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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 August 20, 2009
Jump to: Sunday Service; Calendar; What's Happening; Feature Articles; USH Needs You!; External Events; Further Down the Road; Social Justice Journeys; Green Topics ; A Matter of Opinion;
Red AstilbeUSH-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.
Testing Community - You belong to various groups: family, school, party, town and church. Frequently we refer to these groups as communities. If we were to construct a kind of test of these communities, what would it be? If we belong to the Unitarian Society of Hartford, how might we test this community to see if it has attributes for which we can be proud and will be there for its members' needs?
Thinking about this it occurs to me that perhaps the greatest test of any group is its response to the simple request, "I need some help." These words are spoken by the indigenous New Englanders rarely, reluctantly and only when other methods of taking care of one's self have proved inadequate to the task. And the test of the community in these terms turns out to be very simple. Do people hear the muffled "cry" for a little help, amid the din of their own daily personal tasks, obligations and the struggles of life required to make it to sunrise tomorrow.
Last week in our email of notice to readers of this newsletter, we printed the following:
We have a person who wishes to be mentored in preparing her house for sale and engaging whatever professional services are required in this endeavor. She has no immediate family or contacts and having no related experience is hesitant to enter this new arena of activity. If you have recently been through such activity and are willing to consult with the lady, please contact dcnewton@ushartford.com 860-677-1121 and I will pass along the name and phone number of the person requesting this mentoring.
The email notice posted Wednesday evening resulted in three substantial responses the first posted at 7:13 PM followed by another at 8:10 followed by still another 8:39 PM Wednesday evening! Skills offered included "cosmetic counseling," 20 years of experience in real estate and "putting things right in preparation for sale." The following day another response arrived recommending a skilled real estate agent. Thursday morning your editor was pleased to pass along the names and related information to the person who asked for the help.
She was delighted and thrilled with the mentoring offers.
That, fellow USH members and friends, was a test that we have passed impressively. I think we have a very real community here. One that extends beyond those other communities, one with a large "umbrella" to cover great diversity of belief, one that extends from childhood through old age and extends outward to include the welfare of out planet.
And, one that answered the quiet call for, "a little help" and will continue as it has to address the various needs of community as best it can.
Well done! - David Newton
Worshipping Together Since 1830
Summer Schedule One Service 10 AM
Sunday - 23 August - Songs of the Spirit - Maggie Greene - Not our typical Sunday service, this will be a sacred song circle. It is an opportunity to share inspirational and empowering songs from all spiritual backgrounds. One song typically follows another organically, with limited facilitation and no introductions or spoken words between songs. It is a time for sharing music that lifts our spirits, touches our hearts, heals our souls, feels our "oneness." Don't worry about your voice! You will not be judged. This service will be downstairs in Fellowship Hall, in the cool!
This is an Inter-generational service and we guarantee you'll leave smiling. The service will be facilitated by Maggie Greene with help from Fred Louis. Maggie has been regularly attending the Meeting House for 12 years. She has participated in the Social Responsibility Committee, small group ministry, the Artist's Way classes, the Chancel Arts, the Caring Network and has facilitated poetry events.
Maggie is a registered nurse working at a Bristol elementary school. She is also an accomplished poet, devoted mother to daughters Nora and Brigid, loving partner of Fred Louis, lover of all the arts and nature, and, of course, an enthusiastic singer.
New to the concept, Songs of the Spirit, read on as Maggie Greene explains the concept in further detail.
As you may know, Fred Louis and I will be conducting the service on August 23. It will be very different from our usual service although we have tried to keep as many of our traditions in the service as possible. This particular service will be called "Songs Of The Spirit" and will be one which is now in it's 4th year as a summer service.
For those of you who have never attended this service, "Songs Of The Spirit" is an a capella service which is in sing along format. No one leads a song, as such, because all of the songs should be ones that we know and can join in on after someone has started to sing. The song quickly becomes everybody's. When it is over, we encourage the congregation to sit with it for a while before someone lets a new song arise from his/her spirit. We request that no one start any more than one song, as that gives as many people as possible the opportunity to start a song arising from his/her spirit. There will always be "zipper, songs" which people will keep adding verses to such as: This Little Light of Mine, Oh, Freedom, Guide My Feet...that sort of song. We ask that people limit the zipped in verses to 4-5, and again, if you have zipped in a verse, we ask that you don't zip in others.
It is an exciting service, and a scary one to put out there because there is always the chance that no one will be brave enough to bring up a song,(be brave!!!) or because some people will want to start many songs instead of just one.
Fred and I will review all of the guidelines at the beginning of the service for those who have not attended in the past and, for the newcomers, we will stress that this is not the typical service!! However, we think they will feel right at home very quickly.
Fred and I will also have a list of songs (which people will, by NO means, be limited to singing). We have noticed in the past that people tend to freeze, forgetting that they know the songs they know. We will not be providing words because we believe that people really do know songs like "How Can I Keep From Singing" "Amazing Grace" "This Little Light," and so on. Without words on the paper in front of people, voices tend to be raised upward and outward, not downward.
Finally, we would like to say that this is a multigenerational service and it is open to anyone you think might like to join in the spirit of our open and welcoming congregation. - Maggie Greene
REflections on Children's Programming
This Sunday will be a multigenerational musical service called "Songs of the Spirit". The entire family can attend this annual unique service held in Fellowship Hall, and join in the spontaneous and spirit-filled singing. Childcare will be available for the smallest children.
Registration for 2009-10 RE Classes
Classes will begin on Sunday, September 20th. All children and youth must be registered for classes. To fill out the electronic registration form, you may download a Word document or PDF. Email the Word document back as an attachment or print the pdf , complete the hard copy and send it to the office. Electronic returns to DRE@ushartford.com.
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
Small Group Ministry for Fall of 2009 - Registration is now open for Small Group Ministry. Please call the office to register. More
Free Concert at the Meeting House - Saturday August 29th, 2009 8:00 PM More
Caring Network - Coincidence, if traced far enough back. becomes inevitable. Hineu - 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. More
Research Study Seeks Respondents - Are you a gay/bisexual dad? More
A Matter of Opinion:
Jason & Demarco in Concert 10/25/09: Center Church - The First Church of Christ in Hartford
An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ
presents - JASON & DEMARCO
featured in The Advocate (the GLBTQ news magazine) and in "We're All Angels", broadcast on SHOWTIME
In concert, featuring songs from their recent recording "Safe"
Sunday, October 25, 2009, 4:00 pm
Tickets: 30 Dollars premium (includes post-concert reception); 15 Dollars general (2-for-1 with the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s “Let's Go!” card)
To order tickets or for more information call (860) 249-5631. www.centerchurchhartford.org
Center Church 675 Main Street (corner of Main and Gold) Hartford, ConnecticutRE 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.
From the Editor:Suggestions for Contributors.
Testing Community
About Getting Older
Wonder and Mystery
Upcoming Services
About Getting Older - Many of us old (take that any way you like) faithfuls were at the Sunday, August 16 service to hear our own Sue Smolski engaging talk: Entering Older Adulthood: In Celebration of Hope "Welcome to the club," many of us whispered to ourselves as Sue ruefully confessed that "I did not set out to become a peer counselor." But her recent entry into older adulthood (she reached 65) has made her one. The event was symbolized, for her, as she put her new Medicare card into her wallet.
Sue, an Advanced-Practice Registered Nurse in geriatric mental health and psychiatry, a USH member since 1981 and a Worship Associate, gave examples of pivotal events in her own life, including her "start and stop" policy regarding USH life. And "my life has been truly enriched," she said, by becoming a Worship Associate.
Definitions based on age, although arbitrary and overlapping, currently call 65 "older adulthood." "Very old adults" are 80 and beyond. Some members of this group, Sue suggested, are "rewriting what it means to be real" in terms of hope, will, purpose, competence, love and wisdom.
"The important thing is to DO something," Sue maintained. "Individual life choices play a large role in graceful aging."We should care about others, remain open to new ideas, cultivate relationships with both old and new friends, have a sense of humor and enjoy life.
But we also have to learn to accept the indignities of old age and be graceful about dependency issues.
"Making a conscious effort to fully live each day" plus making a "daily practice of expressing gratitude" makes every day sacred and leads to a celebration of hope, Sue said.As usual, hymns and readings were carefully chosen to enhance the sermon subject. The opening hymn asked us to gather in peace, in thanks, hope, compassion, strength and celebration. In a responsive reading, Ralph Waldo Emerson told us, "We cannot be happy or strong until we too (like roses) live with nature in the present, above time." And we delighted in Sue's reading of Jenny Joseph's now-famous poem, Warning. . .
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter...Our last hymn asked us to Come Sing a Song With Me and promised us, "I'll bring you hope when hope is hard to find and I'll bring a song of love and a rose in the winter time."
Over the years, we've had to say too many farewells. Sunday was for "our" Music Associate John Jesensky's last Sunday. He and Katherine LaPorta, "our" soprano soloist and Children's Music Director are leaving for their new (and, we hope/expect wonderful) life in New York City. We wish them the very best. - Kayla CostenobleWonder and Mystery - "The word " mystery" brings me to an uncomfortable place," Sue Kinney confessed during her pulpit sermon on Sunday, August 1st. An active USH member since 1981, a Worship Associate and current President-Elect (translation: next USH President), Sue began with a rapid review of the many sources our USH tradition draws from, then focused the rest of her talk on the first one:
Direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life.
Early in her career as a physician, Sue felt the "world is filled with problems that can be addressed." Her inability to solve all her patients' problems was one of her reasons for leaving that profession. Important events in her life - such as child rearing, heart attacks and emergency bypass surgery - made her realize that "there are not always answers to be found, and some problems have to be accepted...
Raising a child is not a problem to be solved."
In the "new place" she has recently come to, Sue feels that "mystery brings us to a shared reality with others; it is something to marvel at." During a long wait in a hospital emergency room, Sue had time to look at all the other people there - the scared, the sick the unsure, those needing comfort - and realized "we are all the same."
Sue described some more of her thoughts on mystery: we do not control creativity and connection. Mystery brings us closer to the ultimate reality living and dying. We are, finally, not alone.
During the Prayer and Contemplation part of the service, Sue said this was a "moment in time that will never be the same just as it is now" and she asked us to "open our hearts to the eternal now," In mystery, she said, the human and divine encounter each other."
The closing hymn echoed Sue's sermon: "A human life when truly seen is briefer than a kiss.. I celebrate life's mystery, I celebrate death's truth." And we were invited to "gather by the river," beautifully sung by the USH-quarted including Paul Hansen, Kim McClain, Nancy Blickenstaff and David Klotz, with Jane Penfield on the piano. - Kayla Costenoble. (This sermon is now available on the web)
USH Dinner & Movie Series, - 2009-2010,
Final Voting Results - More
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)
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. MoreA Concert for Justice - October 4th More
Music for You to Give and Receive at the Meeting House—This Fall! More
Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH
Green Topics - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council - You can help the environment and USH at the same time?
Collect drink pouches (such as Capri Sun), energy bar and cookie wrappers and bring them to the Green Table (when we resume in Sept) and we'll send them in to be made into new products and kept out of the landfill. USH has already earned $50 from just one person collecting. Perhaps you know of a school program that might collect them for you. Ask Bev Prager for more info.
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 08/19/09 6:10 PM)
