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 For August 28, 2008 Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further down the road; Did you know? Text only Printer Friendly Format
	Herring Gull  Larus argentatus   Cadillac Mountain ~ Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME       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 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.
	Chipmunk - photo Carol Cooper Worshipping Together Since 1830 Sunday, August 31 service time: 10 AM Please note: Sunday, September 7 - new service times: 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM Sunday - 31st Poetry and Song  - The theme of the service will be changes and how the human spirit effects change and change affects the human spirit. About the Singers: Edith Savage and Maggie Greene are members of USH.  Edith loves making and maintaining relationships of beauty of all kinds. “I love to laugh and to sing. I would like material things to mean less to me and my goal is to make that happen.”  Maggie is an activist poet who dabbles in songwriting and loves art in all it's forms. “When I can use the arts to affect spiritual and/or social change, I feel I am on the right track. Also, I am the proud mother of two daughters, both of whom are artists in their own right. " Gail M. Syring's August 17 sermon is now available on the web - REflections on Children's Programming - "The poem is a confession of faith." - Emerson     Classroom Assistance - Teachers and classroom assistants are needed for our Religious Education program.  Will you offer one hour a month to our children?  If you will, please contact the Director of Religious Education at: dre@ushartford.com   Perennial Wisdom - This week we will listen to the poems of children and make masks in the Spirit Play classroom. - Gail M. Syring, DRE What Else is Happening  & Announcements The June Board Meeting Minutes are now posted on the web. The June-August Meetinghouse Messenger is available. Gonzalo Cortes Concert Series presents: Duo Del Sur - Duo del Sur would like to invite you to an enchanting evening filled with the music of French composers and more, featuring Claude Bolling's Suite for flute and piano. Special guests include Richie DeLorso on drums and Mike Asetta playing double bass with Gonzalo Cortés, flute and Gabriel Löfvall, piano. Saturday August 30, 2008 8:00 PM - Unitarian Meeting House 50 Bloomfield Avenue Hartford, Connecticut - This concert is free to the public and is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Evelyn Preston Memorial Trust Fund, Bank of America, Trustee and The Unitarian Meeting House Adult Programs - New Tai Chi session begins September 10. When I'm in Tai Chi class I'm completely in the moment, my mind cleared of everything but the very simple yet very concentrated task of shifting my weight or coordinating my movements.  How different from when I'm conducting or teaching, when my mind is racing in a thousand directions and I'm thinking on several levels at once.  Tai Chi focuses the attention completely.  It also helps balance, breathing, coordination and strength. - Mattie Peace Pole Project Comes to Fruition - On September 7 we will dedicate a Peace Pole by way of pledging our USH community to world peace, demonstrating that we wish to transcend barriers of nationality, race and religion to unite humanity in common good.   A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth.  Prehistoric people stood stones on end as testaments or memorials.  The first modern Peace Pole was planted in Japan in 1955 with a statement of peace.  “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.  Now there are more than 250,000 poles in nearly every country dedicated as monuments to peace.   Our Peace Pole project was conceived and planned by the IASC Sub-Council and has been crafted by John Bengtson and helpers. “May Peace Prevail on Earth” appears in six languages:  Arabic, Chinese, English, Hebrew, Spanish and Swahili.  It will be planted in front of the Meeting House.   Come join us for the dedication.  In the words of M. Saionji, “Pray for the peace and happiness of people in other lands and cultures.  Make a commitment to world peace by honoring the earth, honoring its people and celebrating the unity of the human spirit.” - Joan Kemble Basses - Tenors - Altos - Sopranos -- Join the Choir!  Come sing with the liveliest group of music-makers in town. We have fun encountering, learning and polishing a wide variety of choral pieces to deepen and enrich our Sunday services.  If you were once in Madrigals, if your high school chorus was the highlight of your day, if you went on tour with your college glee club -- or if you simply enjoy singing -- join us and share your musical gifts with the congregation. More   Tutors Wanted - More Calling all Chalice Lighters! - Have you ever wondered how the people who light the chalice on Sunday mornings are selected?  It starts with volunteering and if we don’t have volunteers, then we “put the touch” on some unsuspecting souls. More Caring Network - Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are... Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in my pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.-- Mary Jean Iron - 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. Further Down The Road (About 30 Days) Libana Performance Scheduled September 20th 7:30 PM- Libana brings its glorious singing and eclectic instrumentation to the Unitarian Meetinghouse stage, performing traditional and contemporary music and dance of the world's women. Libana has been touring nationally and internationally for 29 years, setting audiences on fire with the music and the message. Do not miss this rare appearance at the Meeting House 7:30 PM Cost $15 more Circle Dinners Planned - Enjoy dining with friends and new acquaintances at various homes   Here's how it works:  groups of (usually) eight adults (couples and singles) will dine at different host homes.  Not everyone will host, but please host once if you can!  Hosts supply the entree; their guests are assigned to bring appetizers, salad, vegetable or dessert.  A schedule of hosts and guests will be sent by mail.  Dinners are scheduled on Saturdays, November 1 and January 10 and Friday, December 5.   With advance notice,  we can arrange substitutes of you have to miss one.  Register  at the Fellowship Hall on September 21, September 28 or October 5 (that's the deadline).   Fee:  $2.00 per household for mailings. For more information, call Marion Kelliher,  286-2740. Singles Potluck Planned - The UU Singles group will have a potluck supper on Sunday Sept 28 at 5:30 PM. It will be held at the UUSE Meeting House in Manchester. Let's get the year off to a fun start. Bring your good ideas for programs for the coming year. Meet your old friends and tell tall tails of summer adventures. RSVP to Larry, bigcheese636 at yahoo dot com. At least three people must RSVP for this to be held. Alerting ALL Women-Folk at USH - Retreat Save the Date: October 24-26. More 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 - Did You Know? - when you sign up for CTCleanEnergyOptions program for a few cents more your electricity will come from clean energy sources. For more information more Green Sanctuary Sub-Council - will be meeting the first Wednesday of the month beginning Sept 3 at 5:00 PM. Also October 1st.  All are encouraged to come to add their ideas and help create a greener USH and community.	From the Editor: This Week’s Feature Articles A Perfect Blue Day A Way To Get to Know One Another A Perfect Blue Day - Since we have begun producing electricity with photovoltaic cells on our roof, we have been noticing how few perfect, or blue days, we have. For the two SunnyBoy Inverters on the side of our house, a blue day is clear, sunny and cloudless. We don’t have to be as fussy. We can have a blue day without perfect weather conditions. We can do something special, or do nothing (something very hard for New Englanders!). We can tell those around us how much we love and appreciate them. We can go for a walk in the woods, in a grassy field, in the snow, in the rain, in our own yard or in a special place your neighborhood. Listen to the birds. Look at the trees. Enjoy the flowers. Smell the air. Take time to see not just look; listen not just hear. Take time to really be with those you love. A blue day can’t truly be captured in photos with a camera, but you can capture and save it with memory pictures and carefully file them in you memory album, your most precious photo album. Fall Small Group Ministry – A Great Way To Get To Know One Another - We’re coming upon September, and to Unitarians that means Ingathering Sunday and time to reconnect with old friends and make some new friends at the Meeting House.  What better way to connect with friends than to join a Small Group Ministry gathering!  SGM is a time to bond, share, and deepen.  In small groups we center on a meaningful passage and share the stories of our life.  Last year the topics included, Fathers; Imagination, Fantasy and Daydreams; Karma; The Language of Touching; Leisure; Passion and Service; and Happiness.     New this fall is a special offering: a Social Justice Small Group Ministry. This group is open to everyone and will combine social justice themed SGM sessions and actual social justice work.  The themed sessions will use the same format as regular SGM sessions, with readings or presentations on social justice, thought-provoking questions, and individual sharing, but will explore issues such as why we do social justice work and what is the connection between social justice and spirituality.  We anticipate that the social justice work will include choices ranging from providing basic needs to legislative advocacy.  The time commitment for this program should not exceed the commitment for a normal SGM program. We hope participants will gain a better understanding of social justice and feel more motivated and prepared to engage actively in social justice activities.  This group is facilitated by Mike Roy and hosted by Fred Louis.   Back by popular demand is a family-friendly SGM. This group is open to everyone, but will especially accommodate adult members and friends with younger children.  Format changes are: o Six meetings, instead of the usual eight o Meet at the USH Meeting House o Dinner of pizza and salad provided for   adults and kids, with costs shared by   participants o USH provides childcare at no charge o Dinner from 5:30 - 6:30 PM; SGM from    6:30-8:00 PM o Meet on Friday evening (no school next   day!) We welcome participation by parents, whether single or partnered. Either one or both spouses or partners can choose to participate.  This group is facilitated by Greg Berg.   Below is a listing of the five groups for fall of 2008. Each group will meet eight times, except for the family-friendly SGM. 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. Register on Sundays or by calling the office at 233-9897.   Start Dates/Location for four evening groups (7:00-9:00 PM):   Monday, October 20 / Meeting House (Social Justice group – see above) Tuesday, October 21 / West Hartford (Facilitator: Jeff Blanchette, Host: Kathie Ferguson) Thursday, October 16 / Farmington (Facilitator: Charles Huntington, Host: Janice & David Newton) Friday, October 17 / USH Meeting House (Family-Friendly group – see above)   Start Date/Location for one afternoon group (2:00-4:00 PM):   Wednesday, October 15 / West Hartford (Facilitator: TBA, Host: Linda Ericson-Ebel) - Mike Roy On the Calendar Thursday, August 28 7:00 pm  SGM Steering Committee, Servetus   Saturday, August 30 8:00 pm  Gonzalo Cortes Concert, Sanctuary Sunday, August 31 9:00 am  Peace Cranes workshop, Emerson 10:00 am  WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY 11:00 pm  Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall 11:00 am  Peace Cranes workshop, Emerson 3:00 pm  Rental, Chapel Monday, September 1 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY, Office Closed 9:00 am  Choir section leaders auditions, Sanctuary   Tuesday, September 2 6:00 pm  IASC Sub-council Potluck & Meeting, Library 7:00 pm  Religious Education Sub-council, Servetus 8:00 pm  AA, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, September 3 5:00 pm  Green Sanctuary Sub-council, Library 6:00 pm  Choir Potluck, Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm  Dharma Gathering, Emerson 7:30 pm  Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Thursday, September 4 7:00 pm  BTWWDA Facilitators, Library Saturday, September 6 9:00 am  Building & Grounds Work Day Sunday, September 7 - Note new times!!!! 8:45 am  Peace Crane Workshop, Emerson 9:45 am  WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY 10:45 am  Coffee, Fellowship Hall 11:15 am  WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY 12:30 pm  Peace Pole Dedication, grounds 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! External Events and Educational Notes Elizabeth Thomas at Hill-Stead - Join us for a Poetry Reading and Book Signing - Sunday, September 7, 3-5 pm - In honor of the publication of her new collection of poems, From the Front of the Classroom, Hill-Stead is pleased to host a reading and book signing with author, performer and educator Elizabeth Thomas. Taking the reader through her childhood, young adulthood and marriage to her passionate involvement with teaching and poetry, this collection reveals the rich inner life that has made Elizabeth Thomas such an inspiration. "In a culture that expects results from its educators, Elizabeth Thomas has found a way to make a unique connection in her book, as in her classroom," comments former student Alex Lopez. Jeff Ostroff, Principal at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, says the poems "resonate with life so that the poet in all of us may sing." A widely published poet and advocate of the arts, Elizabeth Thomas has read her work throughout the United States and has been a member of three Connecticut National Poetry Slam teams. She devotes much of her energy and time to designing and teaching writing programs for schools and organizations across the country, promoting literacy and the power of the written and spoken word. As an outstanding advocate of youth in the arts, Elizabeth is a coach and organizer with Brave New Voices: International Youth Poetry Slam and Festival. She is also the founder of UpWords Poetry (www.upwordspoetry.com), a company dedicated to promoting programs for young writers and educators, based on the belief that poetry is meant to be heard out loud and in person. Come to the museum early on September 7 and take advantage of First Sunday activities ˜ tour the museum at your own pace starting at 12 pm, hear a gallery talk at 1 pm on Accoutrements of the Toilette, enjoy a guided estate walk at 2 pm, then relax and treat yourself to a special poetry reading with Elizabeth Thomas at 3 pm in the Makeshift Theater. Book signing and refreshments to follow. First Sunday activities are free to members or with museum admission; the poetry reading is free to the public. To learn more about the book or to order a copy, visit Antrim House at www.antrimhousebooks.com Browse www.hillstead.org for more information on this and other activities. Clara Barton District leadership conference planned for Sept. 20th. A number of USH folks are already planning on going (and carpooling) so you are encouraged to join us.  The registration deadline is Sept 10th, so hopefully people will get back to us soon! - Heather Ferguson-Hull Adams Forum September 19th - The Social Justice Committee at UUS:E Manchester is pleased to host a Friday night, September 19 Forum with UU author and activist Marc Adams.  We will commence with decaf and dessert at 6:30.  Our formal program will commence at 7:00. Since 1997, Marc has spoken to nearly 100 UU congregations, major universities, political organizations, GLBT community  centers, pride festivals and religious organizations. Adams is the author of nine books.  Marc's autobiography, The Preacher's Son chronicles his growing up as the gay son of a fundamentalist Baptist minister, his time as an ex-gay, his life as a student and employee of Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, his subsequent coming out, and his journey to becoming a Unitarian Universalist. Marc has traversed the United States sharing his story and journey, as well as raising awareness for HeartStrong, Inc.  Marc founded this non-profit organization to provide support for GLBT students who have endured faith based anti-GLBT bullying in religious educational institutions. Please join us for an evening of hope and connection.  We are pleased to host this event in solidarity with our Welcoming Congregation.  We are also inviting members and friends of the Unitarian Society of Hartford and the Universalist Church of West Hartford. Please call Social justice Committee Co-Chair Mike Winterfield (860-232-5528) for additional information.
	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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