USH-Enews October 29 , 2009 Print Only Edition

( 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 - 1 November- Annual All Souls Day Service - On this day we remember those who we have loved and who are now dead, with prayers, music, and a ritual of placing fallen leaves on the Chancel as we call the names of those whose love never dies. Offering Minister's Discretionary Fund (More)

After coffee hour, plan to attend the informative workshop Honoring Life by Planning Ahead to be held in Fellowship Hall at 12:30 PM. There is no fee or prior registration for this program.

Music - Voluntary: Alle Menschen Mussen Sterben (All Men are Mortal) - J.S. Bach
MCW: Bist du bei mir (You are with me) - Gottfried Heinrich Stolzel - tenor
Offertory: O Mensch, Bewein dein Sunde Gross (O Man, Lament Your Great Sin) - J.S. Bach
Postlude: Cortege and Litany - Marcel Dupre

The two Bach pieces are from the Orgelbuchlein (little organ book). The Voluntary is Bach's setting of the funeral chorale (hymn tune), "All men are mortal," the first verse of which is:

All people must die,all flesh passes away like grass.

Whatever lives must perish if it is to become new.

this body must decay if it is to be restored to the great glory which is prepared for the faithful.

The choral tune itself is rather ordinary, with many repeated notes in the melody. Bach's counterpoint transforms the simple melody into something of surpassing beauty.

The second Bach chorale prelude, "O man, lament your great sin", is a Lenten choral, but its mood is well suited to an All Souls service. The MCW "Bist du bei mir" (You are with me), was once thought to be by Bach, but is now attributed to Gottfried Stolzel. The English text is:

You are with me, my joy forever. Until my death and unto my rest. Oh how content all of my earthly days. And at the end will your warm and loving hand reach to gently close my eyes.

The postlude, "Cortege and Litany" by Marcel Dupre, is an arrangement of an arrangement by the composer. The piece was originally written for piano, then transcribed for orchestra and finally organ. A cortege is a procession and is often, though not necessarily, associated with funerals. It is represented here by a chorale-like melody played on the strings of the organ. A litany is a repetitive chant which is often represented musically by a phrase repeated over and over again. This is done here, although each time the phrase is repeated, it is varied, eventually being combined with the cortege theme in a glorious burst of organ color.

REflections on Children's Programming

Religious Education Classes

Spirit Play: The Five Wise People and the Elephant
Second & Third Grade: Heart Talk: Self Empathy
Fourth & Fifth Grade: Toolbox of Faith: Expression
Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Paganism and Wicca
Youth Group Activities: Discussion

Gail M. Syring, DRE

Calling all musical families! The anthem for the Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 22nd, will be a lovely song of thanks by Elizabeth Alexander, a UU composer. This piece is for children's voices (of all ages) with backup by an adult choir. Four children (ages 7 - 17) and one mom are already lined up to sing. This will be a precious gift of music for the congregation that day.

Will you and your child(ren) join them?

* Sun. Nov. 1 after the service - I will teach the song to all singers in the chapel. It won't take long.

* Sun. Nov. 8 after the service - Shannen, our alto soloist, will sing with the children in the Chapel.

* Sun. Nov. 15 after the service - I'll meet with all singers for just 10 minutes in the Chapel.

and then we'll put it together with the choir just before the Thanksgiving Family service on Sun. Nov. 22.

A commitment to at least two of those dates will ensure a confident group of singers. Please reply so we'll know how many to expect. (You can email Mattie or leave a quick note in her box in the office.)
Family singing will be a beautiful contribution to this service. Many thanks! - Mattie

From the Editor: Suggestions for Contributors.

This Week’s Feature Articles

R and R at Senexet House
Minister's Discretionary Fund
Economic Summit Notes Available
Advocacy Cafeteria Feeds Washington
Baking for Veterans

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Photos by Martha Bradley and Anne Bailey

R and R at Senexet House - Want a sure-fire recipe for fun, food and friendship? Then mark your calendars right now for the weekend of October 22-24, 2010 and plan to join USH women for their almost-annual retreat—held this year at Senexet House in Woodstock, CT. This event is sponsored by the Unitarian Alliance Ministry to Women (aka The Women's Alliance) and welcomes any woman in the Society.

Twenty of us filled the gracious old Victorian home at Senexet, CT on October 23-25 to enjoy manager Kit Northrop’s (former USH president, former District president and super manager of Senexet for the past many years) gourmet meals, plush towels, beautiful quilts, homey living room, stories about the venerable house and about the USH of years gone by.

And then there were those happy “happy hours,” walks around the lovely grounds, longer hikes at nearby places (we discovered the 700-acre Audubon Center in Pomfret and its fabulous Bafflin Nature Center), and a spirited discussion of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which we had decided to read and discuss at the close of the 2008 retreat. We read, knitted and, if so inclined, napped. We did yoga in the AM and compiled a long list of good books, DVDs and radio and television program in the PM.

This year’s retreat had something new—a visit by Reverend BJ on Friday night, who joined us for dinner and lots of talk. She wanted to know what was going on in our lives, what brought us to the Meeting House, and what we valued about it. And we told her. - Kayla Costenoble

Minister's Discretionary Fund - The annual offering for the Minister’s Discretionary fund will be this Sunday.

Here are comments from those who have been assisted and from those who have entrusted me to forward their financial gifts to others. Thank you for trusting me with your needs, and thank you for helping me to address those needs. - Regards, Rev BJ

* I borrowed from The Minister's Discretionary Fund to cover medical expenses for my child’s surgery, and Rev BJ brainstormed with me to find other resources as well.

*I attended a training event to identify my best skills for seeking employment because of the MDF.

*My group at church was able to share a meal and get to know each other better as well as complete some projects together which are vital to our mission.

*I like to make a gift to the MDF in lieu of a personal gift to BJ, as I’m sure she has enough books, and would rather be helping me ‘pay it forward’ than getting a personal gift.

*Rev BJ remembered us and our children every time we visited, and we give to the MDF as our way of helping her to give some kind of special attention to others.

*I talked to BJ about some difficult choices I was facing and she lent me money, which I pay back as I can, which helped make those choices less painful.

*Rev BJ married us without fee as part of her pastoral service and we were happy to make a donation to the MDF from our wedding budget.

*Rev BJ helped me plan the memorial service for my beloved parent, though I do not even know her. She asked me to make a gift to her MDF and our family is glad to think of who else she can help with money given to honor our Mom’s memory.

Economic Summit Notes Available - At long last, here are our notes from the first Economic Summit held on Sunday, September 27, 2009. Fran Carnevale created a thoroughly complete first draft which Martha Page and I have edited only slightly in order to publish these in a somewhat timely manner.

Please let Martha or me know of any inaccuracies or inconsistencies. And, again, thank you for participating in our first economic summit and for your continued involvement in addressing USH’s financial challenges and preparing for our future. - Carolyn Cartland Here are the notes. They are also linked from the Board Minutes and Financial Reports page.

Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH

Advocacy Cafeteria Feeds Washington - Have you visited the Advocacy Cafeteria yet? Look by the door to the Garvais Lounge for a triangle of activism -- Pick your cause and take action. Since starting this project two weeks ago, the I&A Sub-Council has faxed eight petitions to four of our Washington D.C. delegation -- Dodd, Lieberman, Murphy and Larson have been getting the word from you...and you... and you.

Stop by the table and the pyramid this Sunday. Bring your own petition to hang in the Advocacy Cafeteria ! Sign LOTS of petitions, across the spectrum of ways of dealing with the vital issues of our day. We update the boards weekly, so plan on becoming a regular.

BTW, no Meeting House resources are used in this effort; our Advocacy does not encroach on the religious tax privileges of the church ( just in case you worry about the deeper implications of this work).

See you Sunday ! FEED THE PYRAMID !! - Ed Savage

What Else is Happening

Adult Programs - Plan to stop by the Programs Table after the service on Sunday. This will be the last Sunday to sign up for the next Friday Dinner and Movie, November 6, featuring Gran Torino. More

Have you checked the Book Cart (located next to the Programs Table) recently? There are copies of A Chosen Faith by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church as well as other books on Unitarian Universalism of interest. Also, if you've been wondering about what opportunities there are at USH to participate in, there will be copies of a new edition of the Many Ways to Become Involved pamphlet at the Programs Table.

After coffee hour on Sunday, plan to attend the informative workshop Honoring Life by Planning Ahead to be held in Fellowship Hall at 12:30. There is no fee or prior registration for this program.

Honoring Life by Planning Ahead, a joint Program am offered by the Women’s Alliance and the Caring Network, will be presented by The Funeral Alliance of CT on Sunday, November 1st, following coffee hour, at 12:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. Soup may be purchased beforehand from the Youth Group. Drinks and desserts will be provided during the presentation.Some of the topics to be covered (with openness, facts, humor, and information) are: Health Planning, Advance Directives, Consumer Tips, Going Green, and a host of other interesting and diverse topics. A large number of pamphlets will be available for participants to take home with them.

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 -“When childhood dies the corpses are called adults." - Brian Aldira- 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

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Green Topics - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council

The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act has been introduced in the Senate, and you have the power to shape it if you let your voice be heard before the bill is marked up in early November! Please contact your senators, Sen. Chris Dodd and Sen. Joe Lieberman to urge them to support strong and just climate legislation. You can sign a letter of support at the Social Justice Petition Board in Fellowship Hall. - Bev Prager

On the Calendar

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
2:30 pm Small Group Ministry, David
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Monday, November 2
4:30 pm Menu for the Future, Library
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Tuesday, November 3
5:00 pm NVC Gathering, Minister’s Study
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, November 4
9:30 am UAMW Holiday Baking, Kitchen
5:45 pm Meditation and Dharma Gathering, Emerson
6:30 pm Stewardship Sub-council, Library
6:30 pm Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
7:15 pm NVC Practice Group w/Jan Bennett, Emerson
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, November 5
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
5:00 pm Compassionate Communication w/Paul Quin, Emerson

Friday, November 6
5:30 pm Dinner & Movie, Gran Torino, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, November 8
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 Interweave Sub-Council, Library
2:00 pm Small Group Ministry, David
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel
4:00 pm Rental, Ballou

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

External Events and Educational Notes

Baking for Veterans - On November 8th South Park Inn will participate in the Veteran's Day Parade and showcase the services provided to homeless veterans. After the parade we are inviting parade leadership, participants and the public to an open house at the Emergency Shelter. We are hopeful that you can support our Veteran Outreach efforts by attending and honoring our Veterans at the Veterans's Day Parade, attend the agency Open House and/or by providing a baked good or refreshment for the open house. Contact Mary Vazquex or Brian Baker at 860.724.0071

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 AM - 3 PM More