USH-Enews October 22 , 2009 Print Only Edition

Fall Beauty ( photo by Richard Groothuis)

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

Sunday - In God We Trust - That phrase is on our coins--irony, paradox, practical metaphor, or a hint about the nature of God? Might it be that whatever we trust, in the final analysis, to meet our most elemental human needs for protection and safety, is indeed our God? Is it foolhardy to trust anything to keep us safe? What does it mean to be safe? - Rev. Barbara Jamestone

Music - The music 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 will be a beautiful musical offering . 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

Spirit Play: The Tiger and the Lame Fox
Second & Third Grade: Heart Talk: Requests
Fourth & Fifth Grade: Toolbox of Faith: Reflection
Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Indigenous Religions
Youth Group Activities: Discussion

Gail M. Syring, DRE

From the Editor: Suggestions for Contributors.

This Week’s Feature Articles

Our Memories and Hopes
Blessing of the Animals
This Year in Worship
Bike Collection a Success
Youth Fund Raiser Planned
International Climate Change Day

Our Memories and Hopes

Each week during worship, we offer the opportunity to light a candle of memory and hope for the beloved community. These blazing tapers represent the unspoken but not unshared connections between us that bring comfort for the grieving, more joy for those celebrating and the energy of our common purpose to empower our prayers and wishes. Last Sunday, 55 joys, sorrows, or milestones lit our flaming chalices of memory and hope during the worship service. Your unspoken joys and sorrows are held in the heart of our community of care. - Gail M. Syring

Blessing of the Animals -photo

(Photos by Anne Bailey)

What About that Pet Blessing! - As you may know our 3rd Sundays of the month feature a less formal, more interactive, community-based service style, with a focus on experiencing the transcendent in the lives around us.

On the 3rd Sunday in October we nestled into our own USH “Noah’s Ark” on a very rainy day to experience the face of God in the love we share or have shared with our pets.

You honored more than 50 pets posthumously at our Pet Memorial Altar where there was even a painting of someone’s beloved and departed guinea pig! Being a 3rd Sunday, we began 10 minutes early with "morning songs" during which we learned a love song to sing to our pets.

A passel of living pets proudly marched forward to receive a hug from Rev BJ, as she laid hands on them as a reminder that our wishes for good things turn into blessings only as we are willing to put our own hands to work to make those good things happen.

In addition to the frivolity, we shared moments of deep reflection on the grace and love which surrounds us, and 55 candles were lit during our prayerful period of memory and hope. - BJ

This Year in Worship - You know by now that our Spiritual Life theme for this year is, “Tending the Circle of Care.” What you may not know yet is that each month this year we are focusing on a particular human and congregational need that is essential for us, and all people, to survive and to thrive: protection or safety, subsistence, creation, identity, affection, participation, freedom, understanding, leisure.

These nine needs were identified by Chilean economist Manfred Max-Neff as the basic building blocks of a sound society constituted of sane and healthy citizens.

I invite you to join me in reflection throughout this year about how and the degree to which those needs are "tended" in your own life, about how and to what degree we as a congregation "tend to" those needs for our members, and lastly, about how and to what degree your individual faith stance is a tool for helping you to "tend" to those needs for yourself and those whose lives are touched by your words, deeds, and actions.

November 1 is “All Souls” Service
As you may know, our first Sundays of the month feature a contemplative mood, with opportunity to turn inward and experience the transcendent in solitude, as we enjoy the music of our associate director of music on the organ or piano. On First Sundays we will begin 10 minutes before service time, with a special longer musical piece. Please enter prepared for silence in order to best enjoy this musical offering.

On November 1 we will honor the blessed memory of those we have loved and lost. This year you will be invited to come forward and place a leaf (which will be provided for you) in a basket, and to name the name of the one(s) you are remembering. (If you would like to bring a photo or other object, there will be a Memorial Altar at the entrance to the Sanctuary for that purpose.) - Rev BJ

What Else is Happening

Bike Collection a Success: You recall Marc Czepiel solicited used bicycles and donations for a worthy cause. Marc reports he collected around 80 bikes and about 1,000 dollars. He extends thanks to all of you for your help.

Youth Fund Raiser Planned

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- My Sister's Place is a battered women's shelter and has always been a place of safety for women who are struggling. So every year the Unitarian Society of Hartford Youth Group holds a fundraiser to raise money and awareness for them.

The Youth Group will Sleep Out in Boxes on October 26-27 (postponed a few times due to rain...). We will be sleeping in boxes to put ourselves in their positions. Homelessness has risen dramatically and is the largest it has been in 40 years. This year, with the rising homelessness, we need help. - Kelsey Olguin

International Climate Change Day - Saturday, October 24, 2009, millions of people around the world will take action to spread the number 350, the safe level of CO2 in the atmosphere measured in parts per million, and make sure world leaders are on course to reach that target.

Please go to http://www.350.org to sign the petition; there's another one to sign if you also click on their 350/faith site; check out an event to attend near you. There are some events at the Alchemy Juice Bar in Hartford plus on Sunday BJ will lead us in a prayer (joining 350 other congregations) for positive climate change.

Please let our government know that there are many out here who want something done now about our deteriorating environment. Help build this movement at 350.org. - Bev Prager

Adult Programs - There will not be a Programs Table this Sunday. However, you may call the USH Office (233-9897) to register for the Friday Dinner and Move on November 6.(more) Please mark your calendars for the informative workshop, Honoring Life by Planning Ahead, on November 1. There is no fee or prior registration for this program (See next article).

Honoring Life by Planning Ahead: Making End of Life Decisions, Sunday, November 1, 12:30 PM. The Funeral Alliance of CT., Inc. will lead this informative workshop with openness, facts, and humor, on planning ahead about end-of-life decisions. There is no fee. More

Join the Baking Crew - on Wednesday, November 4, and set the mood for your holidays.
Come to the Meeting House kitchen at 9:30 where ingredients will be waiting to make holiday breads and biscotti. Bring a sandwich, a cookie sheet if you can, and wear your favorite apron.

The pleasures of the company of other women bakers will last a lifetime but we assure you the goodies will all be gone after the December bake sale. Proceeds will benefit the activities of the Women’s Alliance. - Louise Schmoll

Dinner and Movie Feature ~ November 6
“Gran Torino”

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On Friday, November 6 (note: a week earlier than usual), we will see this provocative 2008 movie from filmmaker and star Clint Eastwood. More

Interweave Meeting Planned - Mark your calendars! Our first Interweave (formerly Welcoming Congregation) meeting will be on Sun., Nov. 8th at 12 noon in the USH Library. All friends of the GLBT Community are welcome to attend - looking forward to seeing you! - Greg Nickett

Caring Network -“Grownups never understand anything by themselves and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them " - Antoine De Saint Exupery- 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)

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

Percent of all antibiotics in the US regularly added to the feed of healthy livestock and poultry in 2007: 70% - Bev Prager

External Events and Educational Notes

Jason & Demarco in Concert 10/25/09: Center Church - The First Church of Christ in Hartford. An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ More

Craft and Food Holiday Fair 11/21 Our friends at Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester are sending a special invitation to their annual Craft & Food Holiday Fair on Saturday Nov. 21, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Holiday Fair features a great luncheon, kitchen treats, wonderful crafts, lightly used and new jewelry, and lots of books. The raffle includes a painting by a well known local artist, a handmade dollhouse, a quilt and more. The fair is being held at the Society's temporary home, at Center Congregational Church, 11 Center St, Manchester, while their own building is being renovated and expanded. For further information, call their church office, at 646-5151.

On the Calendar

Thursday, October 22
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
5:00 pm Compassionate Communication w/Paul Quin, Emerson
7:00 pm Membership Sub-council, Servetus

Saturday, October 24
10:30 am Rental, Chapel
Youth Group Event: Sleeping Out in Boxes

Sunday, October 25
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
2:00 pm Small Group Ministry, David
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
5:00 pm Rental, Fellowship Hall

Monday, October 26
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Tuesday, October 27
10:00 am Richardson Walk, parking lot usage
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, October 28
5:45 pm Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Stewardship Sub-council, Library
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm Our Chosen Faith
7:15 pm NVC Practice Group w/Jan Bennett, Emerson
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Friday, October 30
5:30 pm Family Friendly SGM, Fellowship Hall, David, Emerson

Sunday, November 1 (Daylight Savings Time Ends; set clocks back!)
10:30 am Worship, Sanctuary
11:30 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall
11:45 am USH Connections, Lower Lobby
12:30 pm Funeral Alliance Program, Fellowship Hall
2:00 pm Small Group Ministry, David
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

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.

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