USH-Enews for September 10 , 2009 Print Only Edition

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Water, the substance making our Planet habitable; the basis of the chemistry of life, moderator of our weather, basis of growth of our crops, provider of beauty to our days, and symbol of the strength and unity of our faith.

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 lista. 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
One Service 10:30 AM

Sunday -13 September - Honoring our UU Traditions: USH Annual "Water Ingathering" Ritual -- Please note, One Service at 10:30 AM (All future services will be at 10:30 AM). Please bring a small amount of water from someplace you visited this summer, or from the tap at home for a ritual reflecting the strengths and unity of our faith, and the fellowship of our religious community at USH.

Special Offering - You will have the opportunity to make a gift as part of the special Good Neighbor offering. You may write a check or contribute cash, or contribute a grocery gift card that you can purchase at your local supermarket. This offering benefits members and friends of USH. Bring your generous heart!

During coffee hour we will have some goodies. If you would like to contribute, feel free! Thanks

Music - Entrance Voluntary - We Thank You Lord - Dietrich Buxtehude
MCW - We Pray Now to the Holy Spirit - Buxtehude
Postlude - Fugue in C Major - Buxtehude

Anthems:
Come Travel with Me -- Scott Farthing (2002)
Tune Thy Music – Ed Thompson (revised for USH 2009)

Let’s go! Whoever you are, let’s go!
Come travel with me.
We will go down the open road,
We will go where high winds blow,
We will go down pathless and wild seas
The world before me! ...

REflections on Children's Programming

Multigenerational Ingathering Service

This Sunday, September 13th, will be our annual multigenerational ingathering service and water communion. There will be childcare, but no religious education classes. Bring some water from a lake you visited, a pond you explored, or from the family tap to add to our common bowl. Come celebrate the beginning of another church year and your membership in the circle of care.

RE Teacher Orientation - There will be a brief teacher orientation after coffee hour this Sunday, September 13th. Please join DRE Gail Syring in Fellowship Hall for materials and encouragement! Thank you in advance for all you will bring to the children of our congregation this year.

Nursery Staff Positions Open - We currently have several child care positions available on Sunday mornings to staff our nursery during worship. Anyone interested in more information about the hours, qualifications and pay rate can contact Gail at: DRE@ushartford.com.

From the Editor:Suggestions for Contributors.
This Week’s Feature Articles

Water
While You Were Away for the Summer
Note from the President
From the RE Director
Workday Clean-up a Success
Small Group Ministry Has a Few Spaces
Potluck Supper and Game Night Planned
Dinner Party Sign Up Continuing
Callings Support Group Organizing

Moments While You Were Elsewhere - Sometime last spring somebody said to me, “ I take the summer off, see you in September.” If you are such a person, I hope when you tally up memorable moments from the summer, you will find some precious and rewarding ones.

Meanwhile at USH, we have formed some remarkable summer memories at the Meeting House. Without in any way diminishing those not mentioned here, I give you some remarkable “snap shots” gleaned over the summer.

In B J’s sermon on July 5th, she told a story by Rumi--the 13th century Persian poet, Islamic jurist, theologian and mystic—entitled “A Story Full of Wisdom. As Kayla described it, “ … in which a parrot is caged and valued by itself and others because of the elegance of its voice. When it fell silent, its owner, an Indian merchant, was no longer charmed and let it loose so it was free to return to its parrot friends. Reverend BJ found many paradoxes in this tale. Who is the good guy? What is autonomy? What is acculturation? Which culture is worthwhile, viable and trustworthy?”

There is nothing that concentrates the mind like hearing from a person in the pulpit as they describe an actual transformative experience, one you can feel through their words, and one that provides unavoidable lessons to all listeners.

We have heard from two remarkable well-educated professional women both of whom found their very existence shaken by trips to the emergency room. Both experienced a kind of wake up call and reexamined their habits of living and spirituality. In the case of Sue Huntington, she found the heart attack with real symptoms was not, fortunately, a real one. But it was a transformative experience leading her to examine how she was living and the notion, somewhat foreign to western medicine – she is a physician assistant and lawyer – that there are ways the mind can control the blood pressure and reduce stress, and ways spirituality may help the biological functioning of a body and enhance health.

You can’t make this stuff up. It is the real thing!

For Sue Kinney, a physician, her arrival in the emergency room was all too real and subsequently resulted in bypass surgery, yet all the visualizing test of modern medicine saw nothing in her coronary arteries. This too caused her to evaluate her scientific outlook and problem solving approach to life. She found there is a class of problems that are not susceptible to diagnosis, prescription and cure, but rather items better classified as both spiritual and mysteries, a separate sphere of knowledge she chose to explore with far greater attention given her experiences in the ER, experiences dramatically alerting her to the preciousness of existence.

One of our younger members, Wil Huntington, left us with a memory not soon extinguished. It was of a child vigorously enjoying life while living in Africa in a place where the child had nothing whatever, no parents, little care, inability to speak a common language with his playmates, so little in fact, we can only marvel at how little a child might possess -- yet he was happy. There is a lesson in this image, a lesson for all.

On another Sunday, Margaret Leicach set about explaining the attraction of Buddhism to many UUs, and she did an excellent job of this especially for those of us not well versed in this approach to life.

Laurie Kelliher explored the continuing remarkable power of the 23rd Psalm, as she discussed what it means to various religions and what it meant to her from her youth when she first heard these timeless words.

Sue Smolski, who has specialized in mental health and aging in her nurse practice for over forty years, described her own feelings on reaching the age to file her Medicare card in her wallet. She noted the distinction between getting older and growing older and focused on the daily practice of expressing gratitude. She left us with a memorable poem beginning with the line, “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple/ with a red hat, which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.”

Liz Garmise shared thoughts about an Attitude of Gratitude, leaving us with several compelling images. Perhaps one of the best was based on Buddha telling a woman who was feeling sorry for herself to bring him a mustard seed from a house where there has been no suffering. After the woman engaged in a search for such a home, it transformed her life as she began to more fully understand the travails of others and her relative well being.

Maggie Greene once more underscored the power of song and its capacity to surface our emotions and support our causes.

Gail Syring in her sermon, Preparing for Mabon, the autumnal equinox, talked of the traditional celebratory feast and reminder to share our abundance, and acknowledge the deeper emotional needs of our existence.

Joan Sereda on Poetry Sunday discussed sacred interruptions in her own life, and read poems deep in meaning to her. She also left us with a compelling image from children’s story, Nora’s Ark, by Natalie Kinsey-warnock, of a neighborhood of people and animals concentrated in an empty house on a hill during a flood in Vermont, complete with a horse in the living room and survival on bread loves baked before the flood began.

And, while all this was going on, the lobby benches were being refinished, the Sanctuary suspended roof evaluated and found structurally robust, meals delivered to those in need, pay it forward cards distributed, and this little publication produced to tell you all about it. Several of the sermons have been posted on the web awaiting you in timeless suspension.

The B&G crew has polished up the outer gardens. We await your return on ingathering Sunday to learn of your summer adventures. Welcome back! – David Newton

From Our President - Welcome back to our beloved community where we covenant “to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.” I look forward to another year worshipping and working together as we “tend to our circle of care,” our overall theme for this coming year.

Due to the incredible hard work and devotion of our Worship Associates, led by former Chair Sue Kinney, current chair Liz Garmise, and Rev. Jamestone, our summer worship services were outstanding. I attended most of our services in July and August and was enchanted by our speakers, the music, and the overall quality of the experience. Attendance was very high, so I hope many of you shared the experience with me. My sincere thanks to Rev. Jamestone, Margaret Leicach, Laurie Kelliher, Will Huntington, Sue Kinney, Liz Garmise, Sue Smolski, Maggie Green and Fred Lewis, and Gail Syring. We are blessed to have each and every one of you.

It might have been summer but your Board has been busy since the church year ended last June. We met twice on Board issues, have reviewed financial results, and begun to plan our Board retreat on September 12 and the Economic Summit scheduled for September 27. Specific items of note include:

- We ended fiscal year 2008-09 well, with a carry over into this fiscal year of $8,763.89. We will formally review the budget in October (and every quarter of the fiscal year) to determine if and how adjustments need to be made to the original working budget approved by the Board in June.

- Final Stewardship results totaled $315,053 from 179 “pledging units;” for budgeting purposes, we will discount that pledge total by 5% thereby assuming we will receive $299,350. Last year we received $337,000 from 204 “pledging units”, another sure sign of the impact of recent economic challenges and membership decrease.

- With a more complete understanding of our DRE’s contract and employment agreement, and in light of our carry over from the last fiscal year, the Board happily voted to restore $1,000 to Gail Syring’s professional development budget. Her total compensation package, as well as her responsibilities and role as DRE, are unchanged from last year.

- A small group of members of the Board, Committee on Ministry, and Human Resources will meet with Rev. Jamestone in September to discuss her compensation package, roles, and responsibilities.

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- Effective immediately, Karl Peters has joined our Board as the At-large member for Spiritual Life, replacing Jim Venneman who resigned in July. Karl has been a member of USH for more than ten years. He has spoken several times at Sunday services and has led adult RE groups on topics in science and religion. Before coming to Connecticut, Karl taught philosophy and religious studies for 28 years at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. He has published two books that are suitable for the educated public—Dancing with the Sacred: Evolution, Ecology, and God (2002) and Spiritual Transformations: Science, Religion, and Human Becoming (2008). He has been editor (1979-1989) and co-editor (1989-2009) of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science (www.zygonjournal.org ). Currently he is the president of the Center for Advanced Study in Religion and Science and Vice President for conferences of the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science (www.iras.org ). During the early 1990s Karl was the organizer and first president of the University Unitarian Universalist Society of Central Florida.

- I am also very pleased to announce the appointments of Jean Groothuis and David Newton to the Endowment Committee. Jean joined USH last spring, along with her husband Richard; she served on the Endowment and Stewardship Committees at her previous church and has attended General Assembly workshops on financial issues. David has extensive financial management experience, inside and outside of USH, and currently is a member of the Finance Sub-Council and Building and Grounds. The Endowment Committee is chaired by Al Herzog and its members now include, in addition to Jean and David, Ed Stockton, Peter Meny, and Tim Holt.

The Board is planning two important upcoming meetings:

- On Saturday, September 12, the Board and staff will hold a half day retreat at USH to discuss strategic priorities for the coming year.

- On Sunday, September 27, at 12 noon, the Board and Finance Sub-Council will host an Economic Summit for the congregation. The purpose of the meeting is to examine the current status and long term financial trends of USH income, expenses, membership, and endowment. We want to share information and, importantly, hear from you about your longer term financial priorities for USH, e.g. your opinions about where we should spend our money, the purpose and usage of the endowment, and so forth. Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend. We’ll have food!! Within the next week, you will receive a more detailed invitation from Martha Page, Treasurer, describing this important USH event.

I am very excited to begin our new worship year with you. I am pleased we are returning to one service and look forward to the depth, experience, and variety our new keyboardist and cantor will bring to our already outstanding music program, the charismatic and reflective sermons from Rev. Jamestone, and the opportunity to deepen our connections with each other.

It is good to back in this sacred community where we tend our circle of care together. - Carolyn Cartland

Good Weather Greets Work Day -The annual Fall workday held by the Building and Grounds Sub-Council was Saturday September 5th. Participants were: Ron Friedman, David and Janice Newton, Ed Sax, Carol Sexton, Stu Spence, Barbara Prine, Joshua Schreier Richard and Jean Groothuis, Peter and Dan Olguin and Julie Hassler. A big cyber round of applause to all of them!

This was a perfect day for outside work and the grounds have seldom looked better, especially with all the rain over the past month.

In the two Memorial Gardens, David and Janice were helped by Richard and Jean Groothuis in their usual thorough weeding and clean up. Julie Hassler weeded the Children’s Garden at the foot of the Memorial Garden hill. On the South West side of the Memorial Garden, a birch tree branch grown perilously close to the roof over Gail Syring’s office was sawed off by David wielding a chain-saw. Its non-destructive descent was ensured by a rope to it pulled by other work-party members.

Peter and Dan Olguin did yeoman work removing and trimming long overgrown bushes outside the Music Room. These bushes were planted years ago to obscure the presence of the kitchen ventilator. The remaining bushes are now reduced to manageable proportions and continue to do the job.

Joshua Schreier dug a trench between gravel and grass under the eves of Gail’s office in order to restore the wooden boards (stone retainers) knocked down during past mowings. Josh, Peter and Dan are rare exceptions of work-party members not well beyond retirement age.

Ed Sax cleaned up two of the four wooden benches in the Memorial Garden and applied a wood preservative coating. Enough of that coating remains to complete the other two next time.

Carol Sexton and Barbara Prine took care of the entire front area including trimming growth over the sidewalks and taking care of the garden spot between Pine tree and Library exterior. Ed Sax trimmed some dead branches from the Pine and nearby Birch trees.

Ron Friedman cleaned up outside of the Kitchen entrance, applying bleach to algae (slip hazard) that had built up around the drainage area and moving wood stacked there to the Chapel overhang. He also joined Carol and Barbara in weeding and carting away debris from the west entrance to the Meeting House.

Stu cleared a passage in the Boiler Room to allow a scheduled replacement of the Gas Meter as well as assisting in removal of tree debris. – Ed Sax

From the RE Director - In my office, amid the “flair” that represents every piece of my inner self, there is a small sign in black and white. It reads:

21 Words That Will Never Fail You

Prepare Believe Forgive Change Risk Care Listen Choose Relax Pray Persist Smile Focus Act Trust Accept Wait Love Release Reflect Honor

Periodically, in times of stress or fatigue, I scan the list for the word that contains the key to comfort in that moment. More often I find that it is the word that challenges me in the moment that I need most. Today I am cranky about the word “forgiveness,” and the rant in my head rivals that of a Dickens character.

Breathing deeply, I struggle to find a remnant of my NVC (nonviolent communication) consciousness to bring me down to the deeper issue. How might I meet my own emotional needs in a way that will allow me to approach forgiveness on different terms? The Reverend Timothy Jensen, during his convalescence after treatment for lung cancer, often referred to the goal of “progress, not perfection,” and to this goal I aspire.

Forgiveness will not fail me, if I allow myself to make gentle progress rather than judge myself for my inability to be perfect. So much healing of every kind ascribes to that truth. Where are we impatient with our own healing? How might we try to make progress rather than seek perfection?

Believe. Forgive. Care. Listen. Trust. Wait. These words may challenge, they may require a sacrifice, they may take time. But they will never fail you. - Gail M. Syring

Family Potluck Supper and Games Night September 18th - Are you ready for some fun with your fellow

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congregants? Here’s a chance to let your hair down and test your wits at Apples to Apples, your hand at Jenga, or your vocabulary skills at Fictionary Dictionary.

Well, for Unitarians' sake, get yourself, your family, and your friends down to USH’s Family Potluck Supper and Games Night happening on September 18th at 6 PM. Bring a dish of food, a beverage, and any particular game you’d like to play, and come share in some fellowship. All for $5 for families or $2 for an individual, which can be paid ahead of time by registering at the Programs Table during Coffee Hour, or can be paid the night of the event.

We prefer that you register ahead of time—either at the Programs Table, or by calling the USH office (860) 233-9897) - so we will know how many tables to set-up, but walk-ins will be welcomed with open arms! This event is family friendly, but no childcare will be provided. In addition, we ask for your help reducing the Meeting House’s waste and energy costs, so please bring your own plates, cups and utensils. This will also eliminate the need to hire a sexton or have one of us spend a significant part of the evening in the kitchen. We hope to see you there!

Callings Support Group organizing September 20th - Calling all people interested in a Callings support group. Let’s have an organizational meeting down in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, September 20, after service and coffee hour at 12:30 PM. Let’s get together to ascertain the level of interest in such a group, discuss possible ways of carrying forward, and plot our next steps. If you have a life calling or yearning that you have struggled to follow because of fear, other commitments, or other obstacles, or if you are trying to discern your calling, come check out this support group.

Gregg Levoy, the author of Callings and a workshop leader last spring here at USH, recommends a callings support group as one of the support systems you can use to reach your full potential and lead the most satisfying life possible.

Date: September 20
Time: 12:30 PM in Fellowship Hall
Contact: Joshua Schreier, Schreier.joshua(at symbol)gmail.com

What Else is Happening

Art News - As we gather for our Fall "beginnings" we may have a wistful glance back with Connecticut photographer, Bruce McClellan's extraordinary exhibit, The Last Roses of Summer. The show will be up for Sunday 13 September.

USH Needs You!

Directory Plans Different This Year - More

Chapel Sing - The third Sunday of every month, beginning in October, join Rev. BJ and staff musicians for a half hour post service “Chapel Sing,” which will begin 15 minutes after the worship service ends. You’ll have the chance to call out your favorites, and to get better acquainted with our “Teal UU Hymnal Supplement” as well. - BJ

Need For Food Greater Than Ever - We have collected cans for the food pantry for many years, with mixed results. Our goal was to collect a can for each Sunday attendee every week...urging that it become a routine. Now the need is even greater.

There are more folks than ever waiting for distribution on Thursdays. It is actually better to donate money direct to the food pantry where it has greater purchasing power. Perhaps you would rather give a donation. $30 to a food pantry will feed one person for a month. Make out your check to USH with Horace Bushnell Food Pantry in the memo line. Thanks to Brian for passing it on. Cans will still be collected. - IASC

2009 Fall Programs for Adults and Families -

During coffee hour on Ingathering Sunday, September 13, stop by the Programs Table in Fellowship Hall to look at the New Notebooks that include the programs offered this fall. We'll be happy to answer your questions and you may register at that time. Prior to Sunday, you can read more about each of the Fall Programs now available on the web.

Programs starting this September:
Tai Chi, Eight week sessions, Wednesdays, beginning September 2. Beginners', 5 - 6 PM, Ongoing class, 6:30 - 7:30 PM. (More)

Compassionate Communication Practice Group, 2nd and 4th Thursdays, starting September 10, 5 - 7 PM. Paul Quinn will facilitate this program to provide a safe space to give and receive empathy using the Non Violent Communication process. Participants must have a basic understanding of NVC by reading Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg and/or participation in a NVC workshop.

Nonviolent Communication Practice Group, Wednesdays, beginning September 16, 7:15 - 9 PM.

Ember Days, Wednesday, September 16, 12 - 2 pm and Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19, 6 - 8 PM.

Family Potluck Supper and Games Night, Friday, September 18, 6 PM. If you're ready to have some fun, come to the family potluck supper and games night! Sign up sheet available at the Programs Table on Sunday.

Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Wednesdays, ongoing, 5:45 - 7 PM.

Callings Support Group, Sunday, September 20, 12:30. An organizational meeting for all people interested in a Callings Support Group as a follow up to the workshop held in the Spring.

The Artist's Way, Mondays, September 21 - December 14, 7 - 8:30 PM. This ever popular program returns for its sixth year at USH - for all those whose inner artist is locked deep inside and struggling to get out.

Continuing registration for Small Dinner Parties

Small Group Ministry Openings - Registration is now open for Small Group Ministry. Please note the spaces available in each group, and please register soon if you wish to participate.

Afternoon Groups:

1. Wednesday afternoons in West Hartford (Bruce Robbins facilitating): 2 spaces

2. Sunday afternoons in Hartford (meeting house)(Marye Gail Harrison facilitating): 9 spaces

Evening Groups:

1. Tuesday evenings in Bloomfield: Special readings on faith (Rev. Barbara Jamestone facilitating): 5 spaces

2. Wednesday evenings in Simsbury: LGBT plus friends (Fran Carnavale facilitating): 0 spaces left

3. Thursday evenings in West Hartford (Gail Syring facilitating): 3 spaces

4. Friday evenings in Hartford: Family friendly group with dinner (meeting house)(Bill Shoemaker facilitating): 7 spaces

To register or to get more information, call the church office at (860) 233-9897, or stop by the Adult Programs table after Sunday services.

And we have space in the Small Group Ministry with the Minister: Readings on Faith - This Fall there will be a very special opportunity for members and friends of the Unitarian Society of Hartford to participate in a Small Group Ministry experience facilitated by our minister, Rev. Barbara Jamestone. This Tuesday night group will focus on readings about faith.

Sources of the readings include;

· poetry: Evidence and Red Bird by Mary Oliver

· nonfiction: Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality by Barbara Bradley Hagerty, Faith and Will: Weathering the Storms in our Spiritual Lives by Julia Cameron, Wide Open: On Living with Passion and Purpose by Dawna Markova, Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World by Mary Pipher, Yearnings: Ancient Wisdom for Daily Life: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life by Rabbi Irwin Kula

· fiction: Run by Mary Patchett

This offering will follow the usual SGM format that includes a check-in period, candle lighting, a short reading contributed by a participant, the reading on the selected topic with questions that encourage sharing (not discussion), a contributed ending reading and the extinguishing of the candle.

New members and visitors are especially invited to attend. Participants will be invited to share life experiences that relate to the topic. It is important to note that group members choose what to share and can decide not to respond to particular questions. Meetings are informal, with the intent that participants come to know each other better and to interact in caring ways.

Carol Davidson will serve as host. All meetings will take place in Bloomfield at the minister’s home.

Call the church office at (860) 233-9897 to register, or stop by the Adult Programs table in Fellowship Hall after Sunday morning services.

Sign Up For Small Dinner Parties - Note: The name “Circle Dinners” is bring changed to Small Dinner Parties. There’s an early deadline (9/20) to register for SDP's. Register in Fellowship Hall September 6, 13 and 20. (Or call Marion Kelliher, 286-2740 and mail your $2.00 to USH.)

Small Dinner Parties are scheduled for October 3, November 7, and December 12. With advance notice, we can find a substitute if you must miss a date. Fee is $2.00 per household for mailing expense.

Enjoy being with old friends and meeting new ones. Six to 10 adults are randomly assigned in different groupings for each dinner. Host furnishes the entree, beverage and bread. Guests are assigned to bring appetizers, salad, side dish, or dessert.

Not everyone can host, but we do need hosts, so if your home can seat six, please host one dinner. Fanciness isn’t required--paper plates are fine if more convenient. Getting together is what’s important!

Register in Fellowship Hall during the coffee hours September 6, 13 and 20. Please note the early registration deadline: September 20!

Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice Presents - Health and Race - Justice for All - A panel discussion to: Educate on racial and ethnic disparities in Connecticut; introduce the work of the Commission on Health Equity; share what others are doing to address health disparities and explore the role of Faith communities to eliminate health disparities. The event will be held Thursday, September, 17, 2009 at 7 PM at the Faith Congregational Church, 2030 Main Street, Hartford, CT - Moderator: Rev. Michael Williams - The Forum

Caring Network - It takes a very long time to become young. Pablo Picasso - 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, September 10
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
5:00 pm Compassionate Communication, Emerson
5:30 pm Membership Sub-Council, Servetus
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Friday, September 11
3:00 pm Seabury UU Gathering, Seabury, Bloomfield

Saturday, September12
9:00 am - 1:00 pm Leadership Retreat, David’s Den
10:00 am Wallace Stevens Walk, meet in MH parking lot
7:00 pm Tierra Mestiza

Sunday, September 13, Ingathering Sunday
9:00 am Building & Grounds Sub-Council, Murray
9:00 am Comfort Shawl, Lower Lobby
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:30 pm RE Teacher Orientation, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Monday, September 14
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Tuesday, September 15
6:00 pm Rental, Chapel
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, September 16
12:00 pm Ember Days, Emerson
5:45 pm Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:15 pm NVC Practice Group, Emerson
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday September 17
5:00 pm NVC Gathering, Minister’s Study

Friday, September 18
6:00 pm Ember Days
6:00 pm Family Potluck and Games Night, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, September 19
6:00 pm Ember Days, Emerson

Sunday, September 20
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm Chapel Sing, Chapel
12:30 pm “Callings” Group Meeting, 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)

National Equality March -The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations is a proud sponsor of the National Equality March & Rally that will take place in Washington, D.C. on October 11.

People from all of our nation's 435 Congressional Districts will converge on Washington with one simple demand: Full equality for BGLT people in all matters governed by law in all 50 states.

The Rev. Peter Morales, newly elected President of the UUA, will preach at All Soul's Unitarian Church, 1500 Harvard Street NW, that morning and lead the UUA's delegation to the Rally.

The goal is to have at least 1,000 Unitarian Universalists involved. Please join them if you can! - Greg Nickett

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 Oct. 23-25 this fall. More

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

Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH

GHICEJ Seeks Support - for event scheduled for October 14th More

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Green Topics - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council -

External Events and Educational Notes

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 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.

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