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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 September 24, 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;
Welcome Autumn! Audubon Nature Trail, South Wellfleet, MA
USH-Enews is a weekly email newsletter produced for members and friends of the Unitarian Society of Hartford. The USH web address is: http://www.ushartford.com/ Check at the end of this USH-Enews for information on submissions, subscriptions and escape from the mailing list. And, to read the monthly Meetinghouse Messenger (newsletter) on the web or to find past issues of the weekly USH-Enews click here.
Office hours: Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com - Rev. BJ office hours by appointment.
Worshipping Together Since 1830
One Service 10:30 AMContributors please take note. Next week's USH-Enews will be a two week issue. None will be posted October 8th.
Sunday - 27 September - Honoring our Jewish Heritage: The High Holy Days - While recognizing the "New Year" celebrations of our Jewish neighbors, we preview our own new year's theme at USH:Tending our Circle of Care. Are there ways that our congregational culture uniquely "tends" individual members?
A Look at Budgeting - Long Term - Meeting this Sunday after the Service. More
Music: The music October 25th will be extraordinary; in fact, possibly unique in our history for a regular service. On the second and fourth Sunday of each month our Chancel Choir offers anthems, aided by our soloist/section-leaders, but on this date they also have the participation of some exceptional musicians from our congregation. Violinists Ann Stowe and Ginny Allen, and cellist Julie Hassler, will join our choir, soloists and Music Directors in a delightful piece for accompanied choir. “Laudate Jehovam, omnes gentes” is an anthem by the Baroque composer George Philipp Telemann. The text is Psalm 117, the shortest verse in the Bible, a psalm of praise.
Telemann was the most popular composer in Europe in the 18th century – in fact, he earned three times the salary that Bach earned and was considered a superior composer. Telemann turned out enormous quantities of hugely popular music, for both the court and the church, and this piece shows why he was so highly regarded.
All our musicians have been rehearsing this music since September, and it should be a beautiful musical offering….if Mattie can stay awake (she flies back from Japan the day before!) But seriously, how extraordinary we are to have such superlative musicians as members. As we consider the membership at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, let us admire and enjoy the rich and wonderful span of interests and abilities that are brought to the Meeting House each Sunday by all our members and friends.REflections on Children's Programming
Religious Education Classes
Gail M. Syring, DRE
Menu for the Future - New Green Discussion Group Forming! Menu for the Future
Explore food systems and their impacts on culture, society and ecological systems.
Gain insight into agricultural and individual practices that promote personal and ecological well-being.
Consider ways to create and support sustainable food systems.
Join us for a 6 week discussion group Mondays 4:30 - 6:00 beginning Oct 5. Call Rosie to register. $27 for the book of short articles used for the discussion book.
Mondays – Every other week - beginning October 5th at 4:30-6:00 PM; Fee: $27; Contact: Bev Prager, 860-651-9689 bev_prager(at symbol)hotmail.com
“Milk” Opens Dinner & Movie Series
Friday, October 9 - Sean Penn’s powerful portrayal of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America, opens our 2009-2010 Dinner and a Movie series on Friday, October 9. One reviewer declared, "an involving portrait of the courage of one man standing up against hatred and bigotry."Our meal will be a taco bar, offering vegetarian, fish, and beef or chicken options, along with rice and beans. Guacamole and sour cream will be available, too. A fresh fruit bowl and assorted small chocolate pastries will be on the dessert table, in addition to coffee and tea.
Social time with popcorn and libations begins at 5:30, dinner at 6, with movie at 7, and optional discussion afterwards. Joan and Tom Kemble, passionate about the value of this film, will lead our discussion.
Reservations may be made at the Programs Table during coffee hour after service or by calling the USH office at 233-9897. Please reserve by Monday, October 5; be sure to indicate if you want vegetarian taco ingredients.
You can read more about this R-rated film (even watch a trailer) here The full list of 2009-2010 winning titles and dates can be found under Adult Programs on the USH home page.Limited Space Available in Small Group Ministry - Groups are filling up, so you should sign up now for fall Small Group Ministry, where small groups meet to share meaningful life experiences. Three of the groups are full, but space is still available in the following three groups.
Afternoon Groups: Sunday afternoons in Hartford (USH Meeting House), now meeting at 2:00 PM (Note time change) (Marye Gail Harrison facilitating): 7 spaces left
Evening Groups: Friday evenings in Hartford: Family friendly group with dinner (USH Meeting House)(Bill Shoemaker facilitating): 4 spaces. This group is open to all people, even those without a partner or children. We will arrange a second group if more than ten people register.
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.
Need For Food Greater Than Ever - More
2009 Fall Programs for Adults and Families - Sunday, prior to the "Economic Summit" meeting in Fellowship Hall at 12 PM, stop by the Programs Table to register for the following:
Menu for the Future, six Mondays every other week beginning October 5, 4:30 - 6:00 PM.
Friday Dinner and Movie, October 9, 5:30 - 10:00 PM featuring the movie Milk.
Women's Retreat at Senexet, Friday, October 23-25. A list of optional pricing and other information is available at the Programs Table
You can read more about these and all of the fall programs on the webCaring Network -The poet is one who is able to keep the fresh vision of the child alive within the mature man. Anais Nin - 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)
National Equality March October 11th More
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. MoreMovie and Commentary - A Road to Mecca With Yahya Michot and Herb Brockman Wednesday, December 2, Hartford Seminary 6:30 PM, Free
Muhammad Asad (1900–1992) is as famous for his amazing life as for his reform-minded translation of the Qur’n. Born Leopold Weiss into a Jewish family in the Ukraine, he discovered Islam in Palestine and converted in 1926. Travelling widely in the Muslim world, he became advisor to King ‘Abd al-‘Azziz of Saudi Arabia and, after the partition of India, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations. Georg Misch’s documentary film A Road to Mecca: the Journey of Muhammad Asad (2008) has won various cinematographic awards. It traces the existential and spiritual journey of this European intellectual who, against the prejudices of his time and kin, found in Islam the harmony and purity, peace and humanity he was searching for. The film also raises interesting questions about the way we sometimes look at Islam, the Middle East and our own Abrahamic faiths.
After a showing of Misch’s documentary, Prof. Yahya Michot and Rabbi Herbert N. Brockman will address some of the questions raised in the film in an inter-religious perspective. Audience participation will be encouraged.
Yahya Michot is Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary. He is editor of The Muslim World journal and director of the Seminary’s International Ph.D. program.
Herbert N. Brockman is rabbi of Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, CT. He serves on the board of Interfaith Cooperative Ministries and Hartford Seminary, and teaches at Yale Divinity School. - Greg Nickett
Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH
GHICEJ Seeks Support - for event scheduled for October 14th More
Green Topics - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council - Green Sanctuary Update - We submitted to UUA our application for candidacy! The application included the required assessment of how green we are in all areas of congregational life as well as our action plan. Both can be found on our bulletin board at the bottom of the stairs on the way into Fellowship Hall. Our plan is to complete the Action Plan within the next year and then apply to become an official Green Sanctuary.
We’ve already begun a number of initiatives including: our green table(promoting and selling green cleaners and recycled paper products); a collaboration garden with the children at the Village; adopt a bay (beautifying ush); an environmental discussion group (new one forming to begin Oct 5, called Menu for the Future); an email listserve for those interested in environmental news of the area, etc. Our monthly meetings are on the 2nd wed of the month from 5-6. Join us! For more info email Bev_prager(At symbol)hotmail.com
If every household in the US used 1- 4 pk of toilet paper made from recycled paper it would save 1.2 million trees
From the Editor:Contributors please take note. Next week's USH-Enews will be a two week issue. None will be posted October 8th Suggestions for Contributors.
Letter from the President
BJ Comments on the Budget Situation
Revelations and Ramadan
Green Sanctuary Application Submitted
Letter from the President - The Board has been busy on a number of financial and strategic fronts.
- After a review of our current financial status, which now includes a $7,000 carry over from last year’s budget, plus many conversations with Rev. Jamestone and past and present leadership, the Board voted on changes to this year’s budget. In order to balance the budget, we will apply the $7,000 carry over, reduce dues to the Clara Barton District by $2,000, reduce the endowment by $1,000, and accept Rev. Jamestone’s offer to reduce her compensation package by $2,000; these reductions replace the previously voted $12,000 reduction in Rev. Jamestone’s compensation package. This decision reflects the very challenging economic environment we face as spiritual communities and as individuals and is the result of nearly three months of conversations, compromise, and collaboration. Many thanks to all who so willingly and wisely confronted these issues for the good of the congregation. The Finance sub-council and Board will continue to monitor and communicate our financial situation on an on-going basis.
- On Saturday, September 12, the Board held a half-day retreat to discuss strategic issues. One of the outcomes of our meeting has been to ask Karl Peters, Bill LaPorte-Bryan, and Carolyn Cartland to review and assess the strategic plan updates completed by the four Councils last winter and spring. Under the umbrella of USH as a spiritual community, we will confirm/identify strategic and operational priorities, areas for potential collaboration, and next steps. Stay tuned!
- We are eagerly preparing for the Economic Summit this Sunday, September 27 at 12 noon in Fellowship Hall. We encourage everyone to attend so we can hear and discuss your questions, concerns, and financial priorities for USH over the next several years. This meeting is not about asking anyone for more money or about making any of us feel any discomfort about what we can or cannot/ did or did not pledge this year; rather, as a community, we need to have some conversations about how we want to spend our money. I hope to see you there! -
In faith, Carolyn Cartland
Big 240 Global Summit USH Style! - 240? I’m not certain how many members we have, but that’s close, and it would be fantastic to have YOUR creativity and commitment to our faith at the table this coming Sunday when we begin envisioning the opportunities for transformation that are ours at USH during this economic crisis.
Please do not stay away because you dread being asked for money, which you do not have to give; nor because you just aren’t interested in the business of the church; nor because it might be warm and sunny that day; nor because you recall having such money woes before at USH and you know that we’ve always patched things up in the end.This time is different.
Last year at our congregational "charette" we asked 50 of you to tell us about the church you’d like. I have all those flip charts in my closet and keep one big page on the wall of my study to remind me of the joyful brainstorming we did that day.This year at our economic summit we will start figuring out, not what kind of church, but "how much church" we can afford. We will continue creating a budgeting process that will be sustainable, replicable, and representative of YOUR interests, whether USH grows into a megachurch of 1,000 or nestles down in a leafy glade which nurtures 100 members.
Your Board has made the first steps toward the USH of the 21st century this Spring working through philosophical differences regarding the endowment, the UUA and District per member fees, staff wages, music expenses - all the "usual suspects!" Then they made some hard decisions that are a clarion call because we now have the chance to choose another path, since "business as usual" is no longer financially sustainable.
There are blue skies ahead, if you will take the next step with us. Please make the time to come hear leadership give their perspectives regarding our endowment and denominational fees, and about what projections are reasonable based on some number crunching they’ve done. Further, we need to hear what YOU think, want, need, and are prepared to help support with your time, talents, prayers, and money. You’ll have a chance to speak in the large group and to brainstorm in small groups on topics such as staff compensation, uses of the endowment, congregational vision and priorities, and various income possibilities.
Together, we can grieve at what must be left behind. And, together we can shape a fine future.,Are you one of the 240 whose church will be shaped by the conversation this Sunday afternoon? Come, listen, speak, find others who are willing to help and connect. - Rev BJ
Revelations and Ramadan - Reverend BJ used a Fed X truck as a symbol to vividly describe what life would be like if we were ”waiting for a word.” She asked us to imagine a wordless void in which we were waiting for a package. This package, delivered by Fed X, would contain the word/missing link that would allow us to make sense of it all, that is the last bit to reveal the solution, that makes the struggle worthwhile.
But we already have the time, tools and will power to find the missing link, she said. It will answer our “deepest yearning to understand that life has purpose.” She suggested that this link is the “primacy of worship” that calls this congregation, and the main reason for our gathering is to “practice our human capacity to recognize that which is greater than us.”
The September 20 Sunday service celebrated the month-long Muslim Ramadan during which Muslims give thanks for the revelation of truth they believe Allah gave Mohammed: wisdom brings purpose to human life. Reverend BJ began her sermon by acknowledging that the word “revelation” sounds religious, that most religions start with this word, but “not every revelation is a manifestation of God.” For those uncomfortable with the word, she explained, “Any creative solution can be a revelation.”
Reverend BJ listed four parts of any revelation: a source, a receiver, a package and an impact. She said she was not particularly interested in the source or the package, but “the impact of a revelation intrigues me.” Merit may not necessarily be bestowed by a supernatural being. “Revelations are gifts…don’t question the source,” she suggested.
Muslims are becoming “part of our neighborhood,” she said. Mosques are being built in Connecticut. The president of the Islamic Society of North America is also head of our neighbor, the Hartford Seminary. “What can we do as a congregation?” Reverend BJ asked. We can work to improve mutual understanding between Muslims and other Americans.
Sunday is for singing. Reverend BJ said that those who come to the Meeting House to hear sermons that “inform, comfort and challenge” should consider the musical side of the service in the same way. We had lots of chances this past Sunday, beginning appropriately with Come Sing a Song With Me. Those who were in their seats a few moments before the service began had first chance to learn the zikr (chorus) of Welcome to the Prophet (thanks to the omnipotent Google, I now know that a zikr is an Islamic prayer with a phrase or expression of praise continuously repeated). Later in the service, we did this chorus as a round while the lovely voice of our cantor, Melissa Paul, provided the verses.
Sunday’s very varied music included two offerings by the USH’s National Treasure (that’s what the Japanese call their special persons), violinist Anhared Stowe. During the Offerings of Gifts and Music, we heard Alan Hovhaness’ melodic Oror (Lullaby) and for the Postlude we were treated to foot-tapping Klezmer music. But that wasn’t all. Something new—Third Sunday Chapel Sing—began on September 20. Reverend BJ invited those interested in more singing to join her and USH musicians for half an hour (noon to 12:30) of singing familiar music from the hymnals.
Finally, at times during the service, Reverend BJ gave heartfelt thanks to all those staff and volunteers who keep the Meeting House in good condition. She also called present and past Lay Listeners to the Chancel to introduce them and to thank them for representing her during visits to members and friends. - Kayla Costenoble
Thursday, September 24
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
5:00 pm Compassionate Communication, Emerson
Saturday, September 26
3:30 pm Rental, Chapel
7:00 pm Hennessey overflow parking
Sunday, September 27
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm USH Economic Summit, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
Monday, September 28
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou
Tuesday, September 29
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, September 30
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
Sunday, October 4
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
italicized entries are non-USH events.
Please notify Brian Mullen of all additions or changes to the calendar. Follow this link to all our scheduled eventsExternal Events and Educational Notes
The Connecticut A.L.S. Association is sponsoring its annual Hartford Area walk on this Saturday, September 26th. A.L.S. is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The walk takes place in Walnut Hill Park, New
Britain, just down the hill from the New Britain Museum of American Art. Free parking areas are
located all around the park perimeters.Registration begins at 10 P.M; the walk is scheduled for 11 A.M. Choose a team name if you are a group of three or more/ bring a sign.
Families are especially invited: bring the stroller, and walk your comfortable distance on the three mile course (one mile loops). The weather reports are good...
Your donations support services to ALS patients and their families who are struggling with a disease for which there is no known treatment or cure YET. The services of the Association--information, loan of medical equipment, and coordination with other sources of help--are invaluable.
If you have questions, call me (W) 728-5549 or
(H) 529-2253 (after 6 P.M.). - Jane ChristensenA 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 MoreNuts 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 09/23/09 8:24 PM)
