50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 Tel: (860) 233-9897 / FAX 233-1333 Email: firstunitarian@ushartford.com Reverend Barbara Jamestone, PhD

Home Page- Link Central Questions and Comments	USH-Enews November 5, 2009 Jump to: Sunday Service; Calendar; What's Happening; Feature Articles; External Events; Further Down the Road; Social Justice Journeys; Green Topics ; A Matter of Opinion; Text only Printer Friendly Format
	Freedom in the Blue 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. Rhythms in Religious Communities - Like the tides of nature flowing in and out, religious communities have natural rhythms of ingathering and outreaching. Ingathering occurs at worship on Sundays, in small group ministries, meditation groups, caring networks and other USH activities that draw us together. Through such activities we are nourished through listening, loving, and experiencing the Spirit of Life. Through ingathering, we share in what traditionally has been regarded as the priestly-pastoral activities of religion.  Organizationally, the Community Within and its sub-councils help us carry out this nurturing aspect of our faith. If we only care for one another, we have not completed the rhythmic cycle of religion. As we are spiritually nurtured through ingathering, we are called to reach out to bring the same care to others that we ourselves receive.  We become concerned that not all can share in the bounties of life (physically, emotionally, educationally, and spiritually).  This is not fair—not just.  We become concerned about the human-caused degradation of our natural world, out of which we humans have come, from which we are sustained, and to which we will return.  This, traditionally, is the prophetic activity of religion.  Organizationally, the Social Justice Council and its various sub-councils provide the structures for us to reach out in service to others. What motivates us to gather together?  What calls us to reach out to others?   As we come with our own personal needs, we encounter the creative spiritual matrix that is the source of all things.  We become more aware of a more encompassing reality that undergirds our compassion for one another and motivates our passion for justice beyond our walls. Through religious education and worship, the Spiritual Life Council makes us aware of and relates us to the greater creative matrix in which we live and move and have our being—the underlying supportive presence that sustains us in our grief and despair, that keeps us in hope, and that works with our sense of justice to call us to respond to poverty, despair, and violence so that others may grow and flourish.  Our spiritual life is woven throughout our ingathering and outreaching.  The motivating matrix, experienced in serendipitous interactions, guides us to uncover good in and among ourselves and helps provide opportunities to bring good to others. Creative power nurtures the rhythms of ingathering and outreaching.  But also needed are human resources for work and leadership, and physical resources, including financial resources, to provide a home for and to help sustain all the activities of ingathering and outreaching.  Nurturing and organizing these resources is the primary responsibility of the Administrative Council and its sub-councils. Called and empowered by the creative matrix that is the spirit of life, and practically resourced by our commitments to fiscal support and hard personal work, we ingather to grow in love and understanding, and we reach out to those in need in order to help create a more just and sustainable world. - Karl E. Peters
	Worshipping Together Since 1830 One Service 10:30 AM Sunday - 8 November - The Core Necessities of Life - Each month this year we will focus on one of the nine core needs which all humans share, and the focus this month is subsistence. Music - The theme for this week is subsistence.  In addition to feeding and sheltering our bodies, we humans seek to feed our spirits as well. American composer Virgil Thomson was well known as a “bad boy” iconoclast, but he had a deep spiritual need to express himself in sacred music too.  He took a break from his often outrageous and challenging major works with a gentle setting of the traditional Appalachian hymn tune, “My shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is his name.”  French composer Maurice Durufle, by contrast, devoted his life to church music.  He was a truly great organist and enlarged the organ and choral repertoire with small pieces like “Notre Pere” (Our Father) and great works like the well-known Requiem.  The organ selections complement these anthems with some American hymn tune settings by Gilbert Martin and a knuckle-buster "Scherzo" by Durufle. Voluntary: How Firm a Foundation - Glibert Martin MCW: Prelude on a Shaker Hymn - Gilbert Martin Postlude: Scherzo - Maurice Durufle Gilber M. Martin is currently a free lance composer and an editor of choral music. For more than 30 years, organists, pianists, schools and churches have performed and enjoyed his many and varied original compositions and arrangements. He often travels throughout the country to teach and conduct musical ensembles. REflections on Children's Programming Religious Education Classes Spirit Play: The Sower Second & Third Grade: Heart Talk: Exploring Anger Fourth & Fifth Grade: Toolbox of Faith: The Democratic Process Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: Judaism Youth Group Activities: Discussion Gail M. Syring, DRE Musical Message for All Singing Kids and Parents - A super group of singing kids (plus one brave mom) started learning a great UU Thanksgiving song last Sunday. Please come back this Sunday, and bring your friends! Shannen will join Mattie in teaching the song, shortly after the service in the Chapel, this Sunday and next, Nov. 8 and 15. It only takes about 10 minutes, and it's lots of fun. What Else is Happening Clara Barton District Fall Rally - November 7, 2009, Nichols College Dudley, MA 0157 More Coffee and refreshments at coffee hour - Starting on Sunday, we will have food, as well as coffee, tea and juice during coffee hour.   A sign-up sheet for those who would like to bring snacks will be posted in the lower lobby. Please feel free to bring your favorite coffee-hour type foods, whether purchased or baked in your own kitchen!  Suggested items:  bagels and cream cheese, muffins, fruit, coffee cake, vegetables and dip, hummus, crackers and cheese, donuts or donut holes/munchkins, pretzels, etc. etc. Please label any foods containing nuts. You can get reimbursed for expenses by filling out a form and returning it to Brian in the office. Thank you so much for considering signing up to bring a snack. It will be most appreciated! 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 Let it Be a Dance! - Nov 14, 4 to 6 PM, Fellowship Hall “Always on Sunday,” a West Hartford international folk dance group invite us to join them in fun and footwork for this intergenerational event. Everyone 10 or over is invited to join the circle and to help create the  lines as we enjoy each other’s company, ethnic music, and great fellowship.  Bring your popcorn, soft (or hard!) drinks, and expect to have a great time!   See you there - Rev BJ PS-There will be an opportunity for you to make a donation to our USH “Friends of Music Fund” if you like! Check Doors are Locked Before Leaving - Recently we discovered one of the main floor doors was ajar in the morning. Please remember if you are in a group using the facilities, to check that all doors are securely locked before leaving. This is a responsibility for most groups using the Meeting House particularly if the use is in the evening. - Thanks Adult Programs - Plan to stop by the Programs Table after the service on Sunday. There will be copies of a new edition of the pamphlet, Many Ways to Become Involved  for those of you who have been wondering what opportunities there are for you to participate in at the Meeting House. The Book Cart (located next to the Programs Table) has a variety of books on Unitarian Universalism. Copies of  A Chosen Faith by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church used in the following class are also available. Our Chosen Faith, Wednesday, November 11, 25, 7:00 PM. Join Rev. Jamestone and others at 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. Caring Network -Some time ago researchers in Bell Laboratories estimated there is more information in the weekly edition of the New York times than a person in the sixteenth century processed in a lifetime. Lawrence Shainberg - 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) Movie and Commentary - A Road to Mecca With Yahya Michot and Herb Brockman Wednesday, December 2, Hartford Seminary 6:30 PM, Free More	From the Editor: Suggestions for Contributors. This Week’s Feature Articles Rhythms in Religious Communities Reflection on All Soul's Service Meditate Wednesday Evenings Fundraising Brainstorming Session Planned Reflection on All Soul’s Service: from a thankful member - The  leaves which you placed in the basket in memory of a loved one are sitting on my desk, and I am moved each day as I look at them. I will soon spread them in the memorial garden with gratitude for those many lives which blessed your lives and which in turn bless us all at USH.  I received the following note this week - Rev BJ : Dear BJ, The ritual during the service was meaningful for me.  I was hesitant to include myself when I read what was in store.  But the hymn we sang moved me because it articulates so well, the pain and tenderness I feel in my loss of my spouse. I was encouraged too, because today is my spouse’s  birthday.  How could I not be a part of it!  I am very grateful to you for providing such a ritual. So many people share in the pain and sorrow of loss, and, I'm sure the joy of love and memories. There is unspoken connection in that.   This experience was further deepening for me, because when I welcomed the children downstairs, they began to discuss how very sad they were with the events of the service.  This was unprovoked by me.  Their losses (all of them had experience with this) were heavy on their hearts.  I was struck by how willing they were to talk about their experience and how very sad they were.  Very genuine and authentic.  I believe the nvc process we are teaching in RE is working to enhance their willingness and perhaps, safety, to share their feelings. It was moving and beautiful.   Thank you for the opportunity to have these experiences-- with the services, with nvc, with the children.  Your trust and encouragement enhances my life.   -- From a grateful friend   PS--In addition to participating in this ritual of sharing, 59 of you shared a memory or hope by lighting a candle during worship. Meditate Wednesday Nights - You are invited to come meditate on Wednesday nights!   Have you ever thought you’d like to try meditating? Are you seasoned in meditation practices, or someone who meditates but has been away from your practice and would like to reconnect?   There is a standing invitation to the USH community and friends to join us on Wednesday nights for Meditation and Dharma Gathering held in the Meditation Sanctuary from 5:45-7 PM. The time together is formatted to make it easy to attend: no sign up, no obligation, open door policy, no fee, come as you are.  Even if the format does not accommodate your schedule, you can come late or leave early.  We join in a combination of sitting and walking meditation, and listening to the dharma or specific teachings of Buddhist thought.   On Nov 11 we will begin listening to Jack Kornfield as he guides us through the benefits and techniques of mindfulness meditation.  Over the following weeks, we will be guided through the Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Loving Kindness Meditations among others.  This is an opportunity to learn about or deepen your meditation process.  Please come join us.  Come as you are, stay as long as you like. - Jan Bennett   Fundraising Brainstorming Session - Do you have an interest in helping our congregation to find ways to fund the staff, the programs and worship that we all love? If so, read on. The Stewardship Council invites all congregational members and friends who are interested in helping to brainstorm ideas for fundraising efforts to a meeting on Sunday, November 15th at noon in the library.  We hope to generate ideas for eliminating the need for a staff unpaid leave this winter and, thinking long-term, find new ways to fund our budget in the future.   If you’re interested in helping, but cannot attend the meeting, please contact Charles Huntington, chair of Stewardship or Susan Kinney, Stewardship member. - Sue Kinney  Social Justice Journeys (From the UUA) And from USH Green Topics - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council - You can collect Capri Sun juice bags, energy bar and cookie wrappers to be recycled? Bags on the Green Sanctuary Bulletin Board are waiting for them. USH gets $ for each one recycled ! Heads Up - Good For You and Mother Earth! A magazine rack (beautifully made by Peter M) will soon grace the wall under the Green Sanctuary Bulletin Board on the way into Fellowship Hall. Bring magazines you're finished with and pick up some others. Save YOUR $ - Mother Earth, trees. Save those new/like new gifts you don't really need. In December bring them in for others to buy - lightening our collective carbon footprint. Proceeds to go towards the "greening" of USH. More later. Reduce - Reuse - Recycle On the Calendar 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 Community to Mark the 71st Anniversary of Kristallnacht with World Premiere Performance - West Hartford, CT 9/25/09 — “Darkness Descends,” a dramatic interpretation of one the most infamous nights in Jewish history, will premiere at Congregation Beth Israel November 7-9 More We are happy to learn - our own Stephanie Jenkins, recent graduate of the Boston Conservatory, is offering lessons and coaching in voice, violin, and beginning piano. Stephanie recently completed a BFA in musical theater from the Conservatory having studied music since the age of five. She can be reached at 860-550-5680 or email stephanie.anne.jenkins(at symbol)gmail.com. - dcn Open Hearts Ministry showing documentary Film, For the Bible Tells Me So." It is a hard film, it is a touching, stirring, troubling and deeply affecting film, one begging to be seen and heard. November 8th, 6PM Franciscan Center An Evening of Opera Arias, Sunday December 6th, Beth El Temple, West Hartford More 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  A Matter of Opinion
	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
	Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 11/04/09 6:12 PM)