USH-Enews Ocrober 1 & 8 , 2009 Print Only Edition

Before the Fall

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 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

This is a two week issue, none will be published on October 8th.

Sunday - 4 October - Protection and Safety: First Steps to Peace and Sustainable Living - Are there better measures of a culture's economic stability or sucess that the Gross National Product? Some economists are exploring other factors, such as the degree to which a culture meets the most elemental needs (like housing, protection and safety) of its entire population. What are those elemental needs? How can smaller "cultures" like congregations address these needs for our members? - BJ

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Two among us are celebrating a very special wedding anniversary! Please plan to join the coffee hour celebration on Sunday, October 4, honoring the 65th Wedding Anniversary of Bill and Louise Willett. We will toast this milestone over cake and coffee! Cards are optional!

Sunday 11 October - Truth in Community - We gather together to seek truth and meaning, and our varied perspectives broaden the palette of the possible. We see more clearly through the eyes of the beloved community, even in conflict. Together we protect the fabric of the collective consciousness from fraying under the weight of the unspoken, and liberate ourselves from blindness. Our pulpit guest will be Gail M. Syring, Director of Religious Education.

Music (10/4) On the first Sunday of each month our Associate Music Director Mark Child takes the lead in selecting music of beauty and majesty on our keyboard instruments. The organ music by French composers is played in honor of Bill and Louise Willett who celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today. Bill formed and directed the USH music program and still adds his wise counsel to our musicians.

Voluntary: Trumpet in Dialog - Louis-Nicolas Clearmbault (1676-1749)
MCW: Choral Dorien - Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Offertory: Ani MaAmin
Postlude: Carillon-Sortie - Henri Mulet (1878 - 1967)

Jehan Alain (1911-1940) was a French organist and composer of exceptional promise who was killed during World War II at the age of 29. A uniquely original composer, he is best known for his organ music. The "Choral Dorien" is built on the dorian mode, an ancient Greek arrangement of notes lending a unique sound to the chromatic harmonic language. At a slow, processional tempo, the piece evolves from a cautiously rising four-note motif, wandering up and down the scale but always returning to some form of the original motif. Long, ominous pedal notes dominate an increasing volume, but the chorale falls away gently into silence.

Louis-Nicolas Clerambault was a major organist and composer of the French Baroque, in the service of Madame de Maintenon among others. Henri Mulet was a talented French organist/composer two centuries later who burnt most of his music, retired to an abbey and spent his last 30 years in seclusion. He is remembered only by two fine organ pieces including Carillon sortie which is based on church bell patterns.

In addition to Mark’s organ selections, our Chancel Choir offers an anthem of exceptional power and depth in honor of the Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

“Ani Ma’Amin” means “I believe.” The Hebrew text, with its simple melodic setting, has been sung in times of deepest desperation throughout centuries, to reaffirm this ancient faith. “No matter what afflicts me, no matter how great the difficulty, through it all, still, I believe.” It is documented that during the Holocaust, Jews in concentration camps sang this song on their way to the places of slaughter.

The song has been arranged many times for chorus, and this setting is one of the most effective. Max Helfman (1901–63) was born in Poland, son of a local teacher and cantor, and arrived in America at the age of eight, soon becoming a sought-after boy alto in New York orthodox synagogue choirs. Originally self-taught, Helfman became well known as a charismatic cantor, organist, composer, educator, and conductor of synagogue choirs and people’s choruses.

Music (10/11) On the second and fourth Sunday of each month our Chancel Choir offers anthems, aided by our soloist/section-leaders. During Mattie Banzhaf’s absence (she and her husband are traveling in Japan this month with their son), our Associate Music Director Mark Child is adding choir directing to his keyboard responsibilities.

“The Gift of Love” combines the message of I Corinthians 13 (the greatest of all gifts is love) with a lovely old folk tune, “O Waly Waly.” Hal Hopson has created an affecting arrangement that highlights the soprano voice of our cantor Melissa Paul soaring over the choir.

REflections on Children's Programming

Religious Education Classes

October 4th
Spirit Play: The Torch and the Pitcher
Second & Third Grade: Heart Talk: Feelings
Fourth & Fifth Grade: Toolbox of Faith: Integrity
Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Introduction to Christianity
Youth Group Activities: Sleep Out in Boxes

October 11th
Spirit Play: St. Francis and the Animal Blessing
Second & Third Grade: Heart Talk: Needs
Fourth & Fifth Grade: Toolbox of Faith: Flexibility
Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Christianity
Youth Group Activities: NO YOUTH GROUP MEETING THIS WEEk

Gail M. Syring, DRE

Prayer of Thanks
New Program For Visitors Starts Now!
Thanking Ed and Marilyn Stockton
A Ritual for Extinguishing the Chalice
Rev. BJ Reflects on a Month of Sundays
Recognizing Yom Kippur
A Great Loss - Rev. Forrest Church

Board Holds Economic Conversation #1
Money Matters
Refletions on the Budget Summit
Is There Simplicity in our Budget Challenges?

A Prayer of Thanks

Great Spirit of Life, I want to take time out and say a public prayer of thanks for my friends at the Unitarian Society of Hartford.

My life journey took a challenging turn last March when I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Fortunately, I am well on the road to recovery. A recovery sustained by the more than ninety cards, notes, and e-mails I received from members of this Society, all wishing me good health and hope on this new leg of my journey. Ninety expressions of love. How much more blessed can a person be!

Some of these cards came from old faces at the Meeting House that I had not seen for a while, making for nice moments of re-connection. Some came from quite new faces that I hardly know, moving me to humility at their show of caring. Some cards even arrived with gifts, including several the folks who serve on your Board of Directors. I also received food and flowers, some from our chancel. Thanks to you, our kitchen has been a brighter place.

Many of the cards reminded me of my connection to the larger world, with wondrous scenes depicting the beauty of nature. How easy it is to forget your own personal cares when faced with the awesome, breathtaking reach of Mother Nature. Most of the senders of these cards did not know of my special fondness for places like Block Island, the Connecticut shore, and Cape Cod – yet another of the many “spiritual coincidences” I’ve experienced since my diagnosis.

A couple saints from this congregation have sent multiple cards and on a regular basis. A few times in my life I have been blown away by especially nice gestures, gestures that are so giving that I question whether I am worthy of them, hoping I would be so considerate if the situation was reversed. This falls squarely into that category.

When the cards come, I instantly perk up and read them, often being moved to tears. Happy tears. Tears of appreciation that I am not going through this alone. I display the cards prominently on my desk in my home office, creating a kind of altar. When the new cards arrive, I re-read the old cards and place them in neat piles in another place on the altar. Then I display the new cards in their proper place.

Great Spirit of Life, thank you for this opportunity to feel the warmth and caring of my friends at the Unitarian Society of Hartford. - Mike Roy

New program for visitors and newcomers starts this Sunday: - First Sunday USH Connections starts Sunday October 5, following the service at 11:45, in the lower lobby lounge. This new program replaces the former Pathways sessions and we are hoping it will make it easy for newcomers to join us in conversation about our Society. They will have the opportunity to share what they are looking for in a religious community and explore ways to become more connected here at USH.

These sessions will be held the first Sunday October through May, and again in October. Any visitors are welcome to attend, (and interested member/friends are welcome to dro in, as well) no registration is required – just show up! Child care will be available, if needed, and light snacks will be provided. We plan to wrap up by 1:00 at the latest.

The other program which newcomers are also encouraged to attend is the bi-monthly “Our Chosen Faith”, held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings October through May. Click here for more information on both these programs: Becoming Connected at USH.

Recognizing Ed and Marilyn Stockton - At the Economic Summit held on Sunday, September 27, Amy Hines announced that long time members Ed and Marilyn Stockton have bequeathed $25, 000 to USH upon their deaths. The Stocktons, although embarrassed at the public recognition, are, to quote Marilyn, “evangelical UU’s” and believe strongly in giving back to the Society and society.

At the meeting, Ed, a member of the Endowment committee, encouraged the Board and Stewardship folks to develop strong policies and procedures for creating an environment in which we all include USH in our wills, regardless of the amount. “It is important to create a legacy of giving to the next generation”, he said. Ed and Marilyn, one of our Lay Listener’s, live in Bloomfield and have two grown children.

On behalf of our current and future congregation, please accept our deep gratitude and appreciation, Ed and Marilyn. You are planting the seeds for our future.

A Month of Sundays, All In a Row - In the 1/22/09 enews Mattie and I thanked you for your participation earlier in that month in the 3rd annual congregational gathering on Worship and Music at USH. We also referred you to the review of the music and worship portions of the 2001 USH Strategic Plan, which had just been completed by Spiritual Life Council and submitted to the Board of Directors.

After three long years of research and study, guided by the Strategic Plan, we were ready to produce a repeating monthly program, that is, a particular style on the first Sunday of every month, followed by a slightly different style on the second Sunday of every month, and so on. We spent the Spring searching for the music staff we’d need to roll out this "month of Sundays" that would become our tradition.

At the end of September, you will have experienced our pilot month, which has loosely followed this plan:
1st Sunday - a reflective or contemplative mood, featuring the organ or piano music of our new keyboardist, with silence, and a predominantly 'vertical 'tone (remember all those sermons last Spring about horizontal (interactive, community based) worship and vertical (solitary or inward focus with space for the spirit to take wing, or the soul to grow deep?)

2nd and 4th Sundays - presentations by the full chancel choir with paid leads, occasional solos, and traditional hymnody led by our new cantor; a more content based sermon, and little variation from the OOS in use in 2005 and earlier.

3rd Sunday—a more "horizontal" and "embodied" experience of the transcendent, with ritual movements, congregational chants or rounds led by our cantor and service "content" spread through the hour. The service begins at ten minutes before the hour with "morning songs" and there is a ½ hour "chapel sing" beginning ½ hour after the service ends.

5th Sundays—Guest musicians, guest speakers, accompanied by our keyboardist.

We are working our way through the establishment of the "ordering of Sundays" this year, and will vary from the schedule for holidays and such, but this is our vision and ideal. Mattie and USH members who sing in the choir may surprise us occasionally on a Sunday other than the 2nd or 4th. Guest musicians and speakers may occasionally pop up on a non 5th Sunday, just to keep us on our toes!

Further, we have found a stable rhythm for welcoming new members twice a year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday before Memorial Day holiday weekend. We dedicate and bless infants and children three times a year, on Ingathering Sunday(the Sunday following Labor Day,) the Sunday before Christmas which is also Hilaritas, and on Easter Sunday; The RE led Children’s Service has found a home on the first Sunday in February, and Youth Sunday is the first Sunday of June.

We continue these old favorites: Poetry Sunday on the Sunday before Ingathering, the Pet Blessing in October, two Choral Music Sundays on the second Sundays of May and December, All Souls Day the first Sunday in November, UUSC Justice Sunday on the first Sunday in March, Green Sanctuary’s recognition of Earth Day on the third Sunday in April, and the Flower Festival on the 3rd Sunday in May.

Many, many thanks to each of you for hanging onto your pews these past three years of "mixing things up" twice every Sunday! We believe you will enjoy the consistency of our “Months of Sundays” and that you’ll continue to find surprising Sacred interruptions within any give Sunday. See you Sunday, which is a 4th Sunday, so that means…….my best, - Rev BJ

Board Holds Economic Conversation #1 - On Sunday, September 27, about 75 people assembled in Fellowship Hall for two and a half hours to learn and talk about our financial challenges at USH.

Welcoming comments were offered by Carolyn Cartland, Rev. Jamestone lit the chalice, and general “compassionate communication” guidelines were described by Paul Quin. Thereafter, Martha Page, Treasurer, and Brian Mullen, Business Manager, led us through an explanation and discussion of some key financial indicators: current income and expenses, trends in membership and pledge amounts, and average cost per member. Bill Young, former Treasurer and President and now chair of the Social Justice Council, provided us with some background on external financial expenditures for social justice causes and the UUA denomination, as well as comments on affordability of our current structure.

Amy Hines, former member of the Endowment Committee and current at-large Board member for Community Within, spoke about the endowment, how we have used it as a supplement to our Operating Budget, and our constitutional requirements for its management. Al Herzog, chair of the Endowment committee, added comments about our overall usage of the endowment and encouraged us to “be bold!” as we face difficult financial decisions.

Throughout the presentations, the group of members in attendance asked many questions and offered insightful comments. Five small groups, facilitated by Gail Syring, Diana Heymann, Jan Bennett, Josh Schrier, and Paul Quin, members trained in “compassionate communication,” discussed staffing and compensation; membership trends; creating a budget that does not rely on the endowment; how to determine budget priorities; and future sources of income. Each group reported back to the larger group. Many ideas, suggestions, and next steps surfaced. Karl Peters, at-large Board member for Spiritual Life, closed the meeting with moving and inspiring words.

A few of the important questions/ideas expressed at the meeting included:

- Concern about the planned two week furlough for the staff in mid-February. How can we find money to shorten/prevent it?

- Why are we losing members? Should we do exit interviews?

- Why do we have such a high per member expense ($1,681) compared to congregations our size?

- Can we still afford our wonderful music program? How can we raise money to pay our section leads? (The Stewardship Committee is working with Edith Savage on a “Friends of Music” fund. Stay tuned!)

- Can we afford our building?

-Is our current strategy still relevant?

- How should we use our endowment? How do we grow it and recognize those who have given to it?

- How do we balance raising revenues vs. reducing expenses?

There was energetic discussion about all of these and other topics. The Board was asked to have more such meetings with the congregation on a frequent basis, which we will do. For those of you who were in attendance, we thank you for your passion, care, and commitment to the health of this congregation. We hope that the information shared and discussed helped to deepen your knowledge about our challenges and opportunities. For those of you who were unable to join us this time, please plan to attend future conversations...the well-being and future of USH depends on ALL of us knowing, understanding, and articulating our priorities.

Fran Carnevale, Secretary, took the minutes which will be published and put on the website for everyone to read in detail. In the meantime, you can be assured that your Board will be working hard on all of the ideas, communicate our thinking about all of them, and ask for your involvement as we go forward.

Please contact Martha Page or Carolyn Cartland if you have any additional ideas or comments about any of these issues. We need committed folks like you to “tend to our circle of care.” - Carolyn Cartland, President

Money Matters - No (financial) topic was off limits during the two-and one-half hour USH Economic Conversation #1 at the Meeting House on Sunday September 27. Pledges, salaries, budgeting, staff furloughs, debits, money for music, the endowment, payment of dues to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Clara Barton District, and the use and value of the church building all came under scrutiny.

The “official” report from the Council will eventually be on the USH web; the report you’re reading now is from your participant/reporter and makes no claims to cover it all. “How many of these conversations will there be?” someone asked. The answer: “as many as there need to be.”

Discussion of the current and past USH budget came first. Treasurer Martha Page said this nine-page document has to and will change to reflect what is currently happening. The number of members and the number of pledging units are both down, and they present “serious challenges” to the budget. The membership count to be sent to the UUA for 2010 is about 233.

Business Manager Brian Mullen reported that in 2008-09 we collected less than 93% of pledges (a $26,000 short-fall). However, the 2008-09 fiscal year ended fairly well on June 30, 2009 because there was:

- more rental income.
- money received (around $8,300) from those who had not pledged.
- extra money from those who did pledge.
- $4,900 of the previously-unpaid pledges ($26,000) received after the fiscal year ended.
- a decrease in his hours from 40 to 30.

Pledges for 2009-10 came to $315,000, a 2% increase by pledging units, and the budget people are anticipating pledge payment of about 95%.

“External money” was explained by Bill Young as “money that does not stay inside.” It includes the series of Sunday social justice collections for special causes. These are identified in advance, and all money collected is not mingled with other church money in any way, but is passed through 100%.

The amounts for dues to the UUA and the Clara Barton District are set by the UUA Board of Trustees “every couple of years,” Bill explained. For the 2008-09 fiscal year, the USH sent $15,000 to the UUA and $6000 to the District. Amounts are calculated by membership count. Each congregation has its definition of individual voting members; the UUA doesn’t tell congregations how to count their members. Five percent of the operating budget for the denomination is “fairly typical” of congregations, Bill explained.

Al Herzog, current chair of the Endowment Committee, said there has been a “dramatic decline” in the value of the endowment. Until the present U.S. financial problems, it had been about $1 million in invested funds. “As of the past Friday (September 25),” he said, the fund is worth $890,000. Al felt “the endowment should not be used for operating expenses.” It currently pays more than 15% of the USH operating budget, or about $53,000 a year. Al suggested we need a “planned giving” committee that solicits inheritance donations. “We are fiscally lazy,” he concluded.

Edith Savage, speaking for the Music Committee, told the more than 60 persons who attended the Conversation that last spring the Board had cut the music budget by $6,000, but Reverend BJ then guaranteed that money would be paid. Edith reported that “as of this morning” $2,200 in contributions had been received, reducing the short-fall to $3,800. The committee will be presenting a proposal to the USH Board to set up a Friends of Music Fund to which members may contribute.

In the current budget, in the second half of the fiscal year the USH will shut down for two weeks in February, as the staff goes on two weeks of unpaid furlough. The building will be shut and there will be no Sunday services during this time. This measure was delayed until February in the hopes that it will not be required. Those attending showed great concern over the prospect of the need for the furloughs.

Attendees were split into five separate groups for “creative discussions about how we feel about money at the USH.” The topics to be discussed (one per group) were:

a. Planning for staffing and compensation.
b. Member and household trends—what should we plan for?
c. A budget with no endowment—what would it look like?
d. Deciding budget priorities—how should it happen?
e. Future sources of income.

A summary of the groups’ reports (in no particular order) follows:

The building requires paid staff. Volunteers are no longer available. The congregation is older and busy.

The minister’s salary is out of line with a congregation this size and is significantly above UUA guidelines.

Can we afford this building? Would combining existing UU congregations make sense? How does our building answer our needs, or does it?

It is time to rethink the Strategic Plan and identify present priorities.

In relation to the budget, where do our needs and values intersect?

How do we grow more or, at least, prevent further decreases in membership?

Why are the other UU congregations growing and we are not?

- Kayla Costenoble

Reflections on the Budget Summit Meeting - I would like to briefly share my ideas and perspective about the economic summit that was held this past Sunday after service. First of all, I would like to thank the people who made the event happen. This includes Martha Page, Bill Young, Carolyn Cartland, Amy Hines, Sue Kinney, Gail Syring, Reverend BJ, Karl Peters, Paul Quin, Al Herzog, Jan Bennet, Diana Heyman, Fran Oatess, and perhaps others of whom I am not aware. It took a good deal of team effort on many people’s parts to organize, prepare, and provide various materials and provisions in order to make the summit a success. I would also like to thank all the participants of the summit who brought their energy and ideas to the meeting. I believed it was a successful first step in what appears to me to be a vital congregational conversation about our finances, priorities, and ultimately, the very life of our community. I keep thinking about what Reverend BJ delineated in one of her recent sermons about our values and our actions. If we want to know what our values are, we should look to our checkbooks and our day planners. In our busy lives with many demands, what do we make time for? In our diverse economy with many things to purchase, what do we use our money for? Where our time and money go shows us in some way where our values lie. These are the matters that I believe lay before us now to consider as a congregation.

I want to keep my remarks brief, and so I will try to speak from the heart. On Sunday I was filled with appreciation, hope, and anxiety. First, I was filled with appreciation because I value this community and relationships in general, and I believe that open, compassionate, and respectful dialogue is vital to good relationships and a just and healthy community. Second, I was filled with hope because I witnessed a significant number of congregants (about 50) coming together to listen to our church leadership present information and considerations about our finances, including the endowment, budget, and membership contributions. I felt the meeting was particularly well run because it was efficient and mindful of time; disseminated relevant, concise, and comprehensible information; and gave a significant amount of time for congregants to give feedback and ask questions. This included a session set aside for congregants to break into small groups to discuss particular topics—including membership, staffing and compensation, and future sources of income--then report back to the whole group. Kudos to the organizers of this summit who designed and steered such a successful congregational conversation! I have hope that through compassionate dialogue and engagement we will connect with each other’s feelings and needs and that through creativity and teamwork we will achieve together more satisfying outcomes than we could alone or in conflict.

Finally, I have some anxiety about the meeting. I think this anxiety has a few different sources. One, I am not in control of the congregation or the path of this dialogue. I do not know if the vision that I have for this community to become engaged and successfully navigate our challenges will come to pass. In addition, for myself, this process of conversation also means a process of examination where I will be thinking about the costs and benefits of the USH community and the costs and benefits of various courses of action. Since the existence of our community depends upon our values, commitment, and actions, it is unsettling for me to consider the possibility that I may not have the commitment it takes to play a role in achieving certain outcomes. Perhaps it is difficult to be open, to myself and to the congregation, because that means being vulnerable.

In conclusion, our congregation has some very significant financial challenges before us. As Al Herzog said, as a congregation we have been “fiscally lazy.” Our building requires significant investment every year—in Al’s judgment a minimum of $25,000—and we have not figured this into our operating budget, but instead have depended on the endowment to cover these costs outside of our budget. We have official registered membership that is estimated for this coming year at 233 people and which has been steadily decreasing for several years. As a congregation, the average cost of resources per member is $1,681, which, according to available data, is significantly above similarly-sized UU congregations. I could not adequately and concisely summarize all the important information and perspectives that were shared by all the parties involved, but it is fair to say we have some very serious challenges that warrant further engagement, research, and discussion. Our Board has expressed its desire that the economic summit this past weekend serve as the first in a series of discussions that move to progressively consider and address these issues and more. It is up to our society’s leaders and its members to move us forward. -- Joshua Schreier

Simplicity of Solutions?

Following are comments provided by Janice & David Newton prior to the Economic Summit on Sept. 27. Due to time restraints, we did not hand them out at the meeting but include them here for your information. Thank you , Janice & David. - Carolyn Cartland

Sometimes we become confused by the simplicity of the solutions to our problems. We should pursue these courses of action.

Prudent care and use of the Endowment

Vigorous member recruitment and retention

Reduction of expenditures as necessary

Continued efforts to explain and seek pledge support

Easy to say, but how and what should be our approach?

The Endowment

You are no doubt familiar with the expression, ”the gift that keeps giving,” and, “killing the goose that laid golden eggs.” This is our Endowment situation and little more needs to be said. The Endowment will provide a gift every year as long as you care and feed it as necessary. You kill the Endowment or Goose laying golden eggs if you fail to "feed it" and drain away the capital funds beyond annual growth including inflation.

Feeding the Endowment means fulfilling the responsibility of the current generation to make some capital additions as past generations have done on our behalf. It is a simple matter of stewardship. The remarkable gift that keeps giving arrived from the past and ought to be handed along to the future. As a policy, funds should used in capital expenditures as a first priority and in the operating budget as a second priority. We have been feeding well on the Endowment for a number of years and we need to devote time to its proper maintenance in the light of the investment climate as it changes from year to year.

Membership Recruitment

Our efforts at membership recruitment are and continue to be well sustained as we have tried a variety of approaches and studied the frequency of visitors. However, having gained valuable information, we, at times, simply forget what we have learned.

After a very major effort we have determined that we see the highest frequency of visitors in August and October, yet we continue to behave as if we are some kind of academic institution taking the summer off and beginning seriously some time in early September. If we are concerned about recruiting new members, we should field the entire team, Minister, Music and all other service elements beginning the first Sunday of August each year. We should continue our vigorous efforts to put our best foot forward on the web, greet new visitors warmly, follow up on visits and conduct orientation events for new recruits. We should also continue our efforts to integrate new members to the extent of their time and interest in our various activities. We already know the core of our monetary problem recently has been loss of pledge units. We know what must be done in this regard.

Finally, we need to recognize the most difficult competition for us is the other Hartford area UU choices. We must be cordial and good neighbors, but never forget we are in a real competition for available members.

Reduction of expenditures as necessary

When we know our pledge income and any other sources of dependable income the budget subsequently set must reflect that income only. We seem to have a tendency to decide what we want and then try to pay for it causing continuing grief during the budget year and diverting our best minds to survival rather than growth. We seem to think as long as the Endowment exists it may be spent down until it is exhausted. At times we think our District and national organizations are some kind of option. This should not be and is not the case; shame on us for offloading our problems on others faced with the very same economy.

In priority order we need:

A congregation
A minister
A building
An RE Director
A basic music program
Business and Secretarial help
Volunteers
Everything else is optional

For example, if we aspire to distinguish ourselves from competition by the investment of more than $100,000 in organ enhancement (which we did) and related expenditures, then we must be prepared to finance this specialization, as the listing of simple necessities above does not require it. We might choose to do many different things with our limited resources, but we cannot do them all. That is the point.

Continued efforts to explain and seek pledge support

We have made considerable progress in transforming our budget process to an open one. We no longer seem to have members and friends who think we waste money or have more resources than we need. Our culture of publishing budget documents on the web and related publicity has helped develop a more realistic congregation. However, we need to be yet more open about the costs of every aspect of our programs and be very, very clear about what will be cut when the support fails to materialize. We are not one charity among many seeking support of our members. The religious organization to which we belong outranks other charities. It is, after all, the one that is available to us as a continuing community, may receive us at birth and eases transit into death. I do not believe we have properly communicated this priority to our members and friends. Our pledging must reflect the cultivated and growing attitude that USH is such an institution in our lives.

Thank you for considering this statement along with others. - David & Janice Newton

A Ritual for Extinguishing the Chalice at the End of USH Meetings - As Board member at large for spiritual life, I would like to suggest that we end our meetings with a short, extinguishing the chalice ritual. You can skip to the end of this article to see one possibility.

In my own life I find that I have many rituals—rituals of getting up and starting the day, turning on my computer, setting the table at meals, turning off and exiting my car, shutting down the day. These help give structure to my life. They are not religions rituals as such, but they help provide a sense of order or rhythm to my daily life, especially when things become chaotic.

Religious rituals provide a sense of order, and they also give me meaning and purpose. This is because of what they symbolize. For example, the flaming chalice in our church is rich with symbolic meaning. Among other things, the light conveys the importance of seeking truth—“enlightenment.” The flame symbolizes warmth, the warm glow of being in a loving community. And the burning fire represents the passion of commitment to truth, love, peace, and justice. Combining ritual structure and symbolic meaning puts me in touch with such basic values. These are ultimate values that provide the bedrock for the rhythms of my life. I turn to them again and again as guides for my living. And when such values become part of a complete experience in worship, I often am carried to a deeper dimension of reality that I identify as the sacred or holy.

For some time—years in fact—my desire for rhythmic order has led me to struggle with what happens to the flaming chalice at the end of the service. At times I have seen nothing happen so that it keeps burning even as we leave. This has its own symbolism. At other times, the chalice is simply extinguished as part of the winding down worship. It seems to me, however, that something is missing. A rhythmic pattern is not quite completed. Perhaps what is missing are some closing words, spoken with the extinguishing of the flame, that help us recall its meaning.

One of the rhythms in our worship and other meetings at USH is a movement inward as we gather together and then a movement outward as we depart. In all of our meetings of any kind, we might begin by lighting the chalice with appropriate words to help gather us together for the task at hand. Some words are suggested in our hymnal (numbers 447-455). And in consonance with our minister, as Board member at large for spiritual life, I suggest that as we depart, we extinguish the chalice flame with the following words by Elizabeth Selle Jones (#456 in Singing the Living Tradition):

We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth,

The warmth of community,

Or the fire of commitment.

These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.

Let’s try this for the coming year. And let’s also experiment with other possible words for extinguishing the chalice—words that send us out into the world to do good with the promise of returning back together. I think such a ritual will add meaning and value to our times together. - Karl E. Peters

Rev. Forrest Church - (Partial quote from the NY Times)

"The Rev. Forrest Church, a longtime pastor at the Unitarian Church of All Souls on the Upper East Side who spent the last three years of his life, after being told he had terminal cancer, articulating a philosophy of death and dying and a complete expression of his liberal theology in two books, died on Thursday in Manhattan. He was 61. The cause was complications of esophogeal cancer, said his wife, Carolyn Buck Luce.

“I don’t come thundering out of the pulpit with the quote unquote truth,” he told People magazine in 1996. “I am involved in a search, and all of my conclusions are tentative.”

"He set up a shelter for homeless women in Harlem, started a scouting program for boys and girls at a welfare hotel and organized free lunches and dinners for the homeless. In 1985, early in the AIDS epidemic, he organized a task force to place placards on buses and subways reading “AIDS is a human disease and deserves a humane response.”

"He also wrote nearly two dozen books, many of which applied his theology to everyday life. They included “God and Other Famous Liberals” (1991), “Life Lines: Holding On (and Letting Go)” (1996) and “Lifecraft: The Art of Meaning in the Everyday” (2000)."

His book, A Chosen Faith, is the text for Rev. BJ's course 2nd and 4th Wednesdays beginning October 14th.

Recognizing Yom Kippur - During the Sunday September 27 service, Reverend BJ “confessed” that she loves holidays that give you an opportunity to get a tuneup, rather than have a full-blown breakdown. She called the Jewish High Holy Day Yom Kippur one of those “brilliant religious rituals that add value to our lives” and give us a chance to “turn in our hearts of stone.”

Yom Kippur, which began at sunset on September 27, is a Day of Atonement and a time to think about our good, healthy and wholesome needs. “Maybe,” Reverend BJ said, we are “tragically confused about what we really need and value. This is a good time to “figure this whole thing out, to forgive ourselves and each other, and to begin again in love.” Reverend BJ said we should accept, not condemn, ourselves and others. We are not only beloved but also empowered, accountable and responsible.

During the Turning Inward part of the service, Reverend BJ read what she called a prayer of a leader. It said, in part, “Here I stand, painfully aware of my flaws…don’t let this community suffer for the place where I miss the mark.”

Our two Yom Kippur responsive readings were very modern-day prayers, written in easily-understood language and included as an insert to the Order of Service. Here’s a sample:

“Today we declare all promises and oaths in the coming year to be null and void in advance. We say,

God, you’re listening, right? You know we are too insecure, or forgetful or overextended, to make good on all that we say we will do. Don’t worry, God. We still feel guilty. And we really do intend to follow through. You know us. We are like the wild grapes—beautiful, and often sour.”

Reverend BJ told the children that Yom Kippur is for finding a way to say you’re sorry. She wondered why we have such a hard time saying, “I’m sorry.” And while the children were thinking about something they were sorry for, members of the congregation were asked to turn to the person sitting next to them to tell them “something you’re sorry about.”

The theme of the service was echoed in the closing hymn, from our newer hymnal Singing the Journey: “We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love.” - Kayla Costenoble

What Else is Happening

GHICEJ Seeks Support - for event scheduled for October 4th More

USH Needs You!

Seeking donation of used copies of, A Chosen Faith - Do you have a copy you are no longer using? We would like to start a lending library for folks who want to try out the new bi-monthly program that BJ is conducting, in which she uses this book as the centerpiece. If you would be willing to donate your copy, it would be much appreciated. Just leave it on Rosie’s desk (the first desk to the left as you enter the office).

And you responded! The special collection for the Circle of Caring funding, which is used to purchase prepaid grocery cards for our own members, yielded $1,147. Thanks for the contributions!

Coming Soon - Senexet Retreat October 23-25 - All women are invited to this wonderful Victorian retreat house to enjoy the sisterhood of Unitarian friends. A fireside chat with BJ will begin the weekend. Gourmet food and lively discussions will ensure a memorable event.

Stop at the Programs Table for more details and to register to attend. More

Get to Know Others in Small Group Ministry - Groups are filling up, so you should sign up now for fall Small Group Ministry, which is a great way to get to know other folks better in an intimate setting. Four of the groups are full, but space is still available in the following two groups.

Afternoon Group:
Sunday afternoons in Hartford (USH Meeting House), now meeting at 2:00 PM (Note time change) (Marye Gail Harrison facilitating): 7 spaces left

Evening Group:
Friday evenings in Hartford: Family friendly group with dinner and child care (USH Meeting House)(Bill Shoemaker and Hugh Schweitzer facilitating): 8 spaces left. This group is open to all people, even those without a partner or children. One group is already full, but we are arranging a second group to accommodate more participants.

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

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

Calling all friends or members who are interested in a Callings support group!

Callings Support Group Formed - A callings support group has initiated and launched itself! We are still accepting interested participants up until our second meeting on Sunday, October 11.

We are looking for those people who have a calling, think they have a calling, or don't know what their calling is, but want to investigate the matter. If you have struggled to bring greater satisfaction and fulfillment into your life, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Please contact Josh Schreier (schreier.joshua(At Symbol)gmail.com) before the group's next meeting on October 11 to let him know you are interested and will be attending, or sign up at the Programs Table during coffee hour.

Due to considerations of group continuity, intimacy, and efficacy, the group is asking for persons interested in participating this year to join now; therefore, open enrollment ends on October 11. The Callings support group will meet on the second Sunday of every month from October through May 2010 from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Meeting House. - Joshua Schreier

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“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. Please remember to sign up by October 5th! More

2009 Fall Programs for Adults and Families - On Sunday, during coffee hour, stop by the Programs Table in Fellowship Hall to ask any questions you may have about the fall offerings. Sunday will be the last day to register for Menu for the Future and the October 9 Friday Dinner and Movie. You may also register by calling the USH office at 233-9897. Also, note that a Callings Support Group is going to meet on the second Sunday of each month, starting October 11. You can read more about all of the fall programs on the web.

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 .
Callings Support Group, the second Sunday of each month, 2:00 PM, starting October 11. Please sign up at the Programs Table prior to the October 11th session.
Our Chosen Faith, second and fourth Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, beginning October 14. Rev. Jamestone will lead this ongoing class to discuss Our Chosen Faith. This provocative handbook is a dialogue between two great Unitarian Universalist ministers based on the six sources of our living UU tradition. Please purchase and read the handbook ($16) before you drop in on each, any, or all sessions. Copies will be available on Sunday at the Programs Table or call the office to purchase your copy..
Women's Retreat at Senexet, Friday, October 23-25. A list of optional pricing and other information is available at the Programs Table. more

On the Calendar

Saturday, October 3
Youth Group overnight event:
“Sleeping out in Boxes”

Sunday, October 4
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Monday, October 5
4:30 pm Menu for the Future, Library
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Tuesday, October 6
5:00 pm NVC Gathering w/Rev BJ, Minister’s Study
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, October 7
5:45 pm Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:15 pm NVC Practice Group w/Jan Bennett, Emerson
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, October 8
5:00 pm Compassionate Communication w/Paul Quin, Emerson
6:00 pm IASC Potluck & Mtg, Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Friday, October 9
3:00 pm Seabury UU Gathering, Seabury, Bloomfield
5:30 pm Dinner and Movie, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, October 10
10:00 am Rental, Chapel

Sunday, October 11
9:00 am Building & Grounds Sub--Council, Murray
9:00 am Comfort Shawl Knitters, Lower Lobby
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
12:00 pm Callings Support Group, Servetus
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

Caring Network -“Do what you can, want what you have, and be who you are.” Rev. Forrest Church - 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

Clara Barton District Fall Rally - November 7, 2009, Nichols College Dudley, MA 0157 More

Movie and Commentary - A Road to Mecca With Yahya Michot and Herb Brockman Wednesday, December 2, Hartford Seminary 6:30 PM, Free More

Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH

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Green Topics - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council

18,ooo magazines are published in the US each year and fewer than 1% use recycled paper!

Let your magazine ceo's know you want them to use recycled paper.

We are trying to find a large magazine rack to place under the green sanctuary bulletin board so we can share magazines; if you know of any inexpensive ones please let Bev Prager know.

External Events and Educational Notes

Hartford Chorale Chamber Singers - Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:30 PM Immanuel Congregational Chruch, Hartford For tickets see information see www.hartfordchorale.org

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