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USH-Enews November 6, 2008

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Autumn in Acadia National Park

The 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.

Office hours: Rev. Jamestone: Phone: 860 233-9897; Email: RevBJ@USHartford.com - Rev. BJ office hours by appointment.

Worshipping Together Since 1830
Sunday, 9:45 AM and 11:15 AM

Sunday 9 November - Sharing the Abrahamic Blessing: Jews, Christians, and Muslims as Partners in Peacebuilding - Professor Yehezkel Landau from Hartford Seminary.

Yehezkel Landau is Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations at Hartford Seminary.  A dual Israeli American citizen, his work has been in the fields of interfaith education and Jewish-Arab peacemaking. He directed the Oz veShalom-Netivot Shalom religious peace movement in Israel during the 1980's.  From 1991 to 2003, he was co-founder and co-director of the OPEN HOUSE Center for Jewish-Arab Coexistence in Ramle, Israel.  He co-edited VOICES FROM JERUSALEM: JEWS AND CHRISTIANS REFLECT ON THE HOLY LAND (Paulist Press, 1992) and authored a research report entitled “Healing the Holy Land: Interreligious Peacebuilding in Israel/Palestine” (United States Institute of Peace, Sept. 2003).  At Hartford Seminary, Prof. Landau coordinates an interfaith training program for Jews, Christians, and Muslims called “Building Abrahamic Partnerships.”

Music - Julia Rubin-Cadrain sang with every level of children's choir at USH as she grew up, ultimately singing solos and duets with her sister Leah. Julia studied voice at the New England Conservatory, went on to cantorial studies in New York City, and is now beginning a career as a cantor, starting with a synagogue in Texas. She brings her vocal artistry and deep faith to our services, sharing the chancel with Rabbi Yehezkel Landau.

REflections on Children's Programming -

Religious Education Classes
Spirit Play: Blue Promise: Every Person Needs A Vote!
Second & Third Grade: UU Pilgrimage
Fourth & Fifth Grade: The Ten Commandments
Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade:  Drawing: What Face Do You Show the World
Youth Group Activities: Music Bingo-An introduction to expressing the spiritual through music - Gail M. Syring DRE

From the Editor:

This Week’s Feature Articles

All Souls Day Reflection
Ritual of Remembering
Welcome Training Sessions
Noah Webster School Update
All God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir
DRE Reports Activities in October
Partner Church, Yes No

All Souls Day Reflection    
Thank you dear friends for sharing. last Sunday, your memories of those best beloved to your heart who have already joined the rainbow river in death.  

At staff meeting this morning, we took the leaves which you placed on the altar on Sunday, spread them on the ground in the Memorial Garden, and read ritual words of comfort, encouragement, and hope for love eternal. You and yours are remembered by your staff.

On another note, I am so pleased at your generous gifts to the Minister's Discretionary Fund last Sunday.  I take your financial offering as a sign of your trust in me to convey the care in your hearts and the power of our faith to others in our congregation by a direct gift or by some training or experience which they will use to strengthen our congregation at a more systemic level.
May you each be blessed by the Complex Adaptive System who blends chaos and our energy to defeat entropy of heart and soul, of whom we are reminded in worship every Sunday. As ever,  - Rev BJ

All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir....thanks to our incredible Music Director, Mattie Banzhaf! Many of us have been wondering if we still have a children’s music program.  The answer is a resounding YES!  Although our beloved Katie LaPorta had to resign as RE Music Director, Mattie is serving as interim REMD until a new one can be found.  

There are now three choirs open to children:

Who can join?  Is there a place for me to sing?  YES!
How do I join?  When do the groups sing?  What age do you need to be? The easiest way to have your questions answered is to email Mattie:  banz (at) hartford.edu  (You can try speaking to her on Sundays but she’s usually racing around!)

If you want to raise your voice and sing, we will find a place for you.  Even if you just want to clap your hands, or paws, or anything you got!

A note from Mattie:
 
When I was hired by USH as Music Director in 1987, part of the agreement was that I would reorganize and direct a children's choir in some way.  In fact that was one thing that got me the job....my interest and background in singing with children.   Directing high school and elementary vocal/choral music for 25 years, until my retirement last year, was fulfilling and invigorating.
 
I dearly love making music with children, and it’s become totally clear to me that music, especially singing, is an essential part of any educational program, whether in school or in church.  Since singing has been part of church services for literally thousands of years, it is crucial that children learn the styles, techniques, literature and expectations of church music.  Fortunately this is not tough....it is joyous and a very beautiful part of worshiping.

I'm so committed to children's music that, when we were unable to find a replacement for Katie, I stepped in, coming full circle: returning to the position I started with, and continuing the work I’ve been missing.  When we finally find a new REMD, I’ll step down gratefully, but for the time being I invite everyone, and particularly all children, to join in the singing with high spirits and a glad heart, generously sharing the gift of music.

Welcome Training Sessions Coming Up - Do you enjoy reaching out and talking to newcomers? Serving as a greeter, usher or welcome table host is a great way to contribute to our religious community! And, it only requires that you show up a half hour early for the occasional service in which you are scheduled. We are grateful for the many of you who are already helping with this work each week and would love to have even more folks on our Welcome Teams!
 
If you do take pleasure in reaching out to new folks, we invite you to participate in this important training effort and try to attend one of the training sessions this month. We hope these sessions will be of help to both experienced welcomers as well as new or future members of our Welcome Teams.
 
Choose from either of these Welcome Training sessions:
 
November 16 following the second service, at 1:00 PM You can buy soup from the youth that day; light snacks will also be available. Or, November 23 prior to the first service at 8:30AM Childcare will be available for this session.
 
If you are interested in taking part in one of these, please contact Anne Bailey:
 
annebailey713@yahoo.com or 860-379-7740 to get additional details.

DRE Reports Activities to the Board and shares them with you - (Editors note, This article may be based on the wrong attachment, but it is interesting and so here you have it with some adjustments.)

Attendance/Registration - Attendance and Registration are now completely maintained a Church Windows database.  80 students are registered for RE this year, which represents a 9% increase over last year at this time.  Average weekly attendance, however, has dropped considerably from last year, from approximately 80% in September/October 07 to 50% in 2008. Interesting to note is that the attendance pattern in 07 was that the same children attended on most weeks, whereas in 08, a larger number of children are attending, but the make up of the class changes dramatically from week to week.  This is particularly true in the middle school grades. An average of 12 children attended each week, but most children attend class only two of four classes.

Also of note is that Youth Group attendance was not included in last year’s statistics, but it is included this year.
 
Teacher Recruitment - Teacher recruitment is astoundingly good at this time.  We have 33 teachers currently on teams, and 5 volunteers who are willing to substitute when needed.  This is a 55% increase over last year at this time.  In addition, 3 teachers have assumed scheduling duties.
 
Curricula - The main format change to this year’s curricula is the process through which the teachers receive the material.  Rather than photocopying the lessons and distributing three ring binders, the teachers receive the lesson as a pdf the Tuesday before they are scheduled to teach.  I am finding that this change has resulted in the teachers reading the material in advance and asking clarifying questions.
 
Classroom Renovation - The second and third grade classroom is nearing completion.  The rug was installed by the incomparable Peter Magistri this past week, and the cumulative effect is warm and welcoming.  Kathi Ferguson is donating her time and fabric to create new tackboards, which will be installed before Christmas.

Professional Development - I attended the UU New England Fall Conference at Nichols College in September, and participated in a two-part workshop on the impact of personal story on change in congregations.  
 
In October, I will be attending the LREDA conference in New Mexico and a workshop on Nonviolent Communication in Old Lyme.

Ritual of Remembering - It’s okay to cry in the Sanctuary.  It’s okay to remember loved ones no longer with us.  And that’s what we did during the All Souls Day service on Sunday.

The theme began with the very first item in the Order of Service, as the congregation became the Entrance Voluntary, singing “The Potter’s Wheel,” with its haunting chorus of “…loving and letting go.”
 
A moving Ritual of Remembering ceremony brought a long line of persons who came to stand in front of the chancel to say aloud the name and relationship of persons they wanted to remember.  After each name, the congregation responded “presente” to affirm the belief that love does not die, but goes on, present, in us.
 
“In this place, we hallow memory,” Reverend BJ began her sermon, and explained that “hallow” means to set aside for holy use.  “How do we use the memory of those we treasure to make life whole?” she asked.  She suggested that the process of life to death is “glorious and eternal.”  We must rejoice in this process and must be “loving and letting go.” We can carry the memory of those we’ve loved and lost everywhere we go.  Memory can call us to the “ better angels of our natures.” - Kayla Costenoble

The Noah Webster Partnership Project - October 2008 Update - The Noah Webster Partnership Project under the direction of GHICEJ is proceeding very well:

*Tracey Mozdzierz, the school’s new Community Resource Coordinator, has been actively at work. Tracey has already met several goals that GHICEJ and the Principal identified, including finding math tutors for the 4th grade and recruiting volunteers for the in-school reading program and the after school homework center. Her knowledge of the school and network of relationships has been invaluable to the project.

*Tutors have been recruited to meet the needs of Pre-K through 3rd grade, with some tutors now identified for 4th grade. An orientation and training session was held for all tutors prior to the September 22nd start date.  The tutors are trained by the Reading Specialists and follow the reading curriculum that the school is using. There are currently other tutors assisting with math and English in the upper grades.

*The after school Homework Center run by HOPE CDC and First Church of the Living God is underway with 16 children enrolled and 4 tutors. There is still a need for more tutors for the after school program. Interested volunteers can call Dawn Anderson at (860)-818-4310.

*A host of 5 parent workshops will be offered during the school year. The first one is scheduled in November and is being offered by HOPE CDC at First Church of the Living God. The topic will be “Toxic Stress and Positive Parenting”. It will be held at the Noah Webster School (61 Whitney Street in Hartford) from 6pm to 8pm on Monday, November 17th. Register by calling Dorothy Estelle at 860-232-4461 or email hopeclg@sbcglobal.net. Four other workshops are being planned on such topics as “Financial Education for Parents”, “Reading for Fun”, “Preparing for a Successful PPT” and “Transitioning from Grade School to High School”.

*A formal “Needs Assessment” will be undertaken with a planning group representing the major components of the Noah Webster Community: teachers, support staff, parents, volunteers and community representatives. The purpose of the needs assessment is to identify  the needs of the school and the available resources.

* HOPE CDC has started the annual mentoring program at Noah Webster. Currently, there are 8 trained mentors working with 4 students.  More Mentors are needed and a training program is provided on an as needed basis by HOPE CDC.

*Members of the Education Task Force continue to meet with area civic groups and agencies to create awareness about the Noah Webster Partnership Project and enlist support.

*Volunteers are participating in the student run micro-society ventures from time to time.

To learn more, contact Tracey Mozdzierz at Noah Webster School at 695-5380 or email her at mozdzier@sbcglobal.net. Or call Shai Cassell at 930-4278 or email her at shaileen@sbcglobal.net

What Else is Happening  & Announcements

Can you Help? - The Spencer Memorial Service Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11:00 AM will be followed by a reception at noon. Can you donate sandwiches, cookies, quick breads or cheese/crackers for the reception? And might you help with the set-up, serving or clean-up. The Alliance is coordinating with the help of the Caring Network so contact Louise Schmoll, 242-2953 or rdschmoll@comcast.net or Diana Heymann, 461 0908 or heydiana@comcast.net.

FOS (Festival of the Season) is moving along in the planning stages. It will be held Saturday December 6th. Tickets and sign up for the potluck dinner will be available before and after Sunday services beginning November 16th. Signing up for the dinner by Sunday November 30th will be a great help to those planning the event. Your cooperation will be deeply appreciated. Now, mark you calendars immediately. It is a busy season and we look forward to seeing you all at this traditional USH event!

Affiliation stickers – What are these? You may have noticed many folks with nametags that have small labels listing the sub-councils and/or positions in which they are involved at USH. These labels are available as removable stickers that can be placed (and later removed) on your nametag, if you wish to have one (or even two or possibly three, if there’s room) request one. Small rainbow stickers are available as well.
 
In an effort to keep these up-to-date, we are adding a new column to the Nametag Request sheet kept at the upstairs Welcome Table. As well as signing up for a newcomer (green) or replacement (ivory) nametag, you can now also sign up for an “affiliation sticker”. If you already have a nametag in the racks, the sticker will be placed on it for you.

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9 AM  Wednesday, Nov 12 ~ USH kitchen Annual Alliance Holiday Baking
bring a friend ~ no baking expertise needed, all will be organized for us, wear your favorite apron & share its story. All are welcome - new hands & faces encouraged! As the holiday goodies bake, we'll hold our Cabinet meeting bring a sandwich to munch on.

Stop by Fellowship Hall this Sunday to learn about Recycling as presented by Mary Sherwin from the DEP.

If you haven't filled out the green survey - either on-line or on-paper please do so. This permits us to get a baseline of congregants current practices with which to compare in a year or two. We hope the info will also give you some new information and inspiration. Paper copies can be picked up at the Green Table. Thanks, The Green Sanctuary Sub-Council.

Why do we have a green table? - We are working hard to provide products that support a healthier environment at prices that people can afford. You will probably notice that many of the prices are below what you would pay elsewhere. By providing these products we are supporting the companies that make earth friendly items as well as eliminating toxins and CO2 which are hurting our Earth. For example if every household in the US replaced just one bottle of 32 oz solvent-based glass & surface cleaner with our solvent-free product, we could prevent 11 mil lbs of Volatile Organic Chemicals from being released into the environment. Also, if every household in the US replaced just one bottle of 100 oz 2x ultra petroleum-based liquid laundry detergent with our 100 oz 2x ultra vegetable-based product, we could save 460,000 barrels of oil enough to heat and cool 27,000 homes for a year! Stop by and see what new items we have!

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 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.

Adult Programs

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During coffee stop by the Programs Registration Table in Fellowship Hall this Sunday to reserve your place for the next  Friday Dinner and Movie Night on November 14. The featured movie will be The Visitor.

" 'The Visitor' gives viewers a perceptive, deeply personal take on the timeless immigrant narrative, in which the most epic journey is finally one of self-discovery." Washington Post

A six week session of Tai Chi began yesterday, November 5 and will run through December 17 (no class 11/24). If you are interested in joining this session please contact Ginny Hedrick at 677-9272.

Have you been looking for a book about Unitarian Universalism? Stop by and look at the offerings in the Book Cart located next to the Registration Table.  

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.

"The Visitor" will be shown at the USH Dinner & Movie program on Friday, Nov 14. The previously scheduled movie, "Life of Reilly", has not yet been released in DVD form, but should be available for our June program. "The Visitor" is a powerful film that is sure to provoke a spirited discussion. To watch a stirring clip here is the link.

Our menu will star a white sauced fish stew (from Kane's Catering, as usual), with a vegetarian option available to anyone requesting it in advance.

Reservations may be made during Sunday coffee hours at the Programs Table or by calling the USH office at 233-9897 by Monday, November 10.

We'll be setting up about 5 PM that Friday (helping hands always welcomed!), with popcorn and libations at 5:30, dinner at 6, film at 7.

Caring Network - Cherish all your happy moments: they make a fine cushion for old age.
-- by Christopher Morley - 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 - More

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 -

Partner Church: Yes or No? Many years ago, during Jon Luopa’s ministry, our Society discussed the UUA Partner Church movement and decided, yes, we do live in a global society, and yes, we should get involved.  The small Romanian Unitarian churches were struggling following the overthrow of the communist government and help was desperately needed.

In May of this year, with no notice and no chance for discussion by society members, our Board of Directors voted to discontinue our Partner Church partnership.  Five members and two staff were present.  None of these five have had any direct involvement with our Partner Church activities. 

The Board minutes say: “The Board discussed the challenge of supporting the Partner Church program in the absence of congregational support, even after BJ’s service dedicated to the program.  As Discussion included the desire for us to celebrate the commitment and relationship which we nurtured in the past.  Marye Gail moved to respectfully drop the partner church program, given the lack of a sustaining interest among congregants in the program at this time.  Carolyn seconded the motion.  Following discussion, motion passed; no abstentions, none opposed.”

I did not learn of this action until mid September when I submitted new letters from our Partner Church Minister for publication in the October Messenger.  They were not published and a call from our President gave me this news.  

The first sentence in the minutes indicating a lack of congregational support astounds me.  We collected over $1,000 on the Sunday mentioned and many people told me how much then enjoyed hearing from our Burlington guests about their trip to Lupeni.  I call that congregational support.

AFTER the May vote, interested people were asked to come forward.   It was via electronic communication that I missed.  Thus, my complete surprise in September.   

Now, again recently, interested people are being sought.  I have been involved in our PC for more than ten years.  It angers me that prior to the vote no one came to me to ask, Who are the people interested in this?  or, Would you come to the Board meeting when we discuss this?   It could have been an item on the Annual Meeting agenda for brief discussion.    And no one came to me after the May meeting to tell me the action taken.  And to my knowledge,  the Partner Church Council was never informed of this vote.

Making the effort to collect money once a year for this cause is a small thing that we easily can do. Are we so focused on ourselves that we do no longer want to be part of this global program?   IF it is to be discontinued,  let it be after a proper discussion. -  Louise Schmoll

 

photoDid You Know? - Green Sanctuary Sub-Council -

Let's 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 your copy of the brochure and order now!

Check out the new products at the Green Table

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

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.

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) More

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