USH-Enews for October 30, 2008 Print Only Edition

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he 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.

Sunday 2 November - Annual All Souls Day celebration - We follow the ancient human tradition of remembering and honoring death and the dead as winter’s chilly darkness descends. Bring a photo or other object for our memorial table. Offering for the Minister's Discretionary Fund (More)

Music - Two American anthems are planned for All Souls Sunday. Randall Thompson set seven of Robert Frost's poems in a well-known choral grouping called “Frostiana.” "Choose Something Like a Star" quotes John Keats's "Bright Star" -- "stedfast ...unchangeable... Like nature's patient,Dsleepless Eremite" (a hermit devoting every moment to prayer and contemplation) Frost demands a response from the star, and then finds comfort in its lofty purity. Randall Thompson set Frost's poem so perfectly that choruses all across America hear this music in their minds when they read the poem. "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" is among the many early American hymns creatively set by the great American arranger Alice Parker. Such hymns were popular in revival meetings and church services as the American frontier started westward from the Atlantic coast. Alice Parker is still actively writing and conducting in western Massachusetts, inspiring generations of choral singers and directors with her insistence on excellence and beauty. In this arrangement she captures the fierce power and drive of the original hymn.

REflections on Children's Programming -

Religious Education Classes

Spirit Play: Green Promise: Pezzettino
Second & Third Grade: John Murray Day
Fourth & Fifth Grade: Moses: Let My People Go
Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Engineering-Practical Creations and Miracles

Youth Group Activities
The youth will be holding their first discussion of the month beginning at 9:45. They will be selling soup after the second service, so buy a cup of soup on your way to Anne Bailey's wonderful program!

From the Editor: The Green Sanctuary folks have worked very hard on their survey. Please help them out by completing a copy and returning it as directed. If we have learned nothing else in the last few months, we have learned what conservation means to our way of life and our planet's survival in condition to support life in general and in particular the life of our children.

Green Sanctuary Group Needs your Immediate Cooperation For a Few Short Minutes - Part of the requirements of being certified as a "Green Sanctuary" by UUA is that we survey everyday practices of the congregation regarding green living. Please, please, please take a moment to fill out our short survey. Don't put it off, do it now!

Comments on the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from those who have given to it, and those who have received from it. - Regards, Rev BJ

* I borrowed from The Minister's Discretionary Fund to pay for my medication several years back at I time when I was unemployed & uninsured.

This year, I was faced with the choice to pay for either safety-related car repairs or rent. The generosity of my church family through the Minister’s fund allowed me to choose both. I am grateful for this as I do not have traditional family or other resources to call upon, and appreciate these loans which I happily repay as I can.

*The Minister’s Fund made it possible for nearly 20 of us to be trained by a professional consultant in pastoral care, so that our work as lay listeners is grounded in professional practice and ongoing supervision, and is a caring ministry to me and well as the people I contact.

*A few years ago, I received a small financial windfall. As I fantasized about what the money could be used for, I realized that beyond the bills, or the kid's college fund, or even an exotic vacation, it was important to me to share the joy of receiving a windfall with someone else, but it was equally important that I be able to share it anonymously. I chose to donate $1,000 to the Minister's Fund to support BJ's ministry with us. It brings me great joy to know that I am sharing my windfall with others anonymously. I feel that I am "paying it forward" by sharing my good fortune with others in need in my faith community. It felt so good, in fact, that I have made that donation an annual event.

*Thanks to the generosity of our minister, I was able to attend my very first district meeting last fall to further my understanding of the role I was preparing for as one of the Society's first lay listeners. Rev. BJ used her minister's discretionary fund to pay a good portion of the costs for me and several others who attended. It was thrilling to see so many UUs in one place!

*My work with NVC at the Meeting House led me to an educator in Massachusetts. We both attended a workshop where she shared a UU curriculum based on NVC. Through the generosity of the Minister's fund at USH, the curriculum was purchased. I am now able to adapt it to my school's use, it can be used in USH's RE classes, and would be appropriate for our proposed work at Webster School in Hartford. Many children in the Greater Hartford Area will give their thanks through compassionate communication.

*The Women’s Alliance made a contribution to the Minister’s Fund last year, and this year the fund helped one of us to attend a retreat.

*In the fall of 2007 I was in a very tight spot financially and approached Reverend B.J. for a small loan. I never felt that she judged me. We talked about a repayment schedule, and I was very grateful for the generosity of USH. It really helped me a lot in a tough time.

*Our family makes a Contribution to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund during the winter holidays, as our gift of gratitude to Rev. BJ for her work among us. We are pretty sure it’s a holiday gift she would prefer.

*Last year's Conference in Worchester, made possible for me by funds from the minister, was inspiring and informative. The key note address talked about giving a guest your best pillow even though that guest was a stranger to you before inviting him/her into your home. This spoke to me of the need for generosity and loving kindness in all of my interactions within the congregation and without. The specific break-out sessions which I attended gave me insight into the many ways a congregation looked at caring for all within its fold and helped to define more clearly how our own community could evolve, through my work in Caring Network.

*Thank you so much for supporting my recent participation in a Compassionate Communication workshop through the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. The congregation’s work with NVC has been profoundly meaningful for me, and this intermediate training renewed my commitment and deepened my understanding. Two of the other participants represented other Unitarian Universalist congregations in Connecticut, and I anticipate that our shared experience will lead to further collaborative efforts. This workshop met my need for connection, community and contribution, and I am grateful to be forever changed.

30 Somethings (and 20 and 40!) November 16, 4 PM, Fellowship Hall - RSVP by Nov 9!

Are you in your 30s? Would you love to have a few hours each month of pure leisure, eating and drinking and relaxing with others who share your particular brand of hectic and exhausting scheduling? Would you like to get to know other young adults and families at USH better, if only there were time? Are you in your 40s or 20s and wanting the same thing? And would you like to add to that fantasy just a tiny bit of time for reflection on the intangibles? And would you like for the kids to be taken care of during this time out of time?

Bring the kids and come on downstairs at the Meeting House at 4 PM on Sunday afternoon November 16, and discover that time of fun, friend finding, bond creating pleasure. Email Gail: gsyring@ushartford.com by November 9 to reserve a place at the table for you and yours! If you are eager to join in but can’t come on the 16th please email Gail with regrets and to get on board for the next time!

Welcoming Hospitality

- What fun to look out at all these extended families! How we DO love our pets and the memories of pets we have once had! Have you noticed today the welcoming behavior that pets seem to prompt in so many of us? Did you stop to extend a greeting to one of those tail-wagging doggies on your way into the building or in the lobby?

One of the prime objectives of the Membership Sub-council is to work on building an atmosphere of welcoming hospitality here at the Meeting House. I used to think of “church Hospitality” as a reference to helping with potlucks and kitchen cleanup! But let’s look at it with a more universal interpretation - as the way we greet guests in our home.

Here, in our spiritual home, we are all part of making it seem a hospitable place for those who visit. We might actually view hospitality as one of our spiritual practices – a way that we share ourselves and reach out to connect with others, with sincere warmth and openness to developing relationships.

These personal connections are important and begin on the sidewalk! We might take our cues from these pets that surround us today. Look at the kinds of responses pets bring forth from us: a warm greeting, a willingness to extend ourselves toward them, curiosity. Think of the way a friendly dog comes up, wagging his tail and sniffing to learn more about us. We surely won’t sniff when we greet, but we each have our own ways to show genuine interest and outreach.

What feelings are evoked in us when a dog wags his tail in greeting or a cat purrs as we stroke it. Can we find ways to evoke warm feelings such as these in the guests who visit this Meeting House – helping to create the sense that they belong here with us?

All or us have days when we aren’t up to extending ourselves and reaching out – days when our own needs and concerns are overriding. But if we all make the effort, whenever we can, to take the extra step to reach out and connect newcomers to us – both to ourselves and to others around us – in the lobby, at Coffee Hour, at USH programs – we can collectively stitch together a warm quilt of hospitality that covers every stranger in our midst.

Show your interest - you don’t need to sniff - just say your name and theirs - out loud – as you greet new folks. We all love to hear our names spoken. Then introduce them to someone else. Take them to the book sale table or the Program Table or the book cart. Ask them to come again!

None of these things are rocket science – we can all do them! - And in these troubling and unsettled times, it is all the more important to help all of us feel blessed and welcome here! Let’s keep reminding ourselves about this throughout the year – not just when our pets surround us, nudging us to reach out and show interest.

Let’s just DO IT – let’s wag our tails, so to speak, and make hospitality an ongoing practice in this, our spiritual home. - Anne Bailey

Remember why you joined USH? Here are the words of introduction as we welcome new members

There is one overriding reason for joining a Unitarian-Universalist Congregation. That is to support it.

You want to support it because it stands against superstition and fear. Because it points to what is noblest and best in human life. Because it has a free pulpit. Because you can hear ideas expressed there that would cost any other minister his or her job. Because it is a place where children can come without being saddled with guilt or terrified of some celestial "peeping-tom," where they can learn that religion is for fun, for joy, for comfort, for gratitude and love. Because it is a place for the religious displaced persons of our time, for the refugees from mixed marriages, for the unwanted free thinkers and for those who insist, against orthodoxy, that they must work out their own beliefs. Because it is more concerned with human beings than with dogmas. Because it can laugh. Because it insults neither your intelligence nor your conscience, and because it calls you to worship what is truly worthy of your sacrifice.

Yes, there is one overriding reason for joining a Unitarian-Universalist Congregation: to support it. - (Author unknown)

What Else is Happening & Announcements

Sunday Nov. 2 at 1:00 – 2:00 in Fellowship Hall:

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Get away from pre-election frenzy to a far-away part of the world and come Trekking in Patagonia with Anne Bailey and Betty Palmer. Anne’s slide show includes hiking with an older group (up to age 80!) in two of Patagonia's National Parks, Argentina's Los Glaciares, with it's Fitz Roy Massif, and Chile's Torres del Paine. A musical accompaniment throughout helps carry you away to this majestic area. Visits to the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier and Tierra del Fuego, the "end of the world" will also be included, as well as a post-trip visit to northern Argentina's Iquazu Falls.

Chicken (or turkey) soup, rolls and cupcakes will be on sale after the second coffee hour - or you can bring a snack or sandwich. Lemonade and popcorn will be served during the show

Sign up at the Adult Programs table in Fellowship Hall or by calling the office.

Last minute attendees also welcome.

Mark your calendar and join the friendly people in the green sanctuary sub council at our monthly meeting at USH. November 5 (Wed) at 5:00

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Do Your Holiday Shopping at the Meeting House - Great news from the Green Sanctuary Sub-council. We will help you with your holiday shopping. Next week in USH-Enews you will find descriptions of several beautiful holiday gift packages of food, body care and clean green products. These will be assembled by theme and wrapped (with care for the environment) and available for your buying pleasure. We will make the viewing, ordering, and purchasing very easy, hopefully, delightful for you. Stay tuned next week for more information on what you can order, when you can order, and when you can pick up your orders. It is all happening VERY SOON, so please see our gifts before you complete your holiday shopping.

New Date for Alliance Baking - Wednesday, Nov. 12 is the new Alliance baking date, postponed one week. Plan to arrive in the kitchen between 9 and 9:30 AM and bring a friend. Wearing your favorite baking apron and sharing the story of where it came from will add to the usual lively conversation. BAKING DAY has been a tradition for more than 30 years and is a favorite day for many women. Bring your lunch to partake while we hold a cabinet meeting as goodies finish baking. We normally finish by 2:00 PM but you can come for any portion of that time. Help is always appreciated.

Two Year Calendars - will be available for purchase in mid November. These handy pocket sized calendars are still just $2 each or 3 for
$5. Look for the sales table in Fellowship Hall beginning November 9.

End US Torture - Wednesday10/29 the lay/clergy group, Reclaiming The Prophetic Voice, visited Congressman Larson’s office to request that he act to end US torture. This group works with the National Religious Coalition to Abolish Torture, and sponsored the display of the “Torture is a Moral Issue” banners at congregations here.

I represented USH. We are one of three Hartford congregations displaying the “Torture Is A Moral Issue” banner and are listed with over 300 groups nationally.

The following requests were made: (1) that the CIA notify the International Red Cross of all US detainees and allow access, (2) that a Congressional Select Committee be established to investigate torture in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo, and secret detention spots. (3) that he urge the President-elect to issue an Executive Order to ban torture as one of his first acts.

Please contact Senators Dodd (258-6940) & Lieberman (549-8463) and your Congressman about this. John Larson: 278-8888, Chris Murphy: 223-8412, Joe Courtney: 886-0139.
- Joan Kemble

Adult Programs

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This Sunday during coffee time you may want to stop by the Programs Registration Table in Fellowship Hall to look at the offerings in the Book Cart. There is a new book by USH member, Karl Peters, Spiritual Transformations. Take a break from the political issues and come to the 1PM program on Sunday in Fellowship Hall, Traveling and Trekking in Patagonia. Also, it's not too early to sign up for the next Friday Dinner and Movie Night featuring Life of Reilly, November 14.

NEW! Traveling and Trekking in Patagonia, Sunday, November 2, 1 PM More

Other books available to purchase at the Book Cart:

Respectful Parents Respect for Kids by Sura Hart and Victoria Kindle Hudson.

100 Questions that Non-Members ask about Unitarian Universalism by John Sias.

Dancing with the Sacred by Karl Peters.

UU Pocket Guide, 3rd Edition by John Buehrens.

Caring Network - The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing, and face us with the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares. - by Henri J.M. Nouwen

- 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)

January 4th is Justice Sunday at USH … Save the Date - BJ will be away enjoying her family on January 4th so she’s asked the Social Justice Council to plan a Meetinghouse morning event that day so that you can be enjoying your USH family too. The Council is putting together some very special events to make it a very special day for you and any guests who might be visiting you for the holidays. You’ll be hearing more details about what will happen over the next several months but here’s a sneak preview:

Worship services - Tom Kemble and Cyprian Martin are planning two services which will follow our usual service format but with a social justice flavor. Charlie Clements, the President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) will drive down from Boston to deliver the sermon at both services. Mattie, John and the choirs will present some very special music at both services. A “mystery” USH member will give a testimonial. Gail will tell a “social justice” children’s story. A special offering will go to UUSC and you’ll even have an opportunity to become a member of UUSC if you want to.

Social Justice fair - John Barlow and Bill LaPorte-Bryan are planning a social justice fair (including food) that will take place at both coffee hours. There will be about a dozen tables. Half of them will represent our own programs and activities related to social justice and representatives from some outside social justice organizations in the greater Hartford area will be at the other tables. If your heart and mind move you to want to volunteer to help out in one of the many possible activities, every table will have a simple form you can fill out “on the spot”.

Survey - Carolyn Cartland and Shai Cassell are creating a one-page survey (yes, it will be only one sheet of paper, printed on both sides (to save paper the Green Sanctuary team insisted on that) covering all aspects of social justice so that we can learn more about what kinds of social justice opportunities you think our church should offer for you. You can fill the survey out before you leave the Meeting House.

Publicity - Greg Nickett and Charles Huntington are planning an extensive publicity campaign to other churches and social justice support organizations in our community. This will include an article in the Courant and other appropriate newspapers. We’re hoping the sanctuary will be overflowing on January 4th so bring your friends and neighbors with you and … save the date!

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

Saturday evening we attended the Classical and Broadway, A Perfect Marriage Concert at the Meeting House. Patrice Fitzgerald, Richard Leslie and Stephen Scarlato left a small but appreciative audience enthralled. If you were not there, you missed a wonderful evening.

Many thanks, Patrice, Richard and Stephen - Janice Newton

Thanks to all who helped weed and maintain the Memorial Gardens during the summer and fall. We are extremely grateful as are our backs and knees for all your help. We hope you found this a satisfying way to give to USH and will consider helping next year and bring along a friend or two.

The Newtons

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Did You Know? - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council -

Lets go green! Linked is a flyer for a green company that USH has signed on with to receive 25% of every on-line purchase individuals make. Print you copy of the brochure and order now!

Check out the new products at the Green Table

On the Calendar

Thursday, October 30
7:00 pm BTWWDA, Emerson

Friday, October 31 ~ HALLOWEEN!
1:00 pm Transitions Group, David

Saturday, November 1
9:00 am Iconography Introduction, Library
Circle Dinners, evening, various homes

Sunday, November 2, Daylight Savings Time ends!
9:00 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:45 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
10:45 am Coffee, Fellowship Hall
10:45 am Music rehearsal, Chapel
11:15 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:15 pm Coffee, Fellowship Hall
1:00 pm Patagonia Travelogue, Servetus
3:00 pm Rental, Chapel

Monday, November 3
7:00 pm Artist’s Way, Servetus
7:00 pm Rental, Ballou

Tuesday, November 4
8:00 pm AA, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, November 5
5:00 pm Green Sanctuary Sub-council, Library
5:45 pm Dharma Gathering, Emerson
7:15 pm NVC Practice Group, Emerson
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, November 6
9:30 am International Women’s Circle, Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm BTWWDA Facilitators, Library
7:00 pm NVC Gathering, Servetus

Friday, November 7
5:30 pm Family SGM, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, November 8
9:00 am Iconography, Library
10:00 am Rental, Chapel

Sunday, November 9
8:45 am Building & Grounds, Murray
8:45 am Comfort Shawl Knitters, Lower Lobby
9:00 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:45 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
10:45 am Music rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:45 am Coffee, Fellowship Hall
11:15 am WORSHIP SERVICE, SANCTUARY
12:15 pm Coffee, Fellowship Hall
1:00 pm BTWWDA, Emerson
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!

External Events and Educational Notes

The Music Man In cooperation with the Department of Fine & Performing Arts, the West Hartford Community Theater proudly presents THE MUSIC MAN! November 13, 14, 15 at 7:30 p.m. and November 16 at 2:00 p.m. at King Philip Middle School, 100 King Philip Drive, West Hartford. Nina Elgo's daughter Caroline will be in all four performances but her role as Amaryllis is scheduled for the Thursday and Sat. evening performances.

Tickets only $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets are also sold at The Bookworm in West Hartford Center. Call 561-3992. Tickets may be
purchased online at http://www.WHTheater.org. First-come, first-served unless you have groups 20 and larger.

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Kittens Ready For Adoption - Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary has four kittens who need indoor homes. All have tested negative for FIV and feline leukemia and have received 1st feline distemper vaccination. Emerson & Dickens, female, 9 weeks old, domestic medium hair shown. Porter & Cole, Male, 9 weeks old, domestic long hair not shown.

They are healthy, playful, and lively kitties! Please contact Barbara Prine, Our Companions Ambassador, at 860 561 4794 or send email to bprine@ntplx.net for more information and to receive an adoption application.

Hartford Seminary is offering a January intersession class that may be of interest -

Traditions of Change: American Literature of Reform (HI-676)
Monday, Jan. 12 through Friday, Jan. 16 - 9 AM. to 4 PM (Make-up day: Jan. 17)

“In the history of the world, Reform never had such scope as at the present hour.” This course explores the social, religious and cultural contexts in which Ralph Waldo Emerson makes this statement in “Man the Reformer” (1841). We will examine the literature that ignited and spurred on the most significant and historic reform efforts in 19th -century America: abolition of slavery, temperance, household reform, suffrage and criminal justice, including prison reform and capital punishment debates. Given the religious dimensions of these reform movements, including the relationship between rhetorical strategies and theological beliefs, we will explore how sermons, essays, autobiographies, and fictional narratives shaped these reform movements. Writers studied may include Benjamin Rush on the penitentiary, Elizabeth Cady Stanton on the role of women in public life, Nathaniel Hawthorne on communal living, Frederick Douglass on abolition and African-American civil rights, and T.S. Arthur on temperance. Erin Forbes, Adjunct Instructor of History and Ph.D. candidate in English and Religion at Princeton University

Nuts and Bolts: The member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our congregations; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process, within our congregations and in society at large; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.

Generally, USH-Enews will be posted on Thursday. Send email related to the USH-Enews to dcnewton at ushartford.com If you have announcements or articles you wish to be published, send them along with the subject line USH-Enews by 4:30 PM Wednesday evening. Comments are always welcome. If you wish to have your name removed from the distribution list or have learned of the electronic publication and wish to have your email address added, just ask. © Unitarian Society of Hartford