USH-Enews September 21, 2006

USH-Enews For September 21, 2006
Jump to: Calendar; What's happening; A matter of opinion; External events; Further down the road; Our roots

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The USH-Enews is a weekly email newsletter sent to 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 line, or past issues of the USH-Enews click here.

Office hours: M-F 9-3 (excluding W 10 -11);Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - Available at the noon hour and at other times by appointment.

You could do this! And flowers can last a long time as you see preserved this way. - SUNDAY CHANCEL FLOWERS. The donation of chancel flowers is a wonderful way to participate in the Sunday worship service. If you would like to dedicate flowers in honor of a person or an event, or in memory of someone special, please call the office. You may sponsor a $45 arrangement from our florist or you may provide your own arrangement. There are many Sundays open for arrangements during the coming weeks. Donor forms may be found in the front lobby, or contact the office.

Worshipping together since 1830
Services held at 9 and 11 AM

SUNDAY - 24 September - Ramadan: On Submission and Stewardship - Rev. Jamestone - One of the “five pillars” or core aspects of Sunni Islam (normative at more than 80%), the fast during the 9th month, Ramadan, captures the role of submission, solidarity, and stewardship which can be powerful for UUs too.

Music: Most of the music for Sept. 24th revels in French Romanticism. Only the final hymn, Alhamdulillah, directly represents the beginning of the holy time of Ramadan. However, Islamic art and music often embody ecstatic, other-worldly rapture, and these French texts and melodies reflect that closely. French painters like Ingres and Delacroix were captivated by what they saw as the languorous beauty of middle-eastern scenes, and composers echoed the theme.

The choir’s anthem, by Gabriel Faure, is called the Cantique of Jean Racine. The text is a French translation, by the 17th century French dramatist Jean Racine, of a medieval Latin hymn that implores: ‘O Word, worthy of the Most High, our sole hope, eternal day of earth and the heavens, we break the silence of the peaceful night.’

Soloists Katie LaPorta and Patrice Fitzgerald offer a duet, “Repentir,” (O divine Redeemer), a very popular song with words and music by Charles Gounod. At 9:00 Katie adds a soprano song by Faure, “Apres un reve” (After a dream), repeating the mystical feeling.

What Else is Happening & Announcements

No More Tape! - Application of tape of any kind to the various walls, glass and plexiglas around Fellowship Hall and elsewhere is discouraged. It has been an enormous hassle to remove tape residue, particularly from the plexiglas, accumulated over the years. Anyone found applying any tape to painted surfaces, plexiglas or other nice surfaces, except bulletin boards will be "boiled in oil, and/or drawn and quartered, and that will be just the beginning." - Not really, but the thought has occurred!

Board Minutes for September 12 & Current Financial Statement now Available

Clara Barton Fall Rally Saturday October 28th (Download Your Brochure) - The annual District Fall Meeting will host as its keynote speaker the dynamic moderator of the national General Assembly of the UUA, Gini Courter. The Dudley, MA gathering will offer a number of workshops including: Spiritual Activism, The Call of the 21st Century, The Green Sanctuary Forum; RE – Administration and Curricula & the Four Covenants (tools for congregational decision making).

The conference runs from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. More information is available in the front lobby and registrations forms are due by October 19th for the reduced fee of $35; more at the door. Join others in helping to represent USH at the CBD Fall Rally!

Last Chance JON LUOPA'S 25 YEARS IN MINISTRY SCRAP BOOK: see USH-Enews for September 14th for details. If you have a note, you must put it in Kathy or Al Herzog's hand Sunday the 24th of September.

Van Accessible Parking Slot - Note: we have a number of handicapped parking places. We have only one marked for a special van to the right of the west door as you face it. Do not use this space unless you use a van elevator device working through the side door of your vehicle.

DRIVERS NEEDED! - Are you a Sunday driver? If so, the Caring Network thanks you! If not, would you consider taking a few minutes of your Taxi Sunday morning to drive a fellow USH friend/member to and from service?
We have folks who don’t drive, for varied reasons, and would like to keep attending services here. If you can volunteer to drive one Sunday, now and then, (your choice of service - our riders are generally flexible, as well as grateful), you would be doing a mitzvah!

For further info, contact Tom (521-1082); tmreed35(at)comcast.net or Nita (693-4269) bonnieandroberta(at)comcast.net

Sunday, October 1 at 1 PM USH Chapel - Curiosity about Theodate Pope Riddle’s unconventional ideas, her family's art collecting, her ground-breaking career, and Hillstead her architectural influence in the Farmington Valley will be sated on Sunday, October 1 when Ms. Sharon Stotz of the Hill-Stead Museum will give an illustrated program on this fascinating woman.

All interested – teens, men, women, friends, members - are invited to this free presentation in the USH Chapel, followed by a reception in the Library. Since the event will be at 1 PM, those attending the 9 o’clock service will have time to go out for lunch; those attending the 11 o’clock service might wish to bring a bag lunch or sandwich to eat during coffee hour.

The Women’s Alliance is sponsoring this first program in a series created for the entire USH community.

From Adult Programs - Although some of the September programs have begun, you still have the opportunity to sign up for many that have not! Registrations will continue to be taken during coffee hour following both the 9:00 and 11:00 AM services. Program catalogs will also be available (now on the web).

Credo Conversations, 3 Saturdays, begins September 23. Articulating our faith and giving voice to our core values can be daunting. Join Rev. Jamestone and a small group thinking and speaking about your personal faith credo. Please call the office (233-9897) to register for this program since it starts on Saturday.

Spiritual Transformations, begins Tuesday, September 26. One way to understand spirituality is to look at transformations through which we significantly change or grow as human beings - within ourselves and in relation to others and the wider world. Karl Peters will facilitate this program using a manuscript of six chapel talks that he gave on Star Island.

Feldenkrais, begins Wednesday, September 27, 5:15-6:15 pm. Open to Every Body! - “No pain, more gain” is a motto which can be applied to the physical movement patterns practiced during a Feldenkrais (rhymes with rice) session.
A Feldenkrais session consists of a planned sequence of directed body movements so body and mind focus on learned /habitual movements and the possible range of motion. Feldenkrais helps to find different ways to do movements. There’s no competition, no specified number of repetitions, no sweating, no increased heart rate, but gentle individual movements, suitable for all ages. Sedentary or less agile people can profit as well as those who are athletic. Generally the sessions help participants increase ease and range of motion, improve flexibility and coordination, and rediscover the body’s innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a mat.

Tai Chi, begins Wednesday, September 27, 6:30-7:30 PM This martial art improves your flexibility, balance, endurance, concentration and inner peace. Movements are slow, rhythmic and gentle. This is an advanced class, so if you have some Tai Chi experience and are interested in joining, please contact Ginny Hedrick. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and soft, lightweight shoes, although bare feet are fine as well. Our instructor, Monika Forstner, has taught various forms of Tai Chi for ten years and is a nationally licensed AMTA member.

Starting in October: - Soul Work begins Thursday, October 5.

Knitting with a Purpose begins Tuesday, October 10.

Friday Night Dinner and Movie, October 13.“Brokeback Mountain” - "A story of forbidden love on the range, . . . acted, directed, written and photographed with heart-pounding beauty." Dallas Morning News

Small Group Ministry Wants YOU! - In “Good News Category #1” we are pleased to announce that two of our groups are already full. These include the Wednesday night group in West Hartford (with Mike Roy) and the Friday afternoon group in Bloomfield (with Bill Willett). This means 20 people know exactly where they want to be and when.

In “Good News Category #2” we are pleased to announce that spaces still remain in four other groups. These include Monday night at the Meeting House (with Ginny Berrien - 5 spaces), Monday night in Farmington (with Bev Prager -1 space), Wednesday night in Collinsville (with Gail Syring - 3 spaces), and Thursday night in West Hartford (with Heather Ferguson-Hull - 1 space). If you have been worrying that you missed your chance to participate in SGM this fall, worry no longer. We have a mix of locations and a variety of evenings for you to choose from.

Make your decision; then give Rosie a call at the church office or stop by the Adult Program table after Sunday services. If everything sounds so absolutely wonderful that you just can’t decide, just give us your name and we’ll put you in some place you will enjoy.

Small Group Ministry does want you! Old or young, married or single, long-time member or interested friend—we want you. Please help us to fill all our groups; facilitators eagerly await the opportunity to serve you. Please note: Only 10 spaces remain. Call soon. - Bev Spence

ON THE CALENDAR:

Thursday, September 21
9:30 am International Women's Circle, Fellowship Hall

Friday, September 22
1:00pm Child Advocate's Office, Library
6:00 pm Ember Days, Library
7:00pm Church of the Divine Light, Chapel

Saturday, September 23
10:00 am Credo Conversation, Library
6:00 pm Ember Days, Library

Sunday, September 24
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE I, Sanctuary
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Children's Choir, Chapel
10:00 am Disabilities Sub-Council, Library
10:00 am Growth Task Force, Murray
10:15 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE II, Sanctuary
12:00 noon Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:15 pm "C cubed", Coffee, Carrots and Conversation with the Minister, for First time visitors, Minister's Study

Monday, September 25
6:30 pm SIA, Library
7:00 pm Artist's Way, Servetus

Tuesday, September 26
7:00 pm Spiritual Transformation, Library
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, September 27
10:00 - 11:00 am Staff Meeting, Minister's Study (OFFICE CLOSED)
5:15 pm Feldenkrais, Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, September 28
5:00 pm University of Hartford, Parking Lot

Friday, September 29
7:00 pm Church of the Divine Light, Chapel

Saturday, September 30
9:00 am Hartford Immersion, Parking Lot
10:00 am The Way Ministries, Chapel

Sunday, October 1
8:00 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE I, Sanctuary
10:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
10:00 am Children's Choir, Chapel
10:15 am Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary
11:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE II, Sanctuary
12:00 noon Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:15 pm "C cubed" for First-Timers, Minister's Study
1:00 pm Women's Alliance presentation on Theodate Pope Riddle, Chapel/Library

To get your event on the calendar, call 233.9897

Inform the Caring Network of needs -

Volunteer your services Janice Newton, CN Chair, 860-677-1121, USH Office, 860-233-9897

Further Down The Road (About 30 Days Max)

TAX RELIEF FOR THE WORKING POOR - Please come and join voices to support state legislation to provide tax relief to Connecticut’s hard working residents.

First Church of the Living God
Thursday, October 5th
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
70 Whitney Street, Hartford CT
(Registration and doors open at 6pm)

For complete information follow this link.

SUPPER AND GAMES NIGHTS - FEASTING AND FUN FOR FAMILIES AND ADULTS - This is a community event. Bring the whole family to eat a delicious meal and play a huge assortment of board games, cards, or charades. Share in trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle. Work cooperatively on a tough crossword. You decide.

Menus will include a main course (always a vegetarian option), salad, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. If you would like to bring wine or beer, please feel free to do so. Each supper will have a regional or ethnic theme guiding the food offerings. We ask that folks call a week or more in advance to offer to contribute a dish that fits the theme. Prepare an entree to feed 8 – 10 persons, deliver it to Fellowship Hall by 5:50 P.M., and we will serve it with a side dish of love. By the way, every food contributor receives a free ticket to the supper that evening. If you would like to join our team to help with table setting and other preparation, arrive at 4 P.M. to Fellowship Hall and the team will greet you with open arms. Welcome and thanks in advance.

Dates and Themes:

October 20, Southern dishes (in honor of Rev. BJ’s regional cuisine)
November 17, Tex-Mex
January 19, Greek and Middle Eastern
March 16, Comfort Food

From the Editor: Contributors please take note. There will be no USH-Enews on October 5th, consequently, plan submissions for a special double issue on September 28th.

(Art of Nancy S. Morrell and Nancy Jo Hoffman now hanging in the ambulatory for your viewing pleasure)

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This Week’s Feature Articles

Coffee, Carrots and Conversation with Rev. BJ

Last Sunday, Sept. 17th, Reverend Jamestone hosted the first meeting of Coffee, Carrots and Conversation (known as C-cubed for short) with eleven newcomers to USH.

Following the 11 AM service, BJ met in her study with both newcomers and Welcome Table representative Ann LaPorte-Bryan to discuss issues of common interest. What drew our newcomers to USH? Where did they came from - both geographically and spiritually?

There were questions about our congregation, philosophy, beliefs and the history of the Meeting House. Reverend BJ shared why she was drawn to our Meetinghouse, her background, Methodist upbringing, the experiences that led her to Unitarian ministry and how a person who describes herself as Southern in her soul ended up in Hartford, Connecticut.

Newcomers are invited to meet with BJ after each 11 AM service in her study for C-cubed and are also invited to attend the Pathways to Membership program, which will meet every Wednesday in October from 7-9 PM in the library. Childcare will be provided.

Please fill out a Pathways registration form available at the Welcome Table if you would like to attend. - Ann LaPorte-Bryan

And, now a word from Rev. BJ - Congratulations dear friends on practicing the radical hospitality that draws folk to the light and warmth of our flaming chalice.

Now, I'd sure appreciate it if some of you could join me in the minister's study some Sunday after 11 AM service, and serve as host/ess. Specifically, I need folk to gather supplies then come in and set up the coffee pot, a pitcher of water, and a bag of baby carrots.

Your reward will be a heart bursting with pride at being a UU, awe at the caliber of people who come to us, and compassion for the human need for community along with gratitude at being able to provide it.

If you've been looking for some small niche of service, here's your glorious opportunity! Reply to RevBJ.

PRACTICING EMBER DAYS WITH REVEREND JAMESTONE

“Let your lives speak to you. Don’t read, write or talk about it. Just do it,” Reverend Barbara Jamestone urged attendees at last week’s Sunday service, as she offered some suggestions on “quilting together the ordinary and the sacred.”

Reverend BJ offered her own unique approach to Ember Days—12 days a year set apart in medieval cultures for special prayers and recognizing religious vocation or ordination (an anachronism in today’s world). She suggested these four sets of three days each should involve special practices of solitude, silence and simplicity.

The world has always been too much with us, she said, and we are surrounded by “possessions, events, activities, stuff.” Rev. BJ said we rarely allow ourselves to be alone long enough to be lonely and then to enjoy solitude.

And speaking of simplicity, she felt “the simplicity movement has become big business!”

Rev. BJ invited members to join her at the Meeting House Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to take part in her Ember Days observances. However, acknowledging she might not get a large crowd, she offered some suggestions for personal practice:

On Wednesday, refrain from saying something three times.
On Friday, do not check your email.
On Saturday, go slowly up a flight of stairs, one step at a time, and stop to breathe on each step.

We have to “practice” to get good at spirituality, Rev. BJ suggested. Today, we use religious words not to describe but, instead, to be an objective response to the universe. We are more into experience, less into belief. Religious ideas represent a type of human response. We do religious “practice” with public rituals such as our Sunday service, and we “waste our energy” denying religious words.

The Sanctuary looked simpler Sunday. There was no banner hanging, no large and striking flower arrangement. Instead, at one end of a (relatively) small rectangular vase there was one tall, gangly flower with one small sculpture next to it. The glass shelf on which they rested seemed to hang in mid-air.

Barbara Jane, you are trying to get us to think! - Kayla Costenoble

(Read the entire sermon now available for download.)

Getting to Know You - Rev. BJ continues to work on getting to know members of USH. She would like to meet with you. Call Rosie or Brian at the office to set up a half-hour appointment.

In the alternative, you may drop by at lunchtime on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between noon and 1PM. Bring your brown bag lunch. One or many are welcome.

In addition, leadership groups from various sub-councils or other less formal groups are invited to set up appointments to meet. These one hour appointments should be booked with Rosie or Brian.

A Matter of Opinion: (space for comment on USH issues) - Editor retains the right to make minor changes – letters should be issue oriented)

External Events and Educational Notes

USH Member Carolyn Cartland Elected President - According to the Hartford Courant for Friday, September 15, 2006, Carolyn Cartland has been elected President of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. Carolyn heads our own USH Disabilities Sub-Council and is a tireless advocate for people with disabilities.

The Council is composed of individuals with disabilities as well as their relatives and professionals promoting the full inclusion of all individuals in community life through award of federal grants and related activities.

Well done Carolyn!

Our own Sara Logan is in: - The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman

A play based on the true-story of a 21 year-old American student who was beaten to death because he was gay. A breathtaking theatrical collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink, and the heights of compassion to which we can rise.

September 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, October 1
Little Theatre of Manchester, Cheney Hall for tickets:647-9824

2006 CROP WALK

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2006 1:30 PM at St. Peter Claver Church. See USH-Enews for 8/31/06 for details.

American Lung Association Plans Major Fund Raising Event

WHO? The American Lung Association of Connecticut

WHEN? Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more complete information, please see the USH-Enews for details. Still More Information >>> (nice colorful sheet!)

A Few Words About Our Roots From The Book, Hartford Unitarianism 1844 -1994 by Freeman Meyer:

The Parson in the Red Vest: The Fourth Meeting House Nathaniel Lauriat: - All this started from theology and feeds back into it, according to Lauriat. His concern for issues arose from his religious outlook because he was sure that the improvement of the whole body of persons is what is important.

So what have I done? I have served individuals through the pastoral offices of the church. Perhaps more importantly, I have tried always to recognize, respond to and appreciate the particular human being with whom I was dealing in any context. I have been an ecclesiastical functionary on the local, regional and continental levels.. Perhaps most importantly, I have continued to keep looking. I regard this as the core of religion and am grateful to be part of a religious tradition, which describes itself as a "community of seekers" rather than a company of believers. (Here we interrupt ourselves to proclaim the trivial prize of recognition to the first person who reports to the editor by email that s/he has read the newsletter to this point and discovered this contest) The essence of my ministry has been to try to build up the morale of fellow seekers..

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. Only announcements for very large events will be issued as single item email distributions. 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

Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 09/28/06)