on a meaningful topic, questions and sharing of personal experiences following a covenant of close listening and right relationship, and closing reading.

Groups are scheduled for different days of the week in various locations and at different times, and normally meet eight times. Interested persons are encouraged to identify accessibility concerns (including assisted listening devices or allergies) to Mike Roy so we can address these concerns to the best of our ability. Pre-registration is required. Participants are notified of details before sessions begin. Register by calling the office at 233-9897. These six new groups will begin in October 2009.

Start Dates/Locations:

1. Tuesday evenings (7:00-9:00 PM), October 27, Bloomfield (Rev. BJ’s home) - Facilitator Rev. BJ, Host Carol Davidson. - This SGM will focus its readings and reflections on “faith.” This SGM will start with four sessions and continue to eight, if the group so desires. Newcomers to SGM (or to the Meeting House) are welcome!

2. Wednesday evenings (7:00-9:00 PM), October 14, Simsbury - Facilitator Fran Carnevale, Host Ann Carnevale - This SGM is an LGBT affinity group, with straight and supportive friends welcome.

3. Thursday evenings (7:00-9:00 PM), October 29, West Hartford - Facilitator Gail Syring, Host Kathie Ferguson

4. Friday evenings (5:30-8:00 PM), October 16, USH Meeting House. This Family-Friendly group is open to everyone, but will especially accommodate adult members and friends with younger children. Format changes are:

• Six meetings, instead of the usual eight
• Dinner of pizza and salad for adults and kids, costs shared by all
• USH provides childcare at no charge
• Dinner from 5:30-6:30 pm; SGM from 6:30-8:00 PM
• Meet on Friday evening (no school next day!)

We welcome participation by parents, whether single or partnered. Both spouses or partners can choose to participate, or just one spouse or partner may participate. Facilitated by Bill Shoemaker.

5. Wednesday afternoons (2:00-4:00 pm), October 14, West Hartford - Facilitator Bruce Robbins, Host Betsy Mahaffey

6. Sunday afternoons (4:00-6:00 pm), October 18, USH Meeting House - Facilitator Marye Gail Harrison, Host TBA

Fee none

Contact Mike Roy, 860 561-4061, Michaelroy25@comcast.net

Free Concert at the Meeting House - Saturday August 29th, 2009 8:00 PM
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2009 Gonzalo Cortes Concert Series Presents: Latin spirits - A journey through Latin American Music

For more information please call 860.233.9897 - Web link

The Concert is free to the public and made possible thanks to the generous support of the Evelyn Preston Memorial Trust Fund, Bank of America, Trustee, the City of Hartford and the Unitarian Meeting House.

Caring Network - We can't leave the haphazard to chance - N. F. Simpson 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.

Would You Like to Work For Interreligious Understanding? - The board of the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding (CCIU) is actively looking for one additional UU member to join the board along with UU’s Rev. Connie Sternberg and Drew Moeller.

Responsibilities would include joining CCIU ($25.00 Membership Fee), attending monthly board meetings (normally 3rd Thursday of the month), serving on one of the CCIU standing committees and attending as many CCIU events as possible (6-10) per year.

If you are interested or have additional questions, please let Drew Moeller (a UU Ministerial Aspirant from UU Society East in Manchester) or me know. I have attached a link to their website (www.ccfiu.org that should provide some additional background information. Drew can be reached via email or cell phone (860-655-5890). I can be reached at my email (crcartland1 at comcast.net) or 243-8052. - Carolyn Cartland

On the Calendar

Thursday, August 13
5:00 pm NVC, David
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Sunday, August 16
10:00 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Tuesday, August 18
6:00 pm Rental, Chapel
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, August 19
5:45 pm Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson

Saturday, August 22
10:30 am Rental, Chapel

Sunday, August 23
10:00 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

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)

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Have you read this charming novel of WWII, set on the isle of Guernsey? It will be the focus of a discussion during the Women's Alliance Retreat this fall.

" A poignant, funny novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit...."Boston Globe
“...affirms the power of books to nourish people during hard times” Washington Post

The Retreat will be held at Senexet House in northeastern Connecticut from dinner-time on Friday, October 23 till breakfast on Sunday, October 25.

The woods around Senexet should be in prime autumnal colors that weekend.

All women of the Society are invited to attend the Retreat; participants last fall were so enthusiastic they booked Senexet for this year. Further information will be available in the eNews and posters at USH on Opening Sunday.

If you want to join in the lively discussion, this popular book is readily available at libraries and bookstores; the authors are Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Participation in this activity, like all others offered during the weekend (including hiking and yoga), is completely optional. Book discussions and sharing are often a favorite part of the Retreat.

A Concert for Justice - The Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice is pleased to announce…. A Concert for Justice - Come and be treated to an evening of Klezmer music; Anhared Stowe, Principle Second Violinist of the Hartford Symphony, with pianist Pi-Hsun Shih; And much, much more! Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 4 P.M. United Methodist Church 571 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT Your generous contribution at intermission is an investment in Justice. Call 860-548-1744 for more information. 47 Vine Street, Hartford, CT 860-548-1744 - Shai Cassell

Ordering Our Days - Poetry Sunday 9/6 - Mark your calendar. More

Music for You to Give and Receive at the Meeting House—This Fall! More

Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH

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Green Topics - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council -

Letsgogreen.biz gives USH 25% of anything you purchase such as the green tp below; just designate USH as the charity you want the 25% to go to and enjoy great green products. go to www.letsgogreen.biz

Ever-Green Toilet Paper: Finally, eco-friendly toilet paper with no plastic packaging
(Reprinted from the "Sustainable Is Good" Lifestyle and Design blog) - Finally a company is producing toilet paper sold in a non-plastic bulk package! Ever-Green toilet paper is made from 100% recycled fiber and comes in a recycled fiber paperboard box package.

There are multiple brands of recycled toilet paper available to consumers but nearly all are packaged in packs of 6 or 12 rolls wrapped in plastic - something that has frustrated green consumers tremendously.

The cardboard core is also 100% recycled fiber. No plastic packaging is used in the product, making it the most eco-friendly toilet paper you can buy according to the company.

All packaging & core materials are completely recyclable. When you finish a roll, simply put the core back through the hole into the box packaging; when all rolls are used the entire box becomes recyclable.

Ever-Green 100% recycled toilet paper is soft unlike many other green brands and is whitened without the use of Chlorine. The product is made in the U.S.
12-pack Soft Bathroom Tissue

• Made from 100% recycled fiber
• 100% recyclable packaging
• 2-ply tissues
• 350 sheets per roll
• 12 rolls per pack
• Hypoallergenic
• No added dyes or fragrances
• Whitened without chlorine
• Case includes 12 double rolls
$8.89

Research Study Seeks Respondents - Are you a gay/bisexual dad? Would you be willing to answer some confidential questions about your life and about your family? The purpose of this study is to examine the many ways families headed by gay fathers have been created, explore how families function, and learn about the relationship between partners.

The study consists of an online survey and will take approximately 25 - 35 minutes of your time. To qualify for the study you have to identify as male, a father, and gay, bisexual or homosexual and have at least one child of any age; this child can be biological, adopted, foster, step, or other child. You do not need to be the child's legal parent to participate. This study has been approved by the University of Virginia IRB #2008-0407-00, and I am working with Dr. Charlotte J. Patterson who is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia.

If you and/or your partner are interested in participating or want further information please contact Samantha L. Tornello (Principal Investigator) via email GayDadsStudy@gmail.com. She will send you a web link that you can use to access the study.

Thank you for your interest and I hope to hear about your family soon!

Sincerely, Samantha Tornello - Graduate Student - University of Virginia - (434) 243-8558 - GayDadsStudy@gmail.com

External Events and Educational Notes

RE Program Graduate to Raise Funds - Our older son Rocky (Rocco Orlando IV) will be riding his bicycle cross country with a friend. They will be riding to raise money for autistic kids. The website is "bicyclingforautism.com ". Rocky (and his brother Alex) grew up in the RE program at USH.

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